Serving Hyde Park’s Catholic Community since 1869

December 20, 2020

Fourth Sunday of

Parish Offices: Hours: Weekdays: 7am-3pm, Mon.-Fri. Located at 55th & Woodlawn 5472 S. Kimbark Avenue Chicago, IL 60615-5297 Phone: (773) 324-2626 Fax: (773) 891-0602 [email protected] Fr. Dan Costello Extension 107 Deacon: Deacon Kurt Davis Parish Office: Lisa J. Couch, secretary (773) 324-2626 Parish Voicemail box, ext. 0 Director of Parish Operations Paula Jones, ext. 109 Music Ministry Ed Martin he child to be born Liturgist Jennifer Davis will be called holy, Bulletin Editor Lissa Romell T the Son of God. ~Luke 1:35 Parish School Erin Monahan, Principal 5467 S. Woodlawn Avenue St. Parish Chicago, Illinois 60615-5299 telephone: (773) 667-1142 Mass Schedule Confession Fax: (773) 891-0602 Saturdays, 2:30-3:30pm. www.stapostleschool.com Sunday 8am & 10am Baptism Monday-Friday Please contact the Parish Office. 8am Marriage Saturday Please make arrangements eight months in advance. 8am & 4pm Membership Holy Days Please register at the Parish Office or online at 8am www.stapostleparish.org under “Contact Us”. Please don’t forget the poor boxes. Come visit us at www.stapostleparish.org Page 2 St. Thomas the Apostle Parish Fourth Sunday of Advent

We’re so glad you’re here and invite you to journey in If you or a loved one faith with us. We believe the church is the sacrament of wish to receive a God’s saving presence in the world. telephone visit from a Our goal is to provide a spiritual home where all are minister of care—to welcome, where the healing, reconciling, liberating pray or simply talk— love of God flows through us to all people. please call Lisa at 773- If you have any questions about our parish, please 324-2626, & she will call or email our parish office. arrange for a Minister of Care to call.

Today’s Readings: Fourth Sunday of Advent 2 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16  Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29  Romans 16:25-27  Luke 1:26-38 Dr. Herman Neal, Lolita Cortez (special intention)

We encourage you to prepare yourself for next weekend’s liturgy by reading and praying the scriptures (visit www.usccb.org).

Next Sunday’s Readings: Feast of the Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 or Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3  Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5  Colossians 3:12-21  :22-40 Weekday Mass Intentions

Weekly morning masses are being live-streamed at 8am, Monday-Saturday, via our Facebook page. Please join us! Please remember those listed below in your prayers this week. MONDAY, Lk 1:46, 54 5-6  Heb 1:1-6  Jn December 21 Iris Carter (speedy recovery) 1:1-18 Si 2:8-14  Ps 33:2-3, Camilo & Melchior Salinas He was in the

11-12, 20-21  Lk WEDNESDAY, December 23 beginning with God. 1:39-45 Readings: Mal 2:1-4, 23-24  Ps 25:4 All things came to be Arise, my beloved, my -5ab, 8-9, 10 & 14  Lk 1:57-66 through him. Jn 1:2-3 beautiful one, and “What then will this child be?” Lk 1:66 Clifford Doyle come! Julius Horvath Barbara Hayes Julie Bacik THURSDAY, December 24 SATURDAY, Camilo & December 26 Melchior Salinas Readings: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16  Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 & 29  Lk 1:67-79 St. Stephen TUESDAY, In the tender compassion of our God Readings: Acts 6:8-10; December 22 the dawn from on high shall break 7:54-59  Ps 31:3cd-4, 1 Sm 1:24-28  1 Sm upon us, to shine on those who dwell 6 & 8ab, 16bc & 17  2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd  in darkness and to guide our feet into Mt 10:17-22 Lk 1:46-56 the way of peace. Lk 1:78-79 Whoever endures until My spirit rejoices in Norma McCall the end will be saved. God my savior for he Mt 10:22 remembered his FRIDAY, December 25 Larry, Gwen & promise of mercy… Nativity of the Lord Lewis Readings: Jer 23:5-8  Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4,

We have resumed public Masses During the reopening process, we encourage on Saturdays at 4 p.m. and you to check your email, our website & Sundays at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. BACK to Facebook page to stay updated on current Given the current restrictions on CHURCH information regarding sacraments, Sunday attendance (up to 20% capacity of our Masses, and our STA ministries. church), we are using Sign-up Genius, an online tool that Masses online: The Sunday 8am Mass and allows you to reserve space for you and those in your the 8am daily Masses, Monday through household for Mass (https://www.signupgenius.com/ Saturday, are live-streamed via the STA Facebook page. go/9040448A9AA2CA0F49-reservations). To help ensure that everything runs as smoothly and peacefully as possible, Parish Office: The Parish Office is now open 7am-3pm, Monday-Friday. please review the Parishioner Reopening guide online (https://stapostleparish.org/parish-life/reopening-our-parish/) Bulletin: The Bulletin will continue to be delivered via and contact us with any questions at 773-324-2626. email and published on-line. St. Thomas the Apostle Parish Fourth Sunday of Advent Page 3

Thoughts from Fr. Dan Costello Parish Administrator

Dear Parishioners & Friends Second, I pray that you will of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, have a I am so grateful that Peaceful nine parishioners have responded to : our urgent call for the peace the world so clearly is unable to give itself; volunteers to help the peace that broken hearts long for; the peace that is us keep safe and ours to share with one another in forgiveness, healthy at Mass! kindness and charity. May the birthday of Christ sow I will give thanks We can all be seeds of peace in your heart. to the LORD with grateful for their And finally, I pray that you will have a my whole heart. generosity and I Hopeful Christmas. Ps 9:1 hope you will thank them when So much in the secular world around us may tempt us you see them as they greet you in church. to limit our hope. May you always experience the hope our faith offers as you encounter the love and presence of God and allow the birthday of Christ to renew hope in your heart. We have so much to be grateful for in each of our We will celebrate Masses on Christmas Eve at lives. Our common faith unites us as Catholics. Our 8:00am (the daily morning Mass, not a Christmas parish and school and all our ministries are vital to Mass) and a Christmas Eve Mass at 4:00pm. There this community and I treasure the gift of you and the will not be a Mass in the evening. We will also dedication, sacrifices, and hard work you have shown celebrate a Christmas Day Mass at 10:00am. Both to make our parish and school a beacon of Christ’s Christmas Masses will be broadcast live. love. I heartfully thank those who serve in our various ministries and organizations to witness our calling to share the Good News. St. Thomas the Apostle Parish relies on you and I trust that God will bless you with a spirit of generosity The celebration of ’ birth is nearing once toward your parish this Christmas. Your Christmas again. Christ came on earth to reveal an incredible donation is vital and necessary in keeping the various message to us: a message of joy, peace and hope. And ministries and services of the parish going strong. in return, Christ simply asks us to have love for one On behalf of the another. So, my prayer for you this Christmas is entire staff at St. threefold: Thomas the Apostle First, I pray that you will have a Parish, I wish you and your loved ones Joyful Christmas: a Merry and Blessed a Christmas filled with the inner serenity that deep Christmas and a faith provides, strong enough to survive the Joyful New Year! disappointments and sorrows that life delivers and May we keep Jesus exuberant enough to celebrate life’s happiest times. as the reason for this beautiful season! And let's be May the birthday of Christ touch you with deep joy. like the angels...always sharing the Good News! ~Fr. Dan Costello Page 4 St. Thomas the Apostle Parish Fourth Sunday of Advent

Tax Credit Scholarship Matching Gift Program

Did you know that the Invest in Kids Act helps children from low-income households in IL access scholarships that cover up to 100 percent of a Catholic school’s tuition? Thousands of students are gaining knowledge and building on their faith in Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools, like St. Thomas the Apostle, thanks to this program. Your support during these challenging times Dates to Remember would help educate the next generation of Catholic students while building on a brighter future for all. December 21—January 1 Christmas Break—NO SCHOOL What is a tax credit scholarship?

Tax Credit Scholarships cover up to 100 percent of tuition and fees for the 2021- January 4-15 E-Learning days for all STA 22 school year. Students from low-income households can qualify for tax credit students—NO in-person classes scholarships if their family income is less than $72,900. More than 9,000 students qualified for scholarship last year and 6,300 were left waiting without one. January 12 Big Shoulders Fund Tax Credit Cut Tax Liability Scholarship Application Opens Individuals and corporations may receive credit for their IL state taxes equal to 75 percent of donation. January 18 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day— Triple Your Impact NO SCHOOL Donate to a school (you can designate St. Thomas the Apostle School) or all archdiocese schools between Dec. 1 and Feb. 28, 2021, and, thanks to a few January 19 generous donors, your donation will be matched and maximized threefold! In-Person Learning classes Limitations apply. resume in the school building ——————–———————— Invest in kids now: 3 easy steps: STA’s Website:

www.stapostleschool.com 1. Register Create a donor account on the Empower Illinois website. You will need the Follow STA on Social Media! primary taxpayer’s SSN and one of the following: IL Driver’s License #, IL State Facebook: @stapostleschool ID, or Adjusted Gross Income from the prior year’s return. Instagram: @stthomasapostle 2. Reserve Online Reviews Reserve your tax credit with the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR). You We appreciate the encouraging can designate St. Thomas the Apostle School as your school of choice and choose words we have received from our Empower Illinois as your Scholarship Granting Organization. You will receive community. Thank you for your your Contribution Authorization Certificate (CAC) via email. Once you have support! In an effort to continue your CAC, you are ready to donate. showing our STA pride and come together as a community, please consider leaving an online review 3. Donate for STA on one of the available Once you receive confirmation of your tax credit and your CAC from IDOR, you outlets. These include: Facebook, have up to 60 days to donate to Empower Illinois. Google Reviews, Niche, Great Schools and Private School Thank You! Review. Thank you! These three simple steps make a difference in a child’s life and will have a long- lasting, positive impact on our community because you have invested in Catholic education. Do not delay. Mark your calendar! This opportunity will not last.

For more information please contact the TCS hotline at 312-534-2617 or [email protected], or visit archchicago.org/tcs. St. Thomas the Apostle Parish Fourth Sunday of Advent Page 5

Health & Safety Procedures at Mass

As part of our certification  No physical Sign of Peace may be exchanged between by the Archdiocese in July to those with whom you are not domiciled (but feel free re-open our churches, certain to offer a nod or a friendly wave as a Sign of Peace!). procedures were identified to help ensure our health & RECEPTION OF COMMUNION safety as we gather for the  An usher will let you know when to leave your seat in Sacraments. As this order to maintain social distancing. pandemic continues to thrive  If you are not going to receive Communion, please among us, it may be helpful to be reminded of these cross your arms over your chest and bow your head established procedures with the Christmas celebration coming when approaching the Presider or Minister of this week. Please be assured we are doing our best to mitigate Communion. the spread of the virus in church and we ask all who join us in  When 12 feet (2 people away) from the presider, worship to adopt a spirit of charity in following these sanitize your hands using the sanitizer from the usher. procedures. Thank you very much! After sanitizing do not touch any surfaces.

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE  When you approach the presider or minister, DO NOT  Make your reservation online through the Sign Up remove your mask. Extend a single hand to Genius address found in our bulletin. If you do not  receive the host. have access to the internet, walk-ins are welcome and  Move 6 feet to the right or left, then remove your face you will be asked for contact tracing information upon covering, and consume the host. We encourage those arrival. who may need help with this to be assisted by those  Check your temperature, if you have a fever and/or do with whom they are domiciled. not feel well, please do not come to church.  Replace your face covering and return to your pew.

 Please bring a Face Covering. AFTER THE SERVICE WHEN YOU ARRIVE  You will be dismissed pew by pew to preserve social  Enter only through the main church doors. distancing in the aisles. Please follow the instructions  Please keep your face covering or mask on at all times of the usher. (you will receive instructions during the service if  Please use only the designated exit doors. Do not receiving Communion). congregate in the narthex nor outside the church doors  A greeter will welcome you and check you in. In order and please be mindful of wearing your face covering inside and outside in accordance with state guidelines. to assist health officials if needed, we will keep a list of attendees (name and contact information) for four PLEASE NOTE weeks after which the list will be destroyed.  While our Parish Staff will attempt to take appropriate  The greeter will sanitize your hands. precautions consistent with the advice of public health  Please observe social distancing (6 feet) at all times. authorities, parishioners and guests should understand  Ushers will direct you to pews with markings on that they assume the risk of contracting COVID-19 where to sit. You may sit next to those with whom you anytime they enter a public space since such are domiciled if they arrive with you. You are not able precautions do not eliminate the risk of infection. to choose your seat or change your seat once seated.  Please remember that all present will have varying degrees of comfort being back at church. Please do not DURING THE SERVICE take offense at any gesture or lack thereof. We are  Masks must be worn the entire time you are in the ALL present for one purpose: to celebrate the church. Eucharist to strengthen us as the Body of Christ!  Please note that worship aids/hymnals will not be available, as congregational singing is not permitted at OFFERINGS this time. All are welcome to hum along to the songs/  Offertory baskets will be in the rear of the church. hymns as lead by the cantor! Please remember to support our parish!  If you need to leave your seat during the service (other than Communion) please do not stand in areas that THANK YOU cannot accommodate social distancing. for helping us create a safe and prayerful return to Church! Page 6 St. Thomas the Apostle Parish Fourth Sunday of Advent

Year-End Parish Gifts

As the end of the year approaches, we often reflect on the many blessings bestowed upon us. During this time, it is common for parishioners to take the opportunity to thank God for these blessings by gifting a portion of their abundance to Thomas. Year-end St. Thomas the Apostle giving offers income tax deductions, LIVE Mass on capital gains savings, and other financial benefits while also supporting Saint Facebook Thomas – oftentimes for years to come. There are many ways of contributing a gift; two of the easiest and most direct We continue to stream Mass live methods are donations of cash and appreciated stock or other investments. You daily on Facebook at 8am. Visit can also make other financially advantageous gifts such as real estate, life https://www.facebook.com/ insurance, will/trust bequests, and IRA/retirement accounts. Your accountant or St.ThomastheApostleHydePark/ financial adviser can counsel you about how best to give to the Church. live/ for the livestream and to For more information on making a year-end gift to Saint Thomas, please watch previous Masses. contact Paula Jones at 773.324.2626, ext. 109 or [email protected].

The Hyde Park Kenwood Food Pantry is open to give out groceries from 10am until 1pm on Saturdays at the Hyde Park Union Church

at 56th and Woodlawn.

For more information, contact Jan at [email protected].

OFFERINGS Giving Together

A convenient way to give to St. Thomas the Apostle Parish— especially in this time of Covid- 19—is through online donations Please Remember in Prayer: Parishioners & friends who are ill: via GiveCentral. You can use this website to make donations to STA Jenny Aniceto, Estrella Alamar, Dorla Allen, Lucas Allen, Romulo Barreno, Betty Black, using your credit card, debit card Dorothy Bonds, Emil F. Coccaro, Romy Crena, Esther Dionisio, Sr., Marilyn Epps, or electronic checking payments. Sebastian Farmer, Fr. Jack Farry, Foley, Joan Gallagher, Lina Garcia, Fr. Karl You can make both one-time and Gersbach, Giles, Pamela Graniczy, Alyce Hammonds, Kathleen Holden, Wm. G. recurring donations. To take Howard, Maria Jimenez, Olga Jimenez, Carolyn Jones, Connie Jose, Charlie King, Mary Lerps, Mark Lewis, Corrine Lipinski, Linda Loggins, Mankowski Family, Maridel Moffett, advantage of this convenient Anastacia I. Mebane, Clara Morgan, John Moore, Chris Mureiko, Caridad Neal, Carmen option, visit www.givecentral.org/ Orendain, Edmond Peirre, Agnes Pelt, Sr. Jamie Phelps, David Nathaniel Robinson, Dick location/136. We are grateful for Russel, Nelson R. Sample, Elizabeth Scott, Zahari Simmons, Bobby Sims, Olustee Smith, your support, now more than ever. Coletta Tinley, Charles Walker, Sr., Jo Washington, Julia Washington, Terrance Watson, Richard West, Mavis Willis, Marie Bijou Wong, Joan Yedinak

Thank you! For those who have died: Joseph Wiley Funds needed weekly to sustain our parish: $8900 May God grant them eternal joy and peace.

Cover art: At the Heart of the Universe by Mary Southard, https://www.marysouthard.org/. Art on pages 2-3: Advent Triptych by John August Swanson, https://johnaugustswanson.com/. St. Thomas the Apostle Parish Fourth Sunday of Advent Page 7

An Advent Message From Francis Dear Brothers and Sisters, of every man and woman who comes into this world. It is The invitation to joy is characteristic of the season the same dynamism of love, which leads me to come out of Advent: the expectation of Jesus' birth that we of myself not to lose myself but to find myself again, experience is joyful, somewhat like when we await the while I give myself, while I seek the good of others. visit of a person we love a great deal, for example, a friend undertook a long journey to come to bear whom we have not seen for a long time, a relative.... We witness to Jesus. The journey of joy is not a walk in the park. are in joyful anticipation. It takes work to always be joyful. John left everything, in his “Rejoice!” Christian joy. And what is the reason for this youth, to put God in first place, to listen to His Word with all joy? That “the Lord is at hand” (v. 5). his heart and all his strength. John The closer the Lord is to us, the more withdrew into the desert, joy we feel; the farther away he is, the stripping himself of all things more sadness we feel. This is a rule for superfluous, in order to be freer Christians. Once a philosopher said to follow the wind of the Holy something more or less like this: “I do Spirit. Of course, some of his not understand how one can believe personality traits are unique, today, because those who say they unrepeatable; they cannot be believe have a face from a funeral recommended for everyone. But wake. They do not bear witness of the The Angelus Prayer (English) his witness is paradigmatic for joy of the Resurrection of Jesus V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. whoever wishes to seek the Christ”. Many Christians have that R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. meaning of his or her life and face, yes, a face from a funeral wake, a Hail Mary, full of grace, find true joy. In particular, the face of sadness.... But Christ is risen! The Lord is with Thee; Baptist is a model for those in the Christ loves you! And you have no Blessed art thou among women, Church who are called to joy? Let us think a bit about this and let And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. proclaim Christ to others: they us ask: “Do I have joy because the are able to do so only by Holy Mary, Mother of God, Lord is close to me, because the Lord detaching from themselves and loves me, because the Lord has Pray for us sinners, from worldliness, by not redeemed me?”. Now and at the hour of our death. Amen attracting people to themselves John the Baptist is the first V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. but directing them toward Jesus. witness of Jesus, with the word and R. Be it done unto me according to thy word. This is joy: directing toward with the gift of his life. All the Hail Mary. . . Jesus. And joy must be the Gospels agree in showing that he V.And the Word was made flesh. characteristic of our faith. And fulfilled his mission by indicating R. And dwelt among us. in dark moments, that inner joy, Jesus as the Christ, the One sent by Hail Mary. . . of knowing that the Lord is with God, promised by the Prophets. John V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. me, that the Lord is with us, was a leader of his time. His renown R. That we may be made worthy of the that the Lord is Risen. The had spread throughout Judea and promises of Christ. Lord! The Lord! The Lord! beyond, to Galilee. But he did not Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O This is the centre of our life, surrender even for an instant to the Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to and this is the centre of our joy. temptation to draw attention to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was Think well today: how do I himself: he always oriented himself made known by the message of an angel, behave? Am I a joyful person toward the One who was to come. He may by His Passion and Cross be brought to who knows how to transmit the used to say: “he who comes after me, the glory of His Resurrection. Through the joy of being Christian, or am I the thong of whose sandal I am not same Christ Our Lord. Amen. always like those sad people, as worthy to untie” (v. 27). Always I said before, who seem to be at indicating the Lord. Like Our Lady: a funeral wake? If I do not have always indicating the Lord: “Do whatever he tells you”. the joy of my faith, I cannot bear witness and others will The Lord is always at the centre. The around him, say: “But if faith is so sad, it is better not to have it”. indicating the Lord. And one who does not indicate the By praying the Angelus now, we see all of this fully Lord is not holy! This is the first condition of Christian realized in the Mary: she silently awaited God's joy: to decentralize from oneself and place Jesus at the Word of salvation; she welcomed it; she listened to it; she centre. This is not alienation, because Jesus is effectively conceived it. In her, God became close. This is why the the centre; he is the light that gives full meaning to the life Church calls Mary a “Cause of our joy”.