Dear St. John Neumann Parish Family,
We are excited this weekend to welcome those pursuing the Catholic faith in OCIA. We will welcome them at the 9:30 am Mass. This is a great way to begin Advent.
I am also excited that this past month we formed a Pastoral Council with officers. We have Paul Schneider as Chair, Grace Cerny as co-chair, and Jeff Zimmerman as secretary. We are blessed to have a youth member Laila Miulli, followed by Uche Onwuta, Lynda McMahon, Elaine Goc, Cathy Blozis, and John Showalter. We are blessed with a wonderful variety of ideas and perspectives. They will work with me and our staff to shape our vision and give feedback as we pursue that vision.
Also, please mark your calendars for Fr. Michael Sparough next Sunday at 7 pm and the John Angotti concert on December 15 at 5 pm. You will not want to miss these spiritual opportunities to prepare for the birth of Christ.
Have a Blessed Week!
Fr. Paul
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. According to the USCCB, when the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the Patronal Feast Day of the United States, falls on a Sunday, its observance is to be transferred to Monday, December 9th. Our Mass times for this Holy Day of Obligation will be at 7:30 and 8:30 am, and 6 pm. Our parish office will be closed.
Nativity Exhibit 2024! Join us for our 3rd Annual Nativity Exhibit! Bring your family's special Nativity scene to the main office on Monday, December 2 between 9 am to 5 pm or 6 pm to 7 pm. Don’t forget to include your family name! Parishioners will enjoy a beautifully roped-off display area for the nativities. The exhibit runs from December 3-8, with pick-up on December 9. Let’s celebrate the season together! Sign up on the Events & Registrations page or our front office.
Advent Daily Devotional is available at our Welcome Center. Christmas is on the horizon, so it’s time for a seasonal resource of reflections, practices, and prayers! Prepare your mind and heart to embrace Advent and look ahead with renewed hope for the birth of Christ the Lord. Free-will donations are welcome.
Longest Night Prayer Service. Saturday, December 21, at 5:15 pm in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel, join us for a hope-filled evening of prayer. Through sacred scripture, song, and prayer, we will gather as a community of hope, peace, and joy. There will be time for discussion and fellowship. Sign up here.
Encounter Christ
Additional Mass During Advent. We're excited to announce that starting December 2, we will add a 6 pm weekday Mass in our chapel through December 23! Join us as we prepare our hearts for Christmas with faith, fellowship, and warmth. Let’s celebrate this Advent journey together!
Grow in Christ
Wine, Cheese, & Chocolate: An Evening for Married Couples. Saturday, December 7th, in the Hoffman Center, 6:30-9:00 pm. Enjoy this exceptional and complimentary (yes, free!) date night featuring flavorful pairings, a guided discussion between spouses, and fellowship with other Catholic marriages who want to renew their hope, love, and joy for one another. Last chance to sign up here!
One Night Advent Mission with Fr. Michael Sparough SJ. Sunday, December 8th, at 7:00 PM. Fr. Sparough will present the season of Advent as a time for Calm, Clarity, and Christ. A priest beloved by many and a dynamic storyteller, he will inspire parishioners of all ages to step back from the hysteria of commercial Christmas and turn to the joy of Christian anticipation. In addition, during all weekend Masses, he will proclaim the Gospel and provide the homily.
Be Sent by Christ
Blood Drive in Honor of Clara Williams. Donate blood on December 2, 1 pm - 7 pm, in the Hoffman Center. Clara, granddaughter of Deacon Willie and Barb, passed away last January. Clara, age 11, was diagnosed with Germ Cell Cancer at the age of 18 months. Her life was sustained throughout her ten years of cancer by prayers and blood donations. Those selfless people enabled the family to treasure many moments of Clara's life. Blood is a precious gift.
This holiday take time to become a hero and save a life. Others did that for Clara, we can do it for someone else. Sign up and bring a friend. Anyone 17 years or older in good health is eligible to donate. To make an appointment visit here or call (800) 786-4483. Appointments are prioritized over walk-ins, but all walk-ins are welcome after 2:00 p.m. Call Brian at 630-443-8241 if you have any questions.
Giving Tree 2024 Up and Running – Many wishes to fulfill! This year we have developed a Hybrid Giving Tree, you can take a tag from the tree in our Hermes Center or choose your gift online in our Virtual Giving Tree. Many gifts that will bring the Hope and Joy of Our Lord are waiting to be picked. Click here to access our Virtual Giving Tree, choose a gift, wrap it up, and securely attach the tag. Bring it to the church during our Collection Weekend on December 7 & 8. Share the link with family and friends. Together we can make a difference in the lives of our neighbors this Christmas Season!
Operation Christmas Child… Volunteers Needed in Aurora! Join us in spreading joy this holiday season! Before millions of shoebox gifts can bring smiles to children worldwide, they need a little help from amazing volunteers like YOU! We're volunteering at the Processing Center, 800 North Commerce St. on Thursday, December 5th, 7 pm - 10 pm. Bring your family and friends (age 13+). Register here!
December 12 - The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Catholics around the world celebrate this feast of the Virgin Mary’s appearance to Saint Juan Diego in the hills of Tepeyac, in 1531. Join us on Thursday, December 12 at 6:00 pm in our chapel to celebrate as we recite a bilingual rosary, sing “Las Mananitas” with live Mariachi, learn the marvelous story behind her apparition, and enjoy delicious tamales and a hot beverage called atole. We will host an exhibition of images of Our Lady of Guadalupe and bless them, so bring yours to be displayed. We look forward to this festive evening! Please sign up here.
Ongoing Events
Other Sisters of Martha women's faith sharing every Tuesday, 9:30-11:00 am, in room 122.
Wednesday Morning Men's Group, 8 am-9 am every Wednesday, in room 122.
That Man Is You! Saturdays, 6:45 am, with breakfast, in the Hoffman Center. Includes small group discussions and presentations.
Wednesday Morning Men's Group, 8 am-9 am every Wednesday, in room 122.
That Man Is You! Saturdays, 6:45 am, with breakfast, in the Hoffman Center. Includes small group discussions and presentations.
Daughters of Mary Widows Group. Enjoy fun afternoons, and visit interesting places. The meetings are on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, in rooms 213-215.
Ahead of the Weekend Gospel Study. Wednesdays, 11:15 am, in rooms 213-215.
Pietra Fitness. Thursdays, 9:30 am, in the Hoffman Center. Contact Laura at laura.m.saad@gmail.com.
Feed My Starving Children. Pack food at the Aurora location on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Contact Bob at drinibird2@gmail.com.
Northern Illinois Food Bank. Pack food at the Geneva location on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 5:30 pm. Register here.
Silver Foxes. Join the fun and fellowship with this 55 years & over group.
Events, monthly meetings, friendship, and more. Contact Terry at 630-853-5687.
Free Blood Pressure Screenings. On the second weekend of every month after every Mass in the Rosinski Reading Room.
Neumann Needlers. If you already know the craft or would like to learn, join this group on the first Monday of every month, 9 am - 11 am, in rooms 213-215. If you prefer to knit or crochet from home, contact Helen at Toots410@ao.com.
Free Blood Pressure Screenings. On the second weekend of every month after every Mass in the Rosinski Reading Room.
Neumann Needlers. If you already know the craft or would like to learn, join this group on the first Monday of every month, 9 am - 11 am, in rooms 213-215. If you prefer to knit or crochet from home, contact Helen at Toots410@ao.com.
Street Outreach for the Homeless. Bags with essential supplies are available at our office to give to any homeless person you encounter.
PADS/Hesed House- help make and serve breakfast or dinner on the 2nd Thursday of the month or donate a specified item monthly. To register contact Sue at skibley0905@sbcglobal.
Community News & Events
Breakfast with Santa at St. Patrick Crane Road Church. Join Santa with the Knights of Columbus and Ladies Auxiliary for breakfast on Sunday, December 1, after the 8 am and 9:30 am Mass. Bring your camera, and a free-will offering is accepted.
Community Ginger Bread Contest and Display! Builders, sponsors, and volunteers are needed on Saturday, December 7, 10 am-3 pm, at Baker Community Center, St. Charles. A $10 donation to Random Acts Matter is requested for builders. More information here!
Christmas Gifts Made in Bethlehem and the Holy Land. Christmas is a special time to celebrate the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. Right now, the Christians in the Holy Land are suffering from a brutal war. When a group of SJN parishioners visited Bethlehem, they met with Palestinians trying to live and survive. Afterward, the parishioners joined as Friends of Bethlehem, doing whatever they could to assist Christians with access to few social services. The Franciscans have a website to help the Palestinians offer their artwork and crafts. We can order items made in the Holy Land by people with special needs, allowing their families to earn income. There is a wide variety, and many things are reasonably priced. All we ask is that you check the website holylandgiftshop.org. Please ask your Priest to bless these items.
As we approach the end of the year, donations are gratefully appreciated. The Partnership still needs to raise $11,000 to meet our goal of $35,000, which will help pay the cost of construction for the 18th Partnership house at 1417 Dean Street, St. Charles, starting in Spring 2025.
Donations should be sent to Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley, 56 South Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120, with Pottawatomie Partnership indicated on the memo line. -Blessings to all, Bob Bendeich.
·Captain Frederick Royd V dela Cruz, US Air Force, Davis Monthan Base
·Joseph Allegretti, US Navy, VP-40 Squadron, Bahrain
·Matthew Brummel, US Air Force, Scott Air Force Base
·Katie Henschel, US Air Force, Scott Air Force Base
Mass Intentions
Sunday, December 1st
8:00 (DV) For the People of SJN
9:30 (PW) † James Oliver
11:00(PW) † Frank Cristino, Vito Floro, Vito Cristino
Monday, December 2nd
7:30 (DV) Noreen and Jack O'Connor
(Anniversary)
8:30 (DV) † Abigaile Richardson
6:00 (DV) † Ralph Andrini
Tuesday, December 3rd
7:30 (DV) † Dorothy Waldschmidt
8:30 (PW) † Warren Swenson
6:00 (PW) † Tony Mallers and Terri & Intentions of Bernie Mansfield on 50th wedding anniversary
Wednesday, December 4th
7:30 (DV) † Dorothy Waldschmidt
8:30 (PW) † Doroteo Herrera
6:00 (DV) † Dorothy Waldschmidt
Thursday, December 5th
7:30 (DV) † Dorothy Waldschmidt
8:30 (PW) The Scalia Family (Intentions of)
6:00 (PW) † Eve Castle Larocca
Friday, December 6th
7:30 (PW) † Frank Reid
8:30 (PW) † Frank Reid
6:00 (PW) † John Wray
Saturday, December 7th
8:30 (DV) † Bill Bailey
4:00 (PW) † Bob Notte
Sunday, December 8th
8:00 (DV) † Father Jerome Feeley Smith
† Bill & Jean McGrath
9:30 (DV) † Canale Lorenzo, Domenica Monte Santo and Bob Notte
11:00 (PW) † Dale Lauermann
Sick List
James Mast, Constance Thullen, Georgette Wurm, Jenny Martin, Adele Fabish, Terri Carlson, Cathy Brandenburg, Lisa Marie Fuchs, Mary Anderson, Marianne Roberts, Larry Fehling, Patrick Thomas, Don Van Borsch, Mary Ann Yench, Carol Klooppmann, Leila Eaton, Rosemary Kelly, Kathy Anderson, Sharon Hanaway, Sr. Carol Stevens, Lily Russom
Heavenly Father, we lift up all those who are facing various illnesses. Give them the hope and courage they need today and every day. Comfort their pain, calm their fears, and surround them with Your peace.
