HAPPY EASTER!
Happy Mother's Day! Welcome to all of our visitors and guests that have joined us to celebrate and pray with our Mothers this Mother's Day!
You have the chance to support our Pro-Life Ministry at St. Mary's by purchasing a rose(s) after the weekend Masses. Thanks for supporting this important ministry at St. Mary's.
As mentioned in last week's article, I will be writing a four-part series of articles in my column this month. This is the second of four articles that will be part of my articles in the bulletin regarding the upcoming construction and repairs to the East Stair entrance to the east side of the church (by the baptismal font.) Initial information was shared about this project in the Christmas 2018 and Easter 2019 bulletins.
As we move forward with the upcoming Phase Four efforts to maintain our parish facilities, we are inviting and sharing with parishioners the opportunity to join together and help. As we move forward with the projects this summer, 100% of all donations given to the Fr. Barry Fund will go directly to
Phase Four and More
.
More details in next week's bulletin.
Since 2013, parishioners have generously supported the "To Teach Who Christ Is Campaign." Because
of the generosity of former and current parishioners the first three phases of projects and improvements to the church were completed. These were
Phase One
: restoration of the front façade and limestone,
Phase Two:
the restoration of the front porch and plaza with the addition of radiant heat, and
Phase Three:
repairs and restoration of the stained glass windows. There is one project remaining to be completed.
Phase Four:
is the repair and upgrade to the east stairs into the Church of St. Mary. Age, weather, and deterioration have now made this a life-safety issue that the parish is properly addressing. We are very excited about the plans that have been approved by the Parish Council, the Parish Finance Council, and the Lake Forest Historic Preservation Committee.
Phase Four is scheduled to begin in early June. We are hoping that the project will move forward with minimal delays or complications for parishioners, guests and visitors to St. Mary's. We are announcing the
Phase Four and More
with you with the hopes of your spiritual and financial support.
The primary focus is to bring the entrance of the church up to current standards for the safety of all who come to the Church of St. Mary. Next week I will share other aspects of the focus of our work in
Phase Four and More
....
Springtime is the time for priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago to celebrate anniversaries of their ordination to the priesthood and the sacrament of Holy Orders. Next Saturday is the 6
th
anniversary of Fr. Mark's ordination to the priesthood. May 18 is also the ordination day of the 6 priests being ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Chicago.
The anniversary of my priesthood ordination is May 20. Being ordained in 1989, this year marks the 30
th
anniversary of my priesthood. Next Saturday, at the 5:00pm evening Mass, I will be celebrating a Mass of Thanksgiving with family members, friends, and parishioners. I ask for your prayers as I celebrate this anniversary at St. Mary's, giving thanks for my priesthood and the opportunity to minister and share faith with the parishioners of St. Mary's.
God bless you and your loved ones celebrating and living Easter hope.
