December 23 - St. Paul the Apostle Church - Diocese of Joliet

ST PAUL THE APOSTLE 

Catholic Church and School 

18 Woodlawn Ave. 

Joliet, Illinois 60435 

www.stpauljoliet.com 

December 23, 2012 

Parish Office: 815-725-1527 

Parish Fax: 815-730-9907 

School: 815-725-3390 

Religious Education: 815-725-6927 

Youth Ministry: 815-730-8599 

RCIA (Roberta Lemke) 815-725-1403 

Parish Email: stpauljoliet@sbcglobal.net 

Rev. Gregory Rothfuchs, Pastor 

Rev. John Belmonte, S.J., Resident 

Rev. James Lennon, Weekend Celebrant 

Deacon William Bevan, III 

x240 

x230 

Lynne Passarella, Parish Secretary 

x200 

Denise Rowan, Business Manager 

x203 

Mary K. Robbins, Principal 

x401 

Sr. Karen Marie Lanigan, O.S.F., D.R.E. x301 

Jeremy Hylka, Liturgical and Youth Minister x320 

Tanya Rand, Dean of Devel.&Mrktg. x201 

Raymond Kaufmann, Director of Music

St. Paul the Apostle Church 

18 Woodlawn Avenue www.stpauljoliet.com Joliet, Illinois 

The Fourth Sunday Of Advent 


Saturday, December 22 

4:30 PM Kenneth McGirr 

Marcella Engimann 

Sunday, December 23 

7:30 AM The People of St. Paul the Apostle 

9:00 AM Comfort & Mowbray Families 

Jack Kane 

10:30 AM W.K. Hickey, Jr. 

Robert Kapella 

Monday, December 24 

7:30 AM Barbara Joseph 

4:00 PM Int. of the Celebrant 

10:30 PM Int. of the Celebrant 

Tuesday, December 25 

8:00 AM Int. of the Celebrant 


Wednesday, December 26 

7:30 AM Stella Dumser 

Thursday, December 27 

7:30 AM Tom Devine 

Friday, December 28 

7:30 AM William & Sara Breen 


4:30PM Agnes & Daniel Maloney 

Next Sunday December 30 

7:30 AM Margaret Theobald 

9:00 AM John McCormack 


NEXT WEEKEND’S LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS 

TIME READERS EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS 


4:30 PM A Kokosz / J Roolf N. Pultorak, P&C Wilda, D. Pultorak, 

P. Larranaga, J. Stofko, J. Militello 

Sunday, December 30 

7:30 AM L. Deiss / A. Henderson C. Schultz, M.A. Schwerha, K. Burla 

J. Peceniak, C. Lukowski, K&L Brick 

9:00 AM J. Bebar / C. Hinkleman P. Bowden, J.Simpson, C. Sinwell 

P. Gimbel, J&J Klika, L. Nichols 

10:30 AM M. Maloney / L. Garcia S. Hobbs, B&P Bodach, B. Bayci, 

C., Jelinek, R. Jelinek, K. Jelinek 

Next Weekend’s Servers: 


4:30 PM R & P Kasheimer/ V. DeFilippo/ D. Tubongbanua 


7:30 AM O & G Yaklich / N Brozyna 

9:00 AM A & Z Bebar/ J blake/ B Hinkleman 

10:30AM C. Castillo/ e. Molnar/ A. Simon/ J. Scherf 

Reflection on Stewardship 

Embracing a simpler lifestyle 

enables us to live more generously. 

December 9, $17,389.00 

(This amount includes Direct Donation) 

Budgeted per week: $17,500.00 

Weekday Mass: Mon-Fri 7:30 AM (Tues, 8:30 AM during school year) 

Saturday Vigil: 4:30 PM 

Sunday Mass: 7:30,9:00,10:30 AM 

Holy Day Masses: Variable-check bulletin. 

Reconciliation: Sat 3-4 pm or by appointment. 

Baptism: Usually 2nd Sunday of the month after 10:30am Mass. A preparation meeting for parents 

is mandatory. Call the parish office for details 

Weddings: Engaged parishioners must contact the parish office at least 6 mos. prior to intended 

date, and before making any arrangements. 

RCIA: 

Classes from September to Easter for those interested in becoming Catholic. 

Becoming a Parishioner: Please contact the parish office to register All Are Welcome!

Fourth Sunday 

Of Advent 


Are You Listening? 

Mary listened. Elizabeth listened. Both women were attentive to the voice of God in their lives. Because Mary listened 

to the message of God brought to her by the angel and believed, she responded with her “yes.” She also heard 

the message about her cousin so she traveled to be with Elizabeth. 

Elizabeth listened to God speak to her through Mary and her unborn son and believed that her young cousin was 

“blessed among women” because of the child she carried in her womb. In her heart Elizabeth knew God had spoken 

an astounding message to Mary and so proclaimed, “Blessed are you who have believed that what was spoken to you 

by the Lord would be fulfilled.” 

In the Christmas story we see that Joseph listened, the shepherds listened, and the magi listened. Are we listening? 

So often we hear but aren’t paying attention because we forget to listen. 

As we celebrate this wonderful feast of the incarnation when God became human in the person of Jesus who is 100% 

God and 100% human let our hearts be full of gratitude for a God who loves us so much he came to live among us. 

And let us listen to what he is saying to us. God is sending messages of good news to us all the time. 

Let us keep our ears open to hear what God is speaking to us in… 

rA baby crying…will we hear Jesus crying? 

rThe Christmas carols…will we hear the angels singing praise? 

rA telephone call from a loved one across the miles…will we hear a message from God? 

rA memory of one no longer with us…will we hear a whisper from heaven that they are still with us? 

rBells ringing, trumpets sounding, wind whistling and fires crackling…will we hear God’s message of love? 

Listen up! In all the hustle and bustle God is speaking to us all the time through other people, in scripture, in the sacraments, 

in creation, and in a quiet, attentive heart. 

“Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?” As you walk in the winter wonderland of Christmas all year round you may 

not be hearing sleigh bells but listen for God speaking to you, in fact, say, “Speak, Lord, I am listening.” 

Merry Christmas! 

Sister Karen Marie

Parish News 

St. Paul’s Youth Ministry 

(FOLLOW) 

New members are always welcome. 

You must be confirmed and/or in high school! 

Contact Youth Minister Jeremy Hylka at 

815-730-8599 or stpaulsyouth@sbcglobal.net 

Website: www.stpaulyouth.com 

Facebook: St. Paul’s Youth Ministry Joliet 

Ski Trip…January 4 – details on our website! 

R.E.P. NEWS 

In need of information about 

Our Religious Education Program? 

Please call the REP office at 815-725-6927 

There will be no REP classes on Monday, December 

24 or Monday, December 31. REP classes will 

resume on Monday, January 

7, 2013. 

Merry Christmas to all 

our REP Families from 

Sr. Karen Marie and all 

the REP staff. 

A 

BLESSED 

CHRISTMAS 

TO ALL 

FROM 

REV. GREGORY ROTHFUCHS 

REV. JOHN BELMONTE 

REV. JAMES LENNON 

DEACON BILL BEVAN III 

AND ALL THE STAFF 

RAINBOWS For All 

God’s Children will begin 

on Wednesday, January 16 

at 6 pm in the school. 

RAINBOWS is a program 

for children in grades K-8 

who have experienced a 

loss due to death, separation 

or divorce. For more information or to register 

for the program, which is free of charge, please call 

Sr. Karen Marie at 815-725-6927. Our deadline 

date for registration is January 7, 2013. 

THE CREED 

You are invited to attend a three-session course 

on the Creed sponsored by our diocesan Cardinal 

Newman Institute for Lay Formation beginning 

January 21 (I believe in God the Father) 

and continuing on February 18 (I believe in God 

the Son) and ending on March 25 (I believe in 

God the Holy Spirit). Classes are from 6 until 8 

pm in A-4 of the Activity Center. Please call Sr. 

Karen at 815-725-6927 to register.

Calendar News 

Sunday, December 23 

7:30am Sunday Mass 

Church 

9:00am Sunday Mass 


9:00am RCIA 

Convent 

10:30am Mass 


12:00pm Basketball Practice 

Gym 

1:00pm Liturgy Comm. Xmas Final Church 

Monday, December 24 

No School All Offices and Buildings Closed 

7:30am Mass 


8:00am Eucharistic Adoration 


7:00pm A A Meeting 

School Hall 

Tuesday, December 25 

No School All Offices and Buildings Closed 

8:00am Mass 


10:00am Mass 


Wednesday, December 26 

No School All Offices Closed 

7:30am Mass 





Gym 

7:30pm Liturgy Committee A 1 

Thursday, December 27 

7:30am Mass 




3:15pm Cheerleading Practice A 4 

3:45pm Interviews with Diana A 3 


Gym 

6:30pm Adult Choir 


7:00pm Spirit & Truth 

Convent/Church 

Friday, December 28 

7:30am Mass 




10:00am Baptism 



Gym 


9:00am Basketball Practice 

Gym 

3:00pm Cheerleading Practice 

Gym 

3:00pm Confessions 


4:30pm Vigil Mass 


5:30pm Music Ensemble 



7:30am Mass 


9:00am Mass 


9:00am RCIA 

Convent 

10:30am Mass 


12:00pm Basketball Practice Gym 

For the most current calendar information please go to www.stpauljoliet.com 

Pray for the Sick 

Please remember the following people in your prayers who are seriously ill 

or who are suffering from long-term illnesses: 

Patricia Balla 

Erin Bartel 

Gerri Bertino 

Mason Briese 

Patricia Burda 

Noemi Canales 

Gerard Colagrossi 

Laura Criel 

Sally Drauden 

Jean Fabich 

Mary Patricia Fischer 

Fr. Marty Gabel 

Judith Gahala 

Harn Family 

Bernie Hastings 

Sami Henderson 

Ann Juhlmann 

Michael Lapikas 

Helen Locher 

Carol Malnar 

Shirley Max 

Helen Meyer 

Terry Meyer 

Robert Miller 

Mary Modlin 

John Mowbray 

Francis Murphy 

Jeanie Nunuue 

Kurt Palmer 

Kay Prock 

Elizabeth Ratkovich 

Amy Remallard 

Lisa Savero 

Barbara Schreiner 

Richard Schreiner 

Tony Simone 

Louis Toka 

Sal Ventura 

Nancy Zimmer

Join us once a month from 

7:30-9:00pm in room A4 of 

the Activity Center! 

St. Paul the Apostle 

Liturgical Ministry 

More info contact Jeremy at 

stpaulsliturgy@sbcglobal.net 

or 815-730-8599 

The next session is January 8th The Rise of the 

Kingdom: Israel’s First Kings 

BIBLE STUDY SERIES 

MEMORIES AND DREAMS 

Throughout our lives, we retain the language and 

habits of our native region and family of origin. Should we 

return to our home after a long absence, we quickly revert 

to its familiar speech and practices. Our deep memory is 

reflected in old stories and words and speech patterns. This 

familiarity runs like an underground river and accompanies 

us wherever we go. 

Not only do we remember, we are incorporated 

into and made part of a greater memory. In remembering 

and recollecting, we are in turn gathered up and recollected. 

Today we remember Mary, a small figure travelling 

the country roads to visit Elizabeth. All the great pronouncements 

and dreams of the prophets point to this time 

when the Lord’s words to Mary would be gathered and 

fulfilled. The memories of her people are alive in her, and 

memories of her 

nourish our own 

living faith. 

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. 

PRAY FOR 

PEACE AND 

GOODWILL 

ON EARTH 

Saint Peter Canisius, Doctor of the Church 

Saint Peter Canisius 

was a Jesuit priest at the 

height of the many 

Protestant reformations in 

16th century Europe. He is 

known as a prolific Catholic 

theologian, preacher, 

teacher and evangelizer. 

Canisius was born 

in 1521 in the city of 

Nijmegen, now in the Netherlands, 

son of the city’s 

burgermeister (mayor). At 

age 15, he studied at the 

University of Cologne, 

earning a master’s degree 

in 

1540. Following his stewardship desire to serve 

God in the Church in Germany, he became the first 

Dutchman to join the newly formed Society of Jesus 

in 1543. 

Canisius became one of the most influential Catholics 

of his time. Through his teaching, preaching and 

writing, he led an historic renewal of the Catholic faith 

in southern Germany and Austria. Canisius wrote a 

number of books, preached retreats, founded the first 

German-speaking Jesuit colleges, and cared for the 

sick, reputedly traveling more than twenty thousand 

miles on foot or horseback. Because of these frequent 

travels, tedious and dangerous at the time, he 

became known as the Second Apostle of Germany 

after Saint Boniface. Canisius declined an appointment 

to become Archbishop of Vienna in order to 

continue his evangelizing ministry. 

Renowned as a popular preacher, Canisius 

packed churches and was said to have been so eloquent 

and convincing that he attracted hundreds of 

Protestants back to the Catholic faith. 

Canisius produced a well-organized and easily 

accessible German- language catechism, followed by 

two abbreviated versions: one for middle school students 

and one for young children. 

Canisius was influential with Emperor Ferdinand 

I, and participated in the Council of Trent. Devoted to 

the Virgin Mary, he is credited with adding to the Hail 

Mary the sentence Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray 

for us sinners. When asked if he felt overworked, the 

energetic Canisius replied with a stewardship quote: 

“If you have too much to do, with God’s help you will 

find time to do it all.” 

Canisius died on December 21, 1597 at age 76. 

Canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church in 

1925, he is the patron saint of Germany. His feast 

day is December 21.

Q & A’ S ON MARRIAGE 

2) How does marriage between one man and one woman benefit society? 

First and foremost, marriage provides an essential contribution to society because a stable, loving 

marriage is the ideal environment for raising children. Through marriage, children grow up knowing 

that they were created through an act of intimate love and with the knowledge that their mother and father have 

committed to each other for life. Marriage is a bond between parents but also between parents and children, who are 

provided the essential care and love of a mother and a father. 

Marriage is also beneficial for adults as the ideal structure for man and woman to live interdependently, recognizing 

the equal dignity, beauty and value of one another while also relying on each other’s care and love. This is the 

natural order embracing the complementarity – physical, emotional and spiritual – of man and woman. 

Marriage has existed as a reality natural to human beings long before any recognition by the state. 

The state cannot change the reality of marriage – a permanent, covenanted relationship of a man and a woman open to 

the creation of new life – without compromising the goods intrinsic to marriage. However, the state does have an interest 

in promoting marriage as part of the common good. As explained, marriage provides a beneficial order to society 

through which man and woman support one another, and love and educate their children to become responsible citizens 

and productive members of society. Marriage also reinforces the law’s protection of children and their best interests. So, 

for the stability and well-being of society, the state has an obligation to give preferred status and legal protection to this 

most basic cell of society. 

Tuition Angels 

“Back in the day,” Catholic education hardly cost a thing, thanks to nuns who worked for 

free. Nowadays, however, it's a big expense, an expense that weighs heavily on a parish and also on 

families who pay tuition. Sometimes it weighs too heavily on certain families, perhaps because of an 

unexpected difficulty or crisis that throws their finances into disarray. 

Each year help is given in these situations by our parish through thousands of dollars of financial 

aid given to needy families; help is also given by the Marconi Scholarship to families who 

have encountered financial strain due to medical issues. Now there is another avenue of help: the 

“Tuition Angels” fund. People can become “tuition angels” by donating money to help either specific families or simply 

to fortify the general fund which will then portion out assistance according to need. 

At this time of year families who are able reach out to those who are unable and your generosity is remembered 

always. What better gift than to allow a child to continue their education, based in faith and filled with care. 

Thank you for your consideration and participation in this worthy endeavor. May God bless you and yours and 

may you have a Blessed Christmas. 

A Great Big Thank You to all 

those who participated in this 

gift giving from the heart for all 

those who are in need especially 

during this Christmas Season. 

A Very Big Thank 

You to Dolores Gross 

who has headed this 

ministry for years. 

May God Bless all of 

you, with Joy and a 

Blessed Christmas.

December 23 - St. Paul the Apostle Church - Diocese of Joliet

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?