fourth sunday of advent

ST. FERDINAND CHURCH
RECTORY: 5900 W. BARRY AVENUE
CHICAGO, IL 60634
(773) 622-5900
DECEMBER 22, 2013
FOURTH SUNDAY
OF ADVENT
WWW.STFERDINANDCHURCH.COM
Photo by Romuald Gluch Page Two 4th Sunday of Advent Mass Intentions
MONDAY — December 23, 2013 8:00AM–BirthdayBlessingsforRiyaRoy
rq.PallivathukkalRoyFamily
12:00PM(Noon)–Ann&EdOlegnicrq.Family
7:00PM–MassinPolish
TUESDAY — December 24—Christmas Eve 8:00AM–God’sBlessingsAlwaysforThomasZgonenarq.
CocoFamily
12:00PM(Noon)–AnnandRoseCocorq.Children
5:00PM–MassinEnglish
10:00PM–MidnightMassinPolish(Church)
10:00PM–MidnightMassinPolish(Chapel)
12:00AM–AllParishioner(inEnglish)(Church)
WEDNESDAY — December 25 — Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord 7:00AM–MassinPolish
8:30AM–BenZablockirq.ZablockiFamily
10:00AM–RoseandCharlesCocorq.Children
10:15AM–MassinPolish
12:30PM–AllDeceasedMembersofmyFamilyand
Friendsrq.Mrs.TeresitaG.Valdez
3:00PM–JanKusper
THURSDAY — December 26, 2013 8:00AM–MaryAnnMartinrq.Daughter
9:30AM–MassinPolish
12:00PM(Noon)–ThanksgivingforallmyFriends
7:00PM–MassinPolish
December 22, 2013 4th Sunday of Advent The
sanctuary lamps
AlexLadisa
BenZablocki
Marriage Banns
First: LukaszSzczerbaandBerenika
Gorczynska
Third: DanielDudaandBeataNowicka
Congratulations!
Congratulations and best wishes to the couple married in our church last week: JamesCazaresandEwaSep
DEVOTIONS
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Held each Thursday following the 8:00 a.m. Mass FRIDAY— December 27, 2013 8:00AM–CasimirMaluchnikrq.EdwardandElaine
Maluchnik
12:00PM(Noon)–EdwinGuzielrq.Family
7:00PM–MassinPolish
SATURDAY— December 28, 2013 7:00AM–MassinPolish
8:00AM–MembersoftheMemorialMassSociety
3:00PM–WeddingLiturgy:DanielDudaandBeata
Nowicka
5:00PM–MichaelFlynnrq.PatriciaFlynnandFamily
SUNDAY— December 29, 2013 7:00AM–EwaiJanKabat;MariaiJanBudziochorazich
dzieci;
8:30AM–PeopleofSt.Ferdinand
10:00AM–RitaStubitsrq.L.Caravette
10:15AM–MassinPolish
12:30PM–DrewStarsiakrq.MarieStarsiak
3:00PM–MassinPolish
5:00PM–NatalieViolarq.Son
7:00PM–MassinPolish
DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed in English everyday from Monday to Friday following 8:00 a.m. Mass. Please take a short break from your busy life and join the ladies in prayers. On every Saturday right after 8:00 a.m. Mass prayer to St. Anne is being said. Please stop by the Church and offer to God at least a few moments of your time. WELCOME TO OUR PARISH
If you are new to our church or just visting, please stop and introduce yourself. We are pleased to have you share in this celebration of the Eucharist. If you do not have home, or if your church is not home to you, we invite you to become part of our parish family. Please call or stop by our parish office to register 773‐622‐5900. We are glad you are here and hope you will join us. December 22, 2013 4th Sunday of Advent Remember in Prayer
As members of the parish faith community, it is our respon‐
sibility to remember both in concrete and spiritual ways those who cannot celebrate with us each week because they are ill. Those who are sick in turn, remember all of us daily in their prayers and in their sufferings. We experience many blessings because of their remembering us. And so...please re‐
member in your prayers: Irene Rowe Mary Ayello Florence Magro Sharon Moody Anthony R. Coco Veronica Signo Lottie Chrapla Violet Del Vacchio Rosalie Anastos Edward Waytula Pat Ostrowski William Keleher Arlene Garcia Diana Krzyzanowski Geraldine Spano Nick Paolino Theresa Duval Adam Shershen Bernice Lutke Jean Staniszewski William Napier Josephine Coco Laura Schofield Calvin Upton Julie D’Agostino Luna Family Margery Janz Brianna Jurczykowski Susan Milostan Robert Malek Michael F. Coco Tish Vanoni Jodi Mack Geraldine Mack Agnes Coco Ester Baran Al Fitzgibbons Isabell Beyer Kathleen McGinniss Deadra Kusek Stanley Podgorny Tom Sobczak Marietta Falbo Laverne Greco Steve Johns Barbara Alderson Bernadine Jablonski Henryk Sykula Anna DeBold Kathleen Barr Mary Haltin Virginia Starsiak Veena Bhat Pat Flynn Maria & Veronica Segovia Frances Skrabacz Marion Watermann Richard Behrendt Irene & Joseph Biancalana Alice Marzec Thomas Heavey Maria Dysico A Prayer for the Armed Forces
Almighty God, stretch forth Your mighty arm to strengthen and protect the men and women of our Armed Forces. As they face the myriad of challenges and decisions that each day is destined to bring, may they be anchored by their faith, protected by Your presence and comforted by the knowl‐
edge that they are loved by You and by this community of faith. Grant that, meeting danger with courage, and all occasions with discipline loyalty, they may truly serve the cause of justice and peace to the honor of your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.1st Sunday of Advent Daniel Guziec; SPC Jeffrey Foerster Page Three
Our Stewardship
of Treasure
SUNDAY — December 15, 2013 Due to an earlier bulletin submission date the December 15 collection will be reported In the next week’s bulletin. Thank you. Thank you for sharing your „TREASURE” with St. Ferdinand Parish Bóg zapłać! PLEASE REMEMBER ST. FERDINAND PARISH IN YOUR WILL. “The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. For he founded it upon the sea and established it upon the rivers.” Psalm 24:1‐2 How can we take credit for the good things in our lives when Psalm 24 reminds us that God created absolutely everything and everyone on the earth? Surely we all have an obligation to return a portion of our good fortune to the Lord, for without Him nothing would be possible. Thank you!
The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. ~OscarWilde
Sincere THANK YOU to all who give their time to keep our church clean. Thank you for your faithfulness and dependability. Please know that your help is very much valued and appreciated. May God bless you abundantly. CHURCH CLEANING Anyone interested in helping to clean our church is welcome to join us: Mondays at 5:00 pm and/
or Fridays at 10:00 am ARCHDIOCESAN WEBSITE See what’s new at www.archchicago.org We hope the features on this site like daily news, calendar events, information about the local Church and the Catholic Chicago blog will help the Archdiocese widen its reach and ful‐
fill the call to share God's boundless love with all people. Visit www.archchicago.org and see what‘s new! December 22, 2013 4th Sunday of Advent Page Four Christmas 2013
Dear Parishioners and Benefactors of St. Ferdinand Parish:
As we live out this Christmas season, we recall one of the most crucial and fundamental events in the history of the world.
God in his Son becomes a human being. Once again, we are being invited by our Lord during this Liturgical Time of
Advent to experience the mystery of our faith. Don’t squander this opportunity so the Son of God can be born again in
us and in our lives.
During this year of the Strong Catholic Parents proclaimed by the Archdiocese I especially turn to the parents. As you live
through the coming holy days of Christmas, give a good example of living faith to your children. Come together with your
children and family to church to celebrate the newborn Christ and to show them the real meaning of Christmas. Please entrust
yourself and your family to the child Jesus. Please take your children and grandchildren with you, so you can pass onto them
your faith, along with the richness of many beautiful customs and traditions that are taken and carried over the years from
your own family, which now, in this church, we try to preserve and flourish. Each Sunday by attending Mass you have an
opportunity to renew your friendship with Christ as family. Please give him a special place in your life, let him flourish and
he will brighten up your life and help you to make the right choices.
I’m inviting you to come every week to our church, and if possible, to please come even more than once. Our doors are wide
open every day. Each day we celebrate Masses at 8:00a.m, 12:00noon and 7:00p.m.
Each Thursday, all day adoration and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament takes place. Stop by to pray, to find the true
hope each day, to build and strengthen the faith filled family of St. Ferdinand parish in Chicago.
Christmastime is a good opportunity to bestow gifts upon each other; therefore I’m very grateful to all, the parishioners,
visitors, the elderly and homebound for your Christmas offerings to our parish. Thank you for sharing the gifts God bestows
upon you with others.
During this season of Hope, together with priests, the Missionary Sisters of Christ the King for Polonia and the entire staff
of St. Ferdinand parish and school, we wish you a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year! Let the hope flourish anew
at this time of Christ’s Birthday. May this Christmas become not only a remembrance of his birth in Bethlehem, but also
our own birth to a new life in Christ. May the Christ child fill our hearts with joy, give us a sense of life’s meaning, and
strengthen us in overcoming our own hurdles and obstacles. Merry Christmas!
Fr. Jason Toba
Pastor
Page Five 4th Sunday of Advent December 22, 2013 December 22, 2013 4th Sunday of Advent Sunday Dec. 8th St. Ferdinand Parish had the distinct honor to host the reception for Cardinal Francis George’s Golden Jubilee of his ordination. The success of the event was made possible by a small army of individuals whom I wish to thank today. Alter Servers, Seminarians, Newly Ordained Deacons, Parish and outside organizations with their Banners, Knights of Columbus and Ulani as Honor Guards. Trinity Choir, Slowiki, St Ferdinand students along with NDHS Students under the direction of Dr. A. Gorecki stilled our hearts and deeply enriched the Eu‐
charistic celebration always keeping in tune of the evening. Delivery of supplies Anthony Kass Gym floor prep and exten‐
sion cords: Mr. Charles Clamente Set up of tables, chairs, mirrors, flowers and help with coat room: Students from St Ferdinand School and Notre Dame H.S. Covered Affairs for building the beautiful backdrop and providing the stunning table clothes converting our humble facilities into first class Banquette Halls. Montrose Deli, thank you is so inadequate for the visually beautiful, tastefully delicious food trays, designer eatable fruit baskets, delectable vegetables trays and spectacular decadent sweet table. Polonia Dancers: Your dancing and songs took many of us back in time and transported us back to our home land, Po‐
land. Behind the scenes crew was made up of St. Ferdinand Parish Pastoral Council, Knights of Columbus, Ushers, Polish School Parents Association assisted by Richard Kata., NDHS, Courtney Reed and Chris Rebollo, Robert Cyran, and Robert Groszek. St Ferdinand School, Zofia Mazurek and Andrea Cealino. Barbara Jagielska, Marek and Anna Parada from Club of the Good Shepherd. Mary Deren for the stunning floral arrangements in the church. Wieslawa Wojcik for the gift of her artistic ability to produce beautiful church and backdrop banners. The Janitorial service Mr. Leszek and Mr. Adam making sure all of the facilities were sparkling clean and functional. Grounds keeper, parking attendant, special pickup and delivery service Mr. Norbert Clean up, there were number of parish volunteers that stayed and helped to clean up so that Monday’s school could resume without undue disruption. Thank You for putting St. Ferdinand in a very bright spotlight. God Bless all of you. Fr. Jason Torba and Parish Pastoral Council. Page Six CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR Mass Schedule (in English) Christmas Eve — Tuesday, Dec. 24th 5:00 p.m. Mass — Church 12:00 a.m. Midnight Mass — Church Christmas Day — Wednesday, Dec. 25th 8:30 a.m. Mass — Church 10:00 a.m. Mass — Chapel 12:30 p.m. Family Mass — Church New Year’s Eve — Tuesday, Dec. 31st 5:00 p.m. Mass — Church New Year’s Day — Wednesday, Jan. 1st 8:30 a.m. Mass — Church 10:00 a.m. Mass — Chapel 12:30 p.m. Mass — Church The Parish office will be CLOSED the following days: Tuesday, December 24 Wednesday, December 25 Thursday, December 26 and Wednesday, January 1, 2014 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Page Seven 4th Sunday of Advent CHRISTMAS MIDNIGHT MASS FROM THE CATHEDRAL LIVE ON WGN‐TV Cardinal Francis George will be the main celebrant at Christmas Midnight Mass at Holy Name Cathedral. WGN‐TV/
Channel 9 will broadcast this Mass live on Christmas Eve beginning at 12 a.m. for viewers in Chicago and the suburbs. Fr. Greg Sakowicz will provide commentary. This Mass will be streamed live on WGN TV's web site: wgntv.com CHRISTMAS MASS FROM MERCY HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS A Christmas Mass pre‐recorded at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls and celebrated by Cardinal George will air on WGN‐TV/
Channel 9 at 8:00 a.m. on Christmas Day. Check your local cable schedule for the channel position in your area. St. Peregrine Mass: for those seeking care, compassion and spiritual healing for themselves or others, on second Saturdays (Spanish) and third Saturdays (English) at 11 a.m., monthly, at Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica, 3121 W. Jackson, refreshments follow, and (773) 638‐0159. New Year’s Eve Overnight of Renewal: Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m., concludes with morning prayer New Year’s Day, theme: “For all that was – thanks! For all that will be – alleluia!,” presented by Fr. Greg Helmiski, C.R., at The Cenacle, 513 W. Fullerton, for more info or to register, call Sr. Duncan at (773) 528‐6300. “Returning Catholics – Welcome”: “Landings,” program of sharing and listening for Catholics thinking of returning to the church, begins Jan. 9, for eight weeks at Old St. Mary Church, 1500 S. Michigan, email land‐
ings@oldstmarys. com or call (312) 356‐9952. “On Mission with Christ in Baptism”: discussion and prayer workshop, with Jesuit Scholastic Joshua Peters, pastoral minister with Kolbe House Jail Ministry, Jan. 12, noon‐1:30pm., at St. Catherine Laboure Parish, 3535 Thornwood, Glenview, (847) 998‐ 4704. December 22, 2013 Notre Dame High School for Girls 2013 Entrance Exam January 11th at 8AM $25 Testing Fee Please bring #2 pencils and a calculator For more information about the Entrance Exam day or to schedule a personal tour please contact Michelle Ruiz in Admissions at 773‐622‐9494 or email mruiz@ndhs4girls.org Kolbe House Jail Ministry Mass Sunday, January 5 Kolbe House, the Jail Ministry for the Archdiocese, invites you to a Spanish/English Mass at 3 pm Sunday, January 5, at Assumption Parish, 2434 S California, Chicago. At this Mass, we would especially like anyone who is personally affected by incarceration, a victim of crime, or anyone who wants to be part of our ministry through prayer to attend. If you are an ex‐offender or have a loved one in jail or prison, please come. If you need more information, please call Deacon Pablo or Fr. Arturo at Kolbe House: 773
‐247‐0070 or email Pablo at khpablop@aol.com. December 22, 2013 4th Sunday of Advent Chicago Public Schools Office of Access and Enrollment www.cpsoae.org Our office is currently reaching out to Spanish and Polish speaking families on the north side about our Regional Gifted Center at Greeley Elementary School, which is located near Irving Park Road and the lake. CPS provides free bus transportation to the school for students in the program and many Polish families‐‐living as far west as Belmont‐Cragin and Dunning‐‐are delighted to participate in the program. Students develop both English and Polish language skills, work at an accelerated pace, and prepare to enter the city's top public and private high schools. Parents can access an application at www.cpsoae.org ('apply' then 'application materials' then "Selective Enrollment Elementary School application'). They can also visit out office (address below) or call us at 773‐553‐
2060. Page Eight THISWEEK
ATST.FERDINANDPARISH
Monday — December 23, 2013 10:00AM — Friendship Club (Convent 2) 6:00PM — Cub Scouts (Convent 1,2,3) 6:00PM — Troop #51 (McManus Hall) Tuesday — December 24— CHRISTMAS EVE No Activities—Parish Office Closed Wednesday — December 25— CHRISTMAS No activities—Parish Office Closed Thursday — December 26, 2013—Post Christmas Day Parish Office Closed 2:30PM — Jr. Legion of Mary Adoration (Church) 6:00PM — Girl Scouts (Convent) 6:00PM—Pack 3051 Committee Meeting (Convent 5) 7:00PM — Beat 2514 Meeting—(McManus Hall) 7:30PM — Filareci Choir (Chapel) Friday — December 27, 2013 9:00PM — Legion of Mary (Convent 2) 6:30PM — Pilgrim Virgin (Convent 2) 7:30PM — Youth Group (Rectory) Saturday — December 28, 2013 8:00PM — Polish Saturday School 6:00PM — AA Meeting (Convent) Sunday — December 29, 2013 11:00AM—Ziarenko (School) 11:30AM—All Kids and Obama Care (McManus Hall) Page Nine 4th Sunday of Advent BOŻE NARODZENIE I NOWY ROK PORZĄDEK MSZY ŚWIĘTYCH (w j. polskim) Wigilia Bożego Narodzenia — 24 grudnia 10:00 p.m. — Pasterka — Kościół 10:00 p.m. — Pasterka — Kaplica Boże Narodzenie — 25 grudnia 7:00 a.m. — Kościół 10:15 a.m. — Kościół 3:00 p.m. — Kościół Msza św. na zakończenie Roku — 31 grudnia 7:00 p.m. — Kościół Nowy Rok — 1 styczeń 7:00 a.m. — Kościół 10:15 a.m. — Kościół 3:00 p.m. — Kościół Biuro parafialne będzie NIECZYNNE December 22, 2013 „Zawsze, ilekroć uśmiechasz się do swojego brata i wyciagasz do niego rękę zawsze wtedy jest Boże Narodzenie. Zawsze, ilekroć milkniesz, bo innych wysłuchać, zawsze, kiedy dajesz odrobinę nadziei załamanym, ilekroć pozwalasz, by Bóg pokochał innych przez Ciebie – zawsze wtedy jest Boże Narodzenie... Zawsze, ilekroć pozwolisz, by Bóg pokochał innych przez ciebie, zawsze wtedy jest Boże Narodzenie.” (Matka Teresa z Kalkuty) Radosnych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia życzą członkowie Kół Żywego Różańca wraz z Zarządem Z okazji Świąt Narodzenia Pańskiego, Podhalanie i Miłośnicy Tatr im. Stanisława Kowalkowskiego składają życzenia dla wszystkich parafian, kapłanów pracujących w naszej parafii, sióstr zakonnych, wszystkich członków klubów parafialnych, pracowników biura parafialnego, organistom, marszałkom, ministrantom, pracownikom szkoły św. Ferdynanda i Notre Dame, sponsorom oraz wszystkim gościom. Niech ten okres Bożego Narodzenia przyniesie dużo zdrowia, nadziei i miłości Błogosławieństwa Bożej Dzieciny i opieki Jego Matki w Nowym 2014 Roku — życzą Podhalanie i Miłośnicy Tatr z prezesem Tadeuszem Kulasikiem „Bóg jest światłością, a nie ma w nim żadnej ciemności” (1J 1,5) W noc betlejemską zabłysło Światło Człowiek – zgaszony witraż – odnalazł Piękno Teraz wystarczy tylko iść w stronę Światła Patrzeć, promienieć i podziwiać Słowem w Słowie i przez Słowo Życiem w życiu i przez życie Rozpromienione Oblicze Wcielonego Boga Bądźcie jasnym promieniem Tego, „który na życie i nieśmiertelność rzucił światło przez Ewangelię” (2Tm 1,10) Z najlepszymi życzeniami Bożonarodzeniowymi Klub Dobrego Pasterza w dniach: Wtorek — 24 grudnia (Wigilia) Środę — 25 grudnia (Boże Narodzenie) Czwartek — 26 grudnia (św. Szczepana) Oraz środę — 1 stycznia, 2014 WESOŁYCH ŚWIĄT I SZCZĘŚLIWEGO NOWEGO ROKU! KONCERT GOLEC uORKIESTRA: W SOBOTĘ 11 STYCZNIA 2014 O GODZINIE 7:30 WIECZOREM W KOŚCIELE ŚW. TRÓJCY W CHICAGO ODBĘDZIE SIĘ KONCERT KOLĘD I PASTORAŁEK W WYKONANIU GOLEC UORKIESTRA Z POLSKI. ZAPRASZAMY WSZYSTKICH SERDECZNIE. PRZYJDŹCIE Z RODZINAMI NA WSPÓLNE KOLĘDOWANIE, BĘDZIE TO Z PEWNOŚCIĄ NIEZAPOMNIANY WIECZÓR. WIĘCEJ INFORMACJI O BILETACH I KONCERCIE MOŻNA ZNALEŹĆ POD NUMERAMI TEL. 773‐489‐4140; 773‐622‐5900 ORAZ NA STRONACH INTERNETOWYCH: WWW.C‐
CF.ORG WWW.KATOLICKAFUNDACJAKULTURY.ORG WWW.GOLEC.PL December 22, 2013 4th Sunday of Advent Page Ten Boże Narodzenie 2013 r.
Drodzy Parafianie i Dobrodzieje Parafii św. Ferdynanda!
Przeżywając Święta Bożego Narodzenia, wspominamy jedno z najważniejszych
wydarzeń w dziejach wszechświata - Bóg staje się w swoim Synu człowiekiem.
Zostaliśmy po raz kolejny zaproszeni przez samego Boga poprzez okres Adwentu,
aby przygotować się na nowo do przeżycia tej tajemnicy naszej wiary. Nie zmarnujmy tej okazji, aby Bóg na
nowo narodził się w nas i w naszym życiu.
Przeżywając rok odpowiedzialnych rodziców w naszej Archidiecezji w sposób szczególny zwracam się do was
rodzice, abyście przeżywając te tak bardzo rodzinne święta dali swoim dzieciom przykład żywej wiary.
Przyjdźcie razem z waszymi dziećmi do kościoła świętować Boże Narodzenie, aby pokazać im prawdziwą istotę
tych świąt. Powierzajcie was samych i wasze rodziny Nowonarodzonemu Chrystusowi. Przyprowadzajcie też
swoje dzieci i wnuki do kościoła w ciągu całego roku, dbajcie o ich rozwój duchowy poprzez przekazywanie im
wiary oraz związanych z nią bogatych i pięknych tradycji, która wynieśliście sami z domów rodzinnych, a które
staramy się tutaj zachowywać i rozwijać. W każdą niedzielę jest okazja, aby poprzez uczestnictwo we Mszy św.
całą rodziną odnawić swoją przyjaźń z Chrystusem. Dawajcie Mu odpowiednie miejsce w waszym życiu,
pozwólcie Mu działać, a On rozjaśni je i pomoże wam podejmować słuszne decyzje.
Zapraszamy Was, abyście przychodzili do naszego kościoła w każdym tygodniu, a nawet więcej w każdym dniu,
gdyż nasz kościół jest otwarty każdego dnia. Codziennie mamy Msze św. o godz. 8 rano, 12 w południe i 7
wieczorem. W każdy czwartek mamy całodzienną adorację. Przychodźcie tu, aby się pomodlić, aby odnajdować
prawdziwą nadzieję na każdy dzień, aby budować i wzmacniać naszą rodzinę ludzi wierzących przy Parafii św.
Ferdynanda w Chicago.
Czas Bożego Narodzenia to też okazja do obdarowywania się prezentami. Dziękuję Wam wszystkim, parafianom
i gościom, osobom chorym i starszym za złożone ofiary – Dar Bożonarodzeniowy na potrzeby parafii. To piękne,
że umiecie się dzielić tymi darami, którymi Bóg was obdarza na codzień. Niech tę dobroć waszych serc Bóg
wynagrodzi licznymi łaskami i błogosławieństwem.
Życzę wam wraz Księżmi i Siostrami Misjonarkami Chrystusa Króla dla Polonii błogosławionych Świąt
Narodzenia Pańskiego, niech radość i nadzieja, płynące z orędzia Bożego Narodzenia, zagoszczą w waszych
sercach i pozwolą doświadczyć Jego Miłości, Dobroci i Pokoju. Niech Jezus, który stał się człowiekiem, aby
dzielić z nami swój los, pomaga wam w zmaganiach z przeciwnościami, z życiowymi wyzwaniami, by was
pocieszał i umacniał w chwilach trudnych oraz by was czynił gotowymi do obdarzania tymi Jego darami z tymi
wszystkimi, których napotykacie w waszej codzienności.
Ks. Zdzislaw Torba
Proboszcz
December 22, 2013 4th Sunday of Advent Page Eleven December 22, 2013 4th Sunday of Advent Page Twelve December 22, 2013 4th Sunday of Advent Page Thirteen ON CHILD WONDER, AND ADVENT Copyright 2013 by John B. Reynolds (john@jrwrites.com) My wife, daughter and I traveled to Springfield, IL the weekend after Thanksgiving to visit my sister and her husband, as well as Mary and John’s son and daughter‐in‐law and their six‐month old son. Even though Sunday of that weekend was only the First Sunday of Advent, we celebrated Christmas on Saturday night since Mary and John would be traveling to Florida in just a few days. Accordingly, Mary took down her fall decorations on Saturday, and when we arrived later that afternoon, the place looked like Christmas. Mary and John’s home is always warm and inviting, and this visit proved to be no exception (with presents under the tree on the last day of November to boot)! We went to Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, but perhaps because we’d opened gifts the night before, I forgot all about Advent until I got into the pew and saw the wreath up by the altar. At the beginning of Mass, the priest invited the children to come up front for a few words before sending them off with their catechists (the Cathedral offers a children’s ed program during the Liturgy of the Word). First, though, he wished the children Happy New Year, explaining that Advent is the beginning of the new Church year. Then he taught them‐‐and me‐‐a new word in keeping with the first day of Advent: marana tha (which he said meant “Come, Lord Jesus).” Later, the priest gave a thoughtful homily, asking us how we would all react if Jesus walked into the Cathedral even as we celebrated Mass in his name. Would we offer him a warm welcome, hoist him on our shoulders in celebration, perhaps even invite him to stay with us? Or would we offer him a cool reception, maybe even avoid him for fear he’d begin discussing something about ourselves that we didn’t really want to discuss. But as engaging and insightful as the homily was, I’m remembering more at the moment the question the little girl in the pew ahead of me asked her parents when she returned at the Offertory for the rest of the Mass: “What did we miss?” When the disciples once asked Jesus who is greatest in the kingdom, Christ called a child over, positioned the child in the disciples’ midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven…” The little girl in the pew ahead of me could be the poster child for this familiar Christly teaching. And she gives me pause. Do I focus on the readings? Do I listen to the homily? And yet this little girl is eager to learn what happened when she was away from the altar. “What did we miss?” The words are filled with anticipation, but from another perspective, they have a much different meaning. With Christmas Day just around the corner, let’s learn from this little girl so that we won’t be saying the same thing in bittersweet fashion (as in, “Look what we’ve missed...”). So let’s finally pay attention. Let’s not miss the remaining magic. Let’s not miss the reason behind this season. Truly, let’s not miss a thing. Merry Christmas. St. Ferdinand Parish
Support Staff
Mrs. Dorota Gołda, Parish Secretary
Sr. Bernadetta Gościniak, Administrative Assistant
Ms. Elizabeth Ceisel-Mikowska, Bulletin Editor
Mr. Kamil Duda, Website Designer/Editor
Liturgical
Bro. Dr. James Drangsholt, Music Director
Mr. Kamil Duda, Polish Music Director
Mrs. Betty Hotcaveg, Lector Coordinator
Dcn. Irv Hotcaveg, Coordinator of Eucharistic & Ministers of Care
Ms. Jane Lohrmann, Homebound Ministers of Care Scheduler
Parish Council
Mrs. Sophie Kass—President, Stanley Mastalerz, Anthony
Mangiaracina, Peter Holod, Irene Heidelbauer, Mary Ann Barnhart,
Joyce McGiniss, Elizabeth Kata, Maria Gal, Br. James Drangsholt,
ExOfficio Members: Dr. Lucine Mastalerz , Sr. Anna Strycharz
Parish Finance Committee
Mr. Tom Bucaro-Chairperson, Fr. Jason Torba, Mrs. Mary Ann Barnhart, Mr. Gene Szaben, ExOfficio Members: Mr. Martin WojtulewiczParish Accountant, Sr. Bernadetta Gościniak, Dr. Lucine Mastalerz
Parish Organizations and Prayer Groups
Boy Scout: Mr. Vince Clemente, Coordinator
Fish Fry: Mrs. Pat Wenzl, Coordinator
Friendship Club: Mrs. Patricia Flynn, President
Girl Scout: Mrs. Joyce McGinniss, Coordinator
Knights of Columbus—Mater Christi Council:
Mr. David Rizzo, Grand Knight
Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary: Marcia Codak
Ladies of St. Anne: Mrs. Violet DelVecchio, President
Legion of Mary: Mr. Thomas Sobczak & Miss Aurora Almeida,
Co-Presidents
Legion of Mary, Juniors: Mrs. Emma Camara, President
Irving Park Catholic Woman’s Club: Mrs. Dolores Schoewe
Market Day: Ms. Pat DelBoccio, Coordinator
Polish Altar Servers — Fr. Marcin Zasada, Moderator
English Altar Servers: Fr. Marcin Zasada, Moderator
Polish Club of the Good Shepherd: Mr. Andrzej Parada, President
Polish Rosary Group: Mrs. Helena Lesak, President
Polish School Parents’ Assn.: Mrs. Bogusława Łakomy, Pres.
Radość: Miss Marzena Kulesza, Music Teacher
Kropeczki: Sr. Anna Strycharz
Zawaternik: Bernadetta i Jan Bobek
St. Ferdinand Athletic: Mrs. Linda Ward
St. Ferdinand Polish Highlanders Club:
Mr. Tadeusz Kulasik, President
St. Ferdinand School Board:
Mrs. Mary Ann Barnhart, Chairperson
St. Vincent DePaul Society: Mr. Stanley Mastalerz, President
Teens of Our Church (TORCH):
Fr. Marcin Zasada—Youth Minister
The “Faustinum” Association of Apostles of the Divine Mercy:
Fr. Jason Torba, Moderator
Ushers Club: Mr. Peter Holod, President
Pro-Life Coordinators: Tony Mangiaracina, Helena Lasak
Chapel Choir – Conductor Julie Tupiak 773-742-2611
Word of Life — Dito Camara 773-344-8514
Holy Spirit Missionary Association: Sr. Elwira Dziuk
Notre Dame Athletics: Mrs. Linda Ward
Notre Dame Board of Directors: Ms. Sue Miller & Ms. Noreen Musica
St. Ferdinand Church
5900 W. Barry Ave.
Chicago, IL 60634
St. Ferdinand Parish
Phone: (773) 622-5900
1st Sunday of Advent
Rev. Zdzisław (Jason) Torba, Pastor
Rev. Marcin Zasada, Associate Pastor
Rev. Albert Judy, OP—PT Associate Pastor
Rev. Raymond O’Connor, CMF — Weekend Help
Irwin Hotcaveg, Deacon
MASS TIMES
ENGLISH
Weekdays
8:00 AM & 12:00 Noon
POLISH
W ciągu tygodnia
7:00 PM
Saturdays
8:00 AM and 5:00 PM (Anticipated)
Sobota
7:00 AM
Sundays
8:30 AM
10:00 AM (Chapel)
12:30 PM
5:00 PM
Niedziela
7:00 AM
10:15 AM
3:00 PM
7:00 PM
RECONCILIATION / SPOWIEDŹ ŚWIĘTA
Monday—Saturday / od poniedziałku do soboty
6:30 PM — 7:00 PM
Saturday / Sobota
8:30 AM — 9:00 AM
First Friday of the month / Pierwszy piątek miesiąca
6:00 PM —7:30 PM
St. Ferdinand School: 773 622-3022
Dr. Lucine Mastalerz, Head of School
Notre Dame High School for Girls Office: 773-622-9494
Irene Heidelbauer—Director
Religious Education Office: 773 622-3022 ex. 352
1st Sunday of Advent1st Sunday of AdventSr. Anna Strycharz—
D.R.E.
St. Ferdinand Polish Saturday School: 773-622-3022 ex 303
Sr. Genowefa Potaczała — Principal
Christian OutReach (COR): 773 622-9732
Mrs. Lu Caravette, Director
Missionary Sisters of Christ the King - 773 889-7979
Sr. Anna Strycharz, Superior — Sr. Boguslawa Trus,
Sr. Bernadetta Gościniak, Sr. Genowefa Potaczała
BAPTISM:
For Children: a pre-Baptism class is required for Baptism of the first
child. Classes are held in English on the first Wednesday of each
month at 7:30PM in the Church, and in Polish on the last Tuesday of
each month at 7:30PM in the Church. Following registration, the
sacrament of Baptism is celebrated in English on the second Saturday
each month at 6:00PM and on the fourth Sunday of the month at the
12:30PM Mass. The sacrament of Baptism is celebrated in Polish on
the first Saturday of the month at 6:00PM and on the third Sunday of
the month at the 3:00PM Mass. Please call the rectory to register at
773/622-5900.
For Adults: Classes are taught through the Rite of Christian Initiation
Program (RCIA) on Sunday mornings at 10:00AM. Please call Stan
Mastalerz, the RCIA Director at 773/865-4151 for more information.
MARRIAGES:
Must be arranged at least four months prior to the
CHURCH NAME AND NUMBER —
St. Ferdinand #639
ADDRESS —
5900 Barry Avenue
Chicago, Illinois. 60634
PHONE —
773-622-5900
CONTACT PERSON—
Elizabeth Ceisel-Mikowska
630-308-2609 or 708-329-4040
SOFTWARE —
Microsoft Publisher 2003
Adobe Acrobat 7.0
Windows 2000 Professional with Service Pak 4
PRINTER —
HP Photo Smart P1100
TRANSMISSION TIME—
Wednesday, 7:00AM
NUMBER OF PAGES SENT —
Cover through 16 (ads on page 14 and 15)
Page 16 is church copy
SUNDAY DATE OF BULLETIN —
December 22, 2013
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS —
4th Sunday of Advent