EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
NATIVITY NIGHTS
Tuesdays 7-9pm



Our December theme is Eucharistic Adoration.  And with our Nativity Nights that started this week,  wel have opportunities right here at St. Josaphat for you to take part.    The church will be open for Eucharistic Adoration from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm on two more Tuesdays, December 11th and 18th.  

Not familiar with Eucharistic Adoration?  That's OK!

Eucharistic Adoration is honoring the Eucharistic Presence of Christ. In a deeper sense, it involves the contemplation of the mystery of Christ truly present before us.  During Eucharistic Adoration, we watch and wait, we remain silent in His Presence and open ourselves to His graces which flow from the Eucharist.

During Nativity Nights, the Eucharist will be present on the altar in the monstrance surrounded by candlelight.  The lights in the church will be dimmed and there will be Advent music playing in the background. It will be a very warm and inviting atmosphere for you to come and enter into as you spend some quiet time in prayer with our Lord.  I will also be available for the sacrament of reconciliation. My expectation is that people will come and go throughout the evening. This is simply a time for you to be free of the hustle and bustle that can sometimes overtake the Christmas season and just spend a few minutes in quiet prayer with Jesus.    

Eucharistic Adoration is a good time to reflect on God's love for you and how that love has been manifested through Jesus Christ. We can contemplate the reality that God loves us so much that he continually humbles himself in order to be present in our lives and fill us with his grace and blessings... of which we have so many.

~Fr. Francis


Prayer of the Week
Prayer of Adoration

My Lord Jesus Christ, I adore you in all the tabernacles of the world.

Please, my Lord, increase my faith in your Eucharistic presence so that my devotion may be fanned into a flame of love of you and that I may go into the world to proclaim your kingdom.

I ask this of your mercy in your Holy Name.

Amen.

Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, pray for us!

Idea:  Pray this at Nativity Nights.


In Need Of...
Decorating Volunteers
Help us make St. Josaphat's even more beautiful for Christmas! We are looking for volunteers to help decorate the church for the Christmas season. We will start decorating after the 12:00 mass on Sunday, December 23. See the bulletin for more information.

Liturgical Ministers
Would you like to serve as an Usher or Lector?  It's easy, and we would love to have you! Please contact the parish office for details at [email protected].

Wedding Coordinator Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering to help coordinate weddings at St. Josaphat and can be available 3 or 4 times a year to attend a Friday rehearsal (1 hour) and a Saturday wedding (2 hours), or would like more details, please contact one of our Wedding Coordinators:
Elizabeth Duryea  [email protected] , 
Carla McLaughlin  [email protected]or 
Mary Jane Sullivan, DRE  [email protected]

Gloves and Hats
Our Helping Hands outreach is requesting adult sized winter gloves and hats to help keep our community's visitors warm in the upcoming colder months.  Please consider donating your gently used or new items - you can drop them off at the rectory any time.

Important Upcoming Dates!

December 7 - Dine Around: Roti

December 7 - La Caccina Concert

December 11 - Nativity Nights

December 15 - Men's Spirituality

December 15 - Women's Group 

December 16 - Parish Christmas Concert at 7pm

December 18 - Nativity Nights

December 24 - Christmas Eve Nativity Mass at 4pm

December 25 - Christmas Day Masses at 9a & 11a

December 26 - Women's Group

February 23 - Unity Gala

Dine Around: Roti
Dine Around at Roti for Lunch or Dinner from 
11 am-8 pm  on  Friday, December 7th
1000 W North Ave
20% goes back to SJS
Giving Tree
Giving Tree Reminder -- If you've taken a tag from the Giving Tree, please bring your gifts to the rectory no later than noon on 
Friday, December 14th.  
Thank you for your generosity
Christmas Tree Lot
Stop by the Community Park to purchase your Christmas tree or wreath and a portion of your purchase will go to St. Josaphat.  Lot hours are:
M-F 11am-8pm
Sa-Su 9am-8pm
Men's Spirituality
The Men's Spirituality Group meets on the first and third Saturday of each month (October - May) at 6:30am in the Red Door Meeting Room of the Rectory.  Participants use a resource to guide their discussion and prayer. 
All men of the Parish and their friends are welcome. Our next meeting is :
Saturday, December 15th
Women's Group
All women are welcome (all generations, millennials, single, with parish school children or not) to join. Just come to events where you have time or interest. Our mission is to offer  social/fun/community building among parish women; service opportunities;
 spirituality/reflection; and  book club discussion opportunities. Our next meetings are:
Saturday, Dec 15th 9-11a
Saturday, Dec 26th 9-11a

Christmas Masses
NEW MASS TIMES!

Christmas Eve
Monday December 24th
4:00 pm
Especially for families with young children - brass quartet and children's choir will perform.

Christmas Day
Tuesday, December 25th
9:00 am & 11:00 am
Brass quartet will perform.

Feast of Mary, Mother of God
New Year's Day
Tuesday, January 1st
10:00 am

The Epiphany of the Lord
Saturday, January 5th
5:00 pm
Sunday, January 6th
8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 pm
Unity Gala
Join us on Saturday, February 23, 7pm at Moonlight Studios for an evening of celebration at our annual parish fundraiser. This year's event will feature cocktails, appetizers, an exciting Live Auction, and dancing! 
Purchase Tickets HERE  
Questions? email: [email protected]

Unity Gala is looking for Party Hosts!
Are you looking for another way to help support our parish? Why not host an Adult or Family Hosted 
"Sign-Up" Party Event!
Hosted Parties are "sign-up" events that a group of parishoners agree to host for as many people as they find appropriate for the specific activity/party. If you have ideas, would like to be a host, or for more information, please email the Adult Event Hosted Party Coordinators: 
T
Shop and Support
Shop Minted.com code: FUNDRAISEJOSAPHAT to save 15%, and 15% donated back to SJS

Recycle your floral vases - bring them to Ashland Addison Florist Co. for a donation to St. Josaphat!

Shop smile.amazon.com and select St. Josaphat Parish as your charitable organization, and St. Josaphat gets  5% on eligible items!

Shop sjs.shutterflystorefront.com and 
SJS gets 13%!

Thank you for your support!