Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, with the mountains quaking before you,

While you wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for, such as they had not heard of from of old.

Isaiah 63:19b; 64:2-3

CORCORAN’S CORNER Parish Transformation… Our Parish Transformation process resumed on Thursday, Dec. 4th, and will conclude on Thursday, Dec. 11th. This week’s session runs from 7:00-8:30 PM in the Parish Life Center. All are welcome to attend and partici-pate. Due to bulletin publishing deadlines, there is a two-weekend lag between a Parish Transformation meeting, and the report of what happened. At the Thursday, Nov. 20th meeting our group looked at our new Parish Mission statement, and continued to refine our goals/plans. Once our work is completed, we will publish both the statement and goals in the parish bulletin. Advent 2014… This Second Week of Advent scripture speaks of the work of St. John the Baptist drawing others closer to God by preaching about the gift of reconciliation. This Sunday our parish has an opportunity to celebrate this gift in a sacramental way, in our Advent Reconciliation Service at 7:00 PM. But to simply to be invited to experience the gift of rec-onciliation by “going to confession” may not really be enough. At Mass this weekend, we need to perhaps more closely focus on how God is seeking us out, drawing us in, and gifting us with his reconciling presence. St. John the Baptist points out that while he may be the messenger handing us an invitation to be reconciled, it is God who is sending out the message, and doing the reconciling. God knows our lives, he sees our hurts and wounds, he knows our reckless ways, and seeks to send balm and peace. The invitation to reconciliation is that God wants us well, whole, and peaceful. The sacrament of Reconciliation is a way to get there, as is closely listening to the message of the Baptist this weekend. “Ho, Ho, Ho”… Having Donuts with Santa… This Sunday, Dec. 7th, after all the morning Masses, our Parish Men’s Club is hosting Donuts with Santa. All good little boys and girls are welcome to attend this event. Parents are welcome to take photos of their children with the jolly old elf. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception… The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is the Na-tional Feast Day for the United States, as our nation is under the protection of the Blessed Mother. As our Na-tional Feast Day, it remains a Holy Day of Obligation, [When Holy Days fall on Saturday or Monday they do not remain obligatory—with the exceptions of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and Christmas Day.]. Holy Day Masses will be offered on this coming Monday, Dec. 8th only at 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Bambinelli Sunday… Next Saturday, and Sunday, Dec. 13th and 14th, the Third Week of Advent, we will repeat our new tradition of blessing the Christ figurines [the “Bambinelli”] from your home nativity sets. This is an old Roman/Italian custom of

blessing the Child Jesus figurines. It links the shrine of the nativity scene that you are setting up in your home with the nativity scene which we set up in the church. Of all our Christmas decorating, setting up the nativity scene is set-ting up a sacred space in the house. Please bring your own Christ Child nativity set figurine to church with you to be blessed next weekend at all the Masses. A Living Nativity… Next Sunday morning, Dec. 14th, we will have a “Living Nativity” display for all to enjoy in the Church Hall. Be sure to drop down there to view the display after all the Sunday Masses. People can also drop off their unwrapped children’s Christmas toys for Respond Now at the Living Nativity display by giving the gifts to one of the three kings! “Believe” Next weekend, Sunday, Dec. 14th, at 3:00 PM in the church, we will hold our Musical Gala Concert Celebration featuring our parish choirs, liturgical dance group, and the St. Elizabeth Seton Orchestra. Each year this is a won-derful prayerful and festive musical celebration of the sea-son. It is the perfect intergenerational Sunday afternoon outing for the whole family. The Concert and Dessert Gala reception afterwards are free, although a free will-donation collection will be taken up at the concert. All funds raised go to support the parish Music Program throughout the year. Please spread the word, and join us for an event that would warm even Scrooge’s heart. Simbang Gabi… On Sunday, Dec. 21st at 7:00 PM in the church, the parish will hold one of the novena nights of Masses, for the Filipino Celebration of Simbang Gabi. Over these nine days the custom is for families and friends to gather for Mass and fellowship to anticipate the great Feast of Christmas. All are welcome to join this festive Mass in the church, and party in the church hall afterward. This cele-bration is held for all our parishioners, and not simply for the Filipino community. Welcoming our new Archbishop… Due to Thanksgiving Day bulletin publishing dead-lines, this little reflection on the installation of our new Archbishop Cupich is a bit late. I went down to the evening prayer on Monday, Nov. 17th, and ended up sitting in the very back of the cathedral off of the center aisle. After the new Archbishop knocked on the cathedral doors with a rubber mallet, they swung open. Since the Cathedral is floodlit from the west side of State Street, once the doors opened this wonderful light cascaded in. A snow flurry was underway at the time and the scene was a magical one: bright light, darkness, and softly falling snow. Since I had been to the welcoming for both Cardinal Bernardin and Cardinal George previously, I remembered the earlier ceremonies. And once the

new Archbishop began to walk down the aisle, I began clapping, and other veterans immediately joined in. We did this on the two prior occasions as well. There was a wonderful spirit of a new beginning and of a welcoming in the Cathedral. Both Fr. Stan and I attended the afternoon installation Mass on Tuesday, Nov. 18th and this time I was crammed against the north wall of the Cathedral, and between bigger priests sitting in front of me, and the pillars of the Cathedral I saw little of the Mass. But I did have a great direct view of the Archbishop when he preached his homily. He has great energy in his voice, and is both sharp and enthusiastic. On Thursday morning, Dec. 20th, Mayor Emmanuel had a Welcoming Civic Breakfast. Archbishop Cupich made some brief remarks, and at the end of his talk, directly quoting me from an essay I wrote in a book published in December 2012, An Irrepressible Hope: Notes from Chicago Catholics. It was a collection of es-says welcoming the new archbishop, whomever it would be, to Chicago. The Archbishop not only received the book, but he read it in its entirety. I know this because my essay was the last one in the collection—the ‘last word’. In such collections the editors carefully choose all the es-says, and the first and last essays are especially placed as they set a tone for the work. [...and you know how I like to have the last word!] Below is the essay I wrote:

“URBS IN HORTO”

“Cead Mile Failte!” As Archbishop you enjoy a privi-leged position of seeing our church at its best. When-ever you visit our parishes, you see shining communi-ties. Your presence draws out the good in all of us: Choirs sing as well as they are able, maintenance crews polish our facilities, and societies offer amazing hospitality and welcome. I encourage you to build on this ability to bring out the best. Our Archdiocese has great strengths. Vibrant parishes proclaiming the Gospel with joy, a school system educating thousands, a medical care system blanketing the area, and an awesome outreach of charity to those in need. But our Archdiocese also has not squarely faced many issues: Demographic shifts leave shells of parishes, schools with unhealthy enrollments, financial decisions put off for a future day. With your arrival, that day has dawned, a process of healthy pruning must begin. Remember that only the best will do. Engage us in new ways of thinking that respond to current realities. Bring imagination and decisive-ness to our visioning and planning. Set goals and new directions. Join your voice to others of good will who call out for a better Chicago: one that is less violent and politically corrupt, more tolerant and open. As you draw out the best in each one of us, enabling our dreams, vocalizing an energized vision, preaching the Gospel with humility and love, what a blossoming our local church will experience. As Archbishop you will help us to live up to our civic motto: “Urbs in Horto”, a city in a garden.

Enjoy your years with us. Stroll along the lakefront and through the Chicago Botanic Garden; sit on the lawn at the Pritzker Pavilion or at Ravinia for an al fresco concert; absorb masterpieces at the Art Institute and local theaters; delight in music from a world-class symphony and the Lyric Opera; appreciate the verve of ethnic life, like a “football” match at the pitch in Gaelic Park. Cheer on our local sport teams in good times and bad. Immerse yourself in the life of this great area. We love our city, and in time you will see why. Above all of this, get to know our wonderful people. You will come to love them as they love the Lord. You remain in our prayers. “A Hundred Thousand Welcomes!” Now, get to work.

Words of Thanks… Thanks to all who made our Thanksgiving Day so wonderful: Claudia Nolan for her work preparing the liturgy; Linda McKeague and our choir and musicians for lifting our hearts through their gift of music; and Maryola Ward and her good pilgrims who prepared our post-liturgy fellowship. It was an awesome celebration, and we filled our parking lot before Orland Square Mall filled theirs. Yeah! Thanks also go out to all who visited our Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade Craft Fair. The Fair Trade group made over $16,000 which will go to the native artisans who made the products that were sold. It was a very successful event. Finally, 255 families from our sharing parish, St. Procopius, had turkey or ham for their Thanksgiving meal provided by our parishioners. You could have filled out church twice over from all the people that we fed on Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving Day is not Thanksgiving Day unless you give something away. Cooking Tips... I have a friend who teaches kindergarten in a local Catholic parish school, [not Cardinal Bernardin School]. Every year she asks her students: “How do you prepare Thanksgiving dinner?” While this is not the “Butterball Hotline”, the remarks capture the spirit of family gather-ings through the eyes of a child. So here are the tips: [my comments are in italics] From Gianna: Get the turkey from Target [Who knew Target sells turkeys?] Cook it in the oven for seven hours @ 10 degrees. Serve with mashed potatoes, peas, and corn. Mint chocolate ice cream for dessert. The kids will drink pop, and the adults will have wine and beer. [Sounds about right to me.] From Ben: Get the “duck” from Mariano’s. Cook the “duck” on the stove for 60 minutes. Serve with stuffing and an apple. Have a salad with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and onion. Chocolate and vanilla ice cream for dessert. My cousin will drink pop, and I am a fan of white milk. Mom likes soda, and dad likes “beard” [beer], because he has a beard! [A reason to stop shaving!]

Keep Smiling...

Page Four SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 7, 2014

DONUTS

WITH

SANTA

Sponsored

by the

St. Elizabeth Seton

Men’s Club

Sunday, December 7th

Hey Kids! Santa will be here this Sunday to share a donut and photo with you!

After the 8:30am, 10am, and 11:30am Masses in the Downstairs Church Hall

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page Five

Sat., Dec. 6 (5pm) Anne McDonough; Richard Gaskey; Josephine Tarantino; Lawrence Hanlon; Patrica Kirby; Darryl Pitrowski Sun., Dec. 7 (7:15am) Parishioners; Lorraine Kurowski (8:30am) John Bilanzic; Dan Keating; Phyllis Jean Minnick (10am) Karleen Vanek; Gertrude Taylor; Mark Merriman; Art O’Connor (11:30am) Purgatorial Society; Robert C. Pienkowski; Christopher McDonough Mon., Dec. 8 (9am) Mary Schveiger; Mildred Dunning; Immaculate Viola; Ken Graves; Tom McGrath; Phyllis Lilly (7pm)Maria Campana; Lorraine Roberts Tues., Dec. 9 (9am) Jack Yanahan; Peggy Nadziejko; Greg Wed., Dec. 10 (9am) Genoveva DeLeon; Hazel Schwaller; Lorela Sanchez Thurs., Dec. 11 (9am) Thomas Nyhan; Maria Gomez; Jennifer Soprych Fri., Dec. 12 (9am) Edward Howland; Katherine Soprych; Francisco and Eba Sanchez

December 7, 2014

MASS INTENTIONS

Congratulations to these parents on the baptism of their child on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014: Cora June, child of Robert and Amanda Booth Rocco Michael Radtke, child of Glenn Radtke and Jennifer Nugent Gavin Pierce, child of Curt and Kerry Marshall Caleb Mitchell, child of Mitchell Fowler and Ashley Garbarczyk Cooper Michael, child of Daniel and Melissa Callaghan

BAPTISMS

WELCOME

Angelika Smilek (Child: Alexander Walker)

Parish Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation

THIS SUNDAY Sunday, Dec. 7th 7pm

Individual Reconciliation every Saturday from 4:15-4:45pm

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Monday, Dec. 8th Masses: 9am and 7pm

Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, "full of grace" through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception. That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception con-fesses, as Blessed Pope Pius IX proclaimed on December 8, 1854: "The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her con-ception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God, and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, pre-served immune from all stain of original sin."

— CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

We remember the sick, infirm, and those recommended to our prayers, that they may experience the healing power of Christ: Frank Kociupa Debby Flynn Angelina David Geary John Willnecker John Hicks Jackie Miller And for our deceased: Dorothy Conroy Gerald O’Connor Helen Rosinski Belen Navarro Antoinette Stamp “Heavenly Father, accept the prayers which we offer for them.”

PLEASE PRAY FOR

COLLECTION FOR 11-30-14: $23,103.43 KIDS’ COLLECTION: $22.46 Thank you for your generosity.

STEWARDSHIP

Page Six SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 7, 2014

The official public, daily prayer of the Church is the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours. Psalms are prayed, scriptures proclaimed, hymns and canticles sung, and intercessory prayer

is offered. The daily singing and reciting of the Book of Psalms is a most ancient tradition.

CELEBRATING ADVENT

Join us weekdays (Monday-Friday) at 8:30 AM beginning Dec. 1st through Dec. 24th

ADVENT LITURGY OF THE HOURS

Morning prayer makes us rise and thank God for a restful night, for another day of life and for the strength and courage to do His will.

This celebration is a way of consecrating the day to God.

I n order to keep the memory of Jesus alive, the early churches of the Mediterranean world created a Christian week. The first day of the

week became the Lord’s Day: the day of the resurrection, of Pentecost, and of the coming again in glory to judge the living and the dead. Its liturgical center was the celebration of the Lord’s supper on the Lord’s Day. The sixth day of the week (Friday) became the weekly memorial of the passion and death of Jesus, a day of fasting and special prayer. In direct continuity with the Jewish custom of morning and evening prayer, early churches also marked the dawn and sunset hours with worship. By the second century, then, Christians had developed patterns of prayer: daily psalms, praise and petition in the morning and evening and the weekly observances of Sunday and Friday.

Advent’s Prophetic Teachers Mighty figures from the scriptures confront us during the season of Advent. The prophet Isaiah, the “evangelist” of the Hebrew Scriptures, prepares Israel and us for the coming of the Messiah. Gabriel the archangel is the heaven-sent messenger who appears to Zachary the priest and announces that his wife, Elizabeth, will bear a son. That baby will become John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah, who warns us to repent and change our hearts and minds to prepare the way of the Lord. Gabriel then appears to both Mary and Joseph and tells them to name their son Jesus. By December 24th we are ready for the singing angels announcing the Good News of Christ’s birth, for the shepherds of Bethlehem and the Magi from afar with their precious, prophetic gifts for the babe on Mary’s lap.

THIS ADVENT WE WILL HAVE A 60-SECOND MOMENT OF SILENCE

BEFORE EACH WEEKEND MASS.

We invite you to discover the possibilities when you enter into a moment of silence…

We invite you to quiet your mind and listen to the voice of your inner prophet calling you to prepare your heart for this Season of Peace.

This week’s focus is GRATITUDE.

Is silence considered the absence of words or the awakening of thought?

December 7, 2014 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page Seven

Page Eight SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 7, 2014

NEXT SUNDAY!

December 7, 2014 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

IF YOU THINK GOD IS CALLING YOU TO BE A PRIEST, visit www.ChicagoPriest.com or contact Fr. Francis Bitterman at 312-534-8298 or fbitterman@archchicago.org. FOR INFORMATION ON RELIGIOUS LIFE contact Sr. Elyse Ramirez, OP at 312-534-5240 or eramirez@archchicago.org, and for the Permanent Diaconate program contact Deacon Bob Puhala at 847-837-4562 or bpuhala@usml.edu.

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

GRACIOUS AND LOVING GOD, help the men and women of our parishes to hear the call to serve. Our needs are great and our people thirst for Your Presence.

OPEN THE HEARTS OF MANY. Raise up faithful servants of the Gospel—dedicated, holy priests, sisters, brothers and deacons, who will spend themselves for Your people and their needs.

BLESS ALL OF OUR MARRIED COUPLES with a rich faith and children that desire to serve You.

BLESS THOSE WHO ARE SERVING NOW with courage and perseverance.

GRANT THAT MANY WILL BE INSPIRED by their exam-ple and faith. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Parish Vocation News

Page Nine

CELEBRATING THE FOUR SUNDAYS OF ADVENT

2014 ADVENT PARISH PROJECT

Seton Parishioners Study the Advent Gospels

On the weekend of Nov. 23rd, along with the Advent Reflection books, Advent packets (containing the readings of the Four Gospels of Advent and drawing paper) were also be distributed. In the packet, the four sheets of paper enclosed can be used for your artistic rendering(s) of a particular word, or phrase, or verse in one or more of the Advent Gospels. We invite you this Advent Season to read the Four Gospels of Advent and to create a “Work of Art” that highlights a particular hidden aspect of one or more of the Advent Gospel Stories.

We invite you to read each of the four Gospels of Advent. Read them to each other or read them to yourself—to really hear the Advent Story of our Faith. These four Gospels speak to each of us. If we are young, we have only heard them proclaimed just a few times in our life. If we are older and have heard them many times, we tend to think, “Oh I remember this Gospel.” And yet at times we are surprised by something we read or hear. It takes us by surprise. The Gospel is saying something different to us. Today at this time in our life, these readings may have a different meaning for us. Our spiritual journey is challenged by a word or phrase we don’t remember hearing before. Life has a way of changing the way we hear and see things. INSTRUCTIONS:

Use Color, or use Pencil, or use Chalk, However you want to draw your picture.

Boldly, “Title Your Work of Art”.

Sign your Work of Art.

Place your completed “Work of Art” into the Box on the Counter in the Narthex.

These “Gospel Works of Art” will be on display in the Narthex throughout Advent.

You can return a drawing weekly.

The St. Elizabeth Seton Liturgy Preparation Team

thanks you for your participation.

I WORK AROUND THE HOUSE WITH NPR ON IN THE BACKGROUND, NOT REALLY PAYING CLOSE ATTEN-TION. Last August, I tuned in during an announce-ment of a peace agreement in Gaza. I had the weirdest sensation of déjà vu and wondered if it was a replay of a broadcast from June 1967. I lived in Germany then. My father was an editor with the European Stars & Stripes, and I had my first real job — shelv-ing books in the library on the Darmstadt military base. On that day I was happily working in the stacks when I heard a loud crash. My supervisor, Sgt. Sam, was listening to his transistor radio when a special bulletin came on announcing the end of the Six-Day War. Sam was sec-ond-generation Jordanian and there was something about the announcer’s interpretation of events that infuriated him so much that he threw the radio across the room as he erupted in language I won’t print here. I mention all this to point out that since I was 14 years old, I’ve been listening to accounts of conflict in the Middle East. It wearies me. John the Baptist wea-ries me. I have no interest in wild-eyed prophets in the desert. Give me Mary or Elizabeth or gentle John the Evangelist or even unpredictable Peter. But please let me avoid the apodictic, the apoplectic, and especially the apocalyptic.

I’m fully aware that I need an attitude adjustment.

I DIDN’T UNDERSTAND THE POLITICS when I was 14 and I don’t claim to understand now, but at least one big problem is the mutual caricaturing of each other that has become so ingrained as to be taken as truth. I’m thinking of one of my favorite authors, C.S. Lewis, whose Narnian Chronicles are delighting the third

generation in my family. Dip into The Horse and His Boy and see if you don’t squirm at his depictions of the noble (tall, blond, handsome, peace-loving) Narnians and the ridiculous (short, brown, ugly, violent) Calormenes. It’s pretty embarrassing, and I find myself editing as I read aloud to the young ones. So what is John the Baptist announcing? JESUS, OF COURSE. But more specifically, our need to pre-pare for Jesus and to pre-pare in an unusual manner. He quotes that lovely pas-sage from Isaiah, “In the de-sert prepare a highway for our God.” Isn’t it interesting that Isaiah speaks of the refugees in Babylon finding their way home through the desert when there were well-watered and better-traveled routes? But for safety’s sake they would travel, in the words of one of my favorite Epiphany songs, “Home by Another Way.” (Thank you, James Taylor.)

Is that what we need to do? To find another way to a new home?

WE NEED TO FIND A WAY that seems dangerous, but which leads to a home where every mother’s child is cherished and no child is fed at the expense of another. A way on which the sure-footed slow down for the halting, leading to a home where what the blind see and what the deaf hear is valued, too. A way where we have companions we would not have imagined, lead-ing to a home where we listen to each other and abide together. A home, as the song says, where you can as-sume you’ll be welcome in the end. Our world is one world. If everyone isn’t welcome, no one is safe. Please, O please, Prince of Peace, be born in us before it’s too late.

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

ANOTHER WAY By Paige Byrne Shortal

A voice cries out in the desert, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” —Isaiah 40:3

God of love and mercy, renew our baptism once again.

Plunge us into the grace of your light and life.

Forgive the sins we have committed;

take away our guilt and shame. Morning after morning may we hear your call to discipleship.

Help us to be light to the world, salt of the earth. Amen.

Page Ten SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 7, 2014

Thanksgiving Day Mass

Our church was packed, the choir sang its heart out, and God was rightly given due thanks and praise. The table set in the center aisle full of goodies, was for items to be blessed and taken to tables at home. At the end of Mass the priests gave hugs and kisses to the parishioners. [Hershey's chocolates that is.]

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page Eleven December 7, 2014

Page Twelve SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 7, 2014

Journey with the Lord and let your heart hear God’s Words….

By Margie Guadagno St. Elizabeth Seton Pastoral Associate

When the disciples

met Jesus

on the road,

they were

disappointed

and sad.

He walked with them

and listened to

their story.

Then, by opening up

the Scriptures

He gave them hope!

He helped them see

that they were

not abandoned

or left orphaned,

that God

was with them

and would

always be part

of their journey.

The Road To Emmaus The Road To Emmaus The Road To Emmaus

Making It Straight

T HERE ARE A FEW PROGRAMS ON T.V. THAT I TRY NOT TO MISS. My favor-ites are science-type programs, espe-

cially ones that talk about the beginnings of the universe, string theory, black holes, dark matter/energy, etc. Those types of shows al-ways fill me with such awe at God’s bril-liance as he set all things in motion. Cooking shows are another favorite. The creativity and ability of chefs to literally make some-thing out of almost nothing is amazing. And then there are some shows that are just plain, old soap opera types that keep me coming back week after week to see what the latest dilemma is and how the characters cope—or not—with it. But, there was one show that wasn’t like anything I usually watch but it just drew me in. It’s called Hell on Wheels and is a Western set just after the Civil War that swirls around the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. The stories touch on many themes. There’s the post-civil war bad blood be-tween the Yankees and the Rebels. There’s a story of revenge and how it is consuming the life of one character. And, of course, there is the conflict between the Native Americans and the quickly encroaching railroad. The stories are very well crafted and they give me a glimpse of what life must have been like during that time in our history. What I found really fascinating, though, was a particular scene in which a man (whose company is in charge of laying the rails) had a conversation with his architect who was drawing up the plans for the route of the track. Upon looking at the blueprints, he noticed that the young man had planned a straight, direct route from one town to another. Eyeing him very closely, he asked why he had drawn such a route. Taken totally off guard, the architect sputtered,

“Because that’s the quickest, shortest route!” Moving in really close and looking him di-rectly in the eye, the boss bellowed, “But I get paid from the government by the mile! Now put in some curves and turns. I don’t want to see one straight line on your blue-prints any more or you’ll be replaced!!”

I T WAS FUNNY, YET IT WASN’T; and in light of today’s gospel is totally contra-dictory to what should be common

sense! I suspect that if John the Baptist had been the boss’ architect, he would have been summarily dismissed on the spot for encouraging him to make straight the path! As I replay that scene in my mind, I think about it in terms of my own life. How many times have I added curves or turns on my own spiritual journey? Sometimes those de-tours are accidental, but if I try to be honest, sometimes they are on purpose. Oh, not that my intent is to thwart the design God has laid out for me, it’s usually because I follow my own opinion that this road is better than that road. And then, of course, there are detours taken because of things that are out of my control such as illnesses, unemploy-ment or the loss of a loved one. Sometimes life makes it just too difficult for me to walk that straight path to get from “A-to-B”. Thankfully I don’t have to maneuver these obstacles alone. I always have the love and support of my family and friends and through them, I also have God’s love and support of me. The scriptures at Sunday Mass are another venue for God’s revelations to me of his constant attention to my needs. So even though my life is full of curves and turns with only the occasional straight path, I don’t have to worry that God will replace me. If anything, like the government, God will pay me for every mile I journey!

GALA DESSERT RECEPTION following in the Church Hall FREE DESSERTS AND CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN!

Raffle Prizes and Split-the-Pot! Grand Raffle Ticket: $5 or 5/$20

32” LED/HD TV; 2014 American Girl Doll; Apple I Pad Mini Basket Raffle: $1 per ticket or 6/$5

Raffle tickets available Dec. 6/7 and Dec. 13/14

.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT Sunday, Dec. 14th

3pm

The St. Elizabeth Seton

Music Ministry featuring the Adult and Teen Choirs, Orchestra and Liturgical Dancers under the direction of

Linda McKeague invite you to...

For Information contact Linda McKeague at (708) 403-0101 x112

December 7, 2014 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page Thirteen

COLLECTION DECEMBER 13th & 14th

Please be Generous Next Weekend

www.retiredreligious.org

Never counting the cost, Sisters Elizabeth Mary, Carolyn and Bridget, — and some 35,000 senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests like them — have offered their lives in service to others. Many worked for years for small stipends, leaving their religious communities without adequate savings for retirement and eldercare. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious provides funding for prescription medications, nursing care, and more. Please be generous. Over 93 percent of donations aid senior religious.

RetirementRetirementRetirement FundFundFund

forforfor ReligiousReligiousReligious

Who Is Helped In the United States today, more than 34,000 Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests past age 70 benefit from the Retirement Fund for Religious (RFR). Donations to the RFR furnish funding for financial, educational, and consultative support that helps religious communities care for senior members and plan for long-term retirement needs. Why Help Is Needed The retirement-funding crisis can be attributed to three primary factors: insufficient retirement savings, rising health-care costs, and declining income. Traditionally, women and men religious worked for small stipends that furnished only the basics of daily living. As a result, a majority of religious communities now lack adequate funding for retirement. At the same time, the cost of care continues to increase while the number of religious able to serve in compensated ministry decreases. How We Help Your donations provide religious institutes with vital support for the current and future care of elder members as well as offering numerous assistance services. Please give generously.

Born during the First World War, Sister Carolyn (center), 99, and Sister Bridget (right), 96, have each served for more than 70 years as members of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Sister Elizabeth Mary (left), 79, is not far behind at 60 years of service. Together, they have spent over 200 years in religious life, sharing their time, their faith, their love— sharing all they have.

Please give to those who have given a lifetime.

National Religious Retirement Office 3211 Fourth Street NE

Washington, DC 20017-1194

Page Fourteen SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 7, 2014

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page Fifteen December 7, 2014

Christmas Names For St. Procopius

4)Please return the gift to St. Elizabeth Seton Church office by Wednesday, Dec. 10th.

Recently, the St. Elizabeth Seton Social Action Ministry distributed names for Christmas gift giving for the families of our sharing parish, St. Procopius. If you chose to select a name please remember these guidelines:

1) Buy a NEW GIFT. (Please — no used clothing or toys). 2) Wrap the gift. 3) Attach gift tag provided to you onto the gift. (Make sure the tag has the “P-number” on it.) If you did not choose to obtain a name but would like to make a monetary donation, you can give Jewel gift certificates. Gift certificates for St. Procopius families can be dropped off in the parish office by Dec. 10th.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO SORT GIFTS FOR TRUCK

Volunteers are needed to sort or load gifts on Saturday, Dec. 13th from 9am-Noon in the Church Narthex. Any hours you can assist are appreciated. If you are available to volunteer, please call Doug Benker at 708-429-4518.

St. Procopius

Be Still… A Call To Centering Prayer

Wednesday, Dec. 10th 7pm

You are invited to join in an hour of quiet time and learn about Centering Prayer. The group meets the second

Wednesday of each month in the Cornerstone building located on the

corner of 167th St. and 94th Ave. Questions? Call Marge at 708-460-5357.

Golden Opportunities Coupon books offer local restaurants offering discounts of 50% off or 2-for-1. In addition, great savings at movies, grocery stores, sporting events, and more! Many coupons valid once a month. And… it makes a great gift!

2015 Golden Opportunities Books

Are Here! Still Only $20

Available in the

parish office!

Makes a great Christmas gift!

ADVENT MORNING OF REFLECTION

TUESDAY, DEC. 9TH

MASS at 9AM Reflection to

follow Mass in Parish Life Center

Make time in your busy schedule for our Advent Reflection led by Fr. Ron Hicks. Join us for a quiet Holy Hour interlude in an otherwise hectic time of year.

Coffee “and” provided. ALL ARE WELCOME!

A free-will offering will be taken for the children of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos.

Parish Transformation Survey Results

An important element of the Parish Transformation process is receiving feedback from the parish. In August, a survey with pertinent questions was made available in both our church bulletin and on our website. The survey deadline was September 15, 2014. The results were tallied and our Parish Transformation Team will now review your answers. It is their hope to collect ideas and approaches from the survey results to help our parish more vibrantly live out Christ’s mission, grow stronger in faith, and closer to Christ. Thank you for your participation.

Survey responses will continue to be printed weekly in our church bulletin.

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What could the parish offer to help you grow closer to God?

Heartfelt liturgies. Homilies that are thoughtful and inspiring. Language of the liturgy that prays the way we speak and flows well. A church which follows the example of Jesus and accepts people where they are without judg-ment and offers a place of refuge, refreshment and love.. I believe I’m there. I like the prayer books offered during Lent and Advent. They en-hance my daily prayers. It would be nice to receive more prayer books. I feel very close to God. I could use some free advice on dealing with confusing in-laws. It seems we don’t see eye-to-eye on raising the new grandkids since they turned one yr. old and became toddlers. May heart hurts when they hurt my little ones. I do enjoy the discussion groups and hope that they will continue. I feel that the priests at our par-ish are always there if I need them in good times and bad times. I am proud to be a member of St. Eliza-beth Seton Church. More scripture reflection. More services involving the Blessed Virgin.

I think the weekly homily should strive to bring me closer to God. I think the Scripture group and Fr. Gubbins, trips to France, Israel and others have been so meaning-ful. More opportunities to learn about the scriptures. I feel the parish offers so many programs to help bring our parish-ioners closer to God already. They just have to take the first step to get involved. I think it’s time to turn some of the little things as well. For exam-ple, Blessing of the Pets in October to honor St. Francis of Assisi and St. Nicholas Day (still very important to those of us of Eastern European descent) in December. It’s been my experience that most people will remember the little things and it’s a great way to keep all ages involved. We have a great lawn area to bless pets and maybe a display of the history of St. Nicholas and, if possi-ble, someone dressed like him handing out a piece of candy would be a great way to keep the rich heri-tage of our saints alive in our parish. I think it is a person’s choice to get closer to God and also how to get more involved with programs offered. Keeping the Scripture Study go-ing and music and choir, top of the list.

Lectures on Catholic faith and Christianity. I wish I could be stronger with standing up for my faith when I am in the midst of a conversation among others that may be speaking negatively about Catholics. I wish I could be stronger in helping those in need and put away my shyness or discomfort in hard situations where I need to put another person’s need first. I wouldn’t mind helping out at the parish, but I am more of a behind the scenes person. We are a more shy family so it’s hard to attend benefits where we don’t know anybody personally. I’m fine. I would like to see more opportu-nities for married couples to grow stronger together in their faith. The husband and wife unit is the corner-stone of the family. Strong mar-riages should be celebrated and encouraged on a regular basis. I’ll do that myself by reading, including the Seton Sunday bulletin. Let us choose the songs we like best at Mass. Give us a better choice of songs to choose from. Make homily relate to specific things in our daily lives. Include stories and anecdotes in the homilies. Allow parishioners to give some of the homilies (five minutes max).

Do you recognize this box? It is the Saint Vincent DePaul Society Offering Box

You are invited to give a monetary gift or Jewel food certificates which will go toward providing a better Christmas for families in our community.

SVDP Christmas Collection For your convenience, SVDP boxes are located at all the entrances of our church. We depend solely on the contributions placed in the donation boxes. SVDP members would like to thank all who contributed to the Thanksgiving collection—and to those who use the SVDP boxes at each entrance. All monies donated go directly to those in need. We service cli-ents within our parish boundaries with emergency assistance for utilities, rent, security deposits, food, clothing, medical, dental, eye care and occa-sionally gasoline to get to a job site. As calls come throughout the year we look to your generosity and sense of sharing and justice to assist these people. It is your goodness that makes our work possible.

May God continue to bless you.

St. Vincent DePaul Holiday Drive During Christmas seasons, St. Vincent DePaul has spon-

sored a special collection of items for the homeless. Many come without adequate clothing. We thank all the

parishioners for their heartfelt generosity. Proceeds will be distributed to the South Suburban PADS (Public Action to

Deliver Shelter) Homeless Shelter Organizations.

The collection will continue until Sunday, Dec. 14th.

Suggested gift items are:

deodorant hand sanitizer toothpaste toothbrushes disposable razors shaving cream

white socks winter coats hats scarves gloves (men’s large) mittens

NO gift wrapping needed. Items must be identifiable from outside.

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The parish family of St. Elizabeth Seton is invited to attend the Filipino Celebration ...

Simbang Gabi 2014 22nd Year Novena Celebration

Sunday, Dec. 21st at 7pm Reception to follow in the Church Hall

The Filipino community invite all to a free reception in the lower-level of our Church Hall immediately following the Novena. Simbang Gabi is a Filipino Catholic tradition of celebrating a novena (series of nine) of Advent evening Masses. It’s purpose is to enrich all Catholics to intensify their spiritual preparation for the grace-filled celebration of Christmas. Nine different parishes in our local community will each host one novena. You are invited to all.

Dec. 15th Infant Jesus of Prague Church 7pm 1131 Douglas Avenue Flossmoor, IL 60422 Dec. 16 St. Michael Church 7pm 14327 Highland Avenue Orland Park, IL 60462 Dec. 17 St. Julie Billiart Church 7pm 7399 W. 159th Street Tinley Park, IL 60477 Dec. 18 St. Gerald Church 7pm 9310 Central Avenue Oak Lawn, IL 60453 Dec. 19 St. Damian Church 7pm 5300 W. 155th Street Oak Forest, IL 60452 Dec. 20 St. Irenaeus Church 7pm 78 Cherry Street Park Forest, IL 60466 Dec. 21 St. Elizabeth Seton Church 7pm 9300 W. 167th Street Orland Hills, IL 60487

Dec. 22 St. Albert the Great Church 7pm 5555 W. State Road Burbank, IL 60459 Dec. 23 St. Fabian Church 7pm 8300 Thomas Drive Bridegeview, IL 60455 Celebrant: Bishop Andrew Wypych Episcopal Vicar, Vicariate V Simbang Gabi literally means Masses of the Night. In the Philippines, is also known as Misa de Gallo, or Rooster’s Mass, after the crows in the early morning hours to rouse people to start the day. Advent starts much earlier in the Philippines than it does in the United States. Yet, surprisingly, the Philippines typically begin the Christmas season in September. As soon as September 1st arrives, Christmas songs are played on the radio, decorations pop up everywhere, and churches begin to display nativity scenes. While the countdown to Christmas doesn’t begin nearly as early in the United States, Filipinos living here have brought one Advent custom from their native land to help them feel closer to home during the Christmas season. That tradition is Simbang Gabi, a nine-day novena to the Virgin Mary.

Let us prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior

For further information please contact: Gerald Ramirez at 708-253-5149 or Jojo Burgos at 708-307-8913.

Your purchase and support made it possible.

Thank you to all who participated in the Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade Craft Fair sponsored

by the St. Elizabeth Seton Social Action Ministry. Over $16,000 was raised to at our event to support Fair Trade.

The inspiration for the name—Ten Thousand Villages—came from a Mahatma Gandhi quote: "…India is not to be found in its few cities but in the 700,000 villages…we have hardly ever paused to inquire if these folks get sufficient to eat and clothe themselves with." Ten Thousand Villages believes that each village in the world represents a unique, distinctive people…offering extraordinary products born of their rich cultures and traditions.

To learn more please visit www.tenthousandvillages.com

December 7, 2014 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page Nineteen

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SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page Twenty One December 7, 2014

Men’s Club News UPCOMING EVENTS

General Meeting Wednesday, December 10th Doors open at 7:00pm Meeting starts at 7:30pm

Donuts with Santa On Sunday, December 7th, the Men's Club will once again welcome Santa Claus for our annual Donuts With Santa. Santa will be visiting the church hall after the 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30 am Masses. PLEASE NOTE: If you wish to get pictures with Santa, please bring a camera or cell phone. We will not be printing pictures at the event. There is no charge for this event. Happy Birthday! Mark Hamende (12/8) George Leone (12/12)

Voices of the Valley Christmas Concert Little Co. of Mary Hospital, 94th and California, Evergreen Park, will host the concert, Voices of the Valley Christmas Concert on Saturday, Dec. 13th at 3pm. Directed by Rose DeSanto and Stacy Cunningham (enter North Pavilion, ground floor elevator to the 2nd floor chapel entrance).

Longest Married Couple Project The search is on. The Fifth Annual Longest Married Cou-ple Project in the US as well as each of the 50 states and territories has started. If you know a couple with a long marriage please nominate them for this honor. This annual search is sponsored by Worldwide Marriage Encounter. In recognition will also be given to a couple from each state and territories who has achieved that distinction. In the case of the United States couple, appropriate gifts will be presented to them at a ceremony to be held at their loca-tion during Valentine's week. The state winners will receive personal recognition and a special certificate of achieve-ment during that same time frame from the Worldwide Marriage Encounter movement.

For more information go to wwme.org.

Alcoholics Anonymous If you have a problem with alcohol and feel a sincere de-sire to stop drinking, you are welcome to attend a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) in the St. Elizabeth Seton Church Hall on Thursdays from 7:30-8:45pm. Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover. The only requirement is a sincere desire to stop drinking.

Families Anonymous If your life has gone astray due to living with someone who has a substance abuse problem, consider attending Families Anonymous on Mondays from 7-8:30pm at Palos Hospital, 123rd and 80th Ave., Palos Heights (Ambulatory Care Center, Rm. 1). For information call Warren, 708-429-2507 or Therese at 708-269-9853.

Winter for Women and Children in Crisis Cleaning closets before for the holidays? Bring your gently used men’s, women’s and children’s coats, new and gently used children’s winter clothing and toys to Neat Repeats Resale. Donations accepted daily at either store: Worth, 7026 W. 111th St., 708-361-6860; or Orland Park: 9028 W. 159th St., 708-364-7605. Your donations make a difference in the lives of women and children in your own community. All sales at Neat Repeats benefit the clients served by the Crisis Center for South Suburbia. The Crisis Center for South Suburbia is a non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter and services for individuals/families victimized by domestic violence.

Christmas Flower Memorial Gift

If you plan on using the Christmas Flower envelope found in your monthly packet of envelopes, or if you already sent in a flower memorial gift, please fill out the form below so we can publish the names of your loved one(s) in the bulletin after Christmas.

Given in Memory of _________________________________________

_________________________________________

__________________________________________

Given by ________________________

________________________ Please place in collection basket. Thank you.

FOR THOSE WHO ORDERED FANNIE MAY CANDY FROM THE WOMEN’S CLUB FUNDRAISER...

CANDY WILL BE DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME THE WEEK OF DEC. 8TH.

Questions? Call Sue Rosinski at 708-460-2311 or Janie Kokotan-Krauss at 708-633-1697.

SECOND READING

FIRST READING

We are reminded that among our duties as followers of Christ is to reflect God’s joy for all the world to see.

NEXT WEEK: THE DUTY OF DELIGHT

In the Synoptic Gospels, John the Baptist calls people to conversion in order to prepare them for the coming of the Messiah by proclaiming a time of repentance. In the Gospel of John, the Baptist’s role is somewhat different. In the first verses we hear that he gave testimony (witness) to the fact that Jesus is the Messiah and that he (John the Baptist) is not. In the days of Jesus, there were people (called Mandaeans) who claimed that John the Baptist

was the Messiah—and some continue to make this claim today. By having John the Baptist himself deny this, the evangelist is stating that everything John said and did pointed toward Jesus as the true Messiah. John considered his role as one of preparing the way of the Lord, making straight the path through a con-version of hearts to justice and righteousness. John the Baptist cannot untie Jesus’ sandal both because he cannot touch the least signifi-cant of Jesus’ garments and because the act of untying sandals is part of the Levite mar-riage ceremony. In the ceremony, the next of kin would marry a widow who had not had a son. In this Gospel, Israel is the widow (for she had married God in the Old Covenant) and Jesus is the bridegroom who will marry her (the New Covenant). John the Baptist cannot untie the sandal because he is not the bride-groom (the Messiah) — Jesus is.

The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as Advent’s joyful Sunday, the scripture readings are filled with talk about rejoicing. Indeed, in places they seem quite insistent that we rejoice. Paul tells the Thessalonians not only that they must rejoice, but also that they must “rejoice always” and give thanks in all circumstances. This seems like a tall order. After all, isn’t joy an emotion that is beyond anyone’s power to command? But perhaps the joy spoken about in the scriptures is not simply the emotion that arises unbidden in us, but rather a disposition that we cultivate deliberately by acknowledging God’s goodness in all the circumstances of our lives. The 20th Century Catholic social activist Dorothy Day wrote that when we act lovingly we begin to feel loving, so certainly acting joyfully brings joy to others — this in turn makes us feel joyful. She believed we are called to the “duty of delight.” When we bring joy to others, even and perhaps especially when we do not feel particularly joyful ourselves, we are like a mirror that reflects God’s joy in Creation. Like John the Baptist, we are not the light, but bear witness to the light. As we bear witness to God’s joy, we come to share in it ourselves, caught up in what we reflect.

REFLECTION

As a garden makes its growth spring up, so will God make justice spring up before all nations (Is 61:1-2a, 10-11). This book was written after Israel’s return from exile in Babylon. It is filled with the hope of a fulfillment of the joy that the Lord had prom-ised through the mouth of Deutero-Isaiah, the prophet who promised a time of restoration to Israel during the exile in Babylon (587-539 BC). This passage speaks of the Spirit of God

being upon the Messiah. It was through the Spirit that the land would be restored. There would be a year of favor (which is an allusion to the Jubilee Year tradition when all debts would be forgiven in Israel and those in dis-tress would receive a time of consolation).

Do not quench the Spirit. Test everything; retain what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24).

Page Twenty Two SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 7, 2014

Third Sunday of Advent

December 14, 2014

God of joy, fill our hearts. Let our lives

reflect your light to the world to

bring joy to those in darkness.

Amen.

Readings for the Week December 8-December 13: Mon.: Gn 3:9-15; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 Tues.: Is 40:1-11; Mt 18:12-14 Wed.: Is 40:25-31; Mt 11:28-30 Thurs.: Is 41:13-20; Mt 11:11-15 Fri.: Zec 2:14-17; Lk 1:26-38 Sat. Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Mt 17:9a, 10-13

Two of the themes found throughout this letter are joy and prayer. Joy is the sense of peace that we find when we do God’s will, and prayer is a means of discerning God’s will. We should not quench the Spirit, but we must test every-

thing. We must be open to God’s speaking in our hearts, but we also need to recognize that we do not have a monopoly on the truth. We must also listen to the Spirit speaking through the hierarchy.

GOSPEL

I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord (John 1:6-8, 19-28).

December 7, 2014 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page Twenty Three

SETON YOUTH PROGRAM Sunday, Dec. 7 SPECIAL SOUL SURVIVOR Cornerstone 6:00-8:00pm Note the slightly earlier time. We'll have activities, contests, readings, music, and discussion around the theme of forgiveness.

Sunday, Dec. 14 MOVIE NIGHT (TBD) Cornerstone

6:30-9:00pm

December 23-24 CHRISTMAS EVE EVE LOCK-IN 8:00pm-8:00am CJB Gym Games, food, fun, movies, music, a special Christmas prayer service, and a sleep-over (if you want to sleep) are all part of our annual Christmas Eve Eve Lock-In. But please note, this event is only open to Branches members who regularly attend our events, so start coming if you want to join in the fun.

QUESTIONS? Contact Bruce Hall at 708-403-7834

or bruce.hall123@gmail.com.

Waterproof Boots for Homeless Needed The Social Action Ministry has been asked of a special request of used waterproof boots for the homeless at Daybreak Shelter in Joliet. Your donation can be dropped off at the home of David and Bernadette Kemp, 16551 S 88th Ave., Orland Park. P.S. Used sleeping bags welcome too!

St. Elizabeth Seton Social Action Ministry SOUP KITCHEN UPDATE

Recently, we had two dates for the Daybreak Shelter Soup Kitchen: the third Sunday, Nov. 16th and the fifth Saturday, Nov. 29th. Many thanks to Texas Roadhouse, Culvers, and Pops for their donations. We served a delicious ham dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables and hot bread. For dessert we had many flavors Culvers ice cream cups. On Saturday, Nov. 29th, we were surprised with a meal from Aurelio’s Pizza in Frankfort that would serve 150 peo-ple. It wasn’t pizza — it was chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and beef sandwiches. This act of kindness was donated by an angel who works there. The students who come to volunteer at the Soup Kitchen learn of the sad situations many homeless guests are experiencing, as we take them on a tour of the facility after our meal is prepared. On that particular day, a woman had been sleeping on a cot during our tour awoke and said just she had just worked all night at Walmart and couldn’t afford an apartment just yet. She was grateful that she has a safe and warm place to stay at the shelter. In addition to serving dinner, our group brings some fun by offering a Bingo game. One of the woman spied a pair of socks that was to be a Bingo prize and asked if she could have them. We gave them to her and she took off her shoes. We all saw the worn out socks that didn't even cover her toes. She put on the new socks and smiled with tears in her eyes and thanked us. After we cleaned up the kitchen and prepared for our journey back home, a homeless woman who recently had cancer surgery needed a ride, so we offered it to her. We were shocked and dismayed when she said asked us to turn into a cemetery in Joliet. After circling the many inner roads, she called out for us to stop. We were stunned as we looked down the path that led to the back of the ceme-tery and saw tents pitched where many of the homeless sleep. Our next Soup Kitchen date is Sunday, Dec. 21st and we will be serving a Christmas dinner. If you would like to volunteer or donate items, please call Liz Wisnasky at 708-614-6475.

Truly we are serving and loving our Lord Jesus as we do his work.

Santa's Workshop Millennium Elementary, 17830 S. 84th Ave., Tinley Park, invite you to join their family-friendly holiday event on Saturday, Dec. 13th from 10-3pm. Activities include: Vendor Fair - shop over 30 vendors (hand crafted items, home decor, jewelry, cosmetics, food items, and much more!); Tricky Tray Raffle - over 80 raffle prizes including DisneyWorld Park Hopper Passes and gift certificates for restaurants, museums, and sporting events; Santa's Workshop - children can shop with a Santa's helper for special low cost secret gifts; Also: photo booth, crafts, book fair, baked goods, concessions, visit with Santa and more! Please bring a food donation to benefit the Tinley Park Food Pantry and you will be entered into a special raffle.

SAINT OF THE WEEK

SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

A FEAST CALLED THE CONCEPTION OF MARY AROSE IN THE EASTERN CHURCH IN THE SEVENTH CENTURY. IT CAME TO THE WEST IN THE EIGHTH CENTURY. In the 11th century it received its present name, the Immaculate Conception. In the 18th century it became a feast of the universal Church. It is now recognized as a solemnity. In 1854, Pius IX solemnly proclaimed: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her concep-tion, by a singular grace and privilege granted by al-mighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin.” It took a long time for this doctrine to develop. While many Fathers and Doctors of the Church considered Mary the greatest and holiest of the saints, they often had difficulty in seeing Mary as sinless—either at her conception or throughout her life. This is one of the Church teachings that arose more from the piety of the faithful than from the insights of brilliant theologians. Even such champions of Mary as Bernard of Clairvaux and Thomas Aquinas could not see theological justifica-tion for this teaching. Two Franciscans, William of Ware and Blessed John Duns Scotus, helped develop the theology. They pointed out that Mary’s Immaculate Conception enhances Jesus’ redemptive work. Other members of the human race are cleansed from original sin after birth. In Mary, Jesus’ work was so powerful as to prevent original sin at the outset. COMMENT In Luke 1:28 the angel Gabriel, speaking on God’s behalf, addresses Mary as “full of grace” (or “highly favored”). In that context this phrase means that Mary is receiving all the special divine help necessary for the task ahead. However, the Church grows in under-standing with the help of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit led the Church, especially non-theologians, to the insight that Mary had to be the most perfect work of God next to the Incarnation. Or rather, Mary’s intimate associa-tion with the Incarnation called for the special involve-ment of God in Mary’s whole life. The logic of piety helped God’s people to believe that Mary was full of grace and free of sin from the first moment of her exis-tence. Moreover, this great privilege of Mary is the highlight of all that God has done in Jesus. Rightly understood, the incomparable holiness of Mary shows forth the incomparable goodness of God.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Seniors of Seton

ADVENT MORNING OF REFLECTION Tuesday, Dec. 9th

Mass: 9am/Reflection to follow Make time in your busy schedule for our Advent Morning of Reflection by Fr. Ron Hicks on Tuesday, Dec. 9th following the 9am Mass. Join us for a quiet holy hour interlude in an other-wise hectic time of year. Coffee “and” provided. There will be a free-will of-fering for the children of NPH.

All are welcome!

CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Doug and Bernice Benker (photo right) on being chosen to receive the St. Elizabeth Seton 2014 Christifideles Award! We’re so proud of them.

THANK YOU Thank you to Roberta and your kitchen helpers for the great job you did at our December meeting. You were all outstanding!

UPCOMING TRIPS Trip questions: Call Anna 708-532-6731

THURSDAY, JAN. 29TH

SNOWBALL AT GEORGIO’S Reservation with payment of $30 per person with choice of London Broil or Breast of Chicken will be due at the December meeting. TUESDAY, FEB. 10TH MYSTERY MANSION Tour includes motor coach transportation, luncheon, Murder Mystery Show and Mansion tour. Tour time is 11:30am to 3pm. Cost is $88 per person. Reservation deadline is January 6, 2015.

Come join the Seniors of Seton!

All are welcome!

Page Twenty Four SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 7, 2014

December 7, 2014 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page Twenty Five

Pastoral Staff Rev. William T. Corcoran, Ph.D, Pastor Rev. Stanislaw Kuca, Associate Pastor Rev. William Gubbins, Resident Priest Rev. William T. O’Mara, Pastor Emeritus Margie Guadagno, Pastoral Associate Deacon: Frank (Betty) Gildea Deacon: Joseph (Nancy) Bishop Deacon: Dennis (Barbara) Cristofaro

Liturgy Staff Claudia Nolan, Director of Liturgy

Music Staff Linda McKeague, Director of Music

Parish Office Staff Donna Stolinski, Business Manager Darlene Raila, Parish Publications Joan Nemec, Morning Receptionist Karen Mirecki, Afternoon Receptionist

Religious Education Staff Susan Matthews, Director of Religious Education Diana Barracca, Administration Assistant

Branches Youth Program Bruce Hall, Coordinator Rick Vlaming, Coordinator Rick Wojcik, Coordinator

Athletics Bob Myjak, Director

Maintenance Staff Raymond Yanowsky, Director of Maintenance Frank Siwiec, Staff Marie Makuch, Staff Joseph Shake, CJB Day Maintenance Supervisor Sal Hernandez, CJB Night Maintenance Supervisor

REGULAR MASS SCHEDULE Monday-Friday

9:00 am Saturday 5:00 pm Sunday:

7:15, 8:30, 10:00, 11:30am

St. Elizabeth Seton Church 9300 W. 167th Street Orland Hills, IL 60487

Parish Office: 708-403-0101 WEBSITE: WWW.STESETON.COM Religious Education: 708-403-0137

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY-WEDNESDAY: 8:30AM-4:30PM, THURSDAY-FRIDAY: 8:30AM-4:30PM SATURDAY: 1PM-6PM SUNDAY: 8:30AM-1PM

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School 708-403-6525 Principal, Mary Iannucilli Administrative Assistant, Cindy Labriola Devlin

12/13 & 12/14 5:00PM 7:15AM 8:30AM 10:00AM 11:30AM

GREETERS R. Coe S. Klean W. Krol J. Schuman R. Sharp L. Stolinski M. Taska

C. Chor L. McGhee S. McGhee D. Skrzypiec B. Tenuta A. Shemanske B. Shemanske

K. Fox M. Fox D. Gurka M. Gurka P. Gurka M. Gurka J. Klomes J. Klomes L. Klomes M. Klomes A. McCoy D. Minnick G. Staszewski P. Staszewski

R. Chehy P. Havlin B. Krueger S. Lorenz N. Lorenz J. Moran D. Weber

R. Andrews M. Broderick M. Gniady K. Ivancich B. Ivancich S. Klean M. McMahon B. Wojewnik

LECTORS J. Bessette B. DeJonge

D. Houha

T. O’Connell B. Hall

M. Eisenberg P. DeWilkins

M. O’Sullivan R. Velcich

ALTAR SERVERS

M. Nemec N. Fitzgerald P. Lynch

C. Buck A. Hoelzel J. Ucha

N. Zufan TJ Quinlan L. Krueger

H. Smith H. Gacek T. Jaeger

F. Velcich C. Stroz A. Rihani

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

B. Cristofaro D. Cristofaro S. Abbatemarco M. Abbatemarco M. Miller J. Connelly T. Doyle B. DeJonge G. Yakes D. Pott AJ Kunde A. Sharp

D. Nykiel C. Nolan A. Weishaar J. Dickover J. Janiak L. Skrzypiec

S. Hall L. Austin J. Austin F. Scellato J. Klomes J. Juds B. Knight T. Leeson R. Hicks E. Pawlak K. Kelly J. Kelly

E. Barin K. O’Sullivan D. Benker S. Michalek C. Davis R. Laud G. Chehy J. Krusenoski D. Pacholski R. Grill M. Fehrenbacher J. Eisenberg J. Mysker

R. Dollah M. O’Connor K. James G. Talley A. Talley D Sigourney S. Villegas B. McMahon F. Velcich M. Schmidt

Attention All Ministers!

Ministers schedules available at: www.steseton.com Then visit: Music and Liturgy

ST. ELIZABETH SETON PARISH INFORMATION

Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered on Saturday, between 4:15-4:45pm.

Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated twice monthly at 1pm. Reserve your time by calling the Pastoral Center early. We are limited to six children per Sunday. Baptismal Couples preparing for the birth of their child should contact the Pastoral Center to register for a one night seminar, focusing on a parent’s role in faith development. This session is mandatory prior to the Baptism. Anointing of the Sick is available in the Church every Monday after the 9am Mass. For those who are ill or fac-ing hospitalization, it is appropriate to receive the sacrament once every six months. Call 708-403-0101 for information. Ministry of Care is available to give Communion to the housebound, to visit and pray for hospitalized and/or to arrange for the Anointing of the Sick. Please call the Pastoral Center for assistance. In the Hospital? Because of HIPAA Privacy regulations hospitals can no longer contact the parish regarding your hospitalization. It is the responsibility of you or a family member to notify our parish. We desire to offer whatever spiri-tual support we can. Please call the Pastoral Center. Sacrament of Marriage Couples planning to marry are asked to make arrangements six months in advance.

Wedding Workshops are offered throughout the year. They provide engaged couples with guidelines and suggestions for the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage. The workshop covers topics ranging from readings and music to flowers and video taping.

Adult Choir sings at all 10am Sunday Masses, as well as at a number of special liturgies.

Moving? Please call the office at 708-403-0101.