Preparation for Christmas

Listen to what the psalmist says to his God in Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. In verdant pastures He gives me repose.  Beside restful waters He leads me."  Here's another example from Psalm 8: "What is man that you should be mindful of him, or the son of man that you should care for him?  You have made him little less than the angels and have crowned him with glory and honor."  In today's gospel, Jesus tells us: "So, too, you must also be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."  We're fortunate. We know exactly when the Son of Man will once again come into our lives as the babe born on Christmas day. Hopefully, with the help of the rosary, our bible, and attendance at Mass, each of us will be prepared for the "coming of the Son of Man". One way of determining if we have prepared spiritually for Christmas is to ask ourselves, "How many hours did I spend shopping compared to the number of hours I spent with the rosary, the bible, or at Mass?"

Advent (Latin ad-venio, to come to).

Advent is a period beginning with the Sunday nearest the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (30 November) and embracing four Sundays. The first Sunday may be as early as November 27, in which case Advent has twenty-eight days, or as late as December 3, giving the season only twenty-one days.  The ecclesiastical year in the Western church begins with Advent. During this time the faithful are admonished  to prepare themselves worthily to celebrate the anniversary of the Lord's coming into the world as the incarnate God of love, thus making their souls fitting abodes for the Redeemer coming in Holy Communion and through grace, and thereby making themselves ready for His final coming as judge at death,  and at the end of the world.

Advent is Here    Let's be nice and gentle toward each other. Let's learn to forgive.  As we move towards Christmas, the excitement of giving and receiving gifts grows with each passing day.  Will the world share and accept Mary's excitement of  bearing and delivering God's precious gift - the only Son?  Will the world rejoice at Jesus' coming?  Will you leap for joy and be filled with the excitement of Jesus' birth by growing in love and in service?  Will you light the way as the Advent candles light our way? 

Remember,  the priests are here for you. Call us or stop by.  On Sunday, December 16^th at 6:00 P.M. we will have a Reconciliation Evening.  You will have a chance for confession.  Several priests will be available. Let it be the night of a true and real reconciliation with others, with us ourselves, and with God.  Reconciliation is a very powerful sacrament.  We also ask  you to please let us know of  anyone in our parish who is ill. We will be happy to visit our sick parishioners.  A service for the anointing of the sick is being planned.. We will soon let you know  the date.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception  This coming Saturday is a holy day of obligation.  Masses are at 7:30 and 9:30 A.M.

Newly Baptized   Today Alexa Marie Caponigro, daughter of Vito and Lesley (Hinkly) Caponigro, received the sacrament of Baptism. The Godparents are Thomas Caponigro and Kimberly Zavala.  Congratulations to her family!

ARCHDIOCESE ON THE RADIO

Don't miss Catholic Radio programming each weeknight from 9 - 9 :30 P.M. on   AM - 1160 WYLL !

Voice of St. Jerome Parish, each Saturday morning from 10 - 10:30 A.M. on 750 AM (W N DZ).  

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

Saturday, December 15, 7 P.M.: Croatian School Christmas Program.

Wednesday,  December 17,  7 P.M.: St.  Jerome School Christmas Program in our church

CROATIAN CHRISTMAS CARDS  are available  in the  rectory at $10 per packet, 10 cards per packet.

ST JEROME SCHOOL Toy Drive ( Nov 26^th - Dec 20^th 2001). Please drop off all new toys at the school office. Thank you!

ST. JEROME SCHOOL Christmas show WILL BE HELD IN OUR CHURCH ON Wednesday, December 19^TH.  This is a very beautiful program prepared by our school children and their teachers.  Please join us and support our children.

REMINDER: We sing, we pray, we reflect, we get in touch with Christ in adoration.  Join us every Thursday from 7-9 P.M.

Second Collection Next Weekend: Retirement Fund for the Religious  (Archdiocese of Chicago)

St.  Jerome Web Site

Check our web site: http://www.stjeromecroatian.org

Now you can check Daily Meditations  ,  Daily Mass Readings , and also interesting facts about the Saint of the Day , in addition to a variety of information about our parish.  Log on to be updated and informed.  Let us know what you think. Your suggestions are very much welcomed.  

Thought of the Week

 "Everyone needs to be loved, especially when he does not deserve it."