Sat. Jan. 14
8:00 Purgatorial Society
5:30 Ann Heller
by Al & Sue Vogler
Sun. Jan. 15
8:00 Ann Gilbert
by Mr. Bob Gilbert
11:00 Julius Lo Cicero
by Lo Cicero Family

THANK YOU
Thank you to all whom contributed to the collection on the weekend of Dec. 31st and Jan 1st. The amount collected was $1,398.00.

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
Mr. Bob Gilbert
Virgil Barron
Dorothy Barron

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
No Parish Council or Women's Guild Meeting this month.

THANK YOU
St. Gerard Majella would like to thank the Mi Jack Corporation for their generous donation to our parish. We appreciate their thoughtfulness and will put the funds to good use. The Mi Jack Corporation has always been a great supporter of local churches and the community.

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.

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.

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.

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.

CASTING CALL
Ascension/St. Susanna has asked the members of St. Gerard Majella to join them in a theatrical adventure. The two churches would like to have a night of theater and dinner in late February.
We are looking to involve all age groups, especially our local teenagers. You would be required to attend to several rehearsals a week and attend the performance. If you don't want to act, there are lots of other opportunities to work on this show (which will be a comedy) or to help with the dinner.
If you are interested, please, call Linda Thusing in the parish office any week day afternoon. Please watch the bulletin for more information.

TAX DONATIONS
If you would like a copy of your yearly donations to the church, please contact the parish office. Please give us time to send this information to you. If you are able to send a self-addressed stamped envelope, it would be appreciated.

WOMEN'S CENTER
The Women's Centers' 22nd Annual Life Banquet will be on Sunday, February 12th at the Crystal Palace in Park Ridge. The speaker will be Fr. John Trigilio, co-host of the EWTN series Web of Faith and Council of Faith. If you have an item or a service to donate for our silent auction, it would be most appreciated.
Phone (773) 794-1313 for information.

ARCHDIOCESE RESPONDS TO HIGHER ENERGY COST
We are all familiar with the large increases in gasoline, oil, and natural gas prices. Some of the largest increases are a result of the impact of recent hurricanes on production in the Gulf of Mexico. However, even without the hurricanes we have been experiencing rising energy prices as a result of strong worldwide economic growth and limited increases in production. In other words, even after the price spikes that resulted from the hurricanes dissipates, we do not expect prices to fall back to the levels we experienced for the prior five years. We need to adjust our operations to a scenario of higher prices.
One way the Archdiocese is responding to this need is to continue to work with Exelon to reduce the expected increases by locking in additional purchases when prices drop.
No parish could adequately budget for such increases. Each member of the parish is asked to consider this unexpected increase in the church's utility bills when making their weekly contribution. While we appreciate the individual is also experiencing increases in their home bills, any small amount you can donate would be greatly appreciated.
Let us all pray for a mild winter.

CAROLS AT THE CREHE
Carols at the Creche a community sing-a-long with traditional Christmas carols you know and love will be held at Saint Jude the Apostle church in South Holland. It will be on this Sunday, January 8, 2006 at 3:00 in the afternoon. Admission is free, there is ample off-street parking and it is handicap accessible. You will want to photograph the heirloom figures in the crèche, handcrafted by The House of Fontanini in Bagni di Lucca, Italy. For more information call (708) 333-0420.

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

This week's questions are:
1. Most Catholics have their own rosary beads. If you get a new set, what is the most important thing you should do to them as soon as possible?(a) make sure there are ten beads in each decade; (b) have them blessed by a Catholic priest; (c) make sure that there are not six rather than five decades on them; (d) bless them by placing them in holy water.
2. The difference between a cross and a crucifix is (a) a cross is always shaped like a capital T; (b) a crucifix always has Jesus' body on it; (c) a crucifix is always made of wood; (d) a crucifix is always made of precious metal.
3. In the Bible, Gentiles are (a) all non-Christians; (b) all non-Jews; (c) all descendants of Abraham; (d) all those who dwell in Jerusalem.
4. The saint in whose memory the church blesses throats on Feb. 3rd is (a) St. Blase; (b) St. Christopher; (c) St. Andrew; (d) St. Thomas Aquinas.
5. The saint of Ireland whose father was a married deacon and whose grandfather was a priest was (a) Patrick; (b) Bridget; (c) Ida; (d) John Bosco.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Today we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. Today's Gospel is about the Magi from the East following the star to find the infant Jesus. They traveled a long distance over a long period of time to see the Child. While we are all familiar with this story, it never fails to remind us of two important things. Firstly, we are reminded that Jesus came for all people on earth. One need not be Jewish to welcome the Messiah, to praise the King of Kings, and to receive the salvation of God.
Secondly, the story of the Magi tells us that we must seek. We always and everywhere seek the goodness of God. We must remember that our finding God is not the result of our seeking. Rather like the Magi, our seeking leads to God's revelation of Himself to us. We seek; God reveals. That is the joy of the Epiphany.
Dear God,
Every day we seek your presence. May we find your goodness revealed in others - and may others find your goodness revealed in us. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.