May 1, 2020: Fourth Sunday of Easter
Parish Newsletter
The Church of St. Mary :: 201 E. Illinois Lake Forest, IL 60045
Virtual Office: 847-234-0205 :: Email: receptionist@churchofstmary.org
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From the Desk of Fr. Mark Augustine, Administrator
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May 1st, 2020
Dear Church of St. Mary,
Today I wish to share some important news with you. I know some are already aware of this information, but I wanted to make a formal public announcement. Around this time a year ago, I was approached by the Archdiocese of Chicago to discern what my next assignment may be. The Diocese asked if I would be willing to go on for further studies in the area of Canon Law. After much prayer and discernment, I agreed to this request. Beginning this Fall I will start a period of 3 years of studies for a Licentiate in Canon Law at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Ontario. Upon completion of my studies, I will then work at the Quigley Pastoral Center downtown in the Canon Law offices for a period of 6 years.
The plan was for my time here at St. Mary's to end on June 30th, which coincides with the conclusion of Fr. Nacius' sabbatical and his return to the parish. I would still be around for part of the summer as I would not have to be up at the University until the end of August. Those plans, like everything else in the world today, are up in the air. The University is already looking at the possibility of e-learning for the Fall, at which point I would still remain a resident at St. Mary's while beginning my studies via distance learning. Whether I do head to Canada this summer or remain here for a period of e-learning, Fr. Mike has graciously offered, and I have accepted, to continue to let the Church of St. May be my "home base" while I am studying. This means I will still be around during various breaks in the upcoming school years. Once I know firm details for the Fall, I will share them with all of you.
This does raise the question of whether or not St. Mary's will have a new Associate Pastor assigned here after I leave. The parish has entered into the process with the Archdiocese to have a new priest assigned here. However, given the current state of the pandemic, all priestly assignments, and the overall process, have been delayed. It is expected that while priests normally begin their new assignments on July 1st, that date will most likely be pushed back this year. Currently we do not have a clear idea when this new date may be. Please pray for the Diocese and all priests making a transition this year that they may go where they are needed to best serve the people of God.
I am not leaving yet. I will still be present in all the ways I can be over these next several months. Hopefully we will be able to plan some celebration and farewell reception during the latter part of the summer. Again, as we have more information on public gatherings, crowd sizes, social distancing guidelines, and several other factors, this information will be conveyed to everybody.
I have been extremely well received here over the last 2 years and perhaps even more so, over the last several months both as Administrator as well as shepherding the people through this unprecedented time. I am very grateful for this and this parish does hold a very special place in my heart. It is because of this that I wanted to share this information in a timely manner in order to allow time to process, understand, and ask any questions you may have. It has been a true joy to be one of your shepherds during these last few years and during this crisis in particular. I pray that I may continue to lead you all to a closer and deeper relationship and encounter with our True Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Mark Augustine, Administrator
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St. Joseph the Worker Feast Day May 1st
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Fr. Mark's video on St. Joseph the Worker, Feast Day May 1st.
Did you know that the Church of St. Mary has a YouTube channel? If we get 1000 subscribers we can stream live video! To go to our channel click
here and be sure to click on the "Subscribe" button!
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Renew the Nation's Consecration to the Blessed Mother
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In a much-needed spiritual response to the world's battle with the global pandemic of the coronavirus, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has announced that it will join the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on May 1 to renew each nation's consecration to the Blessed Mother.
What a beautiful response to this crisis we are facing! We agree with Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the USCCB, who said, "This will give the Church the occasion to pray for Our Lady's continued protection of the vulnerable, healing of the unwell, and wisdom for those who work to cure this terrible virus."
All are encouraged to virtually attend the liturgy with the prayer of re-consecration that will take place on Friday, May 1 at 3:00 pm EDT (2pm Central, 1pm Mountain, 12pm Pacific). The event will be available on the USCCB's social media platforms:
Facebook
,
Twitter
,
and
Instagram
.
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May 3, 2020: Fourth Sunday of Easter Gospel Reflection
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This Sunday we hear that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. The path to eternal life is to live our lives as Jesus taught us. At the time of Jesus, many people in society were agrarian which is why so many of Jesus' parables and stories use pastoral imagery. By using imagery that everyone was comfortable with and understood, they in turn would be able to understand Jesus' message behind the imagery.
Sometimes people have a difficult time being called sheep. It often is a degrading reference to those who blindly follow others without thinking. This is not the case here! The sheep know the shepherd's voice and follow. How well do we listen to the voice of God? Are we too caught up in ourselves and our day to day lives that we don't hear God's voice? God is always reaching out to us, the question is, are we listening?
In order to hear the voice of God we must be open to it. We need to spend time in prayer on a regular basis to stay grounded in God's mission for us; not our own wants but what God wants. Jesus lived a life of service to others and that is what we are called to do as well. It has been heartwarming to see how people have volunteered to help out each other and perfect strangers during this pandemic. Being faced with hardship can bring out the best in us. This is what we are called to do, serve others before ourselves. The religious elite who were envious of and feared Jesus did not do this. Rather they used their position for personal gain. They were the thieves and robbers. They were the strangers that the people would not follow once they saw and heard the true shepherd's voice. It is why over 2000 years later Jesus' words resonate with us just as much as they did to his disciples and followers. The way to spiritual nourishment and life is to
always listen to the voice of God.
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In lieu of the annual on-campus event hosted by Mundelein Seminary every spring, a virtual May Crowning ceremony will be streamed online on Sunday, May 3 at 1 p.m. to allow Catholics across the country and around the world to participate from their homes.
The ceremony will be led by Mundelein Seminary rector Father John Kartje and feature readings and musical contributions from Mundelein seminarians who are currently sheltering in place and helping to serve at parishes across the country, while also completing their academic semester through distance learning.
"While it is unfortunate that we cannot welcome people to our campus this year, we are grateful for the opportunity to gather virtually and continue the seminary's tradition of honoring Mary, the mother of God," said Father John Kartje. "We hope the online event will allow even more people to become connected through prayer during these uncertain times."
You can sign up to receive a link to the online video stream on May 3 at
www.usml.edu/maycrowning. The ceremony will also be posted on the Mundelein Seminary website and social media outlets on that day.
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And Peter said to them, 'Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ...'" Acts 2:38
The word "repent" means to turn from sin, to change our actions. When it comes to change, do we take responsibility for change or do we think that others have to change instead? Change that is permanent comes from within, we must take control and be disciplined. Remember though that we are not alone, Jesus is there to help lighten the load.
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Family Resources & Activities
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We are here to support your family as you discover new ways to share faith. New content continues to be added to help families dive deeper in their relationship with God and the celebration of our Catholic identity. There are activities for children to better understand the Mass as you attend from home, faith-filled videos to enhance your family's celebration of Easter, as well as various faith activities you can incorporate into your child's day. These resources can be found on the
Religious Education website, under the "Formation at Home" tab.
Highlights Include:
- Mass Resources: Children's Missalette Videos, Printable Mass Prep Coloring Sheets, Printable Tiny Saints Mass Reflection and more
- Home Catechesis Links: Strong Catholic Families Materials, Growing Up Catholic, Word on Fire by Bishop Barron
- Easter Video: A collection of videos that can be shared throughout the season to help celebrate and discuss this blessed time
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Timely Articles of Interest
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Plenary Indulgence in Time of Crisis
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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. Here are some of the ways we can still participate in the life of grace and the life of the Church during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- As a refresher, here is a brief summary on the Church's teaching on grace, or participation in the divine life:
- Fundamentally, indulgences (plenary/full or partial) refer to a repairing and healing of the damage inflicted by sin.
- In the English language, the word "indulgence" carries the connotation of "permission" or "license to do something." In the Church and with regard to sin, this certainly is not the case.
- In traditional language, this is the "remission of temporal punishment due to sin." That we, through prayer and action recommended by the Church, can engage in this healing and repair is not because of our own efforts, merit, or power.
- The Church, drawing on the doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ and the Communion of Saints speaks of drawing grace from the "treasury of the Church."
- In this moment of isolation and disconnection, the proposal to seek an indulgence re-affirms our connection in the Body of Christ and with the saints.
- The Plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful suffering from Coronavirus, who are subject to quarantine by order of the health authority in hospitals or in their own homes if, with a spirit detached from any sin, they:
- unite spiritually through the media to the celebration of Holy Mass, the recitation of the Holy Rosary, to the pious practice of the Way of the Cross or other forms of devotion,
- one way to carry this out would to be pray one of the seven penitential psalms, which are: Psalm 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 138 and 143.
- or if at least they will recite the Creed, the Lord's Prayer and a pious invocation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, offering this trial in a spirit of faith in God and charity towards their brothers and sisters,
- with the will to fulfill the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer according to the Holy Father's intentions), as soon as possible, when the suspensions are lifted.
- In addition, health care workers, first responders, family members and all those who, following the example of the Good Samaritan, exposing themselves to the risk of contagion, care for the sick of Coronavirus according to the words of the divine Redeemer: 'Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends' (Jn 15: 13), will obtain the same gift of the Plenary Indulgence under the same conditions.
- Especially in this challenging moment, seeking an indulgence is a way of doing something spiritually and a way of praying for ourselves and for others.
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Beneficiary:
-Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD)
-Phoenix Rising Foundation (North Chicago)
-A Safe Place
Drop off Location: Gorton Community Center south driveway outside of solarium
Start Date: April 27 until needs are fulfilled
Drop off days: Monday-Friday not on Saturdays or Sundays please
Drop off times: 10:00-4:00pm
please check expiration dates
ONLY SHELF-STABLE ITEMS NEEDED:
* Peanut butter
* Canned or dried beans
* Canned soup (no tomato soup);
Canned chili / stews
* Canned fruit
* Canned vegetables
* Canned fish and chicken
Participating Churches:
Community Church of Lake Bluff
Church of St. Mary
Christ Church of Lake Forest
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Family Meal Kit Donations-
EXTENDED THROUGH MAY 15
Thank you for supporting your neighbors in distress! With your help, Roberti Community House has been distributing food to families at risk, providing over 800 meals each week to Waukegan, North Chicago, Highland Park and Highwood. The needs of the high-risk population we serve is growing every week. Please help us sustain this effort.
Roberti Community House (RCH) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has been serving the needs of those residing in a distressed neighborhoods since 2011. The services we provide are considered part of the Essential Critical Infrastructurefor Human Service Operations.
PLEASE HELP US BY PROVIDING THE
ESSENTIAL
INGREDIENTS FOR A
FAMILY MEAL KIT OPTIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
(Note that all Meal Kits will include ground beef, generously provided by our partner "
BEEF4HUNGER". We are grateful for their support.)
Pasta Meal (for 8)
- 2 boxes pasta (penne, spaghetti, etc)
- 2 jars pasta sauce
- 2 cans vegetable (green beans, peas, mixed veggies)
- 2 cans fruit
Chili Meal (for 8)
- 2 cans beans (kidney, black, pinto)
- 2 cans diced tomatoes
- 1 pkg chili seasoning mix
- 1 pkg corn bread mix OR tortillas 2 cans fruit
Chicken Noodle Casserole Meal (for 8)
- 1 pkg noodles orpasta
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- 1 can mixedveggies
- 1 can peas
- 3 cans chicken
- Optional: Dried Parmesan Cheese
Rice/Bean Skillet Meal (for 8)
- 1 - 1 lb bag rice
- 2 cans beans (kidney, pinto, black) 1 can dicedtomatoes
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 jar salsa OR hot sauce
- 3 cans chicken or 2 cans SPAM
PLEASE BUNDLE MEAL INGREDIENTS TOGETHER IN A BROWN BAG/BOX TO AID DELIVERY
WHAT NEXT? Delivery of Donation
Through May 15, please assemble your goods in a bag and drop of at one of these locations:
MONDAYS 5/4, 5/11
Home of Kristin Keevins, St. Patrick's Womens Group volunteer
109 Surrey Lane, Lincolnshire, Illinois
(off Route 22 and Riverwoods Road)
Drop off area will be clearly marked at the house
WEDNESDAYS 5/6, 5/13
St. Patrick Church
991 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest, IL
place bags at south-west side doors
THURSDAYS 5/7, 5/14
Home of Lisa and Gary Doyle, Lake Bluff residents and
volunteers at the Roberti Community House
545 East Scranton Avenue,Lake Bluff, Illinois
Drop off area will be clearly marked at the house
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
Sign up for our newsletter (via website)
DONATE: Roberti Community House accepts:
- Checks, payable to
Roberti CommunityHouse
-
Venmo(@Roberticommunityhouse)
We sincerely appreciate your support in helping us to provide for this at risk community. In this perilous time, the greatest needs are for emergency housing and food. This critical need for food is driving our efforts DAILY. We are grateful for YOU.
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Let's thank our local Fire Departments! Firefighters are the first people to respond to Covid-19 patients. They, like so many other first responders work long shifts and make their own meals at the firehouse. A great way to say "Thank you" for all their dedication to keeping us safe is to purchase gift cards from local restaurants for them to use as needed! All you have to do is call a local restaurant and purchase a gift card. The restaurant will drop off the gift card to your local fire department for them to use when needed. Super easy and a huge help to the firefighters who won't have to worry about cooking for that meal!
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During these uncertain times some of our parishioners have reached out to the Parish Office either wanting to volunteer while others need assistance. If you would like to volunteer or are in need of assistance, please fill out the appropriate form and someone will be in touch with you.
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Community Celebration of Mass via Facebook Live
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TV, Radio & Online Mass Offerings
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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:
- Relevant Radio:
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Prayers for the Sick and Deceased
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Please remember in your prayers those who are sick, especially:
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Pierre Adam
Renata Adamiec
Peggy Adams
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
Beverly Beinlich-Pasquesi
Jack Brown
Mason Jeffrey Browner
Baby Virginia Bunimovich
Jerry Burns
Francesco Camoletto
Nancy Carani
Nova Carlson
Sember Carlson
Luis and Maria Cardenas
Michael Carpenter
Jeffrey Chicoine
Carolyn Cimarrusti
Jacqueline Cimarrusti
Marianna Cimarrusti
Charles Cook
Virginia Cordoba
Mary Elizabeth Cran
Greg DeBoer
Louis Degaetano
Mimi Degaetano
Mike Dellefield
Lewis Dilts
Joan Dolan
Annamarie Elfering
Hannah Erickson
Susan Ewert
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Abby Furco
Esperanza Galikay
Dorothy Gimbut
Jenny Green
Jeanne Gross
Jesus Guzman
Edward Halle
Elizabeth Hand
Margaret Hartman
Jack Hempstead
John Herbert
Hannah Hodgson
Patricia P. Huber
Juan Hurandas
Rafael Ibarra
Shirley Jacksack
Dolores Jansyn
Dick Jaworski
Christian Jenko
Dr. Mickey Jester
Mark Kalbus
Raine Kamm
Oceana Kashul
Mason Kelly
Genevieve Kluza
Patsy Leonard
Caroline Lyczko
Fely Macalalad
Angela Martinez
Carolina Martinez
Ralph Mastro
Will Matthei-Schmidt
Derrick Mathews
Donna Mathews
Kathryn McConnell
Janet McCue
Margaret Mary McIntyre
Mary Anne Minich
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Dolores Morrison
Rick Nacius
Barbara Neis
Dana Nelson
David O'Brien
Peter O'Brien
Joaquin Padilla
John Paleczny
Tom Palella
Mary Margaret Pawl
Mary Butterfield Peddle
James Dean Penar
Lisa Pommer
Lil Porter
Marianne Powers
Carol Pozdel
Marcia Ries
Mathew Rowley
Susan Schey
Leroy Schwaba
Bill Shafer
Colleen Sheerer
Tai (Pascal) Shin
Martin Sobey
Joan Sparrow
Ellen Sreenan
Debbie Sternberg
John Sternberg
Maureen Strassburger
Elzbieta Szymanska
Leonard Teifeld
Linda Trueblood-Lambert
Joseph Urso
Amanda Van Vleet
Brittany Van Vleet
Jim Wenzel
Martha Williams
Barbara Wilson
Robert Yale
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Please remember in your prayers those who have gone to their eternal rest with Our Lord, especially:
Ellen Whalen (mother of Anne [Larry Obermeyer] O'Connell)
Roy Daniel Da Roza, Sr. (father of Mary Kay [John] Sonnier)
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Mass Intentions will be prayed for during a private daily Mass.
May 1, 2020:
Megan Starsiak; Morgan Fellows; Allen Englehardt
May 2, 2020:
Mae & Peter Jans; Gerry Fernando; Dorina Mentuccia; Rita Paluga
May 3, 2020:
Terry Lucari; Zofia Adamiec; Megan Starsiak; Rob LeClercq; Catherine & Tom Sullivan; Robert Fitzgerald; People of St. Mary's
May 4, 2020:
Robert Murphy; Camille DeMeo; Richard Klingler; Giuseppe & Benedetta Mentesana; Barbara Claeys
May 5, 2020:
Ann & Frank Cimarrusti; Lawrence Sullivan; Tess Belli; Special Intention for Linda Shirley
May 6, 2020:
Thomas Lavelle; Elizabeth Avellone
May 7, 2020:
Marilyn Tredore; William James Mulvaney; Peter Gillespie; Frances Sitka
May 8, 2020:
Monica Jayesuria; Herbert Richards; Alfred Stroh; Peter Smock
May 9, 2020:
Jean Demaree; Mary Suh; Kristine Fontana; Aldo Raganelli
May 10, 2020:
Mothers 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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THANK YOU for CONTINUING TO SUPPORT the Church of St. Mary
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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 with no public Masses. 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.
Ways To Give
Mail Your Contribution:
Church of St. Mary
c/o Business Office
201 E. Illinois
Lake Forest, IL 60045
OR
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!
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Donate or Register for Events
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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.
Like the Church of St. Mary 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!
Homilies & Gospel Readings!
Listen to past Gospel Readings and homilies anytime, anywhere! Click on the podcast image or goto our website. Click on Multimedia/Podcasts.
Enjoy!
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Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.
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