St. Paul Chong Hasang Bulletin

God With Us Draws Near

The 4th Sunday of Advent Year A brings us very close to Christmas. The readings help us focus on who Jesus is and why He came. We hear the name Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” This is the message we hold onto as we get ready to celebrate His birth.

Each reading gives us something to think about. Isaiah speaks of a sign—a child born to a virgin. Paul reminds the early Christians that Jesus was promised long ago. The psalm talks about who can come into God’s presence. And in the Gospel, Joseph listens to God and chooses to stay with Mary.

These are not just stories from the past. They speak to us today. Like Joseph, we are asked to trust. Like Paul, we are called to share the good news. And like the people in Isaiah’s time, we are told that God will not leave us alone.

The 4th Sunday of Advent Year A invites us to quiet our hearts. It tells us that Jesus is near. We wait with hope and joy, knowing that God is coming to be with us.

• First Reading – Isaiah 7:10-14: God told Ahaz to ask for a sign. Ahaz refused, but Isaiah said God would give a sign: a virgin will bear a son named Emmanuel.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 24: The Lord owns the earth and all who live in it. Those with pure hearts and clean hands can stand in his holy place and receive his blessings.
• Second Reading – Romans 1:1-7: Paul, a servant of Jesus, greets the believers in Rome. He emphasizes Jesus’ divine and human natures and wishes them grace and peace.
• Gospel – Matthew 1:18-24: Joseph planned to divorce Mary quietly when he found out she was pregnant. An angel told him in a dream to take her as his wife because the child was from the Holy Spirit.

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

(Acts 2:8)

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

Christmas Mass: December 25 (Thu) at 11 AM
Korean-English Joint Mass: Decemebr 28 (Sun) 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
Korean-English Joint Mass: January 4 (Sun) at 11 AM

There will be confession for students during CCD class on December 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 >

12/21: 3rd - 6th grade

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

Thank you!

- CCD PTO-

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

Practice: 12/21

Time: 9 AM–10 AM

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

Join us for a joyful evening filled with music on December 24 at 7 PM, followed by our Christmas Eve Mass.
Date: December 24 at 7 PM

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

Date: December 26 (Friday) – December 28 (Sunday)

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

Please keep our Youth Group in your thoughts and prayers so that all the students attending the Winter Retreat may travel safely, stay healthy, and have a meaningful time.

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.

<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!

<January Holy Hour>

Date: Friday, January 2, after Mass

<Devotion Mass>
Date: Saturday, January 3 at 10AM

<Communion for the Sick>

Date: Wednesday, January 7, after Mass

To register, please contact the Sisters or the church office.

<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