September 5, 2021: The Twenty-Third 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: receptionist@churchofstmary.org

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

-------The Pastoral Staff came together this past week and, as the opening prayer, we prayed with and reflected on the Gospel for this Sunday, taken from the 7^th chapter of Mark’s Gospel. It is the same Gospel passage that we are led by if we are streaming from our homes [click HERE] or if we are praying in person at the Church of St. Mary.

-------I invite you to take some time with the Gospel today or in the coming week. Imagine Jesus being with you, spending time with you, taking you off by yourself so he can be with you and pray with you. Step away from the smart phone. You will survive without checking social media for 10 – 15 minutes. Remove yourself from all technology, all intrusions, and all distractions so you can be with and be attentive to the Lord. What is it that you would want Jesus to open up in your heart, your spirit, your life? What can Jesus open up for you, in a healing and powerful way? What can Jesus open up for you, in a gentle and caring way? Spend some time in quiet reflection, in prayer, in communion with Jesus. After you have completed the prayer with Jesus thank him for his love, guidance, and care for you and your loved ones.

-------Cardinal Cupich spoke to priests of Vicariate 1 last week at a luncheon meeting. Both Fr. Radley and I were able to attend. There were approximately 40 – 50 priests at the gathering. Cardinal Cupich spoke to us about the ministry of Catholic Charities and the history in the Archdiocese at different times in world events. The rich compassion of Catholic Charities and parishes in our Archdiocese moves us to reach out and welcome the refugee in our society. A few years ago parishioners came together to support a refugee family getting settled in Chicago. The formal support has concluded with that family while some parishioners still maintain a relationship and offer support to the mother and her three growing children.

-------The Cardinal shared at the meeting that there is a good possibility that Afghan refugees may be coming to Chicago. The specific details of how many refugees of Afghanistan are trying to become resettled are not known. The exact needs are not known at this time as well. When the details and needs are known I will be sharing the opportunity available to our parish to reach out in generosity, compassion, and Christ-like charity to our refugee sisters and brothers in the Lord through the ministry of Catholic Charities. Cardinal Cupich stated that the cost for assisting a family in getting resettled may approach $50,000. Please let me, Fr. Radley, or Deacon Jack Herrmann know if you are interested in learning more about this. Thanks!

-------The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is beginning its program at St. Mary’s later this month. The RCIA is a wonderful program for adults who have been brought up in other faith traditions to learn more about the Catholic faith and the process required to become a baptized and/or confirmed Catholic. The first information meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 15 at 7:00pm. If you know of a family member, a neighbor, or friend who has expressed interest in the past about learning more about the Catholic faith, please reach out to them and encourage them to learn more about the RCIA at St. Mary’s this fall. You can reach out to Lore Nugent at Lnugent@churchofstmary.org if this program is of interest to you or a loved one.

-------We opened the doors to the School of St. Mary on Monday, August 23. Our faculty and staff are excited about the new school year. They are already forming student’s minds, hearts, and souls at the School of St. Mary. This Wednesday the entire school family will come together for an All School Mass. Students, faculty, and administration from the PGC will come over to the church to pray with the students, faculty, and administration of the UGC. In addition to the occasional all school Mass, Mass will be offered weekly at the PGC and the UGC. Weekly Mass will be celebrated with the UGC on Tuesday mornings. Weekly Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s on Wednesday morning for the PGC. Masses for the School of St. Mary on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are at 9:05am.

-------Our Religious Education program is preparing for the upcoming classes which will begin on Sunday, September 19 and Tuesday, September 21. For more information about the Religious Education program, volunteering as a catechist or an aide, please reach out to Joy Pacheco at jpacheco@churchofstmary.org or Jeannie Brunk at jbrunk@churchofstmary.org.

-------May each and every one of us who calls St. Mary’s our parish be open to the many ways Jesus is present and working in our lives.

-------May God bless us with peace these days of September.

CATHOLIC EXTENSION is the organization that Fr. Radley traveled with to the US southern border that works in solidarity with people in America’s poorest regions to build up vibrant and transformative Catholic faith communities. To learn more about their work and mission, visit www.catholicextension.org.

Read about and watch a short clip from ABC 7 News about Fr. Radley's recent trip with Catholic Extension.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Religious Education Classes 2021-2022

Online Registration is now OPEN and available for grades K through 8 for families who are registered parishioners at the Church of St. Mary.

Classes available:

Sundays: K-5^th grade from 9:30am-11:00am September 19-April 24

---------(Please note that the 1^stand 2^nd Year Sunday Class is full)

Tuesdays: 1^st-6^th grade from 4:15-5:30pm September 21-April 26

---------(Please note that the afternoon 6^th Grade Class is full)

Tuesdays: 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade from 7:00-8:30pm September 21-March 15
Intensives: Registration for Intensives is closed

Student(s) who will be in grades 7 & 8 will need to submit all assignments (including Mass Reflection sheets) prior to registering for 2021-2022 year.

For the 2021-2022 Religious Education year we plan to meet in-person as well as incorporate a few on-line sessions. Please see our website for the class calendar. Please note, a copy of your child’s Baptismal Certificate will need to be submitted to the Religious Ed program if you are new to the program.

We look forward to seeing you and your children in September for a faith filled year of learning!

Enroll Today: religiouseducation.churchofstmary.org

Questions? Contact 847.234.0090 | religioused@churchofstmary.org

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 4 - Sunday, September 12, 2021

Saturday, September 4 , 2021:

+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS

+ 8:00am: Reconciliation in Church

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

Sunday, September 5, 2021:

+ 8:00am: PUBLIC MASS

+ 10:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS

+ 12:00pm: PUBLIC MASS

Monday, September 6, 2021: