Bulletin Information Center Deadline to submit info for the bulletin is 4 pm Friday one week before you want it to appear. Please send all information by email to castaways@ameritech.net PLEASE NOTE: In subject area, type St. Dennis Bulletin. All info must now be in MS Word or Publisher document as an attachment. Thank you, Kim Cast

Help Needed! We are in need of volunteers to assist

with Baptismal Preparation, FOCCUS couple or Marriage Preparation and RCIA. If you feel called to assist in any of these ministries of the parish, please contact Deacon Rob at 815 838-2592 x 111 or call the parish office. Blessings!

Who are the discouraged, downcast and poor around me? Do I pray for them daily? Blue Prayer Books for Advent are avail-able after Masses. Donation of $2.00. Christmas Traditions: The Oplatki Wa-fer is available for purchase in the Sacristy or Parish Office. The Christmas Traditions

surrounding Oplatki begin with a simple white wafer baked from flour and water. Each family member takes a turn to break off a piece of the wafer and pass it to someone else with a blessing, a simple expression of what you desire for this person in the coming year.

Hospitality Volunteer Needed to assist with Donuts: Volunteers are needed for this ministry. Assistance with picking up donuts early Sunday morning as well as servers needed at 9:15 am and 11 am Masses. Please contact Kathy Lesnefsky at (815) 588-3507 or katele-sky@comcast.net or the Parish Office at 838-2592 if you

can help with this ministry.

GIFT CARD PROGRAM It’s not too early to start your Christmas shopping! Pick up some gift cards for those hard to shop for people on your list! Stop by the gift card table and check out our new ven-dors! H&M, Aeropostale, Steak & Shake, and Quiznos…just to name a few. Need gift cards during the week? Gift cards are available on Thursday mornings in the Parish Center from 8 to 9 am and Friday mornings in the school library from 8 to 9 am If you have any questions or want to place a special order, please contact me at scripinfo@comcast.net or 815 836-0661. Thank you for your support of the Gift Card program.

2010 Christmas Outreach Program Help a family in need this Christmas by Adopting-A- Family or by providing gift cards or cash to the St. Dennis Outreach Pro-gram. Pick up a form in the Narthex or con-tact Sr. Joanne as soon as possible to help by calling 838-2592 x 110. This year we al-ready have more families requesting assis-

tance than last year. Thank you for your generous response

Registration is now open for our Winter Al-pha Course The Winter session will begin on January 10, 2011 and run for 10 weeks on Monday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Narthex. The Holy Spirit Re-treat will be February 18-19. Child care will

be available for those who need it, free of charge. A typical Alpha evening begins with a shared meal, fol-lowed by a 60 minute talk by British Christian/theologian Nicky Gimmel, and ends with a small group discussion based on the evening’s

Altar & Rosary Society Holiday Raffle: Tickets will be sold after the Masses this weekend Dec 4 & 5. The cost of the tickets is $1 each, 6 for $5 or 12 for $10. The next meeting for Altar & Rosary is Dec 14

th in Fracaro Hall at noon. All

ticket money needs to be returned at that time. The raffle drawing will be held and winners will be contacted. A ca-tered luncheon will be served followed by a brief meeting and fellowship.

St. Dennis Christmas Program Friday, December 17

th

St. Dennis Parish Center

6:15pm ―Sing A Song of Christmas‖ Pre-School and Kindergarten

7:00pm

―Meet Me At The Manger‖ 1st – 5th Grade Christmas Program

Kids’ Chime Choir & Jubilation Choir

COMING EVENTS December 12, 2010

Third Sunday

Of Advent

1214 Hamilton Street, Lockport, IL 60441

Phone— 815 838-2592 Fax— 815 838-2401

E-mail —church@saint-dennis.org Web - http://www.saint-dennis.org

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Saturday 4:30 pm Sunday 7:30 am, 9:15 am,

11:00 am & 7:00 pm Daily Monday thru Friday— 7:15 am Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.— 12:30 pm

Wed.—2:00 pm School Mass (Changes to daily Mass may occur.

View page 2 for all changes.) Glory & Praise —Tues.— 7:00 pm

SACRAMENTS Reconciliation: Sat. 3:30-4:15 pm or Appt.

Baptism Please call 815 838-2592 ext.123 to

register and complete a “Baptismal Request” form.

Marriage Please call 815 838-2592 ext.123 to

Register, at least six months in advance.

Parish Office Hours 8:30 am — 4:00 pm

PASTORAL STAFF

Pastor Rev. James Curtin

Associate Pastors Rev. Thomson Panakal

Rev. Justin Dike

Pastoral Associates Deacon Rob Weierman Sr. Joanne Vallero, CSJ

Jackie Bedore

Music Director Patti Johnson

Healing Prayer Lorrie Murphy 708 301-5107 murphyfisch@comcast.net

Bulletin Editor Kim Cast

castaways@ameritech.net

1201 Washington St.

Lockport, IL 60441

815 838-4494

E-mail—school@saint-dennis.org

Principal—Lisa Smith

We love you

Fr. Thomson

50

Pilgrim Virgin Statue The Pilgrim Virgin Our Lady of Fatima statue has been at St. Dennis for over 15 years. The intent of this devo-tion is that this statue travel from home to home one week at a time. You can invite your family and friends to say the rosary, or just enjoy her presence in your home and have your own private devotion. We still need Our Lady’s intercession to save the world from destruction. This devotion will bring untold blessings to all who participate. There is a sign up book along side her statue in the Narthex. Please honor our Blessed Mother by signing up for a particular week. We can change the world through her holy and blessed intercession

Queen of Peace Prayer Group

December 12, 2010

SAVE THE DATE

Rosary Ministry Children’s Christmas Sale December 18 and 19 after all Masses. All items will be $15 or less. Youth Group December Events Dec. 5- Meeting in Gather-ing Rm- 4:30pm - 6:30pm Open Gym- 6:30pm - 7:00pm, Dec. 19—Christmas Caroling for Senior Citizens 2:00pm - 5:00pm Meet at the Narthex St. Dennis Seniors Luncheon You are invited to join us for the Senior Luncheon on Thurs-day December 16th at noon in the Parish Center. A catered dinner followed by entertainment from the St. Dennis School children who will perform a Christmas Program. Please RSVP by Monday, December 13th at 838-2592 EXT 123 or “0”. Payment of $7 should be made at the door. First Reconciliation & First Communion Preparation

Parents of children who wish to receive First Reconciliation and First Communion this spring should register their child. Prep. evenings with children are: Jan. 7, Feb. 11, March 4, April 8 in church 1st Reconciliation and 1st Com-munion will be May 13/14. Registration forms can be found at www.saint-dennis.org or call Jackie or Deann.

SEE BACK PAGE FOR MORE COMING EVENTS

STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE Dec. 4/5 Collection * ………..…..…..… $ 12,938 Weekly Auto Debit……………………….. 2,708 Monthly Auto Debit (weekly aver.) ……. 2,993 Total … … $18,639 *$12,184 in envelopes, $754 loose cash Weekly Operating Expenses……………$ 18,767 Debt Reduction Collection ……………… $2,956 Debt Reduction Auto Debit …….…..…. 652 Total …….. $3,608

THANK YOU!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!! Please consider using auto debit in which your contribution is automatically withdrawn on a regular basis. Call Kathy at 815 838-2592 ext. 121 to enroll. PARISH CENTER DEBIT……..…. …...$ 75,850 Congratulations Fr. Thomson on 50 years as a Priest! St. Dennis is Blessed to have you with us.

Rosaries for Healing We will have a Children’s Chirstmas sale on December 18 & 19 after all Masses. Children can purchase gifts for parents or grandparents, parents can pur-chse stocking stuffers. All items are $15 or less! Would you like to give a custom Rosary, key chain or necklace, etc. as a gift? Please feel free to contact Kim or Mary any time. Do you have old rosaries, chaplets, beads you no longer wear? Do you have old Holy Medals? We are in need of all types of beads and Holy Medals. The beads are used to make rosaries for those beginning their journey to wholeness through healing prayer, as well as to encour-age people to pray the rosary. Holy Medals are repurposed and provide another avenue of prayer. If you would like to donate beads, medals, or rosaries, please place them in the basket on the table in narthex or call Kim 815 838-8407 or Mary 815 838-2592 for more info. If you are in need of rosaries, prayer bracelets, auto rosaries, wall crosses, Angels, necklaces or earrings, please feel free to call us anytime. We also repair rosaries at no charge. We are happy to serve you.

Please note there will be no 12:30 pm daily Mass and no 7 pm Sunday Mass until

Fr Justin returns from Nigeria sometime in Dec.

Preparation for Sacrament of Baptism Since Baptism is just the beginning of a Life Long Faith Journey, your family must be registered and ―active‖ members of our Parish. The prep classes are Jan 15, Feb 19, March 19, (No April class), May 21

st, and June 18

th

from 9 - 11 am . For more info call 815 838-2592. & to regis-ter & complete the “Baptism Request Form” with payment of $75. At least one Godparent must be baptized, confirmed and practicing the faith, a letter from their parish is required.

Mass Intentions

Saturday, December 11 4:30 pm–Donna Tierney by Jim & family, Raymond

Cabay Birthday Remembrance by Ellie, Jim Molloy by Ruthie & family

Sunday, December 12

Third Sunday of Advent

7:30 am —Anthony Piersanti by Carolyn, Bill Sobczak

by James & Dianna Gliwa 9:15 am —Robert Glowinski, Anniversary of Death by

family, Jerry Springer by John & Joyce Vanlier, Ramona Hilsabeck by Marge & John Cankar

11:00 am—In thanksgiving for Fr Thomson Panakal 50

years as Priest by St. Dennis Parish Family, Lt. Frank Fouts by Dombrowski family, Janice LeFevers by Mr & Mrs. Jesse Cabrera NO 7 PM Mass

Monday, December 13 7:15 am—Earl Richards, Anniversary of Death by

family, Ramona Hilsabeck, Birthday Remembrance by St. Dennis School

NO 12:30 pm Mass

Tuesday, December 14

7:15 am —Members of Altar & Rosary, CCW NO 12:30 pm Mass

Wednesday, December 15

7:15 am –Bill Sobczak by Donna & Jack Ivezich,

Marilyn Claffy by husband Lawrence 2:00 pm— School Mass, Norma Vallero by Matt &

Teresa Monos & family

Thursday, December 16

7:15 am –Robert Diemer by Joan Morrison & family

No 12:30 pm Mass

Friday, December 17 7:15 am –David Kazmierczak, Birthday Blessings by family

No 12:30 pm Mass

Saturday, December 18

4:30 pm –Bill Sobczak by Patti & Dick Johnson, Michael

Barra by Dori Daggett, Diane Kirkland by Ed & Doris Daggett, Charlotte Diaz Birthday Remembrance by Family

Sunday, December 19

Fourth Sunday of Advent

7:30 am — John Kausak by wife Marie & family, Stephen

Corbett, Birthday Blessings by son, Dennis Kaiser by Jerry & Fran Fallon

9:15 am — Robert Diemer by Art & LeeAnn Coon,

Catarino Carranza, Anniversary of Death by family, Ramona Hilsabeck by Jerry & Carol Richards, Cappelletto family by daughters’ Linda & Kaye

11:00 am — Mike & Sue Kelm by Ray & Arlene Pfaff, Ernie

& Marge Francescon by the King family

NO 7:00 pm Mass

This Week the Flame of Faith will burn in loving memory of …

Walt Sartori, Birthday Remembrance and John Taskay, Anniversary of Death by Ann Sartori and family

Please pray for those who are ill, especially…

Elaine Bugno, Genevieve Handzik, Irene Poynter, Geno Pesavento, Marie Richards

Readings for the Week: Today’s Readings: Is 35:1-6a, 10; Jas 5: 7-10; Mt 11: 2-11 Mon: Nm 24: 2-7, 15-17a ; Mt 21:23-27 Tues: Zep 3: 1-2, 9-13; Mt 21: 28-32 Wed: Is 45: 6c-8, 18, 21c-25; Lk 7: 18b-23 Thurs: Is 54: 1-10; Lk 7: 24-30 Fri: Gn 49: 2, 8-10; Mt 1: 1-17 Sat: Jer 23: 5-8; Mt 1:18-25 Sun: Is 7: 10-14; Rom 1: 1-7 ; Mt 1: 18-24

Dear Family, Congratulations to Fr. Thomson on fifty years of service to the Lord. We at St. Dennis have been blessed with your faithful service, your love your generosity and your kindness. I believe the journey of Advent is a journey to Bethlehem and to a stable where

Jesus was born. In order to get to the stable we need to go through a process where we simplify our lives and discard the things that are not necessities in our lives. It is creating emp-tiness and a hunger for Jesus within our hearts for a place for Him to born in our hearts. It is difficult to do with less in order to have more. To have less distraction, less stress and less worry in our lives. The distraction of entertainment, TV, computer and phones often fill our lives and the minutes in our days. There is the stress of not having enough money or in rare cases having too much money. The worry about what will happen and the fears that take hold of our minds and hearts. It is hard to let go and give these things to Jesus. It calls for more than hu-man trust but calls for spiritual trust in the One who has laid down His life for us. In this season of Advent when we gather more stuff to try to express our love or feel happy, Jesus invites you to get empty, to get needy for Him, to really trust in His love for you. Our brother Jesus is about to be born again, let us celebrate as His family.

In the Lord’s Love, Fr Jim

Please Note: Until further notice, please use the

Narthex doors (parking lot entrances) when coming to daily

(Monday through Friday) Mass.