December 30, 2020: Epiphany of the Lord
Parish Newsletter
The Church of St. Mary :: 201 E. Illinois Lake Forest, IL 60045
Virtual Office: 847-234-0205 :: Email: receptionist@churchofstmary.org
From the Desk of Fr. Mike Nacius, Pastor
The snow came to Lake Forest a little late for a storybook white Christmas day, but the pristine blanket of snow this past week adds to the beauty of this season as we live and proclaim the truth of Emmanuel, God with us! Enjoy making snow angels and be safe journeying these winter days. 

In past years I have been able to share the deep spiritual poetry of a friend, Fr. Larry Dowling. Following is another beauty entitled, All is Good, All is Holy. Prayerfully enjoy.


Starlight cascades thru thatched roof
As sheep and oxen feed nearby
Soothing silence fills the stable
Broken by labor’s plaintive cries.

Her breathing deepens, he grows breathless
Cradling her face in his rugged hands
He kisses her forehead, her cheek, she smiles
Prepared for the pain birthing life will demand.

As Mary rests, as he holds vigil
His thoughts wander back to simpler days
When this humble maiden stirred his heart
And stirs it still in much deeper ways.

He recalls the moment she came to him
Her father beside her, her trepidation
Tears mixed with joy, yet uncertainty
His disbelief, his shock, at her revelation.

He mourns the way he left her so quickly 
To ponder the path that he would take.
Expose her to scandal? Embrace her in faith?
Divorce her quietly, her child forsake?

So vividly now he recalls the dream
The angelic presence, her greeting so odd:
“Hail Joseph, son of David, faithful servant,
Chosen earthly father of the Son of God.”

He recalled the story Mary had shared
The angel’s greeting, the Most High’s request
Mary’s consternation, “How can this be?”
The angel’s reply, and Mary’s humble ‘yes’.

“How can this be?” that Love’s Incarnation
Rests in hope’s urging, in all faith demands
That the path to choose was already chosen
His ‘yes’ to Mary was a ‘YES’ to God’s plan.

Mary awakens, her labor begins
Deep sighs and loud cries pierce the night
Joseph draws near to midwife the child, now
Crossing the threshold of darkness to light.

Gently he places the Child in her arms
His smile erasing any remnants of pain
Her breathing slows, heart bursting with joy
Beating in rhythm with her Son’s once again.

Slowly she slips into heavenly slumber
Gently, Joseph lifts his Son to his chest
Cradling the precious Gift God has given
Holding him close, now deep in rest.

His heart races and mind wanders
Will I really be up to the task?
Will I be a good father and husband?
Can I faithfully do all that God asks?

Just then his Son, Jesus, stretches and coos
And for now, just now, all seems so right.
As peace calms his soul and warms his spirit,
All is good, all is holy, this first Christmas night.

May we pray, may we ponder on the miracle of the Incarnation in the birth of the Savior of the world. 

Today’s feast in the Christmas season is the feast of Epiphany. The magi, the wise men appear in the Scriptures for our prayerful reflection. I received a simple note from a friend with a simple question to ponder the day the magi presented gifts of gold, Frankincense and Myrrh to the Child Jesus: “What is your gift for Jesus?” 

Many have been able to come and worship with us the past six months, during the Advent and Christmas seasons. Many in our parish family continue to pray with us streaming, ever grateful when the live stream works properly. Next Sunday, the final day of the Christmas season, we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Liturgically we move rapidly the final week of the Christmas season to the very beginning of Jesus public ministry.  The entire season of Christmas is rich in beauty, symbolism and feast to celebrate and contemplate. 

On the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Sunday, January 10, 2021 from 1:00 PM -1:30 PM we will offer you the opportunity to come and receive Holy Communion from your cars on the final day of the hope filled Christmas season. 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 1:00 PM 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 I will be.  

  • Please stay in your car, with a mask fully covering your nose and mouth, waiting in prayer to receive the Eucharist. 

  • I will process from car to car, offering the Eucharist.    

I hope and pray and invite the parish to pray as well for those who have been longing to receive the Eucharist who can come to St. Mary’s on Sunday, January, 10, during the last Sunday of this beautiful Christmas season, to come and be nourished by the Eucharist. 

Thanks to all who have made a gift to the Church of St. Mary in this Christmas season. May the New Year be filled with health and hope for all God’s children around the globe. 
God bless you with hearts filled with Christ’s joy these glorious Christmas days.
  • Go to www.churchofstmary.org and click on the GiveCentral link -  Church of St. Mary GiveCentral 
  • On the GiveCentral site, you can click on, select “Sunday General Offerings” or category for your donation
  • Follow the prompts to “Make a Contribution”
  • Follow the prompts for the frequency of your support to the mission and ministry at St. Mary’s
  • Click add to my “Gift Basket”
  • The message “successfully added” will appear on your screen
  • Click “check out” and continue to follow the prompts on the screen
  • You can register and complete a “Profile” or donate as a “Guest”
  • Follow all prompts to complete registration
  • Click “I accept the User Policy”
  • Click “Confirm Gift”
New Year's Eve & New Year's Day Mass Schedule
Parish Center Holiday Office Hours
Church Schedule
SCHEDULE: Wednesday December 30, 2020 - Sunday, January 10, 2021

<--- Register for Attending & Volunteering




Wednesday, December 30, 2020:
+ 7:30am: Livestream Daily Mass
+ 7:30am: PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am --> Register via SignUp Genius
+ 8:00am: Rosary --> Register via SignUp Genius
+ 5:00-7:00pm: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament --> Register via SignUp Genius 

Thursday, December 31, 2020:
+ 7:30am: Livestream Daily Mass
+ 7:30am: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius
+ 8:00am: Rosary --> Register via SignUp Genius
+ 5:00pm: Livestream Feast of Mary, the Mother of God Mass
+ 5:00pm: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius

Friday, January 1, 2021:
+ 9:00am: Livestream Feast of Mary, the Mother of God Mass
+ 9:00am: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius

Saturday, January 2, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream Daily Mass
+ 7:30am: PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am --> Register via SignUp Genius
+ 8:00-9:00am: Reconciliation in Church, registration not required
+ 5:00pm:  Livestream Sunday Mass & PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius
 
Sunday, January 3, 2021:
+ 8:00am: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius 
+ 10:00am:  Livestream via Facebook
+ 10:00am: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius 
+ 12:00pm: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius

Monday, January 4, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream Daily Mass
+ 7:30am: PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am --> Register via SignUp Genius 
+ 8:00am: Rosary --> Register via SignUp Genius

Tuesday, January 5, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream Daily Mass
+ 7:30am: PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am --> Register via SignUp Genius 
+ 8:00am: Rosary --> Register via SignUp Genius

Wednesday, January 6, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream Daily Mass
+ 7:30am: PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am --> Register via SignUp Genius
+ 8:00am: Rosary --> Register via SignUp Genius
+ 5:00-7:00pm: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament --> Register via SignUp Genius 

Thursday, January 7, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream Daily Mass
+ 7:30am: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius
+ 8:00am: Rosary --> Register via SignUp Genius

Friday, January 8, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream Daily Mass
+ 7:30am: PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am --> Register via SignUp Genius 
+ 8:00am: Rosary --> Register via SignUp Genius

Saturday, January 9, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream Daily Mass
+ 7:30am: PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am --> Register via SignUp Genius
+ 8:00-9:00am: Reconciliation in Church, registration not required
+ 5:00pm:  Livestream Sunday Mass & PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius
 
Sunday, January 10, 2021:
+ 8:00am: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius 
+ 10:00am:  Livestream via Facebook
+ 10:00am: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius 
+ 12:00pm: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius



GENERAL GUIDELINES
Below are a few guidelines for being in the Church. There are numerous signs around the exterior and interior of the Church to help facilitate these new patterns. Due to the limited capacity, number of parishioners and our reduced Mass schedule, we ask that you sign up for a weekend Mass every other week and one weekday Mass to allow others to be able to pray in the Church and celebrate Mass in person. If the day before, there are still open slots, you may sign up.  

  • Church Entrance:  The south door, near the elevator, is the only entrance into the Church. Please form a line along the exterior south wall of the Church and a volunteer greeter will let you in.
  • Arrive On Time:  South Entrance doors will open 15 minutes prior to the start of Mass and it is strongly encouraged you arrive by the time the doors open as time is needed to Greet visitors and allow Ushers to seat you. 
  • Entrance Doors Close:  South Entrance doors will close at the start of Mass to allow volunteers to attend Mass. Thank you for allowing yourself time to arrive.
  • Volunteers:  Parish volunteers will be on site to help direct and guide all of us as we begin to open and re-enter the Church.
  • Masks/Face Covering:  Mask or face coverings are required to be worn by all individuals at all times while in the Church building.
  • Hand Sanitizer:  Sanitize your hands as you enter the Church building.
  • Social Distance:  Maintain proper social distancing of 6 feet apart, unless you are with somebody who lives in the same household as you. There are floor markings to help facilitate this.
  • 100 Persons Maximum:  A maximum of 100 individuals (excluding the priest and other ministers) are allowed in the Church at one time. In inclement weather, personal vehicles would be a necessary shelter while waiting.
  • Church Exit:  The north doors onto the main plaza will be the only exit from the Church (unless you require use of the elevator).
  • Church East Entrance - Emergency Exit Only:  Please do not use the East doors onto the stairways for either entering or exiting.
  • Surface Sanitizing: All surfaces touched by persons are sanitized prior to the next opening of the Church.
  • Restrooms Unavailable:  For the safety of all, the restrooms will not be available, unless it's an emergency.
  • Registration Required:  Registration is required through SignUp Genius for Public Mass, Adoration, Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals. 85 slots will be available online and 15 slots will be available by calling the office for those who do not have access to technology.
  • SignUp Availability: SignUps for the next week's schedule will be available through SignUp Genius after 9:00am on Friday's. Registration is required for Public Mass & Prayer, Adoration, Weddings, Funerals and Baptisms. If you need assistance, please contact the Parish Center Office during normal business hours at receptionist@churchofstmary.org or call 847-234-0205. Leave a message and they will call you back.

VOLUNTEERS
We are requesting volunteers to assist and volunteer guidelines will be sent to all volunteers when they SignUp for a Church of St. Mary Volunteer SignUP shift:

Volunteer Tasks:
  • Greeters will assist in managing the flow of congregants as they enter the church, participate in the liturgy/sacrament, and exit the church.
  • Team members will combine some of the functions of an usher, such as directing participants to appropriate seating/waiting areas, but will include additional responsibilities, including, but not limited to, making sure attendees use hand sanitizer upon entering, are wearing a mask, and are reminded not to enter if ill.
  • Given the circumstances, greeters will need to be tactful and firm paying careful attention to all people on-site. To support parish greeter teams, rudimentary training tips on handling difficult situations will be provided.
  • Volunteers will ensure that: all supplies needed for each sacramental celebration/gathering are ready for use, entrances and exits are marked and propped physically open prior to attendees' arrival/departure, and windows are opened. 
  • Volunteers will help maintain and sanitize essential and trafficked areas of the church after the church has been used. Masks and gloves will be provided, if necessary, in addition to approved cleaning/disinfecting supplies.

May God grant you peace and comfort in this time.
January 3, 2021: Gospel Reflection for Epiphany of the Lord
There is so much symbolism in just the first sentence of today’s gospel. ‘When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? ”We are told later in the reading that Judea, seeming the least of the rulers, would be where the Christ, the Messiah would come from. King Herod reigns the area and his title, given to him by the Roman Senate, is “The King of the Jews”. So when these magi from the east (probably Arab or Persian but definitely not Jewish) asking where this newborn King of the Jews is, Herod is understandably shaken to the core. His power and authority, his position are now being threatened. As well as when the Christ arrives, Herod’s corruption will be exposed! These magi want to show homage to the baby Jesus, something reserved for kings. In the times of antiquity the notion that births and deaths of great figures were accompanied by astrological phenomena was widely accepted. So having these magi follow a star would not seem unusual.

It is foretelling that it is those from other cultures and religions who recognize the baby Jesus as the King of the Jews since that is what will happen to Jesus as an adult. He will be rejected in large part by his own people but accepted by others.

Herod hypocritically tells the magi in secret that he too wants to pay homage to this newborn, but they wisely listen to a dream they have and do not return to Herod. What the magi bring as gifts are significant as well; gold, representing humanity, frankincense representing Jesus’ divinity and myrrh, an ointment used in embalming. Even at Jesus’ birth he is given gifts to signify his humanity & divinity as well as his death.

So what does this have to do with us? Well, we have opportunity to accept God’s unconditional love at any time, all the time. Whether it is in taking care of ourselves physically, emotionally & spiritually or if it is going beyond our comfort zone and reaching out to the marginalized and see them as equals, we are all the beloved of God. If others are hurting, in our family, within our group of friends, somewhere else in the world, then we are hurting. Not out of pity but out of solidarity with each other. Jesus came to remind us that God is within everyone, it’s up to us to accept that and to live that out!
School of St. Mary
From the Archdiocese
Camp Hope
Ways to Volunteer
Catholic Charities Meals on Wheels Drivers Needed

Are you interested in helping seniors in your community? Catholic Charities partners with Meals on Wheels America to provide a noontime meal for those who are homebound or unable to prepare their own food due to physical or mental difficulties. Many of our Meals-on-Wheels clients see only one person per day—our volunteers. Many of them would be unable to live independently without home-delivered meals. Volunteers are needed throughout Lake County, but the need is greatest right now in Fox Lake, Wauconda, and Mundelein. This is a great role for a group or individual who has a few hours once a week or once a month. Substitute and seasonal volunteers are needed as well!
 
For more information, please visit https://www.ccofchicagovolunteer.com/volunteer-sign-up
or contact Sue Fowler at (847) 782-4126 or sfowler@catholiccharities.net.
Plenary Indulgence in Time of Crisis
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.
Volunteer & Assistance
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:
  • TV: EWTN
  • DirecTV Channel 370
  • Dish Network Channel 261
  • Verizon Fios Channel 285
  • XFinity Channel 33, 291, 1668
  • Online:
  • 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.
  • Sunday Mass from Holy Name Cathedral (anytime)
  • http://www.catholictv.org/masses/catholictv-mass (Daily at 9:30AM)
  • Relevant Radio:  
  • 1:00 pm ET / 10:00 am PT. 
  • 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.
Daily Scripture Readings
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
Prayer for the Sick and Deceased
Please remember in your prayers those who are sick, especially:
Pierre Adam
Renata Adamiec
Peggy Adams
William Allingham
Beny Alvarez
Alexa Anderson
Baby Bower Triplets:
Rose Marie, Adelaide Marie,
and Josephine Marie
Baby Mercer
Baby Peter John O'Rourke
Elvera Baeza
Dolores Beck
Brooke Bloom
Jack Brown
Mason Jeffrey Browner
Baby Virginia Bunimovich
Francesco Camoletto
Nancy Carani
Luis and Maria Cardenas
Carmie Caluag
Nova Carlson
Sember Carlson
Michael Carpenter
Jeffrey Chicoine
Carolyn Cimarrusti-Erickson
Jacqueline Cimarrusti
Marianna Cimarrusti
Charles Cook
Virginia Cordoba
Mary Elizabeth Cran
Greg DeBoer
Louis Degaetano
Mimi Degaetano
Mike Dellefield
Lewis Dilts
Joan Dolan
Annamarie Elfering
Hannah Erickson
Susan Ewert
Abby Furco
Esperanza Galikay
Jenny Green
Jeanne Gross
Jesus Guzman
Elizabeth Hand
Margaret Hartman
John Herbert
Hannah Hodgson
Edward Hoover
Michael Hrusovsky
Patricia P. Huber
Juan Hurandas
Rafael Ibarra
Shirley Jacksack
Dolores Jansyn
Dick Jaworski
Christian Jenko
Dr. Mickey Jester
Mark Kalbus
Raine Kamm
Oceana Kashul
Mason Kelly
Genevieve Kluza
Patsy Leonard
Caroline Lyczko
Fely Macalalad
Meg Macdonald
Angela Martinez
Carolina Martinez
John Mastro
Ralph Mastro
Robert Matthei
Derrick Mathews
Donna Mathews
Yvonne Tichelbaut McClosky
Kathryn McConnell
Janet McCue
Francis McCullough
Margaret Mary McIntyre
Mary Anne Minich
Dolores Morrison
Barbara Neis
David O'Brien
Peter O'Brien
Joaquin Padilla
Tom Palella
Mary Margaret Pawl
Barbara Peddle
Mary Butterfield Peddle
James Dean Penar
Marie Pfeiffer
Lisa Pommer
Lil Porter
Marianne Powers
Carol Pozdel
Marcia Ries
Mathew Rowley
Susan Schey
Bill Shafer
Colleen Sheerer
Tai (Pascal) Shin
Joan Sparrow
Pat Spencer
Nancy Sreenan
Ellen Sreenan
Debbie Sternberg
John Sternberg
Maureen Strassburger
Elzbieta Szymanska
Leonard Teifeld
Richard Thomas
John Tocks
Linda Trueblood-Lambert
Joseph Urso
Amanda Van Vleet
Brittany Van Vleet
Martha Williams
Barbara Wilson
Robert Yale
Mass Intentions
Mass Intentions will be prayed for during a private or public daily Mass.

December 30, 2020: Thomas R. Kiwala; Hope Chrismas
December 31, 2020: William Lieber; Murt Dempsey; Helen J. Kiwala; Edward Dempsey
January 1, 2021: Ed Murray; Paula Flaherty
January 2, 2021:
7:30am: Doris Miller; Norma Robison
5:00pm: Audrey Boland Johnson; Renata Arneson
January 3, 2021:
8:00am: Cimarrusti-Valentino Family
10:00am: Ben & Ann Mack; Michael Hoch
Noon: Dottie Corra; Zaccari-Carani Families; People of St. Mary’s
January 4, 2021: Hazel Backe; Hope Chrismas
January 5, 2021: Kim Kolbe; Anita Schroeder
January 6, 2021: Vito Cimarrusti; Bruce Erickson
January 7, 2021: Audrey Boland Johnson; Renate Arneson
January 8, 2021: Frank Cimarrusti; Tadeusz Styka
January 9, 2021:
7:30am: John Gustafson; Beth Ruehlman Farlow
5:00pm: Aldo Raganelli; James Krause
January 10, 2021:
8:00am: Mary & Carl E. Moore
10:00am: Kathryn Larson; Barry Mitchell
Noon: Stephen Foley, Sr., Helene Meyenberg; 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!
Stewardship
“..they fell down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh...”   MATTHEW 2:11

Notice the order of events in the Magi’s visit. First, they knelt before Jesus and prayed to Him. Then they presented Him with their gifts. We, too, must take time to pray before we present our gifts to the Lord. We never know what God may be asking us to share!


Sunday Collection            Actual      Budgeted    Surplus/(Shortfall)
Total Sunday Collections Fiscal 2021 YTD   $511,994     $525,000            ($13,006)

Christmas Collection Fiscal 2021 YTD      $234,980     $225,000  $9,980
THANK YOU for CONTINUING TO SUPPORT the Church of St. Mary
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:
Schedule your recurring donations via our online Giving safe and secure portal, GiveCentral Go to:  Church of St. Mary GiveCentral or click the image below.
 
Thank you! 
Stay Connected
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.
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!
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!