 |  Dear Friends,
This promises to be a great weekend at Old St. Mary's, for at least two reasons:
- We'll be celebrating the Solemnity of All Saints, which is one of my favorite celebrations of the liturgical year! Check out Katie Ellis' pastoral reflection on All Saints in this weekend's bulletin.
- People at Old St. Mary's are always friendly, but we anticipate that they will be especially friendly at the 8:30 & 11 am Masses this weekend, due to the end of Daylight Saving Time!
This weekend's bulletin also includes important financial news:
- Page 3 includes a report on the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2027. (This takes the place of the old "Budget Scorecard" that's been on hiatus for the past 2 years.)
- Page 5 rolls out the School's annual Blue Ribbon Appeal for the school. We'll hear more about it next week.
As the leaves fall and the days grow shorter and cooler, November is our month to especially remember our beloved dead. Please be sure to add the names of any loved ones who have died in the past year to our Book of the Dead, and please bring in their pictures for our ofrenda.
We will have two other remembrances next week: - We will celebrate the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (Feast of All Souls) at the 8:30 am Mass on Mon, Nov 2.
- Fr. Bob, Fr. Dan, and I will concelebrate the 8:30 am Mass on Thurs, Nov 5, with a special intention for all of our deceased brother Paulists.
We ask for your prayers for members of our community who are grieving the recent losses of loved ones:
- Ben Simons, brother-in-law of parishioner Emmanuelle Rousseau-Osial, died on October 21. His funeral is on Friday in Granger, IN.
- Parishioner Scotty Baise died on September 30. His funeral is 11 am Saturday, November 7 here at OSM. All are welcome to join us.
- Michael Maurice Harrison II, father of teacher Shannon Harrison, died on October 10. His funeral will be in Crown Point, IN on Saturday, November 14.
Be sure to check out the graphics about the events and donation drives happening at Old St. Mary's over the next few weeks.
Autumn blessings,
Rich Rev. Richard R. Andre, C. S. P.
Pastor
(image: Blessing of our Grade 7 Confirmation candidates last Saturday) |
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| Daylight Saving Time Ends & Hot Chocolate RunSunday, November 1 Note that DST ends on November 1! Remember to turn your clocks back an hour.
The Chicago Hot Chocolate Run also happens on November 1 - please plan accordingly, as S. Michigan Ave. in front of Old St. Mary's will be closed to traffic.l |
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 | YOUTH MINISTRY Youth Night - Catching the Wave!Sunday, November 1 · 5:15 - 6:45 PM Ever had a time when it was hard to talk to God honestly? Or maybe there are things about the Mass, confession, or other Catholic practices that don’t totally make sense to you. You’re not the only one – faithful Christians have been asking and answering these questions for 2,000 years.
On All Saints’ Day (Sunday, 11/1), join us in the Commons for a beach party with a purpose. All of us – even the Saints – get hit by a wave of doubt or dryness in our faith at some point. Just like in surfing, the key is learning to ride the wave instead of wiping out.
Learn more and add to your calendar below! |
Election Day Polling PlaceTuesday, November 3 Please note that we are a polling place on Tuesday, November 3. Expect more foot traffic than usual at our church. The parish office will be open, and Mass will be celebrated at 8:30 AM. There will be no hospitality in the commons on that day. |
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✦ Help Stock the St. James Food Pantry!Over the past few weeks, our Old St. Mary’s School community has been collecting food donations to help stock the shelves of the St. James Food Pantry. We’ve been heartened to hear that their efforts are making a real difference, with food items that haven’t been available in some time finally returning to pantry shelves!
We’re renewing our call to our parish community to help by focusing on two particular needs: hygiene essentials and canned fruit. For hygiene items, please bring new, unopened, travel-sized or individually packaged items (rather than multipacks) so they can be distributed directly to those in need.
Most-needed hygiene items include: Deodorant
Bar soap and shampoo
Toothpaste and toothbrushes
Mouthwash
Personal wipes
Every donation, large or small, makes a huge difference for our neighbors experiencing food and housing insecurity. Thank you for your continued generosity! |
Winter Clothing DriveHappening until November 15 Help keep our neighbors warm this winter! We are collecting new or gently used: - heavy winter coats and jackets,
- heavy gloves, socks, scaves
Seeking both adult and child sizes. Please note that we are specifically seeking warm, insulated winter outerwear, not sweaters or lightweight jackets.
Donations may be dropped in the collection bins in the commons. Thank you for your generosity! |
| Lector TrainingSunday, November 8 · 12:15–13:15 We will be holding a Lector Training on Sunday, November 8, following the 11:00 AM Mass, led by our Director of Liturgy and Music, Ace Gangoso. This is an opportunity for both current lectors and those interested in understanding of the role of the lector and grow in the art of proclaiming God's Word at Mass. |
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Young Adult Event - Coming Back to MyselfSunday, November 8 · 5:00 - 6:15 PM Join OSM Young Adult Escarlet Arana, a mental health professional, for the first of two workshops around mental health on Sunday, November 8 after the 4:00 PM Mass.
This talk will focus on the importance of mental health, emotional awareness, and personal healing. Topics will include understanding emotions, recognizing emotional wounds, developing healthy coping strategies, setting boundaries, and knowing when to seek professional support. The goal is to help us recognize our emotional needs and take practical steps toward well-being. |
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✦ Care at the End of Life: A Catholic PerspectiveTuesday, November 10, 2026 · 09:30 - 11:30 AM Making decisions about medical care, especially as we or our loved ones approach the end of life, can raise difficult questions. How does our Catholic faith guide us in making these decisions? What should we consider when planning for our own care or accompanying someone we love?
Join Fr. Bob Cary, CSP, for a two-hour seminar exploring Catholic teaching on care at the end of life. Fr. Bob will introduce basic principles of Catholic bioethics, discuss the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services issued by the U.S. Catholic Bishops, and offer practical guidance on medical powers of attorney, including Illinois law and resources from the Illinois Catholic Conference.
The session will also include a review of relevant documents to help participants better understand their options and make informed decisions consistent with their faith. |
Lectio DivinaThursday, November 12, 2026 · 9:15 - 10:00 AM Join us for Lectio Divina, an ancient Christian practice of prayerfully reading and reflecting on Sacred Scripture. Lectio Divina invites us to slow down, listen, and allow God’s Word to speak to our lives in the present moment. Through reading, silence, reflection, and prayer, we become more attentive to how God may be speaking to us through Scripture today. No previous experience is necessary. Come as you are and spend some quiet time listening to the living Word of God. Our group is led by Aimee Tracy. |
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| Events on the Horizon at OSM |
Eucharistic Minister TrainingSunday, November 15 · 12:15 – 1:15 PM We will be holding a Eucharistic Minister Training on Sunday, November 15, following the 11:00 AM Mass, led by Margie Halliwell. We invite you to prayerfully consider sharing your gifts through this ministry of service and hospitality! |
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| Archdiocesan Synodal Listening SessionsSaturday, November 21 | 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM The Archdiocese of Chicago will undertake a synodal process from Fall 2026 to Summer 2027, culminating in an Archdiocesan Ecclesial Assembly on June 12, 2027. This synodal process is a time for the Church to pray, reflect and listen to one another. It provides an opportunity to be attentive to where the Holy Spirit is leading us as a Church and community of faith, as we seek to remain faithful to the mission entrusted to us by Jesus Christ.
Join the Synodal Listening Session that will take place at Old St. Mary's on Saturday, November 21, from 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM. |
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 | Save the Date: Our Lady of Guadalupe CelebrationSaturday, December 12, 2026 · 08:30 AM Help make this celebration possible! Please consider making a donation to support this beloved parish tradition. Your generosity helps us share the joy of this special feast with our entire community. |
 | Save the Date: Simbang GabiFriday, December 18 · 06:30 PM Join us for our annual Simbang Gabi celebration, a beloved Filipino Advent tradition filled with faith, joy, color, and community.
Please consider donating to help defray the costs for Simbang Gabi. Your generosity makes our celebration possible! |
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