-------The School of St. Mary opened its doors for the 2022-2023 academic year this past week. There were a few tears shed as parents dropped their children off on the curb of the school. There were many smiles and 50-yard dashes as classmates saw each other on the sidewalk waiting for the first school bell of the new school year. Faculty were welcoming and greeting students that are part of the Crusader family at St. Mary’s.

-------The school year opened with a very familiar face and heart to the School of St. Mary (SOSM), Mrs. Kathy Thompson, serving this year as the interim-principal. Mrs. Thompson has been the assistant principal at the SOSM, serving the students, faculty, and families the past 25 years at the Primary Grade Center (PGC). I am grateful that she has stepped forward to lead the entire school community this year. Mrs. Sarah Rouse is the Assistant to the Principal. They are both excited about the new year and are looking forward to a year of wonderful achievements for the students, the faculty and administration, and the school families. At the Masses I celebrated last weekend we were praying for all benefactors of Catholic education. Gratitude and appreciation are offered for all those who support the educational efforts of the three-time Blue Ribbon School of St. Mary. We opened the new school year with 429 students in the SOSM. We are blessed with a retention rate of 90% of families/students returning to the SOSM this academic year. We have 252 students at the PGC this year and 177 students at the Upper Grade Center (UGC) as of the first day of school. There are always a few more registrations that take place the last few weeks of August and the first few weeks of September.

-------I have been able to hear from parents who find themselves in an entirely new family situation, being empty nesters. Some have sent their youngest child off to college. Some have shared with me the joy and gratitude they have in their hearts for their children moving forward in their careers, going out on their own, no longer living under the roof with mom and dad. May all empty nesters enter this new period of their lives guided by God’s grace. May this new reality for themselves and their children be moments of opportunity for their children as well as for themselves.

-------Recent Scriptures have offered us teaching on how we are to grow in love and charity. Jack Shea, one of my seminary professors, recently wrote: “We must learn how to open to the love of God and learn how to creatively find ways to love our neighbor. This is what “striving to enter through the narrow door” entails. It is a life-long learning process with difficult developments in how we think, feel, and act. It is not for those who wish well and do no more.   

-------The door is narrow in contrast to so many other wide doors that promise salvation. There is the “we belong” door that sees simply being part of the right group as the path of salvation. There is “I’m better than them” door which entertains favorable comparisons with unfavorable people. There is the “last minute conversion” door that is always delaying the call and counting on good intentions. These are all pretender doors, and Jesus calls them out for their false claims. 

-------“Striving to enter through the narrow door” is just that – a striving that is a disciplined and perseverant effort. It entails checking motivations, consulting our commitment to love before we act, and gradually developing the skills of love in effective ways. It makes us personally humble and deeply aware of grace. We may come to the realization that the striving is the goal. Then the narrow door opens.” May parishioners at the Church of St. Mary always strive in charity and love, in mercy and compassion, in forgiveness and reconciliation as followers of Jesus.

-------Speaking with the faculty earlier this month, I shared with them an Irish blessing I received from Fr. Jim Shea, a Redemptorist priest. May you live the graces of this blessing these summer days.

-------This Sunday evening, August 28, teens of the parish are invited to attend the Kick-Off for COR Youth Ministry. Thanks to those parents helping Chase Hawkins with Youth Ministry as well as encouraging and sending their high school age children to the program. Teens are encouraged to pre-register. More information is available on the next page of this bulletin. More about COR can be found HERE.

-------May God guide and bless us with hearts of compassion and forgiveness,

Contact Chase Hawkins at chawkins@churchofstmary.org for more info.

If you would like to know more about the program or receive further information, we invite you to our first session on September 14 at 6:45pm in the Parish Center. Please rsvp by email to RCIA@churchofstmary.org by phone to Lore Nugent (847) 582.2501. If you are unable to attend on September 14 please contact anyone on the RCIA Team listed below. We are all happy to make ourselves available to discuss the program in a little more depth.

Barbara Morrill   rcia@churchofstmary.org

Cheryl Nadelhoffer rcia@churchofstmary.org

Lore Nugent, Pastoral Associate,  rcia@churchofstmary.org or Lnugent@churchofstmary.org

Fr. Mike Nacius, Pastor, mnacius@churchofstmary.org

Fr. Radley Alcantara, Associate Pastor, ralcantara@churchofstmary.org

Deacon Jack Herrmann jherrmann@churchofstmary.org

Deacon Bob Thomas bthomas@churchofstmary.org

Click HERE to visit the Guild website.

And click HERE to download a registration form.

“Buckets of Hope” is a relief program run by a group of Chicago deacons known as “Hope’s on the Way” (HOTW). HOTW helps victims of natural disasters rebuild their homes, schools, and places of worship. In the wake of catastrophic flooding over recent years HOTW has been providing emergency cleaning supplies, or “Buckets of Hope”, to flood-stricken families. “Buckets of Hope” is a program in which 5-gallon buckets filled with cleaning supplies are shipped to disaster areas when it has become safe to start the cleaning process. Over 5000 buckets have been distributed through this program.

1) Liquid laundry detergent, one 50 – 62 oz. bottle

2) Liquid household cleaner, 48 oz. mixed with water.

3) Dish soap 30 oz. bottle, any brand

4) One can of air freshener (aerosol)

5) One scrub brush, plastic

6) 18 cleaning handy wipes or reusable wipes. Two packages

7) One large auto-style sponge

8) Three to five scouring pads, one pack

9) 36 to 50 clothes pins

10) Clothesline (one 100-foot)

11) 18 (3 packages) heavy-duty trash bags, 30-45 gallon

12) One package of dust masks

13) Two pairs of disposable waterproof gloves

14) One pair of work gloves (leather palms necessary)

Recently HOTW had 280 “Buckets of Hope” shipped to Eastern Kentucky. HOTW’s inventory of cleaning supplies is now scarce and they are asking for parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago to help by contributing either some of the above-listed items for buckets, or making a cash donation so that HOTW can purchase these items. The cost to fill a “Bucket of Hope” is $35.

Financial contributions should be made out to Hope’s On the Way, and either placed in the Bucket of Hope situated in the Illinois Road entrance or brought to the Parish Center. A donation may be made anytime via GiveCentral. Be sure to write on the memo line "2022 Buckets of Hope Appeal." Rest assured that 100% of all donations go directly to the purchase of cleaning items.

Thank you for your support — Deacons Bob and Jack

for ages 3+ HERE and for ages 7+ HERE.

St. Mary's Religious Education

The primary purpose of the Religious Education program is to support families in the faith formation of their children. Faith formation is an ongoing development of the whole person into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ, Discipleship. This journey is life-long and we strongly encourage families to seek consistent formation of their children, each year, as it provides opportunities for children to grow in their relationship with God, offers ongoing development of the knowledge of our faith, encourages a regular prayer life, and strengthens your children to become strong disciples of God, which influences all aspects of life.

Classes are open to children of registered parishioners of the Church of St. Mary who will be in Kindergarten-8th Grade. The RE Program supports families in the formation of children in the Catholic Faith by:

Following the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Chicago, preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion is a 2-year period beginning in 1st or 2nd grade and Confirmation is a 3-year preparation period beginning in 6th grade. Please visit the RE website for additional information regarding guidelines for Sacramental Preparation.

The wonderful success of our Religious Education program is because of our amazing volunteers who share their gift of time, faith, love of God and our Catholic faith! Each year we are delighted to welcome new volunteers to the Religious Education ministry. The shared life experience of the adult community at our parish continues to be a blessing to the RE community. Praying with the children and presenting the faith through Scripture, discussion and activities helps to answer the call to evangelize within our own community.

Please consider serving in this fun and faith filled ministry. All materials and supplies are provided. You just need to offer a caring and open heart to the children and their families. Consider being a catechist, co-catechist, assistant, office aide or help bring back the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Please contact Joy Pacheco at (847) 582.2522 to find out about the opportunities and the possibility of sharing your gifts with the RE Program this year!

Questions? Contact 847.234.0090 | religioused@churchofstmary.org religioused@churchofstmary.org

+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am

+ 5:00pm: Livestream & PUBLIC Mass

+ 10:00am:  Livestream & PUBLIC MASS

+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am

+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am

+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am

+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am

+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am

+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am

+ 5:00pm: Livestream & PUBLIC Mass

+ 10:00am:  Livestream & PUBLIC MASS

The Apostolic Penitentiary, a branch of the Vatican offices which focuses on mercy and the forgiveness of sins, issued a decree granting a Plenary Indulgence during this extraordinary time. To see some of the ways we can still participate in the life of grace and the life of the Church during the Covid-19 pandemic please click here.

To find ways to volunteer within our community and to seek assistance from the parish please click here.

To read the Daily Scripture readings you may go to usccb.org and select "Daily Reading" at the top left menu.

You may also go to "Today's Reading" at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings

MARRIAGE BANNS

II Mark Noll and Emily DeMaio

II Tim Cook and Theresa Cwick

I Piotr Mikrut and Claire Kozak

Please note that the names on our parish sick list are now posted for a three-month period.

The new sick list began on May 1 and will continue through August. If you would like to add a family member to the Prayers for the Sick, please call our Parish Office at: 847.234.0205.

5:00pm: Dottie Corra; Eliseo Elisei; Ryan Stoll

8:00am: Philip Sheridan, Sr.; Ehret-Carey Families; Lorrie Nacius

10:00am: Dr. Thomas Palella; Loretta Nacius; Jane Wahner

Noon: Stephen Foley; Rosemary Pavlo; Dee Dee Dudley; People of St. Mary’s

7:30am: Buffy Rock; Loretta Nacius; Dr. Thomas Palella

7:30am: Marylynn Lolmaugh; Richard Lombardi; Thomas Kenning

7:30am: Loretta Nacius; Joan Murnane; Special Intention for Kit O’Brien

 5:00pm: Beatrice Saran; Joseph Morahan; Aldo Raganelli

8:00am: Theresa Goudie; Cimarrusti-Valentino Family; Loretta Nacius

10:00am: Denis Specketer; Ernie Hiltebrand; Dr. Renate Madsen

 Noon: Ryan Stoll; Maureen McGarrity; Patrick Inman; People of St. Mary’s

 

If you would like to request a special Mass Intention, please email our Parish Receptionists at: receptionist@churchofstmary.org and they will kindly assist you!

Sunday Collection-------------------------------------------Actual----------------Budgeted------Surplus/(Shortfall)

August 21, 2022----------------------- ----------------------- $20,491------------  -- $25,000    ---------- (-($4,509)

Total Sunday Collections Fiscal 2023 YTD----------- $180,159---------------$200,000---------------($19,841)

+  Drop in the Offertory Basket during Public Mass at the end of Mass

+ Mail Your Contribution:

----- Church of St. Mary

----- c/o Business Office

-----201 E. Illinois

-----Lake Forest, IL 60045

+ Online Giving:

Schedule your recurring donations via our online Giving safe and secure portal, GiveCentral Go to:  Church of St. Mary GiveCentral or click the image to the left.

Like the Church of St. Mary Facebook Page 

Like the Church of St. Mary Facebook Page to get notices on viewing Livestreamed Mass! Prior recorded Masses can also be watched via our Facebook Page.

information@churchofstmary.org | http://www.churchofstmary.org