A St. Boniface Weekly Publication

Fourth Sunday of Advent 18 December 2016

Christmases Past

Decorating the church for Christmas has been a tradition at St. Boniface probably since the first Christmas Mass was celebrated in the church in 1869. There are no photos of the first Christmas decorations or even a description.

While the Edwardsville Intelligencer reported on the Christmas services at the various churches, the music was the main focus. Many churches held choral programs prior to Christmas and the name of each song along with the names of the soloist and accompanist were duly recorded. In 1896, St. Mary’s Christmas celebration included a “splendid program of special music...rendered by the choir with a full orchestra.” In 1897 the Intelligencer reported that “St. Boniface’s congregation was pleasantly surprised at the early mass, which took place at 5 o’clock Christmas morning by the renditions of three beautiful sacred selections by a string quartet composed of C. M. Schwarz, 1st violin; Wm. C. Schwarz, 2nd violin; Elmer H. Schwarz, viola; Henry Trares, cello.”

It wasn’t until December 1895 that the Intelligencer briefly mentioned that at both St. Boniface and St. Mary’s “The decorations were of evergreens neatly arranged and a crib representing the manger at Bethlehem.”

However, in 1907 the Christmas celebration was a special one at St. Boniface as reported in the December 23, 1907, edition of the Intelligencer:

“Christmas Mattins at St. Boniface’s church will commence at 5 o’clock. The first bells ring at 4 a.m. Before high mass a new representation of the crib lately imported from the Mayer Art Institute of Munich, Bavaria, is to be dedicated. The twenty-five figures of this crib are themselves masterpieces of the famous Munich studio. During the mass the choir will render Gounod’s Messe Solemne with orchestral accompaniment.”

E V E R G R E E N 2

Weekly Liturgy Schedule

Saturday Vigil—4:15 p.m. Sunday—8:15, 10:15 a.m. & 5:15 p.m. Sunday—Misa en Español —12:15 p.m.

Monday—5:45 p.m. Tuesday—8:00 a.m.

Wednesday—6:45 p.m. Thursday—8:00 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. (bi-lingual Mass)

Friday— 8:00 a.m.

(Recitation of the Rosary—weekdays 20 minutes before Mass)

Sacrament of Penance

Wednesday—6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Thursday—6:00 - 6:30 p.m. (bi-lingual)

Saturday—3:30 - 4:00 p.m. or by appointment

RAFFLE CALENDAR WINNERS

December 5—$40 Jerome & Janice Gallaher*—

Edwardsville, IL

December 6—$40 Rose & Don Partney—Edwardsville, IL

December 7—$40 James Perulfi—Edwardsville, IL

December 8—$40 Tim & Barb Harr—Edwardsville, IL

December 9—$40 Bryant Janosky*—Kirkwood, MO

December 10—$40 Annie Weis—Pocahontas, IL

December 11—$40 Kaye Grezlack—Edwardsville, IL

* Denotes Bonus Entry winner

Issue 422 ~ December 18, 2016

On the Evergreen cover this week: Christmas history at St. Boniface

Office Hours

Monday—Friday

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Upcoming Baptism Class

Tuesday, January 3

In the Church 7:00 pm

Contact the Parish Office at 656-6450 to register or for more information.

Go to st-boniface.com to print out a

Baptism Information Sheet.

Click Sacraments and then Baptisms.

St. Boniface Catholic Church 110 North Buchanan Street Edwardsville, Illinois 62025

Phone 618.656.6450 FAX 618.656.7669

Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki Bishop, Diocese of Springfield, IL

Very Reverend Jeffrey Goeckner, VF Pastor, Dean of the Alton Deanery

Reverend Paul Habing Ministerio Español

Deacon Daniel Corbett Permanent Deacon/Tribunal Advocate

Mrs. Robin Black-Rubenstein Pastoral Associate

Mrs. Linda Daniels, Mrs. Benna Denue, Mr. Jack Hake, Mr. Kurt Hylla,

Mr. Martin Morrissey, Mrs. Sue Papajcik Pastor’s Cabinet

Sister Anna Flanigan, OSF Principal, St. Boniface School

Mr. Mike Scholz Principal, Father McGivney Catholic High School

PARISH STAFF

Mrs. Benna Denue Parish Office Manager and Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Robin Hake Business Manager

Mrs. Cindy Zurliene Assistant Business Manager

Mr. Michael Joslyn Parish Campus Maintenance Manager

Mr. Ryan Hentz Parish Campus Maintenance Assistant

Mr. Bill Doerr Parish Campus Maintenance Assistant

Mr. Eddie Sjursen Parish Campus Night Security

Sister Kathleen Ann Mourisse, OSF Director of RCIA/RCIC

Mr. Tom OhrenVisitation Minister Coordinator

Miss Jill Griffin Director of Worship & Music

Dr. Marc Schapman Assistant Choir Director

Mrs. Barb StamerParish School of Religion Coordinator

Mr. John Lednicky Tech Specialist

Mrs. Judy Frank, Jo Niebur & Sarah Kreke Receptionists

Mrs. Linda Daniels Tribunal Advocate

Mrs. Sue Papajcik Safe Environment & Volunteer Coordinator

Mr. Marcelo Nieto Coordinador de la comunidad Español

St. Boniface Cemetery

As the Christmas season approaches, the St. Boniface Cemetery Association wishes to remind everyone of a few items that our cemetery rules and regulations do not allow. Items not allowed include grave blankets, ground coverings, solar lights and Sheppard hooks. Thank you for your cooperation.

Pleasethe 21, Caour Merry Ch

Thank You

The St. Boniface Choir would like to thank everyone who participated in our Breakfast with Santa and vendor showcase. The choir is working hard to raise funds for their trip to Rome this coming summer.

Peace to all who love the Lord

in simplicity of heart.

S H E P H E R D ’ S N O T E S 3

Thanks to everyone who has already made a contribution/pledge toward the Annual Catholic Services Appeal. I am

truly grateful for your generosity. If you have not made your contribution/pledge to the annual appeal, prayerfully

consider how you might help our parish meet our assessment of $123,875.00. If we do not meet our assessment amount

through your contribution/pledge, the remainder of the amount owed to the appeal will be deducted from our weekly contributions which in the end affects our parish budget for

the up and coming fiscal year.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

God promised to send a Savior to the world, and Jesus came among us. In

return, we are called to serve Christ and proclaim Him to all. This is easily

overlooked as we get caught up in our own pride, or focus on worldly matters. As we look to the nativity

of the Lord, let us shake off distractions and strive to serve Jesus and share Him with others.

End of the Year Contributions ~ Your thoughtful consideration for a tax deductible end of the year contribution to Saint Boniface Parish and Parish School is greatly appreciated! All tax deductible contributions must be dated no later than December 31, 2016.

What is Scrip? Thinking about purchasing gift cards for Christmas gift giving? You can purchase gift cards through the parish’s Scrip Program. It’s easy and benefits the parish. We offer popular gift cards for all local grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants and many retail stores. You will still spend the same amount of money for the gift card(s), but the parish will receive money back because of your gift card purchase from Saint Boniface. Gift cards can be purchased before or after Mass in the Plaza Lobby or at the parish office.

Christmas Mass Schedule ~

Christmas Eve @ 4:15 PM - 7:15 PM (Spanish) - 10:15 PM

Christmas Day @ 8:15 AM.

Congratulations to the 2016 Outstanding Service Award Recipients

Gary Ladd, Connie Frick and Joan Griffin

These individuals were recognized as parishioners who have demonstrated outstanding and selfless service to

the parish of Saint Boniface over the years. The Outstanding Service Awards were presented during the annual parish staff Christmas Celebration last Saturday

night. May God continue to bless them for their outstanding service to our community.

The St. Boniface M-W-F Morning Preschool class would like to encourage everyone to Buy and Sell our 2017 Raffle Calendar.

· Buy or Sell 5 calendars and get a free bonus entry.

· A winner is drawn for EVERY day of the year.

· Makes a great stocking stuffer.

Area Penance Services

Sunday, December 18, 4:00 p.m. St. Ambrose, Godfrey

Tuesday, December 20, 4:45 p.m.

Mother of Perpetual Help, Maryville (Confessions only)

C A L E N D A R 4

Liturgy This Week December 19-25

Monday @ 5:45 p.m. ~ Chapel Late Advent Weekday

Deceased members of Leardi family

Tuesday @ 8:00 a.m. ~ Chapel Late Advent Weekday

Jordan Dupy

Wednesday @ 6:45 p.m. ~ Chapel Late Advent Weekday

Wave & John Sharp

Thursday Late Advent Weekday

8:00 a.m. Church ~ Smith Family 6:45 p.m. Chapel ~ Special Intention

Friday @ 8:00 a.m. ~ ChapelLate Advent Weekday

Communion Service

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) ~ Church

Saturday 4:15 p.m.

St. Boniface Parishioners

7:15 p.m. Misa en Español St. Boniface Parishioners

10:15 p.m. St. Boniface Parishioners

Sunday 8:15 a.m.

St. Boniface Parishioners

December 2016-January 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

18 Youth Group -Live Nativity 2:30-5:00 p.m.

19 Nia Fitness 8:13 a.m. (OR); RCIA 6:30 p.m. (AR)

20 Martha & Mary Group 8:30 a.m. (AR); Handbell Practice 6:30 p.m. (CH)

21 Nia Fitness 8:13 a.m. (OR); Quilters 8:30 a.m. (EV); Adult Choir 7:00 p.m. (CH)

22

23

24 Christmas Eve

25 Christmas

26 Office Closed

27 Martha & Mary Group 8:30 a.m. (AR)

28 Nia Fitness 8:13 a.m. (OR); Quilters 8:30 a.m. (EV); Adult Choir 7:00 p.m. (CH)

29

30

31

1

2 Nia Fitness 8:13 a.m. (OR) Office Closed

3 Martha & Mary Group 8:30 a.m. (AR); Grief Support 8:45 a.m. (OR); Handbell Practice 6:30 p.m. (CH); Pastoral Council Mtg. 6:30 p.m. (PO); Baptism Class 7:00 p.m. (CH)

4 Lectio Divina 8:00 a.m. (BL); Nia Fitness 8:13 a.m. (OR); Quilters 8:30 a.m. (EV); Adult Choir 7:00 p.m. (CH)

5

6 Nia Fitness 8:13 a.m. (OR)

7 Yoga 9:30 a.m. (OR); Zurliene/Keil Wedding; Secular Franciscans Fraternity Mtg. 5:15 p.m. (AR)

8

9 Nia Fitness 8:13 a.m. (OR); RCIA 6:30 p.m. (AR); Young Adult Bible Study 6:30 p.m. (BL)

10 Martha & Mary Group 8:30 a.m. (AR); Handbell Practice 6:30 p.m. (CH)

11 Lectio Divina 8:00 a.m. (BL); Nia Fitness 8:13 a.m. (OR); Quilters 8:30 a.m. (EV); PSR 6:30 p.m.; SVdP 7:00 p.m. (PO); Adult Choir 7:00 p.m. (CH)

12

13 Nia Fitness 8:13 a.m. (OR)

14 Yoga 9:30 a.m. (OR)

AR—Acorn Room / BL—Bona Lounge / CA—Chapel / CH—Church / OR—Oak Room / PO—Parish Office / S—School

CREDO 102 - Living the Laws of Love

Tuesday, January 24, 2017, 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 16, 2017, 7:00 p.m. ~ Wednesday, February 22, 2017, 6:30 p.m.

All parents of children receiving the Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation at St. Boniface are required to attend one of these sessions. All parents of students at St. Boniface and Fr. McGivney High School are encouraged to attend. All parishioners are invited to attend. All sessions will be held in the Oak Room of the Lower Level.

New Nia Class on Friday

Liz Lane and Carleen Weber (On the Move, Holistic Wellness & Fitness) will be adding a Friday Nia class to their schedule beginning January 6, 8:13 - 9:00 a.m. in the Oak Room.

Need Assistance? Dial 2-1-1

or 1-800-427-4626 United Way 2-1-1 is your 24/7 connection for resources and

agencies near you.

Finding help used to be a frustrating ordeal-flipping through phone books and calling multiple numbers; wrong turns; dead ends; wasted time. Now

one phone number, 2-1-1, can reduce those headaches and get you

connected to the resources you need.

Can’t connect? Dial 800-427-4626

www.211helps.org

C A T H O L I C E D U C A T I O N 5

Dear Parishioners,

Don’t forget to use SCRIP for all of your Christmas shopping! SCRIP allows you to make the full purchase and still gift the parish/school a small percentage of your purchase. It’s a win-win! Scrip can be purchased before and after nearly all Masses, and every day at the Parish

Office. Contact Cindy at the Parish Office if you have a large or special order. Orders need to be turned in to the Parish Office first thing Monday morning for delivery by Friday.

St. Boniface School Faculty, Staff and Students would like to wish all of the parishioners a very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year. May you be blessed with many joyous moments in 2017.

School will resume on Tuesday, January 3.

Registration for St. Boniface School and Preschool will begin on February 1. Please consider sending your child(ren) or grandchildren to our school for an excellence Catholic education. St. Boniface features the newest technology in Chromebooks, on-line textbooks, Promethean boards, iPads and even an interactive table for our preschool students.

St. Boniface will host an OPEN HOUSE following each of the Masses on Saturday/Sunday, January 28/29, 2017. Come see what our schools have to offer!

Peace & All Good, Sr. Anna

Saint Boniface Parish School

(Pre-K—8) 128 North Buchanan

Edwardsville, IL 62025 Phone-618.656.6917 FAX-618.692.8385

stbschool@st-boniface.com

For more information about Father McGivney Catholic High School, visit our website at www.mcgivneygriffins.com or contact the Development Office at 618-855-9010 or development@mcgivneygriffins.com.

Father McGivney Catholic High School 7190 Bouse Rd. ~ Glen Carbon, IL 62034 phone: 618-855-9010 ~ fax: 618-855-9011

email: info@mcgivneygriffins.com

Parish School of Religion

PSR Schedule

December 21 No Class December 28 No Class January 4 No Class

Thank you to everyone who donated to PSR’s annual sock drive. Your generosity is truly warming many hearts!

This very day in David’s town your Savior was born –

Christ the Lord … Luke 2:11

Sunday, December 18

Live Nativity—2:30-5:00 p.m.

Come by the corner of Vandalia and Buchanan and see our youth play out the

nativity scene.

Youth Ministry

St. Boniface Parish Mercy Ministry

Since 1869, St. Boniface Church’s steeple has risen high into the sky and can be seen for miles. The steeple, with the cross shining brightly, is a sign that the people of St. Boniface Church share their love and mercy. The Catholic Church has a long history of saints who helped the poor, sick and dying; and St. Boniface is part of that loving and merciful tradition. In the past, when people came to our doors in need of help, we were not able to assist them as they did not fall within the criteria for local social services. Because of this, and in honor of the Year of Mercy, Fr. Jeff instituted the Mercy Ministry. The assistance given to those in immediate need is a small boost to help the person continue moving forward without having to go backward. Sometimes it is a gas voucher to get to an appointment, a bus token for transportation, or a food voucher to get to the next day when the pantry is open. The Mercy Ministry Fund is monitored and distributed through the Parish Office. Prayers for the Mercy Ministry and donations to the Mercy Ministry Fund are appreciated. God Bless You……

For You have been a refuge to the poor,

A refuge to the needy in their distress;

shelter from the rain, shade from the heat.

Isaiah 25:4

We pray that each of you has a Blessed Christmas and that the light of God’s love fills your New Year with joy and peace.

F A I T H F O R M A T I O N 6

MINISTRY MINUTES

Advent Can Strengthen Our Hope for a Heavenly Reward

As we anticipate and contemplate the coming of our Lord among us, which is the major work of our Advent practices, we will be strengthening our own faith and renewing our hope. We hope that the Kingdom of God will be where we spend eternity!

Near the beginning of the Offertory when a little water is being poured into the wine, we pray – “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.” It is from that divinity of Christ, our God coming among us, that we draw our hope of living a life sharing with others and loving others in a manner that allows us to arrive at the end of our life and be invited into perfect communion with our God.

Hope strengthens us and helps us to live differently because our Christian understanding of hope is drawn from our faith that God loves us and wants our good. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that hope is born from our desire to obtain something good that is “difficult but possible to attain.” The life that God wants us to live and the love that God wants us to share would not be possible without God’s helping us by bestowing on us all the help we need from His inexhaustible supply of grace. The difficulty is that our world draws us to hope for lessor things and draws us to settle for a lessor end then union with God.

In Advent, we contemplate BOTH the Christ Child and our very God coming among us to teach us the way to love God and live our lives directed toward the eternity that God wants to spend with us. We hope because we have access to the grace to attain that which is difficult but possible to attain. We need only to ask!

~Deacon Dan

Reflection—Robin Black-Rubenstein

Throughout our lives we experience many dreams. Some we remember some we do not. Some re-occur, some are funny, frightening, or simply strange. Most people probably have that one really weird dream that stands out. Can you imagine the experience that Joseph had on the night the angel visited him in his dream? The angel addresses Joseph by his name and his heritage, something that had great significance at the time. The next thing the angel said to Joseph was “…do not be afraid to take Mary into your home.” This Divine revelation came to Joseph in a dream. God used visions in the Old Testament to reveal the Divine plan, to further the Divine plan, and to put people in places of influence. In the New Testament dreams and visions also served to provide information that was unavailable elsewhere. Specifically, God used visions and dreams to identify Jesus and to establish His church. The birth of Jesus brought humans a new way of knowing God in personal terms. Through Jesus, God entered into the world in a very vulnerable and real way. Emmanuel means, “God is with us.”

God can be revealed to us in ways we may not even be aware of. But we have the gifts of Sacred Scripture, our Sacraments and our church to help us to listen to what God might be communicating to us. Joseph set aside his own plans and listened. As we come nearer to the day we celebrate Love dwelling among us, take some time and imagine the angel calling you by name and saying do not be afraid. I pray that all of us strive to be vulnerable to this Love in a real way and take this Love into our homes like Joseph.

Retrouvaille

YOU Can Help Your Marriage – 25% of surveyed couples say they are “Happily Married”. For everyone else there is Retrouvaille. Are you frustrated, hurt or angry with each other? Are you constantly fighting? Or do you simply shut down? Have you thought about separation or divorce? Does talking only make it worse?

For information on the Retrouvaille Program, visit the website www.HelpOurMarriage.com. The next Program begins the weekend of FEBRUARY 3, 2017.

Angel Tree

Bona thanks to everyone that picked an angel from the Angel Tree for one of the local care facilities. Your generosity is very much appreciated.

Thank you.

December 19, 2016

6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Acorn Room

Topic: The Church: Images and Models and Structure

Presenter: Robin Black-Rubenstein

Volunteer Opportunity

Do you have a special talent that you would like to share with others? Cedarhurst Memory Care is looking for volunteers to come and to interact with their residents. Activities may include playing the piano, singing, making crafts, quilting, gardening, playing cards, bible study, etc.

If you enjoy bringing joy to others please contact Sara Hoelscher at Cedarhurst Memory Care 618-979-3602.

M U S I C / Y O U T H M I N I S T R Y 7

Please Pray for our Military Men & Women

Dan Boone Major Eldridge Browne

Lars Engeberg Brandon Effler Mark Federspiel

Ha Hatley Nathan Henning

Aaron Hines Steve Jones Kraig Kline

Patrick Kohler Andrew Kolakowski

James Lavelle Erin Long

Adam Mitchell

Michael Porter Ricky Ricciardi Joseph Ruhnke

Brian, Stephen and Peter Sambor

Kyle & Jake Schaake Beth McBride Shockey

Abe StrootSgt. Kevin Sullivan

Whitney Krupp Swanson Nickolas Varady Thomas Velez Adam Wendel

Jacob M. Willett Andrew Wright

UPCOMING EVENTS

CHRISTMAS EVE / DAY MUSIC MINISTRY SCHEDULE

CHRISTMAS EVE - 4:15 PM Children’s Choir & Instrumentalists Prelude music will begin @ 3:30 PM

CHRISTMAS EVE - 10:15 PM

Adult Choir & Instrumentalists Prelude music will begin @ 9:30 PM

CHRISTMAS DAY - 8:15 AM

Handbell Choir & Adult Choir Prelude music will begin @ 7:45 AM

Catholic Children’s Home

The mission of the Catholic Children’s Home is to aid, protect and care for the needs, education and welfare of dependent, neglected, abused or otherwise hurting children and families without regard to poverty, riches, race, religion or national origin.

Our school and residential programs serve more than 150 children per year, and we are dedicated to continued improvements and expansion of our services and programs to meet the ever-changing needs of the children in our communities.

Loving Father, you are the Light of the world that has to scatter

our gloom and darkness. Help me to reflect your light on all I

meet.

From The Magnificat Advent Companion

Featured in December on FORMED:

Movie: The Story of the Nativity

Movie: Joseph of Nazareth

Program: The True Meaning of Christmas

Go to Formed.org. If you haven't registered yet, our parish code is CGHZ3K. Simply Register your email and name after putting in the Parish Code. Call the parish office if you have any questions.

NEW for Kids

FORMED gives parents the tools to form their children in the faith. Whether it is an inspiring family movie, children’s videos/audios, or YDisciple videos/discussion questions for teenagers, parents can access this great content in their homes and make faith sharing and prayer a habit as a family. Discover all the new children’s programs, books, movies, and audio at formed.org.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING Have the Choir sing for your next Christmas Party

Have the St. Boniface Adult Choir sing at your next Christmas Party. The Choir can provide background music during dinner, lead everyone in a sing-along, or carol to guests as they arrive. The choice is yours! $50/half hour minimum suggested donation. Date and time to be arranged. Contact Jill Griffin at the Parish Office or jgriffin@st-boniface.com for more information.

All proceeds benefit the Choir’s trip to Rome next June.

THANK YOU

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported our Pancake Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus, as well the various vendors that were present. A good time was had by all! Thank you once again for your generous support! Please watch for more upcoming events. - St. Boniface Choir

Special Bingo Highland Knights of Columbus

12454 IL-143, Highland, IL 62249

Wednesday, January 4, 2017 - 7:30 p.m.

First Game Card Extra Payout $200.00

All Regular Games $100.00 All Specials $100.00

25th Game Coverall Consolation $100.00

Bingo License B1777 Snow Date Jan. 11, 2017 Questions? Call 654-9049 All proceeds donated towards

works of charity Highland Knights of Columbus

T I M E / T A L E N T / T R E A S U R E 8

Weekly Financial Report

Collection 12/11/2016

Envelope collection $14,594.00

EFT Contributions $6,457.00

Mail/Loose Contributions $1,193.34

Angel Fund (STB/FMCHS) $559.25

Fundraisers -

CCIF $27.00

Grant -

Memorial -

ACSA $85.00

Building Fund $21,600.00

Stole Fees -

Gift Shop $385.01

TOTAL INCOME $44,900.60

Budgeted Income $25,000.00

Overage/Shortage $19,900.60

Diocesan Collections $756.33

BONA-COUNTERS for Monday, December 19, 2016

Sue Papajcik, Tom Jacober and Nora Meyer

Stewardship

It is the final Sunday of Advent, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, yet because of the calendar in this year of 2016, Christmas is still a full week away. We may ask ourselves if we are prepared for Christmas, but that question may focus on the wrong things — we may be thinking of decorations and Christmas gifts and Christmas dinners.

However, the question we should be asking is “Are our souls ready for Christmas?” That should be the most important part of our Advent preparation. Is God present within us? Are we ready to welcome Christ? Do we acknowledge our need to be prepared for Christ’s Second Coming?

In his letter to the Romans, the Second Reading, St. Paul uses the phrase “the Spirit of holiness.” Paul, and in a more important way Christ Himself, calls us to holiness. Holiness is more than what we do; it has everything to do with what we are. It should do with our very identity. Holiness is characterized by our relationship with the Lord. We are waiting for Christ, but the reality is that Christ is waiting for us. God loves us; knowing and responding to that love is holiness.

St. Teresa of Calcutta may have said it best when she stated, “It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you. Yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at someone and offer them your hand.” Doing that is being holy, too; that, too, is stewardship.

Robin Hake, Business Manager rhake@st-boniface.com

Funeral Lunch Volunteers

December 2016 ~ Committee #4

Team Leader Jan Reilly with Barb Gieseking, Kaye Grezlak, Mary Kafka, Pat McBride, Claribel Ramsey, Lillian Rimkus, May Peradotti, Carol Schlueter, Connie Schwab, Mary Jo

Schmidt and Linda Ziolkowski

Retirement Fund for Religious

Your donation works for aging religious. “I read that roughly 95 percent of donations to the Retirement Fund for Religious aid senior religious,” a donor writes. “That’s wonderful when we truly want our donations to work.” Your gift works for elderly religious by helping to furnish medications, nursing care, and more. Please support this important collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious, and give to those who have given a lifetime in service to others.

Dave Ramsey’s

Financial Peace University

St. Mary's Parish in Edwardsville will be offering the Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University course January 11 - March 8, 2017. Video viewing begins at 6:30 p.m., discussion from 7:30-8:30 p.m. The cost is $75 per kit, scholarships available. Contact St. Mary's Parish Office at 618-656-4857 to register.

4th Sunday of Advent - The birth of the Messiah gives the church great hope. Although secular celebrations of Christmas ignore the significance of the holy day, the church gives us Advent to help us keep our focus. We reorient our hearts and minds to recall, once again, the mysterious glory of the Incarnation. In these weeks of yuletide preparation, we stop to remind ourselves

what it means to be Christian, in case we have begun taking it for granted. To be Christian is to believe that God is truly with us, in the most personal, intimate way imaginable; he is one of us! "They shall name him Emmanuel, which means 'God is with us.'" Through the Incarnation, God became human and lived among us to love us, to guide us, to heal us, and to strengthen us. It is the promise of a savior given through the early prophets, a promise that the faithful held dear as they waited. As that most beautiful of all anniversaries approaches, celebrate this season remembering the greatest gift ever given to every person--the gift of a Savior.

E V E R G R E E N A N N O U N C E M E N T S 9

LITURGICAL MINISTERS FOR NEXT WEEKEND —DECEMBER 24-25, 2016

Why do we give gifts at Christmas?

Great events in and of themselves are not tangible. They occur in life but leave no mark behind, nothing that someone could come across and know that something significant occurred. So we mark the event with monuments, holidays, gold watches or plaques, making a meaningful event tangible and memorable.

Gifts at Christmas do the same thing. They mark the occasion of the birth of Jesus, communicating a bit of the joy of the day by allowing us to be both giver and receiver. Gift-giving sets aside the day as special and different. The special foods, customs, decorations and gifts all help focus our attention on the importance and meaning of the day and at the same time allow us to share personally in its joy and happiness.

In giving gifts, though, we can share in the meaning of Christmas in a significant way. We imitate God in sharing with others. We give a bit of ourselves to others in the gifts we give, just as God gives us the gift of his Son. No wonder we often say that the best gifts are those that come from the heart. Given in love, these presents are wrapped in the best covering of all.

Ministries Christmas Eve—4:15 p.m. Christmas Eve—10:15 a.m. Christmas Day—8:15 a.m.

Ministers of Holy Communion

John and Jenny Sanford 692-9815

Jennifer Bauer Becky Croft Dean Croft

Chris Durkee Roger Frank

Shawna Heddinghaus Erin Hentz Barb Leardi

Keith Lueking Suelaine Matthews

Kathlene Ratkewicz Robin B. Rubenstein

Alan Rubenstein Barb Sutorius

Randy Uebinger

Jerry Davis Benna Denue

Lesia Frey Terry Frey

Aaron Jatcko Marc Kamp

Shirley Lanham Jacob Licklider

Angela Paul Pamela Starnes

Mary Westerhold

Leone Burns Debbie Caulk

Mary Haarmann Katie Hastings (sub req.) Doug Hastings (sub req.)

Joe Hines Jan Jurkus

Stephen Miller Jan Reilly

Ron Schmidt Mary Wood

Readers Barb Leardi 656-3917

Randy Uebinger Chris Amick Jan Caban

Anna Stamer Katie Serfas Ryan Serfas

Robin Hake Tim Harr

Stephen Miller

Ushers David & Susie Knetzer

960-5677

Roger Frank Brian Jones

Kevin Kretzer Georgann Lautner Randy Otrembiak Alan Rubenstein

Greg Stovall Keith Sutorius

Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed

Gary Denue William Lanham

Albert Schug Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed

Steve Haarmann Ray Kerkemeyer

Gary Ladd Randy Otrembiak

Cliff Sachs Bill Schwarz

James Trebing David Viox

Sacristan Mary Westerhold

656-6536 Allan Ratkewicz Mary Westerhold Sharon Hengehold

Greeters Nora Meyer

656-5248

Myrtle Ahart Janice Boyer Chris Durkee Betty Franke

Benna Denue Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed

Debbie Caulk Barb Harr Tim Harr

Mary Jo Schmidt

Cantors Jill Griffin 610-6972

Children’s Choir & Ensemble

Adult Choir & Orchestra

Choir & Handbells

A Christmas Prayer

Heavenly Father, We celebrate the birth of Your Son, Jesus, remembering the words of the angels on the night of His birth, “Peace on earth to all of good will.” Today, as never before, Almighty God, we pray for Your loving peace. May peace be the guiding force in the hearts of our world leaders. May peace reign in every corner of the globe and in the hearts of every man, woman and child upon this earth. This Christmas and always, may we embrace Your wonderful gifts with courage and conviction. In doing so, we will also be embracing Your greatest gift to us, Your Son, the Prince of Peace!

Amen