December 12, 2021: The Third Sunday of Advent
Gaudete Sunday
PARISH NEWSLETTER
The Church of St. Mary :: 201 E. Illinois Lake Forest, IL 60045
Parish Office Hours: 8:30am to 4:00pm Monday - Friday
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------Today, on the 3rd Sunday of Advent, let us rejoice in the Lord!! May each and every one of us make time in our hearts, make time in our lives, make time on our calendars to actively and prayerfully make room for spiritual growth in these days of Advent waiting and Advent hope.
------As I wrote in my article last week, family prayer time, family devotions are passed on from one generation to the next. I am confident that many families at St. Mary’s make prayerful use of Advent calendars for prayer with their children during the Advent season. It seems like the secular world has noticed this opportunity as people have shared with me the Advent calendars they bought didn’t begin on the first Sunday of Advent, but on December 1. Those in the secular marketplace can sell calendars from one year to the next that begin with December 1, while we know that Advent always begins in November.
------Speaking with a good friend she shared with me her excitement about sharing a Lego’s Advent calendar with her precious grandson. I asked her, “A Legos Advent calendar? I had never heard of such a thing!” She sent me a text with a picture of the gift she was giving to her grandchild. Sure enough, the Lego City Advent calendar states: “Kids can count down to the big day with the Lego City Advent calendar featuring an awesome prize behind every door.” While the marketing of this product may not have mentioned the countdown to Christmas, I am sure this faith-filled loving Grandmother will make sure her grandson knows that Jesus is the reason for the season that we proudly call Christmas.
------Throughout the year parishioners are very generous in support of St. Mary’s and in support of many other very worthy causes. Recently, parishioners’ generosity was demonstrated in donations of over 230 $50 gift cards received through the Guild of St. Mary Giving Tree! This weekend many people will be bringing food items to help “Pack the Pantry” at Most Blessed Trinity Parish. Many other organizations, some with ties to direct outreach of the parish, and others near and dear to your hearts benefit from your kindness and support.
------We have already been receiving Christmas envelopes from parishioners. I am grateful that the parishioners are very generous, remembering the Church of St. Mary at Christmas. The budget for the Christmas collection this year is $250,000. With everyone contributing what they can, in support of the parish, I am confident that your generosity will shine forth again as it regularly does.
------The Archdiocese of Chicago 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal is being supported by thousands of parishioners across the Archdiocese. Contributions to the 2021 Catholic Appeal can be offered through the end of January 2022. Thanks for your generous support of the Archdiocesan Appeal.
------Recently, I received the PADS Lake County newsletter. There were some very interesting statistics they shared informing readers of what they have accomplished. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, PADS Lake County has moved 1,257 people into permanent housing. (One of their top priorities is finding long term solutions for their guests.) Over 140,000 meals have been served due to the partners and volunteers. They have served over 2,000 people. Over 760 people received shelter from the elements; over 730 people have stayed safe in their own homes. They have engaged with over 150 people building relationships with anyone living outside to provide a path to housing. Thanks to all those who support Deacon Jack and his ministry to PADS Lake County on the second Friday of the month, providing meals for the guests of PADS from October through April each year.
------The Vocations Office of the Archdiocese of Chicago is holding an information session titled, “Who Will Fill These Shoes?” on Tuesday, December 28 from 5:00 – 8:30pm. Parents are invited to attend with a son who is between the ages of 13-30. This event will be held at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein. For more information you can contact Sharon Porter in the Vocations office at Shporter@archchicago.org. Let’s continue to pray for and support our youth in growing in faith, maturing in their relationship with the Lord, and the openness to consider to learn more about and possibly pursue a religious vocation.
------You are invited to stop by and enjoy the Pancake Breakfast in the Upper Grade School cafeteria after Mass on Gaudete Sunday from 7:30am to 1:00pm!
May God bless us with prayerful preparation in this season of joy,
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Fr. Mike Nacius and The Parish Finance Council is pleased to present the Annual Financial Report for the period ending June 30, 2021. The Church of St. Mary has navigated another year of challenge and uncertainty and is in excellent financial position. First and foremost, we have you, our parishioners, to thank for our good fortune. Your generosity and support have ensured that our parish remains vibrant, our Blue Ribbon school continues to educate our children at a high level, and we are able to serve our parish ministries and those in need throughout our community. The Parish Finance Council remains focused on serving and advising our Pastor, Fr. Nacius, as he leads our parish forward.
Thank you for your stewardship, in Christ,
Fr. Mike Nacius & The Parish Finance Council
To view the Annual Report please click HERE.
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Children's Worship Bulletin for December 12, 2021:
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Learn more about the School of St. Mary!
Please join Mandy Castle, Director of Admissions, at one of our upcoming Admissions events to learn more about the programs offered at the School of St. Mary. Most of the programs are virtual, current and prospective students are encouraged to attend.
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Friday, December 10: Virtual Kindergarten Information Session
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Support the School of St. Mary at the
Lake Forest Station Pop-up Shop
The Lake Forest Metra station has been transformed into a unique pop-up shop benefitting local non-profits, and SOSM is one of the non-profits! We will have SOSM branded gifts as well as ornaments with a painting of the Church of St. Mary and school in the winter. There will also be student-made ornaments from both the primary and upper-grade center students, and SOSM spirit items including car magnets, face masks, and winter gear.
The shop is open Thursday-Saturday 11:00am - 5:00pm through December 30.
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HOLY COMMUNION TO THOSE IN CARS
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In the months ahead, we will be offering you the opportunity to come and receive the gift of the Eucharist in Holy Communion from your cars. This will take place on the last Sunday of each month, our next opportunity will be Sunday, December 26. All are welcome. This opportunity is especially for those who are not able to worship in person at St. Mary’s.
Please follow the directions below:
- Starting at 1:00pm, after the congregation leaves the Noon Mass, cars may line up entering from the east Oakwood entrance.
- Driving through the parking lot, proceed under the school breezeway and drive behind the church, stopping by the south church/elevator entrance where the priest will be.
- Please stay in your car, with a mask fully covering your nose and mouth, waiting in prayer to receive the Eucharist.
- The priest will process from car to car, offering the Eucharist.
- After you receive the Eucharist you can pull over, parking your car in the parking lot, offering a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist.
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SCHEDULE: Saturday, December11 - Sunday, December 19, 2021
Saturday, December 11, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
+ 8:00am: Reconciliation in Church
+ 9:30am: Baby Jesus Birthday Party - Church
+ 5:00pm: Livestream Sunday Mass & PUBLIC MASS
+ 5:00pm:Pack the Pantry Collection - Green Bay Road parking lot
Sunday, December 12, 2021:
+ 7:30 am to 1:00pm: Pack the Pantry Collection - Green Bay Road parking lot
+ 7:30am to 1:00pm: Pancake Breakfast - UGC Cafeteria
+ 8:00am: PUBLIC MASS
+ 10:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
+ 12:00pm: PUBLIC MASS
Monday, December 13, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am
Tuesday, December 14, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am
+7:00pm - “That Man is You” -PCCR
Wednesday, December 15, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am
+ 5:00 - 6:30pm: Eucharistic Adoration & Benediction - Church
Thursday, December 16, 2021:
+ 9:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
Friday, December 17, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am
Saturday, December 18, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
+ 8:00am: Reconciliation in Church
+ 5:00pm: Livestream Sunday Mass & PUBLIC MASS
Sunday, December 19, 2021:
+ 8:00am: PUBLIC MASS
+ 10:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
+ 12:00pm: PUBLIC MASS
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FROM AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE
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PLENARY INDULGENCE IN TIME OF CRISIS
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Plenary Indulgence
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.
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To find ways to volunteer within our community and to seek assistance from the parish please click here.
Here is a List of Places You may watch Mass on TV, Radio or Online:
- Online:
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Church of St. Mary Livestream can be found on our Facebook Page. View past celebrated Masses or join us for a current Livestream Mass according to the schedule in this newsletter.
- TV: EWTN
- DirecTV Channel 370
- Dish Network Channel 261
- Verizon Fios Channel 285
- XFinity Channel 33, 291, 1668
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Relevant Radio:
- 1:00 pm ET / 10:00 am PT.
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These Masses will be broadcast live on your local station, on the Relevant Radio® app, at relevantradio.com, and on my Father Rocky Facebook page so you can tune in from wherever you are. The Mass will be rebroadcast each evening at 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT on your local station.
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To read the Daily Scripture readings you may go to usccb.org and select "Daily Reading" at the top left menu.
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WEDDING BANNS
PRAYER FOR THE SICK AND DECEASED
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Wedding Banns-----I
------III BrianTorbik and Olivia Napier
------III Cody Matchen and Kristin Vargas
------I Philip Lecaroz and Anne Chapman
Please remember in your prayers those who are sick, especially:
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Baby George Marotz
Gail Benvenuto
Barbara Birmingham
Brooke Bloom
Carmie Caluag
Nancy Carani
Jacqueline Cimarrusti
Marian Cimarrusti
Joan Dolan
Carolyn C. Erickson
Patrick Gasey
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Winifred Hartman
Grace DeLacy Jeffers
Suzanna Kocsis
Carolina Martinez
Robert Matthei
Lorrie Nacius
Christine Norton
Ananias Ponce
John Sternberg
Ann Barret Stroh
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Please note that the names on our parish sick list will now be posted for a three-month period. (The current list is for November through January.)
If you would like to add a family member to the Prayers for the Sick, please call our Parish Office at: 847.234.0205.
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Please remember in your prayers those who have gone to their eternal rest with Our Lord, especially:
David Craigmile, Sr. (husband of Carol Craigmile; father of father Deborah, Jennifer, Catherine, David, Charles, and Nancy)
Peter Weldon (cousin of Deacon Jack [Catherine] Herrmann)
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Mass Intentions will be prayed for during a private or public daily Mass.
Saturday, December 11, 2021:
7:30am: Dr. Thomas Palella; Denice Moughamian
5:00pm: Maria & Sam Scopelliti; Special Intention for Dennis and Shirley Coppi
Sunday, December 12, 2021:
8:00am: Raymond Cimarrusti; Mary & Michael Yoo
10:00am: Agnes Didier; Jeanne McKiernan
Noon: Carl Deckmeyer; Jeanne McKiernan
Monday, December 13, 2021:
Joseph Campagna; Dr. Thomas Palella
Tuesday, December 14, 2021:
Dr. Thomas Palella; Joseph Morahan
Wednesday, December 15, 2021:
Joseph & Lois Morahan; The Souls in Purgatory
Thursday, December 16, 2021:
William Luke Leonard; Robert Pommer
Friday, December 17, 2021:
Joseph Campagna; Joseph & Lois Morahan
Saturday, December 18, 2021:
7:30am: Dr. Thomas Palella; Mrs. Martha Carroll
5:00pm: Eliseo Elisei; Dorina Mentuccia
Sunday, December 19, 2021:
8:00am: Mary Fox; William Luke Leonard; Richard & Alison Haghighat
10:00am: - Murray Conzelman, Barbara Claeys
Noon: Frank Sylvester; Deacon John Lucas
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!
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“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” ------------------ (PHILIPPIANS 4:6)
St. Paul reminds us that our God is an abundant God, the ultimate giver of gifts. He promises to give us all that we need. When we trust that God will take care of us, it is easier for us to share what we have been given.
Sunday Collection ------- ----------- Actual Budgeted Surplus/(Shortfall)
December 5, 2021----------------------------------------- $23,868 -------- $22,000 -------- $1,868
Total Sunday Collections Fiscal 2022 YTD --- $504,304 -- $506,000 ----- ($1,696)
Sharing Parish Collection Fiscal 2022 YTD --------- $53,264
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THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH OF ST. MARY
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We are grateful for the outpouring of support from parishioners while we navigate financially. Thank you for continuing to support your parish as well as our sharing parish, Most Blessed Trinity. Thank you for mailing your contribution to the Parish Office or scheduling your online donation. Offertory basket will be made available during Sunday Public Masses as well for your offering.
Ways To Give
+ 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:
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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.
Thank you!
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Church of St. Mary Website
Bookmark our parish website for information on all parish ministries, events, contact information, and more!
Information on our Mass Schedule, Sacraments, School, Religious Education, Youth Ministry, Guild of St. Mary, Liturgical Ministries, Bible Study, RCIA, Bulletins, Gospel Reading Podcasts, Homily Podcasts, and more can all be found on our webpage.
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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.
Like the Church of St. Mary Facebook page to see regular updates from popular Catholic pages such as the Archdiocese of Chicago, Cardinal Blase Cupich, and the USCCB. See news from the School of St. Mary, Guild of St. Mary, Religious Education Program, Youth Ministry, and upcoming events at our parish!
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The Church of St. Mary has a YouTube channel! Once we have 1000k subscribers, we can stream live! Look for the black and white image of the Church of St. Mary when searching for the channel or click on either image here to go straight there! Don't forget to subscribe! |
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