St. Paul Chong Hasang Bulletin

Joy Grows in the Waiting

The 3rd Sunday of Advent Year A is also called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means “rejoice.” This Sunday reminds us that even while we wait, we can be joyful. Advent is a time of hope and preparation. But this week, we pause to smile, sing, and take heart.

The readings for the 3rd Sunday of Advent Year A are full of life. Isaiah tells us the desert will bloom. James encourages us to wait with patience. Jesus reminds us of the signs that God’s kingdom is near. These words give strength to those who are tired or uncertain.

This Sunday points us toward joy. Not because everything is perfect, but because Jesus is near.
His coming brings healing, justice, and peace. Even now, we can see signs of that in the world.
As Advent moves forward, this Sunday helps us refocus. We do not wait alone. We wait with hope. And we wait with joy.

• First Reading – Isaiah 35:1-6A, 10: The desert will bloom and rejoice. God will strengthen the weak and bring justice. The blind will see, the deaf will hear, and the saved will enter Zion with joy.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 146: The Lord is faithful, brings justice, feeds the hungry, frees captives, and gives sight to the blind. He supports the fatherless and widows, and reigns forever.
• Second Reading – James 5:7-10: Be patient for the Lord’s coming, like a farmer waiting for crops. Strengthen your hearts, avoid complaining, and follow the example of patient prophets.
• Gospel – Matthew 11:2-11: John the Baptist sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the one to come. Jesus affirmed his works. He praised John as the greatest prophet, yet less than the least in heaven.

Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?

(Acts 2:8)

There will be a second collection for retired religious. Your generous contributions will help provide housing and medical care for those who have dedicated their lives to the Lord.

Dates: December 13 & 14

Thanks to your generous support over the past few months, the Generation Campaign has successfully concluded, surpassing our goal. We sincerely thank all parishioners who contributed, helping our parish and diocese flourish.

Total Raised: $309,609 (Goal: $260,000)

CCD/YG and English-speaking Advent Confession Schedule:

• December 14: After the 10:30 English Mass during CCD/YG
• December 21: After the 10:30 English Mass during CCD/YG

Korean-speaking Advent Confession Schedule:

• December 16 (Tue), at St. Andrew Kim: After the 7 PM Mass
• December 17 (Wed), at St. Paul Chong Ha Sang: After the 10 AM Mass and at 8PM
• December 18 (Thu), at Korean Martyrs: After the 7 PM Mass

Christmas Eve Mass: December 24 (Wed) at 8 PM

Christmas Mass: December 25 (Thu) at 11 AM

New Year’s Eve Mass: December 31 (Wed) at 8 PM

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Mass: January 1 (Thu) at 11AM

There will be confession for students during CCD class on December 14 and 21. Please help your children prepare for confession. Two priests will also be available to assist with the children's confession. We need parent volunteers to help guide children during confession. Please apply.

< Confession Schedule >

12/14: 7th - 8th grade

12/21: 3rd - 6th grade

< Volunteer Application Link>
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45ABA829A2FFC25-58322127-annual

Thank you!

- CCD PTO-

Date: Friday, December 19

Time: 7 ~ 10 PM

Location: Youth Room

Dinner will be provided.

Calling all kids and teens for a special holiday performance!
No experience necessary!
Late sign ups okay!

Practices: Sundays — 12/7, 12/14, and 12/21

Time: 9 AM–10 AM

Location: YG Room
Questions: E-mail Amanda Roark at topnoteperformingarts@gmail.com

We are looking for performance groups to join us for the Christmas Celebration Concert before the Christmas Eve Mass (December 24) from 7 PM to 8 PM.

All kinds of musical performances are welcome— district groups, parish groups, CCD, YG, instrumental ensembles. Each group is encouraged to prepare 2–3 songs or pieces with a total performance time of 10 minutes or less.

If you are interested, please contact:

Albert Seok 847.544.6402 , Andrew Jung 847.409.9010
by Saturday, December 14.

• Final rehearsal: Saturday, December 21
• Pre-performance rehearsal: Tuesday, December 24 (evening)

Our PTO is hosting a special Secret Santa Event on Christmas Day! After the 11AM Joint Mass, families and CCD students are invited to the parish gymnasium to take photos with Santa and receive small gifts from Secret Santa. We look forward to seeing many of you there.

Date & Time: December 25, after the 11AM Korean/English Christmas Mass

Location: Parish Gym

The PTO is also seeking volunteers to help set up the photo zone decorations for the event. Setup will take place on December 21 during CCD class time in the parish gym. We need five volunteers, and your support would be greatly appreciated.

Volunteer Sign-Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45ABA829A2FFC25-60567047-christmas

As we look back with gratitude on the many blessings of this year, we warmly invite you to join our parish community for our year-end celebration.

Date: Sunday, December 28 at 12 PM

Location: Parish Gym

<Please RSVP below, and we ask that each family submit only one response.>
https://forms.gle/zzXBEY4kH24e4n3bA

Sunday School/YG will be on winter break on December 28 and January 4.

Please note that there will be no 10:30 AM English Mass, but a joint Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on both days.

<YG> SPYG Annual Christmas Party

Date: Friday, December 19 / Time: 7 ~ 10 PM

Location: Youth Room

*Dinner will be provided.

<CCD/YG> Winter Break

Date: Sunday, December 28 & Sunday, January 4

Joint Mass @11AM.

<YG> Winter Retreat

Dates: December 26 - December 28

Location: La Salle Manor, 12480 Galena Rd., Plano, IL 60545

+Praise Be Jesus

Beautiful fall is deepening, and the change of season, with its large temperature variations, has begun. We pray that all CCD families stay healthy.

The children are learning God's word from the teachers in CCD and getting along well with their friends.

We would like to provide guidance regarding the reading (lector) volunteer service during Mass. The children who have participated in the reading service so far have done very well, and we thank them. We will need more reading volunteers going forward.

All children who have received their First Holy Communion can participate in the reading volunteer service.

We would like to provide guidance on the methods for reading volunteer service, especially for children who want to participate in reading volunteer service but don't know how.

1. CCD Reading (Lector) Volunteer Method

- Children who wish to volunteer for reading (lector) should use the following link to apply for the reading volunteer service.

2025-2026 Reading Volunteer Signup Link : https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45ABA829A2FFC25-57901605-liturgy#/

- Please practice by reading aloud the assigned reading material (First Reading or Second Reading) that the CCD PTO Team sent to you in advance at home.

- Please come to the church by 10:15 on Sunday and practice reading your assigned reading material at the sanctuary's lectern.

- During the 10:30 Mass, please participate by sitting in the very front pew on the center-left side of the sanctuary (the lector's seat).

- When it is your turn to read during the Mass, you will read your assigned reading material at the lectern.

Since the children can practice reading in advance, they can reduce their fear of reading in front of many people. Also, we will help the children practice reading at the lectern before Mass.

Please help the children to participate a lot in the reading volunteer service.

2. CCD Reading (Lector) Volunteer Encouragement and Rewards

Our CCD would like to encourage more students to volunteer for mass reading.

In order for the CCD teachers to provide positive reinforcement and encouragement in the classroom, they will offer praise to that day's reading (lector) volunteers during class time.

And, our CCD will reward all students who volunteer for mass reading.

In order to keep track of those who have volunteered for mass reading, after Mass, volunteers should talk to Sister Rosa in the sacristy and they should sign their name next to the date of service in the reading (lector) volunteer notebook, and Sister Rosa will then sign next to their names. The priest will verify these records and give awards to those who read during Mass on the last day of the first semester (December) and the last day of the second semester (May).

Please strongly encourage the children to join the reading volunteer service!

Thank you for your help.

-St. Paul Chong Ha Sang CCD PTO Team-

If you missed the regular registration period, late registration is now open!
The registration fee is $140.

CCD: https://forms.gle/599LgJ9nfWkizEk76
YG: https://forms.gle/4MEF2YmmFsMyu4Zn6

To keep things running smoothly during Mass, please try to sit toward the inside of the pews. This will make it easier for latecomers to find their seats. We really appreciate your help!

<Hasang Korean School – Spring 2025-26 Registration>

1. Student Registration

Who Can Register: Current and new students, ages 3.5 to 8th grade

Dates: January 17 – May 9, 2026 (16 weeks)

Class Time: Saturdays, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Early Registration Deadline: December 20, 2025

Tuition: $300 ($320 after Dec 20)

2. Teaching Assistant Opportunities

Who Can Apply: High school students (grades 9–12)

Role: Assist in Korean language classes

Registration: Google Form

https://sites.google.com/view/hasang/home

For inquiries: 240.357.8406 / hasangkoreanedu@gmail.com