the crown - Divine Infant

THE CROWN
A WORD FROM OUR PASTOR
When my sisters, brother and I were kids, one our favorite television shows was The Flying
Nun. Sally Field starred as the perky young Sister Bertrille who loved and served the people of
her town, drove Mother Superior to distraction, and, of course, flew by means of her gullwinged cornette. As a public school kid, Sister Bertrille was about as close as I came to a nun
on a regular basis, and I was mightily impressed. She was energetic and devoted and loving
and she could fly! I wanted so badly to be able to fly too, but I knew, of course, that only
women could become nuns. So I had to resign myself to my lowly vocation as an earth-bound
archdiocesan priest.
Once when my family was gathered together, the subject of old TV shows arose. After singing the theme
to Petticote Junction and Gilligan's Island, we reminisced about The Flying Nun. At that point, my brother-inlaw made a startling confession. He admitted that as a young boy watching The Flying Nun, he developed a
huge crush on Sally Field. Now I was even more impressed with the eerie powers of nuns. Not only did nuns
devote their lives to Christ and to their communities and to their apostolates, and not only could they fly, but
they also controlled the hearts of young boys!
Well, perhaps nuns do not have the eerie power of flight, but they certainly can touch hearts, and they do
that by means of the greatest power of all: love. Next Sunday's second collection is for the Fund for Retired
Religious. This collection helps the men and women who have vowed their lives to Christ and to their communities and apostolates. They made their vows because their hearts were touched by the love of God, and they
wanted to return that love. After many years of devoted service, the vast majority of vowed religious have retired into uncertainty. Without younger members of their communities to support them, retirement has become
difficult. Next Sunday's collection helps all the sisters and brothers who lovingly taught, healed, and served us
in the name of Christ.
Please be generous in the collection for the Fund for Retired Religious. It is one small way in which we can
return some of the love that was offered to us by these dedicated servants of Christ.
And if you happen to see Sister Bertrille flying by, do not tell my brother-in-law. My sister would be so jealous!
Fr. Michael
HOSPITALITY
We are moving December’s
hospitality to Saturday, December
13th after the 5:00 pm Mass. This
will add to the special celebration
of our friends from St. Martin de
Porres. Bakers are welcome and
needed.
OPLATKI
SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE
CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
MARY
Monday the 8th of December is the Solemnity of
the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin
Mary. It is a holy day of obligation, and all must
attend Mass.
Masses will be at 6:30am,
8:00am, and
7:00pm.
Lauds (Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the
Hours) will be celebrated immediately following the
8am Mass.
Oplatki is now available in the rectory during
regular office hours. The price is $2.00 for the first
and $1.00 for each additional.
ADVENT RECONCILIATION LITURGY
BULLETIN HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
Articles for December 21st are due by Dec. 8th
Articles for December 28th are due by Dec. 16th
Articles for January 4, 2015 are due by Dec. 22nd
Our communal celebration of the Rite of Penance
will be Saturday the 13th of December at 10:00am.
MINISTRY OF CONSOLATION
SUPPORT GROUP MEETING
The Ministry of Consolation Support Group will
be hosting a Pre-Holiday Gathering with Brunch on
Sunday, December 7, from 10:30AM until
12:30PM in the former Convent, 10120 Kent Avenue, and invite anyone who has lost a loved to join
us. We will offer tips on how to handle the upcoming holidays after loosing a loved one, and along
with brunch we will offer a complimentary introduction to Healing Touch with Jeannette Barczak, our
Parish Nurse and provide a small gift to take
home. Please call Dr. Claudia Dado, Ministry of
Consolation Coordinator at (708) 865-8071, ext.
304, to register.
GIVING TREE
The Advent Giving Tree for St.
Martin de Porres Parish is located in
the vestibule of the church. Take an
ornament with the age of the recipient, put the size of the clothing in the
space provided (if applicable), and
return the wrapped package to the
vestibule of the church. All gifts must
be returned by Sunday, December
14th.
Thank you for your generosity!
SAVE THOSE GREETING CARDS!
CELEBRATE WITH OUR SHARING PARISH!
For many years, Divine Infant has shown tremendous generosity towards our sharing parish St. Martin de Porres. We have sent them countless gifts
from the Women's Guild Giving Tree, fed innumerable people through our St. Vincent de Paul Society's food pantry, and supported them with our Sunday offering.
Now we have a wonderful opportunity to meet and
pray with the people of St. Martin de Porres Parish.
On Saturday December 13th, the pastor of St. Martin de Porres Father Tom Walsh will bring the St.
Martin de Porres choir and his parishioners to join us
at our 5pm Mass. After Mass, there will be a chance
to meet our friends from St. Martin de Porres and
enjoy some refreshments.
Please mark your calendars so you will not miss this
special celebration on Saturday December 13th at
5pm.
The greeting cards you perhaps received in the
mail (along with requests for donations) that you
would not use...please give them to me. I sort them,
bundle them, and give them to chaplains in prisons
for distribution to the inmates, who are most happy
to have them to send to their family.
Please place them in the basket beneath one of
the small tables near the doorway of the main entrance to church.
I thank you.
Fr. Tom
“DRAW CLOSER TO JESUS”
Come, join a small group of adults for SESSION 3
of “Draw Closer to Jesus” who seek to know Jesus
more deeply and speak about Him more easily.
Monday, December 15, 6:30 p.m. in Langan Hall.
(Bill Juvancic, facilitator)
LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING
I will hold a religious goods sale the weekend of
December 20 and 21st after each Mass. I will
have Holy Communion and Confirmation items as
well as picture albums, rosaries, scapulars, bibles,
crucifixes, books, both adult and children, and
Sympathy Cards. You may use cash or checks
addressed to Divine Infant Women's Guild. Please
call me if there is a specific item you are looking
for on 708 870-5594. I can preorder it and bring it
to the sale. I look forward to seeing you there.
Paula Duff, Religious Goods Coordinator
“AISLE OF GIFTS”
A BIG THANK YOU
The 7th graders are learning about the Solar System. Since NASA recently
just sent out Rosetta’s
lander Philae to land on
the surface of a comet,
the students have been
particularly interested in
learning about some
more things about space.
They have been building
models of the Solar System and learning different
facts that have been
changing very quickly
over time. Our first object
out to space was in 1959,
so everything we know is
still very new!
Thanks to all our wonderful chair people of this
year’s Homespun Holiday bazaar. They are as follows:
Bakery and Adult Choir Booths—Stevie Kolodziej
and Mary Lenart
Candy Booth—Nicole Caminiti and Jessica Meier
New Gifts—Barbara Calabrese
Pro-Life—Pat Meyers
Religious Goods—Paula Duff
Athletic Board—Amy Salata
Religious Education—Sister Susan
Domestic Violence—Jeannette Barczak
8th grade Santa pictures and Booth—Class of
2015
Children’s Booth—Peggy Perry and Noelle
Piemonte
Advertising—Dana Wesolowski
Kitchen—Kate and Frank Grill & Family
Dispa—Anna Mandra and Gina Zmorzynski
Treasurer—Barb Brandt
Grand Raffle—Amy Chenski and Linda Brokenshire
Instant Raffle—Kyla Weldon
Decorations—Genny Panek and Kate Grill
Set-up and clean-up—Tim Dent and Company,
Steve Calabrese, Bruce Nevers, Dave Panek,
Neil Boyle, Mike Caminiti, Jason Lemkau, Kevin
Lah and Bill Tworek
Special thanks to our 7th and 8th grade boys and
girls who assisted our vendors. There are too many
behind the scenes people to name, but thank you to
Marie Denise Czech, Margaret Grahn, Susie Lah
and Connie Calabrese. To all our parishioners who
shopped, bought raffle tickets or donated items, we
thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Mr. Gramarossa and all the teachers and Toni Podock and Mr.
Neal your patience and support through all was
greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Jeanine Dent and Marie Tworek
A great big thank you to the Holy Name Men’s Club
for purchasing 4 projectors and an iPad Air for the
school. Holding 3 of the projectors and the iPad Air
is Aleithea Israel (gr. 5), Abby Kubeczko (gr. 3),
Maximilian Negrete (gr. 1), and Kyle Kebby (gr. 7)
ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO
OFFICE OF THE ARCHBISHOP
November 19, 2014
Dear Father and Parish Staff,
Yesterday, I mentioned that one of the reasons I
chose November 18 for my installation was to highlight in this Year of Consecrated Life the great contribution of religious women as the Church celebrated
the feast of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, RSCJ.
And so, I am pleased that my first letter to you is a
request asking for your help in promoting the annual
appeal for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Each
of us has our own story of how our faith lives have
been enriched by religious through their ministry in
or dioceses, parishes, schools, hospitals and in
countless other ways. Their efforts and service have
allowed the Church to put its best foot forward and
the world is better for it.
As I ask you support of this appeal, I invite you to
think of it not only in terms of a matter of justice to
care for their needs, but as an act of solidarity with
them, letting them know that our appreciation for
their witness is so strong that it prompts a desire to
join them in their unique contribution to the life of the
Church and society. That is the message I ask you
to share with your parishioners on the weekend of
December 13/14, as you take up this special collection. Please feel free to share this letter from the pulpit and/or publish it in your parish bulletin.
I take this opportunity to thank you for the many
ways you as pastor and parish staff witness to the
Gospel by your service to the people under your
pastoral care. Please express to you parish family
my heartfelt best wishes and pledge of remembrance in prayer as I thank God for many gifts.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Blase J. Cupich
Archbishop of Chicago
PREPARE, WAIT AND PRAY
Lord, God, your Church joyfully awaits the coming of its Savior, who
enlightens our hearts and dispels the darkness of ignorance and sin.
As we enter the liturgical season of Advent, we are called to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Holy
Child. We wait quietly and ponder the wonder of the Incarnation and pray for spiritual renewal and a deeper
understanding of our relationship with Jesus Christ. This time of Holy Waiting should be a new beginning, a
time to contemplate the awesome gift God gives us in His Son. The readings for the four Sundays of Advent
help us to remember the true meaning of this Season. The various symbols and colors we have in the
church: the Holy Family, the Wreath, the Creche, the Christmas tree and violet linen are visible reminders of
what the Scripture passages proclaim. Each of these symbols will be displayed in the church gradually during
the weeks preceding the Nativity of the Lord, to help you really get ready for the Christ Child. This is not a
time to be idle; rather it is genuine spiritual work to meet the Divine Infant as we should: renewed, with open
hearts, and filled with God’s grace.
On the Second Sunday of Advent, the prophet Isaiah tells us God wants his people to be comforted:
“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated.” This
Sunday, you will see the Creche with an ox on the side altar. The ox is a draft animal used for pulling heavy
loads, but now his work is done, and he is resting next to the Creche, as a symbol of patient waiting for the
promised royal birth, shown in the draped violet linen. Our Savior is the King of kings, but His humble birth
was in a manger, a Creche, the feeding trough of the stable. He is the Bread of Life. Rather than living as a
titled man of privilege, Jesus came to serve all of humanity and we are called to serve one another. The Holy
Family will make its appearance in the south side aisle. In Mary and Joseph, we learn of complete surrender
to God, doing His will with hope and faith, trusting in the Lord. They are models of who we should be, as Peter tells us, “conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion, waiting for and hastening the coming day of the
Lord.”
The Third Sunday of Advent is also called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin for rejoice. We rejoice because
the waiting is almost over, and Isaiah reminds us, “I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my
soul.” We are encouraged to persevere, and to live in hope, to pray and rejoice always. Paul prays for us,
“May the God of peace make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body be preserved
blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This Sunday, the Holy Family will continue on their journey down the aisle, coming closer to the Creche, steadfast in their quest. In the Sanctuary, the two large
Christmas trees will be present, the ever-greens, symbol of Eternal Life. The trees will not be lit yet, for just
as the words of the Gospel of John explains, “A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to
the light.” Jesus is the Light of the World, but we must wait a little longer.
The Advent Wreath will be present all of these four weeks and on the Fourth Sunday of Advent the Christmas wreaths will be hung in the nave of the church. Taking the shape of a crown, the wreath reminds us of
His Royal birth, the son of David. Made of evergreen, we see the promise of Eternal Life, as the reading from
Samuel says, “Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.” The rest of the figures will be out, joining Joseph and Mary, anticipating the Divine Infant, who will be
“great and will be called the Son of the Most High.”
During Advent, come to Mass on Sunday, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and during the
week. Pray together the Liturgy of the Hours, receive the Sacrament of Penance, and prepare to meet the
Holy Child. When we participate in the liturgy of the Church and contemplate the meaning of the different
symbols of Christmas present in the church, we come to understand the mystery of the Incarnation with
greater clarity. We await Christ‘s first coming in birth, the Incarnation, and anticipate His second coming, his
return in glory, the Parousia. Advent can be a very fruitful Season, freed from outward distractions, if we live
the Word of God and pray, “Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him and my covenant with him stands
firm.”
Dr. Claudia Maria Dado, M.A.L.
THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
The Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation is one of the Sacraments of Healing. Through Christ we are
healed or made well again, and reconciled or brought back into right relationship with God and each other,
the Church. The foundation of reconciliation can be seen in the psalms of the Old Testament. Psalm 51, the
Prayer of Repentance, contains the elements of the Sacrament we celebrate now: the acknowledgement of
sin, plea for forgiveness, renewal of heart, expression of sorrow, acts of penitence and reconciliation. In the
New Testament, reconciliation is in and through the person of Christ. In answering the invitation of God to
conversion we respond and are renewed in spirit. We reaffirm who we became at our Baptism, people
“clothed in Christ,” and members of His Body the Church. Through His death, Christ instituted the forgiveness of sins. After His Resurrection, He sent the Holy Spirit to give His Apostles and their successors the
power to forgive sins through His Church. The priest, as minister of the Sacrament, represents both Christ
and Christ’s Body, the Church. We confess our sins out loud to a priest so that he, upon hearing our sins,
can give absolution
The Revised Rite of Penance contains the Rite for Reconciliation of Individual Penitents, a liturgical celebration of the Sacrament that is available each week. The Rite for Reconciliation of Several Penitents is usually celebrated during the liturgical Seasons of Advent and Lent. Both Rites are individual and communal in
nature as all liturgical celebrations are public and belong to the people as a whole. While the confession of
sins is a component of the ritual action of the penitent, spiritual guidance to overcome the root cause of sin,
and to continue on the journey to salvation, is part of this celebration. The grace and mercy of God is a call
we should respond to with joy and not fear. Through the Sacrament of Penance, “Though your sins be like
scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool.”
Dr. Claudia Maria Dado, M.A.L.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated on Saturday, December 13 at 10:00 AM.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
On December 8, the whole Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is the Patronal Feastday of the United States of America. The
dogma, from the Greek meaning an opinion or decree, of Mary being free from original sin,
has a long tradition in the Church. After the Council of Ephesus (431) declared Mary the divine Mother of God, the Theotokos, later Ecumenical Councils continued making pronouncements about the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Lateran Council (649) affirmed her as “holy Mary, ever virgin and immaculate.” By
1477, Pope Sixtus IV, encouraged celebration of the feast and considered the Immaculate
Conception as a doctrine, or teaching of the faith, writing,
“all the faithful of Christ should
give thanks and praise to almighty God for the wonderful conception of the immaculate virgin
and should celebrate the Mass and other divine offices and attend them.” In 1846, the bishops of the United
States declared Mary patroness or intercessor of the United States under the title of Immaculate Conception.
It was Pope Pius IX who affirmed the doctrine of Mary’s conception free from original sin or immaculate. He
wrote a papal bull, a document with a bulla, from the Latin for lead seal, on December 8, 1854, Ineffabilis
Deus, The God Ineffable. In it he promulgated or formally proclaimed that the most Blessed Virgin Mary was
“from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace of almighty God, immune from all stain of original sin, revealed by God and firmly and constantly to be believed by all the faithful.”
Mary has a twofold role in the work of salvation. Her willingness to follow the divine will of God as the
Mother of our Savior and then as heavenly intercessor for all the faithful, grants her a unique place in salvation history. We specially honor her as the Mother of God and the Mother of all the faithful. Let us come together to celebrate in the liturgy she whom God “placed above all others to be for your people an advocate of
grace and a model of holiness.”
Dr. Claudia Maria Dado, M.A.L.
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses will be celebrated
at: 6:30AM, 8:00AM and &7:00PM.
Lauds ( Morning Prayer ) will be celebrated immediately following the 8AM Mass. Booklets will be provided.
LITURGY FOR THE WEEK
SATURDAY, December 6
5:00 pm Family and friends of Catino & Perry
families; Julia Siwek; Patrick Mullins; Gary McClure;
Lawrence Turilli; Gladys Malpier; Filomena Cabanlit
SUNDAY, December 7
7:30 Edward & Margaret Rybicki; Robert Smith;
Thomas Smith; Joan O’Brien
9:30 Robert Breneisen; Ann Sloan; JoMae White
11:30 Ann Simek; People of the Parish
MONDAY, December 8—FEAST OF THE
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION
6:30 All the faithful departed
8:00 All the faithful departed
7:00 pm Gary McClure
TUESDAY, December 9
8:00 Jim Wilkin; Camille Nawrocki
WEDNESDAY, December 10
8:00 Walter & Mary Wanick; Charles Catino
THURSDAY, December 11
8:00 Louis C. Bauman; Richard Jurevich, Sr.
FRIDAY, December 12
8:00 Catherine L. Parker
SATURDAY, December 13
8:00 Jeffrey Stevens & Irene Bartaletti
5:00 pm Pearl Volka & C. Earl Blankenship; Charles
Gimino; Dolores Sniegowski; Charles Catino
SUNDAY, December 14
7:30 Jane Ulsafer-VanLanen; Thomas Smith;
Thomas Durkin
9:30 MaryAnn Faitz, James & Helen Hassett; Rita
Cynkar; Drew Xenakis; Dolores Brosky
11:30 Austin Boyle; People of the Parish
PRAY FOR THE SICK OF THE PARISH
Francis Cardinal George
Marcus Beckler
Jack Belsanti
Jerry Danhauer
Don Eck
Erwin Eggert
Erwin Eiduk
Socorro Fajardo
Jill Franklin
Walter Grose
Edward Gundry
Mary Gundry
Emilia Jagielka
Walter & Jadwiga Kania
Marlene Koziol
Donald J. Martin
John C. Martin
Elsie Masterson
Ed Matuga
Dan Mulligan
Caryn (Cookie) Murray
Tom Nilsson
Marty Nuzik
Jim Phillips
Frank Scafuri
Nicole Durczak Shepulis
Barbara Silski
Marcella Sullivan
Fr. Fred Tomzik
Bacilla Valle
Bob Volz
Darryl Watson
Loving God, give strength to all who struggle with
illness. Grant them courage when they are afraid
and comfort when they are in pain.
Because of government regulations, hospitals
and nursing homes are no longer allowed to notify
us if you are admitted to either facility. If you or a
family member would like to be visited in the hospital
or nursing home, please call the rectory at 8658071.
If you or a family member are sick or homebound
and would like to be added to our prayer list, visited,
receive Holy Communion or be anointed, please call
the rectory at 865-8071.
WEEKDAY SERVERS
MAY THEY REST IN PEACE
MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY
Maria Luna
Michael Marren
Thomas Durkin
8:00—Anthony Calabrese; Oscar Nevarez
THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY
8:00—TJ Mandra
NEXT WEEKEND’S MINISTERS
COMM. MINISTERS
MUSIC
LECTORS
SERVERS
SAT. 5:00
CELEBRANT
Fr. Tom Walsh
D. Thoms
W. Thoms
Adult
Choir
Teens
B. Lah
L. Panek
SUN. 7:30
Fr. Winikates
P. Casey
R. Casey
R. Smola
S. Laszkiewicz
J. Stiso
L. Boyle
SUN. 9:30
Fr. Joyce
P. Farmer
S. Johnston
N. Mihel
A. Garbacz
A. Groppe
TJ Mandra
SUN. 11:30
Fr. Michael
A. Castillo
A. Castillo
J. Calcagno
J. Naughton
N. Creaney
P. Lopez
Strings of
Faith
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday:
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
CONV—10:30 am Ministry of Consolation Support Group
CH—12:45 pm Baptismal Prep
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8—IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Masses 6:30 am, 8:00 am & 7:00 pm Holy Day of Obligation
CH—Morning Prayer after 8:00 am Mass
RE—Classes
TUESDAY, DECEBER 9
CH—3:00 pm Chimes
GYM—5:00 pm Cheerleading
CR—7:00 pm PPC
PR—7:00 pm Athletic Board
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11
CR—St. Vincent
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12
CH—7:30 pm Holy Hour for Life
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13
CH—10:00 am Reconciliation Liturgy
WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE ALL
PARISH MAILINGS ELECTRONCIALLY
If you would like to receive parish mailings—
Christmas and Easter letters, statement of annual
contributions, and yearly report—by email, please
send an email to the parish at d.infant@comcast.net.
In the subject line write “Parish Email,” and then in
the body of the email write your name, street address and envelope number if you know it.
This will help save the parish money in printing
and postage.
Thank you!
SUNDAY OFFERING
November 23, 2014
————-————————————————
Average weekly expenses $15,655
This week’s collection
9,080
Deficit
($ 6,575)
—————–————--–—————-——–——
November 30, 2014
Average weekly expenses $15,655
This week’s collection
9,818
Deficit
($ 5,837)
_____________________________________
When you are away for a weekend, we hope you will
remember your offering to Divine Infant.
Thank you.
Gn 3:9-15, 20; Ps 98:1-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12;
Lk 1:26-38
Tuesday:
Is 40:1-11; Ps 96:1-3, 10ac, 11-13;
Mt 18:12-14
Wednesday: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30
Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9, 10-13ab;
Mt 11:11-15
Friday:
Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab;
Jdt 13:18bcde, 19: Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47,
or any readings from the Common of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, nos. 707-712
Saturday:
Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19;
Mt 17:9a, 10-13
Sunday:
Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; Lk 1:46-50, 53-54;
1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28
PROTECTING CHILDREN
At Divine Infant Jesus Parish and
School, the protection of our children is
of utmost importance, and we comply
fully with the policies of the Archdiocese of Chicago and the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
To learn more, go to our website
dnn.archchicago.org/divine infant and click on the
tab “Protecting Children at D.I.” or visit archchicago.org and click on the button “Protecting Children.” If you do not have internet access and would
like to learn more, please contact the rectory or call
the Office for Protection of Children and Youth at
312 534-5254.
PLEASE USE GiveCentral.org
FOR ALL YOUR DONATIONS
Divine Infant Jesus Parish depends on your generosity in order to carry out its ministry of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ and teaching and
healing in his name. We do not charge for anything.
We rely solely on your Sunday and Holy Day donations.
To make it easier for you to give your gifts to Divine
Infant, we work with GiveCentral.org. When you
sign up with GiveCentral.org, you can make all your
Sunday, Holy Day, second collection, and every
other donation that you make to the parish. Then
you never have to use a parish envelope or put anything in the collection basket ever again!
Please visit GiveCentral.org to create your personal
and secure donations account. Thank you for your
generosity!
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE BANNER AND THE MIRACULOUS IMAGE
The Our Lady of Guadalupe banner will be displayed in Church from December 8 till
December 12. This week we celebrate two feasts of Our Lady – the Immaculate Conception and the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Americas and the unborn. We have only a copy of the image that hangs in Mexico City here at Divine Infant.
The actual portrait of Our Lady that was actually given to St. Juan Diego by Our Lady herself was definitely made in Heaven.
Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill near Mexico City on December 9,
1531 telling him of her desire that a Shrine be built at that spot to bear witness to her love,
her compassion, and her protection. To prove to the bishop that the apparition was real
and the request was from her, she imprinted her image on Juan Diego’s tilma.
The fact that the tilma is still around is in itself a miracle. All clothes similar to his tilma
that have been placed in the salty and humid environments that surrounds the Basilica
where the image is kept have lasted no more than ten years. The miraculous image was exposed for approximately 116 years without any kind of protection, receiving all the infrared and ultraviolet radiation from
the tens of thousands of candles near it and exposed to the humid and salty air around the temple. In 1921,
a bomb exploded near the tilma. It broke the marble floor and windows 150 meters from the explosion, but
“unexpectedly, neither the tilma nor the normal glass that protected the tilma was damaged or broken.”
One of the most bizarre characteristics of the cloth is that the back side is rough and coarse, but the front
side is as soft as the most pure silk. The image seems to increase in size and change colors owing to an
unknown property of the surface and substance of which it is made. The colors actually float above the surface of the Tilma at a distance of 3/10th of a millimeter (1/100th of an inch), without touching it. Portions of
the face, hands, robe and mantle were painted in one step – no visible strokes, sketch marks, sizing or any
protective varnish to protect the surface. The image changes in color slightly according to the angle that it
is viewed. It maintains a constant temperature of 98.6 degrees – the same as the body of a living person.
Carlos Fernandez del Castillo, a gynecologist, examined the image and determined that the gynecological measurements of Our Lady’s physical dimensions indicated a woman who is pregnant entirely consistent with the stage of pregnancy on December 9th for Jesus’ birth to occur on Christmas. A stethoscope
was placed below the black band at the waist of Our Lady (the cinta, a sign that she is pregnant) and the
rhythmic repeating heartbeats at 115 beats per minute were heard, the same as that of a baby in the maternal womb.
The eyes of Our Lady have revealed other secrets of the “painting”. On March 27, 1956, when Dr. Javier
Torroella Bueno, MDS, a prestigious ophthalmologist, discovered the presence of the triple reflection
(Samson-Purkinje effect) in the eyes of the Virgin – a characteristic of all live human eyes wherein the images are located exactly where they are supposed to be according to such effect, and that the distortion of
the images agree with the curvature of the cornea. In that same year, Dr. Rafael Torrija Lavoignet, similarly
examined the eyes of the Image with an ophthalmoscope in great detail. He also found human figures, figures of the people who were in the room when the Image was revealed, in the corneas of both eyes, with
the location and distortion of a normal human eye and specially noted a unique appearance of the eyes:
they looked strangely “alive” when examined.
The miraculous appearance of this image leaves a lot of questions for modern day science. For those of
us who are believers, we know that it is a gift from Heaven. We pray this week to Our Lady – as the Immaculate Conception and as the beautiful woman who appeared in Mexico almost 500 years ago. Be sure
to join us at 7:30pm in Church this Friday, on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, for a wonderful Holy
Hour. It will be time well spent during this Advent Season.
RESOURCE CENTER
Parishioner looking for someone to shovel snow
this winter. Please call Mrs. Long 708 531-0496.
Person looking to do elderly care please call
Sandy 708 531-1544.
For Sale: 2004 Craftsman Snow Blower, 7.5
Horsepower, Electric Start, Dual Stage. Asking
$325.00. Some winters never used. Call Linda 708
345-7862.
BAPTISMS
Samuel Joseph, son of Lisa (Gates) & Miguel
Barrera
William Charles, son of Heather (Hayes) & William Hosking
Thomas Anton, son of Katie (Hayes) & Paul Paljetak
DIVINE INFANT PARISH
NEWCASTLE AND CANTERBURY AVENUES
WESTCHESTER, ILLINOIS 60154
REV. MICHAEL WANDA, Pastor (ext. 203)
REV. GERALD JOYCE, Pastor Emeritus (ext. 206)
REV. THOMAS WINIKATES, Associate (ext. 204)
DEACON JAMES SPONDER (ext. 306)
MR. LEONARD GRAMAROSSA, School Principal
SR. SUSAN MAJCEN, O.P., Director of Religious Education
Website: divineinfant.archchicago.org
Rectory: 1601 Newcastle Avenue, 708 865-8071
Fax number: 708-865-8032
E-mail: d.infant@comcast.net
School: 1640 Newcastle Avenue, 865-0122 & 865-0233
E-mail: divineinfant@comcast.net
Office of Religious Education: 865-8086
Parish Nurse, Ms. Jeannette Barczak, BSN, HTP, 352-7518
Bereavement Ministry: Dr. Claudia Dado, MAL (ext. 304)
Choir Director: Mrs. Janet Reif, 531-9495
Organist: Mrs. Judy Schindler, 383-4288
Business Manager: Mr. Jerry Priore, (ext. 209)
Youth Minister: Mr. Jim Negrete, (ext. 307)
Rectory Secretary: Mrs. Toni Podock, (ext. 201)
SUNDAY MASSES: 7:30, 9:30 & 11.30
SATURDAY EVENING: 5:00 pm
WEEKDAY MASSES: 8:00 am
SATURDAY MORNING: 8:00 am
HOLY DAY MASSES: 6:30, 8:00, and 7:00 pm
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SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: (Confession)
Saturday: In the Reconciliation Room 4:00 to 4:45 pm or by
appointment.
BAPTISMS: Baptisms are celebrated on the 2nd & 3rd Sundays of the
month at 12:45 pm. By Archdiocesan regulation and parish policy,
parents are required to attend a Baptismal Preparation session before
the Baptism of their child. These sessions will usually be held on the
first Sunday afternoon of the month. Call the secretary at the rectory
(865-8071) to register for the session and schedule the Baptism.
D.I.V.M. SERVICES: Communion to the sick, food shopping, necessary
transportation, emergency meals, transportation to Mass. Resource
information also available. If you need help from any of these
services, please let us know as much in advance as possible so the
chairpersons can make arrangements and the volunteers arrange
their schedules. If you are able to volunteer to help provide these
services to our parishioners, we can always use more help. Please
call the rectory at 865-8071.
WEDDINGS: Couples should contact the rectory and speak to a priest
shortly after the engagement, but no less than four months before the
desired wedding day.
No date should be set (especially in reserving a hall) for your
wedding until you have spoken to a priest. In this way, you will not be
disappointed if the church has been previously reserved for another
ceremony.
Please keep in mind the times that are available for weddings
at Divine Infant:
SATURDAYS—1:00 pm and 3:00 pm
WEEKDAYS—–Any reasonable hour
CHURCH NAME & NUMBER—
Divine Infant #9216
ADDRESS—
1601 Newcastle, Westchester, Il. 60154
PHONE—
708-865-8071
E-mail: d.infant@comcast.net
CONTACT PERSON—
Elsie Masterson (ext. 302)
SOFTWARE—
Microsoft Publisher 2003
Windows XP Professional
Adobe Acrobat 6.0
PRINTER—
HP Laserjet 5P
NUMBER OF PAGES SENT—
Cover through 12
SUNDAY DATE OF BULLETIN—
December 7, 2014
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS—