October 17, 2021: The Twenty-Ninth 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 Church celebrated the feast of St. John XXIII on Monday, October 11. One of St. John XXIII’s mentors encouraged him to “Pray for peace.” This message and example that helped shape and form St. John XXIII is needed as much today in our world as when St. John heard it over sixty years ago. May we not only pray for peace but work for peace in our hearts, homes, Church and world.

I shared with the parishioners at morning Mass the following prayer written by St. John XXIII. I hope you take time to pray with these beautiful words…. “Every day I need you, Lord, but today especially, I need some extra strength to face whatever is to come. This day, more than any other day, I need to feel you near me to strengthen my courage and to overcome any fear. By myself I cannot meet the challenge of the hour. We are frail human creatures and we need a Higher Power to sustain us in all that life may bring. And so, dear Lord, hold my trembling hand. Be with me, Lord, this day and stretch out your powerful arm to help me. May your love be upon me as I place all my hope in you. Amen.”

Our students and families make determined efforts to grow in their faith and to deepen their relationship with Jesus. Those students and families preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation participate in a three year program. Each of the three years of preparation are filled with classes, reflections, time for prayer, service opportunities, and involvement in and participation with the community, at Mass, and in serving their neighbor.

Our students select an example, a friend of Jesus, a Confirmation sponsor that journeys with them in faith as well as encourages their growth in friendship with the Lord. This coming Monday, sponsors, parents, and students preparing for the third and final sacrament of Initiation are gathering for a meeting to address how as a community, as family, as students, they can take full advantage of the remaining five months of their preparation to deepen their friendship and trust in Jesus in their lives.

Please pray for our students, as well as their families and sponsors. May our young children take advantage of the time before them, to make time for Jesus in their prayer, in their celebration of the Eucharist, and in their loving service of their family, friends, and neighbors.

---- We are in the middle of the month of October. Have you had the chance to reach out to a loved one to gather and pray the rosary? If someone reaches out to you I hope your schedule allows you to spend some time in friendship and prayer this month as we honor our Blessed Mother. This coming week, members of the Parish Council are inviting you to join them and other parishioners to come together for adoration from 5:00 – 7:00pm.

The Parish Council will lead the community in the recitation of the rosary this Wednesday at 6:30pm in the church. All are welcome to attend adoration this week and every Wednesday. All are welcome to bring a friend and to join members of the Parish Council in honoring Mary in praying the rosary, on October 20.

Fr. Radley and my alma mater, the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary is celebrating its 100^th anniversary this year. There are many events that the seminary has in place to recognize this momentous occasion and to continue to invite people across the Archdiocese and world to prayerfully, spiritually, and financially support Mundelein Seminary. Hopefully you are aware of many of them and will be able to participate in some of these events.

The Seminary is encouraging a Holy Hour for Vocations. St. Mary’s is joining Mundelein Seminary’s centennial celebration by holding a Holy Hour for Priests on Wednesday, November 3at 5:00pm. As we pray for vocations at St. Mary’s the first Wednesday of November, the monstrance we will be using for adoration and prayer is the monstrance that was used at the 28^th International Eucharistic Congress that was held at Mundelein in 1926. You are invited to mark your calendars and come to join in the holy hour for vocations on November 3.

You are encouraged to take a look at the School of St. Mary (SOSM) website. It highlights significant information about the school. This Thursday, the students and faculty will complete the first quarter of the school year. Great things are happening at the SOSM on a daily basis. May the second quarter of Catholic education build on the very firm foundation of the first quarter for a very successful year of school at our parish.

Thanks for those who are able to reach out and support our Scouts after the Sunday Masses. Thanks to all of the parents and grandparents who support scouting in our parish and larger community.

May God bless us with compassionate hearts, respecting all life.

Please join us for our next meeting on Tuesday, October 19 at 7:00pm in the Parish Center Conference Room for fellowship as we journey spiritually with this program. “That Man is You” is open to all men 18 years old and over. The meetings take place every Tuesday from 7:00-8:30pm.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Deacon Bob Thomas at bthomas@churchofstmary.org

We look forward to having you join us!!!!

Children's Worship Bulletin for October 17, 2021:

for ages 3+ HERE and for ages 7+ HERE.

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, October 31. 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, October 16 - Sunday, October 24, 2021

Saturday, October 16, 2021:

+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS

+ 8:00am: Reconciliation in Church

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

Sunday, October 17, 2021:

+ 8:00am: PUBLIC MASS

+ 10:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS

+ 12:00pm: PUBLIC MASS

Monday, October 18, 2021: