You have to hand it to the Three Wise Men; they were very insistent in finding the one true God. And they found him in Jesus, the new born Savior. While we admire their zeal, we know that there are a lot of people in this world who do not even know they need God or need a community that worships the Light of the World. Half way through the media initiative CATHOLICS COME HOME, let’s ask ourselves this question, “What have we done in the past few weeks to reach into the heart of the non-practicing or fallen away Catholics that we know and help them realize how much they need Jesus Christ?”

Remember, those who have left us will tell you they love God, they just don’t need the Church. Remind them that Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered, there am I in the midst of them.” Jesus also said, when he celebrated the Last Supper with his apostles, that he wanted his friends to celebrate that Eucharist in memory of him. So, our own God and Savior, Jesus Christ, says that a personal relationship with him is not enough. We need to be in community, and that community is the Catholic Church. But, say our when you remind them that the Wise Men traveled half way across the world and found God hidden in a dusty, dirty town called Bethlehem in Roman occupied Israel.

The point is, sometimes you have to look beneath the grime and dirt and see the treasure that is buried there. The Church has done so much more good than bad and we are less because our absent brothers and sisters are not with us. In the end, there is always an excuse to not search for Christ. As much as we want those who once practiced the faith to come back to us, perhaps the first step is to imitate the Wise Men in search for the Face of Christ that resides in our family, friends and neighbors who are away from the Catholic Church. Seeing Christ in them and bringing our gifts of welcome, compassion and love may be just the thing necessary to help them see that Jesus is most present to the world as he shines through our wonderful Catholic Church.

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All 2011 individual reports are available in Holy Family Hall. The reports are arranged in alphabetical order. Please check your report, if there are any errors please call the parish office at (630) 897-1029 and we will make the correction before making the file copy.

Please take only your report and not your neighbors. Thank you for your co-operation.

Plan to attend the dinner on Sunday, January 29th from 4:00 - 6:30 pm in Holy Family Hall, hosted by the Confirmation students. Dinner will be served from 4:30 - 6:30 pm. Tickets will be available at the door. The cost is:

Adults $ 6.00,
Family (parents and children) $ 20.00,
Children under 5 and Seniors $ 5.00.

Proceeds will be given to the Religious Education Program.

Note: We asked that all 6 - 7th graders who will be attending the chili dinner, to do so at 4:30 pm so that you will be in the classrooom by 5:30 pm. Families who are unable to attend the dinner, their students are expected to be in class at 5:00 pm.

Friday is the First Friday of February. Mass will be at 8:30 am followed by devotions and Benediction.

As a reminder to the parents of the First Communion Class of 2012, there is a Day of Recollection next Saturday, Fegruary 4th from 9:00 - 11:30 am in Holy Family Hall. This is a mandatory meeting for all.

There will be a Pre-baptismal class on Monday, February 6th at 6:30 pm in the Education Center, please use the north entrance.

This class is for parents expecting a child or who have a child to be baptized but have not attended a class here at Blessed Sacrament. RSVP is required. The next class will not be until May.

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GOLDEN PLAN

Blessed Sacrament is in the goldent plan, which means all registered families will receive a subscription. We would appreciate your help in paying for this. A yearly subscription cost is
$ 28.00. If you are unable to pay that amount, any donation will surely help defray the cost which is over $ 5,000.00 to provide this service.

Friday, March 9th, 7:00 pm thru Sunday March 11th 3:00 pm, there will be a silent women’s prayer retreat. During the graced and holy Season of Lent, the Church calls us to grow through prayer, the Sacraments, fasting, and alsmgiving.

This silent Retreat will offer...time for quiet prayer, Mass, private Reconcillation, scripture, Adoration, rosary, outdoor Stations of the Cross, guided meditation and presentations. Please bring your Bible, rosary, journal and anything else with which you pray. All rooms are private. The cost of the retreat is: $ 150.00, for two nights and 5 meals.

Please call Bishop Lane Retreat Center at (815) 965-5011 to register as space is limited.

Monday, March 12th, 10:00 am thru Tuesday March 13th 1:00 pm, there will be a Senior Retreat. Our retreat leader will be Msgr. Schwartz. He wil be speaking on the Virtues of Lent. Come take some time this Lenten Season to reflect, pray, share and grow closer to Him. The cost for a private room is
$ 95.00, shared room is $ 80.00, and a married couple is $ 130.00.

Please call Bishop Lane Retreat Center at (815) 965-5011 to register as space is limited.

Our homebound and nursing home parishioners and the unemployed. May the healing hand of God rest on these people and comfort them in their time of need.

Mass Times is a free nationwide ministry to traveling Catholics. Travelers can call (410) 676-6000 or access the web site at www.masstimes.org for free information on the location of the nearest Church and times of Masses on weekends and Holy Days.