Pastor's Letter
Hello!
“My Soul in Stillness Waits”

“This is how the birth of Jesus came about”

With just days to go before the celebration of Christmas, the scriptures set the stage for us on this final weekend of the Advent season.

From the prophesy of Isaiah, to the affirmation in Paul’s Letter to the Romans of Jesus’ lineage, to Matthew’s testimony of the events that led to his birth, we stand in awe. The birth of Jesus Christ changed everything forever.
These days are filled with wonder and awe amid the many things that must get done.

Please take advantage of the many offerings we have in the coming days to make this Christmas season the best. Invite your friends and neighbors to join us. For some who have drifted away, a simple invitation can reopen a door to feel connected to a community of faith.

This time of year, evokes many memories and feelings. For families that have encountered the loss of a loved one or faced some hardship, allow the promise of Christ’s love to give you comfort. For college students and family members in town for the holidays, we are so happy you are here! For those traveling be safe! 

As Christmas approaches, I feel the power of gratitude in my heart. Thank you for your openness to share your faith, to make the sacrifices to support our mission and to participate in the redemptive mission of the building up of God’s Kingdom.
The first Midnight Mass at OLPH was celebrated on a crisp Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1919. The new pastor gathered in the little brick church at Church and Grove Streets to lead the Archdiocese's newest parish in its first celebration of Christmas. I feel so deeply privileged to preside at the 100th Christmas here.

I can’t help but think of my favorite Christmas carol, “O Holy Night”. I understand that at that first Christmas Eve, the liturgy concluded with a stirring rendition of the original German version of Silent Night” or “Stille Nacht. Heilige Nacht”. Though we are separated by a century, the dreams and aspirations of those very first parishioners are not terribly different than ours.
We want the best for our children, we want to live a life that has meaning and purpose, we want to join others in worshipping Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

We are in the midst of many holiday celebrations in the rectory. On behalf of the priests, I can’t thank Guild 3 enough for decorating the rectory and making it such an inviting place to celebrate. It is just beautiful.

This time puts everybody on the parish staff in overdrive. I am so grateful to the staff, the administration and faculty of our parish school, Sara DiCesare, the Religious Ed Board and the Catechists, our Maintenance Staff, the Parish Ministry Center Team, our music and liturgical ministries, my brother priests and deacons for all you do. From Youth Ministry to the Men’s and Women’s Club, the heroic efforts of Sr. Paulanne and our Sharing Ministry, we praise God for the gift of our ministry and the ability to serve you.

I am so grateful for the many parishioners who have assumed leadership positions to serve us and to keep OLPH moving forward. I couldn’t do it without the Parish Pastoral Council, The Finance Council, the Religious Education Board and the School Board.

As Christmas draws near, we ponder the words of the Prophet Isaiah;
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel”

Merry Christmas!

Rev. Jerry Boland
Week @ a Glance
Parish Events
OLPH Christmas Mass Livestreaming

We are excited to announce our Christmas season live streaming schedule. We have scheduled the following Masses for live streaming:

Children’s Christmas Mass 12/24/19, 2:30pm   https://youtu.be/hSq20R-C1Sc

Midnight Christmas Mass 12/24/19, 11:15pm  https://youtu.be/ZA5vKGhnNxs

Fr. Paddy Farewell Mass - 12/29/19, 11am  https://youtu.be/mHwXdROj5gE

These are the live links. They can also be accessed by visiting  youtube.com/olphglenview

Please share these with relatives who live out of the area, especially the Children's Mass which will feature the Children's Choir and Children's Pageant.
You are invited to a Special Farewell Celebration Mass
for Fr. Paddy 
Sunday, Dec. 29, 11:00 a.m. 
After 25 wonderful years of service to OLPH, Fr. Paddy will be retiring in January 2020. At that time, he will be moving to the Jesuit residence at Loyola University.

Fr. Paddy wanted to have this Special Celebration on Sun., Dec. 29, to give Kairos and OLPH alumni a chance to say goodbye to him while they are still in town for the holidays.

The song Go Make a Difference has been Fr. Paddy's theme song and we hope all Kairos alums will join in singing it with him one more time at this special celebration.
Please note: This will also be an ASL Interpreted Mass for the Deaf, sponsored by the Kights of Columbus of OLPH and SCL.
Parish Announcements
The OLPH Centennial Commemorative Christmas Ornament.
This will be a wonderful addition to your Christmas tree and will keep this special celebration in your memory for years to come.

These beautiful keepsakes will be available for purchase after all Masses this Sunday!

$15 each or two for $25.
Quantity is limited.
Are you interested in joining the OLPH Women’s Club? 
Did you know that nearly 900 women are in the OLPH Women’s Club? We love to welcome new members! A new guild is forming in early 2020.

Please reach out to Lisa Mullen (OLPH WC Membership Chair) at OLPHWCMembership@gmail.com for information. It is a great way to get involved at OLPH! We would love to have you!
Gathership Ministry
Gathership has begun. Be a part of it!
Are you looking for a fun and meaningful way to participate in ministry work at OLPH? Join the “Gathership” Ministry! Gathership is a weekly gathering in McDonnell Hall following the 9:30 Sunday Masses. Coffee, juice and breakfast treats are served. There are coloring pages for the kids.
Podcasts available:
Weekend Homily and Know the Gospel Reflection
Deacon Weiland offers an online blog of his reflections...thoughts and prayers relevant to the Gospel.
Connect with us!
Submitting Information for the Weekly Parish Email

Please send all submissions to  OLPH Communications  by noon on Wednesday. We are happy to post information about events that are of interest to our parishioners. While we cannot guarantee all submissions will be included, we will do our best to post and communicate the information.