St. Irenaeus Parish, Park Forest, Illinois December 22, 2019 Fourth Sunday of Advent

Advent/ 2019

First Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 1 5:00 P.M. 8:30 A.M. 10:30 A.M.

Second Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 8 5:00 P.M. 8:30 A.M. 10:30 A.M. Adoration after the 10:30 A.M. ending with Benediction at 4:30 P.M.

Third Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 15 5:00 P.M. 8:30 A.M. 10:30 A.M. Parish Reconciliation 4:00 P.M.

Fourth Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 22 5:00 P.M. 8:30 A.M. 10:30 A.M.

Tuesday December 24 Family Mass w/Pageant 5:00 P.M. Christmas Eve Inspirational Program 7:30 P.M. Christmas Eve Liturgy 8:00 P.M.

Wednesday December 25 Christmas Mass 9:30 A.M.

Tuesday December 31 New Years Eve 5:00 P.M. Wednesday January 1 New Years Day 9:00 A.M. Saturday January 4 Vigil for Epiphany 5:00 P.M. Sunday January 5 Epiphany of the Lord 8:30 A.M. 10:30 A.M. Saturday January 11 Vigil for Baptism of the Lord 5:00 P.M. Sunday January 12 Baptism of the Lord 8:30 A.M. 10:30 A.M. All above events will be held in church

Advent Blue Book Activity can be found on the next page.

Advent Blue Book Activity

First Sunday of Advent Blue Book Activity: Spend time determining what you will do in Advent, spiritually (time in prayer once a week and increasing weekly), practically (developing gift list), personal, (sending Christmas greeting to someone not on good terms), charitable (doing something for those less fortunate)

Second Sunday of Advent Blue Book Activity: Advent is a time to slow down and prepare for ’ coming. We are reminded of our baptism to witness to God’s love and presence in the world. How can I better witness to God’s presence? How can I become more aware of God’s presence and proclaim it to others?

Third Sunday of Advent Blue Book Activity: John the Baptist sent his people to Jesus to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” They reported what they saw, blind people seeing, deaf people hearing, dead people being brought to life, poor people being cared for. What do we see in the world today that lets us know Jesus is among us? What is it that we do that would make others say that Jesus is among us?

Fourth Sunday of Advent Blue Book Activity: Joseph decided to quietly divorce Mary rather than expose her to shame for being with child. Through a dream, Joseph received a message from an angel to take Mary as his wife, as she has conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit. What messages have we received from God that seem impossible but we are asked to follow in faith? Are we asked to take a stand against the popular opinion of the day? Are we asked to support another person when everyone else has already judged him/her? What other messages have we received to follow Jesus that requires faith in the midst of the impossible?

The Tradition of the Oplatki

Sharing of the oplatek (pronounced opwatek) is the most ancient and beloved of all Polish . Oplatek is a thin made of flour and water, similar in taste to the hosts that are used for communion during Mass. The Christmas wafer is shared before , the Christmas Eve supper. The head of the household usually starts by breaking the wafer with his wife and then continues to share it with everyone at the Wigilia table. Wishes for peace and prosperity are exchanged and even the pets and farm animals are given a piece of oplatek on Christmas Eve. Legend has it that if animals eat oplatek on Christmas Eve, they will be able to speak in human voices at midnight, but only those who are pure of spirit will be able to hear them. This tradition dates back many centuries when a thin, flat bread called podplomyk was baked over an open flame and then shared with the family gathered around the fire on Christmas Eve. Patterns would be cut onto the bread to make breaking easier. This is why oplatki today still have patterns on them, usually of Nativity scenes. Provided on the back of the envelope that holds the Oplatki is a short ritual you could pray together with your family. Oplatki are available in the back of church.

The 2020 calendars are also available in the back. RE NEWS CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

The annual St. Irenaeus Christmas Pageant will be held during the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve. All children of the parish are invited to participate. The schedule for practice and performance are as follows: Sunday, December 22, 11:30 a.m. (after the 10:30 mass) We are asking parents to stay for practice. Tuesday, December 24, 4:30 p.m. All participants report to church in costume and ready to go.

Let’s start 2020 by Shopping with Scrip/Gift cards!

Available Cards In Inventory/On Hand No Waiting

Subway $10 Taco Bell $10 Burger King $10 Wendy’s $10 Starbucks $10 Dunkin Donuts $10 Panera $10 Jewel Foods $25 Walmart $25 Mariano’s $25 Olive Garden $25 Meijer $25 BP Gas $50 Speedway Gas $25/$50 Chili’s $25 Shell Gas $25 J.C. Penney $25 Kohl’s $25 Visa Gift Card $50 Target $25

By using Scrip gift cards, you can give 3% -25% of your everyday purchases back to the church.

Please see the order form that is inserted in the bulletin.

A variety of gift cards are available for purchase at the Scrip table. If you have any questions please call the parish office at 708-748-6891 Thank You!

This program runs all year. Save the Dates: On Sunday, January 26, 2020, Nina Council 3602 Ladies Auxiliary will be holding their annual Trivia Event at St. Mary Parish in Park Forest. More information to follow.

On Sunday, February 23, 2020, Nina Council 3602 Ladies Auxiliary will be holding a Madri Gras Event at St. Irenaeus Religious Education Building in Park Forest. More information to follow.

Liturgical Ministers for Next Weekend

Liturgical Ministers Saturday Sunday Sunday December 28/29 5:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Lectors Lody Daley Gerry Berish Paul Bourgeois Bernadette Maune Michaela Parker Linda Marron Dolly Mikolajczyk Mary Schmittgens Bill Seifert Altar Karen Ertl Joanna Mahiya Lerry DeJesus Servers Kevin Headley George Mahiya Xavier Langer Jeirmyri Liddell Cantor Kathleen Yukich Faye Predny Phil Schwartz Patrick McGlynn Eucharistic Chrystel Adenle Sara Veldhuizen Diane Gonzalez Ministers Joe Augustyn Dennis Condon Kathleen Anderson Terri Cardin Sandra Slone Tina Egwele Barbara Principali Mary Ann Zuckerman Janice Munoz JoAnne Yapp Nika Ugonna

Mass Intentions For The Week

Monday, December 23 This Week’s Meetings St. John of Kanty Monday 8:00 Loretta Rybicki req by Centering Prayer 9:30 in the Chapel John & Nancy Teles Food Pantry 10:00-12:00 in the Parish Center

Tuesday, December 24 Wednesday 5:00 Parishioners of St. Irenaeus Choir 6:30 in the Parish Center 8:00 Parishioners of St. Irenaeus Thursday Wednesday, December 25 PADS 7:00 in the Parish Center 9:30 Parishioners of St. Irenaeus Sunday Thursday, December 26 Religious Education Class 9:00 in the Parish Center St. Stephen 8:00 Communion Service

Friday, December 27 Schedule of Masses: St. John Saturdays: 5:00 p.m. 8:00 Communion Service Sundays: 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 28 Confessions: Saturdays: 4:00-4:30 p.m. The Holy Innocents Daily Mass: 5:00 Winnie & Bill Maune req by Monday-Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. (in the chapel) The Family Communion Service: Sunday, December 29 Thursday & Friday 8:00 a.m. (in the chapel) 8:30 Gene Schmittgens 10:30 Robert Sella req by The Family

If you have questions about GiveCentral or would like our www.facebook.com Business Manager to assist you /saintirenaeus please contact Karen Hoogland at the Parish Office 708-748-6891 Church Stewardship The Sacrament The Sacrament of Baptism

Budget $5,800.00 of Marriage Couples planning to Baptisms are Not available due to holiday schedule celebrated the marry must call the Weekly Collection $.00 rectory at least six first and third months prior to their weekends of Weekly Give Central $.00 each month. Collection Total $.00 desired wedding date. All couples Parents must Weekly Budget Over $.00 attend a must attend a Pre- Budget Year to Date $.00 Cana Conference. baptismal preparation Total Year to Date $.00 Need prayers? session prior to securing a date Budget YTD Over $.00 for their child’s baptism. Please Call the St. December Irenaeus Health call the parish office for further Maintenance Fund $.00 Ministry Prayer information and/or to sign up Give Central $.00 Line at 747-0974 for a baptismal prep session. Maintenance Fund with your requests

Total $.00 Maintenance Fund YTD $.00 St. Irenaeus Ministerial Staff

Rectory Phone: 748-6891 Hotlines: Religious Education Center Phone: 748-7997 COURAGE For single mothers and unplanned Rev. Terry Johnson, Pastor pregnancies Katrina Seifert, Coordinator of Religious Education 708-636-8001 Pat Fointno, Director of Music Ministry Catholic Charities Family Shelter Terri Cardin, Administrative Assistant 312-655-7700 Karen Hoogland, Business Manager Senior Services 708-596-2222 Sr. Agnes Ann Pisel O.P., Home Visitor Crisis Center for South Suburbs Adam Johnson, Food Pantry Coordinator 708-429-7233 Ray Newbury, Head of Maintenance

Grief Support Center for New Beginnings Web-site www.stirenaeuschurch.com 773-274-4600 So. Sub. Family Shelter Domestic Violence E-Mail [email protected] Facebook www.facebook.com/saintirenaeus 708-335-3028 So. Sub. Council on Alcoholism and Substance Mailing address: Abuse 78 Cherry St. Park Forest, IL 60466 708-647-3333 PADS Parish Office Hours: 708-332-7700 Monday-Thursday: 9:00 am-5:00 pm, closed from Open Access 12 pm-1:00 pm *Friday 9:00 am-noon.* 708-799-9190 Ministry of Care & Anointing of the Sick Bulletin Submissions Articles are due by 10 AM on Fridays 8 days prior to Please call the rectory if you, or someone you know, publication date. Electronic submissions are preferred is unable to join us for . Our ministers of – email to [email protected]. Please care visit parishioners at home and in the hospital or include “Bulletin article” in the subject line. nursing home. Arrangements can be made for the Questions? Call Terri Cardin at 708-748-6891 celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Sick. Saint Margaret ED THE PLUMBER Sunday Missal ED THE CARPENTER Best Work • Best Rate An ideal companion Pat Lisowski for personal prayer. Satisfaction Guaranteed As Broker Senior Specialist In Stock & Ready to Order Today. We Do All Our Own Work CALL OR ORDER ONLINE. $39.95 708-525-3379 Lic# 055-026066 30+ Years Modern Real Estate Old Fashioned Service Park Forest 708-747-3700 $$ Parishioner Discount $$ 2401 W. 183rd St, Homewood, IL 60430 www.lain-sullivan.com [email protected] 800-566-6150 • www.wlpmusic.com 708-652-1444

Say Good-bye to Clogged Gutters! • LeafGuard® CALL BY 12/31 TO RECEIVE Receive a $25 Lowe's Gift Card is guaranteed 75% 50%x OFF with FREE in-home estimate! never to clog or All participants who attend an estimated 60-90 minute in-home product LABOR* consultation will receive a $25 gift card. Retail value is $25. Offer sponsored by we’ll clean it for LeafGuard Holdings Inc. Limit one per household. Company procures, sells, *After 12/31/19 customer will and installs seamless gutter protection. This offer is valid for homeowners over FREE* be eligible for 50% off labor. 18 years of age. If married or involved with a life partner, both cohabitating Does not include cost persons must attend and complete presentation together. Participants must • Seamless, one-piece system keeps out of material. have a photo ID, be able to understand English, and be legally able to enter Medical Alert System into a contract. The following persons are not eligible for this offer: employees leaves, pine needles, and debris Offer expires 3/31/20. of Company or affiliated companies or entities, their immediate family members, previous participants in a Company in-home consultation within the past 12 months and all current and former Company customers. Gift may not • Eliminates the risk of falling off a ladder be extended, transferred, or substituted except that Company may substitute a gift of equal or greater value if it deems it necessary. Gift card will be mailed to to clean clogged gutters the participant via first class United States Mail within 21 days of receipt of the $29.95/Mo. billed quarterly promotion form. Not valid in conjunction with any other promotion or discount • Durable, all-weather tested system not of any kind. Offer not sponsored or promoted by Lowe's and is subject to change without notice prior to reservation. Expires 3/31/20. a flimsy attachment • One Free Month *Guaranteed not to clog for Call today for your FREE estimate and in-home demonstration as long as you own your home, or we’ll clean your gutters for free. • No Long-Term Contract CALL NOW 708-462-6373 Get it. And forget it.® • Price Guarantee

• Easy Self Installation

Call Today! Toll Free 1.877.801.8608

Catholic Cruises and Tours and The Apostleship of the Sea of the United States of America Take your FAITH ON A JOURNEY. Grow in your faith, Call us today at 860-399-1785 or email find a Mass, and [email protected] connect with your www.CatholicCruisesandTours.com Catholic Community with OneParish!

Download Our Free App or Visit MY.ONEPARISH.COM

STEGER MEMORIAL CHAPEL Glenn Smits, Tim Smits, Don Egeler, Jim Janusz 755-6100 • 3045 CHICAGO RD. FAMILY OWNED LOCATED IN STEGER SINCE 1964 www.smitsfh.com

000485 St Irenaeus Church www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-566-6170