December 13, 2015 - St. Laurence Catholic Church

St. Laurence Parish
Jewett at Standish Streets,
Elgin, Illinois 60123
EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION
Saturday - 4:00 PM
Sundays - 7:15, 9:00, 11:00 AM
Daily Mass 8:00 AM Tuesday—Friday
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Saturday from 3:00 - 3:45 PM
Special times upon request
SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE
Marriage Preparation Program required
6 months notice necessary
PASTORAL STAFF
REV. ANDREW MULCAHEY
PASTOR
RECTORY - 226 Orchard St.
e-mail: [email protected]
AFTER HOURS CONTACT:
224 - 535-8815
PARISH OFFICE - 565 Standish St.
847- 468- 6900
Fax 847- 468- 6904
Web Site: stlaurencechurchelgin.com
e-mail [email protected]
DEACON, ROBERT PLAZEWSKI
CONNIE SAJTAR, SECRETARY
LINDA HOLLENSTEIN, BOOKKEEPER
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
COORDINATOR / YOUTH MINISTER
BRIANA COLLINS
PARISH COUNCIL
BOB JONES, CHAIRMAN
FINANCE COUNCIL
JOE MALAS, CHAIRMAN
SCHOOL
TRACY WAHL, PRINCIPAL
KATHY LAUDONT, SECRETARY
847- 468-6100
Fax 847- 468-6104
EDUCATION COMMISSION
RON SZOPA , PRESIDENT
Web Site: stlaurenceschool.com
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday—Friday
REGISTRATION
All new parishioners are requested
to register through the parish office
Mass Intentions
WEEKDAYS
December 15—18, 2015
Tuesday, December 15
8:00 a.m. + John DiLiberti by Charity DiLiberty
Wednesday, December 16
8:00 a.m. + Souls in Purgatory
Thursday, December 17
8:00 a.m. + Vic Volkening by Joy Volkening &
family
Friday, December 18
8:00 a.m. + Michelle Bertoni by John & Anna Gotter
WEEKEND MASSES
December 19 / 20, 2015
Saturday, December 18
4:00 p.m.
+ Ralph & Nellie Sarto by Sarto Family
Sunday, December 20
7:15 a.m.
+ Rhett Lundy by Nana Lundy and Family
and The St. Laurence Parish Family
9:00 a.m.
+ Bradley Van deDrink by Family
11:00 a.m. + Raymond Bohne by Family
Flowers this week are offered in
celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe
by Sabina Ruiz and Maria Valencia.
We Pray for Our Military—
AIR FORCE: Staff Sgt. Eric Charckon, Major Victoria
Cramer, Airman Patrick Schubert, ARMY: Sgt. Daniel J.
Duffy, 1st. Sgt. Eric Case, Cpl. Jennifer (Clough) Korfmacher,
Sgt. Charles Korfmacher, 1st. Lt. Thomas Martin, Sgt. Jacob
McDonald, COAST GUARD: Cadet 3rd Class Allison
Rychtanek, MARINES: Pfc. Patrick Metz, NAVY: Seaman
Apprentice Terrance M. Alexander, Seaman Recruit Timothy
M. Alexander, CDR Bettina Sauter, Corpsman Nick Toufexis.
May God protect them and return them safely to their families.
BAPTISM—Parents are required to meet with
Fr. Andrew before the Sacrament of Baptism will be
celebrated. If you are expecting a baby, please contact
Fr. Andrew before the delivery of your baby. He can be
reached at 224 535-8815. Baptisms are celebrated the 1st
and 3rd Sunday of the month after Mass.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTER—Sherman Hospital
December 18, 2015—Linda Goulding
Readings for the Week
Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9-14; Lk 5:17-26
Tuesday: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Ps 98:1-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12;
Lk 1:26-38
Wednesday: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30
Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15
Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19
Saturday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab;
Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47,
or any readings from the Common of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, nos. 707-712
Sunday: Zep 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6; Phil 4:4-7;
Lk 3:10-18
PRAYER LIST—For the strengthening in
faith of all who are afflicted in body, mind or
spirit please pray for: Eleanor Bell, Patricia
Bonacorsi, Kathleen Camarena, Bert Carter,
Bryan Chovancek, Donna DeMonaco, Robert Fontaine,
Ben Galaviz, John Giuliano, Jilian Golz, Ellie
Grudnowski, Lowell Haire, Joel Hartman, Dave
Hendershott, Warren Honert, Daniel Huber, Bill & Judy
Johnson, Don Johnston, Nancy Kacer, Madeline Kartel,
Joseph Kicinski, John G. Kolakowski, Colin Kramer, Pat
Laird, Helen & Leonard Lajter, Ismael Macias, Larry Malsi,
Jackson Marquez, Jerry Martinez, Emily McCullough,
Maria Mercado, Connie Mohawk, Mary Mohawk Read,
Michael Mohawk, Lois & Lyle Mousel, Bill O’Brien,
Connie Patino, Betty Pekofske, Bonnie Penera, Sandra
Plazewski, Donna Sardina, Tiana Scaletta, Mike Shannon,
Sharon Slavicek, Meghan & Paul Smeenge, Don Spolum,
Rachel Todd, Ceil Violett, Irene Weidner, Laurie Williams.
We pray for the repose of the souls of Billy
Nolan, Husband of Dana and Father of Kiley
and Sarah Nolan and Kathleen “Kay”
Wilhelmi, Wife of Vincent.
We ask God to keep their families in His care!
Stewardship Collection
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Total giving this weekYear-to-Date ActualYear-to-Date BudgetYTD Surplus/Deficit
$ 9,872.86
$ 184,107.84
$ 188,600.00
$
4,492.16
Fiscal 2015-16 Full Year Budget….…….....$410,000
THANK YOU
GIVING TREE
If your family took a tag from the
Giving Tree, the gifts were to be
returned THIS WEEKEND, December
12 /13. If you did not bring the gift back,
please call the parish office at 847-4686900 as soon as possible on Monday morning and let us
know the number of the tag you have. As you know, each
tag is assigned to a specific person. Any missing gifts
will have to be replaced. The gifts are sorted the first
thing Tuesday morning.
DRIVERS NEEDED—The Social Action Commission
is in need of help delivering the Giving Tree gifts to
various facilities in Elgin. If you have a little time on
Thursday, December 17th at 8:30 a.m. and a van or
other large vehicle please consider helping out. To
volunteer please call the parish office at 847-468-6900.
We are decorating the Church for Christmas on Sunday,
December 20th after the 11:00 a.m. Mass and could use
your help! The more volunteers that we have the quicker
the task can be completed. Please join us in helping to
make the House of the Lord look beautiful for the
holidays. Please call the parish office to sign up.
OPLATKI—Among people of Slavic ancestry and still
today among many Poles in the United States, the father
of the family solemnly breaks a wafer made of wheat
flour; Oplatki (Polish, ‘thin wafer’) on Christmas Eve. He
distributes them to those present as a symbol of love and
peace. These pieces are then shared with wishes for luck,
health and happiness. Oplatki is on sale for $2.
WINTER OPEN HOUSE
SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2016
St. Edward Central Catholic High School invites you
to a Winter Open House, from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday,
January 24, 2016.
The Open House at St. Edward HS is a great way to
get a feel for life at the school. Student-guided tours will
be given throughout the afternoon, and guests will have
the opportunity to talk with faculty, current students,
coaches, and moderators of our extra-curricular programs.
The Booster Club will be providing award-winning food
for our visitors!
For more information, go to www.stedhs.org or call
847-741-7535.
For tours or Shadow Days by
appointment, please call Mrs. Cholewa at 847-741-7536 x
113.
World Wide Marriage Encounter:
Does the way you live your life and especially your marriage
give praise and glory to God? Let God transform your
marriage relationship.
The next Worldwide Marriage
Encounter Weekends are Jan. 22-24, 2016 in Brookfield, WI;
Feb 12-14, 2016 in Crystal Lake, Il. And March 4-6 in
Madison, WI. Early
Registration is highly recommended. For more information
visit our website at: alifetimeoflove.org or call 888-574-5653.
CHRISTMAS RECONCILIATION
In addition to the normally scheduled Reconciliation on
Saturdays from 3:00 - 3:45 p.m., confessions will also be
heard before and after all the weekend Masses. If you
wish to go to confession just see Father Andrew before or
after Mass.
My Dear Parishioners,
Once again this year, many have donated generously for our Parish wishlist. My heartfelt thanks
to all who have helped us. May the Christ Child repay you and your families with peace and
blessings.
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Work to put church elevator up to code
Small business copy machine for the parish office
2 Baby Changing Tables
5 Lavatory faucets for school bathrooms
3 Office floor mats
Office Software
$ 2,188
$ 700
$ 300 each
$ 155 each
$ 100 each
$ 200
(Already purchased, Thank you)
(Already purchased, Thank you)
(Already purchased, Thank you)
(Already purchased, Thank you)
(Already purchased, Thank you)
(Already purchased, Thank you)
Thank you, Fr. Andrew
TRIFECTA TICKETS—Congratulations to the winners
of the December 7, 2015 drawing:
$100—S. Hernandez
$75—D. Flejter
$50—S. Ruffalo
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION—Each
Box Top for Education coupon is worth 10
cents to us. They can be found on hundreds
of your favorite products including
Cheerios, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Ziploc and many
nonfood items.
LABELS FOR EDUCATION—
Save the labels for Education on
Campbell’s Soups, Franco-American Foods, Cereal boxes
and many nonfood items. We can earn FREE educational
merchandise, such as computers, software, and more.
Christmas Schedule
CHRISTMAS EVE VIGIL
Wednesday, December 24, 2015
3:30 p.m. - Youth Choir
4:00 p.m. - Mass
9:30 p.m. - Adult Choir
10:00 p.m. - Mass
CHRISTMAS DAY
Thursday, December 25, 2015
8:00 a.m. - Mass
10:00 a.m. - Mass
There is a box in the narthex of the church that you can place
them in.
EPIPHANY PARTY
The Elgin Knights of Columbus Will be
hosting an Epiphany Party on Sunday,
January 10, 2016, from 2-4 p.m. There
will be a telling of the story of the 3 kings
and as well as a magic show for all ages to
enjoy. Juice, coffee and treats will be provided, and there is no cost to attend. However, like the Kings
brought gifts to the baby Jesus, we ask that you bring items for
the babies and mothers being served by our local pregnancy
centers. The Epiphany party will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 10 N. Villa Street, Elgin.60120. Please reply by
January 4th to Mike Ochs with the number attending and how
many of those will be children, so we have enough treats for
everyone at 847-401-7169 or [email protected].
NEW YEAR’S EVE
Wednesday, December 31, 2015
4:00 p.m. Mass
NEW YEAR’S DAY
Thursday, January 1, 2016
9:00 a.m. Mass
Vocations Corner:
In the midst of discerning what God calls us to do with our life in both our life’s vocation as well as in the day to day
things, it is crucial that we don’t lose sight of the big picture, which of course is the call to holiness that will lead us to
heaven. Nothing else matters if we don’t live in such a way as to end up enjoying eternity with our Lord when this life
ends. I think that far too often we get wrapped up in what this world has to offer, and our consideration of this can lead
us away from following whatever it is that God has planned for us and whatever it is that He is calling us to do. Maybe
to get on the right track it would be helpful to specifically set aside time to think about the peace, the joy, and the rest
that can flood in when we think about the fact that heaven is our destination. Do you think about heaven each day? Do
you base your life decisions based on a desire to end up in heaven and based on what will be most conducive to
achieving this reality? Don’t make decisions based upon what will get you ahead in the world, rather be concerned only
with pleasing the Lord and inching closer and closer to heaven, because in the end, this is the only thing that really
matters!
Fr. Keith Romke, Director of Vocations
THE POPE EXPLAINS THE MOTIVES AND
EXPECTATIONS OF THE JUBILEE OF MERCY
The Italian magazine “Credere” published an interview with
Pope Francis ahead of the imminent opening of the Jubilee
Year of Mercy, in which the Holy Father explains the motives
and expectations of this convocation.
In response to a question on the importance of divine mercy
in his life, Pope Francis, who has repeatedly affirmed his
awareness of being a sinner, he says:
“ I am a sinner...I am sure of this. I am a sinner whom the
Lord looked upon with mercy. I am, as I said to detainees in
Bolivia, a forgiven man. … I still make mistakes and commit
sins, and I confess every fifteen or twenty days. And if I
confess it is because I need to feel that God’s mercy is still
upon me”. Francis recalled that he felt this sensation in a
particular way on September 21, 1953, when he felt the need to
enter a church and confess to a priest and his confessor, who
was suffering from leukemia, accompanied him for a year. “He
died the following year”, said the pope. “After the funeral I
cried bitterly, I felt totally lost, as if with the fear that God had
abandoned me. This was the moment in which I came across
God’s mercy, and it is closely linked to my Episcopal motto:
September 21 is the feast day of St. Matthew, and the
Venerable Bede, when speaking of the conversion of St.
Matthew, says that Jesus looked at him ‘miserando atque
eligendo’. ...The literal translation would be ‘pity and
choosing’”.
“Thy Will Be Done” - WINTER RETREAT
December 27th and 28th
Bishop Lane Retreat Center
Join Bishop Malloy, Fr. Romke, and the Seminarians of
the Diocese of Rockford for this opportunity to pray,
reflect, and discern the Priesthood! This overnight event
is open to all high school and college aged young men
who are open to and desiring to know if God is calling
them to serve Him as a priest. Begins Sunday, December
27th at 7:00 p.m. and ends on Monday, December 28th at
3:00 p.m. Cost is $50. For more information or to register
please call or E-mail the Vocations Office at:
[email protected] or call (815) 399-4300.
Attention Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers:
The schedules for January, February and March
are in the back of church. If you would pick-up
your schedule, you will save us postage.
Thanks!!!
We encourage our parishioners to support the businesses
using our bulletin. This week we highlight:
McLean Auto Repair
965 N. McLean Blvd.
847-741-9576
Religious Education—
Our next class will meet on Wednesday,
December 16th from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m.
FIRST RECONCILIATION—Please
make sure to mark you calendar for the First
Reconciliation Parent Meeting which will be held on
Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. At least one
parent is asked to attend.
St. Laurence Parish
Christmas Youth Choir
All students in grades two through college
(and former choir members who are out of
school) are invited to join our choir for the
4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass. Practices are held in the
school cafeteria. Please enter and leave through the main
church doors by the parking lot.
PRACTICE DATES
Sat. 12/19, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Sun. 12/20, 12:00 –2:00 p.m.
Mon. 12/21, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Tues. 12/22, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Wed. 12/23, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Wed. 12/24 (Christmas Eve) arrive by 2:45 p.m.
for warm-up. Pre-Mass program begins at 3:30 p.m.
We look forward to as many students joining us as
possible. It is always a beautiful Mass and has become a
wonderful tradition at St. Laurence. This will be the 43rd
year the youth choir has sung for the Mass. If you have
any questions call Bill Lucas at 847 436-3564 or Chris
Jones at 224-305-7163
Altar Ministry for the Weekend of
December 19 / December 20
Mass Time
Lector
Eucharistic Minister
4:00 p.m.
Tom
Guetschow
Kay Gotter, Vickey Muno,
Deacon Plazewski,
Greg Soohov
7:15 a.m.
Loretta
Revesz
Vicky Giuliano, Loli
Gudino, Marlene Gurley
Chris Stine
9:00 a.m.
Robert
Chaney
Willliam Hejnosz, Pam
Klein, Mary Loechner
Wendy Mann,
William Misek
11:00 a.m.
John
Muchmore
Briana Collins, Rebecca
DiPaolo, Gail Essary
Melanie Maracordes
Sandi Shannon