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

Mon. January 3
8:00 Living & Deceased Members of the
Grimm & Tragnitz Families
by Lou & Shirley Grimm
Tues. January 4
8:00 All who are sick & their caregivers
Wed January 5
8:00 All those in need
Thur. January 6
8:00 Communion Service
Fri. January 7
8:00 All the Elderly

Sat. January 8
8:00 Purgatorial Society
5:30 Joseph T. Gill
by Joanne Mensching & Family

Sun. January 2 Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
8:00 Rick Rabka
by Al & Sue Vogler
11:00 Bill Parsch
by Linda Thusing

THANK YOU
Thank you to all whom contributed to the collection on the weekend of December 25th and December 26th. The amount collected was $1,612.75.

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)

CONGRATULATIONS FR. CHRISTOPHER
St. Gerard Majella, and Ascension/St. Susanna bid farewell to Fr. Christopher as he embarks on his new assignment at St. Isidore the Farmer in Blue Island. All of us are touched by his devotion and service.
Please keep Fr. Christopher close to your hearts and in your prayers. I speak for all when I wish him all the best, and may many blessings urge him on a continued path of faithfulness. He will be missed.
Fr. Christopher's new journey begins with the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Sunday, January 2, 2005. Those wishing to extend personal congratulations may contact the Parish Office for further information.
Congratulations once again, Fr. Christopher.
The parish will host a reception for Fr. Christopher on Sunday, January 16th at church after the 8:00 Mass.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CALENDAR
The children in the program have a Christmas break from classes until January 9th. The children are expected to attend Mass each week.

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. As part of keeping well, it's vital to keep your home and yourself warm.
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.
SR. LOU & SR. CATHERINE
A special thanks to you all for the many verbal and written Christmas greetings we received. We are blessed to be part of this wonderful parish.
Our prayerful thanks,
Sr. Lou & Sr. Catherine

CATHOLIC CHARTIES
Catholic Charities has sent our parish a nice "thank you" letter for all the coats we sent them in October. The coats were put to good use helping many people less fortunate than ourselves.

GIVING TREE
The parish staff would like to extend our thanks to everyone who helped with the "giving tree" project. We were able to provide gifts for five local families with a total of 17 children. We also provide gifts for a local charity. Your gifts were appreciated by all who received them, but especially by the family that had a fire in their home in December and lost everything. These children had gifts under the tree on Christmas morn due to the generosity of others. Thank you!

FINDING LIGHT IN DARKNESS
A retreat intended for helping professionals including counselors, nurses, social workers, clergy, message therapists and spiritual directors is planned for Saturday, January 22, 2005 from 9 AM to 4:30 PM at the Portiuncula Retreat Center in Frankfort, Illinois. The retreat is sponsored by Contemplative Retreats inc. The cost is $75.00. For more information, please contact Jessica Loftus (708) 364-1740.

NATIONAL VOCATION AWARENESS WEEK
The feast of the Baptism of the Lord announces Jesus' public ministry. He is favored by God, called and sent for the victory of justice. As God's chosen servant, Jesus was sent to open the eyes of the blind, to free prisoners, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.
By our baptism, we too are called for the victory of justice. God's favor rests on each of us. How appropriate that this feast of the Baptism of the Lord is the beginning of National Vocation Awareness week. As we renew our baptismal vows we are invited to discern how our vocation in life furthers the cause of justice in our world. What situations in our world are most disturbing for you? What gives you hope in the face of these situations?
You are invited to renew your baptismal commitment and celebrate God's call to follow Jesus. Come with open hearts ready to be called for the victory of justice. The Church needs you to answer with your life.

THE WOMEN'S CENTER
Please plan on attending The Women's Centers' 21st Annual Life Banquet on Sunday, February 13 at Crystal Palace in Park Ridge. Information: (773) 794-1313

SR. AQUINAS
One of our parishioners recently received a letter from Sr. Aquinas. Sr. Aquinas was principal of our school for many years.
She sends greetings from Belleville, Illinois where she has been stationed for nine years. Before that she spent 11 beautiful years in New Mexico working with the Hispanic and Native American populations. She is not working currently because of some hip and knee surgery she must have done. She is looking forward to returning to work soon. She has served as a school principal throughout the United States for 32 years.
Please keep her and all the dear Sisters who served our parish so faithfully in your prayers.

WHAT'S YOUR CATHOLIC IQ?
1. A person seeking forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with the church through the sacrament of reconciliation is called a (a) penitent; (b) hermit; (c) perfect; (d) petitioner.
2. The part of the Mass in which gifts of bread and wine are presented to the priest is called the (a) Liturgy of the Word; (b) Offertory; (c) Benediction; (d) Pulpit Announcements.
3. The general term for blessed water, candles, ashes, palms, crucifixes, and the like is (a) catechumens; (b) encyclicals; (c) doxologies; (d) sacramentals.
4. The name traditionally given to the "good thief" crucified alongside Jesus is (a) Zacchaeus; (b) Cicero; (c) Dismas; (d) Nicodemus.
5. The practice of first Communion for childrenage seen or so goes back to the (a) Middle Ages; (b) Council of Trent; (c) beginning of the twentieth century; (d) the Second Vatican Council.
If anyone has a "Catholic IQ" question they would like to see answered, please contact Linda in the parish office. We are always looking for interesting questions and answers to help us learn more about our faith.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Epiphany is a Greek word that means "the manifestation", and an "appearance". The appearance of Jesus is a manifestation of God's love, and the visit of the magi shows us that the love of God reaches to all the ends of the earth. The magi followed the light with conviction in their hearts: "We will find what we seek".
God of Light, your love for us was manifested in the life of your Son, Jesus Christ. May the things we do manifest your love to everyone we meet.
Jesus Christ came as the light of world for all people, all nations, all races, and all cultures. We need to work to make the Kingdom of God a reality in our world today. We are called to treat all people with respect and dignity. We must work for the rights of others in the name of Jesus Christ. It isn't always easy to stand up for what is right, but we are called to do just that.
If you want peace, harmony, and joy, then see it this way. The energy you send out will inspire others. If we see the best in others and wish them kindness, we will in turn be blessed.