It isn't too late to help your children have a meaningful Advent.

Make sure to put up the Advent calendars they received and look for what to do each day during the season.

One wonderful tradition that we would recommend is  lighting the Advent wreath at home each evening.  Kids love ritual, and being able to light the candles (or blow them out if they are still little) is part of the fun.

All you need is some greenery, four candle holders of some sort and three violet (purple) candles and one rose candle.  Here is a leaflet with prayers to say each week.

Combine it with grace before meals.  Take the time to pray for family and friends in need of prayers.  End with the Our Father, Hail Mary or Glory Be.  (This helps if you have a child still working to memorize any of these!)

A few minutes of quiet family time in prayer is an enormous gift to give your children.

 

Join us here at St. Emily for Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction on December 19.  We'll take the students to church in staggered shifts.  You are welcome to join us there, beginning at 6:30 PM.

 

St. Emily's Sunday School is celebrating 10 years!

To mark this milestone, we would like to invite all former Sunday school students to join us in singing "Light One Candle" (our traditional Advent song) after communion during the 9:30 AM mass on December 16.  

We will have a brief practice on December 9 after the 9:30 AM mass.  Please contact Barb Zediker at barbzediker@comcast.net or 847.650.5308 with questions and to let us know if you will be able to sing with us.

 

Join in a fun Christmas event on December 15.  There will be two sittings, at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM.  Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children.

Register for your tickets here - and do it before we sell out!

We are looking for volunteers, too.  (Scroll down to the second page of the form.) It is an excellent opportunity for middle school kids to contribute.

 

 

My name is Jeff Prostko and I am a sixth grade catechist for the St. Emily/ St. Thomas Becket Religious Education program and the coordinator for the River Trails School District #26 Holiday Give-Away. River Trails School District #26 is roughly bounded by Central, Rand, Camp McDonald and River Roads.

I am asking for your help this year. It is a great way to demonstrate service to the community.

To participate, you would purchase a gift worth about $15, wrap it and put on the tag whether the gift is for a boy or a girl and the age range of the child.

The need is greatest for older children (12-13 years old.) If you want a simple gift idea, a gift card to Target (around $15) wrapped around a candy bar makes a great gift. Return your gift by Wednesday, December 12 to the St. Emily RE office.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at 224-522-1806 or email me at jprostko@wowway.com. Thank you for your consideration.

 

Join in the fun and ring in the New Year.  There will be dancing to the music of The Rangers Band.  A full sit down dinner and hot hors d'oeuvres will be served.  Included is a free bottle of alcohol and champagne for each table.  New Year's Eve accessories, too!  Tickets are $80 per person.  Please call for tickets: 847-827-9220.