207 VANDALIA STREET · COLLINSVILLE, IL 62234

Staff Rev. John P. Beveridge, Pastor Ext. 100 Deacon Jim Hill Ext. 104 Deacon Jimmy Ghiglione Ext. 101 Director of Faith Formation Michael Palmer, School Principal Ext. 110 Maggie Brennan, Director of Pastoral Care Ext. 111 Teri Lesicko, Ext. 115 Finance & Development Camille Emig-Hill, Ext. 102 HR & Communications Kimberly Zagorski, Ext. 103 Faith Formation Coordinator Contact Information Parish Office: 239 N. Morrison Street Phone 345-4343 Fax 345-1145 Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 AM-4:00 PM Friday 8:30AM-3:30 PM

Parish Center 301 Vandalia

School 210 N. Morrison 344-5450

Parish Prayer Line 344-4108

Masses Weekend Saturday 4:30 PM Sunday 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM Weekday Monday Communion Service, 8:15 AM Tuesday - Friday. 8:15 AM First Friday Masses 8:15 AM Holy Day Masses Eve of Holyday 6:30 PM Holyday 8:15 AM, 6:30 PM

Sacraments Confessions: Saturday 3:00-4:00 PM Thursday before First Friday 4:00 PM till all are heard Marriage: Contact the parish office. Annulments & Counseling: Ariel Martin 618-667-2113 Baptism: Contact the parish office for registration forms and scheduling information.

Visit our Website

saintspeter-paul.org

SS. Peter Catholic Church & Paul

Ss. Peter and Paul School News Knights of Columbus

Wed. Dec. 21 End of 2nd quarter, no pm bus service, 1 pm dismissal Dec. 22—Jan 4 Christmas Vacation Thu. Jan 5 Classes Resume Fri. Jan 6 Honor Roll Presentations after Mass Ss. Peter and Paul is now registered with “AmazonSmile” to receive a percentage of your Amazon purchases. You always need to start at smile.amazon.com. On your first visit to AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), you need to select a charita-ble organization (SS Peter and Paul, then Collinsville) to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a dona-tion. Remember, you must start at smile.amazon.com.

KNIGHTS KNEWS: Mon. Dec. 19: Regular KC Meeting Rosary-6:30 pm, Meeting-7:00 pm Tues. Dec. 20: NO Wing Ding Wed. Dec 21: Hamburgers and Fries 4:30—7:30 pm Dec. 22—Jan 2: KC Hall Closed All normally scheduled activities cancelled. Have a Merry and blessed Christmas! 5200 Winners Mike Graminski Bob Kimball Donald Kupinski Debbie Ryder

Toy Drive for SOS Soup

Kitchen

Ss. Peter and Paul parish is joining area churches to collect toys for the SOS Soup Kitch-en. All collected items will be given away on Thursday, December 22. You can drop off your unwrapped toy(s) in the boxes at the Church doors by Sunday December 18.

Christmas Flower Offering Christmas flower offerings to honor loved ones living or deceased are being accepted. Use the special envelope included in your envelope packet or put your donation and names in an envelope marked “Christmas Flowers” and drop them in the collection basket. Deadline is December 18.

Christmas Decorations Please join us Sunday December 18 after 10:30 Mass to put up the Christmas deco-rations. We appreciate everyone’s help. Please feel free to bring a snack or treat to share for the decorating crew potluck.

Ss. Peter and Paul school students performing at the annual Christmas program on Tuesday, December 6.

From the Desk Of Fr. John It has finally arrived! No…Christmas is next weekend…but it is our ‘Commitment Sun-day!’ We have been praying and preparing to commit ourselves to the support of our new addition and renovation. It has been years in the making and now it is time for each of us to commit our financial resources to support this very important project. Many have volunteered to visit each home…to invite…and graciously receive…our generous and thoughtful commitment, pledge and gift. It would save them a call…or making a visit to your home…during this busy time…by simply going over to the cafeteria or Morris Hall and make your pledge. There will be refreshments…if you have already made your gift, or will be making it today…or…please just come over and enjoy the company and excitement of this great event! The children of the parish have been busy with their prayers…posters…and a little fundraising to help us reach our goal! Thank you to the teachers, volunteers, team who have helped them. Thank you to our youth and children for all of their efforts to get us excited and ready to commit to our campaign. They certainly will benefit from our sacrifices and efforts in the present and for years to come! God Bless You All! Many will gather during the week and next weekend for their Christmas celebration. My prayers for all of you and your families…is one of Thanksgiving for your faith, love and the spirit of community you have shown. Merry Christmas to all of you…and keep Christ at the center of your lives and celebrations! Last Sunday we were presented with a ques-tion…possibly not our own…but it came from John the Baptist. John sent messengers from prison to ask Jesus if he was the one expected or should they look for another. Jesus gave a very kind and understanding response to that question…helping John’s disciples to believe and reaffirm the faith of John himself. Jesus said… ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see…’

We are called and sent also on mission. We must grow in our faith in Christ Jesus and know him personally so we can ‘Go’ and tell others. We need to share our own faith experiences with family and friends…and all who seek the Lord. Now we move ever closer to the celebration of the Nativity of Christ…Christmas! This Sunday we hear… ‘This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about…’ The Gospel unfolds the mystery of the incarnation through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph was of the House of David and became the legal father of Jesus and so fulfilled the promise made to David so many centuries before. Joseph was challenged and confused by the circumstances of discovering that his betrothed wife was with child…and he was not the biologi-cal father. The Lord intervened in Joseph’s difficulty by urging him not to be afraid to take Mary into his home and becoming his wife. Joseph was reassured that it was by the power of the Holy Spirit that the child had been conceived…and the child would be given the name which describes His mission. Joseph was to name the child… ‘Jesus…because he will save his people from their sins.’ We too are called to not be afraid to accept and welcome God’s only Son conceived by the Holy Spirit. We too are called to share our faith in Christ Jesus with our questioning and searching world. We celebrate a great and wondrous mystery…God made Man! Christmas Masses…will be on Saturday, December 24 at 4:00 pm and again at 7:00 pm! Also Christmas morning Sunday, December 25 at 8:00 am and 10:30 am! Thank You Choir…for the beautiful Lessons and Carols celebration last Sunday…and Hospi-tality! Parish Office Closed…on Friday, December 23…and also closed on Monday, January 2. SSPP School…will be out for the Holidays beginning…December 22 and returning January 5.

Liturgy

Feast of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Saturday, December 24, 4:00 pm Catholic Children’s Home Collection Lectors: Mike & Michael McMahon Music: Glory Choir Gifts: The Family of Bob Fournie Servers: Ryan McMahon, Nick Horras, Dayton Horras Communion Ministers: Kerri Castelli, Leslie Duff, Pat Ellis, Amy Fergu-son, Linda & Russ Fette, Debbie McAllister, Jim & Terri Odorizzi, Mary Louise Rauh, Joy Rick, Judi & Rich Schutzenhofer, Ed Welle Intention: Bob Fournie

Saturday, December 24, 7:00 pm Catholic Children’s Home Collection Lectors: Ted Jackson & Liz Dalton Music: Mixed Choir Gifts: Mr. & Mrs. John Graney Servers: Seth Verstraete, Loghan Phetsadasack, Kylie Lee Communion Ministers: Rebecca Boyce, Jean Clancy, Ruth & Augie Lohmann, Ray Muniz, Bob & Debbie Sanders, Sheri Verstraete Intention: Fr. John’s Intention

Sunday December 25, 8:00 am Catholic Children’s Home Collection Lectors: Mark Kennedy & Patricia Hensler Music: Bob & Megan Gifts: Rita Heimann & Joyce Fitzgerald Servers: Elena Martz, Edwin Kircher, Ellis Kircher Communion Ministers: Robert Alvarado, Maria Clark, Pat Furfaro, Joanne Kalla, Kay Miskell, Carolyn Weil Intention: Stephen Hellmann & Sr. Magdalen Hellmann, P.H.J.C.

Sunday December 25, 10:30 am Catholic Children’s Home Collection Lectors: Felicitas Kluck & Mark Vojas, Jr. Music: Mixed Choir Gifts: Ana Schnizer Servers: Matthew Wilde, Daniel Wilde, Savannah Mossa, Matthew Vojas Communion Ministers: Jean Buchana, Dean Fortner, Camille Emig-Hill, Diane Hill, Madeleine & Herman Wenos Intention: Ramone Otero

Auditor’s Schedule Sunday, December 25 Team #2 Mary Kay Ogle, Joyce Biegert, Pat Schapp, Beverly McDonald

Server’s Schedule 8:15 am For the week of Tuesday, December 20 through Friday, December 23 Kylie Lee, Madeline Spinner, Joshua Zagorski

Mass Intentions Monday, December 19 8:15 am Communion Service Tuesday, December 20 8:15 am Rudolph Kanturek All School Mass Wednesday, December 21 8:15 am Diodoro Yanuario, Sr. Thursday, December 22 8:15 am Louise Nepute All School Mass Friday, December 23 8:15 am Eleanor Colombara Saturday, December 24 Christmas Eve 4:00 pm Bob Fournie 7:00 pm Fr. John’s Intention Sunday, December 25 Christmas Day 8:00 am Stephen Hellmann & Sr. Magdalen Hellmann, P.H.J.C. 10:30 am Ramone Otero

Envelopes/Loose $ 11,423

Capital Campaign 2012

441

Christmas Flowers

78

Diocese-ACSA 165

Annual Fund 443

Angel Fund 281

Holy Cross Guatemala

70

Parish Improvements

280

Other 559

TOTAL $ 25,790

Christmas Offering

12,050

Angel Fund Red Bag Tuition Assistance

Be an angel and give generous-ly to the Angel Fund / Red Bag collection this weekend.

Parish Office Closures The parish office will be closed December 23-26 in observance of the Christmas holidays. The parish office will be closed on Monday, January 2 in observance of the New Year’s holiday.

Please pray for the following men and women who are serv-ing in our armed forces: Capt. Matthew Derfler US Army MSGT. Glen Davis US AF Cpl Larry Tyler USMC MSgt Adam Mercer USAF S/SSgt Britt M. Sherman US Army Capt. Michael A. Shah US Army Capt. Jacob Lewis USMC LCPL Juan A. Gonzales USMC Pvt. Monica Gonzalez US Army Fc3 Matthew Wehmeyer US Navy LCPL Michael I. Guide USMC S.Sgt. Daniel Husbands USAF MSgt. Hugh Weise USMC Lt. Joshua A. Reeder US Navy Pfc. Gary Voegtle US Army Maj. Michael W. Meyer, Jr. CW04 Jerry Hunter US Army SSgt. Ben Bohnenstiehl USAF AOM Ed Clark US Navy SrA Mark Kimball USAF 2nd Lt. Adam Fischer USMC SSgt. David Bednara USAF Col Chuck Heimann US Army 2nd Lt. Scott Heimann US Army AOM Jack Matthews US Navy Col. Ed Hulten US Army CPO Edward Mahoney US Navy SrA Kelly Mahoney USAF Maj. Natalie Walker USMC Sec. Let. Nathen Walker US Navy Pvt. Sam Asbury US Army G.S.T. Daniel Manning USAF David Zagorski US Nat’l Gd LCPL Dominic Blackburn USMC

Stewardship: A Way of Life - Prayer

Remember In Your Prayers

Deborah Wethersall Ed Budnicki Bruce Kuck Linda & Gary Harvell Paul Humphrey Virginia Hufker Ray Sievers Norma Foley Roger Pense The Radosevich Family Barbara Arnold Ruthann Frey Mildred Duncan Mary Childress Eva Bassett Ann Van Dyke Leroy Benvenuto Joe Giacoletto Ron Rampold Ed & Lucy Wachter Pat Murphy Steve Szakielo Rosemarie Chadwick Keith and Amy Ferguson Family Roy Bouse Mary Schwaegel

Growing, Living, Building Together Campaign Prayer

Dear Lord, we know everything we have comes from you. You came to show us that life consists of giving. Open our hearts to recognize the need to enlarge our gathering space, to improve accessibility, and to upgrade our facilities so they may be more welcoming to parish-ioners and visitors. Teach us to be generous as you are generous. Show us the joys of giving. Inspire us to give sacrificially and cheerfully according to our means. Guide us as we are growing, living and building our spiritual home for everyone together. Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

Transformation Tuesday

Every Tuesday...Two PM Inspired by The Jesus

Question by Matthew Kelly: Who do they say I am?

Hosts: Deacon Jimmy and Aaron Emig

• Recap of the prior Sunday Gospel

• Action steps and resources to transform our lives

• Each episode airs at 2 p.m. every Tuesday at Morris Hall, the parish website, our Face-book page, our YouTube Channel

• Audio versions available on iTunes Podcast and SoundCloud

Special Collection Catholic Children’s

Home There will be a special collec-tion at all Christmas Masses for the Catholic Children’s Home (CCH). The CCH pro-vides shelter, food, clothing, education, safety and a place to call home for thousands of children from non-existent or dysfunctional families.

ZIGGY’S WISDOM: When do you “give up” trying to help family and friends when they don’t seem to un-derstand or care about your efforts? ZIGGY’S RULE: The answer IS NEVER! The thing to ask yourself is, am I involved for my own benefit, or is my help “selfless?” If selfless, don’t be pushy or condescending, but loving…giving them room to make their own changes.

Stewardship: A Way of Life

Commitment Weekend:

Participate in the Success of Our

Campaign

This is Commitment Weekend, the cul-minating point of our campaign. Volun-teers have been visiting members in their homes and/or phoning them to fully explain our campaign, answer questions and ask you to prayerfully consider your campaign commitments.

If you haven’t yet participated, you can assist these efforts by stopping by the cafeteria after all Masses on December 17 and 18. Refreshments will be availa-ble so you can enjoy fellowship at the same time. So please plan to join our growing list of supporters and do your part to help assure our campaign’s success. And please do your best according to how you’ve been blessed. We know that everyone has different gifts and you should know that every gift makes a difference.

Ss. Peter and Paul Parish will again be giving a Christmas book to each family attending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses. This year’s parish gift is Resisting Happiness by Matthew Kelly.

More about the book…Are you happy? It may be the wrong question. Most of us think we are relatively happy, while at the same time knowing that we

could be happier—maybe even a lot happier. Ordinary people and the finest philosophers have been exploring the question of happiness for thousands of years, and theories abound. But this is not a book of theory. Resisting Happiness is a deeply personal, disarmingly transparent look at why we sabotage our own happiness and what to do about it. Are you over whelmed? Do you procrastinate? Do you some-times feel like you are your own worst enemy? Are you ignoring your dreams? Have you lost the courage to truly be yourself? Do you feel that your life lacks meaning and purpose? Do you find yourself avoiding the real issues in your life and focusing on the superficial? We all experience these feelings and doubts from time to time. But do you know what to do when you experience them? In

this fascinating book, Matthew Kelly, with his signature combi-nation of the profound and practical, helps us understand why we feel these things and how to rise above them. Breaking through resistance, Kelly tells us, is essential to becoming the best version of ourselves and living with passion ad purpose. What is resistance? It’s that sluggish feeling of not wanting to do something that you know is good for you. It’s the inclina-tion to do something that you unabashedly know is not good for you. It’s the desire and tendency to delay something you should be doing right now. It is resistance that stands between you and happiness. In these pages you will learn not only what it is, but how to recog-nize and conquer it in your own life.

A Christmas Gift for You and Your Family