MASSES: Saturday (Sunday Obligation) 5:30 PM, Sunday: 9:00 AM WEEKDAY COMMUNION SERVICES: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8:30 AM

REV. ROGER KUTZNER, PASTOR DEACON: Mark Otten (815-469-7165) DEACON: Joe Bishop (708-747-4798) PARISH SECRETARY: Kathy Short RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATOR: Deacon Mark and Anita Otten MINISTRY OF CARE: Erwin Bogs

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturdays After 5:30 MARRIAGE: By appointment only. Normally made 6 months in advance. BAPTISM: To have a child baptized at Boniface Church, you must be registered, active, member of the parish and attend a Baptism class. Baptisms are held the 2nd Sunday of the month at 12:00PM (Noon). Call the office to schedule an appointment.

RELIGIOUS ED CLASSES: All classes meet Sundays from 10:00-11:30 AM

Church: 5304 W. Main St., Monee, IL 60449 Rectory: 25942 So. Middlepoint Avenue P.O. Box 217, Monee, IL 60449 (534-9682) Website: stbonifacemonee.org Church Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30am—2:00pm

Saint Boniface Mission Statement

Saint Boniface is a welcoming, caring Church community united under one baptism. We encourage participation by all members in promoting and sharing Christian and social values. Page Two November 17, 2019

Saturday, November 16 November 17 November 24 5:30 PM—Erwin E Bogs † by Bogs Family 5:30 PM 5:30 PM Jozefa Wazny † by Kwiatkowski Family Deacon Mark Otten Deacon Mark Otten Sunday, November 17 John Blazevich Debra Ledford Christine Semanovich Anita Otten 9:00 AM—Richard, Kathleen and Edward Cosman † by Marcy Phalen Tracy Sheehan Schmidt Dolores Fink † by Pat Fogerty 9:00 AM 9:00 AM Monday, November 18 Deacon Joe Bishop Deacon Mark.Otten 8:30 AM—No Mass Communion Service Only Erwin Bogs Colleen Domke Wednesday, November 20 Therese Bogs-Haser Donald Domke 8:30 AM—No Mass Communion Service Only Robert Gorz Kathy Short Friday, November 22 8:30 AM—Dr. Carlos Diaz-Albertini † and Lauren and Alexis Diaz– Albertini by Bogs Family Saturday, November 23 5:30 PM—Eleanore Kurowski † by Bogs Family Marianna Kutzner † by a Parishioner Sunday, November 24 November 17 November 24 9:00 AM—Melanie Valencia † by Leobardo and 5:30 PM 5:30 PM Ana Valencia Martinez Camille Dancer Rene Jurack Giannantonio † by Mary Pierce 9:00 AM 9:00 AM Karen Scrementi Barb Mitchell

November 10, 2019 Sunday………………………$ 1883.00 November 17 November 24 Children’s Envelopes……… 12.00 5:30 PM 5:30 PM Kelsey Correa Makenzie Albano Many thanks to all of you for your generous donations to Joey Correa Alison Porpora our Parish. May bless all of you! 9:00 AM 9:00 AM Swanson Ava Daly Kasey Swanson Grace Lovejoy The dignity of resembling the Almighty is common to all people; we should then love them all as ourselves, as living images of the Deity. It is in this First keep the peace within yourself, then you that we belong to God. —St. can also bring peace to others. —Thomas à Kempis

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time November 17, 2019 Sing praise to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. — Psalm 98:5 Page Three November 17, 2019

On Wednesday, Nov.6th, I found myself again at the airport waiting for my flight to . The weather was not bad but the airport technical crew had to de-ice the whole airplane. We left one hour later but the flight was smooth and we arrived in Warsaw on time. At the baggage claim my bag didn’t arrive. I was about to leave and find the office to report my lost bag, but fortunately a strange thing happened. The baggage belt started again so I turned around and to my big surprise I saw one familiar shape. There was my bag. Unbelievable. In Warsaw I caught rush hour traffic so it took me another hour or so to get home. On Monday, Nov. 11th, when USA celebrated Veteran’s Day, Poland had Independance Day (established in 1937 to commemorate regaining independance in 1918 after being under the occupation of Prussia, Austria and Russia for 150 years). It had been banned by communists since 1945, untill it was reinstated in 1989. This celebration brought to me many memories and historic facts about constant struggle of Polish people to be free. Just one example - when the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939, they immediately attempted to suppress the Catholic Church. Over the course of the next several years, they killed a third of the Polish clergy and outlawed faith education. Polish layman, Jan Tyranowski, decided to do something. He began a secret group, called the Living , to instruct people in their faith. He was risking an execution if he were discovered. However, he persevered, and, over the course of time, 10 of the young men who attended these groups became . One of those priests is known to history as Saint John Paul II. Imagine if Jan Tyranowski had given up. Imagine how different the world might be today without Saint John Paul II. The thought of never giving up, of keeping faith in God’s Providence is what I want us to ponder on. A saint is a sinner who keeps on trying. And that trying can change the world. To get you closer home here is one more example – the resiliance of Jordan who in one point in his great career decided that his free throw shooting wasn’t as good as it needed to be. He had already cemented his status as the greatest player of his generation, and it would have been easy to let that flaw slide. However, Jordan decided not to ignore it. He committed to making 500 free throws before he left the gym after each Bulls practice. Not just shooting 500 free throws but actually making 500 free throws. The dedication paid off. Michael Jordan finished his career as an 84% free throw shooter. He persevered. Just wanted to add that we need to remember Christ knows what the future holds in store and, moreover, he is guiding all things to their proper end. Nothing is out of range of his wisdom and Power. This is one of the secrets to interior peace, to peace of mind.

+ Father Roger TODAY’S READINGS Thirty Third Sunday of Ordinary First Reading — For those who fear the name of the Time Today’s readings paint a Lord, the sun of justice will arise ( 3:19-20a). Psalm — The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice somewhat frightening picture of (Psalm 98). the end of time. But the Gospel Second Reading — Those who are living in idleness are ends with the assurance to faithful stewards urged to earn their own living (2 Thessalonians 3:7-12). Gospel — Jesus foretells the destruction of Jerusalem, that those who persevere will be saved. the persecution of his followers (Luke 21:5-19). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. Please consider including St. Boniface Church when creating or updating your personal will. God made the dinosaurs, but they didn’t work out. Contact the office for information. Will, Age 9 Kids Say the Cutest Things About God Page Four November 17, 2019

LIFE IS HARD, BUT HAVE NO FEAR Today’s readings take a fearless look at reality and reach a conclusion that we all know: life is hard. The prophet Malachi preaches fire and brimstone, warning us that evildoers will perish in flames. Saint Paul offers his own warning to the Thessalonians: keep busy, but never become a busybody. He David Schmidt, Erwin Bogs, Polly Schloss, Peter reminds Christians that the apostles themselves worked in “toil and drudgery” as a model for how we Levy, Dorothy Ireland, Marilyn Kieler, Mike ought to contribute to our community. The Gospel Kelly, Ed Mackey, Virginia Perozzi, Karen Males, returns to the apocalyptic tone of Malachi, describing Tabitha Phellps, Pete Crevier, Helen Barrett, Fa- the utter chaos of the end-times. We will know the ther Roger, Sharon Blazevich, Kimberlee Cithocki, end is near when violence, catastrophe, and hatred dominate the earth. But we must not fear! God’s Karter Lashway, Kristy Esparza, Stephanie Joy saving plan brings peace to our hearts. Malachi Houser and those that go unnamed. speaks of the sun’s “healing rays,” and Jesus To have someone added to this list please call the himself promises to protect every hair on our heads. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. parish office.

2020 is almost upon us. If you have special What Are You Doing For Advent? dates you would like to reserve for a Mass In- WHOA!! That sounds like something for Lent. Isn’t Lent a time for prayer, fasting and alms- tention, please contact the office. There are also giving? You know—like giving up candy, still some weekend masses available this De- treats, or even beer? cember as well. Why not dedicate a mass to Yes, Advent is different than Lent. But it is your loved ones during the Advent season? also a time of preparation, anticipation, and joy—for the birth of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, who became one of us to save TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION We are faced with strong and disturbing us and bring us to everlasting life. readings today that hold a certain fascination, since Sounds like something to think about. they seem at first glance to be blueprints for future Perhaps we can think of ways we, each of us, inevitable wars and hardship. A fundamentalist can become more Christ-like; more Christ- interpretation focuses on this aspect. Yet we hear centered over the four weeks of Advent. them at our Sunday celebration of the Eucharist, Maybe instead of just focus on shopping, which infuses them with hope and optimism. Rather baking, gift wrapping, and parties, all very than dreading the future, today’s liturgy assures us important to us, we also focus on preparing that God is with us in all of life’s inevitable trials, and ourselves more spiritually for the birth of that we have a role in shaping the outcome of Christ. human history. Occasionally, some Christians have attempted to decode these readings for an exact So, what ARE you doing for Advent? measure of the world’s end, but they have thus far Deacon Joe been disappointed. “Nothing lasts forever” is a lyric from a Broadway show. Stars fall from the sky, leaves wither and fall, Monday, December 2nd we will mountains wash into the sea, human projects and governments totter and collapse with great be putting up our Christmas trees regularity. Today’s liturgy opposes this idea as after the morning mass. If you incomplete, reminding us that Christ has made a would like to help set up and permanent change in human history, and that life in decorate the trees, please join us him is life forever. Rather than inviting us to throw in for mass at 8:30am and the tree the towel, today’s liturgy strengthens us for acts of set up immediately following. goodness and grace in our families, communities, and world. —James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. Page Five November 17, 2019

Join us for Making Advent Queen of Hearts 50/50 weekly raffle is still going Wreaths Saturday, Nov.23rd at on. Tickets cost $1.00 and are available at Labas Coffee Shop. When the queen is found that weeks 10:00am. Cost is $8.00. Light re- ticket winner receives 50% of the cash prize and freshments will be served. If you St. Boniface receives the other half! Drawings are are interested in making an ad- held on Mondays at 7:00pm at Labas, located at vent wreath for your home sign up sheets are 25646 S. Governors Hwy. See the bulletin boards available at the back of the church. Please for more information. sign up no later than November 20th so we Women’s Club will meet on November 18 at 6:30 are sure to have enough supplies. PM. Raffle tickets will be processed at this meeting. It is never too late to become involved The Knights of Columbus Coat Collection is with the women of St. Boniface Parish. See you now underway! Cold weather there for an evening of fun. Refreshments will be seems to have arrived early this served. year, so please, while you’re taking inventory of coats for The Bishop McNamara Catholic School your family, remember that Placement Exam will take place on Saturday, December 7 at 8am. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. there are many other people in in the BMCS cafeteria and the exam will conclude need of a winter coat. If you have any gently by 11:30 a.m. A pre-exam night will take place on used, clean coats to donate, please put them in Thursday, December 5 at 6:30pm in the BMCS the collection boxes at the back of the church. cafeteria which will include an informational session Thank you from the Knights of Columbus for for parents while students take a practice test in your generosity. preparation for the Placement Exam. Please RSVP for the Placement Exam by visiting bishopmac.com/ The Monee Township Pantry is now col- admissions, or contact Mrs. Kelsey McGrath at lecting food donations for their traditional [email protected]. Thanksgiving Baskets made available to Monee residents. Food donations requested Are you mathematically inclined? We are still in are: need of additional counters! Counting is usually Cranberry Sauce done either Sunday after mass or Monday mornings. Canned or Packaged Turkey Gravy If you are interested contact the office. Muffin Mixes Boxed Mashed Potatoes Canned Yams or Sweet Potatoes Macaroni and Cheese Boxed Stuffing Packaged or Boxed Desserts

Our sincerest thank you for any items you can provide to help a family in need enjoy a day of Thanksgiving. Items need to be dropped off at the Monee Township. Please do not bring items to the church.