January 16, 2022: The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 16, 2022:

The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

PARISH NEWSLETTER

The Church of St. Mary :: 201 E. Illinois Lake Forest, IL 60045

Parish Office Hours: 8:30am to 4:00pm Monday - Friday

Phone: (847) 234.0205 :: Email: receptionist@churchofstmary.org

www.churchofstmary.org :: https://www.facebook.com/ChurchofStMaryLF/

-------If you heard a collective sigh of relief this past Friday, it may have been the administration, faculty and students at the School of St. Mary exhaling as they completed the second quarter of the current academic year. The midway point provides cause for reflection and gratitude. We have been able, with the commitment of the faculty and administration, and the support of families and students, to provide in-person education since we opened the doors back in August 2021. We anticipate the next two semesters of the year will be filled with the students learning, the faculty teaching, the administration leading, and the benefactors and families supporting the many educational efforts that make our school the Blue-Ribbon school that draws families and students from over 20 communities.

-------The School administration and faculty have been planning exciting and fun events for the Catholic Schools Week at our school. Catholic Schools Week begins on Sunday, January 30th. The School of St. Mary will be offering a virtual open house on Sunday, January 30th at 11:00 AM for current and future parents of students to learn about the many offerings and the quality education provided at the school. There are other events that will take place in the school throughout the week. Information for these events will be promoted through the parish and school websites as well as many social media posts. The theme for the 2022 week of celebration is Catholic Schools Week: Faith – Excellence – Service. It is not possible to list the many positives that take place each day in the school. For more information regarding enrollment, please contact Mandy Castle, Director of Admission, at the School of St. Mary.

-------The annual national Collection for the Church in Latin America (CLA) will be the weekend of January 22-23. The 2022 campaign highlights the faith of Latin America and the many opportunities we have to share faith with them. We also recognize the tremendous benefit of having our Latin American brothers and sisters in the Church and the revitalization their fervor brings to the faith. In addition to offering our help and support to the Catholics of Latin America, we have much to learn from them.

-------The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops invites you to aid our faithful brothers and sisters in the Catholic Church of Latin America. To learn more about who the collection benefits, visit How to Give: www.usccb.org/committees/church-latin-america/how-give participate next weekend. To learn more about who the collection benefits, information is available at www.usccb.org/committees/church-latin-america . By following either of these links you will hear that Bishop Octavio Cisneros invites you to help strengthen families, fund Catholic education, and foster priestly and religious vocations by giving to the Collection for the Church in Latin America. For over 50 years, Catholics in the United States have expressed solidarity with the Church from Mexico to the Caribbean, to the southern tip of South America through the Collection.

------As we worship this weekend, the second Sunday of Ordinary time, we are taught by the first of Jesus’ signs recorded in the Gospel of John, The Wedding Feast at Cana. Like the couple at the wedding, do you know people who have had the “wine run out” in their lives? People are bogged down by the injustices of the world. People struggle caring for their families. Families struggle in their faith, prioritizing the importance of prayer, worship, and the Eucharist in their lives. Some feel distant from God rather than knowing and trusting that God is always with them. Repeated struggles leave many in our world feeling empty. It is easy to lose hope at such moments in our lives. May we deepen our trust and resolve to turn to God, to seek out Jesus in our lives this year, supporting family and friends struggling, giving thanks for the support that comes our way when we are in need.

------May God bless you in 2022,y God bless you in 2022,

Children's Worship Bulletin for January 9, 2021:

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

There will be an Informational Meeting on Saturday, January 29, 12:00-1:00pm via Zoom^®.

(watch for link coming soon!)

All are invited who may be interested in the trip as well as those already registered. Hope you can join us!!

Please see more information about the pilgrimage in the brochure HERE .

Annual Fund = Crusader Fund

The Crusader Annual Fund is the new name for the SOSM Annual Fund. New branding, same mission; to bridge the funding gap and ensure that our students and teachers can continue to live our motto: To Learn. To Serve. To Lead.

Be a Crusader and give today at Crusader Fund (via givecentral.org)

HOLY COMMUNION TO THOSE IN CARS

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, January 30. 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.

CHURCH SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE: Saturday, January 15 - Sunday, January 23, 2022

Saturday, January 15, 2022:

+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS

+ 5:00pm: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS

Sunday, January 16, 2022:

+ 8:00am: PUBLIC MASS

+ 10:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS

+ 12:00pm: PUBLIC MASS

Monday, January 17, 2022:

Parish Office Closed