December 25 & 26, 2021:
Christmas & Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
PARISH NEWSLETTER
The Church of St. Mary :: 201 E. Illinois Lake Forest, IL 60045
Parish Office Hours: 8:30am to 4:00pm Monday - Friday
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-------Merry Christmas! We gather in joy, in hope and in awe of God’s love incarnate, born in a manger, born of the Blessed Mother, to be the Savior of all humanity. May we pray into our joy, our hope and awe that we may humbly receive the gift offered to all people.
-------Christmas is a wonderful time. Christmas is an exciting time. Christmas can be a busy and a very stressful time. May we journey through the Christmas season ever mindful of the gift of the Prince of Peace, born anew in our hearts and lives.
------- I was immediately drawn into the icon below and the title given to Mary as “Our Lady of Gentleness.” This image icon hangs in the Sisters’ Chapel at Guesthouse** at Lake Orion, Michigan. The beautiful icon and piece of art was created by Fr. Nicholas Troccola who named it “Our Lady of Gentleness.”
-------In a reflective message of Pope Francis, may we take the following and the icon into prayer this Christmas season.
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-"If you think your heart is poor in love, Christmas is for you. The grace of God has appeared, to shine forth in your life. Accept it and the light of Christmas will shine forth in you.
Christmas reminds us that God continues to love us all. His love is unconditional. His love does not change. It is not fickle; it is faithful. It is patient. This is the gift we find at Christmas.
Let us receive the gift that is Jesus, in order then to become a gift like Jesus…once we stop trying to change others but try to change ourselves to make of our life a gift.”
-------On behalf of the Parish Staff of the Church of St. Mary we wish you and your loved ones the true joy of Jesus this Christmas. If we can be of any support or service to you, please reach out to us at the Parish Office or via email. We will do our best to respond promptly to your request.
-------Thanks to one and all who have made a generous and sacrificial gift to the Church of St. Mary this Christmas.
-------In the past year I came across the following quote by C. S. Lewis. “Once in our world a stable had something in it bigger than our whole world.”
-------(**Guesthouse is a treatment center for men and women religious suffering from addictions and related health issues. Information about their healing ministry is available at GuestHouse.org.)
-------May God bless our receptive hearts with the gift born in a manger in Bethlehem,
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Fr. Mike Nacius and The Parish Finance Council is pleased to present the Annual Financial Report for the period ending June 30, 2021. The Church of St. Mary has navigated another year of challenge and uncertainty and is in excellent financial position. First and foremost, we have you, our parishioners, to thank for our good fortune. Your generosity and support have ensured that our parish remains vibrant, our Blue Ribbon school continues to educate our children at a high level, and we are able to serve our parish ministries and those in need throughout our community. The Parish Finance Council remains focused on serving and advising our Pastor, Fr. Nacius, as he leads our parish forward.
Thank you for your stewardship, in Christ,
Fr. Mike Nacius & The Parish Finance Council
To view the Annual Report please click HERE.
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Children's Worship Bulletin for Christmas, 2021:
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ST. MARY'S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
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From the Religious Education Office, prayers for a very blessed
Christmas Season!
Reminders:
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No Classes: December 26, 28, January 2 & 4 in observance of the Christmas Break
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January 9/10: First Reconciliation Retreat
lReligious Ed Office Closed: December 27, 31, & January 3
Questions? Contact 847.234.0090 | religioused@churchofstmary.org
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Support the School of St. Mary at the
Lake Forest Station Pop-up Shop through December 30!
The Lake Forest Metra station has been transformed into a unique pop-up shop benefitting local non-profits, and SOSM is one of the non-profits! We will have SOSM branded gifts as well as ornaments with a painting of the Church of St. Mary and school in the winter. There will also be student-made ornaments from both the primary and upper-grade center students, and SOSM spirit items including car magnets, face masks, and winter gear.
The shop is open Thursday-Saturday 11:00am - 5:00pm through December 30!
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None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. Romans 14:7-8
As the New Year begins, please consider one of the greatest acts of stewardship an individual can make by establishing an estate plan. Please consult an attorney and financial advisor when drafting your will or trust.
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HOLY COMMUNION TO THOSE IN CARS
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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, December 26. 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.
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SCHEDULE: Saturday, December 25 - Sunday, January 2, 2022
Saturday, December 25, 2021:
+ 9:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
+ 11:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
Sunday, December 26, 2021:
+ 8:00am: PUBLIC MASS
+ 10:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
+ 12:00pm: PUBLIC MASS
+ 1:00pm: Holy Communion to those in cars - Oakwood parking lot
Monday, December 27, 2021:
Parish Office Closed
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am
Tuesday, December 28, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am
Wednesday, December 29, 2021:
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am
+ 5:00 - 6:30pm: Eucharistic Adoration & Benediction - Church
Thursday, December 30, 2021:
+ 9:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
Friday, December 31, 2021:
Parish Office Closed
+ 7:30am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am
Saturday, January 1, 2022: ~ Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
+ 9:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
+ 5:00pm: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
Sunday, January 2, 2022:
+ 8:00am: PUBLIC MASS
+ 10:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC MASS
+ 12:00pm: PUBLIC MASS
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FROM AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE
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PLENARY INDULGENCE IN TIME OF CRISIS
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Plenary Indulgence
The Apostolic Penitentiary, a branch of the Vatican offices which focuses on mercy and the forgiveness of sins, issued a decree granting a Plenary Indulgence during this extraordinary time. To see some of the ways we can still participate in the life of grace and the life of the Church during the Covid-19 pandemic please click here.
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To find ways to volunteer within our community and to seek assistance from the parish please click here.
Here is a List of Places You may watch Mass on TV, Radio or Online:
- Online:
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Church of St. Mary Livestream can be found on our Facebook Page. View past celebrated Masses or join us for a current Livestream Mass according to the schedule in this newsletter.
- TV: EWTN
- DirecTV Channel 370
- Dish Network Channel 261
- Verizon Fios Channel 285
- XFinity Channel 33, 291, 1668
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Relevant Radio:
- 1:00 pm ET / 10:00 am PT.
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These Masses will be broadcast live on your local station, on the Relevant Radio® app, at relevantradio.com, and on my Father Rocky Facebook page so you can tune in from wherever you are. The Mass will be rebroadcast each evening at 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT on your local station.
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To read the Daily Scripture readings you may go to usccb.org and select "Daily Reading" at the top left menu.
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WEDDING BANNS
PRAYER FOR THE SICK AND DECEASED
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Wedding Banns-----I
------IIII Philip Lecaroz and Anne Chapman
Please remember in your prayers those who are sick, especially:
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Baby George Marotz
Gail Benvenuto
Barbara Birmingham
Brooke Bloom
Margaret Bower
Carmie Caluag
Nancy Carani
Jacqueline Cimarrusti
Marian Cimarrusti
Joan Dolan
Carolyn C. Erickson
Patrick Gasey
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Winifred Hartman
Grace DeLacy Jeffers
Suzanna Kocsis
Mark Mallon
Carolina Martinez
Robert Matthei
Lorrie Nacius
Christine Norton
Ananias Ponce
John Sternberg
Drue Stoehr
Ann Barret Stroh
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Please note that the names on our parish sick list will now be posted for a three-month period. (The current list is for November through January.)
If you would like to add a family member to the Prayers for the Sick, please call our Parish Office at: 847.234.0205.
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Please remember in your prayers those who have gone to their eternal rest with Our Lord, especially:
Kazimiera Chybcinska (grandmother of Adrian Kasperowicz)
William Churchill, Jr.
Gerald "Jerry" Mordini (brother of Glenn [Donna] and Gordon Mordini; father of Kelly Brosio)
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Mass Intentions will be prayed for during a private or public daily Mass.
Saturday, December 25, 2021: ~ Christmas Day
All Masses for the People of St. Mary’s
Sunday, December 26, 2021:
8:00am: Joseph Good, Sr.; Dottie Corra
10:00am: Shane Edward Kelly; Bob Kearns
Noon: Stephen Foley, Sr.;Special Intention for Ashley & Dawson Van Winkle; People of St. Mary’s
Monday, December 27, 2021:
John Gustafson; Bud Turner
Tuesday, December 28, 2021:
Donna Wawrzyniak; Joseph Morahan
Wednesday, December 29, 2021:
Derry O. & Patricia G. Falligant; Liane Klingler
Thursday, December 30, 2021:
Thomas R. Kiwala; Vittorio Fabbri
Friday, December 31, 2021:
7:30am: Edward Dempsey; Special Intention for Kathleen Leonard Pasquarette
Saturday, January 1, 2022: ~ Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
9:00am - Thomas Lubinski; Special Intention for Caitlin Presberg
5:00pm - Katie Hoch Roger; Joseph Morahan
Sunday, January 2, 2022:
8:00am: Bruno & Ann Mack; Gene Carter
10:00am: Dr. Thomas Palella; Joseph Morahan
Noon: Genevieve Pardo; Zaccari-Carani Families; People of St. Mary’s
If you would like to request a special Mass Intention, please email our Parish Receptionists at: receptionist@churchofstmary.org and they will kindly assist you!
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“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” (1 JOHN 3:1)
During this season of giving, let us remember the most important gift we have received – being children of God. As God’s children, it’s important that we express our love for others as well. Tell your spouse, children and other family members and friends that you love them, frequently.
Sunday Collection ------- ------- ---- Actual Budgeted Surplus/(Shortfall)
December 19, 2021----------------------------------- $28,912 ----- $22,000 ----- $6,912
Total Sunday Collections Fiscal 2022 YTD $575,205 $550,000 --- $25,205
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THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH OF ST. MARY
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We are grateful for the outpouring of support from parishioners while we navigate financially. Thank you for continuing to support your parish as well as our sharing parish, Most Blessed Trinity. Thank you for mailing your contribution to the Parish Office or scheduling your online donation. Offertory basket will be made available during Sunday Public Masses as well for your offering.
Ways To Give
+ Drop in the Offertory Basket during Public Mass at the end of Mass
+ Mail Your Contribution:
----- Church of St. Mary
----- c/o Business Office
-----201 E. Illinois
-----Lake Forest, IL 60045
+ Online Giving:
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Schedule your recurring donations via our online Giving safe and secure portal, GiveCentral Go to: Church of St. Mary GiveCentral or click the image to the left.
Thank you!
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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.
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Like the Church of St. Mary Facebook Page
Like the Church of St. Mary Facebook Page to get notices on viewing Livestreamed Mass! Prior recorded Masses can also be watched via our 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!
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The Church of St. Mary has a YouTube channel! Once we have 1000k subscribers, we can stream live! Look for the black and white image of the Church of St. Mary when searching for the channel or click on either image here to go straight there! Don't forget to subscribe! |
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