St. Laurence Parish Jewett at Standish Streets, Elgin, Illinois 60123 EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION Saturday - 4:00 PM Sundays - 7:15, 8:45, 10:15 AM Daily Mass 8:00 AM TuesdayвЂ”Friday SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturday from 3:00 - 3:45 PM Special times upon request SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Marriage Preparation Program required 6 months notice necessary PASTORAL STAFF REV. ANDREW MULCAHEY PASTOR RECTORY - 226 Orchard St. e-mail: amulcahey@rockforddiocese.org AFTER HOURS CONTACT: 224 535-8815 PARISH OFFICE - 565 Standish St. 847- 468-6900 Fax 847- 468-6904 Web Site: stlaurencechurchelgin.com e-mail StLaurenceChurch@att.net DEACON, ROBERT PLAZEWSKI CONNIE SAJTAR, SECRETARY LINDA HOLLENSTEIN, BOOKKEEPER RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATORS SUE TURAS JO TRISILLA DEB KOCH, SECRETARY 847- 468-6900 PARISH COUNCIL PAMELA KLEIN, CHAIRWOMAN FINANCE COUNCIL JOHN SIMKUS, CHAIRMAN SCHOOL TRACY WAHL, PRINCIPAL KATHY LAUDONT, SECRETARY 847-468-6100 Fax 847-468-6104 Web Site: stlaurenceschool.com PARISH OFFICE HOURS 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. MondayвЂ”Friday REGISTRATION All new parishioners are requested to register through the parish office Readings for the Week WEEKDAYS December 2 - 5, 2014 Tuesday, December 2 8:00 a.m. + Faithful Souls Departed Wednesday, December 3 8:00 a.m. + Ilva Szopa by Family Thursday, December 4 8:00 a.m. + Faithful Souls Departed Friday, December 5 8:00 a.m. + John Hansen by Ann & John Gotter WEEKEND MASSES December 6 / 7, 2014 Saturday, December 6 4:00 p.m. + Deceased Members of the Greve Family by Gin Lossau Sunday, December 7 7:15 a.m. Mary Jane Plazewski, Birthday Wishes by Family 8:45 a.m. + Clifford Pond by Pat Laird 10:15 a.m. + Mary Gudek by Jane Uszcienski; and The St. Laurence Parish Family ALTAR FLOWERSвЂ”Families are able to bring flowers to be placed in front of the Altar in memory of their loved ones or for a special occasion. A special sign up book is located on the table at the back of church. You must sign up in advance. The church is open at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, flowers should be brought between 3:00 - 3:30 p.m., or delivered to the parish office at 565 Standish St. on Friday before 11:30 a.m. Please call the office if you have any questions, 847 468-6900. F.Y.I.вЂ”The sign up sheets for 2015 dates are now in the book. If there is a special date that you would like to bring flowers you might want to sign up now. BAPTISMвЂ”Parents are required to meet with Fr. Andrew before the Sacrament of Baptism will be celebrated. If you are expecting a baby, please contact Fr. Andrew before the delivery of your baby. He can be reached at 224 535-8815. Baptisms are celebrated the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month after the 10:15 a.m. Mass. Monday: Is 2:1-5; Ps 122:1-9; Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 15:29-37 Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27 Friday: Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31 Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Ps 147:1-6; Mt 9:35 вЂ” 10:1, 5a, 6-8 Sunday: Is 40:1-5, 9-11; Ps 85:9-14; 2 Pt 3:8-14; Mk 1:1-8 PRAYER LISTвЂ”For the strengthening in faith of all who are afflicted in body, mind or spirit please pray for: Eleanor Bell, Patricia Bonacorsi, Kathleen Camarena, Nan Chovancek, Terry Corcoran, Ben Galaviz, Andrew Grala, Jerry Gudino, Lowell Haire, Deanna Hejnosz, Bill & Judy Johnson, Don Johnston, William Kerwin, John G. Kolakowski, Doris Krumwiede, Pat Laird, Helen & Leonard Lajter, Sandy Litts, Nancy Lucas, Larry & Marilyn Malsi, Jackson Marquez, Jerry Martinez, Michael Melvin, Maria Mercado, Michael Mohawk, June Morris, Bill OвЂ™Brien, Betty Pekofske, Bonnie Penera, Lisa Rednour, Debbie Roerig, Gordy Schultz, Mike Shannon, Bill Shimshok, Joe & Sharon Slavicek, Sr. Rosemary Thillen, Rachel Todd, Gil Valencia, Nancy Volkening, Marilyn Wasinger, Irene Weidner, Kay Wilhelmi, Dolores Zirfas. We will be clearing the Prayer List the first weekend of each month. If you wish to have someoneвЂ™s name on the Prayer List we ask that you contact us monthly. We pray for the repose of the soul of Michael Edgerton, Husband of Gina Edgerton. We ask God to keep his family in His care! BULLETIN NEWSвЂ”Due to early Holiday transmission schedules bulletin notices must be submitted three weeks early. Thank you. Stewardship Collection Eucharistic MinisterвЂ”December 5, 2014 Sherman HospitalвЂ”Anna Gotter Due to an early transmission schedule the Sunday collection totals for November 23rd will not be listed this weekend. HOLY DAY MASSES Monday, December 8, 2014 is a Holy Day of Obligation, the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mass will be celebrated at 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Our Giving Tree is up. Thank you to all who were so quick to take an ornament (gift tag). The gifts should be returned to church NO LATER than the weekend of December 13 / 14. If you have any questions please call the parish office at 847 468-6900. DRIVERS NEEDED The Social Action Commission is in need of help delivering the Giving Tree gifts to various facilities in Elgin. If you have a little time on Thursday, December 18th at 8:30 a.m. (right after the 8:00 a.m. Mass) and a van or other large vehicle please consider helping out. Proof of auto insurance will be required. To volunteer call Deb at the parish office. We are decorating the Church for Christmas on Sunday, December 21st after the 10:15 a.m. Mass and could use your help! The more volunteers that we have the quicker the task can be completed. Please join us in helping to make the House of the Lord look beautiful for the holidays. Please call the parish office to sign up. Thank you for your generous donations of money and food to our Thanksgiving Food Basket collection. Through your generosity we were able to provide 50 food baskets to families from the Two Rivers Head Start Program, as well as, 10 food baskets to parish families. A BIG thanks to the members of the Social Action Commission for all of their help and to the 8th grade parents and students of St. Laurence School for packing and delivering the baskets. Working together we were able to make Thanksgiving a little more plentiful for families in need. Please join us on Thursday, December 4, 2014 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. for Eucharist Adoration. St. Laurence holds the Holy Hour of Eucharist Adoration and Holy Rosary for Life the first Thursday of each month. Dear Parishioners, We are approaching Christmas and undoubtedly many of you are beginning your Christmas shopping. We imitate the three kings in our beautiful tradition of giving gifts to our loved ones! But what about Christ? What will I give to Him? More than anything else, He would be pleased with receiving our whole-hearted faith, love, and obedience. This perhaps is the hardest and most valued gift we could give Him. But for those who are in a position to do more, please read on: Our church is in need of many things and often these needs take a backseat to more pressing bills, such as loans, electric, etc. I list these needs to you in the event that you or groups of parish members would like to present them to the Christ Child this year. If you are able to only contribute for a portion of an item please know your gift will be greatly appreciated and used towards fulfilling this wish. вЂў вЂў вЂў вЂў вЂў Energy saving LED light bulbs for the Church (roughly $1200) - present bulbs have burned out and are not as energy efficient nor long-lasting. Snow catching rubber doormats and new carpet runners (roughly $2500) - present carpets are worn and salt stained. Gutter ice melting wires (roughly $) - last year freeze-overs destroyed some gutters creating drainage and roof damage. 5 Sloan flushometers (roughly $125 each) - for lavatories. More items to come. Thank you for your generosity. Please contact me or the parish office if you would like to donate one of these items. Fr. Andrew TRIFECTA TICKETSвЂ”Congratulations to the winners of the November 24th drawing: $100вЂ”Z. McCorkle $75вЂ”M.VanDurme $50вЂ”L. Lamberty MARKET DAYвЂ”The December flyer is the church narthex. Every purchase helps earn profit for our school! The holidays are coming, find great gift ideas. Help us to reach our goal for the year of $2000 in profit! We have raised $683 so far this school year. Questions, call Missy Centanni at 847 695-7776 or maria3vandurme@aol.com. The Elgin Deanery Council of Catholic Women invite all the ladies in the parish to An Evening of Prayer on Tuesday, December 9th from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Chelsea Room at St. Thomas More Parish, 215 Thomas More Dr., Elgin. Fr. Louis Tosto, Deanery Spiritual Advisor, will lead us in prayer and reflection. Confessions will be heard following the prayer service. For information, please email Linda Meyer at imcreative@sbcglobal.net or call 847 695-9347. The Social Action Commission will be holding a Cookie Sale on the weekend of December 6 / 7. Funds collected will be sent to the National Council of Catholic Women-Cross Catholic Outreach Women Helping Women Campaign. Please come hungry! BLOOD DRIVE in cooperation with Heartland Blood Centers. St. John Neumann Church, St. Charles on Monday, Dec. 1st from 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Visit www.heartlandbc.org/donating perms slips.html. or call 1-800-786-4483. Vocations Corner: Growing in Virtue Tree of Memories For people who have lost a loved one, the holidays can be an especially difficult time. That is why each year for the past 23 years вЂњThe Tree of MemoriesвЂќ and the Tree Lighting Ceremony have been a part of the holiday season. This is a non-denominational ceremony so that it includes all faiths. The way to remember a loved one is simple. You can choose an ornament you would like to see on the tree that commemorates your loved one. Your ornament can be homemade, purchased or an ornament that is part of your family collection. Each ornament is registered, numbered, and hung lovingly on the tree. It remains on the tree throughout the holidays; then is gently removed, carefully stored and returned to the tree for holiday seasons to come. We hope you will remember our вЂњTree of MemoriesвЂќ during the coming months and invite you to add an ornament to the Tree in December. Ornaments may be registered Dec. 1st through Dec. 30th. Please join us for our Christmas program followed by light refreshments. Wait Ross Allanson, Elgin Chapel, 51 Center St., Elgin, IL 60120, 847 742-2100 on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. or at the Algonquin Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Algonquin, IL 60102, 847 658-4232 on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. We Pray for Our MilitaryвЂ” AIR FORCE: Staff Sgt. Eric Charckon, Major Victoria Cramer, Airman Patrick Schubert, ARMY: Sgt. Daniel J. Duffy, 1st. Sgt. Eric Case, SPC Jennifer (Clough) Korfmacher, SPC Charles Korfmacher, 1st. Lt. Thomas Martin, Sgt. Jacob McDonald, MARINES: Pfc. Patrick Metz, Maj. Michael Volmer, NAVY: Seaman Apprentice Terrance M. Alexander, Seaman Recruit Timothy M. Alexander, LCDR Bettina Sauter, Corpsman Nick Toufexis. May God protect them and return them safely to their families. Fr. Keith Romke, Director of Vocations One of the best ways to grow in holiness and in our ability both to recognize and to follow GodвЂ™s will, is to strive to grow in virtue. This of course may seem like an obvious statement, but allow me to explain it a little deeper. Virtue can be defined as вЂњHabituated good action.вЂќ In other words, virtue is a good action that has been chosen and performed over and over to the point that it becomes habitual or second nature. This then allows us to just naturally act in such a way that would please God, sometimes without even being all that tempted to turn the wrong way simply because the good action has been engrained in us. Virtue is a really good thing! Here comes the hard part: performing the actual habituating! In order for something to become a habit it has to be something that we do over and over and over again. Thus, growing in virtue begins with saying Yes to God and His will in lots of little things, because it helps us practice and engrain how to say yes. If on the other hand we frequently let little opportunities to serve or please God go by, simply because they seem insignificant, guess what weвЂ™re in fact doing? WeвЂ™re habituating saying No. This is never a good thing. So, if you want to grow in virtue and in your ability to say yes to GodвЂ™s ultimate plan for your life, begin by saying yes in little ways today so that you can continue to grow in virtue! WORD OF LIFEвЂ”вЂњThe courage and grace shown by those women who choose lifeвЂ”in the face of fear, uncertainty, parental or partner intimidation, seemingly insurmountable oddsвЂ”make them todayвЂ™s heroes. They are joined by the many who counsel, support and nurture them both before and after the birth of their child. Such self-giving love...is powerfully transformative of mother, of child, of families, of cultures.вЂќ вЂ”2013-2014 Respect life Program LIKE A CHILDвЂ” One who aspires to the grace of God must be pure, with a heart as innocent as a childвЂ™s. St. Nicholas What is the Advent Wreath?вЂ” The circular shape of the wreath, without beginning or end, symbolizes God the Father and eternal life. The Advent Wreath traditionally holds four candles which are lit, one at a time, on each of the four Sundays of the Advent season. During the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit. This candle represents hope or expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah. The second Sunday of Advent symbolizes Faith with the вЂњBethlehem CandleвЂќ reminding us of Mary and JosephвЂ™s journey to Bethlehem. The third Sunday of Advent the pink or rose-colored candle is lit. The вЂњShepherdвЂ™s CandleвЂќ reminds us of the Joy the world experienced at the coming birth of Jesus. The fourth and last purple candle symbolizes Peace with the вЂњAngelвЂ™s CandleвЂќ reminding us of the message of the angels: вЂњPeace on Earth, Good Will toward Men.вЂќ On Christmas Eve, the white center candle is traditionally lit. This candle is call the вЂњChrist CandleвЂќ and represents the life of Christ that has come into the world. www.catholic company.com & Christianity.about.com Religious Education News Grades Kindergarten through 8th grade Confirmation meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. Our next class will be on December 3rd. PERMANENT SUBSTITUTES NEEDEDвЂ”We find that we are in need of a few more volunteers to substitute when our teachers are unable to be at class. We have been shorthanded the last few weeks. Please contact the parish office. OPLATKIвЂ”Among people of Slavic ancestry and still today among many Poles in the United States, the father of the family solemnly breaks a wafer made of wheat flour; Oplatki (Polish, вЂ�thin waferвЂ™) on Christmas Eve. He distributes them to those present as a symbol of love and peace. These pieces are then shared with wishes for luck, health and happiness. Oplatki is on sale for $2. Please make sure to purchase early as we are only getting one shipment. MarmionвЂ™s ABBEY FARMS choose & cut Christmas Trees. Open everyday 11/22 through 12/23 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Thanksgiving 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Wreaths and roping, seasonal store, farm-made donuts & breads. Visit SANTA on select weekends. www.ABBEYFARMS.ORG. Abbey Farms, 2855 Hart Road, Aurora, IL 60502. Questions please call 630 966-7775. We encourage our parishioners to support the businesses using our bulletin. This week we highlight: Alan M. Polse, D.D.S. V.C. White, D.D.S., M.S. 2000 Larkin Ave., Suite #102 847 888-8108 Altar Ministry for the Weekend of December 6 / 7 Mass Time Lector Altar Server Eucharistic Minister 4:00 p.m. Tom Guetschow Izabella & Jaden DelRosario Kay Gotter, Jan Hroback, Barb Miller, Greg & Lauren Soohov 7:15 a.m. Dee Reinhardt Joe Hoberg, Karen Perez Vicky Giuliano, Loli Gudino, Marlene Gurley, Deacon Plazewski 8:45 a.m. Ron Szopa Allie Lock, Joseph Mandarino Mary Ann Bruneman, Terry Elliott, Bill Hejnosz, Pam Klein, Jamie Szopa 10:15 a.m. Larry Smith Jayda Sanchez, Max Schaff Miriam Cuate, Melanie Marcordes, Mike & Sandi Shannon, Joann Smith