December 23, 2018

Fourth Sunday of Advent

St. Joseph Catholic Church, 7240 W. 57th St., Summit, Illinois

Adoration of the Shepherds (1613) by Fray Juan Batista Maino (Mayno)

Una versión más espiritual de la famosa “Noche Antes de Navidad”. "Era la noche antes de Navidad y en todo el pueblo, San José buscaba, subiendo y bajando por los caminos; Nuestra Señora esperando, tan dócil y tan suave, Mientras que José buscaba un lugar para el Niño. Los niños acurrucados, cada uno

en su camilla, Los adultos no se molestaban, no hay lugar, ellos decían; Cuando incluso el posadero los despidió, José se preguntaba dónde acaso se quedarían. Pensó en las cuevas en el lado de las colinas, Vamos allá, dijo María, es silencio y tranquilo; La luna sobre el techo de la nueva nieve recién caída, Formaban caminos de luz para sus cansados pies. Y allí, en una cueva, en una cuna de heno, ¡Nuestro Salvador nació en esa la primera Navidad! El Padre miraba desde el cielo arriba, Envió a sus ángeles, sus mensajeros de amor. Más rápidos que las águilas vinieron los hermosos ángeles de Dios; Regocijándose y ansiosos al escuchar cada uno su nombre; Ven Poder, Ven Querubines, Ven Virtudes, Ven Rafael, Ven Tronos y Dominios, ven Miguel y Gabriel. Ahora vuela a la tierra, donde viven los pobres, Anuncia la buena noticia que Mi Hijo viene a dar; Los pastores estaban observando sus rebaños en esta noche, Y vieron en los cielos una luz sobrenatural. Los Ángeles les aseguraron que no había nada que temer, ¡Es Navidad, dijeron, el Salvador ya está aquí! Se apresuraron a encontrarlo y se pararon en la puerta, Hasta que Marıa los invitó a entrar y adorar. Él estaba envuelto en bandas desde su cabeza a sus pies, ¡Nunca habían visto los pastores a un bebé tan tierno! No habló palabra alguna, pero todos los pastores sabían, Les contaba secretos y los bendecía también. Luego calladamente lo dejaron, El bebé en el heno, Y se regocijaron con gran alegría en esa la primera Navidad; María los escuchó exclamar mientras subían la colina, ¡Gloria a Dios en lo alto y paz a los hombres de buena voluntad! ¡Les deseamos a usted y a su familia una muy bendita y feliz Navidad esta semana! ¡Recuerden que la Navidad no termina el 25 de diciembre, sino que apenas comienza! ¡Los doce días de navidad comienzan el 25 de diciembre! ¡Feliz Navidad!

Informes del Padre Bob

Adoración de los pastores (1613) Hecha por Fray Juan Batista Maino (Mayno)

"W noc przed Bożym Narodzeniem i przez całe miasto,

Święty Józef szukał, chodził drogami w gorę i w dół; Matka Boża czekała, taka cicha i łagodna, Podczas gdy Józef szukał miejsca dla Dziecka;

Dzieci były przytulone, każde w swoich łóżeczkach, Dorośli nie zawracali sobie głowy, mowieli, ze nie ma miejsca dla ciebie; Kiedy nawet gospodarz ich odesłał, Sw. Józef zastanawiał się, i myslał gdzie zatrzymają; Pomyślał o jaskiniach na zboczu wzgórza, Pójdźmy tam, powiedziała Maryja, jest cicha i spokojna; Księżyc zabłysło na górze nowy śnieg, Wykonalo ścieżki światła, aby zmęczone stopy mogły iść; I tam, w jaskini, w kolebce siana, Nasz Zbawiciel urodził się w ten pierwszy dzień Bożego Narodzenia! Bog Ojciec patrzył w niebie wyżej, Posłał po swoich aniołów, swoich posłanców miłości; Szybciej niż orły przyszły Boskie jasne Anioły; z radoscią i gorliwoscią, każdy słyszał swoje imię; Przyjdźcie Moce, Przyjdźcie Aniołowie, Przyjdźcie Władze, Przyjdź Raphaelu, Przyjdźcie Trony i Panowania, przyjdźcie Michale i Gabrielu; Teraz latajcie na ziemię, gdzie żyją Moi biedni ludzie, Ogłoście radosną nowinę, co Narodzenie Mojego Syna przynosi; Pasterze czuwali nad trzodą w tej nocy, i widzieli w niebiosach, że jasne światło się swieci; Aniołowie zapewniali ich, nie mają się niczego bać, Jest Boze Narodzenie aniołowie opowiedzieli, Zbawiciel przyszedł do was! Pośpieszyli Jego znaleźć i stanęli przed drzwiami, Dopóki Maryja nie zaprosiła ich do adoracji; Był owinięty pe;iszkami od głowy do stóp, Nigdy Pasterze nie widzieli takiego słodkiego dziecka! Nie mówił ani słowa, ale pasterze wszyscy zrozumieli, Mówił im tajemnice i błogosławił im także; Po cichu opuściili Go później, Dziecko w sianie, i cieszyli się z wielką radością w ten pierwszy dzień Bożego Narodzenia; Maryja usłyszała ich wołanie, jak wracali pod górę, Chwała na wysokości Bogu, Pokój ludziom dobrej woli!” Grafika: Adoracja pasterzy (1613), Wesołch Świąt Bożego Narodzenia!malarz: Fray Juan Batista Maino (Mayno

Z biurka Ks. Proboszcza

FR. BOB’S BRIEFS We are back where we started. Do you remember? Five weeks ago, we began reading through Jesus’

Bread of Life Discourse in the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. At the beginning of John 6, we read, “Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.” At that place and time, Jesus miraculously multiplied the five barley loaves and two fish to feed 5,000 people. For the past five weeks, we have heard how this large multitude of people has been constantly been hanging around Jesus. Now, this week, we hear how this vast crowd of people leaves Jesus and go away.

Many of Jesus' disciples who were listening said, "This saying is hard; who can accept it?"Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, "Does this shock you? The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe." As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.” What a different scene it is today, compared to the scene from the previous four weeks. In the previous four weeks, we saw how thousands of people were all gathered around Jesus. Now, they all leave. Jesus is left by Himself by Sea of Galilee. We read in the Gospel of John today, “Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?" Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God." In the beautiful, but poignant image, we see Jesus left alone, except by the Twelve, His only remaining friends. Jesus stands in the center, looking out at the sunset over the Sea of Galilee. Only the Twelve remain with Jesus. So, we are back where we started: Jesus alone with the Twelve at the edge of the Seas of Galilee. It is a sad and somber scene as Jesus and the Twelve look out over the Sea of Galilee by themselves. Where did everybody go? This scene from today’s Gospel is not just a picture isolated to the past. Does this scene not replay throughout the passage of time? Does this scene not replay in our own time and age? Where are all the people? Next time you are at church, look around. What do you see? I saw no more than 70 people at any of the Masses for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary last week. The latest statistics show that 80-85% of Catholics do not go to Sunday Mass every week. Just like in today’s Gospel, everybody seems to have left Jesus. Only a few remain with our Lord. It is very ironic that people do not want communion with Jesus in this life, but they want communion with Jesus in heaven for eternal life. Explain to me how do people expect to have communion with God in heaven, if they do not have communion with God beginning here on earth? That’s the culmination and whole point of Jesus’ Bread of Life discourse that we have been hearing for the past five weeks. Jesus gives us His Flesh and Blood so that He can be in Communion with us. Our Lord desires to be one with, to be in union (com-munion) with you, me, and everybody. At Mass, you see the priest pour some water into the chalice filled with wine. When doing so, the priest prays: “By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity.” St. Cyprian (210-258 AD) writes, “when the water is mingled in the cup with wine, the people are made one with Christ.”

However, for most people, we don’t want communion with God. We only follow after God, like the people in the Gospel, because we want God to give us things. God is like a type of Santa Claus, who is supposed to give me things in life. I read once somewhere that “God is not a ‘Cosmic Concierge’ who lives only to satisfy each and every one of our whims.” Yet, that is how we treat God too often in our life. “God give me this. God give me that.” We seek out God to get things from Him. Our God seeks us out to be close to us, to be in communion with us. The Latin root of communion is communio, meaning "fellowship, mutual participation, or association." The relationship that that Jesus is seeking with us is different than the relationship that we seek from Him. Jesus wants fellowship with us. Our Lord desires to share His Divine life and love with us. He asks the same question that He asked the Twelve earlier. "Do you also want to leave?" Do we stay with Jesus or do we leave Him?

Please pray for the safety of all who serve us in the military. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Good Help, help us with her maternal care, and may St. Joseph pray for us. Vivat Jesus! Live Jesus!

A more spiritual version of the famous “Night Before Christmas”

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town, St. Joseph was searching, walking up roads and down; Our Lady was waiting, so meek and so mild, While Joseph was seeking a place for the Child;

The children were nestled, each snug in their beds, The grown-ups wouldn’t bother, there’s no room they said; When even the innkeeper sent them away, Joseph was wondering, where they would stay;

He thought of the caves in the side of the hills, Lets go there said Mary, it’s silent and still; The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, Made pathways of light for their tired feet to go;

And there in a cave, in a cradle of hay, Our Savior was born on that first Christmas Day! The Father was watching in heaven above, He sent for His angels, His couriers of love;

More rapid than eagles God’s bright angels came; Rejoicing and eager as each heard his name; Come Power, Come Cherubs, Come Virtues, Come Raphael, Come Thrones and Dominions, come Michael and Gabriel;

Now fly to the Earth, where My poor people live, Announce the glad tiding My Son comes to give; The Shepherds were watching their flocks on this night, And saw in the heavens and unearthly light;

The Angels assured them, they’d nothing to fear, It’s Christmas they said, the Savior is here! They hastened to find Him, and stood at the door, Till Mary invited them in to adore;

He was swaddled in bands from His head to His feet, Never did the Shepherds see a baby so sweet! He spoke not a word, but the shepherds all knew, He was telling them secrets and blessing them too;

Then softly they left Him, The Babe in the hay, And rejoiced with great joy on that first Christmas Day; Mary heard them exclaim as they walked up the hill, Glory to God in the Highest, Peace to men of good will! Wishing you and your family a very Blessed and Merry Christmas this week! Remember Christmas does not end on Dec. 25, it is only beginning! The Twelve Days of Christmas begins on December 25!

Merry Christmas!

Fr. Bob’s Briefs

Artwork: Adoration of the Shepherds (1613) by Fray Juan Batista Maino (Mayno)

St. Joseph School: A Community of Faith, Knowledge and Service.

5641 S. 73rd Ave., Summit 708-458-2927

Mr. Lawrence Manetti, Principal

Our Advent Journey is nearly completed. In a few days we will relive the gift promised to us by God over 2,000 years ago. I would like to take this time to thank all of our parishioners for the support you have given to our school and me over the past year. St. Joseph School is special because of the support you give to our school. School will not be in session from Monday, December 24th through Sunday, January 6th. School will resume on Monday, January 7th. I I S – following the holidays our biggest priority will be helping families understand and apply for the Tax Credit Scholarships. REMEMBER, Families can make donation to the Tax Credit Scholarship Program through Empower Illinois and designate the funds to be used for St. Joseph School. The benefit to you is a 75% Tax Credit. The benefit to our school is the funds being matched. Example: a parishioner donates $1,000.00 to the fund and earmarks the money for St. Joseph School. You would receive a 75% tax credit, ($750.00) and our school would receive $3,000.00 because of the 2 for 1 match from Empower Illinois. CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK - Plan on joining us on

January 27th for our Opening Liturgy at 9:30 a.m., followed by refreshments and our Open House. Whether you have school aged children or not, St. Joseph School is an important part of our parish school and we wish to share the GOOD NEWS of our school with our parish families.

Queen of Hearts Raffle – Because of the early bulletin deadline, the results for this week are not available. Remember, during the holidays our Queen of Hearts drawing will move to Wednesday. They will take place on Wednesday, December 26th and Wednesday, January 2nd. Thank you all who have been supporting our Queen of Hearts. On behalf of the children, faculty and staff of St. Joseph School, I wish you and your family a very blessed and merry Christmas! May God continue and always bless you and your family, and may the New Year bring us all much joy and happiness. Merry Christmas and God Bless.

Lawrence Manetti, Principal

You’re A Winner! Congratulations! 52 Pick-Up News

Dec. 23, 2018

Courtney Pastranak Ticket #0292

Congratulations to the $125 winners of the 52 Pick-Up Raffle! Tickets are available. Come by and pick

one up from the rectory or school.

RECTORY HOLIDAY

OFFICE HOURS

The Rectory Office will be closed from Monday, Dec. 24 through

Tuesday, Jan. 1. We will reopen at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2.

We hope everyone has a Blessed, Merry Christmas and a Healthy,

Happy New Year.

GENERAL PARISH INFORMATION

Mass Intentions Mass intentions will be accepted at the Rectory office until 2 p.m. the Wednesday prior to bulletin publication. Since we work ahead one week ahead in the bulletin, the intentions must be sent to the parish office at least two weeks in advance of the bulletin date to appear in the requested bulletin. Baptisms Baptisms are held on the second and fourth Sundays of the month at 2 p.m. in English and on the third Saturday of the month in Spanish at 12 p.m. (noon). Parents who have not taken a Baptism Preparation Class must do so before the Baptism. Classes are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in English in our Activity Center, 5631 S. 73rd Ave. Registration for Baptisms and Baptism Class must take place in the rectory office prior to the event.

2018 CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

CHRISTMAS EVE, DECEMBER 24, 2018 VIGIL OF CHRISTMAS 4 PM ENGLISH MASS 10 PM POLISH MASS

12 AM ENGLISH MASS

CHRISTMAS DAY, DECEMBER 25, 2018 THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD

9:30 AM ENGLISH MASS 11:00 AM SPANISH MASS 12:30 PM POLISH MASS

NEW YEAR’S DAY, JANUARY 1, 2018

SOLEMNITY OF MARY 9:30 AM ENGLISH MASS 11:00 AM SPANISH MASS 12:30 PM POLISH MASS

Moonless darkness stands between. Past, the Past, no more be seen! But the Bethlehem star may lead me To the sight of Him Who freed me From the self that I have been. Make me pure, Lord: Thou art Holy; Make me meek, Lord: Thou wert lowly; Now beginning, and always, Now begin, on Christmas day. (By Gerard Manley Hopkins, 1844-1889.)

Merry Christmas

¡Feliz Navidad!

Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia

MASS INTENTIONS Monday, December 24 - Christmas Eve †Souls in Purgatory People of St. Joseph 4:00 p.m. English/Family Mass 10:00 p.m. Polish Mass 12:00 a.m. English Mass Tuesday, December 25 - Christmas Day †Souls in Purgatory People of St. Joseph 9:30 a.m. English Mass 11:00 a.m. Spanish Mass 12:30 p.m. Polish Mass Wednesday, December 26 8:30 a.m. †Joseph Pechnick/Birthday/Family Thursday, December 27 8:30 a.m. NO MASS Friday, December 28 8:30 a.m. †Jose Gamino/Family Saturday, December 29 8:30 a.m. †Souls in Purgatory 5:00 p.m. †Peggy Neligan †Frank Kuncic/Wife Sunday, December 30 7:30 a.m. †Margaret Powers Kurcz †Patrick Jude Kurcz †Joseph P. Kurcz 9:30 a.m. †Frank Andrejasich/Ed & Sue Lindgren †Joseph Baricovich/1st Anniversary/Family 11:00 a.m. †Juan Jose de la Torre Hernandez †Francisco Mata People of St. Joseph 12:30 p.m. †Jan Babel †Stanislaw Maryniarczyk †Stanislaw Staszel S. P. Wladyslaw Tatar oo1. Kolezonski & Koledzy Cintos

COMMUNION MINISTERS Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018 5:00 PM. A. Flores, G. Kujawa, T. Norris Sunday, Dec.30, 2018 7:30 AM NO MASS 9:30 AM S. Elizalde, J. Sheehan, D. Yanez, G. Zaja 11:00 AM Olivia De La Torre, Angelica Jimenez, Lety Jimenez, Paula Valdovino ********************************************************** ALTAR SERVERS Saturday, Dec.29, 2018 5:00 p.m. Madyn Dron, Giovanni Garcia, Szymon Hornik, Brianna Norris Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018 7:30 a.m. Gabriel Govea, Arianna Perez, Ysabel Serrano, 9:30 a.m. Sam Dudlo, Angelina Rivera, Francisco Romo, Marco Yanez 11:00 AM Alexandra Garcia, Lupita Garcia, Maria Elena Zambrano ********************************************************** LECTORS Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018 5:00 PM J. Bambera Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018 7:30 AM E. Dominguez 9:30 AM D. Yanez 11:00 AM Paula Valdovinos - First Reading Janet Valdovinos - Second Reading

Weekly Collection Report

Weekly Parish Budget $ 9,500.00 Sunday Collection Dec. 16, 2018 $ Due to early bulletin deadlines, this figure will be reported next week. Thank you for your generosity Gracias por tu generosidad Bog zaplac za ofiary skladane na tace

St. Joseph, Pray for Us!

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH

7240 W. 57th Street Summit, IL 60501

(708) 458-0501 stjosephchurchsummit@yahoo.com

stjosephparishsummit.org www.facebook.com/stjosephsummit

OFFICE HOURS

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday Rectory office closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 1

BULLETIN DEADLINE:

2:00 p.m. Wednesday 2 Weeks Prior

PARISH STAFF

Pastor: Rev. Robert Stuglik Weekend celebrant: Rev. Joseph Stobba, OSA

Parish Secretary/Bulletin Editor: Mrs. Joan Hadac Adult Choir Director/Organist: Mrs. Darlene Donarski

Pianist/Children’s Choir: Mrs. Anna Dron Ray Polish Choir Director: Mr. Aleksander Jazowski

Facilities Director: Mr. Vincent Slisz

SUNDAY MASSES Saturday: 5:00 PM ENGLISH

Sunday: 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM. ENGLISH 11:00AM SPANISH 12:30 PM POLISH

CONFESSIONS

Saturday 4:00 - 4:30 PM

WEEKDAY MASSES 8:30 AM Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday

(8:30 AM Wednesday—School Mass During School Year) Thursday—No Mass is Celebrated

ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL School Principal: Mr. Lawrence Manetti Business Manager: Mrs. Kim Osowiec 5641 S. 73rd Ave. (708) 458 - 2927 www.stjosephsummit.com www.facebook.com, then search for St. Joseph School Pk-8-Summit (Official page) ST. JOSEPH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Coordinator: Mrs. Penny Davis (708) 458-2927 HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ POLISH SCHOOL 5641 S. 73rd Ave. 708-415-0458 MINISTERS OF CARE: If you are homebound, and would like to receive Holy Communion, please call the parish office to make arrangements.

Alicia Anderson Sophie Bakos Joseph Bartosz Stan Bartosz Laura & Phil Behm Jack Bicigo Ann Bolek Kimberly Boll Bruce Bryers—US Military Elizabeth Cabaj Susan Castro Amal Centers Judy Centers Stanley A. Dabrowski Patricia Diaz Mary DiGangi Wladyslawa Dobros Melissa Dornbos Rita Dombrowski Allyse Donarski Jim Donarski Susan Dotson Don Erich Robert Erklin Rexnalda Fonseca Esperaza Franco Helen Frank *Alice Gomorczyk Dan and Ann Green Miguel & Julia Gutierrez Silvia C. Herrera Rich S. Jandura Denise M. Jandura David G. Jandura Steve M. Jandura Chester and Virginia Janeczko Millie Jercha Donald Johnstone Henry Kiwior Doug Kudwa Ted Kuldanek Hank Lampke Geri Lauer Tim Lauer Steven H. Lubawski Susanna Lubawski Diane Macek Rich Madej George Maslona Robert J. Mercurio Margaret Metoyer Dolores Michaels Colleen Mocnik Karen Mocnik Anthony Montaneo

Joyce Netecke William Netecke Janet Nelson Ed and Alice Nowak Thomas Obrenski *Emilia Okreglak Cassandra K. Peterson Iris Eliza Peterson Leonardo Alexandros Peterson Payton Pettigrew Ricardo Piedra Meg A. Radcliff Juanita Ramos Jackson Regan Robert Regep Paul Rinaldi Carmen Rodriguez Juanita Rodriguez Bridget Rollins Jennifer Sampres Michael Sawka Terry J. Scott Eileen Sheedy Lorraine Simich Ed Skowronski Kurt Stein Theresa Stypula Abigail M. Swaekauski Aurora Rose Swaekauski Kathy A. Swaekauski Scarlette Grace Swaekauski Tim R. Swaekauski Brian Swift Pat Tichacek Josephine Tipner Ricardo Varajas Arlene Wilder Pamela Wojdyla Patrick J. Woods Sheryl M. Woods Joanna Zieba Ryszard Zieba Emily Zwijak *Most recently added If you know of anyone that should be on the sick list, or taken off, please call the rectory. 708-458-0501. Thank You.