June 13, 2021: Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 20, 2021: Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

PARISH NEWSLETTER

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

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

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

FROM THE DESK OF FR. MIKE NACIUS, PASTOR

--- ------Last weekend at the Church of St. Mary was an incredibly grace-filled moment in our parish’s history. Last weekend, June 12^th and 13^th, there was a palpable energy, joy, peace, and excitement as people were able to return to their parish, returned to their “pews at their Mass”, return to the sacraments and return to fellowship and community with other faithful of the Church of St. Mary. My prayer and hope is that a similar vibe, energy, and truth will be part of the Masses this weekend.

-------I believe that a wonderful energy, the presence of God’s grace, will fill the hearts and pews of those who come together in prayer, celebrating the sacraments as we remember, and give thanks for our fathers, living and deceased. I pray that energy and joy of God will be shared with one another as we come to be nourished in word and sacrament around the table of the Lord.

-------The State of Illinois Phase 5 rollout will take time here at St. Mary’s. It will be an ongoing process for us to reestablish procedures and routines that will enhance and support the worship of the community. Thanks of your participation, your patience and support. We will be looking for more people to serve the parish, at the Mass you attend as a greeter or usher, and many other roles that enhance the public prayer of those who come to St. Mary’s. Please reach out to me or another member of the staff if you are interested in getting more involved at your parish.

-------As stated last weekend, I get to share the following again. You are welcome! People of God are welcome. Guests are welcome. All parishioners are welcome. Neighbors and out of town guests are welcome. People of faith interested in learning more about the Roman Catholic Church and the RCIA are welcome. All people are welcome to come to the Church of St. Mary as we share in and celebrate the Eucharist.

-------Masks are also welcome. You are welcome to come to the Church of St. Mary to share in and celebrate the Eucharist with your mask on. It is a sign of care, compassion and respect. As we go forward with the state of Illinois directives in Phase 5 and following the guidelines of the Archdiocese, we are looking forward to transitioning into the “new norm” for our lives of faith, community and worship.

-------The Gospel readings for this month’s daily Mass have been primarily taken from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s Gospel. Many faithful are very familiar with the Beatitudes of Jesus in Matthew 5. The Sermon on the Mount encompasses chapters 5, 6, and 7, much more than the beautiful and Christ-centered beatitudes that we are to live in our lives. I encourage you to take time today, to read, to pray Matthew 5, 6, and 7. The three chapters of Matthew’s Gospel will hopefully inspire and encourage you in living your faith with generosity and peace this summer.

-------I encourage all of our families, in a special way families that have children in our Religious Education program and the Blue Ribbon School of St. Mary, to practice the following three behaviors this summer.

-------1. Be safe in enjoying the beauty God gives us in the Summer of 2021.

-------2. Be spiritual in living life in the Summer of 2021. Come to church, make time for the ----------sacraments. Share your lived faith with the children, especially in the graced days of ----------summer.

-------3. Be stewards of all you have received from God. Support the Church of St. Mary ----------financially. Support charities of your choice in the Summer of 2021. Model for your ----------children the importance of sharing your resources, in time, talent, and treasure.

-------In the first reading today, one of St. Paul’s many letters, Paul emphatically stated, “God loves a cheerful giver.” May we be cheerful in the Summer of 2021, with loved ones, with friends, with those in need, with family, with parishioners, with one another throughout the Summer of 2021.

-------And a Happy Father’s Day to our fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers who are with us as we share in the Eucharist this day. May St. Joseph, patron saint of fathers, watch over and inspire all fathers in sharing the faith with their families in our parish community.

-------May God bless us with a joyful, restful, cheerful heart this summer.

Fr. Mike Nacius

Pastor

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 June 27. 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 OF ST. MARY

PRIESTS' HEALTH AND RETIREMENT COLLECTION

Please join Fr. Patrick Costello

A MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE PRAYERS

OF THE PARISHIONERS OF ST. MARY'S

Sunday, July 11 at Noon

Please join Fr. Patrick Costello as he celebrates a Mass of Thanksgiving for the prayers of the parishioners of the Church of St. Mary on Sunday, July 11 at 12 pm! Patrick, the grandson of Gordon and Rosemary Sheahen, will be ordained in Green Bay, Wisconsin on July 3. He is a former active-duty Naval Officer aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard. Patrick attended Mundelein Seminary with Fr. Radley. During his two years at Mundelein, he assisted Bishop Rassas at Confirmations throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago. Patrick was ordained a deacon last fall at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and completed four years of studies and formation at the North American College. He is assigned to St. Pius X Parish in Appleton, Wisconsin and will later return to the Navy as a priest chaplain.

CHURCH SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE: Saturday, June 19, 2021 - Sunday, June 27, 2021

Saturday, June 19, 2021:

+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS

+ 8:00am: Reconciliation in Church

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

Sunday, June 20, 2021:

+ 8:00am: PUBLIC MASS

+ 10:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS

+ 12:00pm: PUBLIC MASS

Monday, June 21, 2021: