Mon. January 10
8:00 Victims of the Earthquake & Tusmani
Tues. January 11
8:00 All who are sick & their caregivers
Wed January 12
8:00 All those in need
Thur. January 13
8:00 Communion Service
Fri. January 14
8:00 All the Elderly

Sat. January 15
8:00 Purgatorial Society
5:30 Bob Mensching6
by Joanne Mensching & Family
Sun. January 16 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
8:00 Rick Rabka
by Al & Sue Vogler
11:00 People of St. Gerard Majella

THANK YOU
Thank you to all whom contributed to the collection on the weekend of January 1st and January 2nd. The amount collected was $1,338.42. The Christmas collection total is $3,447.13. Thank you for your generosity.

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 16 Reception for Fr. Christopher (9 AM)
January 17 Women's Guild Meeting (7PM)
January 24 SGM Players Special Meeting (6 PM)

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
Classes have resumed for the Religious Education students. There is still time to register any children interested in learning more about their faith. Just call the parish office any weekday afternoon.

CHANGE A FUTURE
How many of you attended or sent your children to a Catholic School? Can you imagine what your life would be like if there had been no Catholic school for your or your children to attend?
Today you probably realize how much of your success you owe to a Catholic education. Did a nun, a brother or a lay teacher play a role in helping you lay the foundation for your life and career?
You probably support your college or university. Some people continue to be loyal to their high schools. That's terrific and important. But in your heart you know where the real need is today.
In spite of 40 years of soaring costs and escalating tuition, our students consistently score higher than average on national standardized tests and are infused with faith-based values. Still, you've heard media reports and neighborhood talk about how increasing costs are threatening the future of many of our Catholic schools.
We need your help to keep our Catholic schools vital and excellent and available to our children today and tomorrow.
Right now every dollar counts. If you can only send a few dollars, then please do so. If you can afford more, then please send more. One hundred percent of all donations will go to support our Catholic schools.
It's your turn to give back for all that was given to you.
You can change the future!
Please make checks payable to: Schools-CSF
P.O. Box 1979
Chicago, IL. 60690-1979
or call (312) 751-5250. All contributions are tax deductible.

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

GIVING TREE
The parish received several nice letters from children who received gifts via the "Giving Tree". The children were overjoyed and very thankful for the gifts Santa Claus left at St. Gerard Majella. It's always nice to know you have helped make the world a little brighter for a child and their families.

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.

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.

SPECIAL COLLECTION
There will be a second collection taken up at all the Masses this weekend for the victims of the earthquakes and tsunamis that devastated so many countries last week. The funds will be sent to Catholic Relief Services, who will see that the funds are used to help the most people. You will also find a donation jar in the back of the church or envelopes you can use and put in the regular collection next week.

WHAT'S YOUR CATHOLIC IQ?

The answers to last weeks questions are: (1) a; (2) b; (3) d; (4) c; (5) c.

1. The feast of the Baptism of the Lord (a) ends the Christmas season; (b) begins the season of Lent; (c) coincides with the Feast of Pentecost; (d) occurs during the summer.
2. The distinctive garb worn by some religious orders is called (a) a chasuble; (b) a habit; (c) an alb; (d) a maniple.
3. The pope who convinced Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling was (a) Julius II; (b) John Paul I; (c) Peter; (d) John XXIII.
4. The title given to the leader of Eastern Christians is (a) chancellor; (b) patriarch; (c) matriarch; (d) vicar general.
5. An expression of insult or contempt against God is (a) usury; (b) blasphemy; (c) slander; (d) libel.

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
This weeks' Gospel tells us of Jesus' baptism by John in the River Jordon. Approximately 30 years have past since the wise men arrived to honor that tiny baby born in the stable. We have little knowledge about Jesus as he grew into manhood. The only exception can be found in Luke 2:1-52 where we learn the story of Jesus in the temple. We do know he grew in grace and wisdom and, as Luke's Gospel says, "human favor".
Jesus' baptism is a beginning for Him. He is ready to begin His mission of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. He wants all people to hear His message, to welcome the love of God into their lives, to live peacefully as brothers and sisters in God's one family, and to know life in abundance. Our baptism is also a beginning. When we are baptized, we begin our lives in faith. We are welcomed into the family of God, receive new life in abundance through water and the Spirit, and begin our Christian mission.

Almighty God, you gave us your beloved Son, in whom you were well pleased. As we follow Jesus in our daily lives, give us the faith to believe, with all our hearts. Amen.