September 19, 2021: The Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

PARISH NEWSLETTER

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

Parish Office Hours: 8:30am to 4:00pm Monday - Friday

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

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

We listen to and are led in our faith by the following passage from the Gospel of Mark today, the 25^th Sunday in ordinary time: Then Jesus sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

As I was praying with this passage, I thought about the community that comes together to share in the Eucharist, participating in the Sacrifice of the Mass. How do we receive one another? We receive and reach out to those we know by name. Might we reach out to those we have seen many times at St. Mary’s but do not know their name? Might we recognize Jesus in our neighbors that come with us to worship as a community of believers? I hope that we see Jesus in the young family with children doing childlike things in the pew, as they learn the prayers and the rich traditions of our Roman Catholic faith. I hope that we see Jesus in the elderly who faithfully, slowly, and one small step at a time make their way into the Church of St. Mary. I pray we will see Jesus in one another, as we come together, as we pray together, as we celebrate the Eucharist together.

Annually the Archdiocese of Chicago invites parishioners to support seminarians engaged in their studies for ministry as priests in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Your support in the second collection this weekend is greatly appreciated.

This weekend we welcome Martin Nyberg to the Church of St. Mary. Martin is in 2^nd Theology, studying to be ordained for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2024. Martin is the youngest of four children, having been brought up at St. Edward’s on the northwest side of Chicago. He completed his undergraduate degree at Catholic University in Washington, DC. This past summer he spent time in Omaha with seven other seminarians studying for Chicago and over 150 other seminarians at the Institute for Priestly Formation offered through Creighton University. In addition to learning about Ignatian spirituality and priestly identity, he participated in many conversations and interactions with the other seminarians from across the country, as well as an 8-day silent retreat. Martin will be sharing with us his vocation talk at the weekend Masses. Please keep Martin and all those preparing for ordination in your prayers.

The Guild of St. Mary is very happy to offer the return of “Donut Sunday” for the parish. You are invited to stop by the first Donut Sunday of this year following the 8:00am and 10:00am Masses this Sunday. Thanks to the women of St. Maria Goretti Circle for offering this opportunity for fellowship following the early Masses.

You are also invited to support our local Knight of Columbus in this year’s Intellectual Disabilities “Tootsie Roll Drive.” As in the past, the Knights will be collecting donations around Lake Forest and Lake Bluff and after weekend Masses at both St. Mary’s and St. Patrick’s. Thanks for your generous support of the Knights. Thanks to Jeff Kowal who once again did a wonderful job coordinating this important fundraising effort for our local Knights of Columbus Council.

Today we celebrate Catechetical Sunday, giving thanks for the many who serve in passing on the faith to the next generation of believers. Parents are the first teachers of their children in the ways of faith. We also give thanks this day for our catechists in the Religious Education program, the teachers in our parish school, our deacons who work in preparing couples and families for the sacraments of the Catholic Church, and for our RCIA team that journeys in faith with those seeking membership in the Catholic Church. May each of us, in living our faith, know the many ways that we “receive Jesus” in living and sharing our faith.

May God bless us with peace these days of September.

Our next Soup Kitchen date is this Friday, September 17, 2021, and we have gone back to our sandwich supper format during the warmer weather. We would be grateful for your donations of:

Loaves of soft whole wheat bread
Sliced cheese – American, cheddar, or Swiss
Individual packets of chips
Granola bars
Fruit – oranges, tangerines or apples
Individual containers of yogurt
Individual packets of cookies or other treats

We will purchase other items to complete the meal. Since the Parish Center will be closed, donations should be dropped off at Ellen Tierney’s home, 150 Norwich Court, Lake Bluff any time on Thursday, September 16 or before 3:00pm on Friday, September17. If those times are not convenient, please contact Ellen to make alternate arrangements at (847) 295.4649 or [email protected].

Though we are eager to get back to a “dine-in” service, we have been told to expect to operate on a “take-out” basis well into the fall. Many thanks to all who have helped us keep feeding our hungry neighbors during this difficult time.

That Man is You! is an interactive men’s program that combines the latest findings of modern science with the teachings of the Church and the wisdom of the saints to develop authentic male leaders capable of transforming themselves, their families and greater society.

Join us for food, fellowship and faith. Our first meeting is on Tuesday, September 28 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in the Parish Center Conference Room. Registration will take place at our first meeting.

If you have any questions, please email Deacon Bob Thomas at [email protected].

All men are welcome!

Learn more at tmiy.org

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

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 Sunday, September 26. 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 SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE: Saturday, September 18 - Sunday, September 26, 2021

Saturday, September 18 , 2021:

+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS

+ 8:00am: Reconciliation in Church

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

Sunday, September 19, 2021:

Donuts, coffee, and juice will be served

after the 8:00 & 10:00am Masses

in the Upper Grade Center Cafeteria

+ 8:00am: PUBLIC MASS

+ 10:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS

+ 12:00pm: PUBLIC MASS

Monday, September 20, 2021: