January 6 - St. Paul the Apostle Church - Diocese of Joliet

ST PAUL THE APOSTLECatholic Church and School18 Woodlawn Ave.Joliet, Illinois 60435www.stpauljoliet.comJanuary 6, 2013Parish Office: 815-725-1527Parish Fax: 815-730-9907School: 815-725-3390Religious Education: 815-725-6927Youth Ministry: 815-730-8599RCIA (Roberta Lemke) 815-725-1403Parish Email: stpauljoliet@sbcglobal.netRev. Gregory Rothfuchs, PastorRev. John Belmonte, S.J., ResidentRev. James Lennon, Weekend CelebrantDeacon William Bevan, IIIx240x230Lynne Passarella, Parish Secretaryx200Denise Rowan, Business Managerx203Mary K. Robbins, Principalx401Sr. Karen Marie Lanigan, O.S.F., D.R.E. x301Jeremy Hylka, Liturgical and Youth Minister x320Tanya Rand, Dean of Devel.&Mrktg. x201Raymond Kaufmann, Director of Music

St. Paul the Apostle Church18 Woodlawn Avenue www.stpauljoliet.com Joliet, IllinoisThe Epiphany of the LordJanuary 6, 2013Saturday, January 54:30 PM Scott StrysikSunday, January 67:30 AM The People of St. Paul the Apostle9:00 AM Charles & Anna Meyer10:30 AM Robert LouchMonday, January 77:30 AM Louise FondriestTuesday, January 88:30AM Vincent DiGiulioWednesday, January 97:30 AM Marie FitzhenryThursday, January 107:30 AM John AlongiFriday, January 117:30 AM Livia MartinucciSaturday, January 124:30PM Joseph & Margaret MidlockNext Sunday January 137:30 AM John Gallagher, Jr.9:00 AM The People of St. Paul the Apostle10:30 AM Cheryle GrayNEXT WEEKEND’S LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONSTIME READERS EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERSSaturday, January 124:30 PM J. Roolf/ D. Lennon R. Baskerville, P & C Wilda, E. Cora,R. Ward, J. Stofko, N. PultorakSunday, January 137:30 AM L. Hoffman/ A. Henderson C. Lehman, L. Deiss, C. Schultz,M.A. Schwerha, A. Prock, S. Hostert, T. Ciesla9:00 AM T. Ciesla/ T. Bailey M. Walsh, A & F Theobald, Mary Kucek,Mark Kucek, D. Bailey, S. Smith10:30 AM B. Petree/ V. Rand M.L. Crossen, R. DiGiulio, J. Hatfield, M. MaloneyJ. Spence, D. Fonza, S. HobbsNext Weekend’s Servers:Saturday, January 124:30 PM R & P Kasheimer/ J Scherf/ V DeFilippoSunday, January 137:30 AM B Hinkleman/ M Cullen/ D Glasgow9:00 AM I Todd/ M Trizna/ T & A Sarcletti10:30AM C Castillo/ E Molnar/ M Blenck/ J BolekReflection on StewardshipEmbracing a simpler lifestyleenables us to live more generously.December 16, $17,879.00(This amount includes Direct Donation)Budgeted per week: $17,500.00Weekday Mass: Mon-Fri 7:30 AM (Tues, 8:30 AM during school year)Saturday Vigil: 4:30 PMSunday Mass: 7:30,9:00,10:30 AMHoly Day Masses: Variable-check bulletin.Reconciliation: Sat 3-4 pm or by appointment.Baptism: Usually 2nd Sunday of the month after 10:30am Mass. A preparation meeting for parentsis mandatory. Call the parish office for detailsWeddings: Engaged parishioners must contact the parish office at least 6 mos. prior to intendeddate, and before making any arrangements.RCIA:Classes from September to Easter for those interested in becoming Catholic.Becoming a Parishioner: Please contact the parish office to register All Are Welcome!

The Epiphanyof the LordJanuary 6, 2013The Year of FaithAs we’ve seen in our overview of the different Vatican II documents, some of them are very narrowin their focus, dealing with one specific issue in the life of the Church. Today’s document really pertains toa narrow issue: the Decree on the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops.A lot of people think of bishops in managerial terms: they are the CEO’s of the diocese. This analogyfrom business misses the mark, however, because Christ himself instituted this ministry in the Churchsince the bishops are the successors to the apostles. Christ created this role of leadership under the impulseof the Holy Spirit to guide the Church in authentic fidelity to his original design. Therefore, to put it simply,when the Church is guided by good bishops, the whole Church grows in holiness.Bishops have guided the Church from the start. We see in several New Testament letters that theapostles appointed bishops in the new churches which they founded in order to guide the faith in those fledglingcommunities. Those bishops in turn were succeeded by subsequent bishops, down to the present day.The bishops themselves, however, having been appointed by the Holy Spirit, are successors of theApostles as pastors of souls… Christ gave the Apostles and their successors the command and thepower to teach all nations, to hallow men in the truth, and to feed them. Bishops, therefore, havebeen made true and authentic teachers of the faith, pontiffs, and pastors through the Holy Spirit, whohas been given to them.Not surprisingly, the document spends a lot of time reviewing the duties to which bishops must devotethemselves. Interestingly, however, while most people would think that managerial duties would be themain task, the document actually speaks of teaching the faith and building up the holiness of the Church asthe primary duties of the bishop.The bishop is sent by Christ to propose the gospel to all people, both inside and outside of theChurch. This is particularly relevant today since our culture is no longer Christian and therefore needs tohear the message of Christ. At the same time, within the Church many Catholics are uncertain of the Faithor disagree with the difficult teachings of the Faith. Especially today, when so many people object to thefull message of the gospel, the hard task of the bishop is to maintain the purity and authenticity of the depositof faith. In sum, the bishop is not called to be a manager or CEO; he is to be the primary preacher ofGod’s Word, a preacher with divine authority who hands on the message of Christ complete and unmodified.Therefore, they should teach, according to the doctrine of the Church, the great value ofthese things: the human person with his freedom and bodily life, the family and its unity and stability,the procreation and education of children, civil society with its laws and professions, labor and leisure,the arts and technical inventions, poverty and affluence. Finally, they should set forth the waysby which are to be answered the most serious questions concerning the ownership, increase, and justdistribution of material goods, peace and war, and brotherly relations among all countries.Fr. Gregory

Parish NewsSt. Paul’s Youth Ministry(FOLLOW)New members are always welcome.You must be confirmed and/or in high school!Contact Youth Minister Jeremy Hylka at815-730-8599 or stpaulsyouth@sbcglobal.netWebsite: www.stpaulyouth.comFacebook: St. Paul’s Youth Ministry JolietTuesday, Jan. 8—College FOLLOW from 3:30-5:30pm,then regular Youth Ministry night from5:30-9:00pm with Bible Study.Saturday, Jan. 12—Daybreak 9:30am-12:30pm—see Website for permissionslip.TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITIONMonday of this week is Christmas Day in Russia and inmuch of the Orthodox world. This curious difference inschedule has a lot to do with how calendars have been developedand changed over the years. In the year 45 B.C.Julius Ceasar gave the empire his Julian Calendar, with thewinter solstice on January 6. This put an end to a system inwhich officials called "pontiffs" were able to tweak the calendarby adding extra days in as needed. He invented twonew months at that time, December and January; and inorder to correct the mess the pontiffs had made, forced ayear of 445 days on the empire in what he named "The LastYear of Confusion." The new months varied in number ofdays according to a complex schedule, but the calendar wasstill off by nearly twelve minutes a year, and lost a full dayevery 130 years.Pope Gregory XIII reformed the calendar in 1583, but noteveryone appreciated his efforts. England held out for twohundred years. The year 1700 was a leap year in England,but not in France; they were eleven days apart! GeorgeWashington was really born on February 11; when the Gregoriancalendar was finally adopted in the English coloniesshortly before the Revolution, he had to move his birthdayto February 22. Now the calendars are thirteen days apart,which accounts for Russia's Julian calendar Christmas. AndCaesar thought he had brought confusion to an end!--James Field, Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co.R.E.P. NEWSIn need of information aboutOur Religious Education Program?Please call the REP office at 815-725-6927REP classes resume on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 5:45 pm.Report cards will be distributed in the activity center between5:45 and 7 pm. Parents are asked to pick up the report cardsduring this time. Students will not be given the report cardsto take home. Thank you for your cooperation.RAINBOWS For All God’s Children will begin on Wednesday,January 16 at 6 pm in the school. RAINBOWS is aprogram for children in grades K-8 who have experienced aloss due to death, separation or divorce. For more informationor to register for the program, which is free of charge,please call Sr. Karen Marie.You are invited to attend a three-session course on the Creedsponsored by our diocesan Cardinal Newman Institute forLay Formation beginning January 21 (I believe in God theFather) and continuing on February 18 (I believe in God theSon) and ending on March 25 (I believe in God the Holy Spirit).Classes are from 6 until 8 pm in A-4 of the Activity Center.Please call Sr. Karen at 815-725-6927 to register.REPORTING SEXUAL ABUSE:Anyone who has reasonable cause to suspectthe sexual abuse of a minor by a memberof the clergy or other Church personnelis urged to report the matter immediately.To inform the Diocese of Joliet, call Mrs.Judith Speckman (Victim assistance Coordinator)at 815-263-6467 or write the Dioceseof Joliet, 425 Summit Street, Joliet, Illinois60435, or contact DCFS or your local CountyStates Attorney.

Sunday, January 67:30am Sunday MassChurch9:00am Sunday MassChurch9:00am RCIAConvent10:30am MassChurch12:00pm Basketball PracticeGymMonday, January 77:30am MassChurch8:00am Eucharistic AdorationChurch3:45pm Cheerleading PracticeGym5:15pm REPAll School Bldgs.7:00pm A A MeetingSchool Hall7:30pm Basketball PracticeGymTuesday, January 88:30am MassChurch3:45pm Basketball PracticeGym5:00pm Youth MinistryConvent7:30pm Bible Study A 46:30pm Boy Scouts # 15School Hall7:30pm Baptismal Prep A 1Wednesday, January 27:30am MassChurch8:00am Eucharistic AdorationChurch3:45pm Conference Basketball Games GymThursday, January 107:30am MassChurch8:00am Eucharistic AdorationChurch3:00pm Children’s ChoirChurch3:30pm Youth Ministry Cluster Mtg. Convent3:45pm Interviews with Diana A 33:45pm Basketball PracticeGym6:00pm Girl Scouts (Molnar A 2 & 36:30pm Adult ChoirChurch7:00pm Spirit & TruthConvent/ChurchFriday, January 117:30am MassChurch8:00am Eucharistic AdorationChurch3:15pm Conference Basketball Games Gym5:30pm Girl Scouts Underhill/Wendel A 2Saturday, January 129:00am Basketball PracticeGym3:00pm Cheerleading PracticeGym3:00pm ConfessionsChurch4:30pm Vigil MassChurch5:30pm Music EnsembleChurchSunday, January 137:30am MassChurch9:00am MassChurch9:00am RCIAConvent10:30am MassChurch11:30am BaptismsChurch12:00pm Basketball Practice Gym2:00pm Liturgy Comm.ChurchFor the most current calendar information please go to www.stpauljoliet.comPray for the SickPlease remember the following people in your prayers who are seriously illor who are suffering from long-term illnesses:Patricia BallaErin BartelGerri BertinoMason BriesePatricia BurdaNoemi CanalesGerard ColagrossiLaura CrielSally DraudenJean FabichMary Patricia FischerFr. Marty GabelJudith GahalaHarn FamilyBernie HastingsSami HendersonAnn JuhlmannMichael LapikasHelen LocherCarol MalnarShirley MaxHelen MeyerTerry MeyerRobert MillerMary ModlinJohn MowbrayFrancis MurphyJeanie NunuueKurt PalmerKay ProckElizabeth RatkovichAmy RemallardLisa SaveroBarbara SchreinerRichard SchreinerTony SimoneLouis TokaSal VenturaNancy Zimmer

Join us once a month from7:30-9:00pm in room A4 ofthe Activity Center!St. Paul the ApostleLiturgical MinistryMore info contact Jeremy atstpaulsliturgy@sbcglobal.netor 815-730-8599The next session is January 8th The Rise of theKingdom: Israel’s First KingsBIBLE STUDY SERIESFINDING GODThe splendid magi, all sparkle and dash and solemnity,march right up off the pages of Matthew'sGospel and into our churches today. Matthew alonetells us this grand and seductive story so that wemight see the light and know that the child thesemagi visited is the fulfillment of prophecy, the kingof the world that stretches to the magi's home countryand 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 newbornchild the king of the universe and light of the world.Like the magi, we find in ourselves a new faith anda new life. Like them, we return to our home by anew route. We are asked tocome away from this festiveseason ourselves renewed andawake to the presence of Godamong us. We are asked to findGod where God is to be found,to be attentive and surprisedand ready to bow down in adorationand to offer our gifts.We pray thatthey all returnsafe to theirhomes andfamilies.Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co.THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORDThe story of the Magi is so familiar and yet canstill fill us with wonder. As did the ancient Magi,we, too, want to bring ourgifts to the manger. Thesegifts are our commitments tolive according to how Jesustaught. Thus, we make themeaning of the Epiphanyalive for us today. The lightand love of God shinesthrough our Stewardship,manifested in our world.SAINTS AND SPECIALOBSERVANCESSunday: The Epiphanyof the Lord;National Migration WeekMonday: St. Raymondof Penyafort;Julian Calendar ChristmasAre You Going to the HospitalOr Homebound?If you anticipate going to the hospital for a stay or foroutpatient surgery, before you go, you should considertaking advantage of the healing graces offered by theLord in the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. Call therectory to set up an appointment.Priests and eucharistic ministers regularly visit parishionersat Provena St. Joseph Hospital. Federal law(HIPPA) does not allow pastoral visits to a patient’sroom unless the patient explicitly gives permission. If apatient does not notify the hospital that he or she is aparishioner and desires pastoral visits, it is illegal forclergy to enter the room. When you are admitted, it isimportant that you tell the hospital you belong to St.Paul the Apostle so that they can put you on their chaplain’slist accurately. This will ensure that you have sacramentalvisits during your stay.A parishioner who is homebound may call the parishoffice to make arrangements for a sacramental visit.

Q & A’ S ON MARRIAGE4) How do legally recognized same-sex unions affect marriage?The law has an educative function and becomes a cultural resource. By attempting to redefine marriage, the statewould inculcate in its citizens the belief that marriage is not concerned with reproduction or the rights of childrento be bonded to their parents. Instead, marriage would be perceived solely as the function of the romantic interestsof any group of consenting adults. This change in the law would communicate that there is no essential benefit tohaving both a motherand a father, and that, ultimately, the roles of the two parents are identical and that either could be discarded withoutharm. It is a direct attack on fatherhood and motherhood and ignores a child’s optimal fulfillment in beingraised by mother and father. It is also an affirmative declaration by the state that marriage is not, by definition, heterosexual.Marriage is procreative (at least potentially), permanent and exclusive. However, divorce statistics already challengemarriage’s status as a permanent relationship, and marriage in America has been undermined as the normativevenue for the procreation of children: half of marriages end in divorce and over 40 percent of children areborn out of wedlock and most often without that needed care of both mother and father.Out-of-wedlock births are one of the nation’s leading causes of poverty. Further, thewidespread use of contraceptives, sterilization and abortion severely diminish theessential life-creating reality of marriage. So we see that if the state sanctions same-sexunions little else will be left to the institution of marriage beyond being a temporary emotionalbond between two adults: permanence, exclusivity and procreativity would becomemere options in societal norms.Eucharistic Adoration is a very special time where one can spend time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Everyoneis welcome to come to our Church to visit for as little or as much time as you like. However, if you feel called tobecome a regular weekly guardian corps adorer or are available as a substitute, please return completed form via collectionbasket at Mass or to the Parish Office, or you may call Carol Kurzeja 815-744-5828Name:________________________________________________________________________Telephone_______________________________________________________________________E-mail:________________________________________________________________________Please check which day and time you prefer:___Monday ___Wednesday ___Thursday ___FridayTime:8:00-8:30am___ 8:30-9:00am___ 9:00-9:30am___ 9:30-10am___Regular adorerSubstitute adorerAdorers especially needed:8:00-10:00am Wednesday8:00-10:00am Thursdays“Look, I am standing at the door, knocking. If one of you hears Me calling and opens the door, I willcome in to share his meal side by side.” Rev. 3:20