Fourth Sunday of Advent December 24, 2017

St. Alexander Parish Administration Directory

Parish Administrative Center 7025 W. 126th St. Palos Heights, IL 60463

Phone: 708-448-4861 Fax: 708-448-0039

Pastor: …………………….. Rev. Martin Michniewicz ext. 227

Associate Pastor: ……………… Rev. Patrick O’Neill ext. 223

Deacons: ……………………………. Jim Horton, Tim Keating

Director Parish Home & Health Ministry: Jim Horton ext. 232

Accounting Department Director: ….. Paula Somers ext. 233

Director of Music: ………………….. Patrick Mooney ext. 224

Parish Center & Parish Athletic Director: ……………………………………… Cathy Sullivan - 361-2626 Teen Coordinator: ………………… Sharon Ayres - 448-6624

Counseling Center: ………………………… 448-4861 ext.310

Director: .…………. Sr. Claire Marie Czerwiec, SSND, LCPC

St. Alexander’s on the Web …… www.stalexanderpalos.org

Parish E-Mail: ………………………. alchurch1@comcast.net

St. Alexander School 126th St. and 71st Ave. Palos Heights, IL 60463

Phone: 708-448-0408 Fax: 708-448-5947

Principal: ………………………………………...…… Cathy Biel

Assistant Principal: …………………...……. Mary Dombrowski

Administrative Assistants: ……….…...…... Mary Ann Pellicore

……………………………………...……………. Renee Chavez

School Web: ………………….... www.stalexanderschool.com

School E-Mail: …………….... stalexanderschool@yahoo.com

Religious Education Office 126th St. and 71st Ave. Palos Heights, IL 60463

Phone: 708-448-6624

Coordinator of Religious Education: ……………. Nancy Cook

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Spreading the Holy Fire Celebrating Christ Risen from the Dead through the 7 Sacraments

MATRIMONY Celebration of God’s Blessings on the Loving Union

between Man and Woman Please call the Parish Administration Center at least 4 months in advance of your wedding. Pre-Cana for engaged couples is required by the Archdiocese Matrimony Contact: Fr. Martin Michniewicz & Fr. Patrick O’Neill 448-4861

Sacraments of Initiation

Sacraments of Commitment

BAPTISM Celebration of Entrance into Christ’s Church

You must be a registered parishioner in this parish.

At least one Godparent must be a practicing Catholic. The other must be a Christian.

Parents must register for a class on Baptism BEFORE your baby is baptized. Archdiocesan required classes are held once a month, usually on the 1st Monday of the month, and facili-tated by trained parishioners.

Baptism contact Joan DeVito 448-4861 ext. 237

RCIA Celebration of the Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults This process is for adults who would like to join the Roman Catholic Church and have never been Baptized, or were Baptized in another Christian denomination. There is also a process for children (RCIC) and teens (RCIT).

RCIA/RCIC/RCIT contact - Deacon Jim Horton 448-4861 & Deacon Tim Keating 448-6624

Sacraments of Healing

RECONCILIATION Celebration of God’s Forgiveness

through Personal Confession

Saturday Morning: 8:30 - 9:00 AM

Saturday Evening: after the 5:00 PM Mass

Other Times by Appointment

ANOINTING OF THE SICK Celebration of God’s Restorative Love & Forgiveness

Sacrament offers strength to the living. If someone becomes seriously ill, please call the Parish Administrative Center. Ministers of Care are available to bring Holy Communion and/or visit with the sick and homebound. Also every 1st Saturday - 6:00 - 7:00 PM in church

HOLY ORDERS Celebration of Ordained Service to the Church

The three offices of the Sacrament of Holy Orders are bishop, priest and deacon. All three are conferred by the sacramental act called “ordination.” Priesthood Contact - Fr. Michniewicz 448-4861 ext 227 Archdiocese of Chicago Vocation Director: Fr. Brian Welter - 312-534-8298

CONFIRMATION Celebration of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

This Sacrament is normally celebrated in 8th Grade and is a 2 year program of preparation.

Confirmation Contacts: Nancy Cook - Religious Education 448-6624 Cathy Biel - School 448-0408 The Archdiocese also offers classes for adults wishing to receive Confirmation. Adult Confirmation Contact - Deacon Tim Keating & Deacon Jim Horton 448-4861

Eucharistic Liturgy (Mass)

Sunday Vigil: 5:00 PM (Saturday)

Sunday: 7:00, 9:00, 10:30 AM, 12:00 Noon &

6:00 PM (Life Teen Youth Mass)

Monday through Friday: 6:30 & 8:45 AM

Saturday Morning: 8:00 AM

Holy Day Vigil: 7:00 PM

Holy Day: 6:30, 8:45 AM & 7:00 PM

EUCHARIST Celebration of Sharing Fully at Christ’s Altar of Sacrifice & Communion with Jesus and His Church

Eucharistic Adoration Thursday before the 1st Friday

9:15 AM - 7:00 PM Benediction

Evening of Prayer and Adoration

On the 1st Saturday 4:30 PM - Rosary 5:00 PM - Mass

6:00 PM - Prayers for Healing

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Dear Parishioners,

We are loved by many people in our lives which include family, friends, co-workers, and others we have come to know. We must always remember that nobody loves us more than God. How do we know this? Because of the Gift of the Incarnation: God taking flesh and becoming man. God so loved the world that he sent his only son to show us how to live, died for our sins, and rose from the dead so the gates of heaven would be opened that had been closed through Adam’s sin. This gift of God made man, that took place over 2,000 years ago, is eternal.

Christmas is eternal because the gift of Christmas, Jesus Christ, is eternal. Jesus is the Word of God, the Light and Life of the world. It is through Jesus Christ, both fully God and fully human that we as humans are made one and whole with God. The best way for us as Christians to keep Christmas eternal is by imitating our Lord, by loving one another as our Lord loves us, and sustaining this love all year long. When we love, console, forgive, and assist each other and are generous with our goods to our par-ish and fellow humans, we continue to give the gift of Christ and His love to each other. This Christmas, let us pray that we recommit ourselves to eternally sharing the gift, our Lord, with all humanity.

We know that life is precious because Jesus took the form of human flesh. All life is sacred from the moment of conception, which has been proven in history when our Blessed Virgin conceived our Lord. As we reflect on the amount of people murdered in our streets throughout America, let us pray that peo-ple will turn away from evil and turn to the Lord. Since the Roe vs. Wade decision, life has not been treasured in this great country of ours. Let us make sure that all of us, whether it be at our Christmas ta-ble, the workplace, or the gym, stand up for life from the moment of conception to natural death.

On behalf of the entire family of St. Alexander, the priests, deacons, staff and lay people, may your Christmas be filled with much happiness and your New Year with much hope.

Merry Christmas and God Bless,

Father Marty

FROM OUR PASTOR

Christmas Vigil Sunday, December 24

th

4:00pm Church — Contemporary Music

4:00pm Parish Center — Children’s Choir

6:30pm Church — Traditional

Christmas (Midnight Mass) Sunday, December 24

th 11:30pm Choir and Carol Prelude

Mass begins at Midnight

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY MASS SCHEDULE Christmas Day

Monday, December 25th

7:00am 9:00am

10:30am 12:00pm

(Please note there is no 6:00pm Mass)

New Years Day Mass Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Sunday, December 31st

7:00am 9:00am

10:30am 12:00pm

(Please note there is no 6:00pm Mass)

Monday, January 1st

9:00 am (This is not a Holy Day of Obligation

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Home Bound or Ill? If you, or someone you know, are unable to attend Mass and would like to receive communion in their home, please call Deacon Jim Horton at 708-448-4861, ext. 232

WEEKLY SUNDAY COLLECTION REPORT

December 10, 2017 $18,823.75

Thank you for your continued generous support.

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

The lengthy passage from Samuel is a wonderful exposition of God's promise to the house of David: that his throne would forever be gloriously occupied by his descendants. Hidden in the mystery of the prophecy is the promise of the Savior, the Messiah, Son of God and Son of David. The prophet Nathan, speaking in God's name, poetically turns around Da-vid's plan to build a house for God, and announces God's plan to build a "house," that is, a dynasty for David. From this house of David will come the Mes-siah, the Christ, not in kingly splendor as David ruled, but as a humble man, destined to rule forever and over all. When God gives a gift, it's amazing what we are given--so different from what we ever could have imagined.

Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

Today’s Readings: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Rom 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-38

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

December 25-31, 2017

Monday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27-29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] During the Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3, 11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Tuesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:5 -- 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7cd-8; Mt 2:13-18 Friday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:22-35 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-10; Lk 2:36-40 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Ps 128:1-5 or Ps 105:1-6, 8-9; Col 3:12-21 [12-17] or Hb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Lk 2:22-40 [22, 39-40]

Prayers of the Faithful for the Sick

As the faith family of St. Alexander, we unite with one another to pray for those who need healing of their body, mind or

spirit. Confident that God hears the voices of those who trust in the Lord Jesus, we join in prayer for:

If you or anyone in your family would like to be added to our Prayers of the Faithful for the Sick please contact the Parish Administrative Office at 708-448-4861.

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PASTORAL COUNSELING SERVICES

AT ST. ALEXANDER PARISH

Services for individuals, couples & families

For more information, call

448-4861 ext. 310

Sr. Claire M. Czerwiec, SSND, LCPC

Pastoral Counselor & Spiritual Director

LIFE TEEN MASS

Geared For Young People Celebrated Sunday’s at 6:00 pm

All St. Alexander Parish teens, School and Religious Education Program students are invited to join the Life Teen Group. Following mass we move to our meeting room for what is known as Life Night. Here we share food, movies, games, stories, and fun. It is a great chance to keep up with old friends and make new friends as well. It doesn’t cost anything to join and you can come whenever it suits you. Please plan to join us soon and be sure to bring your friends!

PLEASE NOTE

There will only be one Mass on Tuesday, December 26th at 8:00am

The Parish Administrative Office will be closed on Tuesday, December 26

th

WE WISH YOU A BLESSED CHRISTMAS

AND HOLY NEW YEAR!

St. Alexander Society of St. Vincent de Paul

CHRISTMAS FOOD DRIVE Our Christmas Food Drive for our sharing parish St. Gelasius & St. Columbanus continues through January. Please help as much as you can as the need for food just keeps growing. Our monthly food drive is held on the first weekend of every month. Thank you for all your caring and sharing with those in need.

We wish all of the St. Alexander parishioners and their families a very

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

A Christmas Prayer For Military Families

Lord, hold our troops in your

loving hands.

Please help the families whose

loved ones are away this

Christmas season.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families

for their selfless acts. Let these families

know You keep watch on their dear ones

who are serving their country and lead

them safely home. Hold our troops and

their families in your hand until they

are united together again. Amen.

ST. ALEXANDER RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Rejoice in the birth of our Lord and Savior. May the blessings of Christ be upon you and your loved ones this Christmas and into the New Year.

The Religious Education Office will be closed on Friday, December 22nd through Tuesday, January 2nd for the holidays .

ST.ALEXANDER SCHOOL NEWS

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ST. ALEXANDER SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

St. Alexander School, celebrating over 50 years of excellence in Catholic education, will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week from January 28 through February 2. An Open House will take place after the 12:00pm Mass on January 28. This is a great opportunity to visit the school, meet the teachers, and learn about what our school has to offer to our students.

A faculty and staff who model true Christianity

Preschool programs for 3 and 4 year olds, including 4 year old full day

Kindergarten classes are available as half day or full day

Extended day care is provided before and after school

Academic support as well as professional counseling is available

Curriculum includes foreign language, art, gym, music, computer classes and STEM lab

Daily religion classes and participation in liturgies teach Catholic values

Extracurricular and enrichment activities are available to all students

Hot lunch program offers nutritious meal choices

Please join us as we proudly show the community our Blue Ribbon School. Registration is available for the 2018-2019 school year. Please contact St. Alexander School at 708.448.0408 for information.

ST. ALEXANDER PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION OPEN FOR THE

2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR

St. Alexander Preschool provides an academic experience aligned with The Office of Catholic Schools Early Childhood Development. The preschool environment promotes a child’s growth intellectually, spiritually, physically and socially. The curriculum of the program consists of language, reading readiness skills, math awareness, awareness of God and Christian values, art and music movement, exploration skills, creative play, fine and gross motor skills.

Morning Class Options 4-Year Olds Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8:00-11:00am 3-Year Olds Tuesday & Thursday 8:00-11:00am

Before/Afterschool Extended Day Programs also available.

Children must be 3 or 4 years of age by September 1, 2018 to register. Call Mrs. Martino with questions at 708-448-0408 or visit www.stalexanderschool.com.

Afternoon Class Options Mixed Age Group 2, 3, 4 or 5 days 11:40am-2:40pm Full Day Options – 4 Year Olds 3, 4 or 5 days 8:00am-2:40pm

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Purchase your OFFER CARD today to save all year. There are so many great deals offered at local businesses!

OFFER CARDS are available for $10 each.

Cash and Checks are accepted.

Please make checks payable to St. Alexander School.

Offer Cards can be purchased through the SAVE program.

Questions? Please contact Colleen White at 630-841-8197.

HELP SUPPORT OUR PROGRAM!

The St. Alexander 8th

Grade Students are excited to launch the 2017-2018 fundraising drive!

ST. ALEXANDER PARISH HAS PURCHASED A GIFT FOR YOU!

Enjoy a free subscription to formed.org—an incredible online

gateway to the best Catholic content, all in one place!

FORMED provides amazing content 24/7 for you to grow in your faith. With FORMED, you can:

Prepare for Sunday Mass by watching an insightful five minute video by renowned Catholic teachers

Enjoy a movie with your family that is both nourishing and entertaining

Enrich your marriage with the award-winning video series Beloved: Finding Happiness in Your Marriage

Help your children grow in character and embrace the beauty and wonder of your faith

It’s EASY and FREE to Register!

Go to formed.org/register

Enter our Access Code: cfc141

Enter your email and create a password

(you’ll need this to login later)

Enjoy and share with others in our local community!

Get FORMED on the go!

Enjoy our subscription with the

new app, or through the mobile

website!

Learn more at: app.formed.org

Access code: cfc141

Visit www.formed.org for a complete listing of movies, study programs, audible programs, movies and e-books corresponding with each daily feature.

Page Nine Fourth Sunday of Advent December 24, 2017

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WORD OF LIFE “An unexpected pregnancy can be a difficult and

frightening time, and it’s important that your friend

know you are thinking of her and supporting her.

….Your support might be the only support she re-

ceives. Even if we never know how, the smallest

things we do can change someone’s life.”

—USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities

Spiritual Adoption Program Month 3—Developing Baby

“I can suck my thumb?” Your baby is quite active in the womb now—although his mother won’t feel him for another couple of months. He can squint, swallow, and move his tongue. He breathes amniotic fluid and ob-tains the oxygen his body needs through the umbilical cord. The baby you are praying for weighs one ounce.

Monday, December 25th - Christmas Day

7:00 AM— James Grzeczka Rosemary Murphy Bruno & Richard Scodro Thomas Leyden Joe Macey Joseph Rozak 9:00 AM— Donna Marie Feldner Robert Pikula Peter & Frances Feldner Lorie Hartig John Czech Brian Cadore Peggy Kevin 10:30 AM— Nancy Somers Edward Tobin Joseph John Taylor Raymond Schwaller John C. Stephens Sophie & Joseph Rzonca Cawley & Schwaller Families Mary Celeste Stanton Jack Heinlen Alfred, Mary & Anthony Miller 12:00 PM— Bergquist-Donovan Family William Smith Jack Kostiwa Special Intention—Don Jennings

THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS)

Saturday, December 24th - Christmas Eve Vigil 4:00 PM— Joseph Sloyan Catherine Wells Ted & Gloria Karamanski Heinerman Hertko Families Richard & Melissa Mundo John & Geraldine Sexton Franklin F. Hedrick William Gibbons Susie McCarthy Star Ronald Antos Angie Miller Nancy Miller Mary Lou Mastro 6:30 PM— For the Parishioners MIDNIGHT— Anthony Angelo Anthony Lugo Jose & Esperanza Alexander Donald Busch Harold, Arlene & Bruce Bortman Edwin Michniewicz

Christmas

Mass Intentions

Please pick up your complimentary 2018 parish calendar available in the church vestibule.

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MERCY HOME SUNDAY MASS

9:30AM on WGN-TV Channel 9

MASS TIMES WHILE OUT OF TOWN There are free iPhone apps available that give church locations and Mass times all over the country; Catholic Mass Times Church Directory or Mass Times for Travel. Or visit the website www.masstimes.org or www.findaparish.com.

BOX TOP$ FOR EDUCATION & CAMPBELL'S SOUP LABELS

Dear Parishioners-

Please help us raise money for our school. Earning cash for our school is easy with Box Tops. Each one is worth 10 cents for our school, and you can find them on hundreds of products. Box Tops come in all shapes and sizes. Please remember that expired Box Tops don't count towards our school's earnings! You can drop them in the box marked Box Tops in the church lobby.

Box Tops can be found on hundreds of quality prod-ucts from brands like these: General Mills, Ziploc, Pillsbury, Kleenex, Betty Crocker, and Hefty.

Visit btfe.com for a complete list of participating brands and to learn more about how you can help our school. Thank you for your support!

ST. ALXANDER IS PART OF AMAZON SMILE!

When you order from Amazon.com, you may designate that a contribution of 0.5% of your total Amazon.com order will be donated to St. Alexander Church & School.

Simply visit www.smile.amazon.com, log in, and choose St. Alexander Church & School as your charitable organization. Be sure to log in through smile.amazon.com each time you place an order so it credits to our account.

Please consider doing this every time you place an order with Amazon.com . It’s free to you and it’s a wonderful way to benefit our parish and school! An added bonus; you can purchase Ama-zon gift cards through SAVE!

Retreat/Workshop For Widowed Men/Women

The Joyful Again! program brings understanding and hope to you on your new life’s journey. The dates are March 3 & 4 and April 21 & 22, 2018.

For information contact the Joyful Again! Widowed Ministry at 708-354-7211, www.joyfulagain.org, or joyfulagain7211@gmail.com. Please register early, space limited.

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FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 24, 2017 Saturday, December 23rd 5:00 PM— Ursula Snelius James Monson John J. Casey Denis Neary Anne & Thomas Wilson Sunday, December 24th 7:00 AM— Johanna Hoban Rosemary Murphy Donald Busch June Anhalt 9:00 AM— Donna Marie Feldner Helen Jablonski John Millette Jake Stakas George & Dan Jedlicka 10:30 AM— John C. Stephens Dan & Joan Bagniewski Mary Onak Kathleen Curley Vincente Holanday 12:00 PM— Brian Donovan Mary & Thomas Infantino Dorothy & Roy Donovan Monday, December 25th (The Nativity of the Lord) Christmas Mass Intentions are on page 10. Tuesday, December 26th (St. Stephen) 8:00 AM— Joseph & Margaret Feldner Arthur J. Data Sr. Diane Hamman Margaret Hanke Joellen Ryan Wednesday, December 27th (St. John) 6:30 AM— Members of Purgatorial Society Thomas Leyden Patrick O’Reilly 8:45 AM— Irene Suchinski Mark Hotchkin William Hotchkin Elizabeth Corbin Thursday, December 28th (The Holy Innocents) 6:30 AM— Rosemary Murphy (1st Anniversary) Margaret Corbett (1st Anniversary) 8:45 AM— Fatla Family Healing Intention—Ellen Brannigan John Maher Friday, December 29th (St. Thomas Becket) 6:30 AM— Healing Intention 8:45 AM— Berry Yocum Healing Intention—Maureen Cerze

Saturday, December 30th 8:00 AM— Special Intention THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY & JOSEPH DECEMBER 31, 2017 Saturday, December 30th 5:00 PM— Ursula Snelius Edna Witry Shirley M. Doherty Deceased Members of the Heinemann & Hertko Families Sunday, December 31st 7:00 AM— For the Parishioners 9:00 AM— Robert & Margaret Corbett Donna Marie Feldner Joseph & Mary Hecht Feldner Family 10:30 AM— Richard Kuszynski John C. Stephens Vincente Holanday 12:00 PM— Special Intention Rosemary Murphy Special Intention—Theresa Grobarek Brian Donovan Mary & Thomas Infantino Dorothy & Roy Donovan

ALTAR SERVERS DECEMBER 31, 2017

Saturday, December 30th

5:00 PM— The Madaras’

Sunday, December 31st

7:00 AM— The Palmers 9:00 AM— Matt Coffey, The Carrolls 10:30 AM— Cammy Helsdingen, Meara Nicholson 12:00 PM— Eamonn Weldon

Do you attend Mass regularly, but crave something more?

Using the new Pilgrimage app, you can journey through Scripture with friends, and your group. Your group will have access to a message board, which enables you to ask questions, start discus-sions, share content and connect with fellow group members, all from within the app. Learn more: www.pilgrimage.americanbible.org/