March 12, 2023:
The Third Sunday of Lent
PARISH NEWSLETTER
The Church of St. Mary :: 201 E. Illinois Lake Forest, IL 60045
Parish Office Hours: 8:30am to 4:00pm Monday - Friday
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From the Desk of Fr. Mike Nacius, Pastor |
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-------Journeying in prayer these Lenten days, may the following story that the rector of Holy Name Cathedral shared with his parishioners expand our faith.
A man had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly, so he sent them each, in turn, on a quest to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.
The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third son in the summer, and the fourth son in the fall. When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.
The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent and twisted.
The second son said no, it was covered with green buds and full of promise.
The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful. It was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.
The fourth son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.
Then the man explained to his sons that they were all correct because each had seen only one season in the tree’s life.
He told them that you cannot judge a tree - or a person - by only one season and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end when all the seasons are up.
If you give up when it is winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, and the fulfillment of your fall.
Conclusions – Don’t let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.
Don’t judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come some time later.
The lesson of the pear tree contains a Gospel message for all of us. We have all experienced different seasons in our lives. Even Jesus experienced the joys and pains of life all the way to the cross. However, Jesus trusted God his Father and we are invited daily to do the same. By the way, a life filled with love, forgiveness, sharing compassion, faith and joy is always in season.
------How is God guiding you in grace this Lenten season?
------St. Mary's Parish Clothing Donation Drive for Catholic Charities is taking place during Lent at St. Mary’s. The Catholic Charities Round Lake Clothing Room is open each Thursday 10:00am to Noon and 2:00 to 6:00pm — lately visitors have been about 40 per day. While that’s great news, the clothing inventory has been dropping. With spring break and spring-cleaning right around the corner and during this time of Lent, we are asking for clothing donations from our St. Mary community. Catholic Charities is requesting gently worn or new clean clothing for women, men, and children (especially boys’ sizes infant through high school). No stains, holes or tears. Only new/unopened undergarments please. Collection bin(s) will be placed in the back of the church (north entrance) to receive your donations through March 26.
------Have you already taken the 10 – 15 minutes to complete a survey conducted by the Catholic Leadership Institute? The survey allows parishioners across the Archdiocese to reflect on their own spiritual growth and discipleship, and also identify ways in which the parish can support that growth. The survey will be accessible online and in paper form at the Parish Office and in the church until March 31. All responses will be anonymous and the parish will only receive a summary of all responses in total—no individual responses will be reported. It only takes 10-15 minutes to complete the survey. Results will greatly support the plans of the Archdiocese for the future. Please follow this link: portal.catholicleaders.org/dmi/survey/g56ykg to complete the survey. Thanks for “sharing your voice” this Lent.
Thanks for your almsgiving this Lent in helping feed the hungry by Packing the Pantry at our sharing parish this weekend, March 11 and 12.
------Our parish welcomed retired Bishop Francis Kane to St. Mary’s this weekend, celebrating Confirmation with the class of 2023. May all of us, Spirit-led, be a witness to God’s grace in all of our lives.
------Mazur and Son and Inspired Artisans have started the work in the church in expanding the baptismal font. Registered parishioners received a mailing with information about enlarging the baptismal font earlier this month. Please use proper caution when entering or exiting the church via the Divine Mercy east entrance to worship.
------All are welcome to attend the Sunday 5:00pm during Lent. High school students are especially invited to help at Mass and to gather after Mass for the COR Youth Group in the Parish Center.
------May our prayer be guided by God’s grace this Lent,
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Illinois March for Life — Bus Trip
The Illinois March for Life (formerly March for Life Chicago) will be held this year in Springfield at the Capitol Building at Noon on Tuesday, March 21. The Knights of
Columbus at Santa Maria del Popolo (SMDP) are sponsoring a bus trip to the rally in association with Lake County Right to Life. The coach bus will be located at the SMDP parking lot, 116 N. Lake St. in Mundelein. Boarding will begin at 6:30am, with the bus departing at 7:00am. Arrival is expected to be at 11:00am.
Boarding for return will begin at 4:00pm., with departure from Springfield at 4:15pm. and arrival back at the SMDP parking lot at approximately 8:15pm. Cost per person is $35. Please mail or bring a check or money order to SMDP, 116 N. Lake St., Mundelein IL 60060, specifying Springfield bus trip. Include name, phone number, and e-mail address for contact purposes. Seating will be reserved on a first come basis once payment is received. For any additional information or for any questions please call or text Dennis Rowan at (224) 522.2957.
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Mathew “Mat” Cervantes
Born an Army brat at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, raised in Bakersfield, California, joined the Army at 18, retired after 20 years and now work as a career Department of the Army civilian. My wife brought me the Catholic faith and she is my rock, without her I would still be adrift. I am overwhelmed with St. Mary’s of Lake Forest Church and the RCIA team who bring me ever closer to God and the fellowship of the faith.
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Peter Guhl
I grew up in a nurturing Christian family with parents who modeled God’s love. After many moves and exposure to various expressions of faith, I’ve settled back on the Northshore with St. Mary’s wonderful people. RCIA has been an amazing learning
experience. Wednesday night is special; I look forward to spending time with my fellow candidates and our teachers each week.
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Sam Halligan
I’m a lifelong Christian who has been fortunate enough to partake in worship at the parish of St. Mary’s. Since moving to the area I’ve always been welcome to attend Mass and participate in the Church community. My wife Jacqui and I were blessed to be married in the parish and more recently we were able to add another member to St. Mary’s congregation when our daughter Lily was baptized by Deacon Jack.
My faith journey started when I moved to the area 10 years ago. Not growing up a Catholic, I wasn’t so sure how I would feel about going to Mass regularly but that faded away pretty quick once I realized what a special place to worship St. Mary’s is. Early on I considered going through the process of converting and I got very close just before Jacqui and I were married but it wasn’t the right time for me to fully invest in the process. Once we knew we had a daughter on the way I realized how important faith was in my life and how it helped me navigate the world and my community. I knew we wanted Lily baptized in the Church and how important it was for us to be good examples for her as she starts her journey through life. In order to do that properly it is only right that I make the investment into understanding and accepting Catholicism and I’m so happy I have.
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Emily Sturges Stanwood
Hello! My name is Emily Sturges Stanwood, and together with my husband, Mark Stanwood (my RCIA sponsor), we would like to take a moment to introduce ourselves to the Church of St. Mary parish community. I am a corporate attorney and Mark is a special education teacher at a local high school. Mark and I have twins – Charlotte and Jack (both 8 in the 2nd grade), and a very rambunctious dog named Duke. We moved to Lake Forest last summer, and we feel so fortunate to have discovered such a warm, welcoming, and vibrant parish community.
Mark grew up in a Catholic family, and we recently decided to raise our children in the Catholic faith. As with many families, the COVID 19 pandemic shifted our priorities, and we realize what an important role faith and the Catholic church can play in family unity. I joined the RCIA program because I wanted to better understand the Catholic faith and deepen my spiritual journey. I am so thankful for the support provided by Mark, and it has been exciting to share this moment and grow together in faith with Charlotte and Jack as they prepare for their First Communion! I would also like to take this opportunity to send a HUGE THANK YOU to the wonderful RCIA team. It has been a truly rewarding and enriching experience to be guided by such a supportive team of people. And, finally, thank you to the Church of St. Mary parish for the warm welcome; it has meant a lot to our family!
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Caryn Wilcox
My name is Caryn Wilcox. I grew up in Iowa City, IA, where I met my husband, Kyle, during college. We made our way to Lake Bluff in 2016 after periods of time in Chapel Hill, NC, and Evanston, IL. We have three boys ranging from pre-K to 6th grade. You may have seen me chasing the littlest one down the aisle during Mass.
My first real exposure to the Catholic Church was a very sudden and almost total immersion. Our family began attending the Church of St. Mary in late 2021 after my husband revealed he had been avidly listening to Catholic radio in his car for months and was making rosaries in the basement. Unexpectedly, it seemed to “fit” an undefined absence in our lives at the time and the kids, especially, really took to it. I’ve always admired people who lived lives of genuine faith, like my grandparents, who were deeply connected to their Lutheran church community and found enormous strength through faith in times of difficulty. Year after year I told myself that God was something for me to get around to when I was ready and had time to think and reflect. In hindsight, I now understand that I was missing the forest for the trees.
It’s hard to believe how much my family’s lives have changed over the last year and a half and we are so thankful to have landed in a wonderful, welcoming community like St. Mary’s. The RCIA program (the staff and the other candidates alike) has been so helpful in meeting me where I was, introducing me to the beauty and immense depth of the Catholic Church, and providing an environment where I can confidently talk and ask questions. Each answer opens a new door into a new room for me to poke around in. I know that my coming into the church this Easter will not be my ultimate answer, but a further invitation to grow in my faith and understanding.
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CoSM Faith & Fellowship Men's Group
Join us Wednesday, March 22, as we gather at 6:45pm in the Parish Center Conference Room. Father John Kartje, Rector & President of the University of St. Mary of the Lake will be our speaker.
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For Pilgrimage Brochure, please click HERE .
For Pilgrimage Registration, please click HERE.
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Children's Worship Bulletin for March 12, 2023:
Click for ages 3+ HERE and for ages 7+ HERE.
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SCHEDULE: Saturday, March 11 - Sunday, March 19, 2023
Saturday, March 11, 2023:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am
+ 8:00am: Confession - Church
+ 10:0am: Confirmation - Church
+ 1:00pm: Confirmation - Church
+ 5:00pm: Livestream & Public Mass - Church
+ 5:00pm: Pack the Pantry drop off - UGC Gym doors
Sunday, March 12, 2023:
Pack the Pantry drop off until 1:00pm - UGC Gym doors
+ 8:00am: PUBLIC MASS
+ 10:00am: RCIA - PCLR
+ 10:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
+ 12:00pm: PUBLIC MASS
+ 5:00pm: PUBLIC MASS
+ 6:00pm: COR Youth Ministry - PC
Monday, March 13, 2023:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am
Tuesday, March 14, 2023:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am
+ 7:00pm: Parish Council - PCLR
Wednesday, March 15, 2023:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am
+ 12:00pm: Senior Citizen Luncheon - UGC Gym
+ 5:00pm - 7:00pm: Eucharistic Adoration & Benediction - Church
+ 5:00pm: RCIA - PCLR
+ 6:00pm: Knights of Columbus - PCCR
Thursday, March 16, 2032:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
+ 10:00am: "The Chosen" - PCCR
+ 7:00pm: Adult Choir - Church
+ 7:00pm: Bible Study - PCCR
Friday, March 17, 2023:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am
+ 7:00pm: Stations of the Cross - Church
Saturday, March 18, 2023:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am
+ 8:00am: Confession - Church
+ 5:00pm: Livestream & Public Mass - Church
+ 5:00pm: Easter Sharing Basket Collection - UGC Oakwood Lot Door
Sunday, March 19, 2023:
Donuts, coffee, and juice will be served
after the 8:00 & 10:00am Masses
in the Upper Grade Center Cafeteria
Easter Sharing Basket Collection until 1:00pm - UGC Oakwood Lot Door
+ 8:00am: PUBLIC MASS
+ 10:00am: RCIA - PCLR
+ 10:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
+ 12:00pm: PUBLIC MASS
+ 5:00pm: PUBLIC MASS
+ 6:00pm: COR Youth Ministry - PC
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FROM AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE
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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:
- Online:
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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.
- TV: EWTN
- DirecTV Channel 370
- Dish Network Channel 261
- Verizon Fios Channel 285
- XFinity Channel 33, 291, 1668
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Relevant Radio:
- 1:00 pm ET / 10:00 am PT.
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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.
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To read the Daily Scripture readings you may go to usccb.org and select "Daily Reading" at the top left menu.
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PRAYER FOR THE SICK AND DECEASED
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Please remember in your prayers those who are sick, especially: |
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William Allingham
Beni-de Dieu Atibalentja
Dora Avilez
Tom Brown
Carmie Caluag
Michael Caringello
Carol Craigmile
Joan Dolan
Carolyn Cimarrusti Erickson
Cathy Foley
Christian Jenko
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Suzanna Kocis
Theo Kramer
Caroline Lyczko
Dave Lyons
Jim MacNaughton
Carolina Martinez
Mike Mooney, Sr.
Edward Muszynski
Joyce Nutt
Bob O’Connell
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This new sick list began on March 1 and will continue through May.
If you would like to add a family member to the Prayers for the Sick, please call our Parish Office at: 847.234.0205.
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Please remember in your prayers those who have gone to their eternal rest with Our Lord,
especially:
Suzanne Payne
(aunt of Michelle [Jerome] Kijek)
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Mass Intentions will be prayed for during a private or public daily Mass.
Saturday, March 11, 2023:
7:30am: People of St. Mary’s
5:00pm: Barbara Milling; Marian Leonard; Carl Scichili
Sunday, March 12, 2023:
8:00am: Maria & Sam Scopelliti; Jennie Rose Cascio; Stephen Randolph Gretz
10:00am: William Palmer; Matthew Moughamian;
-----------Deceased Members of the Sobey Family
Noon: Thomas Moorman; Jennie Rose Cascio; Kathleen Whittaker
5:00pm: Kevin Good; People of St. Mary’s
Monday, March 13, 2023:
7:30am: Rosemary Sheahen; Delaney O’Leary
Tuesday, March 14, 2023:
7:30am: James Brennan; John & Eloise Onan; Jodie Nedeau
Wednesday, March 15, 2023:
7:30am: Olivette Letourneau; Carm Schillinger
Thursday, March 16, 2023:
7:30am: Frances Stanwood; Rosemary Sheahen
Friday, March 17, 2023:
7:30am: Eileen Lupton; Mary Scopelliti; Brian Walsh
Saturday, March 18, 2023:
7:30am: Bob Burns; Carmen Napoletano
5:00pm: Mary Prindiville; Eliseo Elisei; Jack Gauthier
Sunday, March 19, 2023:
8:00am: Edward Dempsey; Sabina Frankov-Powers;Cimarrusti-Valentino Family
10:00am: Edward Hamming; Merrianne Pinello; Bob Matthei
Noon: Jacqueline Roberti; Bobby Hughes; Grace Mayer
5:00pm: John D. & Linda Fontana; 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!
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“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again.” ------------------- JOHN 4:13
Jesus reminds us that material things, even something as basic as water, can never satisfy us for long. When we build our lives around material possessions we always want more. True Joy and Peace only comes when we follow Jesus; when we become more “God-centered” and less “self-centered”.
Sunday Collection-------------------------------------------Actual----------------Budgeted------Surplus/(Shortfall)
March 5, 2023------------------------ ---------------------- $25,487-------- ------ -- $25,000 ------------ ---- $487
Total Sunday Collections Fiscal 2023 YTD--------- $942,444------------------$875,000----------------$67,444
Total Central & Eastern Europe /--
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THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH OF ST. MARY
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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:
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Schedule your recurring donations via our online Giving safe and secure portal, GiveCentral Go to: Church of St. Mary GiveCentral or click the image to the left.
Thank you!
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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.
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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!
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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! |
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