December 19, 2021: The Fourth Sunday of Advent
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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-------We come together on the fourth and final Sunday of this Advent season. We have been praying our way through the hope-filled season, at St. Mary’s, in our homes, with friends and loved ones. In the days to come we will be sharing with friends and family the gift of Emmanuel, the Prince of Peace, born as Savior of the world.
-------We know that Mary and Joseph did not have the modern conveniences that we know in the 21st century. The Holy Family experienced many challenges in the pregnancy, birth, and life of our Lord. As we celebrate Mary and Joseph welcoming their Son, the Christ child, this year it is as important as ever to prepare for safe and healthy celebrations with loved ones.
-------I received the following in a newsletter from Loyola Hospital and share it with one and all as we look forward with joy to our Christmas celebrations, at St. Mary’s and with loved ones. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer valuable holiday guidance to help you lower the risk of contracting and spreading the virus.
-------The CDC recommends celebrating virtually or only with members of your own household (who are consistently taking measures to reduce to spread of COVID-19) as the best way to stay safe and healthy this holiday season and to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.
Are you hosting a holiday gathering?
If you are still planning to host a holiday event, you should:
Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination by getting yourself and other eligible people around them vaccinated.
Celebrate with family or household members only to prevent the risk of spreading COVID-19. Ask non-household friends and family to stay home this year.
Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors, or by placing central air and-heating on continuous circulation.
Clean hands often – Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when entering and-exiting social gatherings. Make sure there is adequate soap or hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol available.
Limit the number of people handling or serving food – If serving any food, consider identifying one person to serve all food so that multiple people are not handling the serving utensils.
Are you going to an event?
If you are planning to attend a holiday gathering, you should also:
Wear a well-fitted mask in a public indoor setting.
Consider arriving early or at off-peak times to avoid crowding.
Are you planning to travel this holiday season?
Traveling increases the chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others. If you are considering traveling for the holidays, the CDC has information to help you decide what is best for you and your-family. Washing your hands and avoiding touching your face will help keep you and-those around you safer. Also consider whether COVID-19 is spreading at your destination. The more cases at your destination, the more likely you are to get infected during travel and spread the virus to others when you return.”
-------These guidelines offered from the hospital coincide with protocols we have been instructed by the Archdiocese of Chicago to use during the COVID pandemic, including wearing masks in church. May our holidays, our Masses, and our loved ones be joyous and safe.
-------We hope that you and your loved ones enjoy the beauty of Christmas with family and friends, especially if you are traveling away from town. The schedule of Masses appears in the bulletin and newsletter for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, as well as the Feast of the Holy Family on Sunday, December 26.
-------May we welcome with joy and gladness all who celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world at St. Mary’s this Christmas, and throughout the Christmas season.
-------God bless you with receptive hearts to the birth of the Prince of Peace,
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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 19, 2021:
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ST. MARY'S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
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As we enter into this last week of Advent, we invite the parish to continue to pray along with the families and classes of the Religious Education Program. Daily Advent reflections, using the beautiful traditional Jesse Tree, can be found through the RE website under the Faith at Home Tab. The symbols on the Jesse Tree point to events and persons that stand out in our history of God and His people, leading up to Jesus' coming. They show us the unveiling of God's promise, bit by bit, as He reaches out over the centuries to invite His children to share ever more fully in friendship and life.
Reminders:
* No Classes: December 19, 21, 26, & 28 in observance of the Christmas Break
Questions? Contact 847.234.0090 | religioused@churchofstmary.org
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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, December 18 - Sunday, December 26, 2021
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
Monday, December 20, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am
Tuesday, December 21, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am
+7:00pm - “That Man is You” -PCCR
Wednesday, December 22, 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 23, 2021:
+ 9:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
Friday, December 24, 2021: ~ Christmas Eve
Parish Office Closes at Noon
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am
+ 4:00pm: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
+ 4:00pm: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS at Woodlands Chapel
+ 6:00pm: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
+ 11:00pm: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
Saturday, December 25, 2021:
+ 9:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
+ 11:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
Sunday, December 26, 2021:
+ 8:00am: PUBLIC MASS
+ 10:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
+ 12:00pm: PUBLIC MASS
+ 1:00pm: Holy Communion to those in cars - Oakwood parking lot
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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 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
Margaret Bower
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
Drue Stoehr
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:
Johnn Mirchandani (husband of Indra Mirchandani; father of Kavi [Mark] Larson, Nina [Peter] Witmer, and Gita and Girish Mirchandani; grandfather of Nikhil, Pierce, John, Olivia, Rachel, Elly, Ella, and Sam)
Jadwiga Olszewski (mother of Margaret Olszewski)
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Mass Intentions will be prayed for during a private or public daily Mass.
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
Monday, December 20, 2021:
Anna Deckmeyer; Roger McGuire
Tuesday, December 21, 2021:
Deacon John Lucas; Michael Losacco; Rosalinda Dizon
Wednesday, December 22, 2021:
Cecelia & Francis Yoo; Bernice Kozlowski
Thursday, December 23, 2021:
Sun Yoo; Rev. John P. Daly, S.J.
Friday, December 24, 2021: ~ Christmas Eve
7:30am: Steven Malin, Jr.; Michael Winn
All Christmas Eve Masses for the People of St. Mary’s
Saturday, December 25, 2021: ~ Christmas Day
All Masses for the People of St. Mary’s
Sunday, December 26, 2021:
8:00am: Joseph Good, Sr.; Dottie Corra
10:00am: Shane Edward Kelly; Bob Kearns
Noon: Stephen Foley, Sr.;Special Intention for Ashley & Dawson Van Winkle; 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!
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“For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy.”
------------------------------------------------(LUKE 1:44)
When you hear the scripture readings and Gospel reading each Sunday, do you “leap for joy?” If not, don’t blame the lecturer or priest, rather look inside yourself. Do you prepare for Mass each week or do you just show up and expect to be entertained? We are called to be active participants, not passive by-standers.
Sunday Collection ------- ------- ---- Actual Budgeted Surplus/(Shortfall)
December 12, 2021----------------------------------- $41,990 ----- $22,000 ----- $19,990
Total Sunday Collections Fiscal 2022 YTD $546,293 $528,000 --- $18,293
Retirement Fund for Religious Collection
Fiscal 2022 YTD ---------------------------------------- $6,117
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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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