ST. DENNIS FUNDRAISER SUCCESS CONTINUES Now Gas/Electric bills may be paid through Ambit.

Thank you friends of St. Dennis who are participating in our Natural Gas & Electric Fundraising Program through Ambit Energy. Households have seen the savings on monthly statements. St. Dennis is receiving monthly donations averaging over $400 now with 250 service enrollments from Ambit which will continue to grow. To support our Church & save money, visit our website or call parishioner Mario Buonauro 630-464-2900. Have your current gas/electric bill handy.

Preparation for Sacrament of Baptism: Your family must be registered active members of St. Dennis. Baptismal Prep Mtgs. are divided into two meetings, 4 weeks apart on Saturdays. Part 1 is 9 am to 10:15 am, Part 2 is 10:30 am 11:45. The next preparation classes for 2013 are January 19th & February 16th. Call the Parish Office to register.

December 23, 2012

Fourth Sunday of Advent 1214 Hamilton Street, Lockport, IL 60441
Phone 815 838-2592 Fax 815 838-2401 E-mail church@saint-dennis.org Web - http://www.saint-dennis.org Our Mission Statement St. Dennis is a welcoming, Spirit-led, Catholic Community called to be disciples of Christ, servants of those in need and celebrators of Gods love. WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Saturday 4:30 pm Sunday 7:30 am, 9:15 am, 11:00 am Daily Monday thru Friday 7:15 am (Changes to daily Mass may occur. View page 2 for all changes.) Glory & Praise Tuesdays 7:00 pm

The Giving Tree

May God bless each of you for sharing your blessings again this Christmas season with someone in need. Again this year we helped those at the Daybreak Shelter, Lambs Fold, Vilaseca Day Care Center and the Guardian Angel Home. Thank you for your generosity and support! Childrens Bulletin: Did you know childrens bulletins are available for ages 3-6 and 7-12 during the Advent Season? Pick one up as you enter church. 2013 Calendars are available from ONeil & Goodale Funeral Homes. Please pick up your free copy today in the Narthex.

Advent Reflection: PROCLAIM

Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled. Luke 1:45

SACRAMENTS
Reconciliation: Sat. 3:30-4:15 pm or Appt. Baptism Please call 815 838-2592 ext.123 to register and complete a Baptismal Request form. Marriage Please call 815 838-2592 ext.123 to Register, at least six months in advance.

St. Dennis Gift Card Program Gift cards make great stocking stuffers!
Need a gift for the teacher? Buy a gift card! Need a gift for your babysitter? Buy a gift card! That hard to buy for teenager? Buy a gift card!! A gift card is the perfect gift for the person who has everything! If you have any questions or want to place a special order, please contact me at scripinfo@comcast.net or (815) 836-0661. Thank you for supporting the Scrip program. ~ Denise Salvino.

2012 Christmas Outreach Program

Thank you to all parishioners, school families, parish organizations, groups and friends who participated so wholeheartedly in assisting our Adopt-A-Family program. Thank you for your generous response to help those in need. May God bless each of you! ~ Sr. Joanne

Blessings to
Fr. Thomson on your 52nd Anniversary of Ordination on December 21st

The National Shrine of St. Therese Pilgrimage Retreat Take a tour

of the National Shrine of St. Therese of Liseux on Saturday, Jan 19th from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Celebrate Mass in the chapel, explore the grounds and shop in the gift shop. Lunch will be provided. Cost is $25 per individual, if three or more attending in household cost is $21 per person. Registration and pre-pay required by contacting Venus at 815-838-2592 x 113 by Jan 11th. Ages 16 +.

Literature for the Soul Book Club: All adults welcome on Sunday,
join let today and G.I.F.T. book nis Pick up your ity of St. Den the commun nts to upcoming eve n in the many Coming Soo ith Together. Grow In Fa

Jan 20th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Parish Office to review this months book selection: "Why the Nativity?" By David Jeremiah. Join us for fellowship, refreshments, and discussion. All welcome & you may join at any time, regardless of whether you've finished the book!

Dear Family, Christmas has been the most wonderful time of the year for me. Ever since I was a child I was filled with wonder, excitement and joyful anticipation of Christmas. I believed as a child with all my heart that Santa and Jesus were coming and that Santa was giving gifts because Jesus told him to do so. That tradition began with St. Nicholas in Myra, Turkey. This year our parish gave toys, clothing and gift cards to over 60 families. Many of these families are trying to raise a family on their own with limited income and resources. After meeting some of them, I reminded each of them that the gifts they receive are from you, but behind each gift is a loving God that cares for them. Each family and individual was so thankful. I do not know how large your heart is but I hope the grace of this season will expand it far beyond what you dreamed possible. I hope that you may love yourself and your family more and that a part of your heart will always be reserved to help the less fortunate. Giving of ourselves and our gifts should not be a one day event. I would like to extend an invitation to those who occasionally attend church. I will make a promise to you that if you come every week in 2013 your life will never be the same again. Doorways will open to you and Gods spirit will touch you and your family in ways you never dream possible. I invite you to receive the Eucharist each week and be healed and embraced by our Almighty God. On behalf of our entire staff at St. Dennis we pray for you and wish you a most joyful and holy Christmas. I love you all! In the Lords Love, Fr. Jim

Parish Office Hours

8:30 am 4:00 pm PASTORAL STAFF
Pastor Rev. James Curtin Associate Pastor Rev. Thomson Panakal Residents Fr. Mark Fracaro Sr. Ellen Thomas, r.c. Pastoral Associates Deacon Rob Weierman Sr. Joanne Vallero, CSJ Faith Formation Director Venus Wozniak Music Director Patti Johnson

Healing Prayer
Lorrie Murphy 708 301-5107 murphyfisch@comcast.net

Toasting to the GIFT of a New Year

Let's start the new year off right. In this mini-retreat for all ages we will explore the opportunities for new beginnings offered through our faith. We will explore through storytelling, music, and art...Join us Wednesday, January 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. All ages welcome. Registration required by contacting Christen at 815-838-2592 x 114.

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS TO ALL!

MONTHLY REMINDERS SundayCatechesis of GS 9:15am, 5:15pm; Baptism 1pm MondayCatechesis of GS 4:30pm; Bible Study 6:30pm TuesdayGlory & Praise 7pm 2nd TuesdayCCW 12pm - Sept., Dec., March & May WednesdayCatechesis of GS 6pm Thursday All Choir Practices; Bible Study 10am; RCIA 7pm Third Thursday Senior Luncheon First FridayHoly Hour 3:30pm SaturdayRCIA 3pm

Bulletin Editor
Contact the Parish Office secretary@saint-dennis.org

Bulletin Information Center Please send all information by email to secretary@saint-dennis.org. Deadline to submit info for the bulletin is 4 pm Friday one week before you want it to appear. NOTE: In subject area, please type St. Dennis Bulletin. All info must now be in MS Word or Publisher document as an attachment. Thank you, Parish Office.

1201 Washington St.Lockport, IL 60441 815 838-4494 E-mailschool@saint-dennis.org PrincipalLisa Smith

December 23, 2012

December 23 ,2012

Mass Intentions
Saturday, December 22 4:30 pm Edmund & Claire DaRosa by family, Gary
Hortense by Joe & Carol Coverdill

Please pray for those who have entered into Eternal Life especially Delores Anderson Martin Koleno (Brother of Mike Koleno)

SAVE THE DATE

Garments of Praise Ministry (formerly Clothes for Haiti) Our next meeting will be Wed., Jan 9th, 6:00-8:45p.m. in Fracaro Hall. We will be making clothes and shrouds for the children of Haiti. If you are interested, donations needed include: used religious and Christmas cards, mens t-shirts, gently used/new pillowcases, sheets, fabric, fabric glue, bias tape, Velcro and elastic. Please bring donation to the Narthex Care Pantry bins on Jan. 5 & 6th ONLY! For more info, contact Christen Morris 815-838-2592 ext 114. To date the ministry has united with local churches and made over 40,000 burial shrouds to send to Haiti. Other countries including: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Peru, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic have begun contacting the ministry to provide burial palls and clothing for their countries as well. With so many countries in need, our volunteers are working monthly to help complete our mission of clothing children (living and dead) in garments of praise. Thank you for your support and have a Merry Christmas! WORD ALIVE! Bible Study: Join us on Thursday Mornings, 10-11:30 am. in Parish Office Stalzer Rm. Sessions are Jan. 10, 17, 31. Call Sr. Joanne at 815 838 2592 X 110 to register. Glory & Praise: Our next meeting dates are January 15th, January 22 in Parish Office Stalzer Room. On Jan. 29th we welcome Deacon John Freund in the Narthex. All gatherings begin at 7 pm. Divorce Care & Beyond: a support group for those in the process of a divorce or those already divorced begins Thurs, January 17th at 6: 30 p.m. in the Rectory fireside room. We meet for 10 to 12 consecutive weeks. Past participants are also welcome. For more info. or to register, call Pat and Bill Roderick 815-254-9966. Registration required. Dec. 15/16 Collection (380 envelopes) .................. $ 10,569 Weekly Auto Debit (122) ........ 3,130 Monthly Auto Debit-weekly aver. (146) ........... 3,782 Total ........... $ 17,481
*755 loose cash

STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE

Sunday, December 23 7:30 am Frederick Reed, Birthday Remembrance by Brian

& Janet Boland, Carla Rubel by Rubel family, Raymond & Trudy, Remembrance by Betty Oesterreich 9:15 am Deceased of St. Dennis Parish 11:00 am Yolanda Mitchell Reyla by Linda Pastore, Joe Schmitt by Pat Schmitt

Todays Scripture Readings Mic 5:1-4a From Bethlehem shall come the ruler of Israel. Heb 10:5-10 The words of the true servant: I come to do your will. Luke 1:39-45 Mary visits Elizabeth.

Weekly Operating Expenses ..... $ 18,400 THANK YOU!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!

PARISH CENTER DEBT...... $ 3,569 Giving the Glory to God Renovation: (as of 12/17/12) Total Pledged: $333,507 Number of families: 349 Payments received: $271,920 Giving Glory to God Church Restoration
As our project nears completion, we still need your pledge! Pick up a pledge card or make a donation. God bless you! Thank you to all who signed up for auto debit. This will be a tremendous help and savings to the parish. Auto Debit forms are available in the Narthex. Please return forms to the parish office or collection basket. Thank you also to all who increased their weekly contribution. The Parish office will be closed from Dec. 23 through Jan. 7 for the Christmas & New Years break messages will be checked regularly.

Readings for the Week

Mon: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16, Lk 1:67-79 Tues: Is 52: 7-10, Heb 1: 1-6, Jn 1: 1-18 Wed: Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59, Mt 10:17-22 Thurs: 1 Jn 1:1-4, Jn 20: 1a, 2-8 Fri: 1 Jn 1:5-2:2, Mt 2:13-18 Sat: 1 Jn 2:3-11, Lk 2: 22-35 Sun: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14, Col 3: 12-21 The Word became flesh to make us partakers of the divine nature: For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God. For the Son of God became man so that we might become God. The only begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods.

Monday, December 24 Vigil of Christmas 3:45pm in Church Theresa Lea, Anniversary of Death by
Jim Tierney & family, Jerry Maza by family, Joan Carbery, Birthday Remembrance by the Robbins family 4:00pm Childrens Mass in the Parish Center Joanne Dabrowski by family, MaryBeth Perkne and Eva Garvey by St. Dennis School & Parish 10:30pm in Church (10pm Prelude Music) John Pesavento by family, Raymond & Bernadine Maranda by family, Elaine Steinke by Pat & Mike Gleason, Chuck Pastore, Marian Murphy and Jack Murphy by Linda Pastore & family, Tom Marchio by Molly & family

Tuesday, December 25 Christmas 7:30am in Church The Hester family by family 10:00am in Church Andrzej Bizub and Angela &
Michael Harla by family

Wednesday, December 26 7:15 am St. Dennis Parish family Thursday, December 27 7:15 am St. Dennis Parish family Friday, December 28 7:15 am St. Dennis Parish family Saturday, December 29 4:30 pm Mike Kelm, Birthday Remembrance by parents,
Elaine Steinke by Pat & Mike Gleason, Ray & Mary Jakubowski by family, Virgil Hester by family

Have a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

This Week, the Flame of Faith will burn in memory of

Theresa Lea, Anniversary of Death By Jim Tierney and family

Please pray for those who are sick or suffering especially Sr. Ellen Thomas, Charles Zambuto, John Renzi, Dorothy Adelmann, Robert Devine, Bill Bremmer, Greg Mahalck

Sunday, December 30 7:30 am Donna Tierney by Jim & family 9:15 am St. Dennis Parish family 11:00 am Filomena Aviles by the King family, Caroline
Meagher by the King family

St. Dennis Rosary Ministry Need an inspirational gift for a special occasion or just to say I love you? Please call anytime and we would be happy to help you. Is your favorite Rosary broken? We repair Rosaries free of charge. Do you have old rosaries, chaplets, beads or Holy Medals? We can recycle them into new rosaries. If you would like to donate them, please place in the basket in the Narthex. Check out our Ministry on the St. Dennis Website or call Kim at 815.560.2468 or Mary 573.434.7801 CHECK OUT THE ST. DENNIS WEB SITE at WWW.SAINT-DENNIS.ORG or visit us on Facebook!

Mary responded yes to the request of God to bear his Son. Jesus responded yes to the will of the Father and gave his life for the sake of humankind. We, too, are invited to be part of the New Covenant that Jesus established. Stewardship is a way of living in which we say yes when we act out of love toward those around us and reach out to those in need throughout the world. We Welcome New Parishioners!
If you would like to join St. Dennis Parish or learn more about us, please contact the parish office at 815 838-2592 x 123 or stop in to pick up a new parishioner packet. We would like to welcome you to our parish family!

Prayer Requests
Do you need prayer or know of someone in need of prayer? Contact the parish office at 838-2592 ext. 123 or secretary@saintdennis.org to add a prayer request to our daily e-mail prayer line.