St. Paul the Apostle
Parish
www.stpauljoliet.com
815-725-1527 parishoffice@stpauljoliet.com
|
|
Greetings!
As we are in the third week of advent, as Fr. Mark spoke of this past weekend to "Rejoice always in the Lord"...hoping this helps you find your inner peace.
The third week of Advent is the candle of joy. Also known as the "shepherd candle", it is in this third week of advent that we rejoice for the coming King. The shepherds experienced joy at the good news of the birth of the Messiah. This candle reflects the joy that comes through Jesus’ arrival, and through the salvation he has gifted us.
Churches want to highlight the importance of joy in advent season. During a time where depression is at an all-time high and people seem to be in the most despair, this candle offers a bright light during a dark time. During the middle of the night, the darkest time, the shepherds encountered angels.
Heavenly Father, This third week of Advent, let us remember that the good news of Jesus’ birth has the power to bring us great joy this Christmas season. Our joy isn’t dependent on what is going on in our life, in our world, or the people that we are with. It doesn’t depend on the gifts we give or the gifts we find under the tree. No earthly thing can ever give us complete joy. Our joy comes from you. That joy that flooded the hearts of the shepherds, the angels, the wise men, the hosts of heaven, and Mary and Joseph is the joy that still has the power to overwhelm our hearts with rejoicing.
Have a beautiful week and please let the parish office know if there is anything we can do for you. God bless~
|
|
Thank you to our always ready and willing
to help parishioners!
You help whenever called.
We couldn't do it without you!
|
|
|
|
|
Congratulations and blessings
to our newest member in Christ!
Charlotte Marie Thompson
You are a child of God,
you are wonderfully made,
dearly loved and precious
in His sight ~ Psalm 139
|
|
Lessons and Carols
Come join the St. Paul choirs for the annual celebration of Lessons and Carols at 1:00 pm on Sunday, December 19th!
Prepare your hearts and minds for Christmas through scripture and song as the choirs take you on a musical journey through salvation history.
It's a beautiful way to conclude the Advent season!
|
|
Oh come all ye faithful...
please join us on
Sunday, December 19th at 5pm ~
all are invited to decorate, share some smiles and have some fun as we look forward to the birth of our Lord.
|
|
|
Prayer Blankets- Share a Prayer with someone you love
During this joyous time of the year, some of us have the pain of a loss, depression, illness or fear. Made in prayer and love, Prayer Blankets are available in the narthex. May they bring them comfort, warmth or a smile. We invite you to take one for yourself or to share, always assured of our prayers and support throughout the holiday season and beyond.
|
|
|
|
The Kings are on their Journey |
|
Oplatki Christmas Wafers
The tradition of the Oplatki originated in Poland during Early Christian times. This Christmas Custom began with a simple white wafer, baked from flour and water. The wafers are wonderfully designed to display Christmas images, such as the Nativity. The Oplatki are enjoyed by families, typically right before the Christmas Eve meal. The entire family will gather around the table with the Oplatek. Family members pass the Oplatki to each other with blessings and appreciation. (Oplatki is a thin waver, like a host, and can be sent in the mail to loved ones afar. No distance is too great for a blessing!)
We invite you to pick up your
family's Oplatki packet in the narthex.
Donations are welcome.
|
|
|
|
Give a gift this Christmas Season - all the way to Africa. There are just a limited number of our 2019 cookbooks left. It's a DOUBLE Christmas Gift opportunity. A beautiful cookbook for a loved one, and 100% of your donation will be remitted to the Diocese of Chipata in Africa. Please stop by the parish office or give us a call to make arrangements to pick up in church. Suggested donation is $20.
|
|
Our Parish Mass & Prayer Intentions ~ |
|
|
|
MASS
INTENTIONS
Saturday, December 18th
Susan Baer
Ann Whalen
Sunday, December 19th
8am The People of St. Paul
10am Helen & Louis Bakos
Rodger Nahas
Monday, December 20th
Brunch Lehman
Tuesday, December 21st
Anna Bayci
Warren Lonzo
Wednesday, December 22nd
7:30am Andrew Pavnica
Thursday, December 23rd
Raymond Sula
Patricia Balla
Friday, December 24th
3pm Krumviede & Moore Family
5pm Lori Berman
10pm The People of St. Paul
|
|
 |
|
|
|
PRAYER INTENTIONS
Josephine Allegretti
Britney Breseman
Norine Ceplecha
Robert Corcoran
Isaiah Cwik
Steve DeChiara
Bill DeLaurenti
Mary Beth Gracey
Monica Hernandez
Sr. Norma Janssen
Kenneth Kelch
Daniel Kero
Constance Kozikowski
Dr. Dale Layman
Fr. James Lennon
Helen Malinowski
Sheila Mellor
Mary Meyer
Annette Nigro
Darin Peterson
Jeanine Piscotti
Val Rand
Rebecca Ruggiero
Joann Sulaica
Rebecca Tako
Alley Varela
James Weglewski
Kenneth Welch
Adlar Williams
Lois Yakich
|
|
|
|
Please continue to pray for our parishioners in need of prayers.
If there is someone you would like to add to the prayer list,
|
|
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord
We remember in prayer all who have passed before us.
St Paul, pray for us.
Kenneth Kowall
Norbert Zielinski
|
|
|
|
|
Our Parish Archives...
So fun rediscovering our history! Looking forward to sharing a new memory every week. For us 'newbies' to the parish, we'd love to hear any stories behind the photos. Please call us here at the parish office
|
|
|
|
Winter Recipe of the Week |
Here in time for all your Christmas parties ~
Thank you Mary Kucek for this recipe!
Still a few cookbook copies available in the parish office for a donation to Chipata.
|
|
Full-time Business Manager
Holy Trinity Church & School, Westmont, IL
Holy Trinity Church & School in Westmont is seeking to hire a full-time Business Manager. This individual will be responsible for the administrative functions of the parish; oversees and has responsibility for parish accounting and finances, human resources, and supervises parish office staff; and effectively communicates and collaborates with the pastor, principal, staff, and volunteers. Several years’ experience handling financial and business transactions and experience in budget development, control, analysis, and reporting required. Management or Business degree with accounting preferred. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to the Pastor, Fr. Rafal Wasilewski, C.R. at father@holytrinitywestmont.org.
|
|
Director of Youth and Young Adult Formation,
St. Mary Immaculate Parish, Plainfield, IL
St. Mary Immaculate Parish in Plainfield is seeking to hire a Director of Youth and Young Adult Formation. The Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries is responsible for collaborating with Faith Formation Minsters to create and provide to our youth and young adults in the parish with opportunities to encounter Jesus Christ through catechesis, evangelization, service, and worship. The Director facilitates the ongoing development of a personal and communal faith life of our youth and young adults through prayer, sacramental experiences and fellowship and advocates for them to the larger parish and parish ministries. Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies or Theology and Certification or experience in Youth Ministry required. To view a full job description, visit; The Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet in Illinois.
To apply, send a cover letter and resume to
Mrs. Laura VanHam at lvanham@smip.org.
|
|
To help us to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus this Christmas,
there will be a Day of Recollection for Women on Wednesday,
December 15th, from 11:00am -1:00 pm at St. Mary Nativity Church,
706 N. Broadway, Joliet, IL 60435. The recollection will be led by Fr. Jerome Kish and will include several short talks, Eucharistic Adoration, and the opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation.
All of the women in the parish are invited. Please bring a friend!
|
|
Hours for the Lord Advent Confessions
The Catholic Parishes of the Joliet area will offer confessions from
3-7pm on Friday, December 17th at
St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 1711 Burry Circle, Crest Hill.
All are welcome! Pre-registration is not necessary. Protective face masks and safe distancing are required.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
