Saint Clare of Assisi, Pray for Us!

St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church 1411 Cross Street O’Fallon, IL 62269

618/ 632-3562 www.stclarechurch.org

Fr. Jim Deiters Pastor Dennis Vander Ven Deacon John Gomez Deacon Marcia Fix Parish Secretary Jamae Shubirg Administrative Assistant Ed Seipp Business Manager Patrick Jurgensmeyer Facilities Manager Stephen Eros Music and Liturgy Director Jane Dotson Family Faith Formation Matt Flynn Adult Faith and Mission

ST. CLARE SCHOOL 632-6327

214 West Third Street, O’Fallon, IL Clarice McKay Principal

MT. CALVARY CEMETERY 632-3562

Paulo D’Amico

PARISH TRUSTEES

Michael Crupe

John Dempsey

ST. VINCENT DEPAUL 632-4270

Emergency Assistance

WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE Saturday 5:00 p.m. Sunday 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

BAPTISM—Preparation classes for parents are offered every other month for infant baptism. Call the Parish Office to sign up. Adults wishing to be baptized should also call the Office.

RECONCILIATION—Saturdays 3:30 - 4:30 or by appointment. Community celebrations are also offered every Advent and Lent.

MATRIMONY—Contact Pastor a year prior.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK—Communal celebrations twice a year, or by appointment.

We, the people of St. Clare Catholic Parish, In the Diocese of Belleville, are called by God

in baptism to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Centered in the Eucharist, and strengthened

by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we strive to live the Gospel and further the reign of God.

We do this by creating a vibrant faith community, by actively promoting justice and evangelization, and by using our gifts in the service of God’s people, to give God

glory and reverence all of Creation.

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 9, 2018

Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton Bishop of Belleville

From Our Pastor, Fr. Jim...

Recent Deaths: Emma Bugger, Grandmother of Andee (Bob) Picchietti, Aunt of Ed (Judy) Bugger Grace Regutti, Mother of Dorette (Mark) Arbogast, Grandmother of Ryan, Shannon and Sarah May they rest in the peace and light of Christ!

A Great Christmas Gift for You and Others: A GOOD CONFESSION! Please make time for our Parish Reconciliation Service this Thursday, December 13. Seven other pr iests will be here for individual confessions. I want to strongly encourage you to join us for this great sacrament that many of us shy away from for various reasons. Perhaps it has been many years and you don’t know ‘where to start’ with a confession. We provide a simple worship aid with the “Act of Contrition” prayer so you do not need to worry about the ‘how to.’ What is most important is to take the time to make a good examination of conscience. There are many forms of an examination and can easily be found through a search on the Web. Basically an examination can use one of the following options, reflecting on how I have lived up to them: 1. Prayer time with the 10 Commandments. 2. The Great Commandments of Jesus: Love of God, self and neighbor. 3. The theological virtues: Faith, Hope, Love. Making a good confession can be the best thing we can do not only for our relationship with God but it is just as helpful for our relationships with family and friends. We may have past hurts, resentments, built up anger, feelings of distance, or a sense of failure in our relationships. A good examination is simply asking our self, “What do I need to change in myself to be a better parent, spouse, friend, son or daughter, disciple?” A good confession is a great Christmas gift to your family, friends, and yourself, since God sets us free to be more alive, hope-filled, and filled with joy. Please come this Thursday, December 13, 7:00 PM! If you cannot make Thursday night, there are other nights available as listed in the bulletin. Come celebrate God’s unconditional love and mercy! God’s Peace, Fr. Jim Deiters

December 8 Therese Spellman Cathy Sweeney Stephen Duckworth Kim Knaust Juan Garcia Miles Vandiver David Bereda Wyatt Fix Lochlan Meek Lillienne Meek Gianna Kinsch December 9 Kathleen Thomas Mary Huller Becky Gonzalez Elizabeth Kaiser Danielle Kortkamp Jack Bertulis Benjamin Raybourn Ava Ferguson Anianna Neiman Kennedy Prosser Luna Zurliene December 10 Stephanie Kombrink Scott Mountford Denise Roberts Jonathan Hamby Amanda Pankey Hannah Strohm Hayden Strohm December 11 Marilyn Obal Joyce Correale Parker Crain December 12 Mike O’Donnell Stephanie Chambers Amber Hardy Jacob Knaust Hannah Cullen Jaxon Ladowitz Audrey Brown

December 13 Daryl Spencer Lucia Barragan Robert Eberhart Luke Roberts Mandy Werle Ana Logue Caitlin Barrow Halle Hites December 14 Sandy Walter Robert Kirchgessner Kevin Karrigan Patricia Cavins Lee Milo Travis Wheeler Gayle Schulte Jessica Vargas Ashley Borawski Courtney Wisnasky Molly Allen Emma Roberts Indy Johaningmeyer December 15 Carol Burk Renee Ignatz Mike Hollenkamp Kathy Newcomb Tom Fergus Gerald Spencer Arnelle Davis Xavier Romero Ben Cullen Eli Garcia December 16 Lilia Levrault Chuck Currier Jacqueline Teeling Natalia Melendez Danielle Schnable Doug Mennerick Drew Wise Alissa Wieman Katelyn Sternberg Reynaldo Tavares

Please pray for the sick, their loved ones and caregivers: Bill Bettorf, Mike Carroll, Claudene Chunn, Dianne Clark, Joyce Correale, David Dempsey, Tom Dernbach, Theresa Gilreath, Jean Green, Rita Haukapp, Margaret Heinke,

Tom and Mary Herbert, Kennah Hiestand, Susan Isaak-Lolis, Liz Klingler, Ami Kovach, Babe Papproth, Dawn Papproth Kuhn, Pennie Pavlisin, George Peach, Paul Riley, Megan Saldanha, Mary Ann Seipp, Ken Sternberg, John Tiemann, Patricia Weiler

Please call the parish office or email marciafix@yahoo.com if you have a family member that is homebound or in the hospital and would like their name included in the bulletin.

Readings of the Week December 10—17 Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9-14; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Is 40:1-11; Ps 96:1-3, 10ac, 11-13; Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47, or any readings from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, nos. 707-712 Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80: 2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Sunday: Zep 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-6; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18

MASS INTENTIONS

Saturday, December 8 Second Sunday of Advent 5:00 p.m. Melvin Seipp Sunday, December 9 Second Sunday of Advent 8:30 a.m. Joseph Rademacher James Papproth 10:30 a.m. Jane Isselhart Frances and Lalo Alvarado Monday, December 10 Advent Weekday No Noon Mass 11:00 a.m. Funeral of Emma Bugger Tuesday, December 11 Advent Weekday, Saint Damasus I, Pope 7:30 a.m. Bob Gage 8:30 a.m. Mass in School Chapel Wednesday, December 12 - No Mass Our Lady of Guadalupe Thursday, December 13 Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr 8:30 a.m. Mass in School Chapel Friday, December 14 Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church 7:30 a.m. George and Donna Bender Carl and Doris Larsen Saturday, December 15 Third Sunday of Advent 5:00 p.m. Clete Schwaegel Bill Munie Sunday, December 16 Third Sunday of Advent 8:30 a.m. Ed Kloustermeyer Cy and Lucy Weissert 10:30 a.m. Mary Mennerick Eric Jines

Next Weekend: December 15/16 Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Saturday 5:00 Kevin Mulheran, Brigid, Katelyn & Stephanie Sternberg Nancy Buttimer, Ricardo Cumba, Jack & Patti Leisure Ann Millikin, Mark & Amie O’Connor, Jeff & Pat Taylor Sunday 8:30 Kathy DeVan, Andrea Picchietti, Ken & Jeanne Smith Jeanette Giebels, Leslie Goldberg, Jaclyn Gross Donna Meyers, Alex Schillinger, Tina Whitlow, Sara Wise Sophie & Susan Wilkerson 10:30 Hanna & Heather Ertel, Joe LaSalvia, Michele Taylor Lindsay Goldberg, Krystle Hatter, Dan & Kris Kimutis Patty Klingelhoefer, Kitty Luehrs, Beth Reichenbach Christopher & Tara Sill Readers Saturday 5:00 Barbara Calandro & Stacey Cutter Sunday 8:30 Bill Matzker & Katie Szwedo 10:30 Dan & Tara Ashbaker Servers Saturday 5:00 Matthew Legg, Jack Eberhart, Natalie Spain 8:30 Matthew Range, Brady Luechtefeld, Ethan & Ryan Schillinger 10:30 Olivia Ponciroli, Joseph & William Kinsella, Drew Taylor Ushers Saturday 5:00 David Barnes, Jett Cates, Josh Gansauer Eric Sheesley, Scott Voss, John Winkelmann Sunday 8:30 Justin Alberico, Jim Hendricks, Pat Jurgensmeyer Mike Lafferty, Ryan Luechtefeld, Bob Picchietti Sunday 10:30 Paulo D’Amico, Joe Ertel, Tom Knaust John Meise, Blaine Phillips, James Taylor Gift Bearers Saturday 5:00 Luke, Ashley, Emma, Avery & Anniston Roberts Sunday 8:30 Lynette Gage & Sharon Ripplinger 10:30 Ron & Laura Polillo Greeters Saturday 5:00 Rose Brennan, Yvonne Earley, Jeannie Haukapp Erin Prest, Jenny Vogt, Carol Williamson 8:30 Dennis Collins, Jaclyn & Catherine Gross, Judy Lemansky Aileen Motowski, Leah Wilson 10:30 Anne Shambro, Connor, Holden, Kirstie & Mariah Chapple Sound Board Saturday 5:00 Sunday 8:30 Gregory Timpson 10:30 Gary Borges

Bread Bakers Judy Lemansky, Sarah Mattingly, Dave Pierson

Children’s Word Saturday 5:00 Theresa Voss & Sophia Cherry Sunday 8:30 Alicia & Madison Luechtefeld 10:30 Amanda & Zeke Huber

Nursery 8:30 Carolyn Howk & Jeremy Walker 10:30 Alexis Cotto & Melissa Lewis

Choir 8:30 Women’s Schola 10:30 SATB Choir

Christmas Mass Schedule: December 24 at 4:30 and 11 p.m. December 25 at 10:00 a.m. (Prelude Music 30 min. before Mass)

Your Giving November 24/25

Weekly Envelope $ 18,332.00 WeShare $ 9,654.33 Direct Deposit $ Total Tithe $27,986.33 Church Mortgage $ 9,734.00

Our parish is blessed to have two different processional crosses for use at Mass. The carved, wooden cross used most often came from our original church and dates back to the late 1800’s. The other is the large, ornate silver Ethio-pian Coptic cross we carry in procession during the litur-gical seasons of Advent, Christmas and Easter. This unique and beautiful piece of religious art will be depicted on our limited-edition parish Christmas ornament this year. You can make this image a part of your own Christmas celebration by taking home one of our beautiful porcelain ornaments depicting the Coptic Cross on the front and this passage from Philippians on the back: “Jesus emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, coming in human likeness.” The ornament is the 11th in a series of collec-tors’ ornaments featuring the art and architecture of our church. Ornaments will be sold for $10 each after weekend Masses starting December 1. Proceeds benefit the parish’s building fund. For questions or for more in-formation, contact Ellen Gravlin at 531-9151. A detailed story on this cross is featured in our current edition of The Eye Opener!

Re-Gifting with a Purpose! Like all college students, seminarians can benefit

from an occasional “Care Package”.

Please consider donating a Gift Card, whether it be new or a “re-gifted”

card you are unable to use. All Cards Are Appreciated:

Department Stores Gas Stations Restaurants Cash Cards

You may send the cards to the parish office or mail to Office of Vocations, 2620 Lebanon Ave., Belleville 62221

Our vocation starts as an in-dwelling, with the quiet whisper of God’s pull on our heart. It’s often personal and difficult to describe to others and often takes much prayer and discernment to see clearly. Are we to become another John the Baptist - that “voice of one crying out in the desert”?

St. Francis de Sales reflected on this individual nature of our call, “We all have a vocation. We believe that God has placed us in this life to fill a special need that no one else can accomplish.”

Thank you for your generous contributions to St. Vincent de Paul! If you are interested in getting involved with St. Vincent de Paul after hearing our speakers at Mass this weekend, please contact them at 632-4270 for more information.

St. Vincent de Paul Needs Blankets and Coats!

Cold winter weather has arrived and the St. Vincent de Paul Society desperately needs blankets and coats to distribute to those in need. Gently used or new coats of all types in all sizes for all ages—and blankets of all types/sizes are being requested. Items can be dropped off at the St. Vincent de Paul office located at #13 Vieux Carre Drive, Suite 2, East St. Louis (Loisel Village area, immediately off Route 157 across from the Save-A-Lot grocery) or call Joe Hubbard or Pat Hogrebe at 618-394-0126 for additional information. Warm your heart by keeping someone warm—check your closets and donate a coat or blanket today!

Advent

Reconciliation Services

Advent: Rethinking the Season

Advent is an odd season. Unlike most other seasons, it’s a

season that isn’t about itself, but is instead about preparing for Christmas. But that reality often gets lost in the shuffle and

stress of trying to find all the right gifts, deco-rations and dinner ingredients. In this talk, Dr. Tim Gray uses storytelling and the readings of the Old Testament to explain that we need to live the ‘preseason’ of Advent well, so we can be prepared to welcome and receive the great-

est gift God the Father wants to give us at Christmas: His Son, Jesus.

Stop by our Lighthouse Kiosk in the Gathering Space to find excellent Catholic CDs and books for gifts!

Masterworks Christmas Concert

At St. Clare Sunday, December 9

at 7:30 p.m. Featuring Christine Brewer

“Glorious Night” A Christmas Concert with the Daughters of St. Paul

Sunday, Dec. 9 & Monday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. Chaminade High School, Skip Virach Center

425 South Lindberg, St. Louis Pauline.org/STLconcert or call 314-965-6935

Belleville Philharmonic Sunday, December 9

3:00 p.m. St. Luke Church 301 N. Church Street

Belleville, IL

Dec 9 Blessed Sacrament, Belleville 3:00 pm Dec 9 Immaculate Conception, Columbia 3:00 pm Dec 10 St. Augustine, Belleville 6:30 pm Dec 10 St. Joseph, Lebanon 7:00 pm Dec 11 Holy Childhood, Mascoutah 7:00 pm Dec 12 St. Luke, Belleville 6:30 pm Dec 12 St. Nicholas, O’Fallon 7:00 pm Dec 13 St. Clare 7:00 pm Dec 16 Cathedral of St. Peter Noon—5:00 pm

Did you know that 11 St. Clare parishioners are going to visit Our Lord of Esquipulas parish, our sister parish in Guatemala?

Matt Flynn, Laura Polillo, Jim and Rachel Sabella,

Andrea and Bob Picchietti, Angeles Moran, Winnie and Liam Kenney,

and Judy and Percy Menzies

Please also check out the updated bulletin board and brochure for the

Guatemala Scholarship in the hallway.

Dec 9 Advent Anticipation Celebration 6—7:30 in Youth Room

Dec 15-16 Pick up study bags after Mass

Dec 16 No Meeting...Study for finals

Dec 16 Luke 18 meeting at St. Nicholas

Dec 23 & 30 No Youth Group Meetings

Youth Room is located on the bottom floor of St. Clare School, 214 W. 3rd Street

Enter through the middle doors, go downstairs.

St. Clare Parish School of Religion

Dec 9 PSR Class

Dec 16 PSR Class

Dec 23 No PSR (Christmas Break)

Dec 30 No PSR (Christmas Break)

Jan 6 PSR Class CPP Training for all students

Bringing fun and faith together for an awesome weekend retreat. January 18—20, 2019 at St. Clare School High school students: Thanks to our students that applied to be Luke 18 Leaders. The application period has ended. You will be notified by email and postcard if your application is accepted. All high school leaders must attend these 2 planning meetings: Dec. 16 (grades 9-12) 10:30 Mass at St. Nicholas, meeting after. Jan. 6 (grades 9-12) 11:45 a.m. meeting at Corpus Christi Parish Hall

8th graders: Cost is $50 Payable to St. Clare Church (Luke 18) Registration & pay-ment increases to $90 after 11/14. Registration closes on December 11. Register at www.stclarechurch.org/luke18 or contact your parish youth leader for more information.

Luke 18

First Communion Parent Education Night with Fr. Jim is Thursday, January 24 from 6:30—8 p.m. All parents of First Communion Students must attend.

Wintertime sparkles at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows as the Annual Way of Lights

Christmas Display illuminates the grounds. Since 1970, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate have invited one and all to make the Way of Lights a part of their family tradi-tion! This breathtaking display focuses on the birth of Christ, the one true light of the world.

Way of Lights Hours: Indoor Activities and Outdoor Light Display 5—9 p.m. nightly Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Day (outdoor light display will remain open)

Family Night Tuesdays...Tuesday is a fabulous night to visit the Way of Lights to avoid large crowds and enjoy discounts on activities such as carriage rides and camel rides! Family Night Discounts:

As always, enjoy the beauty of the Way of Lights, visit the Christmas Tree Room, Wreaths, Children's Christmas Cove and listen to choirs...free.

New!! Food Trucks available on the church parking lot. Visit Snows.org/WOL

♦ Kettle Corn 50 cents off any size Buy one, get one free on carrots to feed the animals ♦ Camel and Pony Rides $1.00 off Lego Bricks Display $1.00 off adult and children

UPCOMING EVENTS AT ST. CLARE SCHOOL

“Happily Forever A er” 3rd & 4th grade musical

Dec 13/14 at 6:30 p.m. in School Gym

Catholic Schools Week Sunday, January 27—Saturday, February 2

Open House Sunday, January 27 from 1:30—3:00 p.m.

ALTAR ANGELS DECEMBER 15 Jan Butler, Arlene Cruz-Peel Kathy DeVan, Linda Riedel, Sharon Ripplinger

**BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS Sunday, December 16 at 1:30 in the Church Library *Please note the date change!! for any parents that have not attended a Baptismal prep class and wish to schedule a Baptism. Please RSVP to the parish office.

ST. CLARE SENIORS CHRISTMAS PARTY Monday, December 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall Please bring a side dish or dessert and a $5 gift for the gift exchange game. Anyone over 55 from any parish is invited to join our group for evenings of great food, lots of laughs and a variety of entertainment and guest speakers. For information contact Judy at 632-4074.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDY BAG DONATIONS NEEDED Please con-sider donating packaged snack items, fruit, cans of soda or small bottles of Gatorade. Place on the west counter of the Fellowship Hall kitchen by Dec. 12. Come help fill the bags on Thursday, Dec. 13 from 6—7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

THE ALTAR SODALITY CHRISTMAS PARTY will be Monday, December 17 at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring a wrapped $5 gi which we will use for bingo prizes. If you would like to make a dona on of dish towels, dish cloths, pot-holders or calendars to be used in St. Vincent de Paul welcome baskets for those transi oning out of shelters to living on their own, please bring them that night. Please do not wrap these items. All women of the parish are invited to join us!

Altar Sodality Cookie Sale!

After Mass on December 8/9

Plates of 3 dozen, homemade, assorted cookies are $12.

Young Adult Christmas Social Saturday, December 15 at 5 p.m.

At John and Lisa Harter’s house. Bring food and drink to share. Please indicate if you need babysitting (in their home) when you RSVP to Matt at matthewflynn5@gmail.com

Crusaders of St. Jude Charity Christmas Tree Lot located at 406 West Highway 50 in O’Fallon Monday through Friday 5—9 p.m. Saturday 10—6 p.m. Sunday Noon—6 p.m.