A St. Boniface Weekly Publication

Third Sunday of Advent 11 December 2016

St. Boniface Catholic Church 110 North Buchanan Street Edwardsville, Illinois 62025

Ring- 618.656.6450

Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki Bishop, Diocese of Springfield, IL

Very Reverend Jeffrey Goeckner, VF Pastor, Dean of the Alton Deanery

President, Father McGivney Catholic High School

Reverend Paul Habing Ministerio Español

Deacon Daniel Corbett Permanent Deacon/Tribunal Advocate

Mrs. Robin Black-Rubenstein Pastoral Associate

Mrs. Linda Daniels, Mrs. Benna Denue, Mr. Jack Hake, Mr. Kurt Hylla,

Mr. Martin Morrissey, Mrs. Sue Papajcik Pastor’s Cabinet

Sister Anna Flanigan, OSF Principal, St. Boniface School

Mr. Mike Scholz Principal, Father McGivney Catholic High School

PARISH STAFF

Mrs. Benna Denue Parish Office Manager and Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Robin Hake Business Manager

Mrs. Cindy Zurliene Assistant Business Manager

Mr. Michael Joslyn Parish Campus Maintenance Manager

Mr. Ryan Hentz Parish Campus Maintenance Assistant

Mr. Bill Doerr Parish Campus Maintenance Assistant

Mr. Eddie Sjursen Parish Campus Night Security

Sister Kathleen Ann Mourisse, OSF Director of RCIA/RCIC

Mr. Tom Ohren Visitation Minister Coordinator

Miss Jill Griffin Director of Worship & Music

Dr. Marc Schapman Assistant Choir Director

Mrs. Barb Stamer Parish School of Religion Coordinator

Mr. Jeremey Kovarik Youth Minister Coordinator

Mr. John Lednicky Tech Specialist

Mrs. Judy Frank, Jo Niebur & Sarah Kreke Receptionists

Mrs. Linda Daniels Tribunal Advocate

Mrs. Sue Papajcik Safe Environment & Volunteer Coordinator

Mr. Marcelo Nieto Coordinador de la comunidad Español

E V E R G R E E N 2

Weekly Liturgy Schedule

Saturday Vigil—4:15 p.m. Sunday—8:15, 10:15 a.m. & 5:15 p.m. Sunday—Misa en Español —12:15 p.m.

Monday—5:45 p.m. Tuesday—8:00 a.m.

Wednesday—6:45 p.m. Thursday—8:00 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. (bi-lingual Mass)

Friday— 8:00 a.m.

(Recitation of the Rosary—weekdays 20 minutes before Mass)

Sacrament of Penance

Wednesday—6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Thursday—6:00 - 6:30 p.m. (bi-lingual)

Saturday—3:30 - 4:00 p.m. or by appointment

RAFFLE CALENDAR WINNERS

November 28—$40 Helen Haarmann—Edwardsville, IL

November 29—$40 Nathan Hastings—Edwardsville, IL

November 30—$40 Valerie Rasche—Edwardsville, IL

December 1—$40 Dave Wasmuth—Glen Carbon, IL

December 2—$40 Marc & Tricia Popelar—

APO AE

December 3—$40 Ryan Suess—Edwardsville, IL

December 4—$40 First Cloverleaf Bank—

Edwardsville, IL

* Denotes Bonus Entry winner

Issue 421 ~ December 11, 2016

On the Evergreen cover this week: St. B 2nd graders encourage you to Buy & Sell our 2017 Raffle Calendars.

Office Hours

Monday—Friday

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Upcoming Baptism Class

Tuesdy, January 3

In the Church 7:00 pm

Contact the Parish Office at 656-6450 to register or for more information.

Go to st-boniface.com to print out a

Baptism Information Sheet.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

In lieu of the 12:15 PM Mass this Sunday,

December 11, the Spanish Community will celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe with Mass at 6:30 p.m.

including a re-enactment and a potluck to follow in

the Oak Room.

All are welcome. Congratulations Newly Baptized

We welcome to our parish community...

Andrew James Bennett child of Samuel Bennett and Alexandria

Carlson Bennett

Vivian Grace Brooman child of Raymond Brooman and Sandra

Tatoian Brooman

Kevin Walter Burns child of Casey Burns and Alyson

Lauchner Burns

Nash Patrick Dailey child of Kyle Dailey and Tasha

Dittamore Dailey

Ryann Elle Grandidier child of Adam Grandidier and Trisha

Dittamore Grandidier

Christopher Wayne Lugge child of Andrew Lugge and Mindy

Staggs Lugge

May they continue to grow in God’s loving care.

The St. Boniface Adult Choir invites everyone to

Santa Breakfast ~ Sunday, December 11 8:30 a.m.-Noon ~ St. Boniface School Gym

Come and enjoy an All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast! $10/adult, $5/12 & under

After eating, take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Many vendors will be available for purchasing Christmas gifts:

Essential Oils, Evergreen Gift Shop and SCRIP, St. Boniface Quilters, Mystical Treasurers, Oberweiss, Lula Roe, Mary Kay, Orgami Owl, Paparazzi Jewelry,

Premier Jewelry, Sisters with a Twist Crafts, Touchstone Crystals by Swarovski, Tupperware and Choir Bake Sale.

All proceeds benefit the St. Boniface Adult Choir's trip to Rome to sing at the Vatican in June 2017.

St. Boniface Cemetery

As the Christmas season approaches, the St. Boniface Cemetery Association wishes to remind everyone of a few items that our cemetery rules and regulations do not allow. Items not allowed include grave blankets, ground coverings, solar lights and Sheppard hooks. Thank you for your cooperation.

Area Penance Services

Sunday, December 11, 2:00 p.m. St. Boniface, Edwardsville

Monday, December 12, 7:00 p.m.

St. Elizabeth, Granite City

Wednesday, December 14, 7:00 p.m. St. Cecilia, Glen Carbon

Sunday, December 18, 4:00 p.m.

St. Ambrose, Godfrey

S H E P H E R D ’ S N O T E S 3

Thanks to everyone who has already made a contribution/pledge toward the Annual Catholic Services Appeal. I am

truly grateful for your generosity. If you have not made your contribution/pledge to the annual appeal, prayerfully

consider how you might help our parish meet our assessment of $123,875.00. If we do not meet our assessment amount

through your contribution/pledge, the remainder of the amount owed to the appeal will be deducted from our weekly contributions which in the end affects our parish budget for

the up and coming fiscal year.

Third Sunday of Advent

As we await for the coming of the Lord, we prepare our hearts and homes to

receive him. As Saint Paul instructs, we prepare with patience and a firm heart. We will know He has come into our

hearts and homes when we model true discipleship and work to bring the Good News to those around us.

FMCHS ~ Father McGivney High School anticipates its largest freshman class for the 2016-17 school year @ 75+. Currently, FMCHS is NOW enrolling freshman. Those who submit their application for early enrollment by December 15 will be eligible for a one-time tuition credit of $500. Please contact the FMCHS office or visit mcgivneygriffins.com for more information on how it’s GREAT to be a GRIFFIN!

End of the Year Contributions ~ Your thoughtful consideration for a tax deductible end of the year contribution to Saint Boniface Parish and Parish School is greatly appreciated! All tax deductible contributions must be dated no later than December 31.

What is Scrip? Thinking about purchasing gift cards for Christmas gift giving? You can purchase gift cards through the parish’s Scrip Program. It’s easy and benefits the parish. We offer popular gift cards for all local grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants and many retail stores. You will still spend the same amount of money for the gift card(s), but the parish will receive money back because of your gift card purchase from Saint Boniface. Gift cards can be purchased before or after Mass in the Plaza Lobby or at the parish office.

Advent Penance Service ~ Saint Boniface will once again host the Third Sunday of Advent Penance Service on Sunday, (today) December 11 @ 2 PM. St. Cecilia in Glen Carbon will host a Penance Service on Wednesday, December 14 @ 7:00 PM. Please note there will not be a Wednesday evening Mass on the 14th of December.

Christmas Mass Schedule ~

Christmas Eve @ 4:15 PM - 7:15 PM (Spanish) - 10:15 PM

Christmas Day @ 8:15 AM.

Congratulations to Aaron and Kelsey

(LeGate) Bottorff

who were married here last weekend

May God Bless you all the days of your life!

Bona thanks to everyone for your generosity toward the Thanksgiving collection benefiting the ministry of our Saint Vincent DePaul Society. $1,703.00 was collected and will benefit the less fortunate of the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon community. Bona thanks to the Wedding Bells Ministry for their assistance at parish weddings this past year!

Congratulations to the 2016 Outstanding Service Award Recipients

Gary Ladd, Connie Frick and Joan Griffin

These individuals were recognized as parishioners who have demonstrated outstanding and selfless service to

the parish of Saint Boniface over the years. The Outstanding Service Awards were presented during the annual parish staff Christmas Celebration last Saturday

night. May God continue to bless them for their outstanding service to our community.

Annual Infant Jesus Blessing

Bring your image of the Infant Jesus from your crèche /nativity

set to Mass next weekend (December 17/18) and place the

image on the table near the sanctuary before Mass for the

annual blessing

Congratulations to Eric and Chelsea (LaBrie)

Guempel

who were married here in September

May God Bless you all the days of your life!

C A L E N D A R 4

Liturgy This Week December 5-11

Monday @ 5:45 p.m. ~ Chapel Our Lady of Guadalupe Robert Knox and Family

Tuesday @ 8:00 a.m. ~ Chapel St. Lucy

Ed & Emma Leardi

Wednesday @ 6:45 p.m. ~ Chapel St. John of the Cross

No Mass

Thursday Advent Weekday

8:00 a.m. Church ~ Robert Werner 6:45 p.m. Chapel ~ Special Intention

Friday 8:00 a.m. ~ Chapel Advent Weekday Communion Service

Fourth Sunday of Advent ~ Church

4:15 p.m. Vigil Charles & Frances Wade

Sunday ~ Church 8:15 a.m.

James & Loretta Ellison, Sr.

10:15 a.m. Olin Clawson

12:15 p.m. Misa en Español ~

la Capilla Special Intention

5:15 p.m. Nancy Koons

December 2016-January 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

11 Breakfast with St. Nick 8:30 a.m.-Noon; Advent Penance Service 2:00 p.m. (CH)

12

Nia Fitness 8:13 a.m. (OR); RCIA 6:30 p.m. (AR)

13

Martha & Mary Group 8:30 a.m. (AR); School Penance Service 10:00 a.m. (CH); Preschool Christmas Program 5:30 p.m. (S); Handbell Practice 6:30 p.m. (CH)

14 Lectio Divina 8:00 a.m. (BL); Nia Fitness 8:13 a.m. (OR); Quilters 8:30 a.m. (EV); PSR 6:30 p.m.; Adult Choir 7:00 p.m. (CH); Finance Council Mtg. 7:15 p.m.

15

16

17

18 Secular Franciscans Formation Mtg 3:00 p.m. (AR); Youth Group -Live Nativity 2:30-5:00 p.m.

19

Nia Fitness 8:13 a.m. (OR); RCIA 6:30 p.m. (AR)

20

Martha & Mary Group 8:30 a.m. (AR); Handbell Practice 6:30 p.m. (CH)

21 Nia Fitness 8:13 a.m. (OR); Quilters 8:30 a.m. (EV); Adult Choir 7:00 p.m. (CH)

22

23

24 Christmas Eve

25 Christmas

26

Office Closed

27

Martha & Mary Group 8:30 a.m. (AR)

28 Nia Fitness 8:13 a.m. (OR); Quilters 8:30 a.m. (EV); Adult Choir 7:00 p.m. (CH)

29

30

31

1

2

Office Closed

3

Martha & Mary Group 8:30 a.m. (AR); Grief Support 8:45 a.m. (OR); Handbell Practice 6:30 p.m. (CH); Pastoral Council Mtg. 6:30 p.m. (PO); Baptism Class 7:00 p.m. (CH)

4 Lectio Divina 8:00 a.m. (BL); Nia Fitness 8:13 a.m. (OR); Quilters 8:30 a.m. (EV); Adult Choir 7:00 p.m. (CH)

5

6

7 Yoga 9:30 a.m. (OR); Zurliene/Keil Wedding; Secular Franciscans Fraternity Mtg. 5:15 p.m. (AR)

AR—Acorn Room / BL—Bona Lounge / CA—Chapel / CH—Church / OR—Oak Room / PO—Parish Office / S—School

CREDO 102 - Living the Laws of Love

Tuesday, January 24, 2017, 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 16, 2017, 7:00 p.m. ~ Wednesday, February 22, 2017, 6:30 p.m.

All parents of children receiving the Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation at St. Boniface are required to attend one of these sessions. All parents of students at St. Boniface and Fr. McGivney High School are encouraged to attend. All parishioners are invited to attend. All sessions will be held in the Oak Room of the Lower Level.

New Nia Class on Friday

Liz Lane and Carleen Weber (On the Move, Holistic Wellness & Fitness) will be adding a Friday Nia class to their schedule beginning January 6, 8:13 - 9:00 a.m. in the Oak Room.

Need Assistance? Dial 2-1-1

or 1-800-427-4626 United Way 2-1-1 is your 24/7 connection for resources and

agencies near you.

Finding help used to be a frustrating ordeal-flipping through phone books and calling multiple numbers; wrong turns; dead ends; wasted time. Now

one phone number, 2-1-1, can reduce those headaches and get you

connected to the resources you need.

Can’t connect? Dial 800-427-4626

www.211helps.org

C A T H O L I C E D U C A T I O N 5

Dear Parishioners,

Don’t forget to use SCRIP for all of your Christmas shopping! SCRIP allows you to make the full purchase and still gift the parish/school a small percentage of your purchase. It’s a win-win! Scrip can be purchased before and after nearly all Masses, and every day at the Parish

Office. Contact Cindy at the Parish Office if you have a large or special order.

Registration for the 2017-2018 School Year will begin on Wednesday, February 1, for our current families and parishioners. Open House for both the school and preschool will be held on Saturday/Sunday, January 28/29, following each of the Masses. Please consider St. Boniface School and Preschool as the school for your child(ren).

Volunteers are needed in January to help St. Boniface School as judges for our Learning Fair on Friday, January 27. Individuals will review science projects or social studies projects. Book readers are also needed. Contact Sr. Anna, 656-6917, or stbschool@st-boniface.com. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Thank you to all who supported our Space Camp fundraising by purchasing butter braids or other goodies.

Thank you also to our Monday workers, St. Fiacre Gardeners, who recently cleaned the area by the school dumpster. It is a tremendous improvement to our grounds. THANK YOU for noticing and acting!

Congratulations to our fifth grade students on Graduating from the DARE program on Tuesday.

Peace & All Good, Sr. Anna

Saint Boniface Parish School

(Pre-K—8) 128 North Buchanan

Edwardsville, IL 62025 Phone-618.656.6917 FAX-618.692.8385

stbschool@st-boniface.com

Father McGivney Catholic High School Early Decision

Deadline - December 15!

Apply online before December 15 for the 2017-18 school year to receive the following:

1. A one-time $500 tuition credit and

2. Priority consideration for financial assistance if your FACTS assistance application is also completed by March 30.

For more information about Father McGivney Catholic High School, visit our website at www.mcgivneygriffins.com or contact the Development Office at 618-855-9010 or development@mcgivneygriffins.com.

Father McGivney Catholic High School 7190 Bouse Rd. ~ Glen Carbon, IL 62034phone: 618-855-9010 ~ fax: 618-855-9011

email: info@mcgivneygriffins.com

Parish School of Religion

PSR Schedule

December 14 Class 6:30 - 7:45 p.m. December 21 No Class December 28 No Class

During this season of Advent may we always be ready and willing to make Jesus the center of our lives... Our Annual Sock Drive is under way and continues through Dec. 14, which

is our last PSR class until January 11. We will be collecting new packages of adult socks for those individuals in need on Wednesday evening in the basket placed in the main lobby of the school by the gym. Please consider helping those less fortunate by donating to this wonderful cause. Not only are We Warming Feet … We are Warming Hearts as Well!!

Sunday, December 18

Live Nativity—2:30-5:00 p.m.

Youth ages 12-17 are encouraged to participate in this activity. Call the Parish

Office to sign up for a shift.

Youth Ministry

Car Magnets—$5.00

Available in the Lobby after Mass, the School Office or the Parish Office.

Thanks for your support.

This weekend will be the last opportunity to purchase the collectable ornaments from Sisters Anna and Kathleen Ann after the weekend Masses. Purchases can be made by contacting them personally until December 20.

This year’s ornament is entitled:

“May You Know His Peace”. Cost is $34.00.

F A I T H F O R M A T I O N 6

MINISTRY MINUTES

Our Advent Joy is Founded in Hope

The topic at last evening’s (12/05/16) RCIA class was -The Last Things: Heaven, Hell and Purgatory. Our RCIA team member and fellow parishioner, Darryl Slater, led the class through an evening of questions and discussion about the very nature of heaven, hell and purgatory.

These are topics that few of us spend any time thinking about. Try to answer the following question that was discussed last evening. If you were asked to explain heaven, hell and purgatory in your own words how would you respond, and is anyone of these more difficult to explain than another? Our RCIA class was challenged to answer that question and yet every day of our lives we make decisions based upon our hope for entering heaven, for salvation, for spending eternity with our Lord.

The joy that the Third Sunday of Advent celebrates is drawn from the hope that has entered our lives because Jesus, our God, chose to come among us and teach us of the love and mercy that His Father offers us if only we choose to ask for it.

Hope for salvation gives purpose to every moment of our lives. Hope for salvation gives us patience and endurance through all of life’s trials. If there were no belief on our part in an eternal reward, then we would be appropriately impatient with anything that interferes with our immediate gratification and well-being. However, with our eyes of faith we can see past life’s challenges to an eternal reward.

In two weeks, we will commemorate and celebrate the coming of our God among us and even on that day we will be looking for and hoping for His coming again into our lives.

~Deacon Dan

Reflection—Robin Black-Rubenstein

This week on the Third Sunday of Advent the reading from the Prophet Isaiah prepares our hearts and minds with beautiful hopeful words that remind us of how much God loves us. The land of Judah is a desert. But not too far away in the area around the Holy Land (Lebanon, Carmel, Sharon) it is rich and fertile. Isaiah uses the description of nature to help people see and understand that God comes to restore us and save us. “The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe (flat lands) will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song.” Descriptions such as this caused the people of the Eighth Century to pause, as it still does for us.

Sometimes life is chaotic. The readings this week, given to us by a prophet from thousands of years ago, help us to remember the love and beauty that God wants for us. Prophets are messengers that point toward God’s good works, as did Jesus’ Disciples. As Christians we are called to be disciples, prophets, teachers and people who joyfully point toward God’s love and mercy. It is a lifelong adventure to be a child of God. Learning how to love is our life’s project. To remain faithful during difficulties and joyfully patient as we wait, is how we carry on the legacy of the prophets.

December 12, 2016

6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Acorn Room

Topic: Tour of the Church

Presenter: Fr. Jeff

Angel Tree

Bona thanks to everyone that picked an angel from the Angel Tree for one of the local care facilities. If you have not done so, please bring your gift(s) to the parish office ASAP. Gifts should be wrapped and you need to attach the angel tag from the tree to the gift(s).

Thank you.

St. Boniface Parish Mercy Ministry

Since 1869, St. Boniface Church’s steeple has risen high into the sky and can be seen for miles. The steeple, with the cross shining brightly, is a sign that the people of St. Boniface Church share their love and mercy. The Catholic Church has a long history of saints who helped the poor, sick and dying; and St. Boniface is part of that loving and merciful tradition. In the past, when people came to our doors in need of help, we were not able to assist them as they did not fall within the criteria for local social services. Because of this, and in honor of the Year of Mercy, Fr. Jeff instituted the Mercy Ministry. The assistance given to those in immediate need is a small boost to help the person continue moving forward without having to go backward. Sometimes it is a gas voucher to get to an appointment, a bus token for transportation, or a food voucher to get to the next day when the pantry is open. The Mercy Ministry Fund is monitored and distributed through the Parish Office. Prayers for the Mercy Ministry and donations to the Mercy Ministry Fund are appreciated. God Bless You……

For You have been a refuge to the poor,

A refuge to the needy in their distress;

shelter from the rain, shade from the heat.

Isaiah 25:4

M U S I C / Y O U T H M I N I S T R Y 7

Please Pray for our Military Men & Women

Dan Boone Major Eldridge Browne

Lars Engeberg Brandon Effler Mark Federspiel

Ha Hatley Nathan Henning

Aaron Hines Steve Jones Kraig Kline

Patrick Kohler Andrew Kolakowski

James Lavelle Erin Long

Adam Mitchell

Michael Porter Ricky Ricciardi Joseph Ruhnke

Brian, Stephen and Peter Sambor

Kyle & Jake Schaake Beth McBride Shockey

Abe StrootSgt. Kevin Sullivan

Whitney Krupp Swanson Nickolas Varady Thomas Velez Adam Wendel

Jacob M. Willett Andrew Wright

UPCOMING EVENTS

CHRISTMAS EVE / DAY MUSIC MINISTRY SCHEDULE

CHRISTMAS EVE - 4:15 PM Children’s Choir & Instrumentalists Prelude music will begin @ 3:30 PM

CHRISTMAS EVE - 10:15 PM

Adult Choir & Instrumentalists Prelude music will begin @ 9:30 PM

CHRISTMAS DAY - 8:15 AM

Handbell Choir & Adult Choir Prelude music will begin @ 7:45 AM

Catholic Children’s Home

The mission of the Catholic Children’s Home is to aid, protect and care for the needs, education and welfare of dependent, neglected, abused or otherwise hurting children and families without regard to poverty, riches, race, religion or national origin.

Our school and residential programs serve more than 150 children per year, and we are dedicated to continued improvements and expansion of our services and programs to meet the ever-changing needs of the children in our communities.

Loving Father, Help us to accept your divine mercy for our own

hearts. In receiving it, may we generously and joyfully share it with

all we meet.

From The Magnificat Advent Companion

Featured in November on FORMED: Advent

Make sure to look at the Advent reflection and study opportunities on FORMED.org

There is a four session series for each of the weeks of Advent. There is also a great series on the Sacrament of Reconciliation and much, much more. Go to Formed.org. If you haven't registered yet, our parish code is CGHZ3K.

Simply Register your email and name after putting in the Parish Code. Call the parish office if you have any questions.

NEW for Kids

FORMED gives parents the tools to form their children in the faith. Whether it is an inspiring family movie, children’s videos/audios, or YDisciple videos/discussion questions for teenagers, parents can access this great content in their homes and make faith sharing and prayer a habit as a family. Discover all the new children’s programs, books, movies, and audio at formed.org.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING Have the Choir sing for your next Christmas Party

Have the St. Boniface Adult Choir sing at your next Christmas Party. The Choir can provide background music during dinner, lead everyone in a sing-along, or carol to guests as they arrive. The choice is yours! $50/half hour minimum suggested donation. Date and time to be arranged. Contact Jill Griffin at the Parish Office or jgriffin@st-boniface.com for more information.

All proceeds benefit the Choir’s trip to Rome next June.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA & CHRISTMAS FAIR SUNDAY, DEC. 11 8:30 AM - NOON

The Adult Choir will be hosting an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast with Santa THIS Sunday, Dec. 11 from 8:30 AM -

Noon in the School Gym. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under. After breakfast, take pictures with

Santa & Mrs. Claus and visit the OVER 15 vendors who will have booths set up to get a head start on your Christmas gift list. The Choir will also be hosting a BAKE SALE at the

breakfast.

All proceeds benefit the Choir’s trip to Rome in June 2017.

T I M E / T A L E N T / T R E A S U R E 8

Weekly Financial Report

Collection 12/4/2016

Envelope collection $15,848.06

EFT Contributions $7,897.00

Mail/Loose Contributions $755.62

Angel Fund (STB/FMCHS) $285.00

Fundraisers -

CCIF $45.00

Grant -

Memorial -

ACSA $115.00

Building Fund $1,439.00

Stole Fees $140.00

Gift Shop $162.92

TOTAL INCOME $26,687.60

Budgeted Income $25,000.00

Overage/Shortage $1,687.60

Diocesan Collections $120.00

BONA-COUNTERS for Monday, December 12, 2016

Celeste Korte, Jan Boyer and Theresa Kohlmiller

Stewardship

Today, the Third Sunday of Advent, we celebrate Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means “rejoice.” Although Advent is a season of penitence and preparation, today is always set aside by the Church to relax and rejoice in the Lord. All our readings today deal with Christian joy. This may seem not in keeping with the overall mood encouraged for Advent, but it is most definitely in keeping with what we need to feel, and it is appropriate for those who embrace stewardship as a way of life.

Stewardship is, of course, based upon an “attitude of gratitude” and today is a day to focus on the joy that results from that gratitude. Father Henri Nouwen was a well-known Catholic priest, professor, writer and theologian. In describing the significance of this particular day, Father Nouwen clarified the difference between joy and happiness. He said, “While happiness is dependent upon external conditions, joy is the experience of knowing that we are unconditionally loved by God and nothing — not sickness, failure, emotional distress, oppression, war, or even death — can take that love away. Joy can be present in the midst of sadness.”

This “joy” that is reflected in lives of stewardship was also emphasized by Pope Francis, who said in his homily for Gaudete Sunday in 2014, “Today is a day of joy. Rather than fretting about all we have not done or accomplished to prepare for Christmas during Advent, we need to think of all the good things God, and life, has given us.”

Robin Hake, Business Manager rhake@st-boniface.com

Funeral Lunch Volunteers

December 2016 ~ Committee #4

Team Leader Jan Reilly with Barb Gieseking, Kaye Grezlak, Mary Kafka, Pat McBride, Claribel Ramsey, Lillian Rimkus, May Peradotti, Carol Schlueter, Connie Schwab, Mary Jo

Schmidt and Linda Ziolkowski

Heavenly Dusters - Committee #3

Shirley Lanham, Carol & Don Lange, Nora Meyer, Robin Hake, Betty Franke and Mary Noud

Thank you for your support of St. Boniface Catholic Church. Make your contributions to the church even easier by taking advantage of our online giving option. Setting up your account is easy; you can set it up online through our website www.st-boniface.com, or complete a form and turn in to the Parish Office to Robin Hake’s attention.

Retirement Fund for Religious

This is the week for the Retirement Fund for Religious. The aging religious need your help. Senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests have offered their lives in service to others—educating the young, comforting the sick, seeking justice for the oppressed. Today, many are frail, elderly, and in need of assistance from us. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious helps to furnish medications, nursing care, and other necessities. Please give generously in the envelopes provided in the bulletin.

Dave Ramsey’s

Financial Peace University

St. Mary's Parish in Edwardsville will be offering the Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University course January 11 - March 8, 2017. Video viewing begins at 6:30 p.m., discussion from 7:30-8:30 p.m. The cost is $75 per kit, scholarships available. Contact St. Mary's Parish Office at 618-656-4857 to register.

Faith is like Wi-Fi—

It’s invisible; but it has the power to connect you to what you need.

E V E R G R E E N A N N O U N C E M E N T S 9

LITURGICAL MINISTERS FOR NEXT WEEKEND —DECEMBER 17-18, 2016

Family Caregiver Support Group— Collinsville

Wednesday, December 14, 5:30—7:00 p.m. This support group is intended for family caregivers caring for loved ones with any type of disability. Join us at St. John’s Community Care located at 222 Goethe Street in Collinsville for a light complimentary dinner. Sessions are held the 2nd Wednesday of every month. Call 344-5008 for a reservation to this free program.

Alzheimer’s Support Group— Collinsville

Tuesday, December 13 , 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Join others dealing with dementia and memory loss at St. John’s Community Care located at 222 Goethe Street in Collinsville. Sessions are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Call 344-5008 for a reservation to this free program.

Family Caregiver Support Group – Edwardsville

Wednesday, December 21, from 6:30 p.m.—8:00 p.m. This support group is intended for family caregivers caring for loved ones with any type of disability. Join us at St. John’s Community Care Adult Day Program located at 1015B Century Drive in Edwardsville. Sessions will be held the 3rd Wednesday of each month. For more information call 618-656-7090. able with reservation. Call 618-344-5008.

Ministries Vigil—4:15 p.m. Sunday—8:15 a.m. Sunday—10:15 a.m. Sunday—5:15 p.m.

Ministers of Holy Communion

John and Jenny Sanford 692-9815

Debbie Davis Toby Heddinghaus

Mimi Hunter Sam Knebel Barb Leardi

Jane Luchtefeld Jerry Luchtefeld

Suelaine Matthews Mike McKinzie

Jodi Roberts Lesley Roderick

Crystal Bradley Jim Caulk

Linda Gamboa Dan Gamboa

Eric Hess Steve Hyten (sub req.)

Celeste Korte Shirley Lanham

Tom Ohren Laura Ohren

Tim Tosovsky

David Boduch Bonnie Hajny Marilee Heinz Jacob Licklider Jenny Milburn Adam Milburn Stephen Miller Kit Morrissey Colleen Sweet Keith Sweet

Stacey Tyrrell

Cindy Clark Michelle Dammerich

Nate Dammerich Tom Dammerich Heather Lautner Hannah Starnes

Volunteer Needed

Readers Barb Leardi 656-3917

Charlene Dupent Phillip Daniels

Sean Nesbit

Michael Suhre John Zieser

Debbie Caulk

Mike Baker Theresa Lavelle

Sister Kathleen Mourisse

Brad Serfas Katie Serfas

Tyler Winters (sub req.)

Ushers David & Susie Knetzer

960-5677

Linda Daniels Brian Jones

Kevin Kretzer Randy Otrembiak

Greg Stovall Keith Sutorius

Volunteer Needed

Volunteer Needed

David Caulk Gary Denue

Michael Hines Ray Kerkemeyer

Jared Korte Gregg Korte

William Lanham James Trebing

Dan Boner Floyd Frey Scott Hajny Gary Ladd Don Lange

Jerry McNichols Bryce Renken Daniel Willis

Diane Jacober Thomas Jacober Hunter Klette Dave Knetzer

Randy Otrembiak Craig Riley

Albert Schug Volunteer Needed

Altar Servers Fr. Jeff

656-6450

Emily Jones Justin Jones

Ethan Potthast

Joe Hines Mark Luchtefeld Patty Wiemers

Jack Sweet Connor Sweet

Sean Sweet

Jake Essner Shivani Greene Hersch Greene

Sacristan Mary Westerhold

656-6536 Jeff Litterst Benna Denue Adam Milburn Stacy Klette

Greeters Nora Meyer

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Erin Krieger Michelle McKee

Sharon Hoffmann Kyle Lask

Michelle Peck Lori Williams

Kim Delp Holly Jones

Scrip Sales Jamie Leardi Cheryl Green

Sharon Hoffmann Kyle Lask

Amy Horton Nicole Schapman

Volunteer Needed

Volunteer Needed

Children’s Liturgy

Nicole Arview

Nancy Hanson

No Children’s Liturgy

Sarah Garman

Marilee Heinz

Volunteer Needed

Barb Stamer

Cantors Jill Griffin 610-6972

Ryan & Ann Marie Fitzpatrick

Tyler & Emily Moore

Joe Catalano Deron Griffin

Sue Papajcik