December 2, 2012

December 2, 2012

Mass Intentions
Saturday, December 1 1:30 pmWedding of Robert Bearlund & Lindsey Soderborg 4:30 pm Lloyd Finefield, Birthday Remembrance by Jerry
& Carol Richards, Edmund & Claire DaRosa by family

Please pray for those who have entered into Eternal Life especially

SAVE THE DATE

Holy Hour & Eucharistic Adoration: Join us on Friday, Dec. 7 for Holy Hour 3:30 to 4:30 pm. and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 4:30-10 pm. All are welcome to come and pray Clothes for Haiti Ministry: Celebrate the human man behind the Haiti Mission-Fr. Rick Frechette. Come learn more about the Haiti ministry and how you can help those less fortunate. Our Christmas celebration will be Wed., Dec.12 from 6:008:30 p.m. Donations can be dropped off in the Care Pantry bins on Dec.8-9 ONLY. 1st Reconciliation & 1st Communion Preparation Parents of children who wish to receive these sacraments this spring must register their child. The first mtg. for parents only is Wed, Dec. 12th, 7pm in church. Prep. evenings with children are: Jan. 11, Feb. 8, Mar. 8, April 12 & Rehearsal is April 27th in church. 1st Reconciliation will be on May 3rd & 1st Communion will be May 4th . Registration forms (green) can be found in Narthex, at www.saintdennis.org or call Christen at 838-2592 x 114 or cmorris@saint-dennis.org . Senior Luncheon: All seniors welcome to attend on Thursday Dec. 20th at noon in the Parish Center. A catered dinner followed by entertainment from the St. Dennis School children. RSVP by Mon, Dec. 17th at 838-2592 x 123. Payment of $7 should be made at the door. Childrens Bulletin: Did you know childrens bulletins are available for ages 3-6 and 7-12 during the Advent Season? Pick one up as you enter church. Blue Prayer Books for Advent are available after Masses. Donation of $2.00. The Oplatki Wafer is available for purchase in the Sacristy or Parish Office. The Christmas Tradition surrounding Oplatki began with a simple white wafer baked from flour and water. Each person takes a turn to break off a piece and pass it to someone else with a blessing for the coming year. Help a family in need this Christmas by Adopting-A-Family or by providing gift cards or cash to the St. Dennis Outreach Program. See information sheet with sign up form in the Narthex or contact Sr. Joanne at 815-838-2592 x 110.

Leonard S. Sweich
This Week, the Flame of Faith will burn in memory of John Taskay & Frank Walker, Anniversary of Death by family Ray Pesavento by Ann Sartori & family

STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE
Nov. 24/25 Collection (346 envelopes) ................... $ 9,722 Weekly Auto Debit (103) ........ 2,825 Monthly Auto Debit-weekly aver. (132) ............ 3,493 Total ........... $ 16,040
*$650 loose cash

Sunday, December 2 First Sunday of Advent 7:30 am Ray Pesavento by Jim Rozanski 9:15 am Frances Graczyk by family, Mass of Thanksgiving for 65th Wedding Anniversary of Melvin & Eileen Kelm by family 11:00 am St. Dennis Parish

Weekly Operating Expenses ..... $ 18,400 THANK YOU!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!

PARISH CENTER DEBT...... $ 8,697 Giving the Glory to God Renovation: (as of 11/26/12) Total Pledged: $332,505 Number of families: 348 Payments received: $268,367 Thank you to all who signed up for auto debit. This will be a tremendous help and savings to the parish. Auto Debit forms are available in the Narthex. Please return forms to the parish office or collection basket. Thank you also to all who increased their weekly contribution.
Copies of the 2011-2012 St. Dennis Financial Statement are available n the Narthex. Next weeks second collection is for Retired Religious.

Monday, December 3 7:15 am Mary Daly & Albert Gorski, Anniversary of

Death by Tom & Sue Gorski

Tuesday, December 4 7:15 am David Eichhorn from loving family, Odilon

Rheaume, Anniversary of Death by Germaine Bost & family, Thomas Zander, Anniv of Death by Mike & Cathy Pauly 7:00 pm Glory & Praise Worship Mass of Healing

Todays Scripture Readings Jer 33:14-16 God will fulfill the promise made to Israel. 1 Thess 3:12-4:2 May the Lord strengthen your hearts for his coming. Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 Be alert and prepared for meeting the Lord.

Readings for the Week

Mon: Is 2:1-5, Mt 8:5-11 Tues: Is 11:1-10, Lk 10:21-24 Wed: Is 25: 6-10a, Mt 15:29-37 Thurs: Is 26: 1-6, Mt 7:21, 24-27 Fri: Is 29: 17-24, Mt 9: 27-31 Sat: Gn 3: 9-15, 20, Eph 1:3-6, 11-12, Lk 1: 26-38 Sun: Bar 5 : 1-9, Phil 1: 4-6, 8-11, Lk 3:1-6 The Word became flesh for us in order to save us by reconciling us with God, who loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins: the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world, and he was revealed to take away sins

Wednesday, December 5 7:15 am St. Dennis Parish Family 8:15 am All School Mass 7:00 pm G.I.F.T. Advent Reflection w/ Sr. Kathy Sherman Thursday, December 6 7:15 am St. Dennis Parish Family Friday, December 7 7:15 am St. Dennis Parish Family 3:30 pm Holy Hour Saturday, December 8: Immaculate Conception 8:30 am St. Dennis Parish Family 4:30 pm Raymond Cabay, Birthday Remembrance by
Ellie, May, Maurisak & Gubista families by family, Nicolette Bellos by family

Please pray for those who are sick or suffering especially Sr. Ellen Thomas, John Climack, Charles Zambuto, John Renzi, Della Kabza, Dorothy Adelmann, Robert Devine

Advent begins, we celebrate a season very different in tone from what is taking place in the world around us. This time in the Church is marked by simplicity, calmness, and quiet. We wait in hope and wonder for Jesus, who became human for us, who is present in our lives now, and whose future reign is coming.

Sunday, December 9 7:30 am John Kausak by wife Marie, Anthony Piersanti

by wife Carolyn 9:15 am Edmund & Claire DaRosa by family, Paul Trick, Anniv of Death by Dave & Judy Martis 11:00 am Joe Schmitt by Pat Schmitt On Tuesday, December 11th at 7 pm we will host an Advent Reconciliation Service in the church.

2013 Inspirational School Calendars

FOR SALE $25 each
All proceeds benefit St. Dennis School A wonderful gift for Christmas! Features all students and teachers of St. Dennis. Available at gift card table in Narthex, parish office or school office.

Prayer Requests
Do you need prayer or know of someone in need of prayer? Contact the parish office at 838-2592 ext. 123 or secretary@saintdennis.org to add a prayer request to our daily e-mail prayer line.

St. Dennis Gift Card Program Christmas is right around the corner and gift cards make great stocking stuffers!
Need a gift for the teacher? Buy a gift card! Need a gift for your babysitter? Buy a gift card! That hard to buy for teenager? Buy a gift card!! A gift card is the perfect gift for the person who has everything! Check out gift card websites at www.glscrip.com, www.scrippro.com or www.mannaorders.net to see all of the retailers that participate in the program. If we dont have the card you are looking for at the gift card table, place an order its easy! Fill out the form for the cards you want to order, write a check, and your cards will be waiting for you at the next weeks Mass. Need gift cards during the week? Gift cards are available on Thursday mornings in the Parish Center from 8 to 9am and Friday mornings in the faculty lounge from 8 to 9am. If you have any questions or want to place a special order, please contact me at scripinfo@comcast.net or (815) 836-0661. Thank you for your support of the Scrip program. Denise Salvino

Council of Catholic Women Christmas Meeting

Tuesday, December 11th, Noon, Fracaro Hall Lunch, entertainment & raffle. Cost $10.00 Please RSVP by Dec. 9th, to secretary at 815-815-838-2592, ext. 0 Christmas raffle ticket deadline is December 8th. Available for sale in the parish office. The Giving Tree
Please consider sharing your blessings again this Christmas season with someone in need. Please select a tag, purchase the item(s) listed, wrap your gift, attach the tag to the gift and place it under the Tree. Gifts must be placed under the Tree by 12 p.m. December 9th so that they may be delivered to the appropriate places by Christmas. Again this year we will be helping those at the Daybreak Shelter, Lambs Fold, Vilaseca Day Care Center and the Guardian Angel Home. As always, thank you for your generosity and supportyour gift may be the only gift someone at one of these organizations receives this Christmas.

December 2, 2012
First Sunday of Advent 1214 Hamilton Street, Lockport, IL 60441
Phone 815 838-2592 Fax 815 838-2401 E-mail church@saint-dennis.org Web - http://www.saint-dennis.org Our Mission Statement St. Dennis is a welcoming, Spirit-led, Catholic Community called to be disciples of Christ, servants of those in need and celebrators of Gods love. WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Saturday 4:30 pm Sunday 7:30 am, 9:15 am, 11:00 am Daily Monday thru Friday 7:15 am (Changes to daily Mass may occur. View page 2 for all changes.) Glory & Praise Tuesdays 7:00 pm

St. Dennis Music Ministry:

Holiday happenings! On Friday, December 14th the Early Learning Center children will perform at 6:30 pm followed by the St. Dennis School Gr. 1-5 children performing The Nutcracker at 7:30 pm in the Parish Center. Free. All are welcome. On Sunday, December 16th at 1:30 pm the adult and childrens choirs and chimes will perform a Christmas concert in the church.

Dear Family, Happy 1st Sunday of Advent! Each week during Advent we will reflect on a word and bible verse. Our word this week is LISTEN. In the course of one day how many voices do you listen to? (Your spouse, children, parents, friend, employer, employees) How many other voices do you listen to? ( Internet, TV and radio programs, music, email or text) How often do you listen to a word or voice of God? We know God speaks to us each day through persons, events and in our hearts, but do we hear Him and listen? For me God speaks words of encouragement, challenges, the need to forgive and the need to comfort others. Lately God has been telling me to slow down. I think God wants to catch up with me because I am always running ahead of Him. Can any of you relate to that? Many of you made a commitment in church to pray in conversational prayer for 10 minutes each day for 30 days to listen to the voice of God. I encourage you to keep faithful and patient with yourself to continue this prayer. Remember the word this week is to LISTEN. Remember you are precious in the eyes of God.

SACRAMENTS
Reconciliation: Sat. 3:30-4:15 pm or Appt. Baptism Please call 815 838-2592 ext.123 to register and complete a Baptismal Request form. Marriage Please call 815 838-2592 ext.123 to Register, at least six months in advance.

Parish Office Hours

8:30 am 4:00 pm PASTORAL STAFF
Pastor Rev. James Curtin Associate Pastor Rev. Thomson Panakal Residents Fr. Mark Fracaro Sr. Ellen Thomas, r.c. Pastoral Associates Deacon Rob Weierman Sr. Joanne Vallero, CSJ Faith Formation Director Venus Wozniak Music Director Patti Johnson

A Visit from St. Nicholas

Join us on Monday, Dec. 3 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, as professional actor, Terry Lynch, brings the story of St. Nicholas to life! Enjoyable for all ages. After the presentation, join us in preparing for St. Nicholas feast on Dec. 6th with a craft and blessing. Register at 815-838-2592 x 114. Cost is $5 each or $20 per household.

In the Lords Love, Fr. Jim

Advent Reflection: LISTEN
And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen stand erect and raise your hands because your redemption is at hand. Lk 21:27-28

At Home Retreat for Advent

in t today and jo .I.F.T. bookle G nis Pick up your ity of St. Den the commun nts to upcoming eve in the many Coming Soon h Together. Grow In Fait

Adults are welcome to join Sr. Joanne to make time for Advent on Monday, Dec 3rd at 7 pm in Stalzer Rm. Final meeting is Friday, Dec 14th at 7 pm in the Rectory Fireplace Room. Register at 815-838-2592 x 110. Free.

St. Dennis Rosary Ministry Sale this weekend

FINAL SALE BEFORE CHRISTMAS!
Many Christmas items available. The last sale we raised $1, 425 for Fr. Thomson Panakal to build homes in India. God bless you!

Healing Prayer
Lorrie Murphy 708 301-5107 murphyfisch@comcast.net

The National Shrine of St. Therese Pilgrimage Retreat

Take a tour of the National Shrine of St. Therese of Liseux on Saturday, Jan 19th from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Celebrate Mass in the chapel, explore the grounds and shop in the gift shop. Lunch will be provided. Cost is $25 per individual, if three or more attending in household cost is $21 per person. Registration and pre-pay required by contacting Venus at 815-838-2592 x 113 by Jan 11th. Ages 16 +.

MONTHLY REMINDERS
SundayCatechesis of GS 9:15am, 5:15pm; Baptism 1pm MondayCatechesis of GS 4:30pm; Bible Study 6:30pm TuesdayGlory & Praise 7pm 2nd TuesdayCCW 12pm - Sept., Dec., March & May WednesdayCatechesis of GS 6pm Thursday All Choir Practices; Bible Study 10am; RCIA 7pm Third Thursday Senior Luncheon First FridayHoly Hour 3:30pm SaturdayRCIA 3pm

Bulletin Editor
Contact the Parish Office secretary@saint-dennis.org

Bulletin Information Center Please send all information by email to secretary@saint-dennis.org. Deadline to submit info for the bulletin is 4 pm Friday one week before you want it to appear. NOTE: In subject area, please type St. Dennis Bulletin. All info must now be in MS Word or Publisher document as an attachment. Thank you, Parish Office.

1201 Washington St.Lockport, IL 60441 815 838-4494 E-mailschool@saint-dennis.org PrincipalLisa Smith