Liturgical Ministers for February 1 & 2, 2020 Sunday of the Word of God Sat. Feb. 1 @ 4:30pm @ St. Nicholas Reader: Mary Jo Bielong On September 30, 2019, on the liturgical memorial of St. , Servers: Pat Kalous Francis announced that the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time would be Offertory: Denny & Joan Gobble celebrated as the Sunday of the Word of God. In its inaugural year, Euch. Min.: Barb Zaloga & Annette Bleisch this Sunday will fall on January 26, 2020. Ushers: Tom Kalous & Don Cureton Greeters: Kathy Frey Open House In the Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass, we are reminded of Sun., Feb. 2 @ 8:00am @ St. Gertrude the role of the Word of God in the life of the Church: In the hearing of Reader: Bryce Knackstedt You are invited to St. Paul Catholic School’s God's word the Church is built up and grows, and in the signs of the Servers: Nathanial & Nevin Straube Open House on January 26, 2020 at liturgical celebration God's wonderful, past works in the history of Offertory: Brenda Knackstedt Family 9:30 am – 12:30 pm. This will be a special morning to explore our classrooms and Happy 70th Wedding Anniversary salvation are presented anew as mysterious realities. God in turn Euch. Min.: Terry & Sue Dickman hallways as we begin our celebration of to Bill & Betty (Starnes) Haberer makes use of the congregation of the faithful that celebrates the Ushers/Greeters: Randy & Dianne Leitschuh Catholic Schools Week. from St. Nicholas Church. Liturgy in order that his word may speed on and be glorified and that Sacristan: Jerry Vosholler Sun, Feb. 2 @10:00am @ Come see why more families are choosing a The couple were united in his name be exalted among the nations. Whenever, therefore, the Reader: Cindy Knebel faith-filled environment for their child’s marriage at Immaculate Church, gathered by the Holy Spirit for liturgical celebration, Servers: Adyson Lee & Taylor Overby education. Conception Church by Fr. Kirby on announces and proclaims the word of God, she is aware of being a Offertory: Ralph & Lora VonBokel Family Please contact Kathy Sherman at January 28, 1950. new people in whom the covenant made in the past is perfected and Euch. Min.: Jim & Terry Potthast & Denise Richter [email protected] or Please keep Bill and Betty fulfilled. Baptism and confirmation in the Spirit have made all Christ's Ushers: Pat Flanigan, Keith Frey, Steve Frey & Joe Goebel 618-654-7525 for more information. in your prayers!! faithful into messengers of God's word because of the grace of hear- Rosary Leader: Lowell & Denise Wellen ‘And over all these virtues put on ing they have received. They must therefore be the bearers of the Preschool, JK, and K Open House same word in the Church and in the world, at least by the witness of St. Paul Catholic School will be hosting a love, which binds them all their lives. The word of God proclaimed in the celebration of God's Please remember in your prayers special Open House for our Preschool, Jr. together in perfect unity.’ mysteries does not only address present conditions but looks back to Members of our parish families who are recovering in the hospital Kindergarten, and Kindergarten on Thursday, Colossians 3:14. past events and forward to what is yet to come. Thus God's word & at home, for their strength and patience each day, and for all February 6, 2020 from 4:00-7:00 pm. The shows us what we should hope for with such a longing that in this those who ask for our prayers for health or other issues. evening will focus on our younger students and Mike Bast, Mary Jo Bielong, Ana Cantrell, Margaret Daiber, changing world our hearts will be set on the place where our true joys will allow a relaxed atmosphere to discuss our lie. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you Don Dapkus, Teresa Dickman, Jean Fields, Frey, Jerry Fyke, Karen Grabowski, Judy Gruner, P.J. Hereford, programs with the teachers and staff. teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and Cory Humphrey, Coreen Hutchinson, Gene Jolliff, Val King, Please contact Kathy Sherman at spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16) Barrett Korte, Henry Korte, Randy Korte, Kuehn, [email protected] or call the Helen Kuehn, Brett Leathers, Sue Luber, Taylor Marti, school office at 654-7525 for more Collecting for Survivors of Human Trafficking Alex McCall, Danny Micheletto, Cody Neal, Barb Rakers, Sunday Scriptures details and information. January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month Marcia Rowe, Verneda Rowe, Abby Schrage, Mitch Schuster, February 2, 2020 Phil Spies, Marie Weis, Jason Weiss, Neal Weiss, Pam Winet, Beginning in 2010, by Presidential Proclamation, each January has been **The Presentation of the Lord** Margie Zurliene, Todd Zucca. designated as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. 1st Reading: Mal 3: 1-4 For Our parishioners in nursing homes: According to the United Nation’s International Labor Organization’s (ILO) 2nd Reading: Heb 2: 14-18 Doris Buske, Betty Haberer, Dolores Weis, Helen Wuebbles & 2016 “Global Estimates of Modern Slavery”, nearly 40.3 million people are Gospel: Lk 2: 22-40 or 2: 22-32 special people in our families. victims of modern slavery, of whom 24.9 million are entrapped in forced Daily Readings: For those currently serving in the military: labor and sexual slavery and 15.4 million subjected to forced marriage. Jan. 27 2 Sm 5: 1-7, 10; Mk 3: 22-30 Canfield , Tim Doll, Quinn Frey, Tom Frey, Through coercion, deceit, or force, they are trapped in jobs & situations from Jan. 28 2 Sm 6: 12b-15, 17-19; Mk 3: 31-35 1st Lt. Adam Kalous, Chad Knebel, Knebel, Dustin Korte, which they cannot escape (from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops). Jan. 29 2 Sm 7: 4-17; Mk 4: 1-20 Connor Kutz, Solon McGill, Jimmy O’Boyle, A jar for monetary donations will be on the table in the hallway at Jan. 30 2 Sm 7: 18-19, 24-29; Mk 4: 21-25 Sgt. Patterson, Rickie Quinones, Joseph Schatte, Jan. 31 2 Sm 11: 1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17; Mk 4: 26-34 John H. Schuster, Greg Spina, T.J. Waddington, Immaculate Conception on Sunday, Jan 26 to support Eden’s Glory, a home Sgt. Tyler Wegman, Sgt. Zach Weiss. in Southern Illinois where “survivors of human trafficking are restored to If you would like to have someone added or removed from the thrive for the praise and glory of God”. You can also put your donation in an prayer list please call the parish office. envelope and drop it in the collection basket during one of these weekend There will be a Respect Life meeting to discuss monthly Pro-Life Masses. Please mark the envelope as “Eden’s Glory donation”. Eden’s Glory events. The meeting will be on Thursday, February 13, 2020 at Sign up sheets for IC chicken dinner offers a Christ-centered, two-year, holistic residential treatment program for 7pm at St. Joseph’s Hospital Cafeteria in Highland. signs are now available at the back of adult women, ages 18 and older, who are survivors of human trafficking, to All are welcome to attend this meeting. church. help transition them back into society & show them that they have purpose. Please remember the victims and survivors in your prayers, and pray for an end to this form of modern-day slavery. Visit http://edensglory.org to learn IC Collection For 1/19/20 Gertrude recently upgraded the windows in the parish St. Gertrude Chicken Dinner Planning hall. The old metal frame, single pane windows replaced with more or to make an online donation. Envelopes/Loose $1,649.00 Meeting will be held on Monday, double pane insulated glass, re-purposed from February 3 at 6:00PM Solemnity of Mary $8.00 the old rectory. Please pardon the inconvenience; The heating unit on the Church side of Immaculate Conception Church building has deteriorated First Offering $20.00 beyond the point of repair and will be replaced soon. STN Collection For 1/18/20 STG Collection For 1/19/20 Latin America $10.00 Envelopes/Loose $884.67 Sister Parish $15.00 Envelopes/Loose $929.00 † Mass Intentions † Catholic Times $145.00 Catholic Times $120.00 Mon. (Jan.27) 8:00am (IC) No Mass Catholic Times $30.00 Maintenance Fund $5.00 Building Fund $15.00 Tues. (Jan.28) 9:30am (ACC) † Ed Bonk — Int. of St. Gertrude Altar Society Wed. (Jan.29) 8:00am (IC) † Loretta Knebel — Int. of Donna Straube Budget Goal $923.00 Budget Goal $1,180.00 Budget Goal $2,203.00 Thur. (Jan.30) 8:00am (St.N) † Jerome Schleper — Int. of Linda Schleper & Family † Weekly Surplus/Deficit $6.00 Weekly Surplus/Deficit $-295.33 Weekly Surplus/Deficit $-526.00 Fri. (Jan.31) 8:00am (IC) Floriann Timmermann — Int. of Bill & Denise Trickey † Support Needed (budget) $26,767.00 Support Needed (budget) $34,220.00 Sat. (Feb. 1) 4:30pm (St.N) Bill Klostermann — Int. of Dawn James & Scott Benson Family Support Needed (budget) $63,887.00 Sun. (Feb. 2) 8:00am (St.G) † Kenny Rutz — Int. of Helen Wuebbles Support Actual $26,338.25 Support Actual $34,919.67 Support Actual $56,145.97 For the People of St. Gertrude, St. Nicholas & Immaculate Conception † Surplus/Deficit YTD $-428.75 Surplus/Deficit YTD $699.67 Surplus/Deficit YTD $-7,741.03 Sun. (Feb. 2)10:00am (IC) Dorothy Thole — Int. of Dave & Darla Brinker † Anna & Elmer Oestringer — Int. of Margaret Daiber Third Sunday in Ordinary Time January 25 & 26, 2020 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time January 25 & 26, 2020 third Sunday in ordinary time January 25 & 26, 2020

Bible Timeline Study resumes in February. Monday sessions are at 10 am and Thursday sessions at 7 pm. This weekend, we take up the Collection for the Church Both are at IC Hall. in Latin America! Many people in Latin America and the If you were not able to begin last fall, you are welcome to join us Caribbean do no have access to church programs and now. The nice thing about this DVD/study book combination is ministries because of a rising secular culture, difficult that participants have access to sessions online. If ever you miss, rural terrain, and a shortage of ministers. Your or even wish to refresh your memory, this study will be available generosity makes it possible for our brothers and sisters to participants until September 2021. Participants have been in Latin American and the Caribbean to share in the life amazed at how this has helped their understanding of the of the Church and grow closer to Christ. To learn more readings at Mass. about how your gifts make a difference, visit www.usccb.org/latin-america. The book is only $15 due to a grant from our diocese. That's less than half for this $35.95 book. Call the office so we can reserve a book for you--- 618-669-2391. Immaculate Conception—Pierron Grantfork Historical Saint Nicholas - Pocahontas Saint Gertrude—Grantfork Society 10th Annual "Hockey with Bishop Paprocki" - Bishop Thomas Invites you to an evening of history! John Paprocki, known as “The Holy Goalie”, along with Chicago +Bishop Thomas John Paprocki Blackhawks alumni, will take to the ice for the 10th annual Please join us as Phil Bailey presents Diocese of springfield “Hockey with Bishop Paprocki” at the United Center in Chicago in illinois Missing Man’s Table on Sunday, March 8, 2020, at 2:10 p.m. to benefit Catholic The 13 Folds of the Flag & Charities Legal Services (CCLS), which provides free legal † Rev. Paul J. Bonk Red Skelton’s Definition of the Pledge of Allegiance. assistance in civil matters to those with little to no income living in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. Tickets are $125 Pastor Thursday, February 13th Meeting will begin at 7:00 with and can be purchased by visiting cc.dio.org. The ticket price Sonya Curry presentation following at 7:30. Grantfork Village Hall includes entry to the charity game at 2:10 p.m., entry to the secretary Refreshments will be served. Blackhawks vs. Blues game at 6:30 p.m., and a limited edition Mailing Address: Chicago Blackhawks metal lunchbox. Only 200 tickets will be PO Box 410 Phil is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Hills Fort in sold to the Charity Game. Pierron, IL 62273 Greenville, the War of 1812 Society and the Union Armies of the West. LADIES…COME ENJOY A MORNING OF SPIRITUAL E-mail Address: [email protected] Dive Deep Podcast – National Catholic journalist, speaker, and author, ENLIGHTENMENT TO PREPARE FOR LENT www.icstnstg.org Teresa Tomeo joins Dive Deep, the official podcast of the Diocese of Spring- The Catholic Women’s Prayer Breakfast, Saturday, February 22, will Office: 618-669-2391 field in Illinois. Hear why she thinks the pro-life movement is seeing be hosted by Our Lady Queen of Peace, Bethalto. We will celebrate Rectory 618-654-2789 tremendous strides, the role of women in the church, why your Sunday Mass at 8:00am followed by a catered breakfast in the should look different, among other topics. Go to dio.org/podcast and click gymnasium. We will feature a talk by nationally known Office Address: inspirational speaker Kendra Von Esh - I Don’t Need God ... And 401 E State Street, “listen and subscribe.” While you’re there, other topics include the “10 Pocahontas Certainly NOT Catholicism! A registration form may be downloaded Things you didn’t know about the Mass,” the church’s position on smoking Office Hours: marijuana, and the “3 Tickets to Heaven.” You can also find the podcast on at www.church.olqpbethalto.org. Pre-registration is required. The Mon.—Thurs. 9am to 4pm your favorite podcast platform, such as Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, cost is $15.00 per person. Please mail registration forms by Fridays 9am to 1pm Spotify and Overcast, among others. Just search “Dive Deep Diocese of February 10th. Questions, please call Marie DeClue at Springfield in Illinois.” 618/377-5593 or Denise McCurdy at 618/463-0747. Mass Times Immaculate Conception Wed. & Fri.—8:00am Missions International is happy to announce that it will be coordinating a trip for sister parishes to Guatemala. The trip will be July 27 Sunday—10:00 am to Aug 1, 2020. We encourage two or three people to represent your parish. Our first meeting will be Saturday Feb 15 at 10am.This Saint Nicholas meeting will be at the St. Nicholas Spirituality Center in O’Fallon, IL (625 St. Nicholas Dr., O’Fallon, IL). If you are interested in this trip Thursday— 8:00am and plan to attend the meeting, please [email protected] or call 618-654-9254. Saturday—4:30pm

Saint Gertrude Overcoming Spiritual Discouragement Tuesday— 8:00 am St Mary's Alton FEBRUARY 15, 2020 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM Sunday — 8:00am With warmth, understanding, and pastoral skill, Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV provides a hopeful invitation to all who struggle to overcome the greatest obstacle in the spiritual life: discouragement. You will learn practical ways to find peace amid your spiritual struggles, and patience in the Sacrament of face of even the most intense trials. In these talks, Fr. Gallagher will explore the spiritual teaching of Venerable Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Reconciliation Oblates of the Mary, whose wisdom guided many out of discouragement and into new hope. There is no shame in spiritual desolation. IC—Wed. 7:15—7:45am Fr. Gallagher reminds us that the greatest of suffered from this affliction. The key is to learn how to draw closer to God in life’s darkest STN— Sat. 3:45—4:15pm moments. Overcoming Spiritual Discouragement is a call to hope... a call to solace in time of suffering... and a call to stand tall in times of STG— Sun. 7:15— 7:45am affliction. Learn how to enter into the sublime peace and joy that our Lord promises. Day long seminar will include Holy Mass, Three Conferences, materials, coffee, light breakfast items and lunch. COST: $25 PER PERSON. To register, mail check payable to St Mary’s Church, with your name, address, phone number and email to St. Mary’s, 519 E 4th St., Alton, IL 62002. Questions 618-465-4284. First come first served. Pre-registration required