Rev. Monsignor Philip D. Halfacre, Pastor

Rev. Father Dustin Schultz, Parochial Vicar

Parish Church Located at the corner of Lundy & Shabbona Streets

Parish Office (Behind the Church) 513 S. Shabbona Street, Streator, IL 61364 Phone: 815-672-2474 FAX: 815-672-2040 Secretary: Linda Halko Email: stmichaelparish@mediacombb.net Office Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8 till 5; Friday: 8 till 4

Rectory Phone During the day, the best way to reach the priests is by calling the office. After hours, call the rectory for urgent matters. Fr. Schultz: (815) 510-9011 Msgr. Halfacre: (815) 510-9010

Parish School 410 S. Park Street, Streator, IL 61364 Phone: 815-672-3847 www.stmichael-streator.yolasite.com Principal: Mrs. Ashley R. Davis Secretary: Debbie Rathbun

Religious Education (CCD) Located in the school Phone: 815-672-5911 Email: stmichaeldre@mediacombb.net Director of Religious Education: Sr. Alice Ann Harcharik Secretary: Rosanne Gallick

Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish

Diocese of Peoria Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, D.D., C.S.C.

Mass Intentions and Devotions

SATURDAY, December 31 ▪ Saint Sylvester I, pope 3:00 PM Confessions

4:00 PM Nelda J. Lyons by Family & Friends 5:30 PM Pauline Bodzuich by John & Kathy Drapa

SUNDAY, January 1 ▪ Blessed Virgin Mary, The Mother of God

7:00 AM Special Intention 8:30 AM Geraldine M. Patton 10:00 AM For All Parishioners 11:30 AM Edward Weyand by Family 1:00 PM Intention of All Souls

MONDAY, January 2 ▪ Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen bishops & doctors

7:00 AM Edward Novotney (5th Anniv) by Family

TUESDAY, January 3 ▪ The Most Holy Name of Jesus 7:00 AM Robert Foltin by Wife & Family 7:30 AM St. Anthony of Padua Novena

WEDNESDAY, January 4 ▪ Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious 7:30 AM St. Michael Chaplet 7:30 AM Confessions

8:00 AM Sister Sophie Petro by Sr. Alice Ann Harcharik & Mrs. Ann Harcharik

THURSDAY, January 5 ▪ John Neumann, bishop

7:00 AM Peter & Susan Majernik by Daughters

FRIDAY, January 6 ▪ Blessed Andre Bessette, religious, First Friday 7:00 AM Monthly Memorial Mass Association 9:15 AM School Mass - Jerry Trainor

Daily Rosary 4:00 PM in Mother’s Chapel

SATURDAY, January 7 ▪ Raymond of Penafort, priest 3:00 PM Confessions

4:00 PM Stacie Simpson by Family 5:30 PM Irwin Johnson by Family

SUNDAY, January 8 ▪ Epiphany of the Lord

7:00 AM Dorothy & Frank Smith by Marge Carrubba, Georgene & Carolyn Simko 8:30 AM Cecilia Nink by Cathy & Ed Burash 10:00 AM For All Parishioners 11:30 AM Sister Benedicta Ritchie by Family 1:00 PM Deceased of Holinga & Walter Thomas Families by Estate of Martha Thomas

Dear Parishioners, We would like to thank you for the many cards, gifts, and good wishes that were extended to us over the Christmas Season. We enjoyed your holiday baking and the treats you shared with us. Your thoughtfulness and generosity to us is greatly appreciated.

May God bless you in the New Year. Msgr. Halfacre and Father Schultz

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS ON December 17 –18

Regular Sunday $15,390.50 Christmas 542.00 Loose Money 380.19 Youth Offerings 33.75 Parish Development 213.00 School Support 480.00 Air & Heat 624.00 Vigil Lights 136.00 Immaculate Conception 168.00 Christmas Flowers 269.00

Total $18,236.44

Human Development $ 2.00 Religious Retirement 451.00

Glory to God In the Highest

Our parish Christmas celebrations were the source of Divine Glory and much delight. How grateful we are to the many people who created the beautiful Christmas setting in our church, the Crèche Scene and the Sanctuary. Under the leadership of Terri Sancken with her committee of volunteers our church is, as always, beautiful this Christmas.

Thank you to the musicians for the beautiful music.

Thanks also to those who prepared the church for Christmas—cleaning and decorating, and those who shared their talents as readers, servers, ushers and Eucharistic Ministers at all Masses.

The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, January 2nd.

Happy New Year!

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD January 1, 2012

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE By Pope Benedict XVI

BROADCASTED DURING THE BBC PROGRAMME "THOUGHT FOR THE DAY" Wednesday, 22 December 2010

[At this time of year], our thoughts turn back to a moment in history when God's chosen people, the chil-dren of Israel, were living in intense expectation. They were waiting for the Messiah that God had promised to send, and they pictured him as a great leader who would rescue them from foreign domination and restore their freedom.

God is always faithful to his promises, but he often surprises us in the way he fulfills them. The child that was born in Bethlehem did indeed bring liberation, but not only for the people of that time and place - he was to be the Savior of all people throughout the world and throughout history. And it was not a political liberation that he brought, achieved through military means: rather, Christ destroyed death forever and restored life by means of his shameful death on the Cross. And while he was born in poverty and obscurity, far from the centers of earthly power, he was none other than the Son of God. Out of love for us he took upon himself our human condi-tion, our fragility, our vulnerability, and he opened up for us the path that leads to the fullness of life, to a share in the life of God himself. As we ponder this great mystery in our hearts this Christmas, let us give thanks to God for his goodness to us, and let us joyfully proclaim to those around us the good news that God offers us freedom from whatever weighs us down: he gives us hope, he brings us life.

RYNE DRESBACH WINS ST. MICHAEL SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY BEE

Ryne Dresbach, an eighth grade student at St. Michael the Archangel School, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on December 21, 2011, and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship. The school-level Bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 24th annual national Geographic Bee. This year’s Bee is sponsored by Google.

This year’s bee included thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories. The school winners, including Ryne, will now take a written test; up to 100 of the top scorers in each state will be eligi-ble to compete in their state Bee to be held March 30, 2012.

The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expenses –paid trip to Washington, D.C., for state champi-ons and teacher-escorts to participate in the Bee national championship rounds on May 22-24, 2012. The first-place winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the Society, and a trip to the Galápagos Islands, courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic (visit www.expeditions.com) . For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com .

Left to right, are the 10 finalists: Ryne Dresbach, Owen Muntz, Helana Shroyer, Dalton Dean, Mariah Pellino, Makenna Tkach, Alivia Adkins, Grace Schmitz, Adriann Miller, and Andie SanGabriel.

Ryne Dresbach, is congratulated by St. Michael School principal, Mrs. Ashley Davis.

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD January 1, 2012

Copyright © 2011 www.THECATHOLICSTEWARD.com

Mrs. Connie Durdan's Third Grade Class visited Evergreen Place to share their "Christmas Spirit" with the residents. Songs were sung by the students and games were played. Pict #1 - students singing carols l to r: Albert Gutierrez, Mason Telford, Tyler Halgren (hidden behind Tyler - Scott Eggleston); Mason Adkins, Olivia Joyce, Hallie Ligori, Isabel Kaschke, Anna Schmitz, Eliza Smith, and Daniella Rabago Pict #2 - Students share cards with the residents (Olivia Joyce, Eliza Smith and Hallie Ligori) Pict #3 - Mason Telford helps his "new friend" play Bingo.

STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION

It is interesting that today, a day on which we celebrate the feast of Mary, the Mother of God, we hear very little about Mary in the readings.

Mary plays a vital role in Salvation History, and today we celebrate a key part of that role. But when we reflect on what it means for Mary to be the Mother of God, when we ponder her importance in the life of the Church, she brings us back to her Son, the focal point of today’s readings, the focal point of Salvation History, the focal point of the Church’s life.

Indeed, all of the Church’s doctrines pertaining to Mary, while they speak of Marian truths, actually emphasize a truth about Christ and bring us into a deeper understanding of who Christ is, and, we can be sure, that’s how Mary would want it to be. After all, when the angel declared to Mary that she would conceive the Lord and she gave him her “yes,” she surrendered her will to the Father. She gave Him her life and became the first disciple — the first steward — living her life in complete selfless service for the Lord.

Her title, “Mother of God,” speaks of a profound truth about her Son. It tells us that, from the moment of His con-ception, Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man. It is a mystery and one we must believe as Catholics. And, today, as we honor Mary for her role in our salvation, we are called to ponder this mystery, to come to a deeper understanding of the reality of the incarnation.

We are also called as stewards to follow in Mary’s footsteps. She is the first disciple. And, as Christ’s disciple, she has given herself in service to Him. May we all follow suit. Like hers, may our lives be ones that proclaim Christ to others. Through what we say and do, through the sharing of our time, talent, and treasure, may we bring others closer to Christ, just as Mary does.

Meet the Marquette Academy Family!!!

M.A. HIGH SCHOOL

OPEN HOUSE

JANUARY 11TH

6:00PM - 8:30PM

Financial Aid/Scholarship Information Guided Tours of the Campus Information fair representing all Athletics, Clubs, & Organizations

Full Year and 1/2 year Tuition giveaways!!! (Must be present to win)

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD January 1, 2012

Lay Carmelite Formation Classes to Begin

Are you a Catholic, man or woman, in good stand-ing, between the ages of 18 and 70, and drawn to a committed life of prayer? Is our Lord calling you to a more intimate relationship through a vocation to the Lay Carmelite order? If so, you should consider join-ing the new formation class of the St. Teresa of Avila Lay Carmelite Community that begins on January 7th, 2012, February 4th and March 3rd. The classes will begin on April 7th and this will give you three months to find out about the Carmelites.

Formation includes one year of preparation for re-ception, two more years of preparation for temporary profession, and three additional years of preparation for permanent profession. Course of study includes Carmelite spirituality, teachings of St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, other saints and blessed or the order, history of the order, Chrisian doctrine, and scripture. There is no cost for the classes, but candidates are expected to purchase their won books and study materials.

Instruction and meeting take place in Mendota at the St. Therese House at 807 Michigan Avenue and are held once a month - on the first Saturday - follow-ing the 8:00 AM Mass, from 8:30 AM until 3:30 PM. For more information call Joyce Loebach at 815-795-5142, Rose Rogalla at 815-795-5587 or Sandee Donahue at 815-539-6323.

DID YOU KNOW . . . .

The Marquette Academy Junior High Robotics team is headed to State!! The team will compete at the State Competition on January 20th & 21st.Great Job Knights!

Marquette Academy has a new sports page on our website. Check out the athletic events for all MA campuses and get up to the minute info on games, cancellations or browse our photo galleries. Log onto our site at www.marquetteacademy.net and go to sports or log onto www.athletics2000.com and look under featured schools.

“I have attended Marquette Academy High School for four years, and what I love best about this school is the tremendous faculty this school has. Every teacher cares about their students and strives to make each one happy at Marquette. Every day I look forward to going to class because my teachers work to make them so enjoyable.”

Shayna MacBean - Class of 2012 St. Micheal’s Parish Member

BIG Cash Raffle - WINNERS

Dec. 14 - $25.00 – James Pellino Dec. 15 - $25.00 – Paul Marx Dec. 16 - $50.00 – Elsie Trainor Dec. 17 - $25.00 – Rod Miller Dec. 18 - $25.00 – Robert Harms

Tickets still available at the Parish and School Offices

ONLY $10.00

Participants of the St. Michael the Archangel after-noon and evening Bible Study Groups took some time off to Christmas carol at Liberty Village on Tuesday, December 13. Helen Morgan led the group in singing many favorite carols. Tom Wessling, Joyce Kmetz, and Sr. Alice Ann, members of the group, shared some Christmas stories, movies and poems of the season. Residents also participated in the singing, adding a wonderful spirit to the evening.

BULLETIN SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

STREATOR NATIONAL BANK

Bulletins are free through the generous b u s i n e s s e s t h a t advertise on the back pages. Please show your suppor t by pat ronizing these businesses. Thank them when you shop there.

Monthly Memorial Mass Association - May 2011—April 2012 John & Elizabeth Harasti Family Joseph Eccleston Family Ruth Ehlers Michael & Mary Tobias Family John & Ann Crawford Antonia Hamara Ayers & Weiss Families Forrest Cox Knute Gudmunson Christopher James Pollett Dalton & Danko Families Grace & Joseph Stehlo George & Rosemary Lesak Families Evelyn E. Lee Woodward & Walker Families Barbara Bartman Lloyd & Lucille Kudrick & Families Peter J. Locascio Family Adams & Schorn Families George & Catherine Miller Families Robert O’Donnell George & Mary Sharisky and Jason

Elsie Vickers & Mark Vickers Kmetz-Novotney Family The Antolik Family Albert Matas, Sr. Carl & Agnes Schaibley Michael, Mary & Jim Novak Leon Pastirik Fred, Agnes & Al Salvati Dominic & Cecelia Baietto Living & Deceased of the Secular Franciscans Audrey & Albert Kooi Marcacci Family Solon, Chalfant & Verdiramo Families Kmetz & Mudrock Families Devine & Lawrence Families Dom and Satch Salvati Nelda J. Lyons Doris Yedinak Sandy Beavers

Jaegle & Talty Families Richard G. Tutoky Mark Demoss & Grandparents Purcell & Lytle Families William Warwick & Nadine Lund Cebulko & Wargo Families Gene & Dorothy Hozie Family Keeley & Ranalletta Families Barra & Rizzo Families Henry & Caroline Budde Nora Drapp John G. Kacmar Tom Canale Kozel & Sankovich Families Patrick J. McClernon Nink & Sankovich Families Mary M. Devera Victor, Madeline & Katherine Rashid Kennedy & O’Hara Families Dorothy Meredith

McGrath, Gregg, Rithmiller Families Liptak & Ondercho Families Milton & Betty Klein Wanda Robertson Geraldine M. Patton Dillon & Audrey (McClary) Prendergast John & Anna Fialko Family William Harcar, Sr. & son, Gary Martha Averweg and Danny Fechter Donald Noon Zarolzin & Makarewicz Families Urdzik & George Yusko Family Mary Palko & Irene McIntosh Debra Matsko and Renn Family Marjorie A. Melvin William F. Melvin John & Barb Murphy & Family Ted & Catherine Schmitz Art & Shirley Hatzer J. Guadalupe Lopez Cannella Family

_________MILESTONES

BAPTISMS: December 17, 2011 Cade Raulie Wright Katelyn Marie Wahl

FUNERALS: December 20, 2011, Lois Mary Tapert Dordan December 28, 2011, Helen A. Hastings

CHRISTMAS FLOWER GIFTS & MEMORIALS

Julia & Andrew Rubis by Daughters & Sons Edward Snyder, Sr. by Ed Snyder Bud Trainor by Mrs. Linda Keith Deceased Doran, Harty & Salvati Families by Janet Salvati Margaret & Gus Galick and Ray Negray by Rosanne & Jim Gallick Sharon Kay Harmon by McMahan’s John “Jesse” & Marcella James and Andrew “Dick” & Mary Senko by M/M Richard Senko

Anna Redd and Veronika Kiss by John & Jolanka Redd Hiltabrand & Wargo Family by M/M Charles Wargo Louis & Eva Tutko and Katherine & Richard Hjerpe by Mike & Marsha Tutko St. Julias Society, Br. 77 Mr. Robert Appel Mrs. William Harcar

T hank you to all the Students, Parents, CCD teachers and Sister Alice Ann for organizing the

collection of the many items for Guardian Angel Out-reach office. Because of your outpouring generosity we can help many of our young mothers with families, meet their needs. God bless each of you.

Joyce Redfern

2012 Behold Conference “From the Heart of God”

Saturday, March 10, 2012 at Embassy Suites, East Peoria, IL

Behold is a Catholic women’s conference in central Illinois, open to women of all ages and vocations. Our 2012 conference features guest speakers Kate Wicker, Sisters of Life, & Ginny Baldridge, musician Marie Miller, Meet the Bloggers, Mass, adoration, Confession, vendors, and much more! Register at www.beholdconference.com or call (309) 621-5097. www.facebook.com/beholdconference, Twitter@beholdcatholic

Grow. Sing. Pray. Adore. Confess. Laugh. Learn. Be Loved. BEHOLD.

Monthly Memorial Mass Association - May 2011—April 2012 Beatrice, Arthur, Jack & Bob Zack Chalkey & Urbance Families Stacie Simpson Segovich & Vavrek Families Puskar & James Families Koval & Thompson Families Peter & Catherine Ellena Joe Devera & Mollo Families William J. Miller & Bernard L. Miller Madara & Wahl Families Clarence & Cecilia Klachko John & Mary Retoff Family Austin & Jackie Jonen Kovalik & Reed Families Bengtson & Dixon Families Romfin Obenhin & Leo Leonard Families Joe, Mary & Jerry Hughes Grako, Pollett & Harcharik Families Donna Pouk Winnie Hilliard Clyde & Vivian Boyd Harcar & Kiss Families Joseph Wargo Sara & Joe Benning Jennie Smith Lutz & Wargo Families Thomas J. Leheney John R. Solon Kathryn Thorson & Madigan Family Roy Armstrong Mack McClary & Prendergast Family The Peter Majernik Family Andrew & Florence Matsko Richard J. Berry Collette Berry

Wurmnest & Devora Families Senko & Urichko Families Gerald Sweeden Elsie & Carl Swanson Todd Spellious Randy Pearce Edmund Nash Family Dzuryo-Churney Families Raymond Schmitt Panno & Leskanich Family Mr. & Mrs. William C. Salz Leskanich & Hanusik Families Wirges, Coates & Richard Families Thomas, Louise & Tom Nagle Gotch & Trainor Families Savage & Trainor Families Centko & Mehalic Families Jack Balke, Zeller Family Deborah A. Beckley Elizabeth Dunn Morrison Joseph E. Sennott Brocon Family Craig and Laughlin Families The Family of Mike & Barb Malley The Pfalzgraf Family Brown Family Paula &Frank Corrigan Pleasant-Delheimer Families San Gabriel & Balana Families Victor W. Bandura Maurice Killian Doris L. Knudsen Ron Gengenbacher Henry & Mildred Lechner Angelos & Farrington Families Adamchak & Balke Families Frank Sabino Ronald D. Foster

Nellie Marie Coury Walter Gura Ftacek-Demko Families Yendro & McGee Family Patricia & Harry Kear Louis & Jane Ramza Bradach & Barton Families Florence & Steve Hrasch Zavada & Hernandez Families Dyas & Yuhas Families Marion & Julia Boik Bud Trainor & John Hogan Trainor & Lesak Families Carl Crouch (Army-Afgan) Stavar & Miller Families Patrick Walker & Lisa Walker Andrew & Lena Yarusinsky Don E. Schmitt Ohmes, Keesee, Williams Families Rozak & Smith Families Cathy Killian Breen, Plumb, & Sharkey Families McGurk & Bellis Families Bruner, Casey, Lankin Families John & Helen Bottino James M. Bailey Brozak & Sokol Families Edward & Catherine Gulvas Burash, Higgins & Ahearn Families Bandura & Ryan Families Roy L. Lathrop Daniel J. Retoff John, Jack & Tillie Peruba Pete Shackley Tony Harcar, Jr. Lucy Schultz

John C. Gaydos Family Virgil Smith Family Churney & Katcher Families Pizzolato, Hersheway & Spellious Families Florence & Jack Adams Robert & Michelle Graham Betsy Rohan Hrasch Family Nink & Phillis Families Benner & Miiller Families Jerome Chalkey John & Louise Yusko Richard, Ann, & Brian Crane Bodznick & Konchar Family Kahanec-Devera Family Batkiewicz-Masley Family John Washko Family Drapa & Paterak Families Marjorie & Elmer Adams Family James Bowman Harry Thomas Clarence & Kathryne Connors Bellis & Grossen Families Living & Deceased of the Doran, Harty & Salvati Families Lechner, Muhlstadt & Marquis Families Doermann, Leonard, & Heitmann Families Norman Obenhin & H. Stewart Families Michelle “Shelley” Olson Jim Craft Bill Scarratt Helen Chismarick Frank & Lois Jurcak Jason A. Parcher Nagle & Roberts Families