DECEMBER 21, 2014 ● FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

www.stmaryfc.org

Joyful Anticipation Saving God, how will you come to us today? And will we know you? You sent John the Baptist to testify to your light— and still some did not see. Put your spirit in us, and grant us a love of unceasing prayer, so that we will know you, rejoice in you, proclaim your liberty, and bring your glad tidings to our portion of the world. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

© Liturgy Training Publications. 1-800-933-1800. Written by Michael R. Prender-

Proclaim the Good News On this Third Sunday of Advent, we rejoice. The joy that should be apparent today is proclaimed in the first prayers of the Mass. The Entrance Antiphon quotes the Letter from Philippians 4:4–5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” Soon after, the priest prays the Collect, which looks to the Nativi-ty and asks that we “attain the joys of so great a salva-tion.” Today’s reading from Saint Paul to the Thessa-lonians begins similarly to the antiphon: “Rejoice al-ways, pray without ceasing.” Drawing near to Christ-mas, we come closer to the meaning of this season. As we heard on the First and Second Sundays of Advent, we are to repent to ready ourselves for the Lord. But we are also to rejoice in the Lord’s coming. Yes, we are to be alert and watchful. But if we are to testify to the light, as John the Baptist did, are we not to do that joyfully? Should we not have the same regard for the Lord as is apparent in the reading from the prophet Isaiah? There, Isaiah says, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God.” We are to keep Advent, but we should do it with joy that God has sent his Son. In the First Reading, we hear that the prophet has been anointed to do several things. First, he brings glad tidings to the poor. He then heals the broken-hearted, proclaims liberty to captives, releases prison-ers, and announces a year of favor. In the Gospel, we hear John the Baptist state his role. He is the “voice of one crying out in the wilderness.” As the season of Advent winds down, perhaps we need to consider that we have been anointed and Christ has called us. How have we responded?

© Liturgy Training Publications. 1-800-933-1800. Written by Michael R. Pren-dergast. Scripture quotations are from The New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1993 and 1989 by the Division of Christian Edu-cation of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Permis-sion to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago on March 12, 2014.

Mass Intentions Monday, December 22 8:00AM The Gene Schmidt Family Tuesday, December 23, St. John of Kanty, Priest 8:00AM †Gene Pasciak, Sr. req. The Pasciak Family Wednesday, December 24 8:00AM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation 3:00PM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation 5:00PM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation 10:30PM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation Thursday, December 25, The Nativity of the Lord 8:00AM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation 11:30AM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation Friday, December 26, Saint Stephen, The First Martyr 8:00AM †Curt Schey req. His Mother, Susan Saturday, December 27, Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist 5:00PM †Al Hakala req. The Family †Walter & Rose Schmidt req. Duane & Fran Schmidt †Karen Fiore-Green req. John & Shannon Gannon †Chuck Wagner req. Al & Kay Hertel Sunday, December 28 7:30AM †For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunication 9:30AM For the Soldiers Defending Our Country & For Peace †Venis McAdam req. Carol Werling †Sophia Kirn req. Jim, Her Husband †Jim Kirn req. Glenn & Liz Knuth Family †Pam Goss req. Michael Goss, Her Husband †William Berg req. Jen Pepping Family 11:30AM For the Intentions of Fr. Nathaniel J. Payne Bernie & Ann Ruzga 55th Wedding Anniversary †Arlene Kirn req. Jeanne Schellenberger †Donald Schweinberg req. The Schweinberg Family †Augusto, Nieves Lagman req. The Dela Cruz Family †Marie Lagman req. The Dela Cruz Family

Week Ahead Sunday, December 21 9:30AM Liturgy of the Word for Children Monday, December 22 8:00AM Daily Mass 8:30AM Pray the Rosary Tuesday, December 23 8:00AM Daily Mass 8:30AM Pray the Rosary Wednesday, December 24—Christmas Eve Parish Office Closed 8:00AM Daily Mass 8:30AM Pray the Rosary 3:00PM Mass with Family Mass Choir—No Incense 5:00PM Mass—No Incense 10:30PM Mass with Adult Choir Thursday, December 25—Christmas Parish Office Closed 8:00AM Mass 11:30AM Mass 6:30PM P.A.D.S. Friday, December 26 8:00AM Daily Mass 8:30AM Pray the Divine Mercy Saturday, December 27 5:00PM Liturgy of the Word for Children Sunday, December 28 9:30AM Liturgy of the Word for Children 9:30AM Childcare

Ministers are needed at every Mass. Please check in the Sacristy to sign in.

Annual Contribution Statements If you would like a statement of your regular church contributions for the calendar year 2014 please call the office. We will be happy to send you a statement.

Mass Times

12/24/14 3:00PM

12/24/14 5:00PM

12/24/2014 10:30PM

12/25/2014 8:00AM

12/25/2014 11:30AM

12/27/2014 5:00PM

12/28/2014 7:30AM

12/28/2014 9:30AM

12/28/2014 11:30AM

Presiders Fr. Jacob Fr. Payne Fr. Jacob Fr. Payne

Fr. Payne Fr. Jacob Fr. Payne Fr. Presta Fr. Jacob Fr. Payne

Lectors M. Hendricks C. Hendricks

M. Arata B. Machak

K. Lenzen S. Bosshart P. Coughlin

J. Friello J. Matousek

M. Hendricks C. Hendricks

K. Lenzen M.K. Titus

M. Arata L. Zuzda

E. McPherson S. Poletto

Eucharistic Minister

Deacon D. Prezell D. Harmon S. Harmon E. Bujan A. Bujan T. Kennedy J. Schwartz D. Suhling M. Corpuz M. Schofield Schofield G. Schofield

Deacon R. Peterson C. VanCura J. Pepping K. Aspegren M. Crutcher T. Hanley

K. Job R. Fisher J. Fisher L. Tooke L.M. Davis M. Stumpf H. Stumpf J. Ranchero

J. Fosselman L. Boshart A. Rafferty J. Sinkovec S. Ratajczak D. DeSalvo C. Cline M. Manning M. Manning

Deacon S. Matousek J. Ferrigan D. Cegelarek E. Tauscher S. Scesniak T. Schofield C. Schofield

Deacon E. Bujan D. Suhling C. Fisher B. Steiner C. Kasamis J. Murphy J. Koch P. Koch

Deacon D. DeSalvo Rafferty S. Ratajczak L. Bosshart C. Cline S. Stahl D. Fuller

Deacon C. Lutzo C. Orlowski J. Orlowski L.M. Davis J. Rutledge M. Rutledge B. DeClaire-Aden K. DeClaire-Aden C. Starck

Deacon M. Crutcher W. Roberts J. Weiler D. Weiler S. Scesniak M. Schofield A. Schofield K. Job

Liturgical Ministers December 24, 25, 27 & 28, 2014

J

W

from

ell acob’s

Dear Parishioners, I would like to express my gratitude for the blessings I have received at the beginning of my term as pastor of St. Mary. My first six months have flown by and I look forward to my first Christmas at St. Mary’s. I appreciate the warm welcome from and dedication of Fr. Nate Payne, the deacons, pastoral staff, and all who serve in ministry. I am also grateful for the support of my prede-cessor, Fr. Ron Lewinski, and for his continued leader-ship for the Frassati Academy and Catholic Consortium of Lake County. There is much to be grateful for and I am hopeful for our future together. Saint Mary’s has now joined the ranks of more than 100 Archdiocesan parishes that made a commitment to the Parish Transformation initiative. During the past 12-weeks forty parishioners gathered for prayer and re-flection, discussed key aspects of our faith and a number of essential qualities and topics that related to parish life. They then identified priorities for the future of Saint Mary. Earnest discussion and hard work completed this part of the process. The steering committee is now charged with editing the work of the large group and for-matting its goals into practical steps and actions. They will also create an implementation committee. In January the Plan will be presented to Bishop Rassas for approval. Following his approval and recommendations, the plan will then be presented to the entire parish in February or March. Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to all who participated in this process. May it bear great fruit for the future of Saint Mary.

The gospel passage from Luke chosen for the fourth Sunday of Advent is so familiar to us as we just heard it read a couple weeks ago on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. As a parish community we bear the name and are dedicated to Saint Mary of the Annunci-ation. An annunciation is a public statement, an important announcement. For Mary it was an awesome message from God, delivered by the angel Gabriel, that she would not only give birth to a Son, but to God’s Son. When we consider the Christmas story as a whole, we realize that there are many roles and circumstances that led to the Birth of Christ. Like any good story, all of the characters help to create an interesting narrative and each relationship and even the smallest of details become part of the larger sto-ry. It was once said that there are no small parts just small actors. I take this to mean that, no matter how small the role, a really good actor can make something of it. One line—even a single word—spoken with conviction and coming from a place of truth, can elevate a small role to something that becomes much larger. Such is the case with the Angel Gabriel, the multitude of angels, shep-herds, Mary and Joseph, Herod, the wise men and so on. One way to approach the Christmas story is through the lens of our own experience. I am not only referring to memories or traditions that are a part of our annual observance of Christmas, but in a deeper way, to approach Christmas through our experience of God and our personal relationship with Christ. God’s annunciation of His Saving presence can come to us in so many ways. Certainly God speaks to us in prayer and in worship, but God also speaks to us through everyday routines and the people God places in our lives. Christ becomes present to us in times of success and in times of trial and suffering. He is present to us when we forgive and are forgiven. In these final days before Christmas, perhaps we could take some time to reflect on the ways Christ enters our lives and recognize the role that we all play in the larger Christmas Story. Remember, there are no small roles, no small lives that do not matter in the sight of God. May we have the wisdom and strength to say our own “Yes” to what God asks of each of us… Let us pray for one another, Fr. Jerry

F isch–ing Lines by Deacon Howard Fischer

On this final Sunday of Advent, our Gospel reading reminds us of the critical role that Mary played in the mystery of the Incarnation – God becoming human in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Just take a moment to

let that sink a bit: God becoming human! What a wonderful and absur-d idea. We take the notion of Jesus’ simultaneous divinity and humanity so matter-of-factly that we can almost be blasé about it. Rest assured that this notion was – and still is – one of the biggest stumbling blocks for non-Christians. To Jesus’ fellow Jews, the notion was blasphe-mous and led to his death. Muslims in particular think we are completely misguided and corrupted in our understanding of God because we believe in the Incarnation. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we should foster a renewed apprecia-tion and reverence for our radical belief in the wonder of a God who loves us so much that he took on our flesh. God’s plan is accomplished not by command but by conversation. Author Alice Camille writes: “The woman’s role in this conversation is significant. She is troubled and afraid and has questions. Her experience is not dismissed but taken seriously by heaven’s messenger. This is a dia-logue, not a decree. In the end, the woman receives the confirmation she needs to make an informed decision. There is the child of promise; the Spirit’s presence and guidance; the collaboration with her cousin; and the declaration of God’s omnipotence over the impossible. All are persuasive to one full of grace. The woman declares herself the servant of the Lord, echoing the posture of Isaiah. She accepts God’s Word, and God accepts hers.” The Incarnation could not have happened if Mary had not cooperated and freely accepted God’s invitation to be the mother of the Christ. Protestant theologian William Barclay once observed that the world's most popular prayer is “Thy will be changed.” But the world's greatest prayer is “Thy will be done.” Mary prayed the latter. May it become our prayer too. We need to say “yes” to God each and every day. As Mary did in visiting Elizabeth, we need to bring Christ into the lives of those who are experiencing any of life’s many hardships. We can do so by going out of our way to spend time with, and listen to, someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one or is battling an illness or is depressed over being unemployed. We can say “yes” by contributing to a charity that helps poor families have a better Christmas. We can say “yes” by participating in a parish ministry that helps those with material or spiritual needs. An act as simple as writing a letter to a distant loved one who might be lonely is another way of saying “yes.” And, especially in these days,

© J. S. Paluch Company

we need to bring the antidote of Christ’s love and forgiveness into a world of violence and revenge. We need to remember that Christmas is not the desti-nation; it is the beginning!

When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with the flocks, then the work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, to heal those broken in spirit, to feed the hungry, to release the oppressed, to rebuild thenations, to bring peace among all peoples, to make a little music with the heart... and to radiate the light of Christ, every day, in every way, in all that we do and in all that we say. Then the work of Christmas begins.

Howard Thurman theologian, pastor, mystic, and civil rights activist

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior in just a few days (a Savior who was born poor and homeless in a stable), may we focus our thoughts on the need to live as Mary prayed: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” May our souls magnify the Lord so that those around us encounter the presence of God in our midst, not only during this special season but throughout each and every day. If you wish to contact me, just leave a note in the parish office or send an email to dea-conhwf@yahoo99.com.

Christmas Mass Schedule

Wednesday, December 24th Christmas Mass at 3:00 PM

(preceded by caroling at 2:30) with family choir and instruments

Christmas Mass at 5:00 PM

Christmas Mass at 10:30 PM (preceded by caroling at 10:00)

with parish choir and instruments

Thursday, December 25th Christmas Mass at 8:00 AM

Christmas Mass at 11:30 AM

with brass

Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God

Wednesday, December 31, New Year’s Eve 5:00 PM Vigil Mass

Thursday, January 1, Mary, the Mother of God 9:00 AM Holy Day Mass

Ministry to the Homebound

If your loved one or friend is homebound

or recovering from a illness and would

like a minister of care to visit and bring Holy Communion, please

call the parish office at 847-223-0010.

Pray the Daily Rosary Please join other parishioners in the Eucharistic Chapel following the 8:00 AM Mass Monday through Thursday.

The Divine Mercy Novena & Chaplet The Divine Mercy Novena and Chaplet is prayed on the 1st, 3rd, & 4th Fridays of the month in the Eucharistic Chapel, following the 8:00 AM Mass.

Family Rosary The Family Rosary is prayed in the big church at 4:30 PM on the first Saturday of the month in preparation for the 5:00 PM Mass. The next Family Rosary will be on January3rd.

Featured CD for December A Collection of Christmas Songs

by Eliott Morris A Collection of Christmas Songs is a CD that explores the miracle of the birth of Jesus, created

to help the listener more fully prepare for the beautiful and sacred season of Christmas. CD contains eight songs, two originals and six traditional. Feature CDs can be found at the wooden kiosk in the narthex. Please remember a $3 donation per CD is suggested to allow the parish to continue the program and offer new material.

In Need of Prayer… All who suffer illness, especially those whose names are written in the parish Book of Prayers, those recently added to the list of the sick:

Edelle Baranoski, and Lisa Strata

and for those who have recently died: Arlene Kirn

Christmas Masses Parking It happens every year… the first rows of parking spaces fill, and then cars are parked along the drive, and then along the street, and then in front of the little church, and then in the school lot. Yet, spaces on the south end of the big church lot are empty. When you come for Mass on Christmas, remember to check the back of the lot: there may be space there. And also, please don’t park along the driveway. Should there be an emergency, the fire truck and ambulance may have difficulty accessing the fire lane.

SIMBANG GABI 2014—TODAY!

Simbang Gabi is a unique Fillipino tradition of cele-brating nine-day novena of Marian masses to height-en our preparation for the celebration of the birth of

our Savior, Jesus Christ. Through Simbang Gabi, the participating parishes of Vicariate I, deaneries A, B and

C offer the faithful a deepening of spiritual experience that leads to a more meaningful Christmas season. Each of the parishes listed below will host one of the evening masses.

Maligayang Pasko Sa Inyong Lahat (Merry Christmas to Everyone)

St. Mary of the Annunciation 22333 West Erhart Road, Mundelein, IL 60060

847-223-0010 Pastor: Rev. Jerome J. Jacob

Date: December 21, 2014 (Sunday) 5:00PM

DATE TIME PARISH PHONE PASTOR

Mon. Dec. 22 7:00PM St. Paul the Apostle (B), 6401 Gages Lake Road, Gurnee 847-918-0600 Rev. Ray Clennon

Tues. Dec. 23 7:00PM St. Dismas (B), 2600 Sunset Avenue, Waukegan 847-623-5050 Rev. Patrick Rugen

Year-End Financial Planning As we approach the end of the calendar year, many of us make a number of gifts to charitable organizations. While many worthwhile causes are appealing for your support, we ask that you consider St. Mary of the Annunciation in your year-end financial planning as well. In addition to placing an envelope in the basket or at the Parish Office, our online giving page (accessed from the Stewardship tab of our parish web site, www.stmaryfc.org) also has an option for year-end gifts. In order to reap the potential tax benefits for the current year, now is the best time to follow through with important contribu-tions you have been considering as gifts must be made before the end of the year if they are to be eligible for 2014 tax deductions. Thank you again for your thoughtfulness and generosity to St. Mary of the Annunciation! Your support enables us to build the Kingdom of God and manifest the Good News of Jesus Christ to so many and in so many ways!!

St. Mary School Certificate Program As an ongoing fundraiser, St. Mary School sells GIFT CARDS from restaurants, stores and gas stations. We will sell cards in the narthex after mass and on Market Day Saturdays throughout the year. Please plan ahead for shopping, vacations, birthdays and dining out. All cards are sold at face value and all profits go to our school. Thank You! If a seller is not available please call or text Kristine Asmussen at 847- 732-9712 or kmasmussen@comcast.net. Jewel $25, $100 Bath & Body Works $10 Walgreen’s $25 Panera $10 Walmart $100 Barnes & Noble $10 Target $25, $100 Starbucks $10 Wendy’s $10 Home Depot $25 i-itunes $15 Kohl’s $25 Land’s End $25 Amazon $25 Shell $25, $100 Mariano’s $25

FAITH ENRICHMENT FOR MINISTERS OF CARE

SPONSORED BY THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO VICARIATE 1, DEANERY ABC MINISTRY COMMISSION

This morning of enrichment will fulfill the Archdiocese’s yearly require-ment of Faith Enrichment in order to be re-mandated as a Minister of Care. The day is intended for those who have already been commis-sioned as Ministers of Care.

Facilitators: Suzanne Martinez & Deacon Michael O’Connor WHEN: Saturday, January 31, 2015 WHERE Transfiguration Parish 217 S. Church St. (in the old white church) Wauconda, Illinois 60084-1890

TIME: 8:30 a.m. Registration 9:00 a.m. to Noon presentation To Register Contact: Your Minister of Care Coordinator

Suzanne Martinez is a staff Chaplain for Advocate Good

Shepherd Hospital. She coordinates and supervises the congregation-al health ministries and acts as a liaison with faith communities and clergy related to the work of Mission and Spiritual Care. Suzanne also develops new programs which strengthen the partnership between the hospital and congregations.

Michael O’Connor is a Deacon at Saints Peter and Paul

Church. He was ordained in the Diocese of Rockford in 2010 and is a Charter Member of the SS. Peter and Paul

Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Michael is also very active in the Ministry of Care and Hospice.

A GENEROUS PEOPLE During this time of year there are so many ways to be of service to those in need and as usual, the people of St. Mary are most generous. The Christmas presents were piled high in the narthex as families purchased gifts to be distributed to our brothers and sisters at Holy Family in Waukegan. The gift giving program is sponsored by the Holy Family Food Pantry, which sends us the names of 100 fami-lies in need of help at Christmas. Thanks to the generosity of our parishioners, all of the families were chosen and the gifts were deliv-ered on Dec. 7 by our confirmation candidates and their parents. Thanks to those who loaded the gifts, drove to Waukegan and unload-ed the gifts. Beacon Place, another local outreach program in Waukegan, was helped by the generosity of the Religious Education families and St. Mary’s Thanksgiving collection. Beacon Place em-powers children and families through programs, support, and re-sources that enable them to grow as stronger individuals and commu-nities. Through the “change jars” effort of the REP families, more than $800.00 was raised and our Thanksgiving collection was $4,000.00. With the generosity of an anonymous donor, who matched these amounts, Beacon Place will be able to do work on a house they own so that children and adults will have a place to gather as a community for many programs that are offered. A huge thank you to all who helped support both of these outreach opportunities! The Mission Spirit is alive and well at St. Mary!

Kick-off the new year with the Youth Ministry program! The high school youth group will start up Sunday, January 4 at 5pm in the church mee ng rooms. The junior high youth group will start up on Sunday, January 11 at 4pm in Dian-tha Hall. All are welcome!

YOUTH MINISTRY Christmas “Oplatek” Wafers Authentic, Traditional, Blessed Christmas wa-fers, “Oplatki,” are available at the parish office. Each wafer has embossed Nativity scenes. Polish, Slovak and Lithuanian families observe this Christmas tradition. Family mem-

bers and friends break off a piece of Oplatki and give it to one another to eat, expressing the best wishes and blessing upon them and ask-ing for forgiveness. Have your family participate in this tender, touch-ing family celebration of love and forgiveness.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Tuesday, January 13, 8:30 AM–8:30PM in the Eucha-ristic Chapel. Sign up for a period of adoration. The book is in the narthex.

NOTE THE NEW DAY AND TIMES

Christmas A Sense of the Season

You probably know the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Even though a radio station once proclaimed the twelve days of Christmas as those before December 25, Christians have al-ways kept Christmas as a season from December 25 until Jan-uary 6 (the traditional Epiphany). The church calendar today even extends the celebration until the feast of the Baptism of the Lord—the Sunday after Epiphany. Here is what the church says about the season of Christmas: “Next to the yearly celebration of the paschal mys-tery [meaning the Triduum and Easter season], the church holds most sacred the memorial of Christ’s birth and early man-ifestations. This is the purpose of the Christmas sea-son.” (General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, #32) More than just “Jesus’ birthday,” the Christmas sea-son is a time for remembering and reveling in the nativity of Christ, the revelation of Christ to the Jewish shepherds, the revelation of Christ to the Gentile magi (that’s us!), Christ’s baptism by John in the Jordan, and Christ changing water into wine at the wedding “on the third day” (John 2:1) in Cana of Galilee. In all these saving events, we know that “the Word is made flesh and dwells among us.” How can we keep Christmas not just as a day, but as a season? Keep the tree up (and watered!) and shining bright until the Baptism of the Lord. Sing carols and read the scrip-tures every day. Safely put candles around your creche: Use small glass votive candle holders, and place them away from the straw. You might also want to add a little water to the bottom of the glass before putting the candle in—an added precaution that will also help you clean the glass more easily. When you light the candles, sing or say the prayer of the angels: Glory in heaven and peace on earth, now and forever. Amen! Copyright © 1997 Archdiocese of Chicago, Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago IL 60622-1101; 1-800-933-1800. Text by David Philippart. Art by Chuck Ludeke.

Living God’s Word O come, O come, Emmanuel. Make your dwelling place in us this day. Let the world recognize that we are a people chosen to be a sign of your loving, merciful, justice-seeking, reconciling presence in the world. Thank you for the many ways you continue to do the impossible in us, through us. Amen.

Copyright © 2014, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

Search for Longest Married Couple Worldwide Marriage Encounter is sponsoring the annual Longest Mar-ried Couple Project in the U.S as well as each of the 50 states and territories. If you know a couple with a long marriage, please nomi-nate them for this honor. More information can be found at wwme.org. Deadline is January 9, 2015! Nominations must include the following information: Names of the couple, Wedding Date, Current address, Name and phone number or email address of the person who is nominating the couple. Nominations may be emailed to: getart@flash.net or mailed to: Garry & Arla Thomas, 108 Wander Way, Lake in the Hills IL 60156

Childcare During Mass St. Mary’s Childcare Ministry offers childcare during 9:30 Mass. Childcare takes place in meeting room 3 and is open to children ages 6 months to 4 years. There is no sign-up; it is based on first-come, first-served.

If you have questions please contact Kitty White, Childcare Coordina-tor at kitty.white.kw@gmail.com.

Note that there will be no childcare on Sunday, December 28th.

The heart of our faith is the pas-

sion, death and resurrection

of Jesus, and the fact that

what happened to Jesus is

our destiny, too. We, too,

in various ways and over

time, will suffer, die and be

raised up — all in the arms

of a God who loves us. This

is what we call the paschal

mystery. We celebrate the paschal

mystery every Sunday, and in a most

important way once a year, in spring around

the time of the Jewish Passover, when we bap-

tize, confirm and welcome to the eucharist new

believers at Easter. But did you know that even

as we celebrate Jesus’ birth in the flesh, we are

in fact celebrating the paschal mystery? Have

you ever noticed how Christmas is actually a

second Easter, our winter Passover?

There are hints all over the gospel ac-

counts of Jesus’ birth. When the baby is born,

he is wrapped in swaddling clothes; when the

man dies, he is wrapped in a shroud. The new-

born is laid in the manger, the feeding trough of

animals. The man grows up to teach us, “I am

the bread of life. If you eat of my flesh and drink

of my blood, you will live forever.” Angels herald

his birth, and angels announce his resurrection

to the three women. A star shines over the baby

in the manger; the sun hides its face as the

man hangs on the cross. And perhaps most om-

inously of all, the magi — those mysterious

strangers — bring gifts that seem sentimental

and sweet to us today: gold, frankincense and

myrrh. But when this story would have first

been told, the original hearers might have been

puzzled or even horrified, for these were things

people brought to a deathbed:

gold coins to put in the mouth

(as a sign of paying for the

soul to take the ferry across

the river of death), frankin-

cense to burn (to cover the

odors, and as a sign of the

soul ascending), and myrrh

to embalm. (Recall that the

three women come to the tomb

on Easter morning with a mixture

of myrrh and aloes.)

And if there wasn’t enough blood in the

childbirth, recall that after Jesus is born, the

Holy Family must flee into exile in Egypt to es-

cape Herod, who slaughters in cold blood all the

innocent baby boys of Bethlehem. As an adult,

Jesus will right this wrong by shedding his

blood on the cross for us all. But note that to

protect Jesus, Mary and Joseph take him into

Egypt, just as their ancestors had fled there

centuries before to escape starvation and find

the other Joseph, the son of Jacob. So Jesus

ends up living as a refugee and an exile, just as

his people had done. And just as they had

crossed the River Jordan to enter the promised

land after the first Passover, the adult Jesus is

baptized in that same river as he begins his

ministry that reaches its high point at Passover.

So Merry Christmas — and Happy East-

er, too. Glory in heaven and peace on earth, now

and forever!

Copyright © 2002 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago IL 60622-1101; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org. Text by David Philippart. Art by Steve Erspamer, sm. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Our Winter Passover

Sacrament of Penance Saturdays 4:00—4:40 PM, and by appointment

Baptisms Ordinarily during the Mass on the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month and after the Mass on the other Sundays, outside of Lent. Parents are required to participate in a Baptismal Preparation class before scheduling a Baptism.

Adult Initiation Adults who wish to become Roman Catholics are enrolled in a formation process that includes prayer, dialogue, instruction, and introduction to the Church’s life and values, rituals and tradition. Call the parish office for more information.

Marriage St. Mary Parish rejoices with parishioners who are preparing for the Sacrament of Matrimony. The Church requires at least four months’ time before the marriage for adequate preparation. A parish wedding information packet is available at the parish office.

Ministry of Care Ministers of Care visit the homes of the sick, homebound, or hospitalized and bring Holy Communion to them. Call the parish office when a pastoral visit is desired. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered by the parish priest upon request.

New parishioners We welcome new members who wish to worship with us and support the parish’s work and mission. Please call the parish office to schedule a time to register. A complete listing of parish services and organizations is available at the parish office.

Mass

Saturday 5:00 PM

Sunday 7:30 AM 9:30 AM 11:30 AM

Weekday Monday—Friday

8:00 AM

PARISH NUMBER 847-223-0010

Parish Emergency

After Hours 847-813-7324

22333 W. Erhart Road •Mundelein, Illinois 60060 •WWW.STMARYFC.ORG Email: parish@stmota.org Parish Fax number 847-223-5960 Pre K-5 School: 847-223-4021 Frassati Catholic Academy (Grades 6–8) 847-487-5600

Religious Education Program (REP) Emergency Number 847-239-2725 Parish Office Hours Monday—Friday 8:30AM—4:00PM

Rev. Jerome Jacob Ext. 213 Pastor FrJerry@stmota.org

Rev. Nate Payne Ext. 212 Associate Pastor npayne@stmota.org

Deacons Mike O’Malley, Gary Kupsak Robert Poletto, Mike Alandy

Mr. Fred Vipond Ext. 216 Director of Music & Liturgy FVipond@stmota.org

Ms. Patricia Strang Ext. 310 Principal, St. Mary School pstrang@stmota.org

Dr. Diane Vida 847-487-5600 Principal, Frassati Academy

Ms. Sue Matousek Ext. 218 Director of Religious Education SMatous@stmota.org

Mr. Benjamin Valles Ext. 230 Coordinator of Youth Ministry BValles@stmota.org

Mr. Howard Fischer Ext. 215 Director of Parish Operations HFischer@stmota.org

Ms. Penny Elwood Ext. 217 Bookkeeper/Accountant Bookkeeper@stmota.org

Ms. Victoria Hansen Ext. 200 Administrative Assistant parish@stmota.org

Mr. Richard Plage Ext. 210 Site Manager rplage@stmota.org Mr. William Zerwer Maintenance

Rev. James Presta Weekend Associate

Parish Staff