The Giving Tree

Beginning the weekend of Nov. 26th/27th Please consider sharing your blessings again this Christmas season with someone in need. If this is possible for you, please select a tag from the Giving Tree and purchase the item listed on the tag. Wrap your gift, attach the tag to the gift, and place under the Tree. All gifts must be placed under the tree by 12 pm on Dec.11. The gifts will be delivered to the Daybreak Shelter, the Vilaseca Day Care Center, Lambs Fold, and Guardian Angel Home. Thank you for helping to make this Christmas happier for others.

2011 Christmas Outreach Program Help a family in need this Christmas by Adopting-A-Family or by providing gift cards or cash to the St. Dennis Outreach Program. Pick up a pink form in the Narthex . This year we already have more families requesting assistance than last year. Thank you for your generous response. One of our families had a house fire and is need of beds, bedding, teen girl clothing, asap. Please contact Sr. Joanne as soon as possible to help by calling 838-2592 x 110.
Lost & Found: Are you missing your coat, umbrella, childrens books & toys, sunglasses, car keys, etc.? We have multiple items in the wicker baskets in the Narthex that were left in church after Masses. Please check baskets . We will clean out/empty all bins and donate the items in December. Thank you.

November 27, 2011 1st Sunday of Advent

1214 Hamilton Street, Lockport, IL 60441
Phone 815 838-2592 Fax 815 838-2401 E-mail church@saint-dennis.org Web - http://www.saint-dennis.org WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Saturday 4:30 pm Sunday 7:30 am, 9:15 am, 11:00 am Daily Monday thru Friday 7:15 am (Changes to daily Mass may occur. View page 2 for all changes.) Glory & Praise Tuesday 7:00 pm

Our Mission Statement St. Dennis is a welcoming, Spirit-led, Catholic Community called to be disciples of Christ, servants of those in need and celebrators of Gods love.
Advent Focus: FAITH Our God is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. Psalm 145: 13 Dear Family, Fr. Ron, a Navy Chaplain who is also a priest of the Joliet Diocese, said to me recently that when he has daily Mass for the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq they always ask him to give them a spiritual word. This spiritual word is what they can think of and hold onto throughout the day to bring them comfort and strength in the midst of war. There are four words that we will look at this Advent season; week 1, FAITH, week 2, PEACE, week 3, LIFE and week 4, LOVE. As we enter the first week of Advent and focus on the word FAITH please reflect on Psalm 145:13, Our God is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does. In these difficult times for many people, we do need to have faith and to know that we can trust completely in God in all circumstances of our lives. Tell God today that you trust Him with our lives, family, and with friends. Ask Him for His protective love. May you have a holy journey this Advent. In the Lords Love, Fr. Jim

SACRAMENTS
Reconciliation: Sat. 3:30-4:15 pm or Appt. Baptism Please call 815 838-2592 ext.123 to register and complete a Baptismal Request form. Marriage Please call 815 838-2592 ext.123 to Register, at least six months in advance.

St. Dennis Gift Card Program

Stop by the gift card table and check out our new vendors Groupon, Berkots and many more..Need gift cards during the week? Gift cards are available on Thursday mornings in the Parish Center from 8 to 9 a.m. and Friday mornings in the school library from 8 to 9 a.m. If you have questions or o place a special order, contact scripinfo@comcast.net or (815) 836-0661.

Advent Focus: FAITH

Advent Reflection Booklets, The Lord is Near and Java with John are available on the Narthex table, $1.00 suggested donation. Blue Prayer Books for Advent are available after Masses. Donation of $2.00.

ST. DENNIS FUNDRAISER SUCCESS CONTINUES Now Electric bills may be paid through Ambit. Thank you friends of St. Dennis who are participating in our Natural Gas Fundraising Program through Ambit Energy. Households have no change in their gas service and have savings on monthly statements. St. Dennis is receiving monthly donations averaging $50 from Ambit which will continue to grow. To support our Church & save money visit our website or call parishioner Mario Buonauro 630-464-2900. Have your current gas bill handy. Information available in the Narthex this weekend. Stop & talk with Mario.

Parish Office Hours

8:30 am 4:00 pm PASTORAL STAFF
Pastor Rev. James Curtin Associate Pastor Rev. Thomson Panakal Pastoral Associates Deacon Rob Weierman Sr. Joanne Vallero, CSJ Jackie Bedore Music Director Patti Johnson

St. Dennis Rosary Ministry Rosaries for Healing

Our next sale at St Dennis December 3 & 4th. There will be many Christmas items, such as nativities, wall hangings, and ornaments. Order a Life Song Rosary (Personalized with names in each decade) and have in time for Christmas. If you would like an inspirational gift for a friend or loved one please call anytime, we would be happy to help you. Do you have old rosaries, chaplets, beads you no longer wear? Do you have old Holy Medals? The beads are used to make rosaries for those beginning their journey to wholeness through healing prayer, as well as to encourage people to pray the rosary. Holy Medals are repurposed and provide another avenue of prayer. If you would like to donate beads, medals, or rosaries, please place them in the basket on the table in narthex or call Kim 815 838-8407 or Mary 815 838-2592 for more info. We also repair rosaries at no charge. Check out our Ministry on the St. Dennis Website.

Carillon/Bell Tower/Clock Repair

In the past few months we have received quotes on the repair of our carillon, clock and bell tower. If you would like to contribute or donate funds in memorial toward the repair of the bell tower, please contact Ron Strahanoski at the parish office at 838-2592 x 0. Knights of Columbus All are invited to our next Pancake Breakfast. Santa will be available for pictures!. Sun. 12/4/2011 at St. Joseph's School lunchroom. 8am 11am. THE SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS CONCERT Joliet American Legion Band, Sun. Dec. 11, 2011 Rialto Square Theatre. Admission: Can Goods for Lambs Fold Womens Center

Healing Prayer

We Welcome New Parishioners

If you would like to join St. Dennis Parish or learn more about us, please contact the parish office at 815 838-2592 x 123 or stop in to pick up a new parishioner packet. We would like to welcome you to our parish family!

Lorrie Murphy 708 301-5107 murphyfisch@comcast.net

Bulletin Editor
Kim Cast castaways@ameritech.net

MONTHLY REMINDERS
SundayCatechesis of GS 9:15am, 5:15pm 2nd & 4th Sunday-Baptism 1 pm MondaysCatechesis of GS 4:30pm, Bible Study 6:30pm 2nd Tues.Catholic Council of Women 12 pm - Sept., Dec., March & May WednesdayCatechesis of GS, 6pm, Thursday All Choir Practices, Bible Study 10 am, Third Thursday Senior Luncheon First FridayHoly Hour 3:30pm SaturdayRCIA, 3:30pm
1201 Washington St. Lockport, IL 60441 815 838-4494 E-mailschool@saint-dennis.org PrincipalLisa Smith

Bulletin Information Center Deadline to submit info for the bulletin is 4 pm Friday one week before you want it to appear. Please send all information by email to castaways@ameritech.net PLEASE NOTE: In subject area, type St. Dennis Bulletin. All info must now be in MS Word or Publisher document as an attachment. Thank you, Kim Cast

Mass Intentions
Saturday, November 26 4:30pm John Diaz, Anniversary of Death by family Sunday, November 27 First Sunday of Advent 7:30am Marjorie Kurpaitis by family, James Miller by
James Tierney, Stan Jungles by Delores Christopher, Prayers of comfort for Linda Pastore & family by Murph & Barb Meyers 9:15am Theresa Nielsen by Mike & Cathy Pauly, John Duppong by John R. Oblak & Joan Reeves, Tom McCanna, Wedding Anniversary Remembrance by wife Serena 11:00 am Denise St. Fort, Anniversary of Death by the St. Fort & Resto family, Patricia Zimny by Robert Ropa

November 27, 2011

St. Dennis Rosary Ministry will have a Christmas Sale on Dec. 3 & 4 after all Masses. Many new items including nativities, inspirational ornaments, rosary bracelets, watches and scripture bracelets. Order a Life Song Rosary (personalized with names) and have in time for Christmas.

Thursday, December 1 7:15 am Jack Patterson III by Odle family Friday, December 2 7:15 am Lloyd Finefield, Birthday Remembrance by
family, Frances Graczyk by family, Mary Daly & Albert Gorski, Anniversary of Death by Tom & Sue Gorski, Chuck Pastore by Mike & Cathy Pauly

SAVE THE DATE

STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE Nov. 19/20 Collection * ................. $ 9,441 Weekly Auto Debit (97) ....... 2,790 Monthly Auto Debit-weekly aver. (130) . 3,287 Total .. $15,518 * $8,922 in 350 envelopes, $519 loose cash Weekly Operating Expenses $ 19,217 Human Development Collection (112) ... $ 1,425 THANK YOU!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!

Saturday, December 3 4:30pm Helen Kijowski by Helen Jachinowski Sunday, December 4 Second Sunday of Advent 7:30am Virginia Aspel by Fran, Chuck Pastore by St. Dennis Eucharistic Ministers, Stan Jungles by Barb & Murph Meyers 9:15am Mary & Ray Jakubowski by family, Veronica Barragree by Nancy Peirick 11:00 am Patricia Zimny by Robert Dahouski, Eleanore Crabb by Jim & Carol Mondrella
2012 Calendars are available from ONeil & Goodale Funeral Homes. Please pick yours up today in the Narthex! The Oplatki Wafer is available for purchase in the Sacristy or Parish Office. The Christmas Tradition surrounding Oplatki began with a simple white wafer baked from flour and water. Each person takes a turn to break off a piece and pass it to someone else with a blessing for the coming year.

December Mass Changes: Feast of Immaculate Conception- Holy Day of Obligation will be Wed, Dec 7th at 7:30pm, and Thursday, Dec 8 at 7:15am and 9:30am School Mass. Changes to the Christmas Eve Mass schedule are as follows: 3:45pm in the Church, 4 pm in the Parish Center (GYM), and 10:30pm in Church (music at 10pm). NO 6:30pm Mass this year. Christmas Day Masses are 7:30 am & 10 am. Generations of Faith December 7th, 9th, or 11 faith formation Christmas party style. Join us in your most festive Christmas sweater, prepare to eat a few Christmas cookies, sing a carol or two. Registrations are in the Narthex due December 1st. Current GOF participants are asked to RSVP with changes of events by December 4th.
Altar Servers We will be having a training and re-training on Monday, December 12th in the Narthex from 3- 5:30pm followed by a Pizza Party!!!! Bring a friend, grades 4th-8th Please confirm with Mrs. Massey if you will be there and if you are bringing a friend. dnmssy@yahoo.com or 815-524-5954
th

Monday, November 28 7:15am Chuck Pastore by Mary Kay Tierney 12:30 pm Rosary Tuesday, November 29 7:15am Laura Boland, Birthday Remembrance by
Brian & Janet Boland 7:00 pmGlory & Praise

Please consider using auto debit in which your contribution is automatically withdrawn on a regular basis. Call Kathy at 815 838-2592 ext. 121 to enroll. PARISH CENTER DEBT... $ 48,641

Reconciliation Service is Monday, Dec 12th at 7 pm St. Dennis Council of Catholic Women Christmas Meeting Tues., Dec. 13th, Noon, Fracaro Hall. Lunch $8, entertainment by St. Dennis Children's Choir. Please bring an unwrapped raffle gift. Guest & new members are welcome. RSVP to the Parish Office. Raffle Tickets are due by Dec.11th Drawing to be held at our meeting on Dec. 13th Senior Luncheon: Thursday Dec. 15th at noon in the Parish Center. A catered dinner followed by entertainment from the St. Dennis School children. RSVP by Mon, Dec. 12th at 838-2592 EXT 0. Payment of $7 should be made at the door Clothes for Haiti Ministry Next meeting is Wed., Dec. 14, 6-8:45pm in Fracaro Hall, to make clothes for children in Haiti. We need help making dresses, diapers, & pants. Please bring your OWN sewing machine. Donations needed include: mens t-shirts, gently used/new pillowcases, sheets, fabric, bias tape, Velcro & elastic. Bring donations to Narthex Care Pantry bins on December 10-11th ONLY! For more info, call Christen Morris 708-220-1308. St. Dennis School Christmas Program Fri, Dec. 16 - 7 pm St. Dennis Parish Center Gym. An evening of Christmas Joy featuring: Kids' Chime Choir, St. Dennis Jubilation School Choir, the ELC presenting "Hooray for Baby Jesus", and 1st thru 5th Grade presenting "A King Is Coming to Town". Mens Dartball League Join us Monday nights in Fracaro Hall for a fun & different kind of dart game! For more info, call Rich Gliwa at 815-838-3660 or Andy Gliwa at 708-334-5352.

Wednesday, November 30 7:15 am Marian Murphy by Margaret Davis & Jenna

Boersma, Patricia Zimny by Robert Ropa 8:15 am Denise St. Fort by St. Dennis School & Parish family Holy Hour & Eucharistic Adoration Fri. Dec. 2 for Holy Hour 3:30to 4:30 pm. and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 4:30-10 pm. All are welcome to come and pray.

Ambit Energy is now available for electric service, so you can save money on your gas and electric bills plus help St. Dennis earn money toward their bills. Mario Buonauro will be at St. Dennis this week-end with more information. The current 90 parishioners on Ambits gas service can easily add the electric service just by bringing in a copy of their current electric bill . Next weeks second collection is for Debt Reduction
1st Reconciliation & 1st Communion Preparation Parents of children who wish to receive these sacraments this spring must register their child. The first mtg for parents only is Wed, Dec. 14th at 7pm in church. Prep. evenings with children are: Jan. 13, Feb. 17, March 2, March 23 and Rehearsal is May 5 in church. 1st Reconciliation and 1st Communion will be May 11/12. Registration forms ( green) can be found in Narthex, at www.saint-dennis.org or call Jackie at 838-2592 x 113. VIRTUS training class Deacon Rob Weierman will have a VIRTUS training class on Thurs., Jan. 5th, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Contact the parish office to pre-register 815-8382592 x 123. Any volunteer assisting with St. Dennis children (classroom volunteers, fieldtrip chaperones, athletics, etc.) must have this training before volunteering. If you cannot attend this class, you may attend a class at another parish in the Diocese. Go to www.dioceseofjoliet.org/ protecting and go to: VIRTUS Protecting God's Children Workshop Schedule.

Please pray for those who have entered into Eternal Life especially for
Phyllis Rybarczyk
Readings for the Week Readings-- Today: Is 63: 16b-17, 19b, 64:2-7, 1 Cor 1:3-9, Mk 13:33-37 Mon: Is 2:1-5, Mt 8:5-11 Tues: Is 11: 1-10, Lk 10:21-24 Wed: Rom 10:9-18, Mt 4:18-22 Thurs: Is 26:1-6, Mt 7:21, 24-27 Fri: Is 29:17-24, Mt 9:27-31 Sat: Is 30:19-21, 23-26, Mt 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8 Sun: Is 40: 1-5, 9-11, 2 Pt 3:814, Mk 1:1-8

This Week the Flame of Faith will burn in Memory of . Denise St. Fort, Anniversary of Death

Please pray for those who are sick or suffering especially

Dean Morelli, Jackie Clark, Mary Galick, Joseph Kenney, Mary Beth Perkne, George Curtin

BAPTISMS
Dakota Jade Panick

Prayer Requests Do you need prayer or know of someone in need of prayer? Contact the parish office secretaries at 838-2592 ext. 123 or secretary@saint-dennis.org to add a prayer request to our daily e-mail prayer line.