Sunday, December 26, 2010 - Visitation Parish

VISITATION, ELMHURST, IL DECEMBER 25, 2010Our Former Pastor Elected Diocesan AdministratorJoliet, Illinois (December 3, 2010)Bishop Joseph M. Siegel, the fourth pastor of Visitation Parish in Elmhurst and currently the AuxiliaryBishop of the Diocese of Joliet, has been named Administrator of the Diocese of Joliet–in–Illinois. He waselected by the College of Consultors on Friday afternoon, December 3, 2010.Church law requires that the group of priests appointed to the College of Consultors meet withineight days after a diocese becomes vacant through the death, resignation or transfer of the diocesanbishop to appoint a diocesan administrator. On September 16, 2010, Bishop J. Peter Sartain, who headedthe Joliet diocese for more than four years, was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to be the new shepherdof the Archdiocese of Seattle. He was installed as archbishop on December 1, 2010 at Saint JamesCathedral in Seattle.As Diocesan Administrator, Bishop Siegel has many of the powers and obligations of the diocesan bishop, but is more of a caretakerand cannot implement programs that would hamper the next bishop. As stated in the Code of Canon Law: “When the see isvacant, nothing is to be innovated” (canon 428). Bishop Siegel is responsible for the day–to–day operations of the diocese, and formaintaining the normal ministries and activities of the diocese until a new diocesan bishop is appointed and installed.Bishop Siegel commented:“I am honored and humbled that the College of Consultors has entrusted to me the responsibilities of Diocesan Administrator.The appointment of Bishop Sartain as Archbishop of Seattle was a great loss to our diocese. I am grateful that I had the opportunityto learn from him as we worked closely together over the last ten months. It is my prayer and hope that with the collaboration ofour priests, deacons, religious and lay faithful, the Church of Joliet will continue to carry out the Lord’s work in our parishes,schools and institutions as we await the appointment of a new Bishop.”2010Visitation Goal:$106,421Total donors:540Total Pledged:$107,833Total Paid:$102,842Goal percentage:101%Thank you to all our parishioners for your generousresponse to this year’s Annual Appeal. May God bless you all.Readings for the Week of December 26, 2010Sunday: Is 7:10-14/Rom 1:1-7/Mt 1:18-24Monday: Is 7:10-14/Lk 1:26-38Tuesday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep3:14-18a/Lk 1:39-45Wednesday: 1 Sm 1:24-28/Lk 1:46-56Thursday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Lk 1:57-66Friday:Morning: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Lk 1:67-79Saturday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt1:1-25 or 1:18-25Midnight: Is 9:1-6/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14Dawn: Is 62:11-12/Ti 3:4-7/Lk 2:15-20Day: Is 52:7-10/Heb 1:1-6/Jn1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14Next Sunday: Sir 3:2-7, 12-14/Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17/Mt2:13-15, 19-23Inactive in the Church?Perhaps you left the Church, felt that the Church left you,or you just slipped away, have questions or doubts, or feeldisconnected. We miss you, and we invite you to takeanother look and join our parish family around theEucharistic banquet of the Mass.In the Catholic Church, you will…*Find hope in hard times. *Listen to the Word of God.*Rediscover the Lord Jesus. *Experience God’s love andmercy. *Celebrate the sacraments and receive HolyCommunion. *Find out how to pray and rest in God’speace. *Learn to forgive and give your life to God. *Teachyour child the Catholic faith.During this Christmas Season, let us, together as aparish family, accompany the shepherds to Bethlehem inour daily lives to the place where God comes among us.Come, let us adore him, He who visits us in his body,blood, soul and divinity on Christmas Day and at everyMass in the Holy Eucharist.If you wish to talk to someone, you can contact thepriests and deacons at the Visitation Rectory at 630-834-6700 or Mrs. Bobbie Boris at 630-408-6127. Helpful informationis also available on these websites:www.CatholicsComeHomeJoliet.org and www.visitationparish.org.Page 5