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Special Events and Mass Times
First Week of Advent
"The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise..." ~ Jeremiah 33:14
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Mark the First Day of Advent with a Free Advent Calendar and a Religious Art 2025 Calendar
As we wait in anticipation for Christmas, we count down the days of Advent with special meaning. During every Mass on the first day of Advent, each family with young children present will receive a free Advent Calendar (no chocolates). Opening a little window each day to read a Bible verse in the Advent Calendar is a wonderful tradition to spend with children, reminding them about the meaning of Christmas. And for those young at heart (everyone else), we have free 2025 calendars featuring religious art available at the church entrances. First Day of Advent Mass Times Sat., Nov. 30 at 5 PM at St. Barbara Church Sun., Dec. 1 at 6 AM & 9:30 AM at St. Barbara Church Sun., Dec. 1 at 8 AM & 10:30 AM at St. Therese Church For the complete list of events, see our Parish Calendar. Advent Candle Lighting During every weekend Mass of Advent, we invite a family to help light the Advent Candle at the beginning of Mass. If you're interested in doing us the honor, please sign up with the Parish Office. |
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Rosary and Adoration Hour with the Sisters of the Missionary of Charity
Mon., Dec 2 at 4 PM at St. Therese Church Junior High Campus Mass Tues., Dec 3 at 8 AM at St. Barbara Church. St. Therese School's junior high students will help lead Mass. Scriptural Rosary - Pray with the Seniors Tues., Dec 3 at 5 PM at the Senior Suites Bridgeport 6th floor Community Room. For more information, see the flyer. Advent Retreat Sat., Dec. 7 at 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM at St. Mother Teresa Hall. Advent is a time of waiting and preparation. The Advent Retreat is a perfect way to kick start the preparation of the soul. Come, pray and reflect with us. Lunch included. Free will donation welcomed. Sign up by Dec. 1 with the Parish Office. For more details, see the event flyer. Youth Ministry Gathering Sat., Dec 7 after 5 PM Mass. Young people in grades 6-12 meet for pizza and fellowship. See more info in their flyer. |
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Oplatki is available for $3/box at the entrance of St. Barbara Church
Available at the entrance of St. Barbara Church throughout Advent, Oplatki is a thin wafer shared at the traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner. A small piece of wafer is broken off by a family member and passed to the person next to them with a blessing, then the next person does the same, continuing around the table. The white wafer is used for family and the pink for animals. Gifts of Epiphany (The Three Kings' Day) are available for $5 each giftbox Also available at the entrance of St. Barbara Church throughout Advent, the giftbox contains Frankincense, Myrrh, Gold, and Chalk. A Polish tradition of Epiphany, it is used to bless our home as a reminder of the gifts presented to baby Jesus by the three kings. The chalk is used to write above the doors of the home and rooms the following: 20 C B M (representing the initials of the kings) and the current year. |
Second Week of Advent
"A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." ~ Luke 3:4
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Feast of St. Barbara Mass
Sun., Dec. 8 at 9:30 AM Mass featuring the Family Mass Choir at St. Barbara Church. In some countries, the Feast of St. Barbara kicks off Christmas season, click here to read more about it. Breakfast with Santa Sun., Dec. 8 following 9:30 AM Mass at the St. Barbara Junior High School's lower hall. $8 per person in advance (paid to St. Therese School office) or $10 per person at the door. Includes breakfast and photo with Santa. See event flyer. St. Nicholas (commonly called "Santa") was a 4th century Greek saint and bishop. He used his family inheritance to help the poor, by dropping the coins down their chimneys in secret. We honor St. Nicholas with a fun breakfast and with a toy drive collected for St. James Catholic Church. Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary This feast day celebrates that Mary was conceived naturally but born without original sin by the grace of God. The mother of our Lord Jesus, Mary, "full of grace", is free from stain and therefore immaculate. Mon. Dec 9 at 8 AM Mass at St. Therese Church Mon. Dec 9 at 7 PM Mass at St. Barbara Church Bible Study Fri. Dec 13 at 6:30 PM at St. Mother Teresa Hall. See the flyer for more details. Advent is a great time to cultivate our spirituality. With scripture, this Bible study connect us with the real meaning of Christmas. Additional Events (Second collection is for the Retirement Fund for Religious) Sat., Dec 7 at 5 PM Mass at St. Barbara Church Sun., Dec. 8 at 6 AM Mass at St. Barbara Church Sun., Dec. 8 at 8 AM Mass at St. Therese Church Sun., Dec. 8 at 10:30 AM Mass at St. Therese Church for Cantonese Mass followed by Cantonese "Go Deeper" faith sharing and lunch Sun., Dec. 8 at 11:30 AM at St. Barbara Church for Indonesian Mass Mon., Dec 9 at 4 PM Rosary and Adoration Hour with the Sisters of the Missionary of Charity at St. Therese Church For the complete list of events, see our Parish Calendar. |
Third Week of Advent
"Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel!" ~ Zephaniah 3:14
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The Living Nativity
Sat. Dec. 14 from 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM in the parking lot of St. Barbara Church Walk through our "Little Bethlehem" as we bring the Nativity story to life. Free outdoor activity for all ages. For more information, see flyer. Simbang Gabi Sat. Dec. 14 at 5 PM at St. Barbara Church Simbang Gabi Mass and Dinner is a Filipino tradition for Christmas, full of warmth and love. Try the authentic cuisine generously donated by our Filipino community hosted at the St. Barbara gymnasium. |
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PREP Student Advent Reconciliation
Sun., Dec 15 at 9 AM at St. Therese Church offers a dedicated time for our students in the religious program for confession and preparing spiritually for Christmas. School Christmas Concert & 50/50 Raffle Wed., Dec 18 at 6 PM at St. Barbara Church. Watch the performances of our talented St. Therese students. Additional Events Sat., Dec 14 at 4:15 PM Reconciliation/Confession at St. Barbara Church Sun., Dec. 15 at 6 AM & 9:30 AM Mass at St. Barbara Church Sun., Dec. 15 at 8 AM Mass at St. Therese Church Sun., Dec. 15 at 10:30 AM Family Mass at St. Therese Church Mon., Dec 16 at 4 PM Rosary and Adoration Hour with the Sisters of the Missionary of Charity at St. Therese Church For the complete list of events, see our Parish Calendar. |
Fourth Week of Advent
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." ~ Luke 1:42
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Mandarin Mass and Christmas Cantata
Sun., Dec. 22 at 12:30 PM Mandarin Mass and Cantata at St. Therese Church. A cantata narrates the Christmas story in scriptures reading and songs. Additional Events Sun., Dec. 22 at 6 AM & 9:30 AM Mass at St. Barbara Church Sun., Dec. 22 at 8 AM & 10:30 AM Mass at St. Therese Church Mon., Dec. 23 at 4 PM Rosary and Adoration Hour with the Sisters of the Missionary of Charity at St. Therese Church For the complete list of events, see our Parish Calendar. |
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;" ~ Isaiah 9:1
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Christmas Eve
Tues., Dec. 24 at 5 PM Mass with Christmas Pageant at St. Therese Church Tues., Dec. 24 at 11:30 PM Christmas Eve Caroling and Midnight Mass (Wed. 12 AM) at St. Barbara Church Christmas Day Wed., Dec. 25 at 12 AM Midnight Mass at St. Barbara Church Wed., Dec. 25 at 6 AM and 9:30 AM Christmas Day Mass at St. Barbara Church Wed., Dec. 25 at 8 AM and 10:30 AM Christmas Day Mass at St. Therese Church Wondering what to wear? Generally, you will find people wearing casual clothes and some wearing suits and dresses. As Christmas is a special time of year, you may find most people do "spiffy up" for the special occasion. Looking Ahead: New Year's Eve Hot Pot Dinner Due date is Dec 26th to sign up $10 per person in advance or $15 per person at the door. Children under age 12 eat free! For the complete list of events, see our Parish Calendar. |
Looking Ahead - New Year's and the Solemnity of Mary
"And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart." ~ Luke 2:19
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New Year's Eve
Tues., Dec. 31 at 5 PM Benediction at St. Therese Church New Year's Eve Hot Pot Dinner in the Community Room follows the benediction. $10 per person in advance or $15 per person at the door. Children under age 12 eat free! Due date is Dec. 26 to sign up for the New Year's Eve Hot Pot Dinner. New Year's Day and the Solemnity of Mary Wed., Jan. 1, 2025 at 9:30 AM Mass at St. Barbara Church Wed., Jan. 1, 2025 at 10 AM Mass at St. Therese Church This closes out the Christmas octave (the eight days following the birth of Christ) with a day honoring Mary as the Mother of God. Like on our birthdays, we thank our own mothers for having us and loving us, on Jesus's birthday, we thank his mother. For the complete list of events, see our Parish Calendar. |
"It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you." ~ Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Service Opportunities
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Be part of the Christmas Choir!
"Singing is praying twice!" - often attributed to St. Augustine. Let your voice or instrument unite with our choir members to add to the Christmas harmony. Contact the Music Director Joe Delfin to sign up or for questions at [email protected] Rehearsals Tues., Dec. 3 at 7 PM at St. Barbara Church Tues., Dec. 10 at 7 PM at St. Barbara Church Tues., Dec. 17 at 7 PM at St. Barbara Church Mon., Dec. 23 at 7 PM at St. Barbara Church Performances Tues., Dec. 24 at 11:30 PM Christmas Eve Caroling and Midnight Mass (Wed. 12 AM) at St. Barbara Church |
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Living Nativity - Dress Up or Set Up!
The Living Nativity is an immersive experience of walking through our faux "Little Bethlehem". We need all the volunteers we can get for "in the scenes" and "behind the scenes". Sign up with the Parish Office. For more information, see event flyer. Characters in costumes Sat., Dec. 14 from 1:30 PM - 4:45 PM "Actors" move around and can talk to visitors in character. There is no scripts or words to memorize. All costumed roles are for adults except for the role of Baby Jesus (1 yo or younger). Costumed Roles still needed are 2 Roman Soldiers, shepherds, & market vendors. Market vendors "sell" spices, bread, produce, textile, and little gifts at a "Pay what you can" model - this is a fun way for children to "shop". Hospitality Sat., Dec. 14 from 1:30 PM - 4:45 PM Volunteers prepare and pass out complimentary hot cocoa and cookies to the visitors. Set Up Sat., Dec. 14 from 10 AM - 12 Noon Volunteers help with setting up the tables, tents, fire pit, firewood, and straw bales. Take Down Sat., Dec. 14 from 4:45 PM - 5:15 PM and possibly Sun. Dec. 15 morning Volunteers help with putting away the tables, tents, fire pit, firewood, and strawbales after the event. |
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St. James Food Pantry Service Day
We're meeting there as a parish to help out! Sat., Dec. 14 from 8 AM - 12 PM at 2907 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616. St. James Food Pantry is a staple and has been serving the community for many years. We are happy to partner with them on this service day as well as uniting our efforts for the toy drive. To learn more about St. James, click here. See also the event flyer. Note: new toys are collect at both of our church locations between Dec 1-22. We will bring the toys to St. James Church. |
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Decorate the Church with Us!
Help is always welcomed to get the churches ready for Christmas. Volunteers clean and decorate the inside and outside of both churches. Get into the holiday spirit by dressing up two of historic churches in Chicago! St. Barbara Church - Sun., Dec. 22 at 10:30 AM (after 9:30 AM Mass) St. Therese Church - Sun., Dec. 22 at 2 PM (after 12:30 PM Mandarin Mass) |
"Teacher of children became himself a child among children, that he might instruct the unwise.
The Bread of heaven came down to earth to feed the hungry." ~ St. Cyril of Jerusalem
Donations
Donate new toys to either church locations from Dec 1 - 22. We will collect them for St. James Catholic Church's program. See also event flyer.
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For gently-used or new coat and clothes donations, you can drop off directly at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago (721 N. LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60654).
“A God who became so small could only be mercy and love.” ~ St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Directions & Parking
St. Barbara Catholic Church2859 S. Throop Street, Chicago, IL 60608. Click here for Directions.
St. Mother Teresa Hall is located nearby at 2832 S. Quinn Street. Free parking available in the two areas labeled "Church School Parking Lot". 
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St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church218 W. Alexander Street, Chicago, IL 60616. Click here for Directions.
Validated parking is available in the Chinatown public parking near the Red Line Cermak L station. 
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“Man’s maker was made man, that He, Ruler of the stars, might nurse at His mother’s breast;
that the Bread might hunger, the Fountain thirst, the Light sleep, the Way be tired on its journey;” ~ St. Augustine
