Ms. Chermak's Blog

This is for children in Saint John Fisher School and Children's Faith Formation program. Childen in C.F.F. were also invited to call in their response to my office number: 773-238-1851.
Thank you for you help.
Elena Chermak

November 30, 2005

Dear Second Grade Parent,
Each year we invite second graders to participate in the Christmas Eve procession and gospel re-enactment for the 4:00 or 6:00 p.m. family masses. The children’s procession and presentation of the gospel story is always a beautiful experience and adds to the joy of the celebration.
These family masses are extremely crowded. If you have other plans for your Christmas mass please do not change your plans. If, however, your child is available we would welcome his or her participation.
The children should arrive 20 minutes early and meet in the second grade classrooms. We ask the children to wear their "Sunday best." Children in the procession and gospel re-enactment attend only one of the masses, and not both.
Please return this form by Tuesday, December 6, 2005 to the school or rectory so we will know who is available.
Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Nitsche Mrs. Paluch Mrs. Meskill Sister Jean Mrs. Kresse Ms. Chermak

Christmas Eve Liturgy 4:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.

_____ My child will attend the 4:00 p.m. liturgy, and is available to participate.

_____ My child will attend the 6:00 p.m. liturgy, and is available to participate.

_____ My child will attend another liturgy, and is unavailable to participate.

_________________________ _________________________
Child’s name and room number Your signature

Please return this form to school or to the rectory by Tuesday, December 6, 2005. Thank you.

The fourth graders in Mrs. Keaty's, Mrs. Gallagher's and Mrs. Sullivan's classes are hosting the All School Mass for the Immaculate Conception of Mary feast day this Thursday.
The children are learning about the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (1st reading) and the gospel story about Mary saying 'yes' to God and becoming the mother of Jesus.
The children are also aware that Mary of the Immaculate Conception is the patronness of the Americas.
All parents and parishioners are welcome to join the school children at this liturgy at 10:00 a.m. The children's choir will also sing at that mass.

Gospel for Christmas 2005
(Based on Saint Luke 2:1-14) For the 6:00 p.m. liturgy.

Narrator 1: At that time,/// Caesar Augustus// issued a decree/ for a census of the whole world to be taken./// And everyone// went to his own town// to be registered.

Emperor: I announce today a census. Everyone must go to the city where they were born to be counted.

Narrator 2: So Joseph/// set out from the town of Nazareth/// in Galilee/// and traveled// up to Judea,// to the town of David// called Bethlehem,/// in order to be registered/ together with Mary,// his betrothed,/// who was with child.

Narrator 1: Joseph and Mary had to stop many times along the way to rest. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the city was crowded with people who had come to be taxed. Joseph and Mary could find no place to stay.

Mary: I am tired and weary. Let's stop at the inn for the night.

Joseph: Okay, Mary, I'll find us a room

Joseph: Innkeeper, we are here for the census: do you have any room?

First innkeeper: Pray forgive me, dear people, but I must say, I have no room for you to stay.

Joseph: You see, kindly innkeeper, that we have traveled far, do you have a room for my wife Mary and me?

Second innkeeper: A room tonight? We’re completely booked. I have people staying in each cranny and nook.

Joseph: Innkeeper, sir: my wife will soon give birth. The hour grows late, have you a room?

Third innkeeper: The city is packed, I'll do what I'm able. There's no room at the inn, but rest in my stable.

Joseph: Thank you, most kindly.

Narrator 2: While they were there,/// the time came/// for Mary to have her child./// She gave birth/// to a Son!,/// her first born.///// She wrapped him/// in swaddling clothes/// and laid him/// in a manger/// because there was no room/// for them at the inn.

Narrator 1: On that same night, near Bethlehem, there were shepherds in the field, keeping watch over their flock. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very much afraid.

Shepherds: (1.) Look at that bright star. (2.) I've never seen such a bright star.
(3.) It’s shining in the east! (4.) Let's follow it! (5.) To Bethlehem!

Narrator 1: But the angel said to them:

Angel: Do not be afraid!//// Listen!/// I bring you news of great joy!/////, a joy to be shared by the whole people!/// Today,//in the town of David, a Savior/ has been born to you! /// He is CHRIST THE LORD!///
And here is a sign for you. You will find a baby,///
wrapped in swaddling clothing and lying in a manger!

Narrator 2: And suddenly, the sky was filled with angels, praising God and singing:

ALL: GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST! PEACE ON EARTH! GOOD WILL TO ALL!

The Christmas Story (Based on Saint Luke 2:1-14) for 4:00 p.m. liturgy

Narrator 1: At that time,/// Caesar Augustus// issued a decree/ for a census of the whole world to be taken./// And everyone// went to his own town// to be registered.

Emperor: I announce today a census. Everyone must go to the city where they were born to be counted.

Narrator 2: So Joseph/// set out from the town of Nazareth/// in Galilee/// and travelled// up to Judea,// to the town of David// called Bethlehem,/// in order to be registered/ together with Mary,// his betrothed,/// who was with child.

Narrator 3: Joseph and Mary had to stop many times along the way to rest. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the city was crowded with people who had come to be taxed. Joseph and Mary could find no place to stay.

Mary: I am tired and weary. Let's stop at the inn for the night.

Joseph: Okay, Mary, I'll find us a room

Joseph: Innkeeper, we are here for the census: do you have any room?

First innkeeper: Pray forgive me, dear people, but I must say, I have no room for you to stay.

Joseph: You see, kindly innkeeper, that we have traveled far, do you have a room for my wife Mary and me?

Second innkeeper: A room tonight? We’re completely booked. I have people staying in each cranny and nook.

Joseph: Innkeeper, sir: my wife will soon give birth. The hour grows late, have you a room?

Third innkeeper: The city is packed, I'll do what I'm able. There's no room at the inn, but rest in my stable.

Joseph: Thank you, most kindly.

Narrator 4: While they were there,/// the time came/// for Mary to have her child./// She gave birth/// to a Son!,/// her first born.///// She wrapped him/// in swaddling clothes/// and laid him/// in a manger/// because there was no room/// for them at the inn.

Narrator 5: On that same night, near Bethlehem, there were shepherds in the field, keeping watch over their flock. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very much afraid.

Shepherds: (1.) Look at that bright star. (2.) I've never seen such a bright star.
(3.) Let's follow it!

Narrator 5: But the angel said to them:

Angel 1: Do not be afraid!////Listen!/// I bring you news of great joy!/////, a joy to be shared by the whole people!/// Today,//in the town of David, a Savior/ has been born to you! /// He is CHRIST THE LORD!///

Angel 2: And here is a sign for you. You will find a baby,///
wrapped in swaddling clothing and lying in a manger!

Narrator 6: And suddenly, the sky was filled with angels, praising God and singing:

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST! PEACE ON EARTH! GOOD WILL TO ALL!

The Christmas Story (Based on Saint Luke 2:1-14) for 4:00 p.m. liturgy

Narrator 1: At that time,/// Caesar Augustus// issued a decree/ for a census of the whole world to be taken.

Narrator 1a: Everyone// went to his own town// to be registered.

Emperor 1: I announce today a census.
Emperor 2: Everyone must go to the city where they were born to be counted.

Narrator 2: So Joseph/// set out from the town of Nazareth/// in Galilee/// and travelled// up to Judea,// to the town of David// called Bethlehem,/// in order to be registered/ together with Mary,// his betrothed,/// who was with child.

Narrator 3: Joseph and Mary had to stop many times along the way to rest. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the city was crowded with people who had come to be taxed.
Narrator 3a: Joseph and Mary could find no place to stay.

Mary: I am tired and weary. Let's stop at the inn for the night.

Joseph: Okay, Mary, I'll find us a room

Joseph: Innkeeper, we are here for the census: do you have any room?

First innkeeper: Pray forgive me, dear people, but I must say, I have no room for you to stay.

Joseph: You see, kindly innkeeper, that we have traveled far, do you have a room for my wife Mary and me?

Second innkeeper: A room tonight? We’re completely booked. I have people staying in each cranny and nook.

Joseph: Innkeeper, sir: my wife will soon give birth. The hour grows late, have you a room?

Third innkeeper: The city is packed, I'll do what I'm able. There's no room at the inn, but rest in my stable.

Joseph: Thank you, most kindly.

Narrator 4: While they were there,/// the time came/// for Mary to have her child./// She gave birth/// to a Son!,/// her first born./////

Narrator 4 a: She wrapped him/// in swaddling clothes/// and laid him/// in a manger/// because there was no room/// for them at the inn.

Narrator 5: On that same night, near Bethlehem, there were shepherds in the field, keeping watch over their flock.

Narrator 5a: And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very much afraid.

Shepherds: (1.) Look at that bright star. (2.) I've never seen such a bright star.
(3.) Let's follow it! 4: To Bethlehem!

Narrator 5: But the angel said to them:

Angel 1: Do not be afraid!////Listen!/// I bring you news of great joy!/////, a joy to be shared by the whole people!/// Today,//in the town of David, a Savior/ has been born to you! /// He is CHRIST THE LORD!///

Angel 2: And here is a sign for you. You will find a baby,///
wrapped in swaddling clothing and lying in a manger!

Narrator 6: And suddenly, the sky was filled with angels, praising God and singing:

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST! PEACE ON EARTH! GOOD WILL TO ALL!

The Christmas Story (Based on Saint Luke 2:1-14) for 4:00 p.m. liturgy

Narrator 1: At that time,/// Caesar Augustus// issued a decree/ for a census of the whole world to be taken.

Narrator 1a: Everyone// went to his own town// to be registered.

Emperor 1: I announce today a census.
Emperor 2: Everyone must go to the city where they were born to be counted.

Narrator 2: So Joseph/// set out from the town of Nazareth/// in Galilee/// and travelled// up to Judea,// to the town of David// called Bethlehem,/// in order to be registered/ together with Mary,// his betrothed,/// who was with child.

Narrator 3: Joseph and Mary had to stop many times along the way to rest. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the city was crowded with people who had come to be taxed.
Narrator 3a: Joseph and Mary could find no place to stay.

Mary: I am tired and weary. Let's stop at the inn for the night.

Joseph: Okay, Mary, I'll find us a room

Joseph: Innkeeper, we are here for the census: do you have any room?

First innkeeper: Pray forgive me, dear people, but I must say, I have no room for you to stay.

Joseph: You see, kindly innkeeper, that we have traveled far, do you have a room for my wife Mary and me?

Second innkeeper: A room tonight? We’re completely booked. I have people staying in each cranny and nook.

Joseph: Innkeeper, sir: my wife will soon give birth. The hour grows late, have you a room?

Third innkeeper: The city is packed, I'll do what I'm able. There's no room at the inn, but rest in my stable.

Joseph: Thank you, most kindly.

Narrator 4: While they were there,/// the time came/// for Mary to have her child./// She gave birth/// to a Son!,/// her first born./////

Narrator 4 a: She wrapped him/// in swaddling clothes/// and laid him/// in a manger/// because there was no room/// for them at the inn.

Narrator 5: On that same night, near Bethlehem, there were shepherds in the field, keeping watch over their flock.

Shepherds: A. We feed our flocks. B. We watch them tenderly. C. We care for each one.

Narrator 5a: And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very much afraid.

Shepherds: (1.) Look at that bright star. (2.) It’s shining in the east! (3.) I've never seen such a bright star. (4.) It will bring us goodness! (5.) It will bring us light!
(6.) Let's follow it! (7.) To Bethlehem!

Narrator 5b: But the angel said to them:

Angel 1: Do not be afraid!////Listen!/// I bring you news of great joy!/////, a joy to be shared by the whole people!/// Today,//in the town of David, a Savior/ has been born to you! /// He is CHRIST THE LORD!///

Angel 2: And here is a sign for you. You will find a baby,///
wrapped in swaddling clothing and lying in a manger!

Narrator 6: And suddenly, the sky was filled with angels, praising God and singing:

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST! PEACE ON EARTH! GOOD WILL TO ALL!

December 18, 2005

Dear Second Grade Christmas Gospel Parent,
A few words about the Christmas gospel for Christmas Eve.
We have reserved some pews for the children in the gospel. These are in the transept, next to the tabernacle. They are to meet in Mrs. Nitsche’s room 115 at 3:40 p.m., (for the 4:00 p.m. mass) or 5:40 p.m. (for the 6:00 p.m. mass) on Christmas Eve. The 4:00 p.m. especially is a very crowded mass (and parking lot!) It would be a good idea for your family to arrive early to get a seat.
We ask the children to wear their "Sunday best." We have tinsel halos and shepherd head dresses set up for each child.
In the midst of all your activities, please know that the children are all set – costume –wise, too. They just need to “show up” - in their Sunday best! They will add the rest of the costume in the classroom.
The children are doing just great. They add richness and beauty to this celebration through their joy, sincerity and great enthusiasm!
Thank you for your help. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Sincerely,

Sister Jean Ms. Chermak Mrs. Meskill Mrs. Nitsche Mrs. Paluch Mrs. Kresse

If you have any questions, please call me at 773-238-1851/239-2305 –
Ms. Chermak

Thanks again for all your help in making the Christmas gospel beautiful.

Jimmy O'Connell wrote this for our Christmas assembly. We are enormously proud of him. Enjoy this presentation:
We all know the story of the Christmas Carol with Scrooge and Tiny Tim. We have come up with out own version of the Christmas Carol involving events in 2005.

It was December 24th, 2005……and Scrooge was grumpier than ever. He forced Bob Cratchit to work on Christmas Eve. That night when Scrooge went home, his old business partner Marley came and visited him and told him three ghosts would visit him. Scrooge didn’t believe a word he said, so he went to bed worry free.

When midnight struck, he heard someone in his house. It was the Ghost of Christmas in September. He took Scrooge to New Orleans and asked him why he didn’t donate to the Red Cross Hurricane relief.

Scrooge answered, “Tax dollars should take care of most of the damage.”

The ghost was furious and took him back to his house.

Confused, Scrooge went back to sleep and pretended it never happened.

Later that night, another ghost came. This was the ghost of Christmas in October.

“I am going to take you back to when the White Sox won the World Series.”

Scrooge was very excited because he was a Sox fan. The ghost took him to the parade when the team was singing, “Don’t stop believing.” But Scrooge didn’t participate because he wished the team had won at home. He also didn’t let Bob and Tiny Tim attend the parade because he didn’t want them to miss work or have any fun.

When it was over, the ghost took Scrooge home.
He went to bed wondering why things weren’t perfect all the time.

Once again, Scrooge was awakened by a ghost. This ghost was different; he wore a big black cape covered with a black hood. This was a scary ghost – he was the ghost of 2006.

This ghost took him to the future. He took Scrooge to New Orleans. It was still a mess and hundred of people waited for their homes to be rebuilt each day. Then he took Scrooge to Chicago. It was awful: the Sox stunk. They couldn’t even go .500. Scrooge was devastated. He wanted to be taken home, but the ghost took him somewhere else. He took Scrooge to a graveyard. He showed Scrooge one grave. On the tombstone it read:
“Here lies Ebenezer Scrooge: greedy and hateful.”

Scrooge was so scared. He started to scream and he shut his eyes. When he opened his eyes, he was in his bed. It was Christmas morning! He hadn’t missed Christmas! People were just waking up for mass. Scrooge flung out of bed, went to the phone and called the Red Cross. He donated 1 million dollars. He then called the White Sox charities and donated $1,000,000.

Scrooge was happy. The next year, New Orleans was cleaned up, the White Sox won another World Series and Tiny Tim got to be bat boy for one of the games.

And Scrooge stayed happy, healthy, and kept donating.