Bambinelli Sunday
A Christmas Blessing
Each year, on the third Sunday of Advent,
children gather with their families in St.
Peter’s Square in Rome for
“Bambinelli Sunday”. The
children bring with them figures
of the Christ Child – the
“Bambinelli” – from their family’s
Nativity scene (presepe or crèche).
During the noontime Angelus
prayer, the pope blesses the
children and the figurines they
have brought.
We at St. Petronille also
have an annual blessing of the Bambinelli! On the third Sunday of
Advent, December 13 this year,
after 11:30am Mass, a priest will
call forth all those who brought
their “Bambinelli” – the Jesus
figure from their nativity scene
at home. Father will bless the
Bambinelli and the children,
just as Pope Francis will be
doing in Rome.
Advent on
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“Advent in 2 Minutes – Busted Halo” 2 min.
“Advent – A message from the Catholic Church” 4:08 min.
“Making Advent a More Holy Season – CNS” 4:20 min.
“The Spirituality of Advent - Bishop Robert Barron” 5:40 min.
Pillars
Advent 2015
of
St. Petronille
Our Quarterly Parish Journal
Our Families Look to the Holy Family
As A Model
Love Is Our Mission:
The Family Fully Alive!
During the Christmas season, we naturally focus on
family because, with Jesus’ birth, the Holy Family was
created.
We gather with family to celebrate
Christmas. We celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family
on the Sunday following Christmas Day; this year on
Sunday, December 27, 2015.
We have heard a lot about the family in the
news recently, between Pope Francis’ visit to the
World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in
September, and the recent Synod on the Family in Rome during October. When Pope
Francis spoke at the Festival of Families in Philadelphia, here is what he said about the
importance of the family in God’s plan for the world:
“But the most beautiful thing God made – so the Bible tells us – was the
family. He created man and woman. And he gave them everything. He entrusted the
world to them: “Grow, multiply, cultivate the earth, make it bear fruit, let it grow”. All
the love he put into that marvelous creation, he entrusted to a family.”
“God came into the world in a family. And he could do this because that
family was a family with a heart open to love, a family whose doors were open…And in
the loving obedience of this woman, Mary, and this
man, Joseph, we have a family into which God comes.
God always knocks on the doors of our hearts. He likes
to do that. He goes out from within. But do you know
what he likes best of all? To knock on the doors of
families. And to see families which are united, families
which love, families which bring up their children,
educating them and helping them to grow, families
which build a society of goodness, truth and beauty.”
-Pope Francis’s Address at the Festival of Families, Philadelphia, PA, 26 September 2015
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Spotlight on
St. Petronille Parishioner
Corporal Works of Mercy Week
“Hands”
Jim Lenahan, Architect of Altar Design
for Papal Mass in Philadelphia, PA
We finally got to see it! The beautiful, classic altar design
that our St. Petronille graduate and parishioner created for the
Papal Mass to close the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia
on September 27, 2015.
During the Week of January 17, 2016
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Service Sunday campus projects from:
8:30-10:00am, 10:30-Noon, & 12:30 – 2:00pm
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Off-campus opportunities will be held all week.
Volunteer on Sign-Up Genius
The Sign-Up Genius link will
be available via parish emails
as well as the
parish website
www.stpetschurch.org
If you are not on our
parish email list, email
Paula Barnett at
[email protected]
“It is truly an honor to have the opportunity to provide
inspiration for the sanctuary that His Holiness will stand upon to
deliver mass,” said James Lenahan. “Through my design, I hope to
evoke solidarity and create an atmosphere for community prayer
and worship. It is a tremendous privilege to contribute to this oncein-a-lifetime event and I am grateful for this opportunity.”
Archdiocese of Philadelphia Announcement:
Papal Sanctuary Design Contest Winner.
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to keep up-to-date on
parish activities.
All service projects are free, but read carefully for supply requirements and
age restrictions. Also, a free-will donation will be accepted to help defray
the cost of materials for Service Sunday.
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Advent & Christmas Devotionals
“Heart”
On the weekend of November 21-22, parishioners of St.
Petronille will be handing out the devotional Waiting in Joyful Hope.
By reading the same stories and scripture and meditating on the same
reflections, we walk together in prayer and
prepare our hearts for Jesus’ coming as a faith
family. This year we will also present
opportunity for you to give a free-will donation
to help defray the cost of the devotionals.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic
Church, “When the Church celebrates the liturgy
of Advent each year, she makes present this
ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by
sharing in the long preparation for the Savior's
first coming, the faithful renew their ardent
desire for his second coming (Revelations
22:17). By celebrating the precursor's birth
and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: ‘He must
increase, but I must decrease.’” (John 3:30)
According to Fr. William Saunders, president of Notre Dame
Institute and associate pastor of Queen of Apostles Parish, both in
Alexandria, VA “The colors of the [priest’s] vestments awaken us to the
sense of sacred time. They are another visible way to make present the
sacred mysteries we celebrate.” While we know that purple during Lent
is a sign of repentance and sacrifice, many of us no longer associate purple
during Advent with these things. However, Fr. Saunders points out,
“Purple is used during Advent as a sign of penance, sacrifice and
preparation. At the midpoint of Advent — Gaudete Sunday (the third
Sunday of Advent) — rose vestments are traditionally worn as a sign of
joy: we rejoice at the midpoint because we are half-way through the
preparation and anticipate the coming joy of Christmas. “ We are called
to pray, give alms, and do works of charity during this special time of
expectancy.
“The altar plan includes two cross-shaped supports joined at
the center, suggestive of a family united in Christ. ‘I wanted to
reaffirm the family as a visible sense of God’s presence and love,’
Lenahan said. ‘While no family is without challenges, a family rooted
in God has great potential for love, joy and fullness of life. I wanted to
incorporate triangular elements which evoke solidity and bring to
mind the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.’”
Notre Dame News, 3 August 2015
“’It's best to keep
things simple,’ he says.
Lenahan avoided anything over
-the-top and grand because
that wouldn't suit Francis,
who's famously turned down
designer shoes, doesn't mind
wearing a red nose for the sake
of a picture and rides around in
a little Fiat, windows down. ‘It's been extremely exciting, I think, for
Catholics and non-Catholics to witness the holiness of Pope Francis,
and I've certainly been very inspired personally by that,’ he said.”
Daily Herald, 25 September 2015
How are you preparing your heart for the
coming of the Lord Jesus Christ?
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Reflections from our Pastor
October 27:
Extreme Makeover – MAKE ROOM FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Read, Restore and Remember
“WE are St. Petronille!”
Dear Parish Family,
I hope that your “THANKS-giving”
was a joyful one!
(as I say… Unhappy “Bird Day”)
Many, I am sure, gathered with family
members to “share the feast” of a family
together expressing love. Invitations were
expressed, and I hope that all could accept
and be there sharing a spirit of warm welcome and hospitality with
open doors, open arms, and open hearts.
As parish family, we need to do the same. Gather the people, tell the
stories, give THANKS to God, share a meal together, and go forth
strengthened and renewed. If some are missing, we are saddened. If
all are present, we rejoice!
What am I and each of us called to do to make this happen?
The answer lies within each and every one of us.
A – “Went with my 5th Grade daughter and we enjoyed the topic and use of laughter and
current events to understand a difficult topic of forgiveness.”
C – “I learned that if you forgive people God will forgive you.”
C – “I learned to treat my family with respect.”
A – “We are all running to different events as a family, not going together. At this event,
we were able to be one, together.”
October 28:
The Apprentice – MAKE ROOM FOR SERVICE PLUS
Prayer, Learn, Unity, Serve
A – “I was moved by Mike Patin’s presentation when he asked the audience to name
someone in the community they would recommend to Jesus to be a modern-day apostle. It
showed how God works through all of us who give of themselves to help others.”
A – “He reminded people that we are all still “practicing” our faith. It is a Church of
sinners, not saints, but that’s okay. Hopefully it makes people realize you don’t have to be
perfect to be loved by Jesus!”
A – “It’s never too late to strengthen our relationship with Jesus. He has invited all of us
to be his apprentices.”
C – “I thought it was helpful because if God was going to pick apprentices it could be me.”
A – “Any time you can be with your kids to listen and discuss any topic is a positive
experience. I really enjoy the time for interaction with my kids which seems to be getting
fewer as they get older.”
C – “We need to pray more than 1 hour a week. Pray to God and serve others like Jesus
would do.”
A – “Mike asked how many kids know their prayers and know what they mean. On the
way home, my son asked/told me ‘I know my prayers but not what they mean.’”
Love and Prayers,
Editor: Christine Balaty Copy and Layout Editor: Paula Barnett
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Mike Patin –A Call to Reality Living
“Head”
Our parish was blessed with a visit from Louisiana native Mike
Patin, who graced St. Petronille with “A Call to Reality Living” from
October 24- 28. Mike spoke at all the weekend Masses and jump-started
our Confirmation series before beginning three nights of faith enrichment
for our whole parish.
Each night we laughed, sang and had our relationship with God
and each other challenged and deepened in a loving way. Each night we
had a new nugget to take with us. Mike met parishioners where each of
us are on our faith journey, and he was a blessing in more ways than we
can count!
What was Mike’s message? In case you missed it, here are the
comments of St. Petronille adults (A) and children (C) who attended
telling about what they learned:
October 26:
Amazing Race – MAKE ROOM FOR PRAYER
“I’m not asking you to choose between Me and something…I am asking you to include Me.”
A – “God does a happy dance when you pray.”
A – “Mr. Mike did an awesome job bringing the
message to the young and the old. He was funny
and entertaining bringing the family together with
laughter at the same time helping all of us realize
how important Jesus is in our ordinary daily lives.”
C – “Members realize they are not alone. They
have the same struggles as other members of the
parish. The members look at God in a different
way and realize that they can fit God in at different times.”
A – “Mike made some good points about bringing God into your everyday life. I
enjoyed the community feel – coming together with all ages of the parish membership.”
C – “I learned that all the modern day things in our life that may keep us from being
religious aren’t necessarily “bad”. It is just we should always still find time for faith
and religion because it’s very important.”
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Give Us This Day
Our Daily Bread
Thanksgiving Bread Blessing
As the story goes, our American
Thanksgiving holiday was born in 1621
when the Pilgrims and Native Americans
blended joyful merrymaking and feasting
to celebrate a bountiful harvest with a religious observance and prayers of
thanks to God for all of His blessings.
Eucharist means “Thanksgiving”, and every Mass is an act of
Thanksgiving. At the Last Supper, Jesus took bread, and giving thanks to
God, said the blessing, broke the bread, and shared it with his
disciples, saying the words of consecration “This is my Body, which will be
given up for you”. At every Mass, we gather as family, the body of Christ, at
the table of the altar to give thanks to God and unite ourselves to Him.
“The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of
Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are
one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.”
(1 Corinthians 10: 16-17)
At our Thanksgiving tables, we will gather
as one with family and friends, and We give thee thanks, for
someone will say grace, a blessing, a all thy benefits, Almighty
prayer of thanks for all God has given us God, who live and reign
in this past year. Most likely, we will pass
forever.
a basket or bowl of rolls or bread for all to
share as part of our Thanksgiving feast.
Before you break bread with family and friends this Thanksgiving, come
and break bread with the Lord and your St. Petronille family.
At 9:00am on Thanksgiving morning, give thanks to God at
Mass by participating in the Eucharist (Thanksgiving).
Please bring the bread you will serve at your
Thanksgiving table
(rolls, loaves, or whatever bread you will eat)
for a special blessing at the end of Mass.
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The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?”
He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should
share with the person who has none.” Luke 3:10-11
Formed in 1903, The Catholic Daughters
of the Americas is one of the oldest and
largest organizations of Catholic women
in the Americas.
As the winter chill blows in and the temperatures plummet, we,
as the St. Petronille faith family, have an opportunity to help those who
do not have the kinds of coats to keep
them warm through a Chicago Then the king will say to those on
his right, “Come, you who are
winter. We have members of our very
parish who are in need of this basic blessed by my Father. Inherit the
item – a winter coat – which they kingdom prepared for you from the
cannot afford. Advent ushers in a foundations of the world. For I was
… naked, and you clothed me.”
spirit of giving of ourselves, as
(Matthew 25: 34-36)
Christ gave himself by humbling
himself to become a baby – a human like us – so that He could save us.
Unity and Charity
As third grader Joey Griffin so wisely summarized last Advent,
“So Advent is like a mini-Lent, except instead of giving things up
ourselves, we give to other people.”
Out of the mouths of babes. So, here’s how you can help…
December 13 – St. Petronille Coat Drive:
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Bring your coats! The ones you don’t wear any more. The ones you or
the kids have outgrown. The ones hanging in the back of the closet
that you have to shake the dust off of.
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Coats will be collected after all Sunday morning Masses on
December 13.
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All coats remaining after 1:00pm on December 13, will be boxed and
picked up by the St. Vincent de Paul truck on Monday.
What do you know about the Catholic
Daughters of the Americas (CDA)?
One of the main missions of
the CDA is to raise money to donate
to charities, administer scholarship
programs and strive “to be helping
hands where there is pain, poverty,
sorrow or sickness.” St. Petronille
CDA also volunteer for projects
such as sewing “Little Dresses for
Africa” and becoming “Blanketeers”
for the Linus Project, a group that
collects new, handmade, washable blankets to be given as gifts to
seriously ill and traumatized children, ages 0-18. St. Petronille CDA has
also volunteered at Feed My Starving Children.
This year, one of our biggest fundraiser for charity is the 2nd
Annual CDA Bake Sale. Our Bake Sale in the spring of 2014 was a
HUGE success! Not only were
the homemade baked goods
delicious, but the decorative
pedestal plates made by Claire
Tansley were a big hit.
All parishioners are invited
to contribute
baked goods to support the
CDA charities.
Join us for this year’s CDA Bake Sale on
December 13, following all Masses.
Drop off homemade baked goods
Saturday, December 12 in the PLC beginning at 9am.
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