St. Peter Catholic Church Newsletter — December 2020

DEC | 2020

CONTENT PAGE 3

A Letter From Our Pastor: What Can I Give Him?

PAGE 4

Church Decorating Committee Shares Talents to Help Our Faith Grow

Focusing Our Hearts Heavenward: The Origin and Beauty of the Nativity Scene PAGE 7 A Look At Our Senior Games Group:

Building Friendships Through Fun And Fellowship PAGE 6

DESPITE THE PANDEMIC, AND

A

Advent

lthough COVID-19 means that plans are tentative, there are plans, nonetheless, to celebrate Christmas joyfully and prayerfully at St. Peter Church. Advent will have a different tone, as well, but it will remain a time to prepare ourselves for our celebration of Christ’s birth.

Fr. Leo is tentatively planning Christmas Eve Masses at 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m., and 10 p.m. On Christmas Day, there will be Masses at 8 and 10 a.m. Special signups for these Masses will be available a couple weeks before Christmas. See the bulletin, social media, or email for more details.

“We will make every attempt to have sign-ins for seating,” Fr. Leo says. “But the 4 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve is the most crowded.”

Christmas

CELEBRATIONS ARE JOYFULLY PLANNED

In preparation for Christmas, Fr. Leo will offer the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Advent. It will be offered on the following days: Nov. 30, Dec. 2, 4, 9, 11, 14, 16 from 6-7 p.m.; Dec. 5, 12, 19 from 7:30 a.m.-7:50 a.m., and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

“Especially in light of Advent as a penitential season, I hope to offer the opportunity for First Confession to our second-graders,” Fr. Leo says.

“I’d hope parents will bring their children to church and receive that sacrament together.”

The Giving Wreath tags will be available Nov. 26. Tags will be placed out on tables listing requested gifts and parishioners will be able to bring in their gifts to the narthex.

Taking part in the Giving Wreath is continued on page 2

This tree is one of at least six that Fr. Leo places in the rectory during the Christmas season.

ST. PETER

CATHOLIC CHURCH

A dvent Christmas

AND

one great way that parishioners can live in stewardship.

“I’d hope it is reflective of Christmas, giving to those most in need,” Fr. Leo says. “That is what Christmas is all about, and certainly part of stewardship. It is St. Peter’s gift to the community.”

A major part of our Christmas celebration is the 6 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass tailored to children.

Although we will not be having it this year, Kim Strieker, a parent volunteer, has organized the children’s roles in the past.

“I took over the role from the person before me when her children grew older and graduated from the parish school,” she says. “My children enjoyed participating in the program. I’m really just the organizer — the kids are the stars.”

During the 6 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass, there are opportunities for the school children to participate.

“We do a small program ahead of Mass, and ask our school children and our PSR students to participate,” Kim says. “We traditionally read the Nativity story from the Gospel and the children do a simple reenactment. We have candle carriers to light the way, shepherds, angels and, of course, the Holy Family. One of our older children normally is assigned as the lector. Our children’s handbell choir plays, led by Sara Reeder, and Jubilation, our children’s choir, led by Monica Scholz, sings.”

A call also goes out for student volunteers to assist with other roles during Mass. These may include serving, bringing up the offertory gifts, reading the first and second readings and petitions, and sometimes ushering.

“The children do a great job, and seem to enjoy being a part of this celebration,” Kim says. “It’s a nice way to remind them of the meaning of Christmas on a night when their thoughts may be elsewhere.”

Pandemic, or no, the church will be beautifully decorated for the season. Fr. Leo will be overseeing the decorating, which always includes two large trees in the church and one in the narthex. Five or six trees will adorn the rectory.

CELEBRATIONS

continued from front cover

The traditional creche will be part of our Christmas celebration again this year.

Because the plans for Advent and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are subject to change, parishioners are advised to check upcoming bulletins and the parish website at www.cospq.org.

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A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR

WHAT CAN I GIVE HIM? Dear Parishioners,

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s we all know, December is about Christmas — and Christmas is about giving.

A family or other group may decide to forgo giving and receiving presents for a year to practice detachment from the excessive commercialism associated with Christmas. But the idea of refraining from giving presents at all demonstrates that we consider not giving gifts unnatural. Normal human behavior is to show our love by presenting a gift.

If that is how we want to treat the other people we love, it should be equally true of the response we make to God — we express our gratitude to God and our love for him with a gift.

Do we have anything God needs? Of course not!

He already owns the whole universe. But our gift can convey our grateful response. The key is how much love our gift represents. In material terms, its size should reflect what God has entrusted to us.

Perhaps a couple of examples will help. Jesus, watching worshippers make their contributions at the Jerusalem Temple, saw a poor widow putting in two small coins. He observed to his disciples, “This poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood” (Lk 21:3-4).

Or you may remember the children’s story, The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell. The littlest angel, a small boy, gave a little box holding his favorite treasures — a butterfly, a bird’s egg, two white stones, and the collar his dog had worn. God chose it among all the angelic presents.

One last example — some of you may remember the story written a century ago now by Raymond Alden, Why the Chimes Rang. It tells of a vast Church

that supposedly had a set of glorious bells that would ring only at Christmas when a worthy gift had been presented to the Christ Child. It had been many years since they had rung. In fact, no one living had heard them, but each year many expensive gifts were offered at the Christmas service.

One year, two young brothers from an outlying village decided to attend this Christmas service, but at the edge of the city came across a poor woman about to freeze to death in the snow. The older boy sent the younger to the Church with the silver coin he had to offer, while he stayed behind to help the woman.

The service ended with the procession of gifts from the rich, culminating with the king presenting the royal crown from off his head — but no chimes.

But then, as the service ended, the sound of the bells was heard throughout the Church. Everyone looked on intensely to see what gift had managed to outshine the king’s, but only a few near the front could see a small peasant boy slipping away after placing his brother’s little coin with the other gifts.

In all three examples, one biblical, the other two fictional, the key is that small gifts were precious to God because they represented great love. But they were real, material gifts, because we are real, material people.

What offering then should we make, we who are blessed with abundant goods far beyond any of those in the illustrations I’ve used? The choice is up to us to respond according to the love and gratitude we feel.

In Christ,

Rev. Msgr. Leo J. Enlow 3

ST. PETER

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Church Decorating Committee

SHARES

O

ur Church Decorating Committee works throughout the year to make sure we can experience the peace and beauty of the nature God has created. Their work — the freely giving of their talents — inspires us to more deeply open our hearts to God when we celebrate the Mass.

“I’d quit work, and two weeks later there was a notice in the bulletin that the committee needed someone,” says Ronda Wand, who became the committee coordinator at the end of February 2019. “My husband said, ‘A door closed, but one has opened.’ I’m a decorator by trade, having worked for 40 years for Ashley Furniture.”

The committee has about 30 members. During the year it decorates the church with flowers for all holidays, hangs banners, and changes the altar scarves for the liturgical time of year.

Ronda emails members for workdays and has a good response on the major holidays.

Committee members engage their talents and work together to decide how they will decorate with flowers, being mindful of the liturgical calendar and the appropriate colors.

Ronda also is a member of the parish Garden and Flowers Committee, and she brings her love of flowers into her work with the Decorating Committee.

“I feel closer when I’m gardening and doing flowers — I feel closer to God,” she says. “I can express my feelings for my parish and I hope the people can see the beauty of the flowers, and our church.”

That beauty, and the skills of those who have arranged them, can help us also grow closer to God. “At this time there is so much unrest in our world, and here in Quincy, also, we can maybe look at our church for faith and encouragement and peace,” Ronda says. “I hope that when we’re decorating our church, the people can look and just feel the presence of God through

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During the year it decorates the church with flowers for all holidays, hangs banners, and changes the altar scarves for the liturgical time of year.

our decorating and flowers. I feel I’m closer to my faith when I’m either gardening or working with flowers and decorating our church. I think people on the committee feel the same way. We all stand back and say, ‘Isn’t it beautiful?’ I feel so proud of what we’ve done, just a pouring out of all of us to make it as attractive and lovely for everyone that comes there. People come up and say, ‘The church looks so nice.’ I give credit to everyone. I want this place to feel it’s for them. I feel it’s part of God’s plan we’re doing this.”

TALENTS TO HELP OUR FAITH GROW The restrictions brought by the pandemic have caused some changes in decorating during the year. For example, the committee often hangs banners in the narthex and the church proper, but currently, all that can be done is the placing of potted plants in the narthex. It is hoped that the committee will be able to do more decorating at Christmas.

Members of the committee and Ronda have embraced stewardship in their work.

“When stewardship was brought forward to us, it was an awakening for me,” she says.

“It was something now I can do. I felt really confirmed with the volunteer time for both the Gardening and Decorating Committees. This was just right. Stewardship is important. It is part of our church. I’m so thankful Fr. Leo got it going to the height of where it is now. So many are involved in stewardship now.”

Committee members engage their talents and work together to decide how they will decorate with flowers, being mindful of the liturgical calendar and the appropriate colors.

Additional Church Decorating Committee members are always welcome.

For more information, please call the parish office at 217-222-3155. “ To be sain ts is not a privilege for the few, but a vocation for everyone.”

— Pope Fra ncis

Talent (continued)

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Talent (continued)

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 Instrument alist  Jubilation (Parish Childr en’s Choir)  Ladies Tue sday Morning Bible Study  Ladies We dnesday Evenin g Bible Study  Lawn Car e  Lector  Liturgy of the Word for Children  Maintenan ce Support Tea m  Marriage Enrichment  Marriage Preparation  Mary and

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DON’T FORGET TO RETURN YOUR COMMITMENT CARD! Martha — Ber eavement

 Stewardship Team  Sunday Sch ool and Childc are  Technolog y and Commu nication  Totus Tuu s  Ushers  Warm and Welcoming Tea m  Workout Group  Young Adu lt Group

on next pan el

ST. PETER CATHOLIC CH

2020 Comm itment

 Catholic Charities  Catholic Youth Organi zation (CYO)  Cursillo  Knights of Columbus  Ladies of Charity  QUEST  Teens Enc

First & Last

2600 Maine Street | Qu inc y, Illinoi (217) 222-31 s 62301 55 | www.c ospq.org

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Card

Name

Phone Email

ounter Christ (TEC)

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continued

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OTHER AREA ORGANIZAT IONS

Turn in your commitment cards to the parish as soon as possible. We appreciate your willingness to participate in this year’s Stewardship Renewal.

The more we grow to embrace and understand the stewardship way of life, the more our parish will flourish and grow!

Support

 Men’s Gro up  Moms Are Praying  Parish Nu rsing  Parish Pic nic  Parish Sch ool of Religio n (PSR)  Perpetual Adoration  Pro-Life Min istry  RCIA  Resurrecti on Choir  Rosary Gro up  Saints Aliv e Youth Group  School Adv isory Board  Scouts BSA – Troop 5  Seniors’ Car ds and Games Group  Social Con cerns Commit tee  Soup Kitc hen  St. Peter Sin gers  St. Veroni

Stewardship

Through the S ain

Joining

family mem ber(s) on the

Spouse: First &

Last Name

Spouse: Pho ne Spouse: Em ail Address City

State

ZIP

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ST. PETER

CATHOLIC CHURCH

FOCUSING OUR HEARTS HEAVENWARD:

The Origin and Beauty of the Nativity Scene W ith all the commercialism surrounding Christmastime, it’s far too easy for us to lose sight of the true reason behind the season.

Overwhelmed by our endless to-do lists and the hustle and bustle of last-minute shopping, our focus quickly shifts away from the Christ Child’s birth. And yet, hidden amongst the holly wreaths and garlands, the Christmas Nativity remains a tangible reminder of the Incarnation, pulling us back into time for a moment as we reflect upon the incredible gift of Christ’s birth.

Interestingly, it was circumstances much like our own today which first led St. Francis of Assisi to recreate the Nativity scene nearly 800 years ago. Frustrated with the growing materialism and greed that seemed to pervade 13th century Italy, St. Francis wanted a way to visually remind people of Christ’s humble beginnings — to show them that Christmas isn’t about pomp and circumstance or material goods, but rather about unselfish love.

Describing the idea to his friend Giovanni, St. Francis wrote, “I want to do something that will recall the memory of that child who was born in Bethlehem, to see with bodily eyes the inconveniences of his infancy, how he lay in the manger...”

And so St. Francis’ idea took form on Christmas

Eve in 1223. This original Nativity scene was a living one, even including live animals. Villagers were deeply moved by the silent display of humble beauty, and the Nativity tradition soon spread throughout Italy and surrounding Europe. It is a tradition that remains today in nearly every Christian church and in many homes. In fact, it’s hard to imagine Christmas without a Nativity scene somewhere.

Coming in various sizes and styles, each Nativity replica continues to focus our hearts on the true meaning of Christmas — to help us remember that Christmas isn’t about the amount of gifts under the tree or the festive decorations, but rather about celebrating Christ’s birth. Many families have a tradition of hiding the Infant Jesus, only placing Him in the crib on Christmas morning. This helps build anticipation during the Advent season as we anxiously await the Divine’s birth. Others go a step further, actually wrapping up the Christ Child to be opened as the very first gift of Christmas.

Yet, whatever your family’s particular traditions, we hope that the Christmas Nativity continues to draw your heart heavenward this Christmas season — to center us all on the greatest gift ever given, our Incarnate Lord.

Coming in various sizes and styles, each Nativity replica continues to focus our hearts on the true meaning of Christmas — to help us remember that Christmas isn’t about the amount of gifts under the tree or the festive decorations, but rather about celebrating Christ’s birth.

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A LOOK AT OUR SENIOR GAMES GROUP Building Friendships Through Fun and Fellowship

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rowing up on a farm, in the foothills of 1940s Kansas, there was not yet electricity outside of the city. So, in a world of woodburning stoves, Model Ts, and iceboxes instead of refrigerators, playing cards, and other games was the primary form of entertainment — as well as a way for friends and family to enjoy time together.

For longtime parishioner Alden Shipp, who has served St. Peter’s as both an usher and Eucharistic Minister, this was his childhood.

And there are few things he enjoys more than sharing these games — Cribbage, in particular — with his fellow parishioners. And thus, they also became a way for Alden, and his wife, Joyce, to gather, meet new friends, and enjoy the company of their fellow parishioners in the Senior Games Group.

Although currently on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the group has been meeting for nearly two decades, playing a variety of different games over the years. Cribbage, a game that can be played with a “group” as small as two, tends to be the most popular and is one of Alden’s favorites.

“When all this started years ago, somebody said, ‘What could seniors do?’” he says. “And they said, ‘Well, play games.’ And I said, ‘Well, I’ll be glad to teach them Cribbage.’ It is the only game that has survived since our

Although currently on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Senior Games Group has been meeting for nearly two decades, playing a variety of different games over the years. Cribbage, a game which can be played with a “group” as small as two, tends to be the most popular with the group.

original meeting.”

Alden hopes to introduce a new game — 7-Point Pitch — once the group begins gathering again.

Although Cribbage will likely continue, he thinks there is likely enough space in the Martha Jane Room, where they gather, to have two different games going at the same time.

“I would like to get some other games started,” he says. “I miss the fellowship and fun of playing cards together and the friendships.”

All seniors are invited to join the group, which typically meets on Thursday afternoons.

Sometimes, it’s only a few people, while other days, attendance is closer to a dozen or more. You don’t have to be an expert to attend.

Those with more experience are happy to teach and share their skills with newcomers, who are always welcome. And, although the group is primarily parishioners, anyone is welcome to join this fun-loving group.

“We have a little bit of everybody,” Alden says. “It’s an extended religious family.”

Whether you already know how to play, or are hoping to learn and add new games to your repertoire, the Senior Games Group is the perfect place to come enjoy an afternoon, meet new friends, and spend time in fellowship.

“We enjoy visiting,” says Alden. “It’s a fun way to spend a Thursday afternoon.”

If you would like more information on the Seniors Games Group, please contact Alden and Joyce Shipp at 217-222-7355.

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2600 Maine Street Quincy, Illinois 62301 www.cospq.org

TENTATIVE

Advent AND Christmas SCHEDULE

Christmas Eve Masses 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m., and 10 p.m.

Christmas Day Masses 8 and 10 a.m.

Confessions: Nov. 30, Dec. 2, 4, 9, 11, 14, 16 (weekday evenings) from 6-7 p.m.

Dec. 5, 12, 19 (regularly scheduled Saturdays) from 7:30 to 7:50 a.m. and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

MASS SCHEDULE Weekend Masses Saturday: 5:00 p.m., Sunday: 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Weekday Masses Mon-Sat: 8:00 a.m., except for Wednesdays: 8:30 a.m.

Reconciliation Saturday: 7:30-7:50 a.m., 3:30-4:30 p.m. or by appointment