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!C A T H O L I CE D U C A T I O N !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 5 !!!!Dear Parishioners,It’s probably time to make yourChristmas gift list and determine howSaint Bonifaceyou can utilize SCRIP to purchaseParish Schoolgifts, give as gifts, pay the credit card(Pre-K—8)128 North Buchananbill, etc. This is a SUPER GREATEdwardsville, IL 62025way of supporting the school andPhone-618.656.6917parish. Please consider beating er” rush and submit your orderas soon as you can. Not all SCRIPcan be kept on hand. The parish office does the best they canto “esti-guess” what and how much SCRIP will be needed.Early orders help alleviate everyone’s stress.Just in case you didn’t know St. Boniface does offer a“special order” SCRIP “gift certificate” where the recipient canredeem the certificate for SCRIP of their own choosing.Those can be purchased at the parish office.We are grateful to Mr. Tom Ohren, a retired member of ourparish, who has taken care of our aluminum can recycling formany, many years. Unfortunately, he is unable to continue thisservice. St. Boniface School is in need of a volunteer whowould be willing to keep an eye on the accumulating cans andtake them to the recycler as needed. A VOLUNTEER ISNEEDED, and would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks.Congratulations to our 8th grade boys’ basketball team. Theytook 2nd place in our Bluejay tournament this past weekend.Parish School of ReligionPSR ScheduleDecember 2December 9December 16Thank you everyone for the donations for our St. VincentDePaul Personal Care Drive!Our Annual Sock Drive will be held from December 2through December 16. We will be collecting new packages ofadult socks for those individuals in need on Wednesdayevenings in baskets placed in the main lobby of the school bythe gym. These people may be homeless, living in their car orliving in poorly heated homes. Please consider helping thoseless fortunate by donating to this wonderful cause. Socksdonated will be given to the Breakfast Ministry program andother agencies that benefit families in need.Not only are we warming feet,.We are warming hearts as well!!!Father McGivney Catholic High School7190 Bouse Rd. Glen Carbon, IL 62034phone: 618-855-9010 fax: 618-855-9011email: info@mcgivneygriffins.comParishioners are invited to our upcoming events: Thursday, December 10, 10 a.m.—Band tour –school gymTuesday, December 15, 6:30 p.m.—Preschool Christmasprogram—school gymThursday, December 17, 7 p.m.—Christmas program—churchFriday, December 18, Senior Basketball night—time TBAPeace & All Good, Sr. AnnaJob OpportunitiesSt. Boniface School has an immediate opening for a SchoolLibrary Associate. This individual develops, manages andcoordinates the library services of St. Boniface School. Thisposition requires approximately 15 hours of on-site presenceper week. Other coordination may be done/needed off site.St. Boniface School is planning ahead for the 2016-2017school year. There will be openings for the head cook andthe cafeteria assistant. The head cafeteria person must belicensed by the State of Illinois. This involves taking a 1-2day class and passing the exam. Both are part time positions,hours vary, according to responsibilities—and salaries arecommensurate with them. Training is available.Please contact Sr. Anna, 656-6917, if you would like moreinformation. A job application can be found on the www.stboniface.com “schools” website—under “About Us”— “JobOpportunities”.!Class 6:30 - 7:45 p.m.Class 6:30 - 7:45 p.m.Class 6:30 - 7:45 p.m.Father McGivney is looking for some Job Shadowopportunities for their Junior year students. We are in needof able and willing individuals who are in the followingprofessions for our Job Shadow day on February 17, r of HistorySocial WorkVeterinary MedicineContact Bobbie Madura at bmadura@mcgivneygriffins.comor Mike Scholz at mscholz@mcgivneygriffins.com. Early decision deadline for freshman applications December 15, 2015. Open House - January 31, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. 4th Annual Trivia Night at Edwardsville KC Hall March 5, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

!F A I T HF O R M A T I O N6MINISTRY MINUTESUsing a Daily Advent Reflection Adds Deep Meaning tothe Celebration of ChristmasToday is the first Sunday of Advent and we will mark thatevent both in our readings at Mass, with the color of ourvestments, and with the presence of our Advent wreath.The EWTN website offers this definition of Advent. “Theword Advent is from the Latin adventus for "coming" and isassociated with the four weeks of preparation for Christmas.Advent always contains four Sundays, beginning on theSunday nearest the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle,(November 30) and continuing until December 24. It blendstogether a penitential spirit, very similar to Lent, a liturgicaltheme of preparation for the Second and Final Coming of theLord, called the Parousia, and a joyful theme of getting readyfor the Bethlehem event. Since the 900’s, Advent has beenconsidered the beginning of the Church year. This does notmean that Advent is the most important time of the year.Easter has always had this honor. The traditional color ofAdvent is purple or violet, which symbolizes the penitentialspirit. Religious traditions associated with Advent express allthese themes.”A few days ago I was paging through my collection of Adventreflection booklets to see if there was one that I had not usedfor a while and I chose Richard Rohr’s - Preparing forChristmas – Daily Meditations for Advent (Franciscan Media2008). As I began to write this column, I realized that thereare not many people around who have a collection of Adventreflection booklets and so I did a quick web search for DailyAdvent Catholic reflections and had 128,000 hits. The list isimpressive and you can even sign up to have a daily reflectione-mailed each day of Advent. I’m sure there are Advent appsfor smart phones, but I only have a flip phone and could notresearch that avenue.If you read a reflection about “the reason for the season”each day of Advent, then you will be constantly returning toand refocusing on why we celebrate the birth of our Lord.There was a cartoon in the Sunday paper that showed all theretail stores with Christmas decorations and a young childsaying to his mother – “I guess we are going to skipThanksgiving this year.” That cultural emphasis on thecommercial aspect of our American Christmas season is oneof the reasons that you and I need to return again and againto the religious meaning of Christmas. Whether it is printmedia, or your computer, or a smart phone app, choosesomething to help you keep focused on how the four weeksof Advent bring us joyfully to celebrating the birth of ourLord. Deacon DanReflection Robin Black-RubensteinPreparing for our LordPreparations are under way for Christmas celebrations. WhenI was a child it seemed like such a long time betweenThanksgiving and Christmas. Time was spent during Adventcounting the days from the beginning of Advent toChristmas Eve and Jesus’ birth. There seemed to be time forbaking with mom and helping her with a large stack ofChristmas cards, visits to family and friends, time to decorateand clean for the company coming over. That was at home.At school there were glittering art projects, ends of chaptersand units which meant tests, rehearsal for Christmasprograms, and picking the right gift for the class party(lifesaver books were always a good choice).As an adult it seems that the time is too short. There is somuch to do. Although it is joyous and filled with greatmoments; there are times during the four weeks that I worryabout getting all the moments squeezed in. What if I miss thatparty or program, or even worse someone’s first or lastChristmas? So my first prayer this Advent is that I rememberthat preparing for the Lord begins with trusting that I willexperience whatever I need to experience this Advent. That Iwill be wherever the Lord needs me to be and to enjoy thegift of the day I am in. I pray that I can let go and pay lessattention to my tasks and my pace and allow my spirit tolinger and delight in the season as I did when I was a child.Angel TreeIf you picked up an angel from the tree for oneof the care facilities, please bring your gift(s) tothe parish office by December 8. Gifts shouldbe wrapped and you need to attach the angel tagfrom the tree to the gift(s). It is not necessaryto purchase every item on the list. Thank you.Reminder: The Grief Support group will meet on Tuesday,December 8 at 8:45 a.m. in the Oak Room and 5:15 p.m. inthe Acorn Room. Call Robin B-R with any questions.Two Different Online Reflection Opportunities1. Each week of Advent an Advent reflection will be postedfor contemplation, prayer and online discussion. The postingwill began on Monday, November 23.2. Year of Mercy monthly reflection: a brief email reflectionfrom St. Boniface Pastoral Council.St. Boniface RCIA-RCICMonday, November 30 @ 6:30 p.m., Acorn RoomTopic: Rite of Welcome!Please email rblackrubenstein@st-boniface.comas soon as possible to participate. Please specifyone or both reflections or call the parish office.

M U S I C / Y O U T HM I N I S T R YUPCOMING EVENTSCHILDREN’S CHOIRSaturday, December 5 @ 4:15 p.m. MassThe Children’s Choir will lead the music at the 4:15 p.m.Mass. Warm-up @ 3:30 p.m.TOWER TEENS MEETINGSunday, December 6 @ 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.Everyone in Grades 6 - 8 are welcome!Meet in the Acorn Room.ST. BONIFACE CHOIRS CHRISTMAS CONCERTSunday, December 13 @ 2:30 p.m.Let us help you get in the Christmas spirit as all 4choirs of St. Boniface Parish come together inmusic and harmony. The choirs will be joined byour musicians, as well as musicians from SIUE. This is aFREE concert. A free-will offering will be taken.STEEPLE PEOPLE MEETINGSunday, December 13 @ 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.Everyone in Grades 9 - 12 are welcome!We will meet in the Acorn Room.SUZUKI STRINGS TOUR GROUP @ 10:15 a.m. MASSSunday, January 24 @ 10:15 a.m.This audition-only strings group will join St. Boniface Choir inleading the music at the 10:15 a.m. Mass. All are welcome!!SUZUKI STRINGS TOUR GROUPCOMING TO ST. BONIFACEThe Suzuki Strings Tour Group will be joiningwith St. Boniface Choir at the 10:15 a.m. Masson Sunday, January 24. The Group is anaudition-only advanced strings group comprisedof over 30 students. Mark your calendars!St. Boniface will present Guadalupe: The Miracle andThe Message Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 7:00 p.m.The film traces the history of Our Lady of Guadalupe fromthe sixteenth century to the present and details how hermessage continues to be an important catalyst for religiousand cultural transformation. The film is produced andprovided by the Knights of Columbus.Please contact the parish office to register. There is no costbut registration is needed for set up.Advent ReflectionAn Advent Group Reflection using The Living Gospel DailyDevotions for Advent 2015 by Theresa Rickard, OP, will meet onthe following dates in the Acorn Room. (booklet is free)Thursday, 12/3, 8:45 a.m. - Thursday, 12/10, 8:45 a.m.Thursday, 12/17, 8:45 a.m. - Wednesday 12/23, 9:00 a.m.!7WORLD YOUTH DAY QUILT RAFFLELast Weekend to Buy ChancesThank you to all who supported our QuiltRaffle throughout the month of November.Congratulations to the 2 winners:Boy Baby Quilt - Kathy RatkewiczGirl Baby Quilt - Denise AllisonWORLD YOUTH DAY BAKE SALEA HUGE “Thank You” to all whosupported our bake sale this pastweekend and purchased pre-ordered piesand desserts for Thanksgiving.ST. BONIFACE CHOIRS CHRISTMAS CONCERTSunday, December 13 @ 2:30 p.m.Mark your calendars for the St. BonifaceChoirs Christmas Concert to be held onSunday, December 13 @ 2:30 p.m. in themain church. The four choirs of St. Boniface-- St. Boniface Adult Choir, HandbellChoir, Children’s Choir and St. BonifaceSchool Chorus -- will join together along withinstrumentalists from St. Boniface and SIUE to celebrate theseason. The concert is FREE but a collection will be takento help support the music program at St. Boniface.Come enjoy an afternoon of Advent & Christmas musicpresented by our own wonderful musicians! All are welcome!Please contact Jill Griffin or Marc Schapman for moreinformation.Please Pray for our Military Men & WomenDan BooneMajor Eldridge BrowneLars EngebergBrandon EfflerMark FederspielNathan HenningAaron HinesSteve JonesKraig KlinePatrick KohlerAndrew KolakowskiJames LavelleErin LongNick McKenneyAdam MitchellMichael PorterRicky RicciardiBrian, Stephen and PeterSamborKyle & Jake SchaakeBeth McBride ShockeyAbe StrootSgt. Kevin SullivanJake SvobodaSam TerryNickolas VaradyThomas VelezAdam WendelAndrew WrightEvan Zeller

8 !T I M E / T A L E N T / T R E A S U R EThank you for your support!Everything we do during this holyperiod should be aimed at preparing ourminds and hearts for Christ’s arrival.Our readings today, from our FirstReading in which the prophet Jeremiahpredicts the coming of Christ (“Thedays are coming, says the Lord, when Iwill fulfill the promise.”) to our Gospelfrom Luke (“And then they will see theSon of Man coming in a cloud withpower and great glory.”) anticipatesChrist’s arrival, both as an infant and inHis return.Thank you for your support of St. Boniface Catholic Church. Make your 2015contributions to the church even easier by taking advantage of our online givingoption. Setting up your account is easy; you can set it up online through our websitewww.st-boniface.com, or complete a form and turn it in to the Parish Office.Weekly Financial ReportNovember 22, 2015Oh, God hear our prayer as we seek tobe good stewards of the many gifts Youhave bestowed on us. Give us wisdomto discern Your will for us, strength tomeet the challenge, and the grace to besteadfast in our commitment to You.Let us use our time, talent and treasurefor Your greater honor and glory. InYour name, we pray. Amen.Difference 15,785.00 !!EFT Contributions 7,096.00 !! 897.75 !!Mail/Loose ContributionsSchool 5,537.75Gift Shop 196.00 29,512.50 41,101.52( 11,589.02)Fiscal Year to Date Income(06/30/16) 737,773.39 904,233.42( 166,460.03)Fiscal Year to Date Expenses 762,069.49 900,389.31( 138,319.82)Year-to-Date Income/Loss( 24,296.10)St. Boniface appreciates your gifts to the church. We would like to suggest someways to make your gift giving easier: Easy and convenient! EFT is an automatic withdrawal from your checkingaccount on a monthly basis. There are no service fee charges! All we need isa copy of your cancelled check and your authorization form for an amount tobe given automatically. Once a month giving is as easy as paying your lightbill! Traditional weekly contribution envelopes provided by the church. Thisallows us to give you credit for the gifts you give to the church. We have noway to credit anonymous gifts of cash. Are you visiting or have not yet registered? We will send you a thank youletter for your contribution (if you give by check) that can be used for taxpurposes. Cash donations are more difficult unless a name and address areincluded with the gift.Robin Hake, Business Managerrhake@st-boniface.comStewardship PrayerBudgetEnvelope collectionTOTAL INCOMEAs individuals and families andhouseholds, we need to develop orcontinue Advent traditions. Whether itis setting time aside for special prayer orcarefully filling a manger or lighting anAdvent wreath or singing Christmascarols or reading Christmas poems andstories, we need to do some differentthings and do them consistentlythroughout Advent. This will help ushave both the right focus and the rightattitude.CollectedAll gifts to St. Boniface are tax deductible!Heavenly Dusters - Committee #8Nancy Arnold, Rosemary Moehle, Elsie Wood, Diane Jacober and Dallas BrowneCOLLECTION COUNTERSfor Monday, November 30, 2015Celeste Korte, Shirley Lanhamand Theresa Kohlmiller!Funeral Lunch Volunteers November 2015 Committee #5Team Leader Theresa Kohlmiller with Maureen Betts, Lisa Gray,Barbara Klucker, Barb Leardi, Teresa & Richard Townsend, KathyViox and Cindy Zurliene

E V E R G R E E NA N N O U N C E M E N T SFeed your Body and your Soul Saturday Brunch is BackSaturday Brunch with Sister Kathleen Ann and Barb Leardi isa monthly event where you can enjoy a delicious brunch andthen join with fellow parishioners in viewing a DVD lectureon “The Holy Land: A Pilgrimage Through the Footsteps ofJesus” presented by Rev. Don Senior, C.P. S.T.D., followedby discussion and sharing. Brunch will be at 10:00 a.m.followed by the DVD and then discussion. Our goal is to befinished before noon. There is a suggested donation of 5 tohelp defray the expenses of the brunch which will besubstantial and yummy.The first session is Saturday, January 16, 2016, 10:00 a.m.Please register by contacting the parish office (656-6450) orSr. Kathleen Ann (655-9524) to assure your place at the table.9 !Welcome New ParishionersRyan & Christine ByrneDavid & Nicole Mangian and FamilyGerman Mendoza & Virginia Mercado and FamilyAngela OttoJared & Ashlee Peno and FamilyJason ScottGary & Rosemary ThomasSara Van Dorn and FamilyKyle & Cassandra Wallace and FamilyNeal Weber & Danielle WesselJeremy & Brittany Yates and FamilyLITURGICAL MINISTERS FOR NEXT WEEKEND —DECEMBER 5-6, 2015MinistriesVigil—4:15 p.m.Sunday—8:15 a.m.Sunday—10:15 a.m.Sunday—5:15 p.m.! Ministers of HolyCommunionJohn and Jenny Sanford692-9815Kristin Donaldson!Toby Heddinghaus!Marc Kamp!Barb Leardi!Ed McCarthy!Ben Motil!Allan Ratkewicz!Jodi Roberts!Robin B. Rubenstein!Alan Rubenstein!Randy Uebinger!Linda Gamboa!Dan Gamboa!Mary Haarmann!Steve Haarmann!Katie Hastings!Doug Hastings!Sharon Hengehold!Eric Hess!Tom Ohren!Laura Ohren!Mary Wood!Susan Boduch!Jerry Davis!Pete Fitzgerald!Sister Anna Flanigan!Aaron Jatcko!Greg Kozak!Jenny Milburn!Adam Milburn!Kit Morrissey!Judy Savant!Stacey Tyrrell!Mark Bradley!Becky Bradley!Bryan Dammerich!Michelle Dammerich!Thomas Jacober!Jessica Westerhold!Maria Wilson!ReadersBarb Leardi656-3917Sydney Joslyn!Sharon Hoffmann!Liz Link!Lisa Gray!Tyler Winters!John Zieser!Julie Goin!Michael Suhre!Dallas Browne!Kaitlyn Frick!Pat Oser!Charlene Dupent

E V E R G R E E N ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 2 ! St. Boniface Catholic Church 110 North Buchanan Street Edwardsville, Illinois 62025 Phone 618.656.6450 FAX 618.656.7669