November 29, 2015 First Sunday in Advent
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November 29, 2015 First Sunday in Advent Parish Office: 773.486.4300 Masses: Parish Fax: 773.252.5346 Monday-Thursday: 7:00 a.m. Friday: 8:30 a.m. School Office: 773.486.1334 Saturday (Vigil): 5:00 p.m. School Fax: 773.486.1782 Sunday: 8:15 a.m., 9:45 a.m., www.stjohnberchmans.org 11:30 a.m. (Spanish), & 6:30 p.m. 2517 Logan Boulevard Chicago, IL 60647 Reconciliation (Confession): Saturday: 4:00 p.m. Weekdays: by Appointment A D V E N T T A IZ É P R A YE R S ER VI CE ~ NO VE MB ER 3 0TH 7PM First Sunday in Advent November 29, 2015 Director of Music Advent Reflections from the Choir Loft Today we begin the season of Advent, the last four Sundays before Christmas. There are two main aspects of the season. It is a time of preparation for Christmas, as we remember the first coming of the Messiah, and celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Jesus. It is also a time for us to prepare our hearts and minds for the second coming. “For these two reasons, “Advent is a period of devout and expectant delight.” (Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the General Roman Calendar, 39. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.) Like Lent, the liturgical color is purple. There is an element of penance to the season, as we prepare for the great feast. The decorations are toned down. The music is somewhat restrained. We sing the Penitential Rite (“Lord have mercy”), but the Gloria is omitted, to return at the Vigil Mass for Christmas. The popular Advent hymn ”O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” with the frequent repetition on the word “come” expresses our longing for the return of the Divine Messiah and the Kingdom of God. Each verse refers to the Messiah by a different name from the Old Testament prophecies. (Emmanuel, Wisdom, Rod of Jesse, Key of David, etc.) There is an air of eager anticipation. Today’s readings focus on the prophecies from the perspectives of the past, present and future. The first reading, from the prophet Jeremiah, expresses the hope for the continuation of the dynasty of David, the first great king of a united Israel. At the time Jeremiah lived, the united tribes of Israel had split into Judah in the north and Israel in the south. People believed their fortunes were directly linked to a specific king, and they were longing for fulfillment of the covenant, a renewal of God’s promise to David. Through the shoot of David, Judah will be safe and Jerusalem will be secure. Psalm 25 is a response to the hope expressed in the first reading. “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” The psalmist reminds us to learn the ways of the Lord and follow the Lord’s path of kindness and constancy. We will find justice and fulfillment of the covenant. In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul encourages us to continue following the paths the Lord has set for us, applying the teaching to our present- day lives. And finally, in today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of the prophecies, the end times, the last judgment, and the second coming of the Messiah. We are reminded to prepare, and to always be on guard as we wait for God’s kingdom. While the secular, cultural side of the holiday season can be great fun as we shop for presents for our loved ones, bake, put up decorations, and attend Christmas parties, it is important to tend to the spiritual side as well. There are many ways we can prepare for the return of the Messiah. One way is to set aside time each day for prayer, devotional reading, or quiet meditation. Regular attendance at Mass is always good. One place I go for spiritual sustenance is Holy Name Cathedral for the Advent Vespers services, which take place at 4:00pm each Sunday during Advent. There are opportunities right here in our parish. Daily Mass is celebrated at 7:00am, Mondays through Thursday, 8:30am on Fridays. The Grupo de Oración meets Fridays at 7:00pm in the church. The women’s faith group will meet on Tuesday, December 15 from 7:00 to 9:00pm in the SJB school chapel. Finally, I’d like to encourage you to attend our Taizé Prayer service this Monday, November 30 at 7:00pm. This service consists of singing, some scripture reading, prayers, and an extended period of silence. It is a great way to put aside the cares of everyday life and listen for God to speak. However you choose to use this season to prepare for our annual observance of the Nativity, I wish you all a blessed and holy Advent. Jean Tuohy Director of Music Our Mission: Rooted in Christ, touched by His love and mercy, the Saint John Berchmans community finds unity in its diversity, proclaims by Word, Sacrament, and service, that the Kingdom of God is at hand, and declares that all are welcome in this place. 2 November 29, 2015 First Sunday in Advent Join Us As We Celebrate Mary SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Tuesday, December 8th, is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Parish Announcements of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Please join us as we celebrate with Masses at 7:00am, 8:30am and bilingually at 7:00pm. This major feast honors the Blessed Virgin, who was conceived without sin in preparation to bear God CONFIRMATION RITE OF ENROLLMENT himself. The Immaculate Conception is a Holy Day of Obligation. On December 6 the young men and women preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation will take part in the Rite of Enrollment at the OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE MASS AT SJB 6:30 p.m. Mass. Students will be invited to come forward and receive a Saturday, December 12th, is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Mañanitas blessing from Fr. Wayne during the Mass. They will also receive a cross as will be prayed at 5:00am, followed by coffee and pastries in the church hall. a symbol of their commitment to deepen their relationship with Jesus and Mass will celebrated at 7:00pm, with a celebration to follow. Additionally, their Catholic Faith. the novena in preparation for this Feast will begin on Thursday, December 3rd at and continue each evening. Please visit our website at www. This year we have nearly 25 young men and women from the Religious stjohnberchmans.org or call the parish office for exact times. Education program and St. John Berchmans School preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. They will be meeting with their sponsors, contributing to their community with service hours, studying a special saint, attending a retreat and writing a letter to the bishop sharing why they wish The Catholic Campaign for Human Development to be confirmed. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Sacraments are done in community and we ask you to hold these students, The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) continues their families and their sponsors in your prayers as they prepare for to advance our mission of eradicating poverty in economically-distressed Confirmation. communities. Our Holy Father’s most recent address to Congress on September 24 of this year instructs us that, “Our efforts must aim at restoring ADVENT RECONCILIATION SERVICE hope, righting wrongs, maintaining commitments, and thus promoting the Prepare for the coming of our Lord! Join us Wednesday, December 9th at well-being of individuals and of peoples. We must move forward together, as 7:00pm for our bilingual Advent Reconciliation Service. Advent is a joyful one in a renewed spirit of fraternity and solidarity, cooperating generously for the common good.” Pope Francis’ words resonate deeply with the mission of season, but it is also a penitential season, the perfect time to examine our CCHD. By funding communities through CCHD, we actively work together consciences and receive the Sacrament of Penance in preparation to celebrate towards eliminating systemic oppression. the birth of Jesus Christ. Organizations supported by CCHD work to build long-term solutions that SJB GIVING TREE will allow future generations to have a dignified quality of life. For example, On your way out of Church today, please take an ornament from our Giving Tree Mujeres Unidas (Women United) of St. Eulalia has created a women-owned catering worker cooperative that has worked for the past three years to each ornament contains information of one of our school or religious education provide healthy food options in the Maywood area. Mujeres Unidas radically students. Once you have purchased a gift or gifts for that student, please attach changes the way low-income women can participate in the economy – both the ornament to the unwrapped gift(s) or label the packet with the information as workers and business owners. They are able to use their talents in cooking listed on the ornament in red font. Please return the unwrapped, labeled gift(s) and event planning, while maintaining oversight and direction of their to Church at whichever Mass you attend the weekend of December 12th and cooperative. CCHD supports Mujeres Unidas because it exemplifies shared 13th, as the gifts will be presented during the offertory during Mass. Thank economic development that builds strong leaders and strong families. you for sharing Christ’s love this Christmas season and for helping to make the The CCHD annual collection is the primary source of funding for CCHD’s holidays brighter for our students and their families! anti-poverty grants and education programs in Cook and Lake Counties.