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MASS INTENTIONS Monday,Dec 19 8:00 am Mary Catherine Mekeska...........................St. Agnes Tuesday, Dec 20 10:15 am Russell & Margaret Roberts..........Heritage Health Wednesday, Dec 21 8:00 am Joe Rapp....................................................St Agnes Thursday, Dec 22 8:00 am NO MASS............................................Holy Family Friday, Dec 23 8:00 am Catherine Eskra............................... St. Agnes Saturday, Dec 24 Christmas Eve 3:15-3:45 NO Confessions................................ 4:00 pm Parishioners of Holy Family................... Holy Family 5:30 -5:45 NO Confessions............................... 6:00 pm Parishioners of St Agnes................................St Agnes. 10:00 pm Parishioners of Holy Family ..................Holy Family Sunday, Dec 25 Christmas Day 9:00 am Parishioners of St Agnes................................. St. Agnes Upcoming Weekly Events Dec 18 1:00 pm Communal Penance Service Dec 19 6:30 pm Scripture Study Dec 21 9:00 am Bible Study Dec 21 6:30 pm NO PSR Dec 21 7:00 pm Choir Practice Dec 22 9:30 am Rosary at Nursing Home Dec 22 6:30 pm NO RCIA Dec 28 3-6 pm Eucharistic Adoration December 18, 2011 Fourth Sunday of Advent Introductory Thought: It is interesting and in- structive that the same test is used to determine our human maturity and to measure our spiritual depth. Compassion is the mark of an authentic human being as well as the chief sign of spiritual maturity. We manifest our true kinship to God and to one another in our com- passion for those in need. Reading I: When David was crowned king, he began to build an empire that would bring honor to God. But he had no example to follow since there were no empires devoted to faith in God. David sometimes ran ahead of God and often lagged behind, but he built a kingdom unlike any in the ancient world. Reading II: The Apostle Paul realized that the purpose of God had been shrouded in mystery for ages. People had to navigate their lives without divine guid- ance. In the fullness of time, however, God’s will and way were revealed through the prophets and later through Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Gospel: May was taken completely by surprise when the angel appeared. She had no idea she had been chosen for a purpose that would test her faith greatly. How could a virgin conceive the Son of the Most High? But she trusted God to show her the way and give her the strength needed. Closing Thought: James Joyce, the 20th century novelist, said that “pity is the feeling that arrests the mind in the presence of whatsoever is grave and constant in human sufferings and unites it with the human sufferer.” Compassion alone, he is saying, makes us pay attention and offer assistance to those about us who are in need. Weekend envelopes (118) $ 2799 .00 Weekend Loose $ 180.00 Christmas Flowers (1) $ 100.00 Retired Religious $ 993.00 Catholic Children’s Home $ 10.00 Holy Day $ 371.00 Total $ 4453.00 Cemetery Collection $ 139.00 Please call the Church office 532-528888 or 532-2631) if someone in your family is ill or hospitalized, and you want them visited and brought communion. Saint Agnes Website www.stagneshillsboro.com IT IS UPDATED! Check it out. We have the ministry schedule and the weekly bulletin there. We are open to any and all suggestions. Call the parish office and leave a message Communal Penance Service Sunday, December 18, 2011 1:00 pm Saint Agnes -Hillsboro 3:00 pm Holy Family-Litchfield Confessors will be Fr. Dan Willenborg, Fr. Ger- ald Bunse, Fr. Larry Anschutz and Fr. Jim. This will be the last available time for confessions to be heard before Christmas. Annual Catholic Services Appeal Assessment: $16,286.00 Pledge: $19,000.00 Paid: $13,820.00 Deficient: $ 2,466.00 Christmas Eve 4:00 pm Holy Family 6:00 pm Saint Agnes 10:00 pm Holy Family Christmas Day 9:00 am Saint Agnes Christmas at a Glance Daily Bible Readings for 4th Week of Advent Sun 18 God is Love 1 John 3:11-24 Mon 19 God’s extensive steadfast love Psalm 35 Tue 20 “My Beloved Son” Luke 3:1-22 Wed 21 The Beloved shines like the sun Matthew 17:1-8 Thu 22 The greatest commandment Mark 12:28-34 Fri 23 Love is the greatest 1 Corinthians 13 Sat 24 Love en fleshed Luke 2:1-20 Office Closed Thursday, December 22, 2011 Friday, December 23, 2011 Monday, December 26, 2011 Bulletin Announcements If you have any announcements that need to be in the bulletin the last week of December please have them in the office no later than Monday, December 26, by 10:00 am. Thanks you so much for your help. Linda Dear Friends in Christ, The inscription at the entrance of the Catholic Children’s Home in Alton reads: “Suffer the little children to come unto me.” Since 1879, the Catholic Children’s Home has provided care for thousands of children in need in the name of Jesus Christ. These children have been abused, labeled “unmanageable” by their schools or simply have had no place to call home. They are some of the most vulnerable in our society. The Catholic Children’s Home continues the leg- acy of love and care for God’s children begun by the Pre- cious Blood Sisters from Ruma in the 19th century. In the spirit of Christ’s special affection for all children, I ask that you support the work of the Catholic Children’s Home and contribute generously to the special collection held at Christmas. May God touch your hearts with his grace and mercy during these Advent and Christmas days. Sincerely yours in Christ Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki Bishop of Springfield in Illinois
