June 6, 2021: Body & Blood of Christ
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 following reflection and prayer is a beautiful expression of lived faith for young and old alike as we celebrate the Feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus: “Jesus Christ, you feed us with your Body and blood to guide us on our pilgrim way and to strengthen us in holiness. May we return to the Father all that he has given us through you. Let our lives be broken in humble service and poured out in love. May we always be grateful for the gift of the Eucharist in our lives.” When I was typing this prayer, I tried to do so prayerfully, peacefully and calmly letting the words, the truths, the sentiments, guide me in faith.

------- I encourage you to reread the first line re-written here: “Jesus Christ, you feed us with your Body and Blood and guide us on our pilgrim way to strengthen us in holiness.” What a gift we have in the Catholic Church to be able to be fed and nourished with the Eucharist every time we come together in community to share in the Eucharist. As we enter into the summer months may we be attentive and aware of all that Jesus our Lord is giving us in faith. Jesus feeds us. We come to the altar, spiritually for those who pray from their homes, physically for those who come to worship. Jesus guides us, as long as we are willing and able to go where Jesus leads. Jesus leads us forth, outward, to others, to be His presence to a world yearning for purpose and meaning. Jesus strengthens us in holiness. How holy do you feel as you read this article? What would need to be changed for you to feel more holy, to be more holy? Would you need to practice more patience, more generosity, more forgiveness, more charity or more love? The meal that Jesus provides, the meal that Jesus offers is what makes us holy.

------- I encourage you to reread the next line re-written here: “May we return to the Father all that He has given us through you.” How do you reflect on the return you make to God? It has been said the “Lord loves a cheerful giver, but he will accept it from a grouch.” Do you return joyfully what God has given you? Do you consider yourself “self-made” or “God-made”? “In his image and likeness he created them, male and female God created them. (Genesis 1:27)’’

------- Let’s continue rereading the prayer:  “Let our lives be broken in humble service and poured out in love.” Whenever the Eucharist is offered, we recall the sacrifice of Jesus poured out for all humanity. Our lives of faith are to reflect our faithful celebration and participation in the Eucharist. How and where do we offer humble service? Is it to our spouse and family? Is it to parishioner and friend? Is it to stranger and person in need in whom we see Jesus Christ? Love expressed changes lives and changes our world. We are to follow and imitate Jesus’ example with the guidance of the Spirit and help of God’s grace.

------- Finally, “May we always be grateful for the gift of the Eucharist in our lives.” Having received the Eucharist we are to return to the pew, spend time in church offering a prayer of gratitude to God for his Son in the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Jesus. Leaving the worship space before the Eucharist has entered into our stomachs denies our hearts and souls the chance to reflect on what we have been given, on what we have received. After having offered the Eucharist to the entire community gathered in faith, I sit down, pause, and pray that the Eucharist received will help me, guide me, and assist me in living a Eucharistic life. May our prayer of gratitude after receiving Jesus in the Eucharist humble us and inspire us to live faithfully.

------Throughout my entire priesthood I have grown in faith and deepened my prayer through resources, guidebooks and materials publicized by Liturgy Training Publications. The following is a brief, two minute reflection on how we internalize and actualize the sacrifice of the Mass we have participated in. I encourage you to spend two minutes with this link for your reflection and prayer: Become What You Receive: The Body of Christ in the World 
------The video was published three years ago in 2018 pre-pandemic. That is the reason the video has the celebration of the Mass and reception of Holy Communion without masks on the presider or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.

------This coming week we conclude the 2020-2021 academic year at the School of St. Mary. Wednesday, June 9th is the final day of the school year for our students. I give thanks for the benefactors of the SOSM, the many generous benefactors who support Catholic education. May our teachers and administration take the time to rest from their labors for their good works accompany them: as they move into the months of the summer.

------The following sign on the outside door of a doctor’s office caught my eye and my heart as we move into June, praying our way forward, to what may be a return to days of the past: “MASKS still required, for all patients and staff, regardless of vaccination status. To protect our pediatric patients; thanks for understanding.” To which I say; AMEN!

God bless you with a Eucharistic heart of peace, generosity and gratitude.

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.
Priests' Health & Retirement Collection
Church Schedule
SCHEDULE: Saturday June 5, 2021 - Sunday, June 13, 2021

<--- Register for Attending & Volunteering




Saturday, June 5, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius
+ 8:00am: Reconciliation in Church, registration not required
+ 5:00pm:  Livestream Mass & PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius
 
Sunday, June 6, 2021:
+ 8:00am: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius 
+ 10:00am:  Livestream & PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius
+ 12:00pm: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius

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

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

Wednesday, June 9, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & 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, June 10, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am --> Register via SignUp Genius 
+ 8:00am: Rosary --> Register via SignUp Genius

Friday, June 11, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am --> Register via SignUp Genius
+ 8:00am: Rosary --> Register via SignUp Genius

Saturday, June 12, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius
+ 8:00am: Reconciliation in Church, registration not required
+ 5:00pm:  Livestream Sunday Mass & PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius
 
Sunday, June 13, 2021:
+ 8:00am: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius 
+ 10:00am:  Livestream & 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.
June 6, 2021: Gospel Reflection for Body & Blood of Christ
This Sunday we celebrate the Body & Blood of Christ. This celebration eventually leads to a conversation regarding the drinking of blood and eating flesh. And that’s where we tend to lose, or at the very least highly confuse, people. Let’s go back a few thousand years and try to put ritual animal sacrifice into an understandable context.
 
Going back at least 4 thousand years, we see that animal sacrifice was very common. Historically, within Jewish communities, sin was considered communal. One person’s sin was now the sin of the community. In order to restore the community’s relationship with God, a goat would be ritually prayed over to confer the sins of the community onto the goat. Then the goat was sacrificed, thereby restoring the community’s relationship with God. This is how we get the term “scapegoat”.
 
Two or more groups may also enter into a covenant with each other. These groups could be between God and groups of people or it could be between different groups of people. In either case, livestock such as heifers, goats, and oxen would be slaughtered, separating the head & front half from the tail and back half of the animal. These halves would be set next to each other with the entrails in between. At some point during the ritual sealing of the covenant, the representative people from each group would walk across the entrails. The unspoken understanding was should one party break the covenant then they would befall the same demise as the slaughtered livestock.
 
What does this have to do with blood? Good question, I’m getting there! Without having the grasp on science and anatomy and physiology as we do today, people understood that if you lose too much blood you will die. Therefore blood = life. During certain animal sacrifices in the temple, the priest would collect the blood and pour some of it on the altar. The blood on the altar represented God. Then the rest of the blood would be sprinkled over the people. This was how the covenant between God and the people of Israel would be sealed. Any time the people wanted to ritually honor or celebrate the covenant, they would do this. It was also done to restore their relationship with God.
 
With the Son of God becoming human, animal sacrifice in the temple was no longer needed as Jesus became the sacrifice. Each time we experience the Eucharist we become part of that sacrifice. This is why you will notice that extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers receive Eucharist under both species (body & blood) before they in turn give the Eucharist to the congregation. They become what they have just received. Eucharist is our spiritual nourishment that sustains us as we go into the world offering ourselves, our unique giftedness from God, as a holy libation to everyone we encounter into community and communion with God.
Religious Education
School of St. Mary
Our graduating 8th grade class was "clapped out" by their parents and the students at the Upper Grade Center!
From Around the Archdiocese
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
Wedding Banns
III Kolman Estreicher and Taylor Yacktman
III Connor Lough and Bridie Murphy

Please remember in your prayers those who are sick, especially:
Pierre Adam
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
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
Hannah Erickson
Susan Ewert
Abby Furco
Esperanza Galikay
Jenny Green
Jeanne Gross
Jesus Guzman
Laura Rose Hamel
Elizabeth Hand
Joyce Hansen
Margaret Hartman
John Herbert
Hannah Hodgson
Edward Hoover
Patricia P. Huber
Juan Hurandas
Rafael Ibarra
Shirley Jacksack
Dolores Jansyn
Dick Jaworski
Christian Jenko
Dr. Mickey Jester
Mark Kalbus
Amy Kaleniecki
Raine Kamm
Oceana Kashul
Mason Kelly
Genevieve Kluza
Patsy Leonard
Richard Lombardi
Caroline Lyczko
Fely Macalalad
Meg Macdonald
Jim MacNaughton
Angela Martinez
Carolina Martinez
Ralph Mastro
Robert Matthei
Derrick Mathews
Donna Mathews
Yvonne Tichelbaut McClosky
Kathryn McConnell
Janet McCue
Francis McCullough
Margaret Mary McIntyre
Ann Milite
Mary Anne Minich
Dolores Morrison
Barbara Neis
David O'Brien
Joaquin Padilla
Tom Palella
Mary Margaret Pawl
Mary Butterfield Peddle
James Dean Penar
Marie Pfeiffer
Lisa Pommer
Lil Porter
Marianne Powers
Carol Pozdel
Marcia Ries
Charlene Roberts
Jeanie Rogalski
Frank Rogalski
Mathew Rowley
Susan Schey
Bill Shafer
Colleen Sheerer
Tai (Pascal) Shin
Pat Spencer
Nancy Sreenan
Ellen Sreenan
Debbie Sternberg
John Sternberg
Maureen Strassburger
Craig Strom
Elzbieta Szymanska
Leonard Teifeld
Tommy Thomsen
John Tocks
Linda Trueblood-Lambert
Joseph Urso
Amanda Van Vleet
Brittany Van Vleet
Marisol Vazquez
Lydia Webster
Martha Williams
Barbara Wilson
Laurie Wood
Robert Yale
Please remember in your prayers those who have gone to their eternal rest with Our Lord, especially:

Francis “Pierre” Avellone (father of William (Jo Ann) Avelllone, Mary, Richard, Francis, Thomas [Leslie] and Anne Avellone)

Jack Brown
Mass Intentions
Mass Intentions will be prayed for during a private or public daily Mass.

June 5, 2021:
7:30am: Josefa Gaviola; St. Mary’s Rosary Group 47th Anniversary
5:00pm: John Hough; Aldo Raganelli; Lois & John Koeller
June 6, 2021:
8:00am: Cimarrusti-Valentino Family; Jae Shim
10:00am: Stefan Heinrich; Audrey Johnson
Noon: Dottie Corra; Stephen Foley, Sr.; People of St. Mary’s
June 7, 2021: Teresa and James Yim; Judy Hershenhorn
June 8, 2021: Deacon John Lucas; Zofia Adamiec
June 9, 2021: Annamari Elfering; Thomas McCabe
June 10, 2021: Alice Sheehan Tarr
June 11, 2021: Helene Meyenberg; Kevin Patrick Grant
June 12, 2021:
7:30am: Margaret Davidson
5:00pm: Scopelliti Family; Michael Hoch
June 13, 2021:
8:00am: Paul Gerlach; Mike McCullough
10:00am: Dolores & Paul Hynes; John Sandner
Noon: Joseph Tarin; Santina Mazzetti

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
“The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…”  
ROMANS 8:16-17

If we are heirs to the kingdom of God, shouldn’t we work to build up His kingdom? Shouldn’t we be good stewards of our inheritance, using our time in prayer, our talent in charitable works and our treasure to care for the Church that God has left to us? Our Church is a treasured heirloom from God. Do we treat it that way?


Sunday Collection                  -------------------   Actual      Budgeted    Surplus/(Shortfall)
May 30, 2021                             ----------------- ----$20,499      $21,000              ($502)

Total Sunday Collections Fiscal 2021 YTD     $973,296     $966,000      $7,296
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!