Sun. December 26 Feast of The Holy Family
8:00 Rick Rabka
by SGM Parish Family
11:00 William Parsch
by Mary & George Fagan

Mon. December 27
8:00 All the Elderly
Tues. December 28
8:00 All who are sick & their caregivers
Wed December 29
8:00 All those in need
Thur. December 30
8:00 Communion Service
Fri. December 31
8:00 Lee Dove
by Dove Family

Sat. January 1 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
8:00 People of St. Gerard Majella
5:30 People of St. Gerard Majella

Sun. January 2 Epiphany of the Lord
8:00 Rick Rabka
by Don & Mary Brozek
11:00 Sam Insalaco
by Jean Insalaco

THANK YOU
Thank you to all whom contributed to the collection on the weekend of December 18th and December 19th. The amount collected was $1,186.65.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK
Linda Jones
Charlotte Ryan
Rita Schreiber
Lou Grimm
Corine Murphy
Ann Dytrych
Julie Laur
Adeline Deneen
Betty Nemecek
Helen Blaha
Betty Paschal
Ann Mysliwiec
Lottie Fik
Gloria Dompier
Eileen Desidero
Bernadine Smith
Lorraine Jarvis
Joseph Scofield
Eugene Orris
Margaret Lee
Roselee Gacke
Brittany Dubs
Lillian Coughlin
Dorothy Loeffler
Cameron
Campbell
Shaun Deneen
Eleanore
Thielmann
Marge Straub
Ann Knight
Osie Dompier
George Rodriguez
Anyone who is ill in our parish and would like to receive Holy Communion; call (708) 331-8400. If you can be removed from the sick list at this time, please call the parish office.

DATES TO REMEMBER
January 3 Parish Council Meeting (7 PM)
January 17 Women's Guild Meeting (7PM)

A BLESSED CHRISTMAS
AND A
HAPPY, HOLY NEW YEAR

My Dear Friends,

On behalf of Fr. Bob, Fr. Chris, our deacons and the entire Parish staff, I want to wish you and your family and friends a Christmas season filled with much love and happiness. In the midst of a troubled world we turn our attention, once again, to the child born in a stable and look for hope and peace. During this holy season we are reminded that only Jesus has the answer to our problems and confusion, our doubts and fears. Jesus has come to us bringing a message that God loves us, and if we open our hearts to receive Christ and follow his path we will find the help we need to overcome those things that would bring us down. However, the challenge to us is to first let him into our hearts, not only at Christmas, but also throughout the year. Then we must allow him to transform our lives so that we become symbols of Christ's presence, love and hope to people all around us.

I invite you to join me in prayer throughout this Christmas season that we might be better at making a home for Jesus in our hearts than ever before. Then in a spirit of faith we can reach out to our family, friends or strangers, and invite them to join us at the table of the Lord. Please ask anyone you know who has been away from the Church to join us once again and if you know of anyone who does not have a Church home urge them to come and find a home with us. No one should be without a home, including a Church home, at this time of the year.

May the peace and love of Jesus be with you always.

Love,
Fr. Joe Altman
And the St. Gerard Majella Parish Staff

MASS SCHEDULE
The Christmas Eve service will be at 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM with caroling beginning at 9:00 PM. Christmas Day services will be at 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM. There will be no Mass at 5:30 on December 25th. On December 26th there will be an 8:00 AM and an 11:00 AM Mass.
There will be an 8:00 AM Mass on December 31st. January 1st we will celebrate Mass at 8:00 AM and 5:30 PM. This is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year. On January 2nd there will be an 8:00 AM and an 11:00 AM Mass.

SGM PLAYERS
The SGM Players presented the church with a $500.00 donation at the 11:00 Mass last Sunday. The club also purchased several new tables for everyone's use at Shevlin Hall. We would like to thank them for their generosity.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CALENDAR
The children in the program have a Christmas break from classes until January 9th. This allows our students to spend time with their families during this busy time of year. The children are expected to attend Mass each week and are encouraged to participate in the reconciliation service if they have made their First Communion.

THE WOMEN'S CENTER
As we contemplate the baby Jesus in the manger, it is appropriate to also thank God for the prayers and help of so many parishioners.
Plan to attend The Women's Center' 21st Annual Life Banquet on Sunday, February 13th at Crystal Palace in Park Ridge. If you have an item or a service to donate for our silent auction, it would be most appreciated. For more information, phone (773) 794-1313.

KEEP WARM
To keep well during winter, it is essential to keep warm. As the weather gets colder, we are all more likely to catch colds or the flu; and if your body temperature drops then the risks of a heart attack, stroke or breathing difficulties increase. This is especially true for older people, or if you have a chronic disease, or are vulnerable due to a physical disability.
So the best way to combat winter is to keep warm and follow as healthy lifestyle as possible. What you eat and drink, and the exercise you take, can make a big difference. And, as part of keeping well, it's vital to keep your home and keep yourself warm when you go out.
Wrap up warm - several thin layers of clothing are better than one thick layer. Your body warmth will become trapped between the layers. Choose clothes made with wool, cotton, or fleece synthetic fibers that are designed to be light and warm. In the coldest weather, wear bed socks and a nightcap or scarf round your head, to stay warm in bed. You should wear a hat and shoes that will grip in slippery conditions.
Avoid sitting down for long stretches of time. Even light exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease and help improve your appetite.
Try to eat a mixed diet and take plenty of hot drinks on cold days.
Lastly, check on your neighbors, especially the elderly.

TAX INFORMATION
Anyone who wishes to have a record of their yearly donations to the church for use in doing their taxes, please send a self addressed, stamped envelope to the parish office. Our official address is St. Gerard Majella 16130 Clifton Park Markham, IL. 60428. You can also put the request in the collection basket at any Mass.

HOLY NAME PANCAKE BREAKFAST
The breakfast was delicious and everyone had a great time. The Holy Name Society outdid themselves this year. The pancakes were the best ever. A big thank you to all who helped with and attended this year's breakfast. One of the highlights of the morning was seeing an infant sitting on Santa's lap and smiling from ear to ear. That is the true joy of Christmas.

A STAR SHONE BRIGHT
The Lord says this: "You won't need the light of the sun or the moon. I, the Lord your God, will be your eternal light and bring you honor. Your sun will never set or your moon go down. I, the Lord, will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will come to an end." Isaiah 60

MERRY CHRISTMAS
During the four weeks of Advent, we reflected upon the many gifts that have become a part of our everyday lives; the gifts of each other, the blessings received and shared, the people who have enriched our lives.
As you are wrapping the presents you bought for family and friends, take a moment to reflect on the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ.
God, our loving Father, you know our needs even before we ask. You hear our prayers, spoken and unspoken, and you grant us what we need through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. You have graced our homes with joy and blessings, please fill our hearts with your love and your peace.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15
This short phrase can be the key to a life of great peace and joy. When you take time to be thankful you realize that you have been abundantly blessed. When you take time to be thankful you are more open to enjoying and sharing the many blessings in your life. As the old year ends and a new year begins resolve to be thankful. This is the first step to living as a good and faithful steward of all God's blessings.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Lord Jesus,
You are our gift on this special day.
You are our gift every day.
You know what it's like to live in our world
You breathed this same air.
You saw the same stars.
You felt the raw feelings we feel.
Thank you for becoming one of us.
Thank you for Christmas.
Happy Birthday!
Amen.