From The Desk of Fr. Mike Nacius, Pastor - May 6, 2018 Bulletin
Happy Easter! Easter people are guided by our Scriptures this Easter season, learning how the early Church lived their faith. May their witness inspire our Christian witness in the Risen Lord as we proclaim Easter with believers of all ages.
 
One of our parishioners, Cal Stroh is speaking this weekend at all of the Masses. Her message is short and poignant, a gentle invitation to one and all. The 2018 Mother's Day Collection, Women and Children First will take place next weekend. For more information you can visit Catholic Charities.  Your donation to Catholic Charities gives hope, courage and guidance to those who need us most!  When you make a donation to Catholic Charities You are feeding the hungry, You are providing shelter for the poor, You are helping those fleeing abuse or violence, You are allowing seniors to remain self-sufficient, You are helping veterans overcome enormous obstacles  and so much more!  Thanks to Cal and all those who volunteer at Catholic Charities.

Next weekend you are invited to support the Church of St. Mary Respect Life Committee by buying roses for your special someone. All monies received support the outreach efforts and Respect Life ministry of St. Mary's.

If you are at St. Mary's on Tuesday evenings you very likely hear the ringing of bells by the "Bell Choir". The "ringers" make a joyful noise unto the Lord, that fills the church with beautiful music. The Bell Choir is "ringing" at Mass Saturday evening, May 6 th and will then be off for the summer. Have you played in a bell choir before? Are you able to read music? Would you like to join a group of faithful parishioners? If you have answered yes to several of these questions you are encouraged to reach out to John Chapman at jchapman@churchofstmary.org or speak to him at the weekend Masses.  

Thanks to the thoughtfulness and generosity of the many parishioners that will bring bags of food for the Food Drive that directly supports our Sharing Parish, Most Blessed Trinity Food Pantry. Donations of food can be brought to the Oakwood entrance of the school until 1:00PM on Sunday. Donations can also be brought to church and the volunteers will come and bring the food from church  over to the school. Thanks to Sean Jordan and his team of generous volunteers.
 
You are encouraged to participate in the Tax Credit Scholarship opportunity. Illinois taxpayers can receive a credit for 75 percent of donations to tax credit scholarships (TCS). Donors must apply for a tax credit on the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) MyTax Illinois website before proceeding with a donation to a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO). The  Archdiocese of Chicago is partnering with Empower Illinois and Big Shoulders Fund SGOs.
 
In Vicariate 1, our goal is to complete this process by June 1st to help the Office of Catholic Schools plan for the 2018/2019 school year. Please complete the following steps to complete a TCS donation before the Vicariate 1 target deadlines. Detailed step-by-step instructions for requesting a Letter ID, creating a MyTax Illinois account, and applying for a tax credit are at Archdiocese of Chicago Tax Credit Scholarships.
 
I am away from the parish on a pilgrimage to Italy, spending time in prayer, travel, reflection and celebration. We will be walking in the Footsteps of St. Francis spending several days in Assisi. We will then journey to Rome to take in the beautiful basilicas, cathedrals, churches, and catacombs lifting up the intentions of the parishioners of St. Mary's! I will be back in the office on Friday, May 11 th . I ask your prayers for a safe and enriching pilgrimage. Know that the parishioners of St. Mary's will be remembered in the prayers and Masses offered while contemplatively journeying on this pilgrimage.
 
Thanks for praying this week about your level of support to the 2018 Mother's Day Collection for Catholic Charities that will be taken up on May 12 th & 13th.
 
God bless with you with a heart rejoicing in the Lord this Easter!
 

Parish Events
Lake County Right to Life  40th Annual
Mother's Day Rose Benefit
May 12 & 13
 
The Rose is the symbol of the Pro-Life movement because it expresses the unique beauty and fragility of life.   Roses will be for sale after Masses on Mother's Day weekend for a suggested donation of $2.00 a rose, $5.00 for 3 roses, $10.00 for 6 roses, and $20.00 for a dozen roses.   Proceeds will support the advocacy efforts of Lake County Right to Life.  
 

Welcome the Stranger . . . and Make an Apartment a Home
  As many know, St. Mary's is sponsoring a family in the Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Program. St. Mary's will be collecting household goods for the Resettlement Program on the weekend of May 19/20. We are seeking donations of the following goods and gift cards: 
  •  CTA Ventra cards
  •  gift cards (Walmart, Target, Jewel, etc.)
  •  umbrellas
  •  diapers (sizes NB, 1 and 6)
  •  rolls of quarters (for laundry)
  •  laundry detergent
  •  feminine hygiene products (pads)
  •  mops and mop buckets
  •  window fans
  •  cutlery sets
  •  light bulbs (60/100 W)
  •  3-6 peg racks (for towels, etc.)
These items do not necessarily go to the family that St. Mary's is sponsoring but will be used to replenish the supplies that Catholic Charities has for all refugee families. The goal is for these items to smooth their transition to life in Chicagoland. Please bring your items to either the front or rear Church entrance on the weekend of May 19 & 20, up until 1:30pm on May 20. If you have any questions please contact Deacon Jack Herrmann at  herrmann979@aol.com  or Anne Taylor at   annetaylor@hotmail.com . 


 



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