ADVENT 2024 – MAKE ROOM FOR HOPE

“I am confident of this: that the One who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus… this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more…in every kind of perception” – Philippians 1:5, 8

As we prepare throughout this Advent, we are making room for hope! This week, where will you find a source of hope?

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT – DECEMBER 8, 2014

MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTOR

A Blessed second week of Advent to all. I hope you have taken an Advent daily reflection book and a calendar created with all our offerings to help stay focused on the spiritual aspect of this season. In keeping with our theme, Make Room For Hope, we have created a quiet time for prayer and adoration on Monday evenings at Saint Edmund Church from 4 pm to 9 pm except on Monday, December 9, when we will celebrate the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation at Ascension Church from 7 pm to 8:30 pm. Each Thursday evening, Saint Giles Church continues to offer weekly prayer and adoration from 7 pm to 8 pm. As you can see, beyond our regular daily Mass schedules, we are offering more opportunities to have quiet personal prayer time to make room for hope.

Pope Francis encourages us to “waste time” with God through prayer, even if just for 15 or 20 minutes. Take the time to be peacefully present to God, who is always present to us. In our world, church, in a time of transition for our government not to mention the personal struggles one may be facing, we need to make a space for the God of hope to fill us with his peace and joy.

I want to share with you this beautiful prayer, God of Hope, by Sister Editha Ben, SP.

Source of hope. Help me stay aware of your loving presence every day. Increase my desire that gives way to hope. Soften whatever is hardened in my heart so that I bring hope wherever I am. Strengthen me when I am overwhelmed navigating the complexities of life. Deepen my faith that I may realize what is hoped for.

Star of hope. May hope shine in the dark spaces of my challenges and emptiness. May I walk, hope filled and trusting, through the many choices I have to make. May I be more aware of the subtle ways of creating hope in our society. May I never let a bad day make me lose hope in the goodness of life. May all I do express new birth to a living hope. Provident God, you know those things in my heart that I barely dare to hope for, now I entrust them to you. May it be so.

Amen.

This is our season of preparation, of waiting in joyful hope. Our readings this weekend invite us to heed the voice of John the Baptist: prepare the way of the Lord. I know we all have long lists of the things we need and feel we have to do before Christmas. Let’s not forget what is most important. How can we open space and make room for hope, for Jesus to draw nearer to us?

PLAN TO JOIN US FOR OUR SHARED PARISH RECONCILIATION SERVICE on Monday, December 9 at 7 pm at Ascension Church – 808 S. East Avenue in Oak Park, IL 60304

With you a Christian. For you a priest.

Father Carl Morello
Pastor
Ascension and St. Edmund Parish
St. Catherine of Siena – St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish

DURING THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT

  • Weekly Reconciliation – On Saturday from 8:30 am to 9 am at Saint Giles Church
  • Additional Individual Reconciliation Times – Saturday, December 14 from 11 am to 12 pm at Saint Catherine of Siena – Saint Lucy Church
  • Pick up an Advent prayer book and Advent calendar at any of the churches throughout Oak Park – Create some space every day to strengthen hope through your relationship with God.
  • December 8 – Have you set a nativity scene up in your house? – There are nativity scenes for every size and budget. They are wonderful reminders of where our hope comes from: Jesus, being born to those in poverty, the most surprising of places! If you don’t have one in your house, consider attending the 9 am Mass at Saint Catherine-Saint Lucy this Sunday, December 8, where we will bless the creche present there.
  • December 9 – Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 9, is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year since it falls on a Monday; however, we urge all of our Catholic families to celebrate the feast by participating in Mass. Mass will be celebrated on Monday, December 9 at 8:30 am at Saint Giles Church.
  • December 9 – Are you searching for more peace in your heart? – Jesus is calling you to come and find peace by reconciling in His love. The reconciliation service for both parishes in Oak Park will be on Monday, December 9 at 7 pm at Ascension Church – 808 S. East Avenue in Oak Park, IL 60304
  • December 10 and 12 – Our Lady of Guadalupe is a beacon of unity and peace, and the patroness of continental America – Learn more about her at a special prayer service and presentation by the teens on Tuesday, December 10 at 7 pm at Saint Edmund Church; and then come and celebrate Mass on her Feast day, Thursday, December 12, at 6:30 PM at Saint Edmund Church – MORE INFORMATION
  • December 12 – Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays – Each Thursday evening, Saint Giles Church continues to offer weekly prayer and adoration from 7 pm to 8 pm.
  • Contemplative Prayer Ministry – Advent begins with Luke telling us in the gospel that “people will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world”. So let’s prepare our hearts for this by participating in any of the contemplative opportunities offered by the Contemplative Prayer Ministry – MORE INFORMATION
  • Advent 2024 – Living Laudato Si’ Calendar – Join Creation Care efforts during Advent. Each day addresses one of the seven goals of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, denoted by the color above the action – PRINT CALENDAR (PDF)
  • Vina & Branches – Rooted in Creation – Reaching for the Future – Advent is here, and with it comes thoughts about gifting. Here are some ideas that embrace our Laudato Si’ goals – MORE INFORMATION
  • Watch the bulletin each week or THIS PAGE for more Advent resources, events, and ideas.

DURING THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT

  • Weekly Reconciliation – On Saturday from 8:30 am to 9 am at Saint Giles Church
  • THIS Saturday, December 14 – Additional Individual Reconciliation Time – Saturday, December 14 from 11 am to 12 pm at Saint Catherine of Siena – Saint Lucy Church
  • Pick up an Advent prayer book and Advent calendar at any of the churches throughout Oak Park – Create some space every day to strengthen hope through your relationship with God.
  • December 14-19 – Advent Circle Garden – Take some time to come to the Advent Circle Garden in McDonough Hall on Saint Giles campus – a beautiful way for all ages to reflect on God’s promises. Take ten minutes or an hour to walk the garden labyrinth and sit in the quiet. The schedule for the garden is posted below “Events This Week”. On Thursday, December 19 at 7:30 pm, come to the garden for a special prayer service – MORE INFORMATION
  • December 16 – Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays – On Monday, look for the peace and quiet of an open church – Saint Edmund will be open for personal prayer and Adoration from 4 pm to 9 pm.
  • December 19 – Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays – Each Thursday evening, Saint Giles Church continues to offer weekly prayer and adoration from 7 pm to 8 pm.
  • As we draw closer to Christmas, life can get more and more hectic. Take a few minutes to feel God’s presence! Make a hot beverage, turn off the lights, and sit by the light of the Christmas tree or Advent wreath.
  • Spread hope and community by dropping off some anonymous treats to a neighbor!
  • Contemplative Prayer Ministry – Advent begins with Luke telling us in the gospel that “people will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world”. So let’s prepare our hearts for this by participating in any of the contemplative opportunities offered by the Contemplative Prayer Ministry – MORE INFORMATION
  • Advent 2024 – Living Laudato Si’ Calendar – Join Creation Care efforts during Advent. Each day addresses one of the seven goals of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, denoted by the color above the action – PRINT CALENDAR (PDF)
  • Vina & Branches – Rooted in Creation – Reaching for the Future – Advent is here, and with it comes thoughts about gifting. Here are some ideas that embrace our Laudato Si’ goals – MORE INFORMATION
  • Watch the bulletin each week or THIS PAGE for more Advent resources, events, and ideas.

VOLUNTEER AND OUTREACH EVENTS DURING THE SEASON

  • Christmas Eve Children’s Masses – Calling All Angels, Shepherds and Sheep! – All children and adults in our parish family are invited to help with the Children’s Masses on Christmas Eve. We will gather to worship God and in doing so we will be making wonderful music, and re-telling the Gospel story. No lines. Sign up for the part you want. All are welcome! All are important! – MORE INFORMATION
  • Help Decorate Saint Catherine – Saint Lucy Church for Christmas – Volunteers are needed to help with Christmas setup at Saint Catherine – Saint Lucy Church. This will take place after the 9 am Mass on Sunday, December 22. All are welcome. For additional information, please call Phil Kroker at 773-491-6194.
  • Remember the Homeless at Christmas with Dinner and Gifts – For more than 29 seasons, our Parish community has generously and willingly served the local homeless community on Christmas Eve with a full dinner complete with all the trimmings, festive decorations and personal gifts. This year, we will provide dinners and gifts to three different Housing Forward locations in Oak Park. Gratefully, we ask that you help us bring the joy of the season to the homeless – MORE INFORMATION
  • Migrant Ministry – As we approach Advent and the Christmas season, we are preparing our migrant brothers and sisters for change. With the change in administration coming in January, we know that many of the people we serve are very nervous. “If I filed for Asylum could I be deported?” “Will we be separated from our children?” “What are my rights if Border Patrol comes to my door?” – VOLUNTEER – DONATE – MORE INFORMATION
  • Christmas Luminarias – Let’s Light Up Oak Park! – Pre-order your Luminaria Kit NOW for “Light Up the Night” or Christmas Eve! – Order due by Monday, December 13 – MORE INFORMATION
  • Remembrance Poinsettias – Honor Your Deceased Loved Ones – Decorate Our Churches for the Christmas Season – Support St. Catherine-St. Lucy and St. Giles’ 2025 ASP Trip – MORE INFORMATION

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR MASS SCHEDULE

CHRISTMAS EVE – Tuesday, December 24

  • 3:00 pm – Christmas Eve Mass at Saint Giles Church
  • 5:00 pm – Christmas Eve Children’s Mass at Saint Catherine of Siena – Saint Lucy Church
  • 5:00 pm – Christmas Eve Mass at Saint Giles Church
  • 7:30 pm – Christmas Eve Mass (Family Mass Community) in the Saint Giles School Gym (Carols begin at 7:00 pm)
  • 10:30 pm – Vigil Mass at Saint Giles Church (Carols begin at 10:00 pm)

CHRISTMAS DAY – Wednesday, December 25

  • 9:00 am – Mass at Saint Catherine of Siena – Saint Lucy Church with the Praise Choir
  • 10:30 am – Mass at Saint Giles Church

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY – VIGIL – Saturday, December 28

  • 4:30 pm – Mass at Saint Giles Church

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY – Sunday, December 29

  • 8:00 am and 10:30 am – Mass at Saint Giles Church
  • 9:00 am – Mass at Saint Catherine of Siena – Saint Lucy Church
  • 10:00 am – Family Mass Community at Saint Giles School Gym
  • 5:00 pm – Oak Park Catholic Community Mass at Saint Edmund Church

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD – NEW YEAR’S EVE – Tuesday, December 31

  • 5:00 pm – Vigil Mass, Oak Park Catholic Community Mass at Saint Edmund Church

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD – NEW YEAR’S DAY – Wednesday, January 1

  • 9:00 am – Mass at Saint Giles Church