THE CROWN

A WORD FROM OUR PASTOR Despite the eerie powers of both Jesus and Santa Claus, Christmas does not just automati-cally happen. So I am very grateful to and wish to express my thanks to all who help to make Advent and Christmas joyous and beautiful seasons at Divine Infant. My sincerest thanks to our entire parish staff, all our musicians, sacristans, Liturgy Committee, Landscaping Commit-tee, Parish Pastoral Council, Women's Guild, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Commun-ion, ministers of care, altar servers, ushers, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Holy Name Men's Club, our School and Religious Education Program, Domestic Violence Ministry, and anyone

and everyone who came to church, sang, prayed, lit a candle, brought a gift for the Giving Tree, and did even the tiniest thing to welcome and worship Christ in his nativity. I am especially grateful this year for all who made the To Teach Who Christ Is campaign such a great suc-cess. Special thanks goes to the members of the Campaign Executive Committee and co-chairs Bill and Jeanie Juvancic and Susan Parker and to our recording secretary Amy Chenski. Thank you for all your hard work. And a Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! Seriously. I'm really tired. I totally need to go to bed early tonight. Zzzzzzzzz Fr. Michael

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

(Holy Day of Obligation) Masses

December 31, 2015—5:00 pm January 1, 2016—8:00 am & 10:00 am

WELCOME OUR R.C.I.A. CANDIDATE Since October, Alexander Delgado has been learning about Jesus Christ, His teachings and His Church. He has been listening to the Word of God, studying Scripture and learning the basic beliefs of our Catholic faith. Alexander is a candidate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). He is preparing to come into full communion with the Catholic Church and will receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist at Divine Infant. On Sunday, January 3 at the 9:30 AM Mass, we will formally welcome Alex to Divine Infant Parish and celebrate his ongoing spiritual journey in the Catholic faith. The Rite of Welcoming will be cele-brated at the beginning of the Mass. Please join us as we welcome Alex to our parish community, and pray for him. Light refreshments will be served in the narthex after Mass. Dr. Claudia Maria Dado, M.A.L. Director R.C.I.A.

CHRISTMAS LETTER FROM MINISTRY OF CONSOLATION

The Seasons of Advent and Christmas can be particularly challenging for those of us who are mourning the loss of loved ones. It is important that in anticipation of the festivities surrounding us, we do not lose sight of the authentic meaning of the coming of the long-awaited Messiah. Achieving spiritual balance during this time is more easily at-tained if we acknowledge to others our need to take care of ourselves and to honor the memory of our loved ones while still participating as much as is comfortable for us, in the celebration of Christmas. Scaling back on the many preparations for the day will decrease stress so we can concentrate on what is truly important. Rather than eliminate all the traditional activities once shared with your loved one, selecting one or two things which were the cus-tom, combined with a new tradition can keep them in your heart and give you renewed joy in celebrating the birth of Christ. Know that you are not alone. You are always God’s beloved son or daughter and your Divine In-fant parish family is keeping you in their prayers. The members of Ministry of Consolation wish you a very Blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with the peace of Christ. “For you a little child is born Of God’s own chosen maid this morn, A fair and tender baby bright To be your joy and your delight.” Dr. Claudia Maria Dado, M.A.L. Ministry of Consolation Coordinator

RECTORY OFFICE CLOSED The Rectory Office will be closed on Thurs-day, December 31st and Friday, January 1st for the New Year holiday.

THE HOLY FAMILY We celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Je-sus, Mary and Joseph within the octave of the Nativ-ity of the Lord and are reminded that we too are called to be holy, or set apart, and to give witness to the Christian life. In the model of the Holy Family we recognize how to pattern our daily lives through the gospel, conforming to the will of God. Jesus, Mary and Joseph were observant Jews following the cus-toms of the Mediterranean community, but they went beyond the culture, always heeding the word of God and acting on it. Scripture tells us while this was often a frightening challenge, they were open to re-ceive God’s word, whether in a dream, an angelic message or in prayer, and to trust in His ways. It was in the times when they could be quiet, away from any distractions, that they heard God’s call most clearly. Rather than trying to understand all that was asked of them, Jesus, Mary and Joseph responded with great courage and hope. We can learn from them how to shape our lives in accord with their example; without fear of being counter-cultural, for our ultimate destiny is union with God. The prayers of the liturgy affirm that in accepting the call to follow the example of the Holy Family, we will gain the joy of eternal life. In the Collect, we pray that “we may imitate them in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity, and so, in the joy of your house, delight one day in eternal re-wards.” While daily life presents us with compli-cated, difficult and perhaps scary circumstances par-ticular to our modern times, we can look to the Holy Family with hope and pray that “ to imitate constantly the example of the Holy Family, after the trials of this world, we may share their company for ever.” Dr. Claudia Maria Dado, M.A.L.

CHRISTMAS: LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS The Solemnity of Christmas marks the beginning of the Christmas Season. Our waiting now is ended. Christmas is a celebration of gift and promise--the gift of God made flesh, the Incarnation, and the promise of grace and truth, Eternal Life. God is no longer a stranger to us. He is one of us in the birth of His Son, but He is also Divine. Our liturgies are filled with joy, from the lights and evergreens decorating the Church, to the fragrance of burning incense, the chanting of the Christmas proclamation and the prayers that remind us God makes this day “radiant with the splendor of the true light.” Jesus shares in our humanity, including its pain and sorrow, so we can share in His Divinity. Through the Liturgy, our eyes, ears and hearts are opened and we receive the Light of Christ in the hymns, prayers, gestures and especially in the Eucharist. In turn, we become divine, and we are sent forth to be the light in the darkness of the world. We gather to-gether once separate, now joined in one heart and voice. May we shine as beacons of hope for all peo-ple as we pray, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Dr. Claudia Maria Dado, M.A.L.

CALLING 1ST GRADERS The Divine Infant Children’s Choir is welcoming 1st graders to join the group of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders as they prepare for the Lent and Easter sea-sons. Next rehearsal is Sunday, January 10, at 8:30 am in the music room of DI School. All rehearsals are Sundays at this time except when the children are scheduled to sing at mass. For more information or to let us know your 1st grade child is planning to join us, please email Mrs. Anne Nelson annenelson29@gmail.com or Mrs. Janet Reif jreif@me.com or call the rectory 865-8071 ext 302 and leave a message with your child’s name and your phone number or email address (email preferred). We are very pleased with the progress our Chil-dren’s Choir has made since they first started sing-ing together in March, 2014. We look forward to working with your child if he/she enjoys singing and can make the commitment to the practices and masses.

NEW YEAR, NEW JOB! Interfaith Career Network invites you to join us on Thursday, January 7 from 7-9 pm for our first meet-ing of 2016. Come prepared to be entertained and enlightened. Leave knowing your job search will be re-energized. Our speaker, Conor Cunneen, will cover important topics that include how to conduct an integrated job search, how to properly prepare for your interview, improving your state of mind and conducting company research. He will offer direction to help you stay sane, motivated and productive in your job search. Conor was JobTalk radio host for many years, is Naperville Community Career Center board member, author and Chicago Humorous Speaker of the Year. What better way to begin the new year!This meeting is open to everyone and there is no cost to attend. We look forward to seeing you at St. Cletus School Building, 700 W. 55th Street, La Grange. Room 201. Look for the ICN sign outside and use the flag pole entrance.

DOUG HAMMER CONCERT Doug will present a concert at Divine Infant on Tuesday, December 29th at 7:00 pm. This evening will be a wonderful way to continue the celebration of Christ’s birth with gifted music. Doug is a graduate of St. Louise de Marillac School, St. Joseph High School, and the Berklee School of Music in Boston. He and his wife, who is a gifted artist, own their pro-duction studio, Dreamworld Production and Design, near Boston. In addition to arranging and producing music for countless musicians in his studio, Doug has written and produced 10 albums of his own. This concert will feature his two newest, Haiku and Christmas Lights. Doug tours around the country. His music is hear around the world on internet radio Pandora and Whisperings. In October he had the privilege to play in Carnegie Hall. So, continue the joy of the holidays with a wonderful evening of mu-sic.

WEEKDAY SERVERS MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY 8:00—Aleithea Israel, Jacob Chi THURSDAY, SATURDAY 8:00—Luke Panek; Mateo Gutierrez

LITURGY FOR THE WEEK SATURDAY, December 26 5:00 pm Volka Family & C. Earl Blankenship; Frieda Morrone; Groppe Family; Leroy “Lee” Schmidt-Freitag-Tetzloff; Helen Pezzette SUNDAY, December 27 7:30 Emil & Henrietta Bezouska; Thomas Smith; Gloria Bruno; People of the Parish 9:30 Elmer F. Wujek; Donna Nocco 11:30 Deceased members of St. Vincent de Paul

Society; Tony Concialdi; Peg Schreiber; Betty Richards; Bob Breneisen

MONDAY, December 28 8:00 Paul Pracz TUESDAY, December 29 8:00 Michael & Patrick Morrissey WEDNESDAY, December 30 8:00 Walter & Mary Wanick; Jean Lenart THURSDAY, December 31 8:00 All the faithful departed 5:00 pm John, Marie & Jack Svabek; Richard

Jurevich; René Husak; John & Caroline Zahumensky; John & Mary Maczak; Greg Jonesku

FRIDAY, January 1 8:00 Groppe Family; Thomas Kovarik 10:00 Thomas W. Parker SATURDAY, January 2 8:00 All the faithful departed 5:00 pm Forgotten souls in purgatory SUNDAY, January 3 7:30 Thomas Smith 9:30 Mary McLeod; Connie Zumbo 11:30 People of the Parish

PRAY FOR THE SICK OF THE PARISH

Because of government regulations, hospitals and nursing homes are no longer allowed to notify us if you are admitted to either facility. If you or a family member would like to be visited in the hospital or nursing home, please call the rectory at 865-8071. If you or a family member are sick or homebound and would like to be added to our prayer list, visited, receive Holy Communion or be anointed, please call the rectory at 865-8071.

Loving God, give strength to all who struggle with illness. Grant them courage when they are afraid and comfort when they are in pain.

David Alvarado Steve Birkenmeyer

Dale Bogda Barbara Brown

Barbara Callahan Gerry D’Andria

Don Eck Erwin Eggert Erwin Eiduk

Socorro Fajardo Jill Franklin

Walter Grose Edward Gundry Emilia Jagielka Peggy Kocar

Genevieve Krueger Nathan Kucera

Donald J. Martin John C. Martin Helen Mueller

Dan Mulligan Caryn (Cookie) Murray

Tom Nilsson Dave Peloza Lisa Peloza Jim Phillips Julie Saltz

Frank Scafuri Anthony Schiavone

Mary Scolaro Amy Secrest Gary Sekerka

Nicole Durczak Shepulis Barbara Silski

Marcella Sullivan Kim Tetzloff

Trudie Tetzloff Fr. Fred Tomzik

Bacilla Valle Darryl Watson

NEXT WEEKEND’S MINISTERS CELEBRANT COMM. MINISTERS MUSIC LECTORS SERVERS SAT. 5:00 S. Stiso Adult T. Grzywa B. Chiostri Choir C. Perusich SUN. 7:30 P. Casey K. Caday R. Casey E. Caday SUN. 9:30 P. Meyers Strings of M. Gutierrez R. Meyers Faith J. Chi SUN. 11:30 A. Garbacz A. Groppe J. Shimizu L. Salata

PROTECTING CHILDREN At Divine Infant Jesus Parish and School, the

protection of our children is of utmost importance, and we comply fully with the policies of the Archdiocese of Chi-cago and the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young Peo-ple. To learn more, go to our website dnn.archchicago.org/divine infant and

click on the tab “Protecting Children at D.I.” or visit archchicago.org and click on the button “Protecting Children.” If you do not have internet access and would like to learn more, please contact the rectory or call the Office for Protection of Children and Youth at 312 534-5254.

WELCOME... ...to Divine Infant Jesus Church. If you are new to our church or just visiting, please stop and introduce yourself. We are pleased to have you share in this celebration of the Eucharist. If you do not have a church home, or your church is not a home to you, we invite you to become part of our parish family. Our church is open to anyone looking for a spiritual home. To register, please call the rec-tory at 865-8071. We are so glad you are here and hope you will come back again for Mass or to be-come a parishioner.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE ALL PARISH MAILINGS ELECTRONCIALLY

If you would like to receive parish mailings—Christmas and Easter letters, statement of annual contributions, and yearly report—by email, please send an email to the parish at d.infant@comcast.net. In the subject line write “Parish Email,” and then in the body of the email write your name, street ad-dress and envelope number if you know it. This will help save the parish money in printing and postage.

Thank you!

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 1 Jn 1:5 — 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7b-8; Mt 2:13-18 Tuesday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:22-35 Wednesday: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-10; Lk 2:36-40 Thursday: 1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96:1-2, 11-13; Jn 1:1-18 Friday: Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 1:19-28 Sunday: Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12

PLEASE USE GiveCentral.org FOR ALL YOUR DONATIONS

Divine Infant Jesus Parish depends on your gen-erosity in order to carry out its ministry of proclaim-ing the Good News of Jesus Christ and teaching and healing in his name. We do not charge for anything. We rely solely on your Sunday and Holy Day dona-tions. To make it easier for you to give your gifts to Divine Infant, we work with GiveCentral.org. When you sign up with GiveCentral.org, you can make all your Sunday, Holy Day, second collection, and every other donation that you make to the parish. Then you never have to use a parish envelope or put any-thing in the collection basket ever again! Please visit GiveCentral.org to create your personal and secure donations account. Thank you for your generosity!

MONDAY, December 28 RE—No Classes TUESDAY, December 29 CH—7:00 pm Doug Hammer Concert THURSDAY, December 31—NEW YEAR’S EVE Mass at 5:00 pm FRIDAY, January 1, 2016—NEW YEAR’S DAY—

SOLEMNITY OF MARY Holy day of obligation Masses are at 8:00 and 10:00 am SUNDAY, January 3 CH—12:45 pm Baptismal Prep MONDAY, January 4 RE—Classes

A SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR BLOOD PROGRAM

The Westchester Blood Program will complete its year after collecting 466 units for area hospitals. Its last drive of 2015 was on Nov. 18, its fourth annual Turkey Drive. A week before Thanksgiving, 40 donors received vouchers for free turkeys from Mariano’s. The expense was handled by a gener-ous anonymous party. The 466 units for the year increased the number of units that the WBP has collected since its found-ing in 1974 to just over 25,000, more than enough to sustain the lives of 80,000 patients. In October, LifeSource Blood Services honored the local group at its annual Top 20 Luncheon. The Westchester Program finished 14th among many other, larger groups (such as Abbott Labs, Great Lakes Military Training Station and the Chicago Po-lice Dept.) but it was cited as the most productive community-affiliated blood group. It was the 12th successive year Westchester received that honor. The WBP will begin the new year with a drive on Saturday, Jan. 23, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Mayfair Room of Divine Providence School. Here are the dates and sites of the other drives this year: April 16, Community Center, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; July 23, D.P. School, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 15, Community Center, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please remember this: Chicago area hospitals depend heavily on blood donors. The blood that is used in the operating rooms must come from human donors. Science has not yet created a synthetic substitute. For questions on the importance of donations, one may contact Carl Panek, WBP chairman, at 708.606.4548.

OVER 50 CLUB Hope you all had a safe and enjoyable Christmas and New Year’s. Our Annual Christmas Luncheon was a success and everyone seemed to have a good time. Our next meeting will be held on January 6, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. Doors will open at 1:00 p.m. and meet-ing will start at 130 p.m. Hopefully our weather will be okay. Hope to see you there. Please obey park-ing signs and adhere to times. Membership is now open for 2016. Dues are $12.00. If you have not renewed yet, please do so. Anyone who wishes to join us, and is a registered parishioner at Divine Providence or Divine Infant, please contact our Membership Chairman Marilyn at (708-236-5757). If you have any other questions please call Cor-rine at (708-531-9496)

HIGH SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAM The 2016—2017 High School Placement Ex-ams will be given on Saturday, January 9, 2016. For time and requirements, please call the school of your choice.

FAMILY LIFE Family life is sacred, but it is not without trial. Perhaps this is the most important message we can glean from today’s readings. If Jesus, Mary, and Jo-seph can trip up sometimes—can disconnect—then we shouldn’t find it surprising when such things hap-pen to us as well. And parents everywhere (children, too) can probably relate to—and take some solace in—the Gospel’s account of Mary and Joseph after Jesus explained why he stayed behind in the tem-ple. They heard his words, Luke tells us, “But they did not understand what he said to them” (Luke 2:50). Amen! Nevertheless, Jesus does go back home with them, and continues to thrive under their care. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

THE NAME FOR GOD Mother is the name for God on the lips and in the hearts of little children. —William Makepeace Thackeray

DIVINE INFANT PARISH NEWCASTLE AND CANTERBURY AVENUES

WESTCHESTER, ILLINOIS 60154 Like us on Facebook

REV. MICHAEL WANDA, Pastor (ext. 203) REV. GERALD JOYCE, Pastor Emeritus (ext. 206) REV. THOMAS WINIKATES, Associate (ext. 204) DEACON JAMES SPONDER (ext. 306) MR. LEONARD GRAMAROSSA, School Principal SR. SUSAN MAJCEN, O.P., Director of Religious Education Website: divineinfant.archchicago.org Rectory: 1601 Newcastle Avenue, 708 865-8071 Fax number: 708-865-8032 E-mail: d.infant@comcast.net School: 1640 Newcastle Avenue, 865-0122 & 865-0233 E-mail: divineinfant@comcast.net Office of Religious Education: 865-8086 Parish Nurse, Ms. Jeannette Barczak, BSN, HTP, 352-7518 Bereavement Ministry: Dr. Claudia Dado, MAL (ext. 304) Catechumenate: Dr. Claudia Dado, MAL (ext. 304) Music Director: Mrs. Janet Reif, (ext. 302) Assc. Mus. Dir: Mrs. Judy Schindler, 383-4288 or (ext 302) Business Manager: Mr. Jerry Priore, (ext. 209) Rectory Secretary: Mrs. Toni Podock, (ext. 201) SUNDAY MASSES: 7:30, 9:30 & 11.30 SATURDAY EVENING: 5:00 pm WEEKDAY MASSES: 8:00 am SATURDAY MORNING: 8:00 am HOLY DAY MASSES: 6:30, 8:00, and 7:00 pm

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: (Confession) Saturday: In the Reconciliation Room 4:00 to 4:45 pm or by

appointment. BAPTISMS: Baptisms are celebrated on the 2nd & 3rd Sundays of the

month at 12:45 pm. By Archdiocesan regulation and parish policy, parents are required to attend a Baptismal Preparation session before the Baptism of their child. These sessions will usually be held on the first Sunday afternoon of the month. Call the secretary at the rectory (865-8071) to register for the session and schedule the Baptism.

D.I.V.M. SERVICES: Communion to the sick, food shopping, necessary

transportation, emergency meals, transportation to Mass. Resource information also available. If you need help from any of these services, please let us know as much in advance as possible so the chairpersons can make arrangements and the volunteers arrange their schedules. If you are able to volunteer to help provide these services to our parishioners, we can always use more help. Please call the rectory at 865-8071.

WEDDINGS: Couples should contact the rectory and speak to a priest

shortly after the engagement, but no less than four months before the desired wedding day.

No date should be set (especially in reserving a hall) for your wedding until you have spoken to a priest. In this way, you will not be disappointed if the church has been previously reserved for another ceremony.

Please keep in mind the times that are available for weddings at Divine Infant:

SATURDAYS—1:00 pm and 3:00 pm WEEKDAYS—–Any reasonable hour

CHURCH NAME & NUMBER— Divine Infant #9216 ADDRESS— 1601 Newcastle, Westchester, Il. 60154 PHONE— 708-865-8071 E-mail: d.infant@comcast.net CONTACT PERSON— Elsie Masterson SOFTWARE— Microsoft Publisher 2003 Windows XP Professional Adobe Acrobat 6.0 PRINTER— HP Laserjet 5P NUMBER OF PAGES SENT— Cover through 10 SUNDAY DATE OF BULLETIN— December 27, 2015 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS—