St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church 1411 Cross Street O’Fallon, IL 62269

618/ 632-3562 www.stclarechurch.org

Fr. Jim Deiters Pastor Dennis Vander Ven Deacon John Gomez Deacon Marcia Fix Parish Secretary Jamae Shubirg Administrative Assistant Ed Seipp Business Manager Patrick Jurgensmeyer Facilities Manager Stephen Eros Music and Liturgy Director Jane Dotson Family Faith Formation Matt Flynn Adult Faith and Mission

ST. CLARE SCHOOL 632-6327

214 West Third Street, O’Fallon, IL Clarice McKay Principal

MT. CALVARY CEMETERY 632-3562

Paulo D’Amico

PARISH TRUSTEES

Michael Crupe

John Dempsey

ST. VINCENT DEPAUL 632-4270

Emergency Assistance

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT CHRISTMAS DECEMBER 23, 2018 DECEMBER 25, 2018

WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE Saturday 5:00 p.m.

Sunday 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

From Our Pastor, Fr. Jim... Some of My Favorite Christmas Gifts When people ask me, “So what are you doing for Christmas?” I half-seriously/half-jokingly say, “Working!” That is why priests take vacation time differently than most people. But ministry in the priesthood doesn’t feel like ‘work’ to me since God has blessed me with such joy in my service to Him and you. As I think about Christmas, here are a few of my favorite gifts this year:

♦ Receiving a drawing from one of our children with a picture of the manger scene, with Jesus, me and her inside the stable.

♦ Watching our generous volunteers in the par ish – those making the time to deliver our ‘giving tree’ gifts to the needy; others setting up Christmas trees and decorations in the church; those meeting with and helping the homeless who come to our front door; some going to extra choir practices for our outstanding music at Mass; and those who have donated extra to our parish, St. Vincent DE Paul, and other charities.

♦ Receiving beautiful cards and gifts from par ishioners expressing their love and support.

♦ Praying with the daily Advent Reflections wr itten by our parishioners on what the scriptures and their faith mean to them.

At our Christmas Masses this week, I bring to the Altar in my prayers all of your intentions…for your family, health, parent-ing challenges, marriage difficulties, financial challenges, and any other thing heavy on your heart. I pray that the true peace and simplicity of Jesus in the manger touch your heart in a new way this Christmas! May you allow Mother Mary to draw you closer to her Son Jesus, Fr. Jim Deiters

December 22 Katie Szwedo Sally Tipton Bob Braswell, Jr. Colt Schiefelbein Gwen Phillips Sophia Ratajczyk Ashley Walker Jake Hug December 23 Nancy Buttimer Martin Benoit Elizabeth LeChien Erin Dunn Erin Klaus Carter Spellman December 24 Christina Gonzales December 25 Mike Crupe Rich Burke Marion Meduga Alicia Jimenez December 26 Donna Diliberto Sarah Klostermann Audra Driscoll Ryan Easter Brennan Egan Elizabeth Gutridge Colton Smith Leo Huntz December 27 Anne King Brian Kocher Brian Huelsmann Michelle Venne Renee Mueth Stephanie Ramirez Ellery Warren Jude Holtgrave

December 28 Douglas Walton Kathleen Walton Peggy Nigra Michelle Reilly Brian Gruenloh George Boone Chad Mayden Connor Duckworth Andrew Walters Taryn Geis Layla Sloan December 29 DeAnn Winkeler Bret Huber Kevin Santiago Zulmarie Santiago Samantha Katzer Michael O’Neill Kyle Rademacher Mason Konze Luke Claxton Elise White Emily White December 30 Rollie Brave Leo Milo Nick Smoot Calista Pavelschak Brandi Kombrink Brady Luechtefeld

Christmas Mass Schedule Monday, December 24

4:30 and 11:00 PM

Tuesday, December 25 10:00 AM

Join us early for one half hour of prelude music before each Mass!

Please pray for the sick, their loved ones and caregivers: Bill Bettorf, Mike Carroll, Claudene Chunn, Dianne Clark, Joyce Correale, David Dempsey, Tom Dernbach, Theresa Gilreath, Jean Green, Andy Harris, Rita Haukapp, Margaret Heinke,

Tom and Mary Herbert, Kennah Hiestand, Tim Jorn, Susan Isaak-Lolis, Liz Klingler, Ami Kovach, Dawn Papproth Kuhn, Pennie Pavlisin, George Peach, Paul Riley, Megan Saldanha, Mary Ann Seipp, Ken Sternberg, John Tiemann, Patricia Weiler

Please call the parish office or email marciafix@yahoo.com if you have a family member that is homebound or in the hospital and would like their name included in the bulletin.

Please pray for our military families, especially those deployed and separated from loved ones.

Readings of the Week December 24-30 Monday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Lk 1:67-79 Tuesday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3, 11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Wednesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Friday: 1 Jn 1:5 -- 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7b-8; Mt 2:13-18 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:22-35 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28; Ps 128:1-5 or Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10; Col 3:12-21 [12-17] or 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24; Lk 2:41-52

MASS INTENTIONS

Saturday, December 22 Fourth Sunday of Advent 5:00 p.m. Vernon Kombrink Russell V. Thoman, Sr. Sunday, December 23 Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:30 a.m. Robert and Clara Schachner Cletus Becherer 10:30 a.m. Mary Lou Ott Albert and Viola Eros Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve 4:30 p.m. Eleanor Thoman 11:00 p.m. Bob Waeltz Walter and Virginia Woods William and Donnalene Butler Tuesday, December 25 The Nativity of the Lord 10:00 a.m. Peggy Berens Michael and Jane Gaertner Wednesday, December 26 - No Mass Saint Stephen, The First Martyr Thursday, December 27—No Mass Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist Friday, December 28 The Holy Innocents, Martyrs 7:30 a.m. Charles and Lorene Meyer Saturday, December 29 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph 5:00 p.m. Jeanne Kenney Sunday, December 30 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph 8:30 a.m. Joan Cavins Philip Ripplinger 10:30 a.m. Joe Burroughs

Next Weekend: December 29/30 Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Saturday 5:00 Nancy Karrigan, Tom & Mary Lou Pawlow, Karen Sheesley Jaclyn Gross, Julie Hicks, Carl Lurk, Ryan & Betsy McCarty Sella Roman, Brigid, Stephanie & Katelyn Sternberg Sunday 8:30 Marie Berry, Betty Deschesne, Katerina & Peter Timpson Mary Flrming, Ely Gillespie, Jason Homrig, Ann Hug Percy Menzies, Donna Meyers, Andrea Picchietti, Susan Price Sharon Ripplinger 10:30 Krystle Hatter, Patty Klingelhoefer, Sophie & Susan Wilkerson Margaret Andrasko, Dan & Tara Ashbaker, Lindsay Goldberg Karen Holzum, Dan & Kris Kimutis, Joe LaSalvia, Kevin Martinez Readers Saturday 5:00 Ann Millikin & Gabrielle Millikin Sunday 8:30 Winnie Kenney & Pennie Pavlisin 10:30 Ron Polillo & Kristine Blair Servers Saturday 5:00 Elabelle Elliott, Cassidy Lurk, Ryan Voss 8:30 Matthew Range, Luke Monroe, Ian Ratajczyk, Anson Smith 10:30 Isabelle Fox, Joseph Kinsella, Jon Marble, Will Theismann Ushers Saturday 5:00 Theresa Bevers, Don Gravlin, Hal Harris Eric Sheesley, Scott Voss, John Winkelmann Sunday 8:30 Justin Alberico, Dennis Collins, Mark Huller Frank Morski, Bob Picchietti, Don Proffer Sunday 10:30 Gustavo Cotto, Jason Holzum, Tom Knaust John Meise, Stephen Smith, Mark Stevens Gift Bearers Saturday 5:00 Doug, Vicki, Anna, Elyse & Nicholas Flath Sunday 8:30 Nathan, Jen & Colton Smith 10:30 Greg, Hollie, Gregory & Addison Stoltz Greeters Saturday 5:00 Jaclyn & Catherine Gross, Bridgett Harris, Carol Williamson Kit, Deb, Josh, Kyle, Ryan & Katie Zimmerman 8:30 Shawn, Erin, Shawn & Wesley Dunn Barry, Kimberly, Blaine, Averie & Elliot Stolle 10:30 Steve, Amanda, Joshua, Bethany, Anna, Levi & Zeke Huber Dannette Kinsella Sound Board Saturday 5:00 Jett Cates Sunday 8:30 Gregory Timpson 10:30 Gary Borges

Bread Bakers Kathy DeVan, Connie Reeves, Amy Short

Children’s Word Saturday 5:00 Theresa Voss & Juanito Barragan Sunday 8:30 Kelly Monroe & Meredith Blair 10:30 Mandi Huelsman & George Marble

Nursery 8:30 Maddie & Megan Blair 10:30 Melissa Lewis & Alex Cotto

Choir 5:00 8:30 10:30 SATB Choir

Today we hear of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth. What a wonderful encounter – two mothers sharing each other’s joy; both bearing sons who will change the world. WOW! What vocations! They excitedly accepted their role in the coming of our Savior, our Redeemer. We should celebrate our role in changing the world – bringing our faith to everyone we meet – by the daily living of the lives we’ve been called to. May it truly be a Merry Christmas!

Guatemala Sister Parish Gift Because of your donations to our sister parish, Our Lord of Esquipulas, we have been able to help them purchase medical instruments for their new medical screen-ing program. Many people in our sister parish live in moun-tain villages and do not have access to regular screenings or preventative medicine. The medical clinic run by our sister parish has trained vol-unteers to do basic screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and respiratory disease as well as to provide basic first aid so that people in these areas can receive care faster and be encouraged to see a doctor if necessary. We will give them the medical instruments during our visit in January. Thank you for your generosity!

A Special Opportunity for Women

Do you sense that something’s missing in your life?

Do you feel that if you weren’t so busy you would be happier, healthier, more effective, more fulfilled

and maybe even a better person?

Come to the next women’s Welcome weekend! It’s an incredible experience that will help you

discover what’s missing in your life and what to do about it. Whether you want to connect with other

women in the parish, improve your prayer life or just take a break from the craziness of your everyday

to have fun and not have to cook or clean… you will find what you are looking for...and more!

When: February 16/17, 2019

Where: St. Clare Catholic School 214 West Third Street O’Fallon, IL 62269

New Year’s Eve Eucharistic Adoration Monday, December 31

From 11:00 PM until 12:30 AM

Mass on New Years Day 10:00 AM

Ring in the New Year in the silence of Jesus’ presence in

the Blessed Sacrament. On this holy day,

the Solemnity of Mary, we pray for peace in our families, communities and for

our world, for the Church, the sanctity of all life, for an increase in vocations to the priesthood

and religious life.

Deacon Dennis will lead communal prayer from 11:50 pm - 12:10 am

Our next monthly 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration will be January 13/14.

HOPE FOR THE JOURNEY

Wednesday, January 30

2:00 & 7:00 PM St. Clare Church Library

Hope for the Journey is a ministry reaching out to anyone that has experienced the loss of a loved one,

recent or not. We meet for conversation, suggested reading, encouragement, prayer and

to walk this journey with you. For more information, please contact: Ken and Barb Kenney at 726-7587 or

Kj_kenney@sbcglobal.net

Bringing fun and faith together for an awesome weekend retreat. January 18—20, 2019 at St. Clare School

High school and college students helping with Luke 18 and adult core team. All high school leaders/guardians must attend planning meeting: Jan. 6 (grades 9-12) 11:45 a.m. at Corpus Christi Parish Hall (lunch provided!)

Dec 23 & 30 No Youth Group Meetings

Jan 6 Youth attend Epiphany Concert

Jan 13 Meeting 6—7:30 p.m.

Jan 20 No Youth Group Meeting

Jan 27 Ice Skating at Steinberg Ice Rink

Feb 3 Super Bowl Party

Feb 10 Dodgeball Tournament

Youth Room is located on the bottom floor of St. Clare School, 214 W. 3rd Street

Enter through the middle doors, go downstairs.

St. Clare Parish School of Religion

Dec 23 No PSR (Christmas Break)

Dec 30 No PSR (Christmas Break)

Jan 6 PSR Class CPP Training for all students

Jan 13 PSR Class

Jan 18-20 Luke 18 Retreat Grade 8

Jan 20 NO PSR

Jan 24 First Communion Parent Education Meeting 6:30—8 Fellowship Hall

Jan 27 PSR Class

Luke 18

First Communion Parent Education Night with Fr. Jim (in Fellowship Hall)

Thursday, January 24 6:30—8 p.m.

All parents of First Communion Students must attend.

All parishioners are invited to attend!!

Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows Annual Way of Lights Christmas Display

This breathtaking display focuses on the birth of Christ, the one true light of the world.

Way of Lights Hours: Indoor Activities and Outdoor Light Display 5—9 p.m. nightly

Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Day (outdoor light display will remain open)

Family Night Tuesdays...to avoid large crowds and enjoy discounts on activities such as carriage rides and camel rides! Family Night Discounts:

As always, enjoy the beauty of the Way of Lights, visit the Christmas Tree Room, Wreaths, Children's Christmas Cove and listen to choirs...free.

New!! Food Trucks available on the church parking lot. Visit Snows.org/WOL

♦ Kettle Corn 50 cents off any size Buy one, get one free on carrots to feed the animals ♦ Camel and Pony Rides $1.00 off Lego Bricks Display $1.00 off adult and children

Our high school and college youth thanks 

St. Clare for our study bags for finals!   We gave out 64 bags & 23 college care packages!   

Thanks to the Food for Youth &  Support for Youth Ministry in our parish! 

UPCOMING EVENTS AT ST. CLARE SCHOOL

Sunday, January 27 1:30—3:00

Please join us for the Clare School Open House. You will enjoy a tour of the school and have any ques ons

answered about enrolling in the 2019/2020. Registra-on will be available for Kindergarten - 8th grade for the

2019-2020 school year. Children entering Kindergarten must be 5 years old before September 1, 2019. Please bring a copy of your child's cer fied birth cer ficate and bap smal cer ficate to registra on. There is a $50.00 registra on fee for new families.

Families may apply for scholarships at h ps://empowerillinois.org/students/

star ng on January 15, 2019 at 7:00 P.M.

Catholic Schools Week Sunday, January 27—Saturday, February 2

THE GOOD SHEPHERD PRESCHOOL has openings for ages 3-5 years old. During this me of year families are moving due to new assignments or new job opportuni-

es. Please contact Director Sherri Hertzler for more informa on regarding our program. Feel free to email at sherhertz5@gmail.com or call 618-726-6532.

ALTAR ANGELS JANUARY 5 Celerina Collins, Margaret Eros Ely Gillespie, Jeannie Haukapp, Babe Papproth RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE The Rotary Club of O’Fallon will host a Red Cross Blood Drive Thursday, December 27 from 3 to 7 p.m. in the St. Clare School Cafeteria, 214 West 3rd Street. Visit www.redcrossblood.org to schedule an appointment, and enter sponsor code RotaryOfallon. Walk-ins are welcome. Bring current photo Id. ONLINE GIVING is available for our weekly offerings, as well as other parish collections. Donating is simple, safe and secure and takes less than five minutes. Set up a one-time or recur-ring donation by following these easy steps: Go to: ♦ stclarechurch.weshareonline.org ♦ Select Weekly Collection ♦ Enter your payment information END OF YEAR GIVING Please remember St. Clare as you con-sider making extra “end of the year” contributions. Your parish depends on extra donations at the end of the year to make up for any budget shortfalls. Some people need to make extra charitable donations as a tax deduction before the end of the year. Thanks for any and all extra contributions to help your parish! SUICIDE PREVENTION—ST. CLAIR COUNTY Join us to “Be a Part of the Solution”. For meeting dates & times: www.bw-institute.com/upcoming-events. 800-273-8255