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December 20, 2015 - 4th Sunday of Advent
Parish Office
203 E. Main St., P.O. Box 730, Teutopolis, IL 62467-0730
Office Hours: Mon. -Fri. – 9:00 am -4:30 pm
Phone .................................................... (217) 857-6404
Fax ........................................................ (217) 857-1031
Parish E-mail ................... [email protected]
Parish website: stfrancischurch.com
Submit written bulletin notices by noon Monday.
Diocesan website: www.dio.org
Diocesan Child Abuse Reporting and Investigation Number…..
(217) 321-1155
Sacramental Celebrations
Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Saturday: 3:30-4:30 pm
Thursday before First Friday: 3:30-4:30 pm
Anytime by appointment
Sacrament of Matrimony:
Arrangements must be made a minimum of 6 months
in advance with the Pastor.
Sacrament of Baptism:
Baptism Prep. class is required before baptism. Please call
office to pre-register.
Parish Pastoral Team
Fr. Joe Carlos, OFM, Temporary Administrator
Fr. Ed Shae, OFM, Parochial Vicar
Fr. Ken Rosswog, OFM, Associate Pastor
Fr. Thinh Tran, OFM, Associate Pastor
Kim Deters, Director of Music Ministry
Theresa Draper, Coordinator of Music Ministry
Anita Broom, Bookkeeper
Bernice Matteson, Part-time Secretary
Jane Miller, Part-time Secretary
Ron Ruholl, Maintenance
Religious Education:
Sr. A. Pierre Wilken, OSF, Director of Faith Formation: 857-6404
Sr. Ann Siemer, SSND, Gr. Sch./Jr. Hi. DRE: 857-6477/3015
Lisa Siemer, Youth Director & Sr. High CRE: 857-1500
Carlene Rauch, Part-time Rel. Ed. Secretary: 857-6477
Parish Council:
Dan Beckman
Mick Deters
Sandy Gillespie
Bernie Hartke
Steve Kroeger
St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois
MASS SCHEDULE Weekday Liturgy:
See inside schedule
Weekend Liturgy:
Saturday 5:30 pm; Sunday 7:00, 8:45, & 10:30 am
Holy Days Liturgy:
Eve 7:00 pm; Day 6:00 am, 12:10 pm & 5:30 pm
Lois Meinhart
Tony Pals
Mike Tipton
Sharon Waldhoff
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St. Francis of Assisi Parish – Teutopolis, Illinois page 2
"And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting
reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."
- Lk 1:43-45
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass ©2001, 1998, 1970 CCD.
Year of Consecrated Life. The prophecy of keeping with the
Gospel—Pope Francis issues the
following invitation to women and
men religious: “I invite you never
to doubt the power of the Gospel,
nor its capacity to convert hearts to Christ Resurrected, and
to lead people on the path to salvation, which they are wait-
ing for deep within them.”
Pope Francis says this to women and men religious, howev-
er, it applies to all people—to you also. Do not doubt and
lead others on the path of salvation.
From Fr. Ed Shea, OFM On this Fourth Sunday of Advent, don’t forget the Four
Commandments of Contentment:
1) Live in the Here and Now
2) Don’t be in a Hurry
3) Don’t Take Yourself too Seriously
4) Be Grateful
Quote from Thomas Merton: “The Advent mystery is the
beginning of the end of all that is not yet Christ”.
An Evening of Reflection with Reconciliation “Where are you?” and “What are you looking for?”
Monday, December 21st at 7:00 pm
Father Ed will give a 30-minute Reflection and all
are welcome to celebrate Reconciliation.
Invite your Friends and Family… All are welcome…
From Fr. Joe Carlos, OFM Members of both our Parish Council and our Litur-
gy Committee recommended changing the Mass schedule.
This decision came after many hours of discussion. I asked
the parishioners to express their mind on the issue. 431 peo-
ple responded. 57% wanted to move the Saturday evening
Mass to 4:30, and of this number 37% wanted Masses at
6:30, 8:30 and 10:30. It is time to decide.
We will begin the new schedule of Masses on the
weekend of 2-3 January, the first weekend of the new year.
This will be a 6 month trial and then we will re-evaluate.
The style of liturgy will remain the same for all Masses.
Our hope is that the parishioners will use the current sched-
ule of ministers and adjust accordingly. For example, a lec-
tor at the 5:30 Mass will lector at the 4:30 Mass; a sacristan
at the 7:00 a.m. Mass will serve as sacristan at the 6:30
Mass.
If you are scheduled for a ministerial role, and you
cannot change to the new time of Mass, then please call the
head of your ministry to inform them.
I invite more parishioners to become involved in
our liturgy. Men and women, recently confirmed, are great
candidates for lector, sacristan, Extraordinary Minister of
the Eucharist, etc. Call the office to sign up for training.
Thank you to the members of the Parish Council
and Liturgy Committee for your work and for your pa-
tience.
On Thursday, 21 January, a bus will leave St. An-
thony High School and travel to Washington, D.C. for the
Right to Life March on Friday, 22 Jan. The bus plans to be
back in Effingham on Saturday morning. I did this last
year, and I’m planning on going this year. It’s a lot of time
on a bus. Call me if you are interested. This is a time for
Bull Dogs, Shoes, Maroons, and Eagles to unite: we are
“One for Life!”
We take our hats off to Fr. Ed Shea, who made the
Franciscans proud during half time at the THS Homecom-
ing game on 11 December. He impressed us all as he
moved around the key, sinking one shot after another.
Great show, Fr. Ed. Congrats!
Christmas Mass Schedule
December 24 - 4:00, 6:00, 10:30 pm
December 25 - 9:00 am
New Year’s Mass Schedule
Feast of Mary, Mother of God
December 31 - 4:00 & 5:30 pm
January 1 - 8:45 & 10:30 am
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Liturgy Schedule 4th Week of Advent
December 21-27
Monday, St. Peter Canisius Mass at 6:30 am & 12:10 pm
Tuesday, Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am
Wednesday, St. John of Kanty Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am
Thursday, CHRISTMAS EVE Mass at 4:00, 6:00 & 10:30 pm
Friday, CHRISTMAS Mass at 9:00 am
Saturday, Mass at 8:00 am & 5:30 pm
Sunday, The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Mass at 7:00, 8:45, 10:30 am
Confession Schedule
NO Confessions on Saturday, December 26
Liturgy of the Hours with Friars
Monday-Friday
Mid-morning at 12:45 pm & Evening at 4:45 pm
Stewardship of Treasure
Sunday Total Fiscal
12/14/2015 Year
Adult envelopes $10,151.50 $207,390.25
Other $640.50 $16,563.95
TOTAL $10,792.00 $223,954.20
Assisi For Africa $195.00 $25,672.70
Immaculate Conception $2,516.72
Retired Religious $2,930.29
December 20, 2015 ♦ 4th Sunday of Advent page 3
Pray for the Sick
Monday, December 21
Advent Reflection and Parish Reconciliation,
7:00 pm
DeColores mtg., 7:00 pm, Museum Meeting
Room
Tuesday, December 22
Adult Choir, 7:00-8:30 pm
Thursday, December 24
Parish office closes at noon
Friday, December 25
Parish office closed
Parish Calendar
Please remember in your prayers: Cheryl Ann Huber, Jack
Hardiek, Paula Spencer, Lucille Worman, Agnes Kremer,
Pauline Gobczynski, Devin Mette, Harold Hardiek,
Margaret Pruemer, Will Niccum, Joe Ruholl, Bill and Rosie
Myers, Anne Nelson, Emily (Heuerman) McCabe, Lorraine
Deters, Martha Pruemer, Dolores Kingery, Claude and
Geraldine Brumleve, Ruth Walk, Craig Lindvahl, Scott
Repking.
Homebound Ministry Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
to the Homebound for Sunday, December
27th are Theresa Funneman 821-4867 and
Mary Jane Koester 857-3697.
Mass Intentions
Special Collection on Christmas Day. The
Catholic Children’s Home continues the legacy of love and
care for God’s children begun by the Precious Blood Sis-
ters from Ruma in the 19th century. In the spirit of Christ’s
special affection for all children, please support the work
for the Catholic Children’s Home and contribute generous-
ly to this special collection held at all the Masses on Christ-
mas. Please use the envelope included with your set.
Thank you for your generosity.
Monday, December 21, 6:30: Joseph P. and Elizabeth
Buscher
Monday, December 21, 12:10: Richard Thoele
Tuesday, December 22, 6:30: Gertrude Burford
Tuesday, December 22, 8:05: Joe Deters
Wednesday, December 23, 6:30: Eileen Yeh
Wednesday, December 23, 8:05: Vincent Huelsing
Thursday, December 24, 4:00: Mert McMahon
Thursday, December 24, 6:00: Richard Thoele
Thursday, December 24, 10:30: Helen Thoele
Friday, December 25, 9:00: Larry Walk
Saturday, December 26, 8:00: Nancy (Buenker) Will
Saturday, December 26, 5:30: Geraldine Fulle
Sunday, December 27, 7:00: Mary Buenker
Sunday, December 27, 8:45: Pro Populo
Sunday, December 27, 10:30: Scott Westendorf
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St. Francis of Assisi Parish – Teutopolis, Illinois page 4
Religious Education News
God Bless Those Serving our Country. Anthony Vahling, Jeremy Deters, Caleb Hoene,
Kevin Wernsing, Cody Bushue,
Leighton Blankenship
Jubilee Year of Mercy. We hope you completed the
form found in the pews this
week. If you didn’t but would
still like to do that, there are
copies at all the entrances to
church until Wednesday of
this week. Simply put the
completed forms on the table outside the parish offices.
Thank you to those persons who responded to the request to
suggest activities for the Year of Mercy. There will be
more about these in the future.
Fourth Sunday of Advent. God’s mercy is full of
grace. God’s mercy is grace. This is God’s very life. Let
us, then, turn to face God all this week. We do it when we
turn to those who are near, to those in our home, to those at
work or school, to those in the street---and behave like Ga-
briel (announce God’s favor), behave like Mary (ask,
“How?” then say, “Yes!)
How can I greet this day with God’s good grace?
What will I do to help one other person on the road to
heaven this week?
How will I find ways to say “yes” to God’s good mer-
cy?
Since God is not stingy and grace is not stingy, how can
I be extravagant in what I do or say this week? Who
needs this extravagance from me? From us?
Laudato Si. As we celebrate the Incarnation of Christ
may our hearts be open to ways we can be good to creation:
make a pine cone bird feeder, pick up trash seen on the
roadway or sidewalk, pray for endangered species—humans
included.
Parish Christmas Gift. The past few years St.
Francis parishioners have been “gifted” with a book or, as
last year, a CD for the home. This year we have chosen to
gift you throughout the year with shorter but good, solid
reading materials rather than a one- time book. It will be a
gift that keeps on giving. We hope you all have a blessed
holiday season and enjoy the richness and mercy of God’s
Son in your lives.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for all the
donations for Little Dresses for Africa. If anyone would
like to help, just call me at 857-3326.
Rosie Brumleve
Scrip Cards Make GREAT GIFTS! Come
check out our stock of scrip cards on Saturday mornings at
the parish office, Niebrugge Financial on Monday after-
noons through Thursday mornings or on weekends after all
the Masses between now and Christmas! We have gift
cards for restaurants and retailers! We have local vendors
like Designs Unlimited, Pizza Man, Joes, Niemergs, Mar-
tins, and more! We also have national chains like Buffalo
Wild Wings, Amazon, American Eagle, Bass Pro, JC Pen-
neys, Kohls, Ruby Tuesdays, Steak ‘n Shake, Subway, Fri-
days, Walgreens, Walmart, and the list goes on! The sale
of these cards benefits our area youth programs. We appre-
ciate you spending your regular shopping and dining dol-
lars with us and for supporting our youth!
GRADE SCHOOL— Children in Grade 1 will be present-
ing a short Christmas program in the lower east area of the
school from 8:05-8:40 a.m. on Monday, December 21.
Parents, family members, and friends are invited to attend.
Please park around the Oak Street outside circle and enter
by the East doors. A limited amount of chairs will be set
up. Those attending may bring folding chairs to be assured
of a seat. Catechists and children look forward to having an
audience.
Tuesday, December 22, is the Catechists’(8:00) and Mass
supervisors and helpers’(8:45) Christmas gathering in the
Museum Dining Room. Children in grades 3 through 6 will
be attending Mass; children in grades 1 and 2 will be view-
ing a Nativity video in the lower east open area.
Christmas vacation begins on Wednesday, December 23,
(unless in class because of any cancelled school days
due to weather) and religion classes resume on Tuesday,
January 5. A Blessed Christmas and New Year to all!
KDGN/PRE SCHOOL— Sunday morning religion classes
in the Museum Dining Room during the l0:30 Mass will
not be taking place today, December 20 or December 27.
Next class and Epiphany program takes place on Sunday,
January 3. Blessed Christmas and New Year!
JUNIOR HIGH CLASSES will resume on Wednesday
January 6.
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December 20, 2015 ♦ 4th Sunday of Advent page 5
Waaaait - why aren’t they… Why is the cantor not announcing the Communion song? In
quoting the G.I.R.M. (General Instruction of the Roman
Missal: “During the priest’s and the faithful’s reception of
the sacrament the communion song is sung. The song be-
gins when the priest takes the communion and continues
for as long as seems appropriate while the faithful receive
Christ’s body.” (56i) We share in the receiving of the
Body of Christ and celebrate it with song. The music intro-
duction will begin after “…and only say the word and my
soul shall be healed.” The song number will be on both
hymnal boards for you to see and the cantor will welcome
you with a hand gesture to begin singing the song. Eliminat-
ing the verbal song introduction not only allows us to sing
our Communion hymn in preparation for our receiving
Christ, it also allows the moment to be peaceful and non-
intrusive.
Ministry Sign-up. There are ministry sign-up sheets
for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve
and New Year’s Day in the main entrance of Church. If
you are commissioned to be in any of the ministries: Usher,
Reader, Gift Bearer, or Extraordinary Ministers of Holy
Communion, please consider sharing your ministry this
Christmas season. Please check in sacristy the day of the
Holy Day to see where you are needed. Thank you for
sharing your time and ministry! Also, a reminder that those
regularly scheduled for December are expected to serve on
Saturday, December 26th (5:30 pm Mass) and Sunday, De-
cember 27th (7:00, 8:45 and 10:30 am Masses). Those
scheduled for ministry duties in January are expected to
serve on Saturday, evening, January 2nd (4:30 pm Mass)
and on Sunday, January 3rd (6:30, 8:30 and 10:30 am
Masses).
Prayer Vigil for Life. Abortions do not happen
because of freedom of choice, but because some people
feel they have no freedom and no choice. Come pray with
us for life at the Planned Parenthood in Effingham every
Tuesday, anytime between 12:00-4:00 pm (weather permit-
ting). Dress warmly and bring a chair if you like.
Calendar Year End Contributions. Please note
that the 2015 contribution ledger will be closed as of De-
cember 31, 2015. If contributions are to be considered in
the year of 2015 for tax purposes, they must be received in
the parish office by 4:00 pm on December 31st or be post-
marked before January 1st. All contributions received or
postmarked after December 31, 2015 will be posted to the
year of 2016. Thank you.
Religious Address Addition. Sr. Mary Runde, SSND
School Sisters of Notre Dame
320 East Ripa Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63125
Make your New Year’s Resolution and say yes
to a DeColores Weekend!. It is a gift from the Holy
Spirit. The Men’s Weekend, March 31st—April 3rd, 2016.
Lay Leader is Joe Sudkamp, 217-994-0031;
[email protected]
The Women’s Weekend, April 7th—10th, 2016. Lay
Leader is Bitsy Trummer, 217-294-3179; bitsy-
[email protected] . Spiritual Director is Fr. Ron
Hilt.
For more information about the spiritual, fun-filled week-
ends, please call Mary Sur at 217-342-2003.
You Can Help Your Marriage. 25% of surveyed
couples say they are “Happily Married”. For everyone else
there is Retrouvaille. Are you frustrated or angry with
each other? Does talking only make it worse? For infor-
mation on the Retrouvaille Program, visit the website at
ww.HelpOurMarriage.com or call 1-800-470-2230. The
next program begins the weekend of January 29-31, 2016.
The Marvel of God’s Grace Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to
a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zecha-
riah and greeted Elizabeth. Luke 1:39
In the strikingly beautiful story of Mary’s visit to
Elizabeth, Mary’s utter thoughtfulness stands out. Though
she is in the early stage of her own pregnancy, Mary forgets
herself and tends to her cousin Elizabeth, already in her
sixth month. Mary has reason for concern. Elizabeth is
“elderly,” and this is her first baby.
By human standards, both women are “nobodies.”
After all, not only are they “just” women in a patriarchal
society, they are poor and possess no economic leverage.
And they live in a country subjugated by a foreign military
power. So they have no political clout either. We could
also label one of them as “too young.” The other we could
dismiss as “too old.” Yet it is precisely through these two
women, these two “nobodies,” that salvation comes into the
world. Isn’t it amazing what God can do through the weak
and lowly! Imagine what God can do through you and me!
Mary and Elizabeth, thank you for reminding me of
God's ability to work marvels through anyone—including
me.
Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.
Living Faith
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St. Francis of Assisi Parish – Teutopolis, Illinois page 6
A Short Course in Human Relations (Author Unknown)
The six most important words:
I admit I made a mistake.
The five most important words:
You did a good job.
The four most important words:
What is your opinion?
The three most important words:
If you please.
The two most important words:
Thank you.
The one most important word:
We.
The least most important word:
I.
Holy Humor… A man in South Philly calls his son in Florida two days be-
fore Christmas and says, “I hate to tell you this now, but
your mother and I have decided to go our separate ways.
Forty-five years together have taken their toll on us.”
“Pops, what are you saying?!” the son screams. “We can
hardly stand the sight of each other anymore,” his dad la-
ments. “I can’t even talk about it. Would you call your
sister in Chicago and tell her?” Frantic, the son calls his
sister, who freaks out on the phone. “There’s no way this is
happening!” she shouts. “I’ll take care of things.” She
ends the call with her brother and dials her parents right
away. “Do not do anything until I get there,” she informs
her dad. “I’m calling my brother back, and I’m telling you
right now that we’ll both be there by late tomorrow.” The
Dad hangs up, then turns to his wife with a big grin and
says, “Okay, they’ll both be here for Christmas AND
they’re paying their own way!”
Teutopolis Park District Boot Camp (January 4-February 26): Sign-up by January 1
3rd and 4th Grade Basketball: Sign-up continues (late fee
applies)
GIVING TREE. THANKS so much to all who had a
part in the Giving Tree! Thanks to those who purchased
gifts and to those who sorted and delivered gifts. This year,
we had 380 tags between the nursing homes and group
homes in Effingham and Teutopolis! It was a great suc-
cess! Thanks for being a blessing to so many!
2015 CCW Christmas Party -- Thank You! The Officers of the CCW wish to thank all those who at-
tended and were involved in making our annual Christmas
Party a huge success!! Special thanks to the committee
chairpersons and all the ladies in their respective neighbor-
hoods—Food Committee: Jeanette Koester, Amy Thoele,
Elaine Tegeler
Turkey Bakers: Alice Ruholl, Margaret Mette, Mary Lou
Gier, Alberta Willenborg, Mary Jane Renschen, Carol Pur-
cell and Elaine Tegeler
Entertainment Committee: Shannon Hinkle, Karen Weber,
and Theresa Draper for the dinner music
Decorating Committee: Amy Ruholl
Thanks also to Santa for taking time out of his busy sched-
ule, and the Sisters & the Friars of St Francis for helping us
celebrate the season. The play “A Walk One Winter
Night” made us all pause and reflect on the true meaning of
Christmas. It was a wonderful evening due to the efforts of
so many!!
A great big Thank You goes to the out-going officers of
the CCW- Vicki Brumleve, Joan Brumleve, and Mary De-
ters. They have done a spectacular job for the past 2 years.
THANK YOU!!!!
