No Class this week
  The next Family Mass is December 14
Christmas Eve Play Opportunity
St. Emily and St. Thomas Becket Parishes
December 10, 2019
Dear Families,



Please remember that we do not have class tomorrow, Wednesday, December 11.  The traffic around the Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine on this important feast day makes it difficult for us to get to class.

If you don't know already, this Shrine's celebration is the second largest in the world. (The largest is at the Basilica in Mexico City where the apparition occurred.)  Under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mary is the patroness of the Americas, North and South.

On December 18, we will have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction in the church.  All parents are welcome to join us.  After the service, we'll dismiss from Hajdu Hall.

Of course, in this Advent season, we are preparing for the celebration of Christmas. If you are looking for a fun activity for your children - to keep them busy for a little while - have them cut and color to make this 3-D nativity scene. 

Pope Francis just wrote an Apostolic Letter about the beauty and meaning of the Nativity scene.

God's ways are astonishing, for it seems impossible that he should forsake his glory to become a man like us. To our astonishment, we see God acting exactly as we do: he sleeps, takes milk from his mother, cries and plays like every other child! As always, God baffles us. He is unpredictable, constantly doing what we least expect. The nativity scene shows God as he came into our world, but it also makes us reflect on how our life is part of God's own life. It invites us to become his disciples if we want to attain ultimate meaning in life.

Please take note of the celebrations for the feast of the Nativity - the Christmas Eve pageant, and a full schedule of masses for the holy days.

We also want to congratulate Teagan Groh for receiving the Golden Rose award from the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women.  This award is given to a woman in high school who participates as a volunteer in parish life. Teagan attended our Religious Education program and she is now a junior at Prospect High School. She volunteers on Sundays in our preschool program for 3, 4, and 5 year olds.

Teagan with her parents, Jeff and Mary Groh, and Barb Zediker, the catechist in the preschool program.
Teagan receives her award from Bishop Rojas.

christmaseveChristmas Eve Family Mass
Children are invited to participate
 
Please join us in celebrating the birth of Jesus at the St. Emily Christmas Eve Family Mass at 4:00 PM.  If any children of the parish in Kindergarten through 8th grade are interested in participating,  email the information form to Jen Kottra by  Friday, December 13.   Children participating in the Children's Choir are also welcome to participate in the living gospel. 
 
The mandatory practice for the Christmas Eve Mass will be held on  Tuesday, December 17 from 6:00-6:30 PM. in the church. 

If you have questions,  please contact Jen Kottra.

christmasJoin us on Christmas - 

and during the Christmas season
Masses at St. Emily and St. Thomas Becket

Christmas at 
St. Emily
Christmas at 
St. Thomas Becket
Christmas Eve
4:00 PM 
Family Mass
6:00 PM
12:00 AM  
Carols beginning
at 11:45 PM
4:00 PM
Family Mass in English
10:00 PM
English
12:00 AM 
Polish
Christmas Day
7:30 AM

9:30 AM

11:30 AM


7:30 AM
Polish
9:00 AM
English
10:45 AM
Polish
12:30 PM
English
New Year's Day
December 31

5:00 PM

4:00 PM
English
January 1

8:30 AM
10:00 AM


9:00 AM 
English
10:45 AM
Polish
Confessions during Advent will be heard at 3:45 PM on Saturdays at St. Emily and at 6:15 PM on Fridays and 3:30 PM on Saturdays at St. Thomas Becket.
Dine 'n' Share to Benefit St. Emily School
Noodles World Kitchen on December 10
 
If you're looking for a quick family meal during a hectic time of the year, check out Noodles World Kitchen on Tuesday, December 10.

Identify yourself as coming from St. Emily and 25% of your tab will be donated to the school.  (Remember that keeping the school building safe, heated and lit benefits the Religious Ed your child receives here.)
familymass
Family Mass
Join us on December 14 at 5:00 PM

Family Mass is a great opportunity to not only worship together, but to minister together.  It is a joyful and spiritual lift.

Each month, different families sign up to be the greeters, readers and gift bearers for our community.

The next Family Mass is Saturday, December 14 at 5:00 PM. Sign up here for the ways you and your child can participate.
St. Emily Diamond Jubilee Dinner Dance
Save the date for February 22, 2020

The parish of St. Emily is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee.

Among the festivities is an upcoming dinner dance at Manzo's on February 22, 2020.

Thanks to all who contributed to our Silent Auction basket.  It is much appreciated!

The proceeds from the dance help to sustain the building and staff in which your children learn about the faith.
winterEmergency Closing Information
Know how to be informed

We hope that all our Wednesdays are sunny and dry, but it is Chicago and we realize that winter weather is no joke.

If we find it advisable to close, we will send a blast email to all families that day.

We will also post any closings at the   Emergency Closing Center.  Please check there to make sure.   You can also sign up there for email alerts that tell if and when the Religious Education program is cancelled.

Dates to Save
  • December 11 - No class due to Our Lady of Celebration at the Shrine
  • December 18 - Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  All families welcome to join us.
  • December 25 and January 1 - No class for the holidays
  • January 8 - Return to class for the New Year
Quick Links
St. Emily Parish
Catherine Crino, DRE
847-299-5865
St. Thomas Becket Parish
Renata Sosin, CRE
847-296-9051
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