The Catholic Community of Divine Infant Jesus Church and

Divine Providence Church & School Westchester, IL

January 3, 2021

For additional information regarding our parish, please see page 11 or visit our website: marymotherofdivinegrace.org

Welcome to Mary, Mother of Divine Grace Parish

The Catholic Community of Divine Infant Jesus Church and Divine Providence Church and School

PARISH CHURCH LOCATIONS DIVINE PROVIDENCE

Church: 2600 Mayfair Ave. Business Office: 2550 Mayfair Ave.

Westchester, IL 60154 (708) 562-3364 FAX: (708) 562-3134

Hours: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM

Mass Schedule: Monday 8:00 AM

Anticipated Mass Saturday 4:00PM

DIVINE INFANT JESUS Church: Newcastle & Canterbury Avenues Rectory Office: 1601 Newcastle Ave. Westchester, IL 60154 (708) 865-8071 FAX: (708) 865-8032 Hours: 8:30 AM-5:00 PM

Mass Schedule: Wednesday & Friday: 8:00 AM Sundays: 10:00 AM

Holy Days of Obligation: As announced in bulletin.

PARISH STAFF

MISSION STATEMENT - Who We Are The mission of the faith community of Mary, Mother of Divine Grace is to inspire spiritual growth by worshiping, teaching and living by example our love of Jesus, His Church and our neighbors.

VISION STATEMENT - Who We Strive to Be The parish of Mary, Mother of Divine Grace will continually serve all people by being good stewards for future generations. We make Christ known by living and teaching our faith.

OUR MISSION and OUR VISION

Clergy and Consecrated Religious

Pastor Reverend Marcin Szczypula

Administrator Deacon James Sponder Residents Reverend Gerald Joyce Reverend Thomas Winikates

Deacon Richard Hudzik Liturgy & Adult Faith Formation Director Deacon James Sponder 708-562-3364 - x13 jsponder@archchicago.org Religious Education Administrator Sr. Christine Nantaba, IHMR 708-865-8086-DI 708-562-2258-DP cnantaba@archchicago.org

Sacristan Sr. Susan Najjemba, IHMR

Pastoral Staff Office 708-562-3364

Operations Director Mr. John Maher jmaher@archchicago.org

Secretary /Bookkeeper Mrs. Toni Podock tonilpodock@archchicago.org

Administrative Assistant Ms. Karen Luciano kluciano@archchicago.org

Marketing/Enrollment Director Mrs. Linda Hawkins lhawkins@archchicago.org Music Ministry Divine Providence 2500 Mayfair Ave. School 708- 562-2258

Principal Mrs. Lynn LeTourneau lynn.letourneau@archchicago.org

Secretary Mrs. Chrystal Farmar cfarmar@archchicago.org

Volume 21 SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD January 3, 2021

O ne of the best things I like about Christmastime is the lights. I like to see Christmas lights wrapped around the trees . . . and the wreaths . . . and the garland . . . and around the Nativity. I like to see them around the windows and doors . . . and hung all around the outside. When I was young I became very interested in how my Dad would fix strings of Christmas lights that didn't work; I was fascinated with the lights and in how he restored them. I enjoyed the moment when the lights came back to life, as they once again filled the room with the warmth and beauty that they were designed for. Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. The entire season of Christmas and Epiphany is marked by the theme of light. *This LIGHT is the Light of Christ*. It is the star in the nighttime sky which Isaiah prophesied about . . . it is the star which the Magi, who traveled from the East, followed to Bethlehem. The Feast of the Epiphany commemorates the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles; the revelation that Jesus, the son of God, came to offer salvation to ALL peoples. Jesus Christ was born as the Light of the World, and through His Word, we know the way to salvation is through Him. Sadly, as in Jesus' time on Earth, there are Herod's of today who do not want to allow our Lord's Heavenly light into their . . . or anyone else's . . . world. They continue to put up roadblocks, and like King Herod, want to squash any mention of "God" anywhere. "The star the Magi followed is a reminder that we too need divine guidance to find where Christ is in our lives. The bright lights of the commercial Christmas we just passed through can blind and distract us from seeing the Messiah. Like the Magi, we need a star to take us to where Christ is revealed. Light reveals truth. Our Lord wants very much for us to freely choose Him to live within each of us. Through the gift of grace we receive at Baptism, He shares with us of His Heavenly Light and gives our lives direction. To have our Lord God make his dwelling place within us is a great gift. Being enlightened by the Light of God in our hearts we are called to reflect this light in our daily lives . . . to be a light in the world… to go forward and to share with others the “good News” message of salvation; our joy is that the Light of Christ has been bestowed on us. "The journey of the Magi parallels the spiritual journeys that all of us must make. Like them, we must be spiritually attentive; we must be willing to act . . . to take time to look for God. We must give our best to Christ and be willing to change, "to go . . . by a different route. "Matthew doesn’t tell us that when the Magi set off for home the star continued to guide them. When they experienced being in the presence of Jesus our Lord, there lives were changed, and they returned home by a different route, now guided by an interior light. . Strengthened through the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, we too grow closer to God and continue to share in the divine nature which God allows us to continue to experience in our own lives as we keep on moving along in our journey to Heaven. As we bring the Joy of the Christmas season, the Joy and warmth of The Light of Christ and spread the Good News Message that Jesus Christ is our Lord God, and is here in our midst for ALL; that is what we are called to do, and know that only through God's grace, love and guidance will our Light continue to burn brightly for all to see. Deacon Jim

Divine Providence Mass Intentions

Monday, 01/04 8:00am For the Parishioners Tuesday, 01/05 8:00am †Rich Norton

Wed., 01/06 8:00am †Arlene Luka Weekend Masses Sat., 01/09 4:00pm People of the Parish †Robert Salvatore †Josephine Mikos †The Edwin Toloczko Family †The Frank Napolitano Family Sun., 01/10 *All 8:30am Mass Intentions at

Divine Providence have been moved to 10:00am at Divine Infant Jesus*

Divine Infant Jesus Mass Intentions

Thurs., 01/07 8:00am †Ed Pfeiffer

Friday, 01/08 8:00am †Lynn Morrissey

Sat., 01/09 8:00am †Claire Hawkins

Weekend Masses Sat., 01/09 *All 5:00pm Mass Intentions at

Divine Infant Jesus have been moved to 4:00pm at Divine Providence*

Sun., 01/10 10:00am †All the Souls in Purgatory †Ann Di Vito †Marie McHugh †Franz (Al) Schmitt

Please be assured all Mass Intentions scheduled will be acknowledged during

the week by our priests as they celebrate Mass in private.

WEEKLY COLLECTIONS

Mary, Mother of Divine Grace Parish Divine Infant Jesus & Divine Providence

Collections for the week of 12/13, 12/20, 12/27 & 1/03 will be published in the

January 10th Bulletin

Please consider giving online at: WeShare https://marymotherofdivinegrace.churchgiving.com/

CONFESSIONS

Saturday, January 9 8:30am - 9:00am Divine Infant Jesus Church

You will be required to sign in upon arriving for confession.

Please wear a face mask.

Pat Ambrosia Vincent Antonio

Ina Bax Tony Belmonte

Midge Berg Laura Biagini Tony Biliskov Lois Bugajski

Rose Campobasso Gilda Cappetta

Michelle Carnagio Michael Carr

Cindy Cerveny Jacqueline & Leonard

Christopher Joseph E. Cistaro

Barbara Coloia Mary Jo Conway Margaret Cullen

Will Engwall Billy Ferraris

Francis Giannopoulous Bob Gibson

Nick Goedert Marcy Goetz Eileen Gorski

Mary Ann Graziano Nathaniel Gutierrez

Desi Hamilton Adeline Hartman Christopher Heitz Betty Hornbogen

Betty Hyland Anthony Jandacek

Carme Jandacek Lorraine Jaworek

Janet Joy Danute Juras

Joe Kasey Lois Kedzior

Mary Ann Kelly Mary Kmet

Barbara Kolar Sr. Rita Kristoff

Jason Kuntz Ignatius Lagen

Art Malina Thomas Martirano

Sam Martyn Steve Mazzarella Noreen McKenna

Gabriel Meier Peggy Melville

Noreen Mickelsen Richard Mraz Stefan Mraz

Jim Muha Mulfinger Family

Mark Nelson Christine Neuzil Bernice Niemiec Patricia Olson

Frank Pedota, Sr. Ralph Perri Mark Puc

Ralph Romano Diana Roselli

Evelyn Sadecki Gina Santucci

Michael Scherer Geraldine Schneider

Don Sloan Paul Sodayko

Grayson Stanley Sarah Stanley Grace Thomas

Vito Valerio Parker Van Gelder

Bob Van Lanen Florence Voves

Mary Walsh Edward & Alice Wasilewski

Steven Wiersema

Divine Infant Jesus & Divine Providence

2021 Bless this year with love and light.

Bless this year with faith and sight. Bless this year with Grace and ease. Bless this year with joy and peace.

-Mary Davis

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Parish Calendar of Events DP = DIVINE PROVIDENCE / DI = DIVINE INFANT JESUS

Monday, January 4 8:00a Mass - Divine Providence Church (Limit 50 people) RE Classes Resume 6:00-7:00pm—Track 1 Grades 1-4) DP School Resumes

Tuesday, January 5

Wednesday, January 6 8:00a Mass - Divine Infant Jesus Church (Limit 50 people)

Thurs., January 7

Friday, January 8 8:00a Mass - Divine Infant Jesus Church (Limit 100 people) Saturday, January 9 Confessions 8:30a-9:00a - Divine Infant Jesus Church

4:00p Anticipated Mass - Divine Providence Church (Limit 65 people) Sunday, January 10 10:00a Mass - Divine Infant Jesus Church (Limit 100 people)

Please remember to pray for all those who have gone home to heaven and their families including:

Marietta Cambensy Mother of Jennifer (Andrew) Guzzo

Jason (Jennifer) Grandmother of Isabella Guzzo

Nathan, Meyer & Isabella Cambensy

Mary, Mother of Divine Grace Parish 2021 Calendars

Calendars will be available after Masses at Divine Infant Jesus and Divine Providence Church

If you are unable to attend Mass, please call the Divine Infant Jesus or the Divine Providence Rectory

to arrange pick up.

Let us look forward to 2021 as a healthy, safe, “NEW BEGINNING!”

Wedding Banns

II Shane Loizon & Alyssa Fuller

Due to the New Year Holiday falling on the first Friday in January,

we will hold Adoration on January 22, 2021

and resume on the first Friday of the month in February.

IT WILL BE THE BEST HOUR OF YOUR TIME SPENT IN 2021.

PROMISE FULFILLED

Isaiah reminds the people of God that the land shall be restored to their possession, they shall rejoice to see their people return from the bondage of exile, and they shall be a light to the nations. In other words, through the people of Israel, the Savior shall come to all people who seek God with a sincere heart. This brings joy and the radiance of God’s glory to all the world and to all people everywhere. Through the fidelity of the people of God, and through God’s fidelity to them, all people shall become God’s children and rejoice in the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

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Happy New Year? Is it me again for resolu ons about be er ea ng, more exercise, more of all the good stuff and less of all the bad stuff? Be er prayer? Be er this? Be er that? Absolutely! This is the season. Now, of course, as this is a Catholic parish’s bulle n, we focus on the spiritual. Nevertheless, we always acknowledge that we are enfleshed beings. We are a composite of body and soul. We are not a soul captured within a body (Catechism, sec on 365). Because of our humanness, we are called to care for both body and soul. Moreover, we ought not ignore the physical because of its impact on the psychological and spiritual (per recent press reports, it was the church-goers who were coping best with COVID stress). But as I only have limited space here and you only have limited me, I will focus on the spiritual—to the extent it can be isolated from the physical. There is never a bad me for us to refocus and recommit to our walk with the Lord, to our spiritual pursuits, to allowing ourselves to be touched by God (the “Hound of Heaven” is the one who seeks us always—He doesn’t hide. We hide.). The commencement of a new year is a convenient opportunity to renew a vigilance about our Faith. Good! I need all the help I can get. We can each create our own lists of what we ought to do spiritually, as we each know what would be good for us. The sugges on I would make, however, is to be specific about whatever it is we are thinking of doing. Saying, “I need to pray more,” while true, isn’t going to be helpful in s cking with the program. Also, we should plan for a strategy to deal with failures—what to do when we miss some part of the resolu on. Finally, to turn up the heat on ourselves, go public (modestly and somewhat quietly, certainly!) with what you’re planning. That adds an addi onal oomph to s cking to it all. Accountability helps.

Regardless of where we hear the Spirit leading us in our resolu ons, by my es ma on, it is our own capacity for s ck-to-it-iveness that is the make-or-break key to all new year’s resolu ons. The greatest inten ons are but sawdust if not carried out to comple on. Here is where all the ac on is in the resolu ons game—how do I persevere? For me, it is the daily a en on to what I have resolved to do. Daily. Every day. Day in and day out—you get the idea. Our rela onships within family and marriage require constant nurturance. So too is it with our rela onship with God. Every single day—examine your life as God sees it; be thankful; ask what could have gone be er; and resolve to do something par cular for a be er tomorrow. Here is a link to one of my videos that might be helpful to you in this process: nyurl.com/pray-the-examen. As I acknowledge in that video, and as I do here, it is in the persistence that I think we most likely need help. Perhaps, if we are all on the same journey, we can encourage one another to stay the course. That is what we as a community of believers can do for each other. Let’s try it together in 2021.

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Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?

We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” Matthew 2:1-2

EPIPHANY HOUSE BLESSING

Write the initials 21+C+M+B+21 in chalk over the front door. The initials, C,M,B, are interpreted as the Latin phrase “Christus mansionem benedicat” which means “May Christ bless this house” and they also point to the names of the magi, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.

May all who come to our home this year rejoice to find Christ living among us;

and may we seek and serve, in everyone we meet, that same Jesus who is your

incarnate Word, now and forever. Amen.

God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all

who inhabit it. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our care for others may reflect your love.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Loving God, bless this household.

May we be blessed with health, goodness of heart, gentleness, and abiding in your will.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

21+C+M+B+21

Start the new year with a little humor …

Having a good sense of humor is a blessing which makes a very good bridge between

people to help lighten up and bring joy during uncertain times.

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SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

Sunday: The Epiphany of the Lord; National Migration Week Monday: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Tuesday: St. John Neumann Wednesday: St. André Bessette Thursday: St. Raymond of Penyafort; Julian Calendar Christmas

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: 1 Jn 3:22 — 4:6; Ps 2:7bc-8, 10-12a; Mt 4:12-17, 23-25 Tuesday: 1 Jn 4:7-10; Ps 72:1-4, 7-8; Mk 6:34-44 Wednesday: 1 Jn 4:11-18; Ps 72:1-2, 10, 12-13; Mk 6:45-52 Thursday: 1 Jn 4:19 — 5:4; Ps 72: 1-2, 14, 15bc, 17; Lk 4:14-22a Friday: 1 Jn 5:5-13; Ps 147:12-15, 19-20; Lk 5:12-16 Saturday: 1 Jn 5:14-21; Ps 149:1-6a, 9b; Jn 3:22-30 Sunday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Is 55:1-11; Ps 29:1-4, 3, 9-10 or Is 12:2-3, 4bcd-6; Acts 10:34-38 or 1 Jn 5:1-9; Mk 1:7-11

PUT ALL IN HIS HANDS St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

FEAST DAY of

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

January 4

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Story

Mother Seton is one of the keystones of the American Catholic Church. She founded the first American religious community for women, the Sisters of Charity. She opened the first American parish school and established the first American Catholic orphanage. All this she did in the span of 46 years while raising her five children. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton is a true daughter of the American Revolution, born August 28, 1774, just two years before the Declaration of Independence. By birth and marriage, she was linked to the first families of New York and enjoyed the fruits of high society. Reared a staunch Episcopalian, she learned the value of prayer, Scripture and a nightly examination of conscience. Her father, Dr. Richard Bayley, did not have much use for churches but was a great humanitarian, teaching his daughter to love and serve others. The early deaths of her mother in 1777 and her baby sister in 1778 gave Elizabeth a feel for eternity and the temporariness of the pilgrim life on earth. Far from being brooding and sullen, she faced each new “holocaust,” as she put it, with hopeful cheerfulness. At 19, Elizabeth was the belle of New York and married a handsome, wealthy businessman, William Magee Seton. They had five children before his business failed and he died of tuberculosis. At 30, Elizabeth was widowed, penniless, with five small children to support. While in Italy with her dying husband, Elizabeth witnessed Catholicity in action through family friends. Three basic points led her to become a Catholic: belief in the Real Presence, devotion to the Blessed Mother and conviction that the Catholic Church led back to the apostles and to Christ. Many of her family and friends rejected her when she became a Catholic in March 1805. To support her children, she opened a school in Baltimore. From the beginning, her group followed the lines of a religious community, which was officially founded in 1809.The thousand or more letters of Mother Seton reveal the development of her spiritual life from ordinary goodness to heroic sanctity. She suffered great trials of sickness, misunderstanding, the death of loved ones (her husband and two young daughters) and the heartache of a wayward son. She died January 4, 1821, and became the first American-born citizen to be beatified (1963) and then canonized (1975). She is buried in Emmitsburg, Maryland. © 2020 Franciscan Media

One king gave Gold One king gave Frankincense

One king gave Myrrh And One King gave His life

to Redeem Mankind.

GOLD The royal metal; signifies Jesus’ Kingship (hence, the gift for a king).

FRANKINCENSE Symbol of prayer; signifies Jesus as the High Priest/Mediator between God and man (hence, the gift for a priest).

MYRRH A burial ointment; meaning Jesus had to die for the salvation of all (hence, a gift for one who would die).

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January 3, 2021

SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

Many millennia ago, all humanity was considered one family. Witness Abraham, common ancestor of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. But as time went on and generations passed, the family tree expanded to the point that divisions became easier to notice than unity. Isaiah mentions the foreign lands of Midian, Ephah, and Sheba, all located on the Arabian Peninsula. Midian was Abraham’s son by his second wife, half brother to Isaac. Ephah was Midian’s son and Sheba was the son of Midian’s brother. But by Isaiah’s time, the people of these nations were no longer part of Abraham’s family’s reunions. They may have been trading partners or they may have been rivals, but they were definitely “other.” Isaiah saw it differently. These “others,” these foreigners with different traditions and different customs were drawn to the holy city as well. Not only did they visit, they came with caravans of riches and voices of praise to God. Centuries later, Jesus draws foreigners, wise men, who also bring riches and praise to God. Others (Herod) prefer to see differences rather than unity (this “king of the Jews” constituted a threat to his position), but Paul asserts what we too should realize: like Jews and Gentiles, we—black or white, host or immigrant, English or Spanish—are all “members of the same body” (Ephesians 3:6).

How can you welcome “others” as Isaiah, Paul and the Holy Family did?

FIRST READING A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah Isaiah 60:1-6 The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 72:1-,2,-8,10-11,12-13 (R/.cf.11) R/. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

O God, with your judgement endow the king, / and with your justice, the king’s son; he shall govern your people with justice / and your afflicted ones with judgement. R/.

Justice shall flower in his days, / and profound peace, till the moon be no more. May he rule from sea to sea, / and from the River to the ends of the earth. R/.

The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts; / the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute. All kings shall pay him homage, / all nations shall serve him. R/.

For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, / and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; / the lives of the poor he shall save. R/. SECOND READING

A Reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: R/. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! (Matthew 2:1-12) We saw his star at its rising / and have come to do him homage. R/. GOSPEL The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew Matthew 2:1-12

Glory to you, O Lord. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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PARISH and SCHOOL INFORMATION

Mary, Mother of Divine Grace Parish Website: marymotherofdivinegrace.org

New to our community? Need to update your information? Registration forms are available on our parish

PARISH REGISTRATION

Divine Infant Jesus Church: Saturdays 8:30AM—9:00AM Or call the rectory to set up an appointment

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Baptismal Preparation is required for the first child. Registration is necessary to schedule the baptism.

Divine Infant Jesus Church: 708-865-8071

Divine Providence Church: 708-562-3364

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Please call the Parish Office at the time of your engagement to schedule your wedding. Pre-Cana is required.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE

If you would like a priest, deacon or Minister of Care to visit or if you wish to receive the Sacrament of the Sick, please contact either location.

SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING/Minister of Care

Please see the bulletin and eblasts for updates on dates of Adoration.

ADORATION

Temporarily cancelled due to COVID-19.

ST. PEREGRINE DEVOTION

Divine Providence School is a Christ-Centered community fostering the gospel message through education and service. Together with parents, we guide our students toward a life of Christian leadership. Providing a challenging curriculum, we prepare our students to contribute positively to an ever-changing global society. To schedule a tour of the school contact Linda Hawkins at 708-562-3364.

DIVINE PROVIDENCE SCHOOL

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