Post on 23-May-2020
Saint Robert BellarmineSaint Robert Bellarmine Parish Mission Statement We are a diverse Catholic community of genera ons, experiencing the living God and reflec ng our faith in ac on with one another.
January 1, 2017 Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God
Epiphany
January 8 Sunday Feast of the Three Kings
Baptism of the Lord
January 9 Monday Christmas Season Ends
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
January 15 Sunday - 10:00 a.m. mass
Mass Intentions MON. January 2, St. Basil the Great & St. Gregory Nazianzen 8:30 am Alfredo Sarau, Eric Macatangay TUES. January 3, The Most Holy Name of Jesus 8:30 am WED. January 4, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 8:30 am Krystyna Bartosz THURS. January 5, St. John Neumann 8:30 am FRI. January 6, Blessed André Bessette 8:30 am Ann Nowak , Joseph Koziarz SAT. January 7, St. Raymond of Penafort 8:30 am 5:00 pm Geraldine LaPlume, John & Wanda Placek, Camille Evringham, Adriana Haddad SUN. January 8, The Epiphany of the Lord 8:00 am Timothy Cronin, Robert Fischer, Thomas & Joan Kean, Harriet Marshall 10:00 am Michael Bastian, Rev Bill Sheridan, Clergy & Religious of SRB 12:00 pm The People of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish 5:30 pm The People of St. Robert Bellarmine, St. Pascal and Our Lady of Victory
Weekly Collections December 18, 2016
Sunday Offertory $ 6,177 Christmas $ 1,905 Christmas Flowers $ 1,770 Religious Retirement $ 375 Sharing $ 245
The amount for the Sunday Offertory includes the electronic donations received for the week.
Thank you for your generosity!
Page 2 January 1, 2017
Please pray for our sick
Gina Brettman, Patricia Klenck, Robert Walsh, Arlene Placek,
Margaret Ludden
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God January 1, 2017
The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God celebrates and affirms that Jesus, though born of a human mother, truly is divine. This dogma of the Church was proclaimed at the Council of Ephesus in 431 and reaffirmed at the Council of Chalcedon in 451, the last of the patristic ecumenical councils recognized by virtually all Christian denominations. The controversy was intense as many devout people tried to protect the transcendence of the one true God, asking how could the eternal God be born of a creature. These Councils affirmed that God’s ways are beyond our human compre-hension and that he revealed his plan of salvation to us through Jesus Christ. Jesus, uniquely, is both fully human and fully divine. We cannot comprehend how this is so, but we believe that it is true and Jesus is the true source of our salvation.
In the Book of Numbers God tells Moses that he will bless his people and will let his face shine upon them (Jesus will be the true face of God whose light shines upon us). St. Paul tells us that Jesus is the Son of God, born of a woman through the power of the Holy Spirit. In the gospel the shepherds visit the Holy Family at the manger, telling Joseph and Mary that the Angel of the Lord revealed that their baby son is the Savior of the World.
Numbers 6:22-27 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:16-21
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5 AT 9:15 AM KERNAGHAN HALL MEETING ROOM
Explore the scriptures for the coming Sunday.
Learn about the scriptures through prayer and discussion with other parishioners.
Questions? Call Deacon Bill at 773-777-2666 or email: bfrere@srb-chicago.org
Lectio Divina
The Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God Page 3
From the Pastor’s Desk
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. Oddly, though, this feast has nothing to do with the Blessed Mother. The Holy Day celebrates the theological affirmation that Jesus is God himself born of the Virgin Mary, a continuation of the wonder of Christmas. Actually wonder does not do justice to Christmas. It is awesome in the truest sense of the word: astounding, staggering, mind-blowing, unimaginable, never to be repeated. There are not enough superlatives to describe the Christ event. The mind and heart of God is always greater than our hu-man knowledge or imagination can grasp. We “know” that Jesus is God. We even take it for granted. I seriously doubt if any of us really has any understanding of what it truly means.
It certainly was a surprise to the people of Jesus’ time, especially to the people of Israel. The Israelites were expect-ing a Messiah to be born of King David’s House, chosen and favored by God, but human like all of us. Judaism be-lieves that God is so “other”, transcendent, far beyond the human imagination. It was impossible for them to believe that this God would or could actually become human. They believed that to see God was to die. God’s appearances to Abraham and the patriarchs were in human form, believed to be angels. Moses spoke with God and saw God’s glory, but could not look upon God’s face. Even Elijah only saw God’s back as he walked past him. How, then, could the divine glory be a human baby that looked no differently than anyone else? It was not only impossible; it was unimaginable.
Christianity also believes in the utter transcendence of God. The early Church struggled with how Jesus could be one with this God. The controversy culminated in the early 5th century when the Patriarch of Constantinople re-ferred to Mary as the “Christ-bearer” (mother of the Messiah, a purely human description). He raised a firestorm of criticism that resulted in the Council of Ephesus declaring that Mary was not simply the Christ-bearer, but truly the Mother of God: that God, while remaining divine, somehow also took on our human nature. Jesus is the divine God but also fully human. Twenty years later the Council of Chalcedon re-affirmed this, explaining that there is only one God, one divine person, who, in the person of Jesus has two natures, human and divine. Humanly speak-ing, this makes no sense. St. Paul calls this a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks. Though we “know” that it is true, we really cannot understand it.
Nevertheless it is the most important fact of our existence. God has joined our human family so that we can see the face of God. Not only can we see the face of God, but we will have life because of it. The Christmas season invites us to truly reflect on the implications of this truth of our faith. I suspect that if we really ever came close to a per-sonal realization of the presence of God and truly saw his face, our lives would never be the same again.
I want to thank everyone who helped make our Christmas celebrations so beautiful and joyful. To the many, many volunteers who decorated the church and the hall for our liturgies and parties, to the many parish organizations who hosted events, to the teachers, catechists and staff who have dedicated themselves to the faith formation of our chil-dren and parish community, and of course, to all our people who attended our celebrations and those whose dona-tions make it possible for our parish to be such a vibrant community of family and faith. It is truly a pleasure to be your pastor.
The Christmas season extends for another week. Next Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany (The Three Kings). Epiphany is the Twelfth Day of Christmas, traditionally the day when the Christmas decorations are taken down. The following day, January 9, is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which ends the liturgical season of Christmas. Unlike the secular culture, which has a big build-up for Christmas and a big let-down on December 26, as Catholics we keep the joy of Christmas alive in our hearts and homes for almost three weeks. Please don’t give in to the culture; keep the spirit and the joy alive. The winter is long and cold enough as it is.
School classes resume this Wednesday. I hope all our faculty, staff and school families had a restful and enjoyable Christmas break, and come back refreshed and ready to continue the school year. Please remember to be very care-ful in the parking lots. The Parents’ Association will host Coffee and Donuts after the masses next Sunday.
I hope that you all had a Blessed Christmas. I wish you all a Happy, Healthy New Year.
Sincerely, Fr. Neil
Page 4 January 1, 2017
In Sympathy
Please pray for the repose of the soul of
Joseph Milio
Dan Knight
and for their families and friends.
Please join us in the church on
Tuesday, January 3
at 6:30 pm
for a Novena to
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
followed by Benediction.
Gluten Free Hosts are Available. Please ask an usher for details.
The Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God Page 5
Page 6 January 1, 2017
Celebration of St. Robert Bellarmine Baptisms in 2016
SRB Blanket Challenge
Common Threads (SRB’s Blanket Ministry) challenges your family to make one, no-sew fleece prayer blanket for the sick and homebound in our parish. This is a great way for your family to
work together and to give back at Christmas-time. Keep in mind that these blankets are being made not only for the physical warmth they will provide, but to show the warmth of our love and prayers for members of our St. Robert’s family. Registration forms and blanket-making instructions are in the Church vestibule and on the Parish Website https://srbchicago.wordpress.com/ Bring your completed blankets in a gift bag to Church on Epiphany Sunday, January 8th, prior to the 10:00 Mass. Place them in front of the Holy Family. They’ll receive a special blessing before being distributed. Although registration is not required, it will help us plan for blanket delivery. For more information, contact Deacon Bill.
SNOW CORPS Chicago Snow Corps is a program that connects volunteers with residents - such as senior citizens and residents with disabilities - in need of snow removal. To request a volunteer to shovel your sidewalk or block in case of extreme snowfall, call 311, submit an online Service Request or contact your Ward office. This is a volunteer-matching service. The City will do its best to match those who have requested assistance with those who have volunteered. This information can be found at: www.cityofchicago.org
The Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God Page 7
Saint Patrick High School Class of 2021 Placement Exam
Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 8:00 a.m.
Bring the Following: Two #2 pencils, pen & Calculator
$25.00 Test Fee (cash, check. or money order)
5900 W. Belmont Chicago, IL 60634
Please enter through the Theatre (East entrance off the Belmont Ave. lot)
Join us for a Continental Breakfast at 7:30 a.m.
Presentation for parents - “Preparing for High School” at 8:30 a.m. Brian O’Connor, Director of Admissions
773-205-3770
boconnor@stpatrick.org
Regina Dominican High School’s entrance exam for the Class of 2021 will
be on Saturday, January 14 at 8 a.m.
All students should arrive by 7:45 a.m. Enter through the Student Entrance.
Two #2 pencils and $25 cash or check made payable to Regina Dominican are required for the
exam. You cannot use a calculator on the mathematics section.
Only students who test at Regina Dominican on the testing date receive Regina Dominican merit
scholarships. Additionally, students who test at Regina Dominican on the entrance exam date
receive financial aid and course selection preference.
Regina Dominican is located at 701 Locust Road, Wilmette, Illinois 60091. For more information, contact Pattie Fuentes, director of admissions,
at 847-256-7660 ext. 223 or pfuentes@rdhs.org.
Page 8 January 1, 2017
The Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God Page 9
Daily Scripture Readings
Monday 1 Jn 2:22-28 / Jn 1:19-28
Tuesday
1 Jn 2:29―3:6 / Jn 1:29-34
Wednesday 1 Jn 3:7-10 / Jn 1:35-42
Thursday
1 Jn 3:11-21 / Jn 1:43-51
Friday 1 Jn 5:5-13 / Mk 1:7-11
Saturday
1 Jn 5:14-21 / Jn 2:1-11
Sunday Is 60:1-6 / Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6 / Mt 2:1-12
Weekly Schedule Monday, January 2 Parish Office Closed
Tuesday, January 3
6:30 pm Novena followed by Benediction (C)
Wednesday, January 4 7 pm RCIA (R)
Thursday, January 5
9:15 am Lectio Divina (MR) 7 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal (SMR)
Friday, January 6
Saturday, January 7
9:30 am – 11:30 am Faith Formation Classes (S)
Sunday, January 8 Coffee and…after all Morning Masses (V)
Page 10 January 1, 2017
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY
January 7 / 8 , 2017 Mass Pres ider Servers Lectors Auxi l iary Ministers
5:00 PM Fr. Neil Fackler
J. Bendig, R Bendig, L. Nigro
K. Caminiti W. Felckowski, P. Fergus, K. Fergus
8:00 AM Fr. Scott Donahue
T. Hansen, M. White, S. White
K. Hansen M. Furphy, T. Kerin, D. Thurber
10:00 AM Fr. Scott Donahue
C. Calabrese, D. Loch, D. Loch
E. Day O. Cave, R. Loch, J. Markfull, D. Czech,
J. Hearrin, S. Spooner, L. Wilder
12:00 PM Fr. Neil Fackler
B. Baumann, D Laycock, F. Santiago
M. Loudon J. Jakobsze, L. Loudon, C. McManus
5:30 PM Fr. Tom
Dore J. Hall, J. Sarau-Young,
R. Sarau-Young L. Baylian S. Calcagno, M. Calcagno, Deacon W. Frere
GySgt Timothy R. Hogan (Marines) CPT Patrick J. Collins (Army) Raymond Weernink (Navy) Sgt Scott Pekar (Marines) CPT Dan Allen (Army) LCpl Kurt Williams (Marines) SGT Joseph Konieczny (Army) Mike Janson (Navy) 1LT Brian G. Lutz (Army) Bernard Brennan (Marines) Sgt. Benjamin Juhasz (Marines) Sarah Faye Tierra (Navy) Sgt Joseph VonMoser (Marines) Luke Bulanda (Navy) Capt Kevin P. O’Grady (Air Force) Capt Daniel C. Ouper (Air Force) PO1 John J. Schmidt III (Navy) Capt Albert Eiffes (Air Force) Joseph A. Casey (Navy) EM3 Abraham Ubi (Navy) PVT Michael Barry (Army) SPC David A. Torres (Army) E2 Anthony V. Tierra (Navy) A1C Logan Lopez (Air Force)
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer who has given us freedom to demonstrate.
Fr. Denis O’Brien, United States Marine Corps
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Saint Robert Bellarmine Church
Mass Schedule Weekdays - Monday - Friday at 8:30 a.m. Weekends - Saturday Morning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday Evening at 5:00 p.m., Sundays at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Holy Days - 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Rectory Office Hours Monday - Friday - 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Closed from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. for lunch) Saturday - 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday - 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Weddings
Arrangements to be made with a priest at least six months in advance.
Please contact the rectory for date and time availability before making other arrangements.
Baptisms
Celebrated the second and fourth Sunday at 1:15 p.m.
Parents need to register at the rectory office. Baptismal preparation class for first time Parents
and Godparents is offered on the last Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the rectory.
Please note: there are no baptisms scheduled during the season of Lent.
Confessions/Reconciliations
Saturdays 4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. or by appointment.
Anointing of the Sick
1st Saturday of the month after the 8:30 a.m. mass.
Eucharistic Adoration & Benediction Third Wednesday of every month.
Adoration begins after 8:30 a.m. mass. Benediction at 5 p.m.
Please sign up at the rectory office.
Novena Mother of Perpetual Help Novena is offered on
Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the church.
Recitation of the Rosary Monday through Saturday at 8:00 a.m.
Parish Office & Rectory 4646 North Austin Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60630 Tel. 773.777.2666 Fax 773.777.2770
Website: www.srb-chicago.org
Rev. Neil E. Fackler, Pastor Rev. Scott Donahue, Resident
Tony Delgado, Deacon Kathy Goetz, Business Manager
MGoetz@ArchChicago.org Barbara Donnelly, Adm. Assist/Office Mgr
SRBrectory@gmail.com Dr. Christina Zaker, Adult Education
SRBvolunteers@Yahoo.com Beth Farias, Youth Minister
SRBteens@gmail.com
Religious Education Office 6036 West Eastwood Avenue
Tel. 773.286.0956 Debi DeMario, Director SRBRE1@Yahoo.com
St. Robert Bellarmine School 6036 West Eastwood Avenue
Tel. 773.725.5133 Carrie Mijal, Principal
Carrie.Mijal@ArchChicago.org Chris Wilson, Secretary
STRBellarmine@Yahoo.com
Office of Music Director 6036 West Eastwood Avenue
Tel. 773.286.0956 Dennis Costanzo, Music Director
DJPCostanzo@gmail.com
Bulletin Deadline: Thursday 12 Noon 10 days in advance
Submit articles via email: SRBBulletinEditor@gmail.com
in person at the rectory or fax 773.777.2770
Pulpit Announcement Deadline Friday by 7:30 p.m. in the rectory.
Saint Robert Bellarmine Church Mass Schedule
Weekdays - Monday - Friday at 8:30 a.m. Weekends - Saturday Morning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday Evening at 5:00 p.m., Sundays at 8:00 a.m., 10:00a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Holy Days - 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Rectory Office Hours Monday through Thursday - 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday - 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. for lunch) Saturday - 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday - 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Weddings Arrangements to be made with a priest at least six months in advance. Please contact the rectory for date and time availability before making other arrangements. Baptisms Celebrated the second and fourth Sunday at 1:15 p.m. Parents need to register at the rectory office. Baptismal preparation class for first time Parents and Godparents is offered on the last Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the rectory. Please note: there are no baptisms scheduled during the season of Lent. Confessions/Reconciliations Saturdays 4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. or by appointment. Anointing of the Sick 1st Saturday of the month after the 8:30 a.m. mass. Eucharistic Adoration & Benediction Third Wednesday of every month. Adoration begins after 8:30 a.m. mass. Benediction at 5 p.m. Please sign up at the rectory office. Novena Mother of Perpetual Help Novena is offered on the First Tuesday of the month at 6:30p.m. in the church, followed by Benediction. Recitation of the Rosary Monday through Saturday at 8:00 a.m.
Parish Rectory & Office 4646 North Austin Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60630 Tel. 773.777.2666 Fax 773.777.2770 Website: www.srb-chicago.org
Rev. Neil E. Fackler, Pastor Rev. Scott Donahue, Resident William Frere, Deacon Kathy Goetz, Business Manager KGoetz@srb-chicago.org Barbara Donnelly, Parish Secretary Rectory@srb-chicago.org Deacon Bill Frere, Pastoral Associate bfrere@srb-chicago.org Fr. Neil Fackler, Pastor nfackler@srb-chicago.org
Faith Formation Office 6036 West Eastwood Avenue Tel. 773.286.0956 Mary Ellen Casselman, Director DRE@srb-chicago.org
St. Robert Bellarmine School 6036 West Eastwood Avenue Tel. 773.725.5133 Carrie Mijal, Principal Cmijal@srb-chicago.org Chris Wilson, Secretary Schooloffice@srb-chicago.org
Office of Music Director 6036 West Eastwood Avenue Tel. 773.286.0956 Dennis Costanzo, Music Director DCostanzo@srb-chicago.org
Bulletin Deadline: Thursday 12 Noon 10 days in advance Submit articles via email: bulletineditor@srb-chicago.org in person at the rectory or fax 773.777.2770
Pulpit Announcement Deadline Friday by 12 Noon in the rectory.