Monday - Ponedjeljak, December 16, 2002

7:30 A.M. George Novak............... wife Ana Novak
Nick Botica............................ John & Gen Botica
Josip Petrović................................ Anica Braškić

Tuesday - Utorak, December 17, 2002

7:30 A.M. Dominic Marino.......................... family
Vincent Balestri............... Catherine & Nick Perisin
Mirko Bandalo.............................. Stipe Tokić i ob.
Nick Botica...................................... Violet Botica

Wednesday - Srijeda, December 18, 2002

7:30 A.M. Rose Plepel................................ friend
Mijo Markotić............................... Stipe Tokić i ob.
Patricia Pellegrini............ Charles & Patricia Marino

Thursday - Četvrtak, December 19, 2002

7:30 A.M. Natalie Ruggiero......................... family
Vincent Balestri............. Patricia & Charles Marino
Fra Ivo Sivrić....................... Andrija i Zdenka Vasilj

Friday - Petak, December 20, 2002

7:30 A.M. Janja Grbeš................................. N. N.
Joso Žgela..................................... Milka Vuković
Na nakanu.................................................. N. N.

Saturday - Subota, December 21, 2002

7:30 A.M. Toma Botica.................. Josie Hanson
Dec. Vulich parents........................... Mary Hrvol
Na nakanu..................................... obitelj Pervan
Ilija i Dragica Golemac.............. Tomo Erkapić i ob.

5:30 P.M. Frank Fratto............................... family
Dec.of Vladovich/Sutera families....... Sutera family
Elizabeth Fazzari................................. Rak family
Frances & Tony Fratto...................... Gerard Fratto

Sunday - Nedjelja, December 22, 2002

7:30 A.M. Linda Humbert.............. husband Robert
Tona Knetl..................... Charles & Josephine Knetl
Dec.of Mikicich/Velcich families..... George Mikicich
MaryAnn & Andrew Esposito......... George Mikicich

9:30 A.M.
Joseph & Mary Popovich............................ Jerome
Mark & Elsie Cerina......................... daughter Vera

11:00 A.M.
George Paljetak................. Tony & MaryAnn Pehar
Marko i Agnes Ratković................ Petar Komar i ob.
Vjeko Gregor.................................... Ana Hostička
Mijo i Janja Lončar...................... Franjo Mulac i ob.
Za duše u čistilištu..................... Anica Ostojić i ob.
Božo Bagarić.............................. Franjo Vranjković
Matija Šušnjara..................................... muž Stipe
Nikola Perić................................. Marko Perić i ob.
Mile i Kata Krpan............................ Jure Krpan i ob.
Josipa Lovrinović...................... Ivanka Šušnjara i ob.
Za pok. iz ob. Jurčević................. Petar Jurčević i ob.
Stipe Pervan...................................... Obitelj Pervan
Anica i Ilija Pehar.................................. Mario Pehar
Neda Orešković................................... Obitelj Armić
Ante Kraljević................................... Božo Kosir i ob.
Marijan Knezović......................... Živko Knezović i ob.

Saturday, December 21, 5:30 P.M. RoseMary Brcich
Sunday, December 22, 7:30 A.M. Matt Pesce
Sunday, December 22, 9:30 A.M. Jan Zekich
Nedjelja, 22. prosinca, 11:00 A.M. Mario Pehar i Danijela Šumera

Saturday, December 21, 5:30 P.M. Babich, Cannatello, Amanda S.
Sunday, December 22, 9:30 A.M. Lenart, Marlene O. Maria O.
Nedjelja, 22. prosinca 11:00 A.M. A: Babić, Z. Jureta, J. Kosir i K. Zelić

WEEKLY MEDITATION

That pink candle pillared in the Advent wreath amidst the three violet ones intrigues and fascinates us. Why is it different? What does it stand for? It symbolizes the joy of Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent when we sing, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near." The Church gives us this special celebration of joy two weeks before Christmas because she knows that waiting can be hard. The experience of joy revitalizes us, keeps us resolute in pursuing the promises of God. For joy arises in us whenever our will possesses something good that leads to our authentic happiness. Joylessness happens when we love something that cannot make us happy. We experience joy in Advent when we acknowledge that the Supreme Good we desire is Jesus Christ. Only He can make us truly happy. The hardship, the misery, the anguish of the world certainly are strong, but the human desire for joy is stronger that the fear of sadness. During Advent the Church commands us to rejoice in order to rescue us from pessimism and fatalism. In rejoicing we discover our immortality. We are greater than all the evils and woes of the world. We dare to be joyful because that desire most perfectly reveals who we really are. We are not alone. Jesus is coming!

ADVENT REFLECTIONS    In this bulletin you will find a Catholic Update pamphlet with short, scripture-based reflections for each day of Advent.  Please take the time to read them. 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 

CHRISTMAS MAILING The parish Christmas letter has been mailed to all. If you have not received yours, please notify us at the rectory.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS If you wish to donate flowers to church for Christmas, please contact your florist.

PARISH EVENING OF RECONCILIATION will be held on Sunday, December 22 at 6 P.M. Confession will be available for all. Please avail yourself of this most important sacrament of peace and forgiveness. Each of us needs to begin anew, and celebrate with our God the beautiful holy day of Christmas with a clean heart. Seven priests will be available for your convenience. We should not forget the sacraments, the instruments of God's mercy, that are so important in our lives.
Reconciliation is only one of these sacraments. More information about this sacrament can be found on our web site: www.stjeromecroatian.org

THE SICK OF OUR PARISH Please call the rectory to let us know of anyone who desires to receive the sacraments before Christmas. The priests will be happy to visit them.
CROATIAN SCHOOL, Cardinal Stepinac, will hold its Christmas program on Saturday, December 21, at 7P.M. in our parish hall.

PARISH ENVELOPES for 2003 can be picked up in the back of the church.

CHRISTMAS EVE CHILDREN'S MASS CALLING ALL CHILDREN FROM PRE-SCHOOL AGE AND UP!  A special mass dedicated to all children and their families and relatives will be held on Christmas Eve at 6 P.M. We began this tradition last year and hope to continue it for many years to come. This year our theme is the story of the candy cane. We are in need of shepherds, kings, and animals for a live Nativity. We also need readers, candle holders, gift bearers, and ushers. The more children we have the merrier it will be. If your child, or family and friend's children would like to participate, please contact Eva (312/842-5485) or Laura (773/254-0010) by December 16th. We need to know in advance so that we can plan a beautiful event.

ADVENT MEDITATION O Jesus, I rejoice at the signs that say you are near. Your power is everywhere if I could see it, yet my eyes often see only darkness and what has yet to be done. I believe in you, yet when I look around evil seems so strong and goodness so weak. If you have come, why is there still so much suffering and why do the poor still despair? Where are your miracles today?
Your grace, O Lord, is more fruitful in my world than I imagine. I know your power is everywhere around me, if I could only see it. Show me today where the blind see and cripples walk. Make my vision sharper than it is.

FOR RENT: 6 rooms - 2 ½ bedroom 1st floor apartment with hardwood floors, stove and refrigerator included. Central heat &air. Tenant pays own utilities. Immediate occupancy. Please call between the hours of 6: 30 PM / 9:00 PM # 773 307 - 8410.

Thought of the Week

"Love is the capacity to see light when darkness has begun to eclipse it."