January 10, 2021: Baptism 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
Our joyous and beautiful celebration of Emmanuel God with us, Jesus our Savior concludes with today’s feast of the Baptism of the Lord. What a Christmas we have shared, prayed and celebrated at the Church of St. Mary.
Many thanks to all who had their hands and hearts in organizing and preparing for the season of Christmas at St. Mary’s….

Thanks to Bill Gorczynski and Gustavo Garcia for helping prepare and set up for the Advent and Christmas seasons.

Thanks to Lake Forest Flowers, John Looby and Eileen Looby Weber for the beautiful Christmas arrangements in the sanctuary. 

Thanks to Mr. John Chapman for the beautiful music and the harpists, violinists and other accompanists this Christmas season. Thanks also to the cantors for guiding us in sung prayer. 

Thanks to the effort and talent of the Art and Environment Committee of the parish. I am sure they will enhance our worship in the upcoming seasons of this liturgical year. 

Thanks to our wonderful team of volunteers that help welcome worshippers and sanitize our church for the worship and prayer of parishioners.

Thanks to all who have remembered the Church of St. Mary, not only with their continued offertory support but for all who contributed generously to the Christmas collection this year. 

May our lives of faith reveal simple, routine, ordinary and faithful ways our recognition and belief in the presence of Emmanuel God with us at all times in our lives. 

Today, we celebrate Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan. It is a good day for us to reflect on our journey of faith, since our baptism, be it years or decades ago, for ourselves, our children and for those who are godparents for our godchildren. Let’s pray that one and all may remain ever faithful to the baptismal promises that deepen our relationship with the Lord. 

Recently an email came across my desk that shares 10 resolutions of Pope Francis for 2021. As I read and pray with these, they most clearly come from the faithful heart of Pope Francis and are clearly rooted in our lived faith. They are rooted in our relationship with Jesus. 

The 10 resolutions are as follows….

  1. Don’t gossip
  2. Finish your meals
  3. Make time for others
  4. Choose “the more” humble purchase
  5. Meet the poor “in the flesh”
  6. Stop judging others
  7. Befriend those who disagree
  8. Make commitments, such as marriage
  9. Make it a habit “to ask the Lord”
  10. Be happy

 As I have reflected and prayed with them, they echo strongly who we are in Christ Jesus and how we are to live our lives in Christ Jesus. 

At the Sunday Masses we will include the sprinkling rite in place of the penitential rite. The use of the Holy Water can recall our baptism and the choices we make on a daily, regular and consistent basis to deepen that friendship with Jesus.  

Sunday, at 1:00 PM, we will be offering the gift of the Eucharist in Holy Communion in the Oakwood Parking lot. We are asking parishioners to line up in their cars east of the breezeway of the school. I will be distributing the Eucharist to people in their cars. 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 on this final Sunday of the season of Christmas. 

May this year be filled with spiritual growth rooted in the Eucharist and in personal prayer, may we live healthy lives and may we be a beacon and a light to others of Jesus. 

You are invited to join with other parishioners this coming Friday evening. Our Parent’s Association is offering an online streaming Trivia Night. See information in this email blast of how you can gather with a few friends in the safety of your home, support the Parent’s Association and enjoy some fun and laughter. Thanks to the Parent’s Association for offering this opportunity for our parish community. 

God bless you with Christmas hearts of peace, joy and promise. 
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.  

  • Fr. Mike will process from car to car, offering the Eucharist.  

We 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. 
Church Schedule
SCHEDULE: Saturday January 9, 2021 - Sunday, January 17, 2021

<--- Register for Attending & Volunteering




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
+ 1:00pm-1:30pm: Receive Holy Communion from your cars on the final day of the hope filled Christmas season.

Monday, January 11, 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 12, 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 13, 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 14, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream Daily Mass
+ 7:30am: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius
+ 8:00am: Rosary --> Register via SignUp Genius

Friday, January 15, 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 16, 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 17, 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 10, 2021: Gospel Reflection for Baptism of the Lord
Although this gospel is short in length it is large with information! We heard part of this gospel on the 2nd Sunday of Advent but this Sunday we hear a bit more beyond the fact that John the Baptist came to prepare everyone for the mission and ministry of Jesus. John’s role is to get everyone he can, including us, to be spiritually ready to hear what Jesus has to say and to have their hearts, minds and souls open to living out Jesus’ mission and ministry. In order to do that one must be baptized with water for the forgiveness of sin. How are we to know if someone has repented; by their actions, by bearing good fruit. John is calling people to a change of heart, soul and behavior. The Greek word for this is metanoia. We are to constantly be in a state of metanoia, being open to the will of God and allowing that to transform how we live our lives. Our entire consciousness, our way of life, should be in line with what God wants for us.

We start Sunday’s gospel with John proclaiming that although he baptizes people with water for the forgiveness of sin, there is one mightier than he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. The author of the gospel does this because we are conditioned to think that whoever baptizes with water is higher than those receiving baptism. If that were true then how can Jesus be baptized by John since Jesus is clearly higher than John? Jesus allows this to happen so that he may be in solidarity with humanity. Although Jesus has no sin to be forgiven of, he places himself alongside humanity so he goes through the trials and tribulations that we do. Jesus truly puts himself in a position to fully understand our pain and suffering as well as our joy.

There are two types of baptism being spoken of here, baptism by water for the forgiveness of sin and baptism by the Holy Spirit so that we may receive our own unique God given mission. One must be baptized by water first so that we are open to receive the Holy Spirit and thus our unique God given mission. This baptism by Spirit will become the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Christian tradition.

When we are baptized, we die to ourselves; to being self-centered, and rise to being of God. Jesus enters the water of the Jordan and as he rises the heavens rip open, never to be sealed again. Divinity and creation are now joined by Jesus! He is the conduit between the two. As Jesus rises and the dove descends upon him, he hears God say “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Jesus has just been told by God that he is the Son of God! Can you imagine what that must have been life for Jesus? Personally, I can only imagine and probably not even very good at that. The Spirit will lead Jesus to the desert to spend a concerted amount of time to grapple with what it means to be the Son of God. It makes one reflect on who are the people in our lives who like John the Baptist and Jesus, help us be open to the divine will of God? What was/is it about those people that spoke to your heart and soul? Have you ever told those people, that they have helped you along your spiritual journey?
Taize
School of St. Mary
Get your tickets! It's our First Ever Trivia Night!

**Registrations that include 4 craft beer sets must be done via Give Central no later than Friday, January 8th so Beermiscuous has time to prepare the sets! After that you may still register & receive a beer set as supplies last. **

Looking for a new and fun way to spend time with friends, have a few drinks together, and all from the safety and comfort of your own home?

Then we've got just the night you've been looking for! This event is for all adults, maximum capacity is 75.

Please join us for an hour of fun trivia. We'll have 4 rounds of questions with some very-fun hosts. In addition, we've partnered with a great local business, Beermiscuous, and put together an exciting and tasty 4 beer sampler pack. We'll share interesting tasting notes, put together from their own Beeristas, of each beer as we begin each round of questions. Prepare your minds and brush up on your trivia because we've got some fun prizes for our winners, too!

What you need to know...

Date: January 15th, 7pm - 8pm

Where: Your couch! Once your ticket is purchased, we will send the link to access the online trivia. Purchase your tickets HERE.

Cost: $25 pp. Each ticket includes a 4 beer sampler pack thoughtfully put together from Beermiscuous.

Sampler packs can be picked up between 1/13-1/14 at Heather Fowler's, 1035 Forest Hill Rd, Lake Forest between 9am & 3pm. Call Heather to make arrangements for alternate pick up times.
224-804-7774.

Want to know more about this great local business? Beermiscuous is home to hundreds of beers and is the perfect stop to pop in and grab some new and fun beverages. See their website for more info. www.beermiscuous.com
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.
The Soup Kitchen at Most Blessed Trinity is still serving those in need, but on a “take out” basis. As we have for the last several months, we will prepare “brown bag suppers” for our guests again on January 15. Our packets contain a well-filled meat and cheese sandwich, bag of chips, granola bar, a piece of fruit, and a drink (water or juice). We will need between 75 and 90 meals, and would welcome contributions of:

  • Loaves of sandwich bread, preferably whole wheat
  • Ham or turkey
  • Sliced cheddar, American, or Swiss cheese
  • Individual bags of chips
  • Granola bars
  • Oranges, apples, tangerines
  • Juice boxes or bottles/cans of water

Any and all contributions are welcome. Since the Parish Center is closed, we would ask that you deliver them to Ellen Tierney. Please contact Ellen if you need any additional information: at ellenkelly@comcast.net or (847.295.4649)
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
Charlene Roberts
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.

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
January 11, 2021: John & Theresa Lee
January 12, 2021: People of St. Mary’s
January 13, 2021: Souls in Purgatory
January 14, 2021: People of St. Mary’s
January 15, 2021: Edith Rizzo; Ehret-Carey Family
January 16, 2021:
7:30am: James Riley
5:00pm: Maria & Sam Scopelliti; George Gabrielsen
January 17, 2021:
8:00am: People of St. Mary’s
10:00am: Kenneth Hintzke; Stefan Heinrich
Noon: Mary O’Brien; Anne &Ted Clifford; 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










Sunday Collection            Actual      Budgeted    Surplus/(Shortfall)
January 3, 2021                                  $46,700      $21,000                $25,700
 
Total Sunday Collections Fiscal 2021 YTD   $558,693     $546,000           $12,693


Christmas Collection Fiscal 2021 YTD      $274,740     $225,000   $49,740
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.

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