The Dome Ascension Catholic Church
of Oak Park
The Epiphany of the Lord - January 6, 2019
Mass Schedule Monday - Friday: 8:15 AM. Vigil Mass for Sunday: Saturday - 5:00 PM. Sunday: 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday: 4:00 - 4:45 PM. Rosary
Monday - Friday: 7:45 AM.
More information on our website at:
www.ascensionoakpark.com.
Dear Friends,
Christmas marks the event 2018 (or so) years ago when God took on
our human flesh and our human nature. It sounds crazy to imagine that
God became one of us, but this is the radical step we believe He took.
He did this in order to begin the process of repairing the relationship
between Himself and humanity that was damaged in the Fall. We look
at the Christ-child and see what a powerful act of trust and solidarity it
was for God to become utterly vulnerable (is there anything more
vulnerable than a baby?) We know that this vulnerability resulted in his
eventual death, but He was vindicated when He rose from the dead.
Jesus was (and is) fully human and fully divine-a strange concept and
hard for us to get our minds around. But this is especially important
when we consider Jesus’ teachings, and then His death and resurrection.
(His death and resurrection wouldn’t mean the same if it was just a
human Jesus or a Jesus who was just God-in-disguise.)
At that first Christmas, God entered our world in a new and powerful
and personal way. God united Himself with us in a bond of solidarity
that even death could not destroy. Jesus is the face of God: if you want
to know God, then get to know Jesus. We learn from His teachings.
We are inspired by His example. We are healed by His message and his
promise to always abide with us and in us. We are comforted by his
words. We are challenged by them, too. He made it clear that following
him would be difficult, and that those who did would be rejected by
many. But he also made it clear that it was worth it.
We get to know Jesus by reading the New Testament in the Bible. We
get to know Jesus by participating in the sacraments, by praying, by
talking to Him and listening for His gentle response. We get to know
Jesus by following His example and teachings. We get to know Jesus
by loving as He loved and loves, by suffering as He suffered and
suffers, by basking with Him in the triumph of the Resurrection. It all
started with that first Christmas. Epiphany, sometimes called “little
Christmas,” highlights this manifestation of God in Jesus.
May your week reflect the encounter with Christ
we experienced at Mass today.
From the Pastor
J A N U A R Y 6 , 2 0 1 9 — P A G E 2
ASCENSION CHURCH Parish Center: 808 S. East Ave.
Oak Park, IL 60304
Phone: 708-848-2703
Fax: 708-848-2773
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday - Thursday: 8 AM - 8 PM *Wednesday front office hours begin at 1pm
Friday: 8 AM - 4 PM
(Closed 12:00 NOON -1:00 PM)
Saturday: 8:30 AM - 12:00 NOON
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Personnel can be reached by first
initial.last [email protected] Web-sites
www.ascensionoakpark.com
www.archchicago.org
Pastor
Rev. James F. Hurlbert 848-2703
Pastoral Associate
Mary Catherine Meek 434-1533
Director of Music
David Anderson 434-1535
Associate Organist
Elizabeth Coffman x261
School Principal
Maryanne Polega 386-7282
Assistant Principal
Deb Rodde x240
Director of Institutional Advancement
Katie Moran Vanaria 434-1558
Coordinator of Religious Education
Diane Lawrence-Moriarty 848-3099
Religious Education Assistant
Christi Walkup 434-1554
Youth Ministry Coordinator
Matt Goto 434-1555
Office Administrator
and Liturgy Coordinator
James Wojcik 434-1531
Business Administrator
Marty Florek 434-1546
Financial Associate
Mary Fitch 434-1521
Director of Communications
and Outreach
Juliette Dols 434-1534
Head of Maintenance
Rey Dominguez 434-1539
Weekend Assistant
Rev. Bob Hutmacher, ofm
Parish Council Chairperson
Dale Glanzman
Mental Health Counselor
Claret Center Intern
Conrad Burbank, M.S., LPC
847-780-7266
J A N U A R Y 6 , 2 0 1 9 — P A G E 3
New Lector and Extraordinary Minister of Communion
Formation Sessions
We invite anyone who is confirmed and high school age or older to consider becoming a Lector. We
invite anyone who is confirmed and 16 years old or older to consider being mandated as an Extraordinary
Minister of Communion.
There will be two formation sessions for Lectors led by Mary Catherine Meek. The initial session
will be on January 12 at 9:30 am in the Parish Center. The formation session for Extraordinary
Ministers of Communion, led by David Anderson, will be on Saturday, January 19 from 11:00 am
until 12:30 pm in church. Please email J im Wojcik at [email protected] this week if
you are interested in attending these sessions.
We strongly encourage married couples, especially those with younger children, to consider serving in
one of these ministries. You can attend the formation session together and serve individually at Masses
where you attend and participate at Mass as a family.
All Are Welcome!
HOSPITALITY SUNDAY
January 13
Join us in the Ascension School Pine Room for
complimentary coffee, juice and donuts following
the 7:30 am, 9:00 am and 11:00 am Masses.
Thank you to Parish Council for sponsoring our
January Hospitality Sunday.
GIVE BLOOD
and help to
save a life!
Ascension Blood Drive
Sunday, January 13
8:30 am-12:30 pm
Ascension Gym
Make an Appointment www.heartlandbc.org
Use Sponsor Code(SPON201076) or
Call 1-800-786-4483 or 708-848-2703
Special Bulletin Notice
Bulletin copy for the January 13 and January 20 bulletins is due by 5:00 pm on
Monday, January 7.
J A N U A R Y 6 , 2 0 1 9 — P A G E 5
Religious Education
Important dates
RE Sunday classes resume today, January 6, Wednesday classes resume on January 9 and Tuesday
classes resume on January 15.
The 4th Grade Reconciliation Inscription Service, for children and parents, will be on Tuesday, January 8
at 7:00 pm in church.
The next Decoding the Mass session will be on Sunday, January 13 at 3:30 pm in the Pine Room and
church.
Reconciliation-A Fresh Look, for parents whose children are preparing for First Communion and parents
of 4th graders who are preparing for Confession for the first time, will be held on Tuesday, January 22 at
7:00 pm in the Pine Room.
The First Reconciliation Service for children preparing for First Communion will be on Saturday,
February 2 at 10:00 am in church.
2019 Confirmation
There is a Confirmation Mentor Meeting on Sunday, January 20 at 11:00 am in the Pine Room.
Confirmation candidates will meet on Thursday, January 24 at 6:30 pm or Sunday, January 27 at 3:00 pm
in the Pine Room.
Youth Ministry
High School Lock-In
We are planning a lock-in for High School students on Friday, January 11 starting at 7:00 pm through
Saturday, January 12 in early afternoon. Please check the Youth Ministry webpage for more details, and an
online form to register. We are looking for parishioners to help volunteer for this. If you are interested in
helping support the teens via prayer, food, or in some other way, please contact Matt Goto.
High School Boys Basketball Church League
We are again joining the Western Suburbs Church League this year. Please check the Youth Ministry
Google Calendar for details. Come cheer on the Chargers!
March For Life Events
Each year people from all over the Midwest gather to march for the vulnerable, those who can’t speak for
themselves, at the March for Life. This year’s events are held on Sunday, January 13 throughout the day. A
youth rally is at Frances Xavier Warde Catholic School (right next to the Cathedral) starting at 8am. It ends
with a Mass at Holy Name Cathedral which starts at 11am. The march itself starts at 2pm in Daley Plaza.
To register for the Youth Rally, which costs $10. To find out more information and to register for the event,
please see the March for Life Chicago webpage http://www.marchforlife-chicago.org/. Please contact Matt
with any questions or if you are planning on attending any or all of the day’s events.
Mass and Youth Group at St. Luke
Sunday, January 20 from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
Contact Matt Goto to RSVP or to get more information:
708-434-1555 or [email protected].
See https://goo.gl/aX3fRN for a more complete calendar.
J A N U A R Y 6 , 2 0 1 9 — P A G E 6
Meetings and Events
Today January 6 RCIA 9:00 am
SPRED 10:00 am
RE-Sunday Classes 10:05 am
Extending the Word 10:15 am
Monday January 7 School Resumes 8:00 am
RE-Religious Education Board Meeting 7:00 pm
Home and School Meeting 7:00 pm
Tuesday January 8 Reconciliation Inscription Service 7:00 pm
Wednesday January 9 Choristers 3:00 pm
Girl Scouts Troop Meeting 3:00 pm
RE– Wednesday Classes 3:45 pm
Adult Faith Formation Committee Meeting 7:00 pm
POLO Moms Faith Sharing Group 7:30 pm
Thursday January 10 Bible Study 9:00 am
RE-Family Faith Formation 6:30 pm
Women’s Spirituality 7:00 pm
Friday January 11 Girl Scouts Troop Meetings 3:00 pm
Cub Scouts Pack Meeting 6:30 pm
YM-Youth Ministry Lock-In
Friday evening through Saturday afternoon
Saturday January 12 Work Ministry 7:30 am
Contemplative Prayer 8:30 am
New Lector Formation Training 9:30 am
Extending the Word Planning Group 9:30 am
Baptismal Preparation 9:45 am
Baptisms at 5:00 pm Mass
Sunday January 13 Hospitality after morning Masses
Blood Drive 8:30 am—12:15 pm
RCIA 9:00 am
RE-Sunday Classes 10:05 am
Extending the Word 10:15 am
RE-Catechist Planning Session 11:15 am
First Communion-Decoding the Mass 3:30 pm
YM-Youth Group 6:00 pm
Christmas church decorations take down
After 5:00 pm Mass
Part-time
Maintenance Person Needed Ascension Church in Oak Park seeks a part-
time maintenance person, able to work some
afternoons and all Saturdays, about 20 hours/
week. Candidate should be a hard worker, self-
motivated and able to work with minimal
supervision. S/he should be in good physical
condition and have basic “handyman” electrical,
plumbing, carpentry and lawn skills. Work to
include indoor and outdoor tasks, some janitorial
and grounds keeping, small parish projects.
Please contact Marty Florek at Ascension - 708
-434-1546or [email protected].
J A N U A R Y 6 , 2 0 1 9 — P A G E 7
SUNDAY - January 6
The Epiphany of the Lord
5:00
(Sat)
David Krickl Robert Hill
7:30 All the People of Ascension Parish
9:00 Deceased of the Horgan
and Otmanoski Families
Ed Woznica Barbara Wyman
Jim Kane Colm Ridge
Babe Ward Folan John Mulkerrin
11:00 Jim Costello
5:00 Marguerite McSheehy O’Brien
MONDAY - January 7 Christmas Weekday
Saint Raymond of Peñafort, Priest
8:15 Jim Costello
TUESDAY - January 8 Christmas Weekday
8:15 Rosalinda Rodriguez
WEDNESDAY - January 9 Christmas Weekday
8:15 Dorothy Dedowicz
THURSDAY - January 10 Christmas Weekday
8:15 Catherine Krickl
FRIDAY - January 11 Christmas Weekday
8:15 Josephine Rose Edin
Living Intention: Reese Siler and Family
SATURDAY - January 12
Vigil: The Baptism of the Lord
5:00 Mary Banic Jamnik
SUNDAY - January 13
The Baptism of the Lord
7:30 All Deceased Parishioners
9:00 Valerie Sewell Mary Gartland
11:00 Eileen Gull
5:00 All the People of Ascension Parish
- REMEMBER IN PRAYER THOSE WHO
ARE SICK IN MIND, BODY OR SPIRIT - We continue to hold in prayer all of our parishioners, loved
ones and friends who are sick. Please call Jim Wojcik at the
Parish Office if you would like a name added to this list.
Nancy Agler, Mary Amato, Sue Antoinette, Joan
Balark, Linda Bennett, Josephina Carmona, Stella Caro,
Jeannette Cannon, Barbara Carroll, Sr. Jude Carroll, Carol
Cassini, Joe Cavanagh, Ken Christensen, Ken Chudik,
Eileen Diaz, Eileene Diez, Doug Dorn, Danny Doyle,
Jennifer Fischer, Millie Flannery, Charles Gibson, Jayne
Gubelman, Marilyn Hayes, Werner Huget, Bill Keenan,
Margaret Kostopolos, Mercedes Kozacki, Jerry Lakota,
Josh Marchetti, Nora Maywood, Ruth Medina, Nora
Meewes, Nicole Montemagni, Carmen Mora, Mary
Morgan, Mary Jane Peterson, Sabina Powers, Tim Quinn,
David Rosati, Mary Jane Schenn, Loretta Schulze, Helen
Scotty, Mary Simmons, Mary Louise Stefanic, Mildred
Stefanski, Nicholas Stevic, Matthew Strudeman, Terry
Tenca, Sheila Trainor, Jean Vipond, Bonnie Von Ebers,
Karen Williams, Larry Wyman, Margaret Zangrilli, Ernest
Zaravia. We pray for the healing hand of God to touch all impacted
by domestic violence and verbal, physical or sexual abuse of
any kind. For young people at risk. For the dignity and respect
of all human life.
We also hold in prayer all first responders; police officers,
firefighters, paramedics, doctors and nurses. We ask your
blessing on all who serve our country in the military, in the
peace corps and on all of our veterans.
Please pray for all of our deceased
brothers and sisters…
…and all who have died from gun violence
or acts of terrorism.
J A N U A R Y 6 , 2 0 1 9 — P A G E 8
Growing in Faith
in the New Year
As we begin a New Year, the Staff would like to
invite you to consider the many spiritual offerings
we have planned.
Later this month on January 27, our Living Your
Strengths team will offer a workshop for interested
parishioners. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity
to discover your “Top Five,” this is your invitation!
Discover the gifts God has given you to be your best
self in all that you do!
On February 23 we will provide a morning of
reflection on Discipleship: What does that mean in
my life? with Fr. Anthony Gittins, C.S. Sp., a
professor at CTU (Catholic Theological Union) as
well as the author of several books and numerous
articles. Save the date!
Once again, in 2019 we will help to coordinate
small faith sharing groups during Lent. Sign-up will
begin in February. We will have an evening for
group leaders on February 28 at 7:00 pm to discuss
format and to learn how staff may best support the
many groups.
March 3-9, Lent small faith sharing groups (FSG)
will begin. Joining with others in a small group is a
beautiful way to enter into the season of Lent, to
share your faith, and to get to know other members
of our community in a safe place.
On April 4, Adult Faith Formation and our
Ministers of Care invite you to join them for a
Lenten evening of reflection with Fr. Robin Ryan
who will present “Hope in the Midst of Suffering.”
We look forward to seeing you at these events
and others throughout the coming months.
Area Migration Week Event
The Archdiocese of Chicago Immigration Ministry Film Festival will be held during Migration Week,
January 6 through 13. The Peace and Justice Ministries of Ascension, St. Edmund, St. Luke and St. Giles are
hosting a film and discussion on Wednesday, January 9 from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm at St. Giles Parish
(Columbia and Greenfield), McDonough Hall. We will watch Gospel without Borders, listen to a DACA
student and engage in small group discussion. We hope you will join us for fellowship and
discussion. Please RSVP to Kelly Hendrickson at [email protected] or 630-730-5898 by Monday
January 7th.
J A N U A R Y 6 , 2 0 1 9 — P A G E 9
Women’s Spirituality Ascension's Women's Spirituality Group will
meet on Thursday, January 10, in the Parish Center
dining room. Visiting at 6:30 pm and convening of
the meeting at 7:00 pm. Kathy Petsch and Helen
Gilmore will lead the group in discussion of "The
Divine Dance" by Richard Rohr, pages 90 to the
top of page 111. All are welcome. Whether or not
you are able to do the readings, please join us.
Sign up now for
Living Your Strengths
Ascension’s Living Your Strengths journey
helps parishioners identify one's God-given
talents, determine how to develop them into
strengths, explore how these talents and
strengths can be applied into all aspects of
one's life, and develop a greater sense of
community with other Ascension parish
members. Over 350 members of the Ascension
community have attended the Living Your
Strengths program, including parish staff, lay
leadership and school faculty. Please consider
joining us! Our next workshop is scheduled for
Sunday, January 27 at 1:00 pm. Sign up at
ascensionstrengthsfindit.eventbrite.com or contact
Kelly Conroe at [email protected] for
more information.
Home and School Ascension's Home and School will have a
"Family Service Project Day" in the school gym on
February 2 to finish off Catholic Schools Week.
Families can all come together and volunteer a
little bit of their time to assemble care packages for
the elderly, the disabled, our troops and residents
of children's hospitals! There is no age limit, all are
welcome. More details to come.
Stewardship Committee
Ascension’s Stewardship Committee is seeking
additional members and invites service-minded
parishioners wanting to be involved, but perhaps
unsure which group fits best. The programs and
events which are sponsored by the Stewardship
Committee communicates with and supports other
purpose-driven parish organizations: aiding them in
spreading their word, attracting new members, and
better fulfilling their missions. We meet once a
month and are responsible for planning and hosting
the Ministry Fair and the upcoming (inaugural)
Volunteer Appreciation Event.
Invest in Kids
Matching Gift Program
A group of generous donors have agreed to pool
their resources and offer a 2-for-1 matching gift
program to schools run by the Archdiocese of
Chicago. For every dollar designated to a qualifying
school through Empower Illinois between December
1, 2018 and February 28, 2019, the school will
receive two dollars in matching funds. The donations
are capped at $100,000 per school. After April 1,
2019, any matching gift program funds that are not
awarded at a designated school will be reallocated to
low-income students at schools with unmet demand.
If you would like more information please visit
www.archchicago.org/tcs or call 312-534-2617.
If you are new to Ascension parish, welcome! We are happy
you have come to worship with us. If you have any questions
about the parish or the Catholic faith, please contact our
Pastoral Associate, Mary Catherine Meek at 708-434-1533.
See our parish/around town web page at ascensionoakpark.com/parish/around-town for events in our community.
FINDING GOD The splendid magi, all sparkle and dash and
solemnity, march right up off the pages of
Matthew’s Gospel and into our churches today.
Matthew alone tells us this grand and seductive
story so that we might see the light and know that
the child these magi visited is the fulfillment of
prophecy, the king of the world that stretches to the
magi’s home country and beyond, right down the
ages to us.
We too see and understand anew. Like the
magi, our patron saints for this day, we see in the
newborn child the king of the universe and light of
the world. Like the magi, we find in ourselves a
new faith and a new life. Like them, we return to
our home by a new route.
We are asked to come away from this festive
season ourselves renewed and awake to the
presence of God among us. We are asked to find
God where God is to be found, to be attentive and
surprised and ready to bow down in adoration and
to offer our gifts.
—Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! The
Lord shines upon you (Isaiah 60:1-6).
Psalm — Lord, every nation on earth will adore you
(Psalm 72).
Second Reading — The Gentiles are coheirs, copartners
in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel
(Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6).
Gospel — Magi from the east arrived, looking for the
newborn king of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-12). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from
Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International
Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All
rights reserved.
READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 1 Jn 3:22 — 4:6; Ps 2:7bc-8, 10-12a; Mt 4:12-17, 23-25 Tuesday: 1 Jn 4:7-10; Ps 72:1-4, 7-8; Mk 6:34-44 Wednesday: 1 Jn 4:11-18; Ps 72: 1-2, 10, 12-13; Mk 6:45-52 Thursday: 1 Jn 4:19 — 5:4; Ps 72:1-2, 14, 15bc, 17; Lk 4:14-22a Friday: 1 Jn 5:5-13; Ps 147:12-15, 19-20; Lk 5:12-16 Saturday: 1 Jn 5:14-21; Ps 149:1-6a, 9b; Jn 3:22-30 Sunday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Is 40:1-5, 9-11; Ps 29:1-4, 3, 9-10 or Ps 104:1b-4, 24-25, 27-30; Acts 10:34-38 or Ti 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Lk 3:15-16, 21-22
This Week
Next Week
5:00 pm Fr. Hurlbert Fr. Hurlbert
7:30 am Fr. Hurlbert Fr. Hutmacher
9:00 am Fr. Hurlbert Fr. Hutmacher
11:00 am Fr. Hutmacher Fr. Hurlbert
5:00 pm Fr. Hurlbert Fr. Hurlbert
Bulletin deadline: Monday 5 p.m. Please deliver articles to Parish Office or email to [email protected]
OTHER PARISH INFORMATION — Infant Baptism: Intake and
scheduling are done in person. Please contact Mary Catherine Meek
at the Parish Center to make an appointment. Initiation for Adults and
Older Children: Adults interested in exploring the possibility of
becoming Catholic or who desire to complete their sacraments of
initiation (Eucharist and/or Confirmation), please contact Mary
Catherine Meek at the Parish Center. Parents with children of
catechetical age may also speak with her regarding preparing for
Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
Weddings: Please call the Parish Office, at least one year prior to
selection of a date or reception hall, to request wedding information.
Sick Calls: If there is anyone at home who cannot attend Mass or
receive the sacraments because of illness or old age, please contact the
Parish Office or one of the Ministers of Care Coordinators: Susie
Cahill, 925-1512, Linda Dunne, 848-5574, or Cece Masella, 383-3785.
Registration: All newcomers are welcome to the Ascension family
and are asked to pick up a census/registration envelope at the entrance
of the church or by completing the online form on the parish website.
Parishioners who marry, have a baby, or move to a new address should
also notify the Parish Office. Toddler Care: Available dur ing 9 am
& 11 am Mass in the school kindergarten room (first floor doors just to
the right of the gym entrance). Lost & Found Box: Is under the table
in the church vestibule. Ascension Mass on the Radio: Sunday
evening at 9:00 pm on WPNA 1490 AM., or listen on their website at
www.radiowpna.com. Experiencing Domestic Violence: Call 911, the
NDV 24-hour Helpline at 800-799-7233, Sarah’s Inn at 708-386-4225
or www.sarahsinn.org. or the National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline at
866-331-9474. Call the parish office for more information.
CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS Ascension Church #000660 808 S. East Avenue Oak Park, IL 60304 PHONE 708-848-2703 CONTACT PERSON Jim Wojcik, Bulletin Editor, M-F EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] SOFTWARE Microsoft Publisher 2002 Adobe Acrobat 7 Windows XP PRINTER HP® LaserJet 1300 TRANSMISSION TIME Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at 3:00 pm SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION January 6, 2019 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 11, plus this page SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS