July 25, 2021: Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

PARISH NEWSLETTER

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

Office: (847) 234.0205 :: Email: [email protected]

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

FROM THE DESK OF FR. MIKE

-----May God’s grace be with you and loved ones as we try to give thanks for the blessings in our lives, find leisure in the summer, knowing that God’s grace is never on vacation but is continually guiding us to love, to care, to serve with kindness and compassion.

-----This weekend the parish returns to printing out a bulletin to promote and support the ministries of the parish, local parishes and the Archdiocese. You are encouraged to take one home with you this Sunday.

-----Phase 5 in the State of Illinois continues to guide many of our activities.

-----Last week on my day off I decided to get a haircut. I was told that if I wanted a haircut, I would have to wear a mask. I returned back to the car before getting my summer haircut.

-----Recently I went into Target to get some items for the rectory. Being vaccinated I entered the store mask-less. For a moment I felt like I was in a foreign land. The majority of the people that I met in Target were all wearing masks.

-----When I get together with my priest peers to enjoy a game of golf, we do not need to wear masks out on the green fairways; sometimes in the shaded woods or in the beach like sand traps and serene streams that at times receive one of our mis-hit golf shots.

-----When I bring my mom to an appointment at one of her doctors’ offices, masks are the norm.

-----When I greet people coming to Mass, I am asked, “Father, do our children need to wear a mask?” I respond, “I will allow the parents to make that decision.”

-----What has been your experience with Phase 5 of your comings and goings and your experience this summer with family and friends in the places you frequent?

-----St. Mary’s continues to work with the Archdiocese of Chicago COVID Task Force as plans continue for our Religious Education and upcoming in person year of education at our three-time Blue Ribbon school.

-----We will continue to look at ways that we can return to some of the familiar ways of the past as we come to celebrate in the Eucharist. We hope to have Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priest and deacon at Mass. For that to take place we will need volunteers.

-----In speaking with priest peers, trying to get people to resume liturgical ministry is a present day challenge not only at St. Mary’s but in many parishes. The need for ushers and greeters, altar servers, and sacristans and many liturgical roles will hopefully be filled by healthy and generous parishioners. As we go forward with Phase 5 in the Archdiocese, may the steps be taken with care, concern, trust, and commitment to caring for one another, the good of all, as family members, all part of God’s family, sisters and brothers in our midst.

-----I am taking the weekend off enjoying some leisure time in Wisconsin.

-----May your summer be filled with joy, peace, prayer, and the recognition of God’s grace.

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 on July 25. 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.

Are you interested in learning about the Catholic faith? Are you searching for a deeper relationship with God? Do you desire a sense of belonging in a faith community?

St. Mary’s will soon begin a new journey in faith to share the richness of the Catholic Church and our parish family here at the Church of St. Mary in Lake Forest.

We wish to share with you an invitation to one of our great programs here at the Church of St. Mary. The program is the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, or RCIA.

We are reaching out to see if you, or somebody you know, would like to learn more about the Catholic faith. We invite you to learn what the Church teaches, and to be introduced to some of our parish members.

Come join us for conversation and refreshments on any of these dates:

------Parish Center, 201 E. Illinois Rd., Lake Forest

---------7:00pm Wednesday, July 28

---------9:00am Saturday, July 31

---------7:00pm Tuesday, August 3

Bring a friend, come meet new friends or come alone, but let us know if you are coming!

(847) 234.0205 or [email protected]

Do not hesitate to give us a call or email us for more information or with any questions.

We look forward to meeting you!

Summer School of Faith 2021

Water into Wine:

Christianity and the Transformation of Culture

in a Post Christian Age

July 27: What’s Old is What’s New: “Be Not Afraid!”

All Classes will be at the School of St. Mary Upper-Grade Center Multi-Purpose Room

185 East Illinois Road, Lake Forest, Illinois

7:00 - 8:30pm

Lecture, Q & A, and Fellowship

People of all faiths or no faith are cordially welcome!

The classes are free. No need to register.

Email us at: [email protected]

Visit us HERE to view past videos

Click for class notes: Class One; Class Two; Class Three, Class Four

CHURCH SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE: Saturday, July 24 - Sunday, August 1, 2021

Saturday, July 24, 2021:

+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS

+ 8:00am: Reconciliation in Church

+ 5:00pm: Livestream Sunday Mass & PUBLIC MASS

Sunday, July 25, 2021:

+ 8:00am: PUBLIC MASS

+ 10:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS

+ 12:00pm: PUBLIC MASS

Monday, July 26, 2021: