"Nations shall behold your vindication,
and all the kings your glory."
~ Isaiah 62:2
Sunday's Readings:

First Reading — As a bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so God rejoices in the chosen Zion and Jerusalem
(Isaiah 62:1-5).

Psalm — Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations (Psalm 96).

Second Reading — All the varied gifts and talents found in the Christian community are products of the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

Gospel — At a wedding festival in Cana, Jesus changes water into wine at his mother’s request (John 2:1-11).
Revelation of God's Presence
Sunday’s first reading from Isaiah arises out of the ordeal of the people of Jerusalem and Judea as they anticipate the end of seventy years of exile in Babylon. Their sufferings and their oppression will end, and they are promised joy like that of a great wedding upon returning to their homeland.

Although this passage is probably set in the early sixth century B.C., it is free of historical particulars. Accordingly, the Church has understood its imagery universally, as it proclaims God’s promise of healing, hope, and happiness for all peoples, in this world and in the next.

When read against this background, the story of Jesus’ turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana becomes a revelation of God’s presence in the person of Jesus, making these promises real for us in the here and now, in the transformation of our own lives.
Journey of the Heart
Starting soon, Season 2 of our Grief Sharing Group, Journey of the Heart. If you have lost someone, and would like to participate in our scripture-based grief-sharing group, please contact the parish office.

Nobody grieves alone in the Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament family.
Lectio Eucharist: Discovering the Mass in the Bible
Acclaimed author and teacher Dr. Brant Pitre digs down to the biblical roots of the Eucharist, through its foreshadowing in the miraculous events of the Old Testament, the Gospels, and Apostolic teaching.

"The Lamb of God," "The Bread of Life," "The Body and the Blood of Christ"... these are phrases we know from the Mass. But do we understand what they mean in the greater and deeper context of Scripture and Church teaching? We'll discover firsthand how Christ's Body and Blood are an integral and wondrous part of God's plan for our salvation.

When: Thursdays, January 20th through March 24, 2022, 7:00pm to 9:00pm.

Where: Join us via Zoom (Note: there will be no in-person option for this study).

Cost: FREE access to the video content, if you would like the study guide, they are available from the parish office for $9/each.
NOTE: Please e-mail the parish office if you would like to participate in Lectio Eucharist so we may send you the Zoom Link for this Bible Study.
Respect Life Update
Holy Hour for Life
As the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade approaches, we invite you to join us for a Holy Hour for Life Wednesday, January 19th at Queen of the Rosary. We will dedicate one hour of not only our time but our collective thoughts and prayers in the presence of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament to honor the sanctity of life from conception until natural death. There will be opportunity for Reconciliation as well.
March for Life Chicago
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament had a strong presence at the Chicago March for Life on Saturday, January 8th. 

Seventeen parishioners braved the cold temperatures and marched behind the OLBS Stands for Life banner to be a witness to the sanctity of life and to demonstrate against abortion. OLBS marchers also wore blue, black and gray stocking caps with the "Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish" logo. Our parish was well represented!

Thanks to those who attended, and thanks to those who prayed for us. Also thanks to Fr. Dan for funding the bus transportation. Let us continue to pray to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament that there be an end to abortion and that it be unthinkable!

Gerry Bliss, Respect Life Ministry
January Winter Supper
Thank you, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, for supporting another year of Catholic Charities Dinners and Summer and Winter Suppers. Everyone deserves healthy food to eat, and we feel grateful, thankful and blessed to do our part to feed those in need. Our first Supper of 2022 will be Wednesday, January 26th.

If you are able to help, please follow this link to shop, cook, prep or pack. Thank you!
FORMED.org
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament gave everyone FORMED for Christmas, but many haven't opened this gift!

It's FREE and easy to open. Simply navigate to Formed.org on your Smart Phone, Tablet or Computer; click the SIGN UP button; enter our parish zip code, 60007, and your name and e-mail address. That's it, you've opened the very best in Catholic content. Thousands of movies, programs, audio and books, at your fingertips.

Sign-up today: Formed.org
School Report
Save the Date for Catholic Schools Week:
January 30 - February 5, 2022

QR School partners with parents in the formation of children by offering an education that combines Catholic faith and teachings with academic excellence. We prepare students to be productive citizens and future leaders by emphasizing moral development and self-discipline and teaching students the value of service to others.

Let's talk Open House...follow this link to register for our QR School Open House on Sunday, January 30th from 11:30am to 1:30pm.
RE Roundup
Children in Grades 4 and up are invited to serve at Masses at OLBS on weekends, Holy Days, funerals and weddings.

Fr. Dan and Fr. Louis invite all QR School and OLBS RE students in Grades 4 and up to learn to become altar servers. Please contact Carol Uhlarik at carol@olbsegv.org for information on altar server training.
Trained Altar Servers, click below to sign up to serve at Mass on Sundays or Holy Days!
Youth Ministry Corner
With the current COVID surge, we're taking extra precautions but hope to resume our activities with Indoor Game Night on January 16th, followed by a visit to Alexian Village on January 17th. We continue to require masks, and ask everyone to monitor your health.

Our next fundraising event to help offset costs of this Summer's mission trip to Catholic Heart Work Camp will be our February 5th Pasta Dinner. Service hours available! Volunteering for this is mandatory for teens going to CHWC, but all OLBS teens are welcome to help, even if you will not be going to CHWC!

If you are not able to participate in the dinner but would like to contribute, donations to help purchase food are always welcome.
 
Questions or Suggestions? E-mail Mr. Van.
Upcoming events:
Indoor Game Night | Jan 16
Alexian Village | Jan 17
Alexian Village | Jan 31
Pasta Dinner | Feb 5
CHWC | Jun 19-24
Events for Young Adults
Coming Events...
Refiner’s Fire Episode 13: Flip The Moment will be LIVE on Wednesday, January 19th at 12pm CT with Sr. Mary Rachel Capets, OP, Local Prioress of St. Cecelia Motherhouse in Nashville, TN. Sr. Mary Rachel is a member of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecelia. She received her PhD in Education studying the influence of pilgrimage on the faith and faith-based practice of Catholic educators. Sister is a teacher who loves to share about the tremendous and undying love of Jesus Christ, so who better than she to speak to our network about viewing every moment with the eyes of faith?!

Would you like to introduce a Young Adult Ministry at OLBS? Please contact the parish office (847) 979-0901 today!
Raise Your Hand!
Are you looking to get involved at OLBS? Many volunteer opportunities are available. Please contact the parish office or see below for just a few:

Do you have a flair for decorating? Discover more about our Art & Environment team.

Do weddings make you cry with joy? Discover more about Marriage & Family Ministry and consider becoming a Wedding Coordinator or part of our Marriage Ministry.

Do you want to help us set the table? Discover more about our Liturgical Ministries and consider becoming a Sacristan. For youth aged 4th grade and older, consider the Altar Server Ministry.

Do you love sharing the Gospel? Please consider becoming an adult volunteer for Children's Liturgy of the Word, starting in mid-January, 2022.
DID YOU KNOW?
Marriage & Family Ministry enables couples to use their experiences of marriage and family life, especially challenges they have overcome, to accompany other married couples in similar situations. Stay tuned for marriage-building initiatives in the parish, including couple’s retreats, speaker events, marriage-related parish workshops, World Marriage Day activities, anniversary celebrations, bible studies, prayer groups, marriage enrichment and skill-building resources, and social activities. For more information, please contact the parish office.

We are grateful for your continued generosity to the needs of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament family during this time. In addition to dropping or mailing your donation to church, you may give online where you may make weekly contributions to our parish family and keep the vital ministries and services we provide going. We thank you for your generosity!
VIRTUAL TOOLBOX
Though things have opened up, we recognize that not all are able to join us at this time, so we remind you that we continue to have the following virtual tools available to help us stay connected to our faith and our parish family:

NEW! FORMED. To gain access to all of FORMED’s content, follow these simple steps:
  • Go to Formed.org
  • Enter our parish’s zip code
  • Enter your name and your email address

Daily Prayer. Follow this link to review daily prayer, or signup to receive daily prayer delivered right to your inbox.

Morning Prayer. No commute, no computer needed...join us on your phone Monday through Saturday for Morning Prayer. Learn more.

Weekly Bulletin. Download the weekly parish bulletin when you are unable to attend Mass.

Weekly Rosary. The Rosary is prayed at SJE on Tuesdays at 7pm. If you are unable to join us in church, we invite you to join the live-stream.

Live-Stream. We have live-stream available for Sunday liturgy and some daily Mass from both churches: QR and SJE.

Let's Get Social. Like or follow us on Facebook to receive news and updates in real time and join the conversation: QR and SJE.
(847) 979-0901 | info@olbsegv.org

Worship sites:
Queen of the Rosary, 750 W. Elk Grove Blvd.
St. Julian Eymard, 601 Biesterfield Road

School:
Queen of the Rosary School, 690 Elk Grove Blvd.
(847) 437-3322 | www.qrschool.org