Blessed Sacrament Parish welcomes new residents and visitors. It is wonderful to celebrate the Eucharist

with you. If you are new to the parish, please call the office to register.

Parish of the Blessed Sacrament Third Sunday of Advent December 15, 2019

PASTOR: Father Jeffery Grant Parochial Vicar Father Ron Lorilla Deacon David Erdmann Deacon Tom Burns

PARISH OFFICE: Phone: (217) 528-7521 Fax: (217) 528-3137 Website: www.bsps.org

SCHOOL OFFICE: 748 West Laurel Phone: (217) 522-7534 Fax: (217) 522-7542 ww.bssbruins.org

Office Manager: Margaret Antenan

School Finance Manager: Laura Horton

Parish Finance Manager: Lisa Sarnowski

Principal: Dawn Klinner

School Administrative Asst: Nancy Evans

School Secretary: Michele Hinds-Greenwood

Music Director: Jane Hartman Irwin

Parish School of Religion: Call the Parish Office to register

Development Director: Kim Hoffmann

Maintenance Manager: Ed VonDeBur

Bulletin Submissions: Margaret Antenan Email: mantenan@bsps.org

Dear Parishioners, The Speaker and the Pope. John Boehner was Speaker of the House from 2011 to 2015. For 24 years he served as representative from his district in Ohio. Where he did not believe in wearing his Catholic faith on his sleeve, that faith was indeed important in shaping the decisions and choices of life. Each morning he had two sources where he would get the message of the day. After that, he took an hour walk and “began the conversation.”…that is prayer. Boehner was one of twelve children, growing up in suburban Cincinnati. The house had two bedrooms and one bath. “Faith was the foundation of how my parents lived and what they taught us…simple as that.” He was the first of his family to graduate from college, earning a business degree from Xavier University. From running a business, he gradually entered politics. By the time he was speaker, he realized God had led him on a different path than he had planned. “There were days I would sit in my office by myself. I’d look up and go, Hello? Hello? You put me here. Well come on, where are the answers? They would eventually come, just not as quickly as I wanted them to.” Boehner faced many difficult issues in Congress—perhaps the most troubling was the ever-growing divide or polarization in our nation’s politics. “It got to the point where I’d use to go to see President Obama and I’d have to sneak into the White House, because if I walked in where the press would always see me, the right-wing press would go crazy and the left-wing press would go crazy on President Obama.” Boehner blames the media for a lot of the polarization, but insists optimistically that it will turn around. It may takes God’s hand or some horrific event, but there will be a moment where we will realize, despite our differences that we are first of all Americans…”which they’ve forgotten.” He mentioned his father’s tavern, where he began working at the age of eight. There would be drunks and you didn’t want to agree with them but you didn’t want to get in a fight with them all night, “so you find a way to disagree without being disagreeable.” It was one of the greatest lessons that helped him in his career. Where he was pro-life, pro-tobacco, and a fiscal conservative, he considered among his friends, Ted Kennedy and Joe Biden. “We could work together. “You have to remember, a leader without followers is simply a man taking a walk.” He believed that 95% of his colleagues were good people trying to honestly represent their districts. When Pope Francis addressed Congress in 2015, a crowd of over 75,000 people gathered outside the Capitol. When the pope spoke, “God bless America,” Boehner said he broke into tears. That day, there seemed to be a different attitude in Washington. People were happy. When Francis was preparing to leave, he drew Boehner near and asked him to pray for him. It was “the nicest thing anyone ever said to me.” The next day Speaker Boehner announced his retirement. (from an interview with Fr. Matt Malone SJ) Faith, prayer, optimism, respect, disagreement in agreeable ways, working with others, these things can heal our politics. Teach them to your children and grandchildren that they may not suffer what our country now suffers and may truly build a nation that believe all people are created equal. Fr. Jeff

Thi rd Sunday o f Advent

CELEBRATING THE DAYS

Monday, January 25 Confessions before Mass 8:00 AM Roberta & John Beall

Tuesday, January 26

Confessions before Mass

8:20 AM Poor Souls’ Shrine

Wednesday, January 27

Confessions before Mass

8:00 AM Intention of the Belz Family

5:30PM Prayer Service

Thursday, January 28

Confessions before Mass

8:00AM Patrick Elchleep

Friday, January 29

Confessions before Mass

8:20AM Marita Child

Saturday, January 30 8:00AM Michael & Nora Dovonan (Latin Mass) 3:00-4:00PM - Confessions 4:30 PM Jack & Kenneth Leahy

Sunday, January 31– Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

7:00 AM Arlene & Pat Stapleton

8:30 AM Intentions of our Parishioners

10:30 AM George & Marguarite Hughes

CELEBRATING THE DAYS

Monday, December 16 Confessions before Mass

8:00AM David & George Ann Martin George & Teresa Egizii

Tuesday, December 17

Confessions before Mass

8:20AM Mark Skube Poor Souls Shrine

Wednesday, December 18

Confessions before Mass

8:00AM James “Mac” Graham

Jay Wavering

5:30PM Prayer Service

Thursday, December 19

Confessions before Mass

8:00AM Diane Galli

Jack McCarthy

Friday, December 20

Confessions before Mass

8:20AM Davidson & Tweryon Families

Russell Schmitz

Saturday, December 21

Confessions before Mass

8:00AM Dr. Clifford Lynch

3:00-4:00pm Confessions

4:30PM Ernest & Alma Hiltebrand, Sr.

Sunday, Dec. 22-Fourth Sunday of Advent

7:00AM Jack McCarthy

8:30AM Brian Joseph & Rachel Madonia

10:30AM Intentions of our Parishioners

Rosary beginning at 10:05am is prayed before 10:30am Mass Sundays and includes intentions from the Blessed Sacrament Prayer Line. Please join us in praying for our parish family. Hope to see you there!

SCHOOL NEWS! Sunday, Dec. 15– First Grade programs at 1pm & 3pm Tuesday, Dec.17—10am & 1:30pm-3rd grade Christmas Programs Wednesday, Dec. 18-PK1 & PK2– Christmas Programs at 9:30am & 2pm Thursday, Dec. 19-9:30am Kindergarten Christmas Program Friday, Dec. 20-Classroom Christmas Parties 11:30am Dismissal ( No BASE) Monday, Jan, 6-Classes resume

Christmas Mass Schedule Christmas Eve 4:30PM (no incense) 8:00PM

Christmas Day Midnight 8:30am 10:30am

Each Mass will be preceded by 30 minutes of Christmas music sung by the various choirs and

instrumentalists here at Blessed Sacrament Year-End Giving—We are so grateful for the generosity of our parishioners throughout the entire year. During December, many people review their giving and determine that a year end charitable gift will benefit their tax status for the calendar year. If you wish to make a donation to Blessed Sacrament by making a general parish contribution to the church, or a gift to the School’s Annual Fund, you may drop it into the collection basket during Mass or mail it to the school or parish office. All charitable contributions must be postmarked and/or received by December 31, 2019 to be included in the year-end statement for tax year 2019.

The End is Coming! New this year - parishioners can choose to receive their end-of-the-year contribution tax statement via email. Please go to our parish website and complete the simple form at www.bsps.org/parish-giving and you'll receive your statement in mid-January 2020. This process saves time and money for the parish and if you misplace your statement, you can simply reprint it from your email. Please contact Lisa Sarnowski at Lsarnowski@bsps.org if you have any questions. Prayer calendars for Fr. Jeff & Fr. Ron– take a minute this weekend and sign up to pray for our priests one or two days in 2020. There are calendars in the vestibule for you sign up to pray for our priests in the year 2020. This is Blessed Sacrament’s Christmas gift to Fr. Jeff & Fr. Ron. If you miss your chance this weekend you can call Kathy Harth 899-0438 and she will put your name on the calendar.

Our Teacher Salary Support Fund is designed to help offset our teachers’ salaries by giving them a much deserved bonus at Christmas each year. The monies donated through the parish envelopes throughout the year are combined with donations from our school family donation envelopes (sent home with the children at school) and donations from our PSA and Men’s Club. All donations are allocated to our teachers and staff once a year--at Christmas. Bonuses are calculated based on the funds we have available each year. Please consider making a donation to this fund this year by either returning a donation in your monthly Parish Teacher Salary Support Fund envelope or in this year’s school family donation envelope, by Monday, December 16th. Please help us give our teachers and staff the best possible Christmas gift as a “thank-you” for all their hard work and dedication to our school and children.

Scrip Gift Cards Make Great Stocking Stuffers! We've got tons of $10 cards - for fast food places and for a limited time to Amazon, Target and Walmart. Looking for something smaller? For the Christmas giving season, we've got $5 cards for Barnes & Noble, Panera and Starbucks - stock up and keep some in your purse or wallet for surprise gifts! Christmas Scrip Order Forms are due tomorrow, Monday, December 16 to guarantee delivery for Christmas. Drop them off at the school or parish offices.

Would you like to welcome those arriving for Christmas Mass with a smile and an open door? Five greeters are needed for each Mass on Christmas Eve 4:30pm & 8:00pm, Midnight Mass, and Christmas Day 8:30am & 10:30am. This would be a great activity for the family to do together! Volunteer with a call, text, or email to Julie Bertagnolli. Thank you for your help! 217-529-7920 julie@webaroonie.net

Many many thanks to the Committee, table decorators, bakers, servers, greeters, those who brought in nativities, and Hamilton's Catering for making the 6th Advent by Candlelight evening a huge success. Hoping that everyone takes note of Marlene Mulford's presentation on" The Grace to Surrender with Joy" as we approach the Holiday season. And thanks to the Blessed Sacrament Jubilate Choir for an outstanding musical performance directed by our very own Choir Director, Jane Hartman Irwin. Oh What a Night!

Men Are You Prepared ? We can help. This is your invitation!! Come join the men of the parish on February 15 and 16 at the Villa Marie on Lake Springfield where you will see if you are prepared for the challenges of Renewal. Are you prepared for the Challenge of Living a New Life in Christ? Just go to the parish website: www.bsps.org . Click on Faith Formation. Then click on Men's CRHP etreat and SIGN UP. The rewards will be great . For questions call David Senger 741-4759 or Deacon Tom 416-9713.

Sunday, December 15 Page 3

OUR PARISH Congratulations to our Recently Baptized: Blair Christine Daugherty, daughter of Timothy & Amanda Daugherty

MINISTRY SCHEDULE

DECEMBER 16-20

MONDAY-WEDNESDAY

8:00am-8:20am Ben Boesdorfer-Mike Hollahan

THURSDAY-FRIDAY Rowan Mizeur-Wade Naylor

Saturday, December 21,4:30PM Lector: Melaney Arnold Servers: Malik Greco, Grace

Klenke, Matt Riedell Eucharistic Ministers: Richard

Campbell, Noreen Luhr, James Morphew, Vince Toolen, Mark Ushman, Duke Walker, Paul Wheeler

Sunday, December 22, 7:00AM Lector: Carolyn Graham Servers: Jonah Parkes Eucharistic Ministers: Christy

Geving, Kathy Gietl, Eric Madiar, Patrick Sheehan, Colleen VonDeBur

Sunday, December 22, 8:30 AM Lector: Jim McDermott Servers: Cian Mahoney, Eamon

Mahoney, Virginia Parkes Eucharistic Ministers: Sheri

Dhabalt, Janine Feller, Kathleen Harth, Andrea Judd, Beckey Leonard, Laurie Mann, George Rudis

Sunday,December 22, 10:30AM Lector: Tim Moore Servers: Elliott Kren, Chloe Kren,

J.P. Moore Eucharistic Ministers: Lila

Dilbaitis, Donald Graham, Patricia Graham, Patti Naylor, Joseph Stannard, Mary Tuttle, Jennifer Wente

ADORATION HOURS: “Nowhere on earth are you more welcomed, Nowhere on earth are you more loved, than by Jesus, living and truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time that you will spend on earth. Each moment that you spend with Jesus will deepen your union with Him and make your soul everlastingly more glorious and beautiful in heaven, and will bring about an everlasting peace on earth.” (St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta) For further information please email Karen Senger at senger@bssbruins.org.

Sunday 12am Monday 6pm Friday 7am Sunday 1am Monday 7pm Friday 10am Sunday 2am Tuesday 1am Saturday 1am Sunday 3am Tuesday 2am Saturday 2am Sunday 1pm Tuesday 3am Saturday 7am Monday 1am Tuesday 4am Saturday 10am Monday 2am Wednesday 4pm Monday 3am Friday 1am Monday 9am Friday 2am Monday 2pm

Are you a visitor to Blessed Sacrament? If you're visiting us today we’re glad you're here. If you are considering Blessed Sacrament as your new spiritual home, or if you just want to know more about us, we have a packet of information we would like you to take home with you. Just ask any usher for a visitor’s packet. You don’t have to give us any information about yourself. Just ask an usher. No strings attached. Thank you for vis-iting Blessed Sacrament. The Filipino community of the Springfield area extends their invitation to everyone to join them with the celebration of their traditional 9 day Christmas novena known as Simbang Gabi starting on Dec 15 thru Dec 23 at 6 pm at Blessed Sacrament Church. Dinner potluck follows each Mass. Bishop Paprocki will preside at the Mass on the last day Dec 23rd. Would Your Family Like to Light the Advent Candle at Mass? Sign up for one of the remaining Masses during Advent (December 22). You need to arrive at Mass ten minutes early and check in with the priest. Pro-cess in, light the candle and return to your seat for Mass. The link to sign up is at www.bsps.org on the right side of the home page.

Open House & Dedication-The Fall Catholic Build-Habitat Build #111 is almost finished. We are offering a “soft” Open House, Sunday, December 15th, 2-4pm at the house, 2240 East Enterprise, Grandview. Come tour the home and meet Kimeka Robinson, our future homeowner. Parking is not allowed on Enterprise Street, so please park on Wolf Street. Dedica-tion for this build in Wednesday, December 18, 4pm, with Bishop Thomas John Paprocki. A “welcome home” shower will take place immediately after the dedication. Kimeka is registered at Target. Springfield Right to Life will be collecting signatures for the annual Re-spect Life Signature Ad after all Masses (or services) on 1/4/20-1/5/20 and 1/11/20 – 1/12/20.

Page 4 Th i rd Sunday of Advent

Blessed Sacrament Prayer Line

Call the Parish Office 528-7521 Please pray for the intention of :

Lucy Wallner, Jimmie Hill, Robert Farris, Amber, Dorothy Tracy, Vernon Spiedger, Terri Burwitz, Rita, Ron, Owen Doak, Kayte, Denise S, Christopher Morgan, Dave, Betty, Ed Pauley, Steve, Hannah Clark, Peter Schofield, Ginny Schofield, Amy Gatewood family, Monica Larch, Austin Fields, Larry Theise, Gwen Bramlet, Richard Judd, John M, Louie Rago, Gwinn, John, Claire, Mary, Ray Roland, Josette, Danielle Loftus, Kitty, Susan, Cindy, Barbara Schuh, Ruth Pohlman, Charles Klaphake, Annie, Barb, Tony, Kurt C, Eric, Lois & Jim Burton, Tom VonBerg, Donna Fitts, Ellen White, Barbara, Rose, Archer Senft, Suzie Culters, Tom J., Judy, Anna Gietl, Doug, Beth, Camden Spinner, Cindi, Andy Kates, Dave, Sandy H, Jim C., Jason Baird, Jen, Family of Gretchen Hornickle Harrison, Joyln Jensen, Jack Rhinehart, Dorothy Willenborg, Tom, Barry McCollom Tyra Redpath, Steve Kinsella, Destiny Renfro James, Clarita DeLargy, Steve, Karen, Steve, Miles Fifer, Maureen, Charlie Adams, Julie, Bill, Mary Coffey, Craig DeLargy, Brian Meredith, Destiny Jane, Katie Bronken, Cheryl, Fonda, Kristen, Tia, Jeff K., Laura M, Sue, Dave, Leo, Betty, Elizabeth Handrich, Melissa, Mary Jane Harshbarger, Troy, Sharon S, Laura Black James G., Anna Chougry, March, Charlotte, Don Egan, Shandi Chrysler, Andy, Donald Cole, Dave, Leo, Emily Amy, Gloria, Susan McCain, Ray Shaw, Jeanette, Kevin Henry, Gary, Laurie, Mary Alice Owens, Gary Bartels, Don John, Dale, Peggy Cadigan, Sarah & Everett O’Connor, Mary, Rocky Tom Acker, Caleb Cross, Callie, Marlene Keldermans, Jeannie Marie Gorman, Dcn. Ben Hoefler, Colleen, Edna Kienzler, Denny McDaniels, Terry Jordan, Janet Ketchum, Michael Mauch, Steve Bartels, Mary Kulavic, Bette Atteberry, William Burkey, Barb Hansen, Helen Rhinehart, Edward, Diana Schumacher, Melissa Brown, Mary, Beverly Rago, Sharon O’Brien. Jim & Cynthia Novello, Becky Wood, Denise Cindy Ramirez, Tod Pierce, Bertha S, Daniel, Janet Nelch, Kim ————————————————————————-

Project Rachel can help women and men heal from the pain of abortion. For assistance call 698-4456 Diocesan Child Abuse Reporting & Investigation 321-1155

Parish Collection Target Amount $23,500.00 Sunday, December 1 $26,828.40

STEWARDSHIP (Time / Talent /Treasure)

In the Spirit of Giving

Sunday, December 15, 2019 Page 5