Daily Mass Schedule (during the School Year):
Monday, Thursday & Friday:
6:30am and 8:00am
Tuesday: 6:30am and 9:00am
Wednesday: 8:00am and 9:10am (9:10am is at St. Patricks)
Saturday: 8:00am
Weekend Mass Schedule:
Saturday: 5:00pm
Sunday: 8:00am, 10:00am, NOON & 6:00pm
Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Saturday: 8:30am or by appointment with a parish priest
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From the Desk of Fr. Mike Nacius, Pastor
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Every fall I prioritize my calendar to include a silent retreat in the rich tradition of St. Ignatius. The silent retreat gives God the chance to speak to me, and with the help of an assigned spiritual director, someone to help me stay focused to the presence of God in my prayer.
One of the gifts of an Ignatian retreat is the fluid nature of each day. Having dedicated times for prayer allows for other moments of rest and leisure. This past fall, the retreat house director shared with the other participants in the retreat the option of building puzzles in the silence of retreat.
My first reaction to the invitation was that I could not imagine it being a helpful part of retreat. I was not interested and did not find the idea of building a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle appealing at the start of the retreat. Some retreatants did take advantage of the opportunity to try to complete the puzzle that was started by a previous group of retreatants. Walking past the art room, after the meals, you would find retreatants in silence completing the puzzle.
I went and viewed the completed puzzle and recognized the work and effort required to put it together. Looking around the art room at the retreat house I discovered many other jigsaw puzzles. At this point in the retreat, I found the opportunity inviting and appealing to help build a puzzle in the quiet of retreat. There were many options to choose from and I felt the spirit directed me to select a picture of a popular site in Italy.
The puzzle that God selected for me was a thousand-piece puzzle with a panoramic view of St. Peter's Basilica. I have had the good fortune of traveling to Italy a number of times, visiting the Vatican, going to reconciliation, celebrating Mass and praying in St. Peter's. I opened the box to find that there were nine hundred and ninety-nine of the one thousand pieces. Inside the box there was a note, "upper right hand piece of the puzzle is missing." I was grateful for this information.
I started selecting all of the border pieces of the puzzle. Putting the frame together would help focus the rest of the effort at building and completing the puzzle. Occasionally a few other retreatants came and joined in the effort to build the puzzle. Other people contributed their skills. Women came forth with the skills they have that I do not possess. The end of the retreat came and we left the puzzle incomplete for future retreatants to complete.
In a recent article in the
Chicago Catholic
, Fr. Don Senior, CP wrote -
"Almost on a daily basis these days, we hear discouraging reports about the Church: examples of the scourge of clergy sexual abuse keep reappearing, ripping open wounds that haven't had time to heal; many young adults seem disillusioned by or indifferent to the Church and fade away from participating in it; vocations to priesthood and religious life are few; and here in Chicago (as elsewhere) parishes are being consolidated and many faithful Catholics mourn."
For me, the construction of the puzzle was a metaphor for rebuilding the Church. Thus, I truly feel God directed me to begin the puzzle of the Vatican and St. Peter's basilica while on my annual silent retreat. It takes time to rebuild the Church. We need women and men to come together with their skills to prayerfully offer those gifts and talents for the good of the Church. As long as we continue to do our part - and people of good will do their part, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, the Church will continue to grow this Christmas season and in the New Year.
I will begin my sabbatical following the 5:00pm Mass on New Year's Eve. Upon completion of my sabbatical of prayer, study, retreat, time with family, and rest, I will be returning to St Mary's at the end of June. Thanks for sharing and being manifestations of Jesus' love while I am on sabbatical working with, praying with and supporting Fr. Mark and the Parish Staff and lay leadership of the parish.
In 2020 we give thanks for the 145th year of sharing faith as the community of St. Mary's in Lake Forest. Thank you to all parishioners who supported St. Mary's with a contribution to the Christmas collection.
May
"wonders of His love"
bring you your heart's desire this Christmas,
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The Fiscal-Year 2019 Church of St. Mary Parish Annual Report has been mailed to the homes of parishioners and is also available
HERE
. The report is also available on the church website.
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Solemnity of Mary Mass Schedule for the Church of St. Mary
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Morning Mass Schedule for Tuesday, December 31
On Tuesday, December 31, Mass will be celebrated at 9:00am only. There will be no 6:30am Mass.
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Parish Office Closings
The Parish Center Office is closed on Tuesday, December 31st through January 2nd, re-opening on Friday, January 3rd at 8:30am.
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Phase Four and Message from Father Mike
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Listen to Fr. Mike Nacius share more about the Phase Four and More for St. Mary's Construction Project.
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Click the GiveCentral Logo to securely and conveniently donate to the
Phase Four and More for St. Mary's, Fr. Barry Preservation Fund.
Thank you for your generosity!
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Click on the image to register.
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Children's Sacrament Upcoming Schedule
-1
st
Grade: Christmas Eve Family Mass 4:15pm in the UGC Gym
Take part in the procession dressed as angels & shepherds (costumes are available)
If interested, see permission slip on the Religious Education website. (For Families tab, then Activities & Events)
-2
nd
Grade: 1
st
Reconciliation Retreat(s) -
choose one to attend (UGC-Multi-purpose Room)
Sunday, January 5
at 1:15pm
OR
Monday, January 6 at 7:00pm
-6
th
Grade RE students: Synagogue Visit-
B'Nai Tikvah
Sunday, January 12 during Intensive classes
-8
th
Grade: Confirmation Retreat
UGC
Saturday, February 8 12:30 - 6:00pm (ends after 5:00pm Mass)
-2
nd
Grade: 1
st
Communion Parent Meeting(s) -
choose one to attend (UGC-Multi-purpose Room)
Sunday, February 23 at 1:15pm
OR
Monday, February 24 at 7:00pm
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Camp Hope Volunteer Opportunities
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Click on the image to apply!
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We are now accepting Preschool Applications for the upcoming 2020-21 School Year.
We are excited to offer an additional section of our popular Little Angels Preschool Class. One section will meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and the other on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. Families can select their preferred days in the application. Historically, this class has filled quickly, so please apply right away if you are interested.
We are also pleased to offer an All-Day Three-year-old Preschool Program next year. This class will, of course, be developmentally appropriate, including both lunch and a rest period. If you are interested in any of our preschool offerings, please follow these steps:
- Click on the Parent login on the top right corner
- Click on FACTS Family Portal (ParentsWeb) in the top right corner
- Enter our District Code: SOSM-IL
- Enter a user name
- Enter a password
If you are a current family, you already have a portal account as well as a password. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Mandy Castle at (847) 295.4830.
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Click on the image to register!
Register now, space is limited! The Early Bird price ends January 15th.
The Spring Gala is for everyone in the parish community, their extended family and friends!
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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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