207 VANDALIA STREET · COLLINSVILLE, IL 62234

Contact Information Parish Office: 207 Vandalia Street Phone 345-4343 Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 AM-4:00 PM Friday 8:30AM-3:30 PM

Parish Center 301 Vandalia

School 210 N. Morrison 344-5450

Parish Prayer Line 344-4108 Staff Rev. John P. Beveridge, Pastor Ext. 100 Deacon Jim Hill Ext. 104 Deacon Jimmy Ghiglione, Director of Faith Formation Ext. 101 Deacon Fernando Solomon Ext. 107 Patricia Kirk, Principal Ext. 200 Maggie Brennan, Director of Pastoral Care Ext. 111 Teri Lesicko, Director Finance & Development Ext. 105 Michelle Trimble, Accounting Manager Ext. 106 Camille Emig-Hill, Director HR & Communications Ext. 102 Kimberly Zagorski, Ext. 103 Faith Formation Coordinator Nick Robinson, Ext. 107 Music Director

Masses Weekend Saturday 4:30 PM Sunday 8:00 AM & 10:30 AM Weekday Monday Communion Service 8:15 AM Tuesday - Friday 8:15 AM First Friday Masses 8:15 AM Holy Day Masses Eve of Holyday 6:30 PM Holyday 8:15 AM & 6:30 PM

Sacraments Confessions: Saturday 3:00-4:00 PM Thursday before First Friday 4:00 PM until all are heard Marriage: Contact the parish office. Annulments & Counseling: Ariel Martin 618-667-2113 Baptism: Contact the parish office for registration forms and scheduling information.

Visit our Website saintspeter-paul.org

Catholic Church Ss. Peter & Paul

Liturgy

Collections for 12/02/2018

Envelopes/Loose $13,672

Parish Improvements 121

Angel Fund 172

Annual Fund 791

Holy Cross 242

Special Collections 1,141

TOTAL $16,139

Angel Fund Red Bag Tuition

Assistance

This Weekend December 15-16

Saturday December 22, 4:30 pm Lector: Kelly & Dave Stelmach Music: Glory Choir w/ J Butterfield Gifts: The family of Angelle Pisetta Servers: Jack Starr, Kaylee Cook, Joanne Palmes Communion Ministers: Russ & Linda Fette, Eva Giovando, Maria Juarez, Beverly McDonald, Debbie Tidball, Stephanie Tidball, Ed Welle Intention: Angelle Pisetta

Sunday December 23, 8:00 am Lector: Chip Awalt & Jean Fournie Music: Jamie, Joan, Judy w/ N Robinson Gifts: The Benyr Family Servers: Jack O’Hara, Dakota Shaver, Lucas Roedl, Luke O’Hara* Communion Ministers: Rita Heimann, Laura & Tom O’Hara, Mary Kay Ole, Mary Louise Rauh, Jodi Roedl Intention: Rita Cloin

Sunday December 23, 10:30 am Lector: Dana Metzger & Judi Schutzenhofer Music: Marty, Jean, Roseann w/ N Robinson Gifts: The Family of Shirley Steinwagner Servers: Mindy Smith, Mia Wilson, Jordan Wilson, Katie Bone Communion Ministers: Mike Benker, Terry & Judy Falline, Terry & Sarah Lanter, Bob & Debbie Sanders, Richard Schutzenhofer Children’s Liturgy of the Word: Laura Tosi & John Brennan Nursery: Betty Greer & Jaime Greer Intention: Shirley Steinwagner

Auditor’s Schedule Sunday, December 23 Team #6 Barb & Mike Hasamear, Ed Rakowski, MaryAnn Allred, Leona Peskar

Server’s Schedule 8:15 am For weekdays Tuesday, December 18 thru Wednesday, December 19 Hanna Small, Emily Small, Kassidy Walker, Elsa Biermann*, Skyla Arana* Thursday, December 20 thru Friday, December 21 Will Swip, Wyatt Biermann, Lyle Biermann, Elsa Biermann*, Skyla Arana*

Mass Intentions Monday, December 17 8:15 am Communion Service Tuesday, December 18 8:15 am Vernon Deason All School Mass Wednesday, December 19 8:15 am Bill Oestreich Thursday, December 20 8:15 am Diodoro Yanuario, Sr. Friday, December 21 8:15 am Mary Childress All School Mass Saturday, December 22 4:30 pm Angelle Pisetta Sunday, December 23 8:00 am Rita Cloin 10:30 am Shirley Steinwagner

ZIGGY’S FOCUS: What is the best gift you can give to your family and your “non-family” best friend? ZIGGY’S OFFERING: The answer is simple, and it’s FREE: Give them a big hug and say, “I love you.”

Parish Office Holiday Closures

The Parish Office will be closed for the Holidays on Monday, December 24, Tues-day, December 25 and Tues-day, January 1.

From the Desk Of Fr. John Thanks to the team who presented our half day retreat Saturday, Dec. 8. It was a time of reflection and prayer…a real Advent theme of preparing the way of the Lord. Thanks to those who presented and shared their faith and reflec-tions. Thank you also goes to the Parents & Friends who planned and presented the Winter Wonder-land Craft/Vendor Fair last Saturday. We kind of joked about the retreat and fair going on at the same time…Shop & Pray…or…Pray & Shop…either way it turned out good for everyone. Thanks also to all the presenters…it was a good time. (Staff and Faculty Christmas Lunch will be this Friday, Dec. 21…during the lunch break…and a little more.) We often remember events connected with things happening in the world around us. It helps us put a time frame that localizes our memory. St. Luke did that with the Gospel lesson of the coming of Christ. Luke helped us to remember who was the Emperor and all the political leaders of his day. But…they were not the real focus of his writing. Luke wanted us to hear John the Baptist…a voice crying out to pre-pare the way of the Lord. Luke tells us that the Word of the Lord came to John in the desert. It was not given to the high and mighty…or in the big and important cities of the world. Rather, it was given to this simple man…John…and it took place in the desert! John was chosen to be the spokesperson for the Lord. He was to call people to be ready and prepared for the coming of the Kingdom of God…the very person of God. The preparation that John asked of them was an interior change of heart…and an exterior change of lifestyle. But, it all began with a call to a ‘baptism of repentance.’ That was not to be just a ritual washing…but a step toward a life change…a mind change…a heart change. As they stepped into the water, they were choosing

to say they believed that the time was at hand…that God was breaking into their lives and they needed to be ready to welcome Him. So the message of John is appropriate for us during this season. As they were called to pre-pare for the coming of the Lord…so are we called to prepare our lives…homes…and world. The lesson continues for this Third Week of Advent from the Gospel of Luke…we hear again the voice of John the Baptist who con-tinues to instruct us. The people of John’s day wanted to know just how to prepare for the Messiah and the Kingdom of God. There had been several movements…radical, political, and even militaristic (which would end up in the late 60s and the year 70 with total destruction of Je-rusalem). So the questions that were asked of John were very timely. Folks came from different walks of life. They had real concerns that they might not be wel-comed or invited to share the joy of the King-dom. So their questions were sincere and an urgent call to John to help them…and John will-ingly answered them…but not in a way they might have expected. John the Baptist called for a change of heart and life…a real moral trans-formation of how they were living. The challenge of John’s day and the time of Je-sus was a real social disaster. The political time was one of oppression and repression…it was just the way things were under Roman rule. That had to change…to prepare for God’s Rule over the hearts and lives of people. So the Bap-tist called the people…all of the people…all ranks and levels of society…to a change of heart. We need to heed his word and put justice into practice!

Please pray for the following men and women

who are serving in our armed forces:

Discipleship: A Way of Life - Prayer & Service

Remember In Your Prayers

Bob Burg Joe Giacoletto Ed Ruef Estelle Rangle The Ferguson Family Liz Sanchez-Setser Sandy Walter Mary Ann Ellis Terri Koehler Donna Fick Peggy & Dennis Diaz Laura & Rick Suria & Family Stephanie Hagen Anna Kussmann Judy Lucas Ferrin Marcia Crites Katie Klaas Dominik Kuhl Noah Rensing Virginia & Fern Clementi Sandy & Tim Day Blake Bohnenstiehl Rosemary Chadwick Kaye Blaylock Katie Ziegler Tim Cadagin Brian & family Dee McCameron Greg Weber

Wayne Rick Dianne Loyet Liberty Lawrence Fr. Nino Viviano Richard Schmidt Camille Emig-Hill Rob A. Helen Levinski Bob Welle Lisa (Koke) Bohnenstiehl Dolly Livingston Diane Schwinn Bob & Karen Kruetzkamp Luke Brandt Ken Zampaglione Ann Boulch Priscilla Bober Jim Steinwagner, Jr. Joan Kotarba Jackson Kettenbach Jeanne Wilde Kelsey Dudici Ed Welle Bob Ebersoldt Pray for Families Expecting/Adopting: Anavel Ramirez Tara Shevlin and Joshua Ruger

Maj Matthew Derfler Army MSgt Glen Davis Air Force Cpl Larry Tyler Marine Corps MSgt Adam Mercer Air Force SSgt Britt M. Sherman Army Capt Michael A. Shah Army Capt Jacob Lewis Marine Corps Lcpl Juan A. Gonzales Marine Corps Pvt Monica Gonzalez Army Fc3 Matthew Wehmeyer Navy Lcpl Michael I. Guide Marine Corps SSgt Daniel Husbands Air Force MSgt Hugh Weise Marine Corps Lt Joshua A. Reeder Navy Pfc Gary Voegtle Army Maj Michael W. Meyer, Jr.

CW04 Jerry Hunter Army SSgt Ben Bohnenstiehl

Air Force

AOM Ed Clark Navy SrA Mark Kimball Air Force 2Lt Adam Fischer Marine Corps SSgt David Bednara Air Force 2Lt Scott Heimann Army AOM Jack Matthews Navy Col Ed Hulten Army CPO Edward Mahoney Navy SrA Kelly Mahoney Air Force Maj Natalie Walker Marine Corps Pvt Sam Asbury Army Sgt Daniel Manning Air Force David Zagorski Natl Guard LCpl Dominic Blackburn

Marine Corps

2Lt Nathen Walker Navy MMFN Seth C. Popov Navy Amn Manny K. Soto Air Force Ens. Bobby Bitzer Navy 2Lt Zachary Auer Air Force

With Sympathy

We extend our deepest sympathy to

The Greer family on the death of their

grandmother/mother-in-law

Rest in Peace

Delores Oberto Rick Bloemer

Sharon Modglin

Ss. Peter and Paul School News KNIGHTS KNEWS: Mon. Dec. 17: KC Meeting Rosary 6:30 pm; Meeting 7 pm Tues. Dec. 18: Wing Ding 4-7:30 pm Thurs. Dec. 20: Bingo! Noon Mexican Menu: 99-cent tacos, $2 Margaritas Queen of Hearts Drawing 8 pm Grand Prize approximately $39,000 Fri. Dec. 14: Fish Fry Team #1

Knights of Columbus Tues., Dec 18 Advent Rosary 1:40 p.m. Fri., Dec 21 11:15 am dismissal, End of 2nd Quarter, begin Christmas Break Thurs., Jan 3 Classes Resume Fri., Jan 4 Student of the Month after 8:15 am Mass, 3 Kings Visit School Wed., Jan 9 Papa John’s Pizza Night Fri., Jan 11 Honor Roll Presentation after 8:15 am Mass Fri., Jan 18 NO BUS SERVICE. Unit 10 is off. SSPP has FULL DAY of school. Mon., Jan 21 NO SCHOOL. Martin Luther King Day

New to Our Parish?

Welcome !

Please fill out a yellow information card found in the basket at the Welcome Desk in the

Gathering Space

Volunteers are needed for the KC Friday Fish Fry, one of its biggest fund raisers. All are invited, including families. There are three teams that ro-tate every three weeks. The fish fry is from 4 pm-7:30 pm. Shifts start at 4 pm or 5:30 pm. Jobs include: DINING ROOM: cashier, selling desserts, cleaning tables, stocking con-diments. KITCHEN: filling or-ders, dishwasher, clean up. FRY HOUSE: bread fish, fry fish, fries, hush puppies, and clean up. If you want to see what it en-tails to work the fish fry, let us know and we will be happy to show you the job or jobs you may be interested in. If you are interested in finding out more, call Hall Manager Ashley Becerra at 345-1492.

Volunteers Needed;

All Invited

Scrip is a fundraising program that uses shopping with gifts cards. The school earns a re-bate on every gift card you purchase. Whether you buy the gift cards to give as pre-sents or use them for your everyday shopping, your order immediately raises funds for the school without your paying any extra money.

Scrip for Sale After Masses

Support Ss. Peter and

Paul School while shopping

December 15 4:30 December 16 10:30

Still Time to Get Holiday Nuts Pecan Halves, Cashews, Mixed Nuts & English Walnuts.

A limited amount of Black Walnuts, Toasted/ Salted Pecan Halves and Sliced Almonds

$10 each for 1 pound bag

Sold in the Gathering Space before/after various Masses

A portion of the net proceeds will be donated to the Annual Fund and to the 8th grade class trip

FORMED

Remember to register at FORMED.org

Parish Code: 6BR7BZ

Grief Sharing Group

December 18 10 am St. Anthony Room (church lower level)

Those experiencing any type of grief (death of a loved one, home, job, etc.) are invited

Please RSVP 345-4343 Ext. 111

Group meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month

The Board and Executive Di-rector of ABL (A Beacon of Light) Pregnancy Help Center announce the opening of the ABL office. Hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 am to 2 pm with other times by appointment only. Donations may be mailed or delivered to: ABL Pregnancy Help Center 6201 W. Main St. Suite 150 (Behind Casey's) Maryville IL 62062 Phone: 618-855-9774 Email: director@ ablpregnancyresource.org We would love for you to join us in serving our sisters and broth-ers in our communities and are looking for help in the following areas: Resources: Receive and sort donations of clothing, diapers/wipes, bottles, formula, toilet-ries, etc. As our space is lim-ited, large items need to be pro-posed to the board and execu-

tive director. All items donated should be new, with the excep-tion of clothes, which should be washed. Office and Administrative: Answering phones, setting ap-pointments, filing, processing intake forms, assisting clients and providing referral infor-mation. Office Cleaning: Once a week to include dusting, sweeping, mopping, windows and glass, bathroom and kitchenette. Peer Counselor: Using the LOVE Approach method from Heartbeat International, meet with clients to actively listen to their concerns, build a relation-ship, help them explore their options, identify Christ-centered vision and values for their lives, extend help for specific needs and empower them to make life choices based on their Christ-centered vision and values.

Training will be provided. Class facilitators: Experi-enced leaders and facilitators to give education classes on par-enting, budgeting, nutrition, and Natural Family Planning. The pregnancy center is also in need of the following items: 2-4 Guest/Reception Chairs—$98 each 1-2 Side Tables—$50 each Over Commode Storage Rack— $31 2.7 Cubic Foot Refrigerator—$150 Small Under Desk Filing Cabi-net with 2-3 drawers—$70-$125 6 Wall Clocks—$15-$25 each 5 Crucifixes—$15-$25 If you are interested in any of these serving opportunities, please contact Jamie at the ABL PregnancyCenter at 618-855-9774, or by email at direc-tor@ablpregnancyresource.org.

ABL Office Open; Service Opportunities Available

The Annual Collection for the

Catholic Children’s Home will be at

December 24 and December 25

Masses

Advent Opportunities at SSPP

Mass Schedule

Tuesday thru Friday—8:15 am Saturdays—4:30 pm

Sundays—8:00 & 10:30 am

Christmas Eve—Dec. 24—4:00 & 7:00 pm Christmas Day—Dec. 25—8:00 & 10:30 am

New Year’s Eve—Dec. 31– 4:00 pm New Year’s Day 9:00 am

Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays Dec. 22, 3:00-4:00pm

Rosary—Joyful Mysteries

Tuesday, Dec. 18, 1:40 pm with School Children

Giving Tree

Return wrapped gifts with tag attached By Dec. 16 to the Baptismal Room

Advent “Little Books” and “Word Among Us”

Reflections and Prayers for each day of Advent are available at the Church Doors.

Requested Donation—$2.00

Advent Resources on the Web

Go to Formed.org (password 6BR7BZ)or www.usccb.org/advent for a variety of Advent

resources, including a Family Advent Calendar, a Blessing for a Christmas tree, and much more!

Dec. 16, 2 pm: St. Boniface, Edwardsville Dec. 16, 7 pm: St. Jerome, Troy Dec. 20, 6:30pm: St. Ce-celia, Glen Carbon

Advent Penance Services

Christmas Decorations Please join us Sunday December 16 af-ter 10:30 Mass to put up the Christmas decorations. We appreciate everyone’s help. Please feel free to bring a snack or treat to share.

SOS Soup Kitchen Schedule

Thursday, December 20 Hosted by: Team 3

Cook Team: Carol Aubuchon, Joan Barrett, Mary Boehne, Marilyn Catalpa, Jeanne Connors, Liz Dalton, Nora Fraze, Barb Furfaro, Pat Schapp, Mary Ann Silhavy. NOTE: No casseroles need-ed for December. Fruit or brownies needed. Kitchen Workers: Dorothy An-son, Carol & Mel Aubuchon, Joan Barrett, Marilyn Catal-pa, Liz Dalton, Joyce Fitzger-ald, Nora & Tom Fraze, Barb & Pat Furfaro, Rita Heimann, Jerry Jesse, Becky Mathews, Aimee Mills, Kadie Ringering, Emma Payne, Mary Louise Rauh, Angela Rice, Maya Rice, Jim & Pat Schapp, Julie Schrenk, and Judy Thomp-son. Special Christmas meal is be-ing served. Everything but desserts will be provided by SOS. SSPP asked to bring fruit or a dessert.

A new and exciting ministry is starting at Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Janu-ary. Alpha is a series of sessions ex-ploring the Christian faith that runs over 11 weeks. Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. Al-pha sessions focus on three key areas:

We invite you to join us for the first Alpha session

Sunday, January 13 at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall

We encourage you to invite family and friends (Catholic or non-Catholic) to join in this unique opportunity. If you are interested or need more information, contact Missy Mark

at melissamark11@yahoo.com

Food Whether it’s a group of friends gathered around a kitchen table, or a quick catch-up over coffee, food has a way of bringing people to-gether. It’s no different at Alpha. We start with food, because it’s a great way to encourage community and get to know each other.

Then a Talk The talks are designed to engage and inspire conversation. General-ly, 30 minutes long, they explore the big issues around faith and un-pack the basics of Christianity, addressing questions such as Who is Jesus? and How can we have faith?

Followed by Discussion Probably the most important part of any Alpha is the chance to share thoughts and ideas on the topic, and simply discuss it in a small group. There’s no obligation to say anything. And there’s noth-ing you can’t say. It’s an opportunity to hear from others and contrib-ute your own perspective in an honest, friendly and open environ-ment.

DIVINE MERCY SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY

Our parish’s campaign for Divine Mercy Senior Living Community is in full swing! You may receive a phone call or a letter from Fr. John soon inviting you to participate in this campaign. In the meantime, we would like to tell you more details about Divine Mercy through our Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How se-ries. This week, we will answer your questions on “Who.” Who will this community serve? Local seniors who are looking for a faith-centered senior living com-

munity with a continuum of care. The average age of seniors entering these types of communities is 77 years old. We expect many seniors from the nearby parishes will reside in this community!

Who is Franciscan Ministries? Franciscan Ministries is a nonprofit organization with a deep experi-ence operating Catholic senior living communities. Franciscan Ministries, sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, owns and operates senior communities in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. This organization has been the diocese’s advisor for the past three years and will work alongside the diocese as Divine Mercy begins operations and hires staff. Visit franciscanministries.org to learn more.

Who has led the planning for Divine Mercy? Planning for Divine Mercy Senior Living Community has been a team effort. The vision of building a Catholic senior living community has been a priority for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and Bishop Paprocki for several years. Diocesan leaders working alongside Alton deanery pastors and lay have crafted plans for this project.

The Master Planning Committee continues to look at methods to improve the acoustics of our church. “We have a beautiful house of worship, but the acous-tics are not conducive to listening to an amplified presentation,” says Dennis Bouse, Master Plan Com-mittee. “The large vertical hard surfaces cause the sound to bounce around, creating echoes. This makes it a challenge for a person with normal hearing to un-derstand the presenter and almost impossible for a person with hear-ing aids to understand. “We have installed new micro-phones, amplifiers and a speaker array which has helped the sound situation for a person with normal hearing, but has not helped those with moderate to severe hearing loss who wear hearing aids.” To improve the acoustics for all, the committee is getting bids to

install sound absorbing panels on the church walls. “While new technology can aid in the design and configuration of these panels, there is a concern that it may not improve the acoustics,” says Den-nis. “We are also implementing a trial use of a hearing loop technol-ogy utilizing a t-coil in hearing aids,” says Dennis. Some hearing aids contain a telecoil or t-coil which picks up a magnetic field produced by a hearing loop. Hearing loops can be a loop of wire worn around a person’s neck or built into the walls, floor or ceil-ing of a large venue. These large hearing loop systems allow any-one with hearing aids that have a t-coil to hear announcements di-rectly into their hearing aid. The committee is conducting a study using the t-coil technology with some parishioners. This sys-tem will utilize the existing FM

wireless receivers which will con-nect to an around-the-neck hear-ing loop. They are also looking at installing a hearing loop around the interior walls of our church which would not require the use of the FM receivers or the neck hear-ing loop. In the meantime, if you have nor-mal to slight hearing loss and are having trouble hearing during Mass, you may want to sit in the middle of church or close to a speaker. If you have slight to moderate hearing loss and you do not have a hearing aid, please uti-lize the FM receivers with hearing buds located on the altar railing. Feel free to bring your own hear-ing buds for these receivers. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to be part of the t-coil study, please call the parish office at 345-4343.

Plans to Improve Church Acoustics

Thoughts for Our Advent Journey: In My Footsteps Retreat

Be A Disciple

We are all called to be disciples of Je-sus—whether

we like it or not or even if we think that it is not possible. Jesus loves us just the way we are—but He doesn’t want us to stay there. He meets us where we are but He wants to transform us. Prayer: Help me to be the person you want me to be and to do the things you want me to do.

Me A Disciple?

Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart. Will you let Him in? When Matthew was called, he left his money bags and followed Jesus. What money bags are we holding onto that keep us from putting Jesus in the center of our lives? A healthy prayer life is the start to answering His call. As you develop a personal relationship with Him, you will be amazed at how He changes your “want to-s” – the things you like to do and decide to do. Growing As A Disciple

Where are you in your relationship with Jesus? 1. Jesus is on the outside of my life. Not im-

portant to me at all. 2. Jesus is a part of my life. Important, but hon-

estly just one of many things. 3. Jesus is a part of some aspects of my life. I

know He’s there if I need Him. 4. Jesus is at the center of my life. The most

important part and motivation for all that I do. What would it take to get to #4?

The Apostles Teaching, Fellowship, the Breaking of Bread and Prayer “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42 The more we grow in prayer, in fellowship with other disciples, in our devotion to the Eucharist and informing our minds with the revelation of Christ, the more we encounter Jesus in our lives. We can’t grow as disciples on our own. We need the companionship of others on the same road. If we want to be healed, if we want to grow, if we want to better manage family life and our whole life—go to the sacraments. They are Christ’s gift to us where He unleashes His graces to us. What is your prayer life like? There are many ways to pray but the important thing is to realize that this is how you develop your relationship with Jesus.

Every Saint Has a Past...Every Sinner Has a Future There is hope for all of us. We just need to de-cide to follow Jesus then work on it every day. He meets us where we are and helps us change each day.