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Page 2 ST. PIUS X, STICKNEY

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

January 1, 2017 The shepherds’ gift

In our traditional way of telling the story, we short-change the shepherds. The typical manger set reveals the imbalance: While Magi arrive at the Nativity bearing magnificent gifts in their arms, impoverished shepherds show up empty-handed. Well, almost. Sometimes a shepherd holds a lamb in his arms, or drapes one across his shoulders. Certainly sheep trail in the shepherds’ footsteps. Nothing suggests these animals are presented as gifts. When you’re a shepherd, sheep come with the territory. Of course, nativity sets are a composite of two gospel accounts. In no biblical infancy story do Magi and shepherds arrive in tandem to pay their respects to the Christ child. Either you get one set of visitors or the other. Matthew prefers the noble visitors with symbolic gifts. They fit into his overall scheme of presenting Jesus as the one sought by outsiders even as he’s rejected heartily by the historical King of the Jews, Herod. Meanwhile, Luke recounts his Nativity story with shepherds. Humble visitors suit Luke’s agenda: that the poor are specially poised to hear the good news this child will announce. Following Luke’s strand today, let’s listen closely to what he’s actually saying. Unlike the popular carol about a drummer boy who comes “with no gift to bring,” the shepherds do bring an astonishing offering to the Holy Family. They proclaim a message delivered to them in angel song. The heavenly message goes something like this: Good news! Today everyone has something to celebrate. The Messiah of David’s house is here! The faithful on earth will know his peace. Is this message as valuable as those other, more famous presents? While it’s easier, perhaps, to compose three verses about the wise men’s more tangible gifts, good news for everyone on earth is a pretty special declaration. Has there been such an announcement before or since? Usually the daily news is good for some, not so good for others. Most of the time, to be honest, it’s good for the few, and bad for the many. Good news for everyone is surprisingly hard to visualize, like world peace. Can anevent that takes place on this planet possibly be good for everybody? Is it a failure of imagination on our part that we can’t seem to see the shepherds’ gift? Or is it that the allure of gold, pleasing perfume, and ominous myrrh are so much more vivid to us? On this World Day of Peace, and feast of Mary, Mother of God, will any of us commit to “peace on earth, good will toward all” as more desirable goal even than gold? Mary put the shepherd’s words into her heart and treasured them for a lifetime. They’ve outlasted all the other gifts. (Taken from PREPARE THE WORD) Love, Father Tony

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God January 1, 2017 “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” Luke 2:19 Mary is the perfect role model for living a stewardship lifestyle. She listened to God and said “yes” to His invitation to be the Holy Mother of His son. She also trusted in the God’s providence on a daily basis. As we start a new year, take time every day to listen to how God is calling you; trust that He has a better plan for you than you could ever imagine. LOVE Let those who never loved before, love now: Let those who always loved, love the more. —Anonymous

We see the attacks on innocent human life seem to become more complex and deceptive. Abortion is sold as giving a woman the “right to chose;” assisted suicide as a way to relieve the pain of dying; embryonic stem cell research as a means of attaining marvelous cures. Yet the essential question remains for each of us: Who

is our neighbor? In this age especially, it must include those not protected by law, those who have no voice. That all may recognize the right to life of the unborn who are created in the image of God, we pray.

GOD’S PEOPLE

Pray for our sick and their families:

Our sanctuary candle burns in honor of: FC 1 Arick S. Ramsden, USN Joseph Zailskas At the request of Mary Ramsden

Page 3 THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

Sunday, January 1, Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

8:00 † Hattie Kraus req. St. Pius X Parish Family † Alice Zajac req. Stan & Family † Joe Crnkovic req. Family † John Marsala req. Trotsky Family 10:30 † Genevieve Kulenski req. Ray Lipinski † Lorenza & Tomaso Parisi req. Vito & Tania Griseta † Dorothy & Joseph Chaplick req. Joyce Privitt † Margaret Kelly Friedman req. Mary Cooney Monday, January 2, Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory

Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church 8:00 † Sarah Kasprzak req. Family —Health for David DiGvonni req. Tom & Patti Tuesday, January 3, The Most Holy Name of Jesus 8:00 † Poor Souls † Leonard Yerkes req. Sr. Therese Bernadette Wednesday, January 4, St Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious 8:00 — Communion Service Thursday, January 5, St. John Neumann, Bishop 8:00 † Lucille Shotas req. Sr. Bernadette Zabrauskas Friday, January 6, St. Andre Bessette, Religious 8:00 —Healing for Errol Lindo req. Pauline Lindo 8:30 —Exposition, Benediction and Confession 7:00 pm—Welcome Home & Serious Illness Saturday, January 7, Christmas Weekday 9:00 † Leopold Wilson req. Pauline Lindo Saturday, January 7, Vigil: The Epiphany of the Lord 5:00 † Dorothy & Joseph Chaplick req. Joyce Privitt Sunday, January 8, The Epiphany of the Lord 8:00 † Hattie Kraus req. St. Pius X Parish Family 10:30 † Rosalia & Domenico Scalici req. Vito &Tania

Griseta —Healing for Shirley Redhead req. Pauline Lindo

SATURDAY HOLY HOUR January 7

8:00 A.M.– 9:00 a.m. Prayers will be offered for the families of

St. Pius X Parish. Come for the whole hour or part of the hour. Join us in prayer.

CONTRIBUTIONS Due to the early transformation of the bulletin contributions are not available.

Please note: All contributions (Church envelopes) for the year 2016 must be received by December 31/January 1 if they are to be

credited to your 2016 statement. Any envelopes dated 2016 received after January 1st will be credited to the 2017 calendar year. To ensure proper credit please use your church envelopes and mark the amount of your contribution on the envelope. No scotch tape please.

Remember your loved one, living or deceased with a Mass Intention. Mass cards are available. The usual donation is $10. Schedule your intentions by calling the parish office: (708) 484-7951.

Fr. Harry Bonin Feliksa Barabasz Fr. Fred Tomzik Chriss Holland Anna Karovic Jonathan Tabor John Gacek Sara Lozada Al Cacini Sheri Young Lolene Veselsky Heather Stahulak Carolee Michalek George Visk Emma Cruz George Visk

Nathan Kucera Kathleen Smeltzer Fred Schimel Josephine Radogno Marcelo & Virginia Estrella Justin Vasiliauskas Dorothy Salerno Marie Green Fr. Nick Marro Eleanor Brousik David DeFilippis Neftali Rodriguez Chris Czerwinski Cindy Ryan John Babinec

The flag now flying is in memory of Korean War Vet-eran Richard Noworul Corporal U.S. Army, Infantry

THE BLESSING WE RECEIVE The blessing we experience in Christ Jesus is proclaimed in Numbers as the special blessing for the people of Israel. They and we are to be blessed by the invocation of God’s loving kindness, the shining glory of God’s face turned toward us in love, not away from us in anger. We are blessed by God’s own peace! Our wish and our hope are fulfilled in this blessing, which is made visible in the coming of Jesus. In Jesus, the image of the invisible God, God’s face is shown to us and God’s presence is made known to us in faithful and loving kindness. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. THE INNER WORD What’s in your heart? Mary "kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart." During the Octave of Christmas, the church has been contemplating the newborn Jesus, God's gift of self to us and all of creation. What have been the fruits of your prayer and meditation in this season? What have you been reflecting on in your heart? What will you take away from this year's celebration of Christmas? How will it stay with you throughout the year? TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION “Octave” comes from the Latin word for “eight,” and since eight is one step beyond seven, the number of days in a week, it has long been seen as a symbol of perfection, completion, and new beginnings. Early Christians called Sunday the “eighth day,” since it was the day after the Sabbath and a day of resurrected life, the Lord’s Day. By the seventh century, people regarded the eight days after Easter Sunday as one great day, an octave, one glorious feast when people were forbidden to fast or kneel. In the seventh century, Pentecost acquired an Octave, too. Christmas didn’t claim the honor of a continuous feast, but it did get an Octave Day. January 1 is the oldest Marian feast, the Octave of Christmas. It was originally a feast of the motherhood of Mary, although for centuries until 1969 it was called the Feast of the Circumcision. Our reformed calendar follows the earlier tradition of celebrating Mary as Mother of God. —James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

2017 CALENDARS ARE AVAILABLE We again thank the Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home for suppling us with 2017 calendars. They have been donating calendars to St. Pius X for many years and

we are grateful.

Ministers for January 7/8 Eucharistic Ministers Please take your pendant before Mass Lectors: 5:00 —Nancy Miller 8:00 —Patti Trotsky 10:30—Mercedes Babicz Servers: 5:00—Aricia Walczak, Anthony Morales, Denise Espinoza 8:00 —Angela Valdivieso, Kathy Grego 10:30 —Cristena Gondos, Marc Babicz, Maria Gondos

RENEW MY CHURCH Together through Renew My Church, we will create vital, vibrant, life-giving Catholic communities across the Archdiocese by using the

seven signs of mission, which are: Evangelization, Catechesis, Liturgy, Community, Mission, Holiness, and Stewardship. As we continue to relate each of the seven signs of mission to our own families, we can better understand how these seven signs of mission also relate to our parish family. To day we consider Stewardship and how we take responsibility for administration and leadership of the parish as good stewards of the gifts Christ has entrusted to us. A healthy family is marked by stability and responsible leadership. Healthy families provide stability through responsible leadership, people who take responsibility for the resources. And yet, they cultivate a spirit of interdependence, sharing in common needs and resources by being accountable to each other. Healthy parish families also need stability, an understanding that mission vitality depends on co-responsibility and interdependence, marked by transparency, accountability and a stewardship approach to leadership that fosters maximum participation and sharing. In presenting these signs of parish mission vitality in the language of the family, my hope is that it will spark now in your imagination a fresh understanding about the importance and urgency of “Renew My Church” for our local church. Everyone across the Archdiocese is invited to join together in launching a historic new moment for the Church of Chicago to respond to Christ's call to “Renew My Church.” What we are undertaking will chart the course for greater vibrancy and vitality of our parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago for generations to come. http://www.archchicago.org/renew

Page 4 ST. PIUS X, STICKNEY

MISSALETTE DEDICATION Dedicate a Missalette. For a donation of $25 a book plate will be placed on the front cover of each dedicated Missalette. Request forms are in the church foyer. Your donations will help defray the cost of the new Missaletts. Thank you for your support. For information call: Roberta at (630) 697-2360. THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS We congratulate Aldo Martinez (grade 6) and Miguel Sanchez (grade 7) both students from religious education who made their First Reconciliation December 17, 2016. we thank their Catechists and Aides for preparing them, along with their parents. The other children who made their Frist Reconciliation were highlighted in the Christmas Bulletin. God bless all of our children.

Are you registered with us? It’s easy, all you have to do is fill out the form below and drop it in the collection basket or call the rectory at 484-7951. Name __________________________________________ Address ________________________________________ Phone __________________________________________ Please note: Information is confidential, it is never given out.

YEAR LONG VIGIL LIGHTS Year long vigil lights are available at all shrines. Candles are available on a yearly basis for a donation of $125. Candles may be requested in memory of a loved one, living or deceased, in petition or thanksgiving, etc. Call the parish office (708) 484-7951 for information.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS AND LECTORS NEEDED Do you have an interest in serving our parish in a special ministry? Please give prayerful consideration to assist at Mass as a Lector or Eucharistic Minister.

Training for these ministries will be January 17 or 19 at 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. If interested call Deacon Marv, 708-442-0306. Eucharistic Ministers must be confirmed Catholics or at least high school age.

DO YOU FEEL CALLED

TO WORK WITH YOUTH? St. Pius X is seeking two individuals to continue our ministry to the youth of our parish. Previously, the Youth

Program was called “Step by Step”. Ideally, we are seeking one male and one female to work together as Youth Ministers. If you have any interest in volunteering your time to mentor and organize our Youth Ministry here at SPX, please contact the parish office by calling 708-484-7951 or the Religious Education office at 708-788-6090. You can also talk directly with Fr. Tony Markus or Deacon Marv Kocar after any of the masses.

Page 5 January 1, 2017

Jan. 9 Confirmation/Sponsor Retreat 7 pm Meeting Room

Jan. 11 . Adult Choir Rehearsal 7 pm

Jan.13 .Movie Night: “Lost Gospels or False Gospels” The truth about the “Other Gospels” & Early Christianity (60 min)

Jan. 14 .NO RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES

Jan. 16 .Parish Council Meeting-7pm-Mtg. Room

Jan. 18 .Adult Choir Rehearsal 7 pm

Jan. 17/19

. Communion Minister & Lector training—7 pm Meeting Room

Pastor Rev. Anthony L. Markus Parish Office 4300 S. Oak Park Ave. Stickney, IL 60402 Phone: (708) 484-7951 Fax: (708) 749-8518 E-mail: SPXparish@aol.com Website: www.stpiusxstickney.org

Mass Schedule: Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. & 5:00 p.m. Sundays at 8:00, 10:30 a.m. Weekdays: M,T.Th.F. 8:00 a.m. Wed-Communion Service 8 a.m. Rosary before Mass at 7:30 a.m.

Page 6 ST. PIUS X, STICKNEY

A VERY SECIAL THANK YOU!!!!

On behalf of the families that we service through the St. Pius X Family assistance Ministry, I would like to THANK YOU for the most generous support to our Ministry this Christmas and throughout the year. We serviced 26 families and 36 children for Christmas this year. It was only through “YOU,” the Jewel Osco food store in Stickney, the Stickney-Forest View

Library, our bingo donors and friends of St. Pius X parish that enabled our ministry to meet the various needs of our families last year. Thanks, also to the St. Pius X Council of Catholic Women for their assistance with the “Giving Tree,” to our Family Assistance volunteers and to our wonderful maintenance staff who are always ready and willing to help with any and all of our requests. Thank you to all for sharing your time, talent and treasure with the Family assistance ministry. God Bless you now and in the New Year. Roberta Birmingham The Family Assistance Ministry

Join us each Saturday for an evening of Bingo. Bring a friend or two and enjoy a night of chance. Many chances to win! Play Bulls-eye, Split-the Pot, and more. Refreshments available at a minimal cost. Doors open at 3:45 p.m. games begin at 6:45 p.m. Lightning Jackpot $9,550.(as of 12-17) The main church doors will be locked at 7:00 p.m. Late comers can enter the parish hall through the west courtyard door. Don’t forget to donate two non-out dated nonperishable food items or paper products to the St. Pius X Family Assistance food pantry and receive one FREE Bull’s-eye Raffle card. Contact person: Tim (847) 846-7470

Bingo Sponsors:

Alexander's Restaurant Ante Deb's Gaming

ST. PIUS X HONORS OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE Many came to honor our Holy Mother Mary on Friday, December 12th. Our celebration began with a procession around the church, followed by a Mass. After Mass all attending were invited down to the hall to enjoy a variety of delicious foods. Thank you to all who assisted and to Jim and Blanca Donahue for organizing this wonderful celebration of Our Holy Mother Mary.

Page 7 January 1, 2017

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