St. Lawrence O’Toole Catholic Church 4101 St. Lawrence Avenue

Matteson, IL 60443 708-748-6090

Website: www.slotoole.org E-mail: slotparishoffice@slotoole.org****PLEASE NOTE

CHANGE IN EMAIL ADDRESS!! Pastor’s e-mail: thepastor@slotoole.org

FACEBOOK PAGE: St. Lawrence O’Toole Parish

DECEMBER 30, 2012 HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

St. Lawrence O’Toole Parish Mission Statement:

St. Lawrence O’Toole is a faith-filled Roman Catholic parish, united by the Body of Christ, through the Eucharistic feast, the source and

summit of our Christian faith. Our purpose is to build God’s kingdom by acting as a living witness to the Gospel, sharing in Christ’s mission to evangelize and serve both our parish community, and the world around us.

Thank you for your continued support of St. Lawrence O’Toole Parish!

Fill out a form that may be found at the back of Church or at the Parish Office.

Use the link on our Parish website: slotoole.org. Call Parish Pay @ 1-866-Parish1.

There are three easy ways to sign up:

It benefits you and our Parish! Enrollment is friendly, secure, and trouble free!

Managing your account through Parish Pay is easy! It’s easy to sign up!

PARISH PAY (AUTOMATED GIVING) IS HERE ... HAVE YOU SIGNED UP YET? Some reasons why you should consider using Parish Pay:

Our Weekly Offering for 12.16.12 Budgeted Weekly Goal: $ 10,700.00 Budgeted Weekly YTD Goal: $256,215.00 Total Given Last Week: $ 6,877.00 Total Given Electronically: $ 1,669.00 Total Offering: $ 8,546.00 Total YTD Offering: $220,055.00 Total Envelopes Used: 167 Total PARISH PAY Users: 58 Building Fund: $ 173.00

DUE TO EARLY BULLETIN DEADLINES, THE COLLECTION FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 23, 2012 WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THESE FIGURES WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE JANUARY 6, 2013 BULLETIN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

Rev. Michael J. Novick Pastor Mr. William Doerr Mr. John Rangel Mr. Edward Winter Deacons Ms. Jane Fagan Director of Religious Education Ms. Pat Fointno Director of Music Mrs. Patricia Hofkamp Principal

Mrs. Pattie Gallinaro Coordinator of Youth Ministry Mrs. Donna Kay Business Manager Ms. Cathy Costelow Coordinator of Liturgy Mrs. Sally Doerr Mrs. Mary Cermak Vis Lay Ministers

Parish Staff:

BULLETIN INFORMATION: Articles for publication in the bulletin are due by 9:00 AM on the Monday prior to the date you would like them published. Electronic submissions preferred, @ slotparishoffice@slotoole.org**** PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN THE PARISH EMAIL ADDRESS. Questions? Please call JoAnn @ 708-748-6090 ext. 102. Also, please patronize the businesses who advertise in our bulletin. Without their support, we would not have this bulletin!

Mass Schedule:

Saturday: 5:00 PM (Sun. vigil)

Sunday: 8:30 & 11:00 AM

Monday — Saturday: 8:30 AM

Holy Days: 6:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 7:00 PM Reconciliation: Saturdays from 4:00 PM—4:30 PM or by appointment, please call the Parish Office to make arrangements. Eucharistic Adoration: 1st Fridays of the month after 8:30 AM Mass followed by Benediction at 6 PM. Please consult bulletin for changes in this schedule.

p 2 December 30, 2012

I apologize I think being that this is the last TREFOIL edition for the 2012 calendar year; I want to say with a sincere heart that I apologize to anyone whom I have hurt in these last twelve months. I know that my leadership style and personality can seem a little flippant at times. I know that I may seem a little distant at times. I also know that people have perceived me to be a little “clique-ish,” too. Please know that it is never my intention to put anybody off. For any time you may have felt that I have been that way or if you have felt slighted in any way, I am sorry.

Four years ago, when I became the pastor of St. Lawrence O’Toole, I said that my three year goal was to grow our parish to triple its size. That most certainly has not happened. I truly hoped that my personality (which I know to be God-given) would be enough to attract more people to St. Lawrence O’Toole. I truly hoped that people would be inspired enough by the things I have tried to teach that the word would spread. I guess it was prideful for me to think that way. I know that God’s grace is what will open hearts to eventually say “yes” to come home. I am sorry for my pride and arrogance.

Another thing I must apologize for is for any misunderstandings I may have spoken about in my preaching. Save my dyslexia, I do everything I can to be as true to the faith as I can be. I hold fast to the truth about the Church. I am faithful to Church Law. For some people, that may seem to be a detriment to my resume; yet, I must trust that the Laws set out by the Church are just. I apologize if the Church has hurt you in any way by the Laws we keep. Please know that Canon Law always stems from the Ten Commandments and sacramental understanding.

Lastly, I feel that I must apologize once more for any pain that any priest has caused over the years. So many have let their vices come before their call to serve. They have led to drug problems, alcoholism, sexual addictions, gambling, embezzlement, and other various harmful acts. It remains a very difficult topic for me to face. Each time I see another priest’s face in the upper corner of the TV screen while watching the news, I about have a major meltdown. I know that my work becomes more scrutinized. I have never felt like I had to be so careful as I do now. On behalf of all of my brother priests all over the country and around the world, I am sorry.

I will continue to pray for unity and peace to gel our fantastic parish in the south corridor. May St. Lawrence O’Toole continue to pray for us – now and always. Amen. Peace and prosperity in 2013, Rev. Michael J. Novick

Christ Has Awakened Our Spirit 12/31 NEW YEAR’S EVE—Please, have a HAPPY & SAFE New Year’s Eve Celebration!! 1/1 HAPPY NEW YEAR’S—See you in Church!! 1/5 & 1/6 CHAOS is hosting Café O’Toole—please come

and help after all Masses this weekend. 1/6 CHAOS—7:00 PM—9:00 PM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WONDERFUL SUPPORT OF THIS YEAR’S GIVING TREE. THANKS TO YOUR GENEROSITY, WE WERE ABLE TO HELP SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE A NICE CHRISTMAS!! ST. LAWRENCE O’TOOLE, YOU ROCK!!!!

December 30, 2012 p 3

Living Stewardship December 30, 2012 Feast of the Holy Family “Beloved, see what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.” (1 JOHN 3:1) During this season of giving, let’s also remember the gifts that God has given to us, including the gift of making us His children. Are we as grateful for that wonderful gift as we are for all the material gifts we have received?

How do we show our gratitude to God for the gifts He gives to us all year?

Believe

Each Sunday at Mass, we make our profession of faith that begins, “I believe in one God. . . .” We re-affirm what we believe. The Creed holds all the great mysteries of our faith: Creation, the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation, the Redemption, the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church, and finally “the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” To all this, we say, “Amen. I believe.” What is this Creed about? Why every Sunday? To whom are we speaking? There is repetition. We need that to cling

more surely to what we believe. We do talk both to God and to ourselves, so that we can stand more firmly in faith. And there is something else at work in this profession of faith. To believe means both to accept the revealed mysteries and to attach ourselves in ever more confident trust to God who has revealed the mysteries to us. Finally, we seal our profession with a resounding great Amen—at the end of the Creed, but also at other special moments of faith, as at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer and before the Body of Christ presented to us. “Amen. I do believe.”

Archdiocese of Chicago Strategic Pastoral Plan YEAR OF SUNDAY MASS / YEAR OF FAITH LOUIS J. CAMELI ©2012 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications. Visit our website at www.LTP.org

December 30, 2012

LK 2:41-52 Today is the Feast of the

Holy Family and the Gospel of Luke tells of Mary and

Joseph searching for Jesus, who was found in the temple with teachers,

listening to him and asking questions.

Jesus is always ready to

listen. What questions do I bring to Jesus at Mass this

week?

KNOW THE MASS, ONE WORD AT A TIME

It’s A Guy Thing How can I practice Christian spiritual leadership with my family? Do my actions reflect my Catholic faith? You are invited to join other Catholic

men to learn how we apply our faith at work, with family & everyday life experiences, through prayer, faith sharing, the Word of God, & Church

teaching. We meet every 1st & 3rd Wednesdays @ 7:00 PM, in the Parish Office . THERE WILL NOT BE A MEETING ON JANUARY 2 – THE CAMPUS IS CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAY. OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE WEDNESDAY,

JANUARY 16. For info, contact Dave Brady @ 747-8515.

Our next Café O’Toole

is next weekend. January’s hospitality

is hosted by

CHAOS

We Pray for ~ the recently deceased

Edward Cox, Lucas Goerner, Dorene I. Schmelzer-Strilko, daughter of Donald and Dorothy Schmelzer and the sick

Anna Collier, Catalina Cordero, Margie Bearden, Cherry White, Lois Thompson, Fr. George Cerny, Kathy Seper, Theresa Kukosh, Bruce Carlson, Diane McClure, Bill Anderson, Jr., Randy Nichole Harvey, Rebecca Camalick,

Leon Botich, Lisa Recupido, Anella Anderson, Milledge Blair, James Roseman, Barb Knight, Harrison Lamb, Karl Carpenter, Margaret & Judy Thorne, Carrie Goselin, Evalena Jones, Mara & Marko Subasic, James Harrison, Mary McLain,

Mary Elizabeth Jones, Carl Giese, Bud Achord, Mary Mender, Elaine Hritsuk, Sharon Napoleon, Shannon Reading, Patty Burnette, Jayda Bearden, Beverly Boblitz, Richard Sutkowski, Marie Zielinski, Jaime Mihalovich, Rita J. Secor,

Lukas Ebben, Valerie Butts, Sue Krusinski, Tom Cole, Randy Dressen, Dee Fry, Jerry Sallame, Kate Kehoe, Mae Debowski, Mary Kuziel, Henry Corum, Elly Lotty

For the Weekend of January 5 & 6, 2013 Extraordinary Ministers

5:00 PM: Nancy Blackwell, Charles Seputis, Mary Seputis, Mary Slayton 8:30 AM: Annette DeMatio, Mary Anne Erzinger, Ann Mihalovich, Jeana Smith, Augustine Witt 11:00 AM: Mary Gaffney, Nicholas Gallinaro, Pattie Gallinaro, Elizabeth Riddle, Carolyn Rudolf, Jeannine Shubert,

Diane Sutkowski Lectors

5:00 PM: Mary Bulger (L2), Les Easter (L1) 8:30 AM: Joe Schmitt (L1), Olivia Smith (L2) 11:00 AM: Rose Garcia (L2), LaMar Riddle (L1)

Greeters 5:00 PM: Gene Allen, Joe Allen 8:30 AM: Dale Heath, Jean Seitz 11:00 AM: Linda DeFranza, Flora Krupa

Altar Servers 5:00 PM: Alyssa Hamilton, Chris Hamilton, Zoe Kriha 8:30 AM: Zach Arseneau, Elisabeth Melone, Teddy Milazzo 11:00 AM: Raven Brzeszkiewicz, Sarah Shubert, Jacob Tedeschi

p 4

A Prayer for Those Serving in the Military Lord, Hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for

the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Our Lord and Savior. Amen

If there are parishioners currently serving in the United States military, we would like to know. Please contact the Parish Office @ 748-6090 x102 or slotparishoffice@aol.com, and let us know the name of your dear one and they will be remembered in the prayers of our community and the name posted in the bulletin. Please indicate

branch of service and rank.

2nd Lt. Christine Shirley—Air Force Master Sergeant Michael McGeever—Air Force

Master Sergeant Heriberto Garza—Army Private 1st Class Sam Carreon—Army

Staff Sergeant Sean Heath—Army

Warrant Officer Mark Panozzo—Army PFC Jeffrey M. Heffner—Marines

Airman 1st Class Christopher Garbaciak—Air Force Specialist Alisha D. Grezlik—Army

MONDAY NIGHT BINGO AT SLOT!!!! Doors open at 5:00 PM—Early Bird Games start at 6:45 PM. Come out, bring a friend or two,

have a great night of fun, and support St. Lawrence O’Toole!!

Additional Bingo Volunteers needed to work on Mondays for SLOT Bingo in the Sullivan Center. If you are interested, please contact Jimmy Daniels @ jimmyd8512@me.com or @ 708-720-9607.

PLEASE BE ADVISED, THERE WILL NOT BE BINGO ON NEW YEAR’S EVE, DECEMBER 31. BINGO WILL RESUME ON MONDAY, JANUARY 7.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM SLOT BINGO!!

Fireplug @ $700

The Cross Fire Jackpot was won by two people on

December 17.

New Cross Fire @ $100

Criss Cross @ $600

Update about our Sharing Parish Program As you know the parishes we have been supporting for many years have been closed. Any future donations designated for the Sharing Parish program will be put into our deeply needed Building Fund (otherwise known as our Parish Improvement Program – the green envelope). Thank you for the generosity you have shown in the past to the Parishes who needed our help. We also appreciate your continued support of our Building Fund/Parish Improvement Program. (As a reminder –the “PIP” program was established to cover unexpected basic maintenance expense not covered in the Annual Budget.) If you have any questions, please call.

December 30, 2012 p 5

FIRST FRIDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION “Of all the devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us.”-St. Alphonsus Liguori. Next First Friday Eucharistic Adoration is January 4 @ 9:15 AM-5:00 PM, ending with Benediction.

ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY’S MONTHLY FOOD

COLLECTION A reminder to all parishioners that next weekend, January 5 & 6, 2013, is our St. Vincent

de Paul Society’s Monthly Food Drive. On the first weekends of the month, the St. Vincent de Paul Society asks for your help with donations of food to help keep our pantry shelves full. Any non-perishable food items, as well as paper and soap products are greatly needed. Be it one item or a bag full, all will be used. We have over 100 families coming every month, and it is because of your continued support and generosity that we are able to continue to feed and care for these families in need. May God Bless you as you carry out God’s teachings to care for those less fortunate. ~~

St. Lawrence O’Toole St. Vincent de Paul Society

O’TOOLE SCHOOL NEWS ULTRA FOODS EDUCATION DOLLARS PLAN

Support St. Lawrence O’Toole School by shopping at Ultra Foods. Ultra’s philosophy is to share with others for the good of the whole community. Simply turn in your Ultra receipts to the School Office now, through January 27, 2013 and Ultra will donate 5% of the total back to St. Lawrence O’Toole

School. Collection boxes are also located in the school hallway and in the back of Church. Thanks for all you do for the children of St. Lawrence O’Toole School! The St. Lawrence O’Toole Book Club’s next selection is the historical novel, Fall of Giants, by Welsh-born author Ken Follett. The novel follows five interrelated families throughout the course of the 20th Century. Our book discussion is set for Tuesday, January 8th at 7:00 PM in the Parish Office. All are welcome and please bring a friend!

It’s time to think ahead

In today’s world, everyone is busy. Everyone has things to do and places to be. And until someone in their family dies, no one thinks about their own mortality. Even if you do think about it, many would have their cemetery plots bought. Some have their will already notarized. Have you given thought to plan your own funeral? We want to offer to help.

St. Lawrence O’Toole’s Bereavement Ministry would like to start something new around here. Pre-planning your own funeral would basically entail choosing the music and Scriptures that are important to you, and that you think would be helpful for your family as they grieve. Some wouldn’t think pre-planning is important, but I can assure you, pre-planning would give your loved ones one less thing to worry about.

If you are interested, please call the Parish Office who will forward your name and contact information to one of our Bereavement Team members. They will then call you to set up an appointment or answer any questions you may have regarding this important piece of our faith passage to Heaven. Therefore, you continue to teach the faith to your family and friends through the life God gives.

PRO-LIFE NEWS Witness and Prayer Vigil, Saturday, January 5, 2013, 10:00 AM—12:00 PM. Please join us if you can, even if only for part of the time. This prayer vigil will be held along the public sidewalk extending from 14470 LaGrange Road, Orland Park. Please consider attending this prayer vigil, praying and protesting because: Abortion providers have admitted that when people are praying and witnessing in front of the abortion mill, 30% of their appointments don’t show up. Many women have admitted that

if someone would have been praying outside the day they had their abortion, they would never have aborted. It is time to go to an abortion mill to be a witness and pray that babies will be saved. If not us, who? If not now, when?

(prolifecorner.com/2007plc) Teenagers must be protected from Planned Parenthood.

p 6 December 30, 2012

VOCATION INFORMATION DECEMBER 30 – HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH As parents, Mary and Joseph must place their trust the Lord as “Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.” Is God calling you to the priesthood or religious life? There is only one way to find out…place your trust in God. If you have ever thought about priesthood, consider attending the next Exploring Priesthood Weekend retreat held on January 11-13, 2013 at Mundelein Seminary to learn about, reflect and discuss the possibilities of diocesan priesthood in Chicago. For information contact Fr. Brian Welter at 312-534-8298 or at bwelter@archchicago.org or go to www.ChicagoPriest.com.

Reflecting on God’s Word One of the all-time great Christmas movies is It’s a Wonderful Life! The classic scene is the final one. The townspeople are gathering in George Bailey’s living room. They’re pouring money onto a table, all with the intention of rescuing George from financial ruin. It’s not long before George’s brother enters the picture. Having heard of the hard times George had been going through, he secured a leave from the military, hopped a plane, and flew all day and night to make it to Bedford Falls. He wanted to be of help. Seeing the people and the mountain of money, he raises his glass and toasts his brother, “the richest man in the world!” George Bailey was rich, all right, but not because he was suddenly inundated with money. He was rich because he had family and friends who loved him and cared about him. There’s much to be said for the benefits and blessings of family. —Rev. Richard Zajac Copyright © 2012, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

SAVE THE DATE Sunday, March 10, 2013

Father Dennis Kasule and The Stepping Stones Foundation of Hope (SSFOH) proudly announce

and invite you to SSFOH’s

LUNCHEON & SILENT AUCTION

ADVANCING HOPE All event net proceeds to going to the construction

of the last three wells Date: Sunday, March 10, 2013 Time: 11:00 am to 4:00

pm

Place: Stonegate Banquet & Conference Center

2401 W. Higgins Road Hoffman Estates, IL 60169

Cost: $50 per person

Music, Dance, Raffle & more

Entertainment: The “Karolines”

Call Patricia Marchese at (847) 985-7690 or email to: info@ssfoh.org

For more info or to purchase tickets online, visit us at: www.ssfoh.org

Sacramental Information: Baptisms: The first and second Sunday of each month at 12:30 PM. NOTE: Expectant parents should phone the Parish Office 2 months before the birth of your baby to arrange for required Baptismal Preparation Classes. Weddings: Arrangements for Marriage should be made by calling the Parish Office no later than four months prior to the proposed wedding date. Attending Pre-Cana is required. Funerals: Arrangements can be made by a family member by calling the Parish Office. Pastoral Care of the Sick: To arrange for communion to be brought to the sick, the elderly, and the homebound, please call the Parish Office @ (708)748-6090. Pro-Life Phone Numbers: Pregnancy Counseling Hotlines: Carenet/Heartbeat—1-800-395-HELP, Birthright—1-800-550-4900, Project Rachel, (post-abortion healing) - 1-888-456-HOPE Natural Family Planning information: St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee—call David & Elba (815) 939-0949, St. Stephen’s in Tinley Park—call Jeff & Linda (708) 633-7392, For Spanish classes—call Don & Fidelia (630)628-9850. For more information or to order the Couple to Couple League Home Study Course please call (800) 745-8252.

Masses for the Week Sunday, December 30, 2012 Claire Anderson req. by Bill & Kay Anderson, Intentions of Bert Gutgsell req. by Mary & Ivo Mender Monday, December 31, 2012 Celebrant’s Intentions Tuesday, January 1, 2013 Celebrant’s Intentions Wednesday, January 2, 2013 Kenneth K.T. Thome req. by Mom & Family Thursday, January 3, 2013 For the People Friday, January 4, 2013 Celebrant’s Intentions Saturday, January 5, 2013 Donald Rodeghiero req. by Nancy Dannels

Masses for Sunday, January 6, 2013 Intentions of Elaine Malito, Stephen Acackal, Claire Anderson

Saints & Special Observances: Sunday: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph Monday: Seventh Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord; St. Sylvester I: New Year’s Eve Tuesday: The Octave of the Nativity of the Lord; Mary, the Holy Mother of God; World Day of Prayer for Peace; New Year’s Day Wednesday: Ss. Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen Thursday: The Most Holy Name of Jesus Friday: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton; First Friday Saturday: St. John Neumann; First Saturday

This week at O’Toole Sunday, December 30, 2012 8:30 AM: Mass 11:00 AM: Mass Monday, December 31, 2012—NEW YEAR’S EVE

—CAMPUS CLOSED 8:00 AM: Rosary C 8:30 AM: Mass 5:00 PM: Mass Tuesday, January 1, 2013—NEW YEAR’S DAY —

CAMPUS CLOSED 8:30 AM: Mass 11:00 AM: Mass Wednesday, January 2, 2013—CAMPUS CLOSED 8:00 AM: Rosary C 8:30 AM: Mass Thursday, January 3, 2013 7:45 AM: Rosary C 8:10 AM: Morning Prayer C 8:30 AM: Mass Friday, January 4, 2013 8:00 AM: Rosary C 8:30 AM: Mass 9:15 AM: Eucharistic Adoration C 6:00 PM: PADS OTOOLE Saturday, January 5, 2013 8:10 AM: Morning Prayer C 8:30 AM: Mass 9:00 AM: Rosary C 4:00 PM: Reconciliation C CAFÉ O’TOOLE AFTER MASS—CHAOS HOSTS 5:00 PM: Mass Sunday, January 6, 2013 CAFÉ O’TOOLE AFTER ALL MASSES—CHAOS HOSTS 8:30 AM: Mass 11:00 AM: Mass 6:00 PM: CHAOS B2 & SC/G

“Beloved, we are God’s

children now; what we shall be has not yet

been revealed.”

I John 3: 2a

Prayer for Protection of Conscience Rights Father, we praise you and thank you for your most precious gifts of human life and human freedom. Touch the hearts of our lawmakers with the wisdom and courage to uphold conscience rights and religious liberty for all. Protect all people from being forced to violate their moral and religious convictions. In your goodness, guard our freedom to live out our faith and to follow you in all that we do. Give us strength to be bold and joyful witnesses. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

http://usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/upload/USCCB_Religious_Freedom_Prayer_Campaign_ENG.pdf

Readings for the Week: Monday: 1Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96:1-2, 11-13;Jn 1:1-18 Tuesday: Nm 6:22-27; Ps67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 Wednesday: 1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 1:19-28 Thursday: 1Jn2:29 — 3:6; Ps98:1, 3cd-6;Jn1:29-34

Friday: 1 Jn 3:7-10; Ps 98:1, 7-9; Jn 1:35-42 Saturday: 1 Jn 3:11-21; Ps 100:1b-5; Jn 1:43-51 Sunday: Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12