Third Sunday of Advent December 13, 2020 · 2020. 12. 15. · Third Sunday of Advent December 13, 2020 ARMED FORES PRAYER LIST We remember and pray for the protection of our military

Third Sunday of Advent December 13, 2020

December 13, 2020 Visitation Catholic Church

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

WELCOME TO VISITATION CATHOLIC CHURCH Love and Service to Others 779 S. York Street • Elmhurst, IL • 60126 • www.visitationparish.org Daily Mass: Monday-Friday, 6:15 AM, 8:15 AM Saturday Reconciliation: 3:00-3:45 PM Regular Saturday Mass Hours: 8:15 AM, 4:00 PM (Vigil) Regular Sunday Mass Hours: 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 6:00 PM VISITATION PARISH MISSION STATEMENT Visitation Parish, a Roman Catholic Community in the Diocese of Joliet-in-Illinois, seeks to draw all to Jesus Christ, revelation of the Father and font of the Holy Spirit, by celebrating the Sacraments, educating people of all ages in the Truths of the Catholic Faith, and reaching out to those who are physically, emotionally, or spiritually in need.

PARISH AND PASTORAL STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: [MON-THUR] 8:30 AM-4:30 PM [FRI] 8:30 AM-12 Noon • Phone: 630-834-6700 Fax: 630-834-6711 • Email: [email protected] • Parish Website: WWW.VISITATIONPARISH.ORG

Deanery Website: easterndupagedeanery.org

VISITATION PASTORAL STAFF • Rev. Greg Skowron, Pastor, 815-791-6073 [email protected] • Rev. Tomy Chellakandathil, Parochial Vicar, 630-834-6700 [email protected] • Dcn. Anthony Spatafore, Pastoral Associate, 630-834-6700 [email protected] • Dcn. James Eaker, 630-530-7596 • Dcn. Mike Iozzo [St. Peregrine Ministry], 630-567-4700 [email protected] • Dcn. Michael O’Ryan [St. Peregrine Ministry], 630-530-2954 [email protected] PARISH FAITH FORMATION/RELIGIOUS EDUCATION • Matthew Pozen, 630-279-7058, x502 [email protected]

MUSIC • Barbara Masters, Parish Music Director, 630-834-8190 [email protected] OFFICE STAFF • Marek Latocha, Business Manager 630-834-6700, x202, [email protected] • Anne Montgomery, Administrative Assistant to the Pastor, 630-834-6700 • Suzanne Noonan, Parish Secretary, 630-834-6700 • Teodora Kulikowska, Accounts Payable., 630-834-6700, x206 • Susan Hemmersmeier, Communications Manager [email protected]

VISITATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Website: www.visitationelmhurst.org Phone: 630-834-4931/Fax: 630-834-4936 • Carrie Mijal, School Principal, [email protected] • Katie McVey, School Assistant Principal [email protected]

PH: Podesta Hall • C: Church • PC: Parish Center MP: Multi-purpose Room FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF ALL PARISH EVENTS,

VISITATIONPARISH.ORG/CALENDAR-1

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17 Praying for our Children 8:30 AM PC Prayer for Priests 8:45 AM C Endow 9 AM PC St. Peregrine 7 PM C

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15 School Board Meeting 7 PM Zoom

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16 Faith Study 9:30 AM PC Endow 7 PM PC


ARMED FORCES PRAYER LIST We remember and pray for the protection of our military as they serve in our Armed Forces.

U.S. Air Force MSGT Kevin M. James (Andrews AFB, MD) AMN Natalee Arbino (Wright Paterson, OH) AMN E2 Jacob Neimanas (Travis AFB, CA) A1C Eric E. James (Dyess AFB, Abilene, TX) U.S. Army PFC Michael Perrone (Germany) MAJ Patrick Leen (IL.) 1 LT Joseph D. Frost (Ft. Knox, KY) CPT Nicholas Keller (Ft. Knox, KY) 1 LT Thomas J. Diwisch (Fort Bragg, NC) SPC Stephen J. Taylor (Ft. Riley, KS) 2 LT Francesca Cervone (Fairbanks, AK) 1 LT Nathanial A. Greenberg (Ft Leonard Wood, MO) CPT Kathleen M. Donofrio (Afghanistan) U.S. Army National Guard PVT Christopher J Slowinski (Ft. Leonard Wood, MO) MAJ Joseph Doyle (ID) CPL James Kotowski (Afghanistan) U.S. Coast Guard CPO Patrick Kirby (TX) U.S. Marine Corps PVT Nicholas Acevedo (CA) CPT Kurt P. James (Okinawa) SGT David Byrne (Japan) LCPL Eric E. Gibas (Camp Pendleton, CA) PVT Dominic Tosto (San Diego, CA) United States Navy LCDR Robert Aranha (United States)

St. Peregrine Prayer Group

Please join us in the

church as we pray for those suffering with

cancer and other chronic illnesses. Led by Deacon Mike O’Ryan,

assisted by Tim Koch.

Thursday, December 17th 7 PM

SACRAMENT OF PENANCE Wednesday, December 23, 6-8 PM

CHRISTMAS VIGIL MASSES, DECEMBER 24 3:00 PM Family Mass in Church

Megan Drahos, Cantor Violinist

Barb Masters, Organist

3:30 PM Family Mass in Valentino Center (School Gym) Jack and Krystyna Miuccio, Cantors

Harpist Jim Brown, Organist

6:00 PM Mass in Church Elaine Latz, Cantor

Harpist Barb Masters, Organist

CHRISTMAS MASS AT MIDNIGHT Prelude begins at 11:30 PM in Church

Suzy Salgado and Megan Drahos, Cantors Violinist

Jim Brown, Organist

CHRISTMAS DAY MASSES, DEC. 25 7:30 AM Mass in Church Barb Masters, Organist

9:30 AM Mass in Church Jim Brown, Organist, Cantor, Harpist

11:30 AM Mass in Church Barb Masters, Organist, Cantor, Harpist

***NO 6:00 pm Mass***

NEW YEAR’S EVE, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31 Masses: 6:15 AM, 8:15 AM

6 PM Vigil Mass

NEW YEAR’S DAY, FRIDAY, JANUARY 1 SOLEMNITY OF MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD

Masses: 6:15 AM, 8:15 AM and 6 PM

CHRISTMAS LITURGICAL SCHEUDLE

PLEASE REGISTER

For planning purposes and to be sure we can accommodate everyone on this most Holy and

joyous day, we recommend that parishioners sign up for the Mass they plan to attend. Please go to our

website and click on the Christmas Mass link to sign up. If you do not have access to the internet please call the rectory to sign up 630-834-6700.


MASS INTENTIONS

Did you ever stop and realize that there is no earthly gain that can ever really satisfy us? Think of winning the Lotto. On this side of the winning ticket, it’s all about the money, the new car, house, vacations, bank accounts, and infinite pleasures. The possibility of acquiring all of these earthly securities brings us back again and again to the purchase of a ticket. Then, one day we win! Our dreams are fulfilled, and happiness is on the horizon. Then one day, we wake up and realize that nothing has really changed, and I am not as satisfied as I thought I was or would be. I find myself living in my incompleteness and with my profound sorrow and grief. I did not find joy. Glimpses of joy are possible but not by material means. They are brought to us through incredible experiences of connection that bring us face to face with real and authentic faith, hope, and love. And, they are glimpses and do not last. The moment we find ourselves looking back at them, they are gone, and we find ourselves remembering the moment in memory. To carry joy within us is to realize that it is not something I create, manufacture or even acquire. It is not able to be purchased. It is a gift. My need for joy mirrors my need for eternity, for a Creator who has a claim on the very essence of who I am and desires a home within me. As C. S. Lewis discovered, joy is a surprise that speaks to my very soul and is given as gift by the God who loves me. The beauty of Advent is found in discovering the beauty of the gift of joy. God has visited his people for no other reason than to show them where and how to find joy! All of our human and earthly joy experiences are always only glimpses. They never satisfy us, sustain us or fulfill us. It is only God who is the joy of my soul. Real, Divine experiences of joy catch us off guard, make us stop and become aware, bring a feeling of awe and rightness and have an eternal Otherness about them. Nothing created by humans can ever come close to this. We probably will not fully realize the truth of all of this until we actually meet God face to face in heaven one day. Then, in that sacred moment when our hearts leap for joy we will understand what we have been tirelessly searching for all along. Intense gratitude will most surely follow.

GOSPEL REFLECTION

December 13, 2020 Third Sunday of Advent

Readings for the week of December 13, 2020

MONDAY, DECEMBER 14 6:15 AM Poor Souls in Purgatory 8:15 AM +Jacqueline Senato +Emilia Bautista +Richard Vogt

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15 6:15 AM +Frank Attento 8:15 AM +Mark Walden +Claire Guistolise

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16 6:15 AM +Tom Fahey 8:15AM +Florence Maurino

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17 6:15 AM Poor Souls in Purgatory 8:15AM +Thomas Pezza +Richard Vogt

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18 6:15 AM Poor Souls in Purgatory 8:15AM +Kira Spedale +Richard Vogt

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19 8:15AM +Kathy Stumpf +Sally Zarlengo 4:00 PM +Anna Mondello +Dennis Curtin

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20 7:30AM +Ken Paulini +Sam and Molly Guistolise +George Klein +Doris Revello 9:30AM People of Visitation Parish +Peter Carey 11:30AM +James and Francise O’Connor +Nick Pagnano +Donald Young 6:00 PM +Richard Vogt

Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11/1 Thes 5:16-24/Jn 1:6-8, 19-28 Monday: Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a/Mt 21:23-27 Tuesday: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13/Mt 21:28-32 Wednesday: Is 45:6b-8, 18, 21c-25/Lk 7:18b-23 Thursday: Gn 49:2, 8-10/Mt 1:1-17 Friday: Jer 23:5-8/Mt 1:18-25 Saturday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Lk 1:5-25

Next Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1:26-38


ADORATION CHAPEL IS NOW OPEN TO ALL

We are happy to announce that the Adoration Chapel is now open to anyone who needs to spend some time with Jesus. Due to Covid there is limited seating and a few procedures that need to be followed:

• Masks must be worn at all times

• Contact info: Name, email or cell# should be left along with the date & time you came to the chapel. Place this info in the box in the lobby. • Sanitize your hands before entering the chapel

• 3 pews will be available for Drop in Adorers. There can be only 1 person per pew or 3 family members per pew. • Before leaving you must sanitize your pew with the spray that is on the back table.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Mt11:28

RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS

A Constant Companion

As Christians, we are called to a life of prayer. This is not just during seasons like Advent, but all year long. When we talk about being prayerful everyday stewards, we are speaking about cultivating an awareness of God being with us at all times. Each day we begin by offering God the entirety of our day. Each night we rest in Him and hope that the hours that passed gave Him glory.

During this busy time of Advent, it is hard to cultivate this life of prayer, but without it we can too easily lose sight of the reason for the season. It is during this time of year we need to heed the words of St. Paul more than ever when he wrote to the Thessalonians, “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.” This is how we will be able to avoid the pitfalls of consumerism and secularism and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

Bring Jesus with you into the office Christmas party. Take him with you shopping for gifts in the department store. Be aware of him when you sit down to watch television specials you have seen every year of your life. Give him all your time and let his presence fill your every moment. By striving to be connecting with Jesus at all times, you will bear greater fruit and the joy you experience will be much greater than you could imagine. You might even spend a few less dollars and spend more time with those you love, particularly the one who loves you the most, the Incarnation himself.

As the end of the year draws near, please be sure that you are registered in Flocknote and that all of your information is correct and current. Starting in January we will be using Flocknote to record all envelope and e-giving so that you will be able to track it yourself and get your year end report for 2021.

Need help? just give us a call 630-834-6700


WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT?

Who would have thought that an ancient prayer written on the “other side” of the world at least 2500 years ago would apply so perfectly to us, in 2020, here at Visitation in Elmhurst? Read it slowly with an open mind and heart.

Psalm 16:8-11 I set the Lord ever before me;

with Him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. Therefore, my hear is glad and my soul rejoices,

my body, too, abides in confidence; Because You will not abandon my soul to the nether

world, nor will You suffer Your faithful one to undergo

corruption. You will show me the path to Life, Fullness of joys in Your Presence,

The delights at Your right hand forever.

This prayer, written so long ago, still takes on special meaning for each of us, especially when prayed before Jesus in the Adoration Chapel. The message is cause for great joy amidst these troubling times we are living in. We would like to encourage you to clip out this prayer, take it to the Chapel and feel the peace and joy that it provides. The writer of this Psalm (David) was writing to God who he could not see, but we have Jesus, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity set ever before us! We always welcome and need new Registered adorers. Please email us at [email protected] or contact Mary Lewis at 630-941-9173 or Joan Taylor at 630-530-8963 THE ADORATION CHAPEL WILL BE OPEN FOR DROP-INS BEGINNING DECEMBER 14.

HOLIDAY BULLETIN DEADLINES Please note that due to the holidays the next few bulletins will have early deadlines.

Date of Bulletin Articles Due By December 20 Friday, December 11 December 27 Thursday, December 17 December 31 Wednesday, December 23

Please send to: [email protected] Thank you for your cooperation

REMEMBERING AND HONORING

SISTER THOMAS LEO

Plans are underway for a Memorial Mass and Celebration of the life of longtime, beloved Visitation School Principal, Sister Thomas Leo.

Tentative plans set the Mass and remembrance event to be held sometime in late Spring or early Summer with hopes that life may show some normalcy once again, and so we can properly celebrate Sister’s life and honor and share memories of her 40 years of dedication to the Visitation community. Please contact Tony Cuzzone at [email protected] or 630-530-2945 for more in-formation. Please visit the Sr. Thomas Leo Facebook page to post comments, pictures, memories, etc.

Who Am I? As we long for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, let our Advent be perfectly holy. To help us, Saint Paul reminds us of these basic Christian attitudes: (1) rejoice always, (2) pray without ceasing, and (3) always give thanks.

• In whom or in what will I rejoice this week?

• How will I pray every day this week?

• For whom and for what am I thankful? What will I do because of this thanksgiving?

mailto:[email protected]



Please keep these parishioners in your prayers, and all the sick and their families:

Christine Ruder, Diane Clank, Sarah Bailey, Michele Reetz, Renee Moran-Vogel,

and Fr. Miroslaw Stepien

If you or a member of your family is ill or hospitalized and would like to be placed on our Prayer List, please call the Rectory office and let us know.

Due to privacy issues we will only honor requests made by you or a family member. Your name will remain on the list for two weeks.

Please pray for all of those who have died, especially

Peter Paul Eget, Sr.

“Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them.”

PRAY FOR OUR SICK PRAY FOR OUR DECEASED

PRAYER FOR PRIESTS

PREMASS ROSARY

Please consider signing up to take a turn in leading the Rosary. The Rosary begins approximately 30 minutes before each Mass: Saturday Vigil (4:00 pm) and Sunday at 7:30 am, 10:30 am, 11:30 am and 6 pm. If you’d like to sign up, please contact Rachael Gilboy via email at [email protected].

Visitation Mass is now being STREAMED LIVE!

Masses will be streamed Saturdays at 4 PM and

weekdays at 6:15 AM. Student Masses at 1:10 PM on Wed & Thurs will also be streamed.

If you can’t tune in live at Mass time, you can watch later! Go to the homepage of our website:

www.visitationparish.org

JADE MARY,

daughter of Bryan and Allison (Neville) Belville

BAPTISMS

RIGHT TO LIFE

Please join us each Saturday from 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. as we pray the Rosary at Access Health Center, 1700 75th St, Downers Grove, IL

60516. Access is a clinic where abortions are provided regularly. We will pray for the conversion of doctors, clinic workers and mothers, as well as for the souls of the babies lost to abortion. Contact Paul Esposito at [email protected] for more information.

Candles will burn perpetually this week before the Blessed Sacrament in the Adoration Chapel of Our Lady, Mother of the Eucharist, for the following intentions:

•The intentions of Mary Bednarz

FLAMES OF FAITH

“…Blood; it’s in you to give…”

Make your reservation today! 877 258-4825

www.vitalant.org Group 026G

January 24, 2021 1911 Club Hall; 537 S York Street

8 AM – 2 PM (by appointment only)

Fr. McDonald Council #1911

Serving Elmhurst for

over 100 years!

Please join us in prying for our priests. We meet each Thursday in

the church at 8:45 AM. Contact Deacon Jim with any

questions: 630-915-8920



http://www.vitalant.org


Faith Matt-ers

By Matt Pozen – Director of Faith Formation

The Question of Authority (Article 5)

To begin our exploration of how authority was exercised and handed on among the first generation of Christians (30-70 AD), we’ve been discussing key texts from the Acts of the Apostles. Last week we finished looking at the texts from Acts 6-8 about the selection and role of the seven Hellenist leaders in the early Church around Jerusalem, and we started to discuss the conversion of Saul (Paul) in Acts 9. Let’s pick up the story from there. In Acts 9, Saul is on his way from Jerusalem to Damascus (Syria) to stop the spread of “The Way” (of Jesus). It is there that he is blinded by a bright light, falls to the ground, and hears the voice of Jesus say to him: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Saul asks, “Who are you, sir?” and the voice replies, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” (Notice how Jesus, from heaven, identifies himself with his community of disciples on earth.) Saul undergoes a profound conversion, is baptized, and becomes part of the small Christian community in Damascus. From

this point on let’s use Saul’s Christian name: Paul. Since he never knew the earthly Jesus, Paul must have learned from others all about Jesus’ teachings, mighty deeds, passion, death, and resurrection. There were no written gospels at this early stage, so these stories about Jesus were handed on orally by his apostles and disciples. Paul himself became a bold preacher of the Good News to his fellow Jews in Damascus, and after a few years he decided to return to Jerusalem to meet with the Twelve. Their fears about this former persecutor of the faith were soon overcome, and they welcomed Paul as a co-worker in the mission. Like many new converts, Paul may have been a bit too bold and zealous, for he soon stirred up tensions with the Hellenist-style believers in Jerusalem. So to calm things down and give Paul time to mature as an evangelist, the Twelve sent him to his homeland of Tarsus (just north of modern-day Turkey) to preach to the Jewish community there. We might at this point ask two key questions: 1) How did the Twelve view Paul’s authority? 2) How did Paul view the authority of the Twelve compared to his own authority? Regarding the first question, remember that Paul did not know the earthly Jesus like the Twelve did. In Acts 1, when the Twelve chose someone to replace Judas among their number, the key criterion was that it had to be someone who knew the earthly Jesus like they did. So according to this criterion, Paul would not have been eligible to be counted among the Twelve apostles. Yet, because of the powerful nature of Paul’s conversion experience and the great success he was having as an evangelist, the Twelve certainly respected some level of authority within him. Regarding the question of how Paul viewed his own authority compared to that of the Twelve, he discusses this in a few of his letters in the New Testament. These letters were written by him over the course of about 10 years (roughly 50-60 AD), to Christian communities that he founded and guided. Next week we’ll look at Paul’s own words in chapters 1 & 2 of his Letter to the Galatians, which give great insight into his own sense of authority as an apostle. While he respected the apostolic authority of the Twelve, he also felt strongly that his encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus constituted him as an apostle as well.

SPONSOR A NEEDY INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS Catholic Charities is providing the opportunity for you to help their clients at Christmas this year. The Gift of Christmas is an annual program that fulfills wish lists for individuals who are served by Catholic Charities. Read stories about clients and choose who you would like to help this Christmas. Or, if you prefer, you can direct your donation to an individual or family who hasn’t been chosen yet. Donating is simple: visit catholiccharitiesjoliet.org and click on “donate.” Or, call 815-724-1140 to make your donation over the phone. To send a check, please note “Gift of Christmas” in the memo and send checks to: Catholic Charities 16555 Weber Rd. Crest Hill, IL 60403 If you have any questions, please call 815-724-1140 or email [email protected]. Thank you and God bless you! Merry Christmas!

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PARISH DIRECTORY

Adoration Chapel

Mary Lewis 630-941-9173

Joan Taylor 630-530-8963

Altar Servers 630-834-6700

Catholic Light House Media

Tom and Mary Parpan 224-588-5610

Email: [email protected]

Casserole Ministry

Kathy Best 630-834-7673

Council of Catholic Women

Lindsay Cibelli 708-774-4900


CRHP

Mary McCann 630-605-8817


Crypt of the Saints

Richard Montalbano 708-774-1946

Elizabeth Ministry

Clarita Iozzo 630-941-3929

Fathers Club

Mike Machon


Finance Committee

Brendan Gilboy, President 630-834-6700

Helping Hands Ministry

Joe & Kathy Falcone 630-632-7897

Vikram & Caroline Prahbu 630-607-4777

Knights of Columbus

Tom Lenz (Grand Knight) 331-642-4775

Tom Russell (Deputy GK) 630-697-7608

John Dwyer (KC Squires) 847-280-1985

Ladies Bowling

Sharon Bresnanhan 630-530-1053

Ladies and Couples Bridge

Peg Majewski 630-834-5290

Ladies Golf League

Lynn DeFilippis 630-834-5290

Men’s Bowling

Sev Delabar 630-833-7766

Men’s Small Groups

Jim Hermann 630-941-7854

PADS

Elizabeth Kosowski


Prayer Quilt Ministry

Karen Verner 630-834-6700

Right-to-Life Committee

Paul Esposito

[email protected]

RCIA 630-834-6700

Rosary Maker Ministry

Lorene Bryan 815-671-1970

School Board President

Jana Machon 773-562-0575


Scouting

Rob Moskal

ShopWithScrip

Mindy Hosler 630-536-9996

Social Service Outreach

Deacon Tony Spatafore 630-834-6700

Email [email protected]

SPRED

Melanie Schneider 630-209-0064

Ushers

Patti Pagni


Valentino Activity Center

Linda Roberts 630-941-7785

“Vis” Seniors

Mary Ann Kramer 630-617-2550

Vocation Committee

Pam Guadio 630-833-8812

Joan Taylor 630-530-8963

Women’s Volleyball

Tracy Nelson


Third Sunday of Advent December 13, 2020 · 2020. 12. 15. · Third Sunday of Advent December 13, 2020 ARMED FORES PRAYER LIST We remember and pray for the protection of our military

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