MASSES OF THE WEEK
Sat. Dec. 24 Christmas Vigil
8:00 Purgatorial Society
5:30 No Mass
10:00 People of St. Gerard Majella
Sun. Dec. 25 Christmas Day
8:00 People of St. Gerard Majella
11:00 People of St. Gerard Majella

Mon. Dec. 26
8:00 Joan De Peder
by Craig Family
Tues. Dec. 27
8:00 Lou Grimm
by Lee Palys Family
Wed Dec. 28
8:00 Anthony Tomazatis
by Betty Galevicius
Thur. Dec. 29
8:00 Communion Service
Fri Dec. 30
8:00 Lou Grimm
by Sue Murphy

Sat. Dec. 31
8:00 Purgatorial Society
5:30 Lee Dove
by Dove Family
Sun. Jan. 1 Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, the Mother of God
8:00 Catherine Dell
by Erin & Maureen Brady
11:00 Lou Grimm
by Marge & George Petrakis

THANK YOU
Thank you to all whom contributed to the collection on the weekend of Dec. 17th and Dec. 18th. The amount collected $ 1,310.00

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK
Lauralee Dove
Ann Knight
Rita Schreiber
Len Murphy
Corine Murphy
Ann Dytrych
Bill O'Connor
Adeline Deneen
Betty Nemecek
Helen Blaha
Betty Paschal
Ann Mysliwiec
Linda Jones
Osie Dompier
Eileen Desidero
Bernadine Smith
DoDo Dove
Terry El
Eugene Orris
Margaret Lee
Bunny DuBois
Brittany Dubs
Lillian Coughlin
Dorothy Loeffler
C. Campbell
Marge Straub
Shaun Deneen
E. Thielmann
Della Herrod
Bob Sitniewski
Eddie Bauer
Diane Koscis
Mr. Bob Gilbert

Anyone who is ill in our parish and would like to receive Holy Communion; call (708) 331-8400. If you can be removed or added from the sick list at this time, please call the parish office.

DATES TO REMEMBER
Jan. 8 CCD classes resume at 9:00 AM

NEW YEAR'S SERVICES SCHEDULE
Dec. 31 5:30 PM Mass
Jan. 1 8:00 AM Mass
Jan. 1 11:00 AM Mass

VICARIATE VI JR. HIGH YOUTH DAY
A gathering for Jr. High youth, 7th & 8th graders, the event is an interactive day that highlights Catholic identity and faith. There will be music, games, small group activity and much more. The event will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2006 from noon to 5:00 PM at Seton Academy located at 16100 Seton Road South Holland. The cost of $8.00 includes lunch, program, and symbol.
Those interested in going should contact Linda Thusing in the parish office for more information. The deadline for registration is January 9, 2006.
They are also seeking adults to help with the logistics of the day.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Our Religious Education students have completed their first semester of classes for this school year. The children have been diligently studying their lessons under the watchful eyes and guiding hands of Sr. Catherine, Fran Jurek and Sandra Thomas. Our older children have made their Confirmation, but continue their studies. Our younger students are busily learning their prayers and preparing for their first Reconciliation and First communion.
The children are off for the Christmas holidays. They return to classes on January 8th at 9:00 AM. They wish the parish a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

MASS OF HOPE AND HEALING
On the feast of the Holy Innocents, Wednesday, December 28, 2005, at 6:30 PM, a Mass of Hope and Healing will be held at St. George Church (6707 West 175th Street in Tinley Park). This Mass is for all who mourn the loss of a child, whether your loss occurred recently or long ago. Everyone is welcome.

NATIONAL VOCATION AWARNESS WEEK
The observance of National Vocation Awareness Week is celebrated annually in conjunction with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. As we renew our baptismal vows we strengthen our covenant with God. We ask for the Holy Spirit to guide us as we respond to God's call.

SENIOR EDUCATION
Experts agree that as we age, genetics play only a small role in health and well being. To find out more information about controlling our lives and lifestyles, order your free pamphlet, "Living Better Longer", by calling (708) 371-0400 ext. 1216.
The pamphlet is compliments of the Crestwood Senior Education Institute.

A LETTER FROM THE SISTERS
Dear St. Gerard Majella Family,
We wish you all the blessings of this holy Christmas season. We thank you for your love and making us feel so much a part of the St. Gerard Majella family. We plan to spend Christmas with our families in Iowa, but our thoughts will be with you.
We pray you enjoy the blessings of Christmas and peace in the New Year.
Our love,
Sr. Catherine and Sr. Lou

THANK YOU ALL
We want to thank everyone for their generous support of the "Giving Tree" project. Your gifts allowed us to help many families have a better Christmas. The three charities also received a substantial amount to support their worthy causes.

A LETTER FROM KOLBE HOUSE
Dear Parishioners of St. Gerard Majella,
There's nothing much romantic about stables, being born poor, a homeless, friendless stranger. But that's the way of all the countless ways, that our God chose to become human. Jesus is still born and lives among the poor, the cast-aside, the suffering, and the imprisoned. To see that and to celebrate that is the true "miracle of Christmas".
We of Kolbe House, in the name of those we serve, humbly thank you for continuing to see God in the poor and marginalized, and for so generously supporting our Gospel work.
May your Christmas be blessed with peace.

Rev. Lawrence J. Craig, Executive Director,
And the staff of Kolbe House

MARIAN CATHOLIC
The entrance exam for Marian Catholic High School will be given on Saturday, January 14, at 8:00 AM. Students taking the exam should have with them two #2 pencils and the $25.00 Archdiocesan test fee. Calculators may be used. No pre-registration is necessary.
For more information, please visit our website: www.marianchs.com or call (708) 775-7565.

THANK YOU ST. FRANCIS
St. Francis of Assisi gave the world many beautiful gifts, including the beloved Christmas crèche. In Grecchio, Italy, in 1223, he set up the first nativity scene to help those who couldn't read - which would have been most people in those days - delight in the story of Jesus' birth. Although most of us can read, we still enjoy and learn from the crèche.
We have to thank Martin Luther for giving us the Christmas tree under which we place our crèche.

MERRY CHRISTMAS
Father Joe, Father Bob, Kevin Fagan, Linda Thusing, and Parish Staff want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and blessed New Year. It has been a busy and protective year for us all. We appreciate all the help we receive from the parish. It makes our jobs more enjoyable and easier. You are all the heart of our parish, we are only the organizers. Together we help others follow God's plan for humanity.

WHAT'S YOUR CATHOLIC IQ?
The answers to last weeks questions are: 1. (d ); 2. (c); 3. (d); 4. (d); 5. (b).

This week's questions are:
1. The Ark of the Covenant (a) was a portable golden box carried on poles;
b) contained the tablets of the law, the rod of Aaron, and a sample of manna; (c) was honored as a symbol of God's presence; (d) all of the above.
2. The ending of the Mass prayer "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you..." is (a)"Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts"; (b)"Peace be with you"; (c)"But only say the word and I shall be healed"; (d) "Go in peace to love and serve the Lord".
3. In Christian art, icons are (a) mazes; (b) modern pictures of the crucifixion; (c) sacred representations of Jesus or the saints used mostly in Eastern Churches; (d) always mosaics.
4. Jesus' name in Hebrew is (a) Joshua; (b) John; (c) James; (d) Jacob.
5. In the early days of the church, hermits were people who (a) went out into the desert to live a life of prayer; (b) gave the pope advice; (c) elected the bishops; (d) crowned kings who were Catholic.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Our Advent journey has come to its fulfillment as God gathers us together to celebrate the birth of the Messiah. We come to this holy place to echo the song of the angels who greeted the newborn King in Bethlehem. Let us lift up hearts and voices in a hymn of endless praise for the greatest gift ever given to the world. Let us open our hearts to receive our Messiah, the one who comes to save us from sin and deliver us from the death of sin. In the person of the tiny child in the manger, the promise of salvation is made manifest. O come, let us adore Him!

O God of Wonder,
Through baptism into Christ Jesus, we have become your sons and daughters. Hear the prayer of your children gathered to celebrate the Incarnation. Bring peace to our weary world. Help us to share the gift of the Prince of Peace with all people. We ask this in His name, Emmanuel, God with us, who is Lord forever and ever.
Amen.