May 8, 2020: Fifth Sunday of Easter
Parish Newsletter
The Church of St. Mary :: 201 E. Illinois Lake Forest, IL 60045
Virtual Office: 847-234-0205 :: Email: receptionist@churchofstmary.org
|
|
From the Desk of Fr. Mark Augustine, Administrator
|
May 8, 2020
Dear Parish Families,
This past week I was called in to Lake Forest Hospital to pray over an individual dying from Covid-19. I was not allowed to enter the room but offered prayers outside from the hallway. While praying, the young man's family was on Facetime and the entire medical team, several of whom were Catholic, was standing in the hallway, waiting for the prayers to be completed. After praying over this individual, I did the same thing with two other patients. One of whom I was on the phone with praying with them as we each gazed through the closed glass door at one another. It was a beautiful and grace filled moment. It was also very unique in my pastoral experience, though I know I will experience it again. In fact, I was asked if I would be able to make this a regular practice by the hospital staff.
The following day I was on a conference call with clergy from the other denominations around Lake Forest and Lake Bluff. We also were privileged to have Dr. Jeff Kopin, MD, Head of Medicine at Lake Forest Hospital, on the call with us. He stressed, and asked that it be shared with the community, the world class healthcare they have been able to provide for their patients. As they begin to open up the hospital for more medical services, many of which have been delayed for patients, they have good news. Great precaution and safety measures have been undertaken for the well-being of patients, visitors, and staff. The reality of the Covid -19 will be with us for a while, but the hospital has shown exemplary care thus far. I do wish to thank all of our front line workers, including many of our own parishioners, who continue to serve many long hours for the care and well-being of others, most especially those who are being treated for Covid-19. It is a great sacrifice, and one that is worthy of admiration. So thank you all for the work you continue to provide around the clock during this pandemic!
We all know how radically different everybody's life, job, studies, and relationships have become over the last 2 months. I have been reflecting a lot lately on how my ministry in particular has changed. It's not just the changes which affect all of our personal lives, but the ways in which the Church of St. Mary is still called to serve. I have no doubt that, across the world, parish ministry not only looks different now compared with the start of the year, but will continue to do so once things are reopened. I pray for the wisdom and guidance to continue to lead and shepherd the people of God. We continue on this journey together, and we will come through the other end of it, hopefully still a people of faith, hope, and love! May we continue to be led by our True Shepherd through "the valley of the shadow of death" and know, beyond any doubt, that "the Lord is at my side" (Ps 23).
In the regard of the new reality we are currently in and will be facing moving forward, many have asked about the Church reopening and the celebration of the various sacraments. I am expecting to receive, any day now, an update of guidelines from the Archdiocese regarding how and when the Church may gradually reopen. This comes in light of the Governor's Five-phase plan to reopen the state, current liturgical guidelines from the US Bishops Conference, and the guidance of health and safety officials. There will be phases of reopening, similar to the state's plan. What that looks like yet, I do not know. As soon as that information comes out the parish staff are ready to implement and execute a plan, based on those guidelines, to open the doors and allow our people to gather, to pray, to reflect, and to receive the grace of God. We want to make sure we are able to do what is best for the people of God as we continue to serve and minister through these difficult days.
I pray daily for you, and this weekend wish to bestow my blessing upon all Mothers: Grandmothers, Godmothers, Mothers, Expectant Mothers, Mother figures, and all those who share a maternal love for one another. May you experience grace and peace this day as we recognize the love and sacrifice you have offered for your children!
God Bless,
Fr. Mark Augustine, Administrator
|
|
May 10, 2020: Fifth Sunday of Easter Gospel Reflection
|
Jesus is addressing his disciples at the Last Supper. He knows that they are afraid of the coming events and what that means for their ministry and themselves. He asks them to have faith in him as they have faith in God. Philip says to Jesus that if you show us the Father then we will believe. Well, that isn't faith. It's easy to believe in what we can see or touch but faith is belief in the spiritual; the non-physical. Faith is always seeking understanding. The world these days is seeking that faith in our medical and research professions. Something we cannot see is ravishing our world, changing how we interact with each other. For that, we seek to understand what this virus is, how it works and how we can best stay safe. In the same way, we seek to understand how to live out God's mission for us all. What was Jesus' mission about? How do we continually deepen our spiritual lives so that we may draw closer to God and stay grounded in God's love for us so that we may give that love to others?
When Jesus says "Where I am going you know the way", he doesn't mean there is a physical map to follow, he means He Is the Way! When we live our lives the way Jesus has taught us then we are following
the way. Outreach to the marginalized, whether they are marginalized by education, location, economic, access to medical care, etc. is a key aspect to living out Jesus' ministry. We see communities all over doing an amazing job of this during this pandemic! It warms the heart and soul to see so many people coming together for the common good. This is living
the way!
The heart of living out what God wants for us is seeking oneness; oneness with God and each other. We do this through forgiveness of sins. We seek to reconcile with those who we have hurt or have been hurt by. When we do not allow for forgiveness that keeps a barrier between us and those we are hurt by. We cannot be one with each other if we are held back by anger. Seeking oneness with each other also draws us closer to God. Evidence of this is by the works that we do; how we live our lives. When we do that, Jesus tells us that not only will we do the works he did but ones greater than those. This gives us a good point of reflection, looking at how we have lived our lives, what are the good works that we have done and is there room for growth? The Holy Spirit is always with us, we continually work on opening ourselves more to allow the Spirit to work through us and help us along the way. May we all spend some time in quiet reflection this week on how to do just that!
|
|
Family Resources & Activities
|
We are here to support your family as you discover new ways to share faith. New content continues to be added to help families dive deeper in their relationship with God and the celebration of our Catholic identity. There are activities for children to better understand the Mass as you attend from home, faith-filled videos to enhance your family's celebration of Easter, as well as various faith activities you can incorporate into your child's day. These resources can be found on the
Religious Education website, under the "Formation at Home" tab.
Highlights Include:
- Mass Resources: Children's Missalette Videos, Printable Mass Prep Coloring Sheets, Printable Tiny Saints Mass Reflection and more
- Home Catechesis Links: Strong Catholic Families Materials, Growing Up Catholic, Word on Fire by Bishop Barron
- Easter Video: A collection of videos that can be shared throughout the season to help celebrate and discuss this blessed time
|
|
Timely Articles of Interest
|
|
-May 13 is the day we honor Our Blessed Mother under her title of Our Lady of Fatima. In October 1930, the Church proclaimed "worthy of belief" the appearances of the Blessed Virgin Mary that occured in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. Three humble shepherd children, Lucia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto, were visited by the Blessed Mother - "the Lady more brilliant than the Sun" - on the thirteenth of each month between May and October of 1917.
More about Our Lady of Fatima can be found at:
Prayer to the Mother of our Lord for all Mothers
Mary, on this day when we honor all mothers, we turn to you. We thank the Lord whom you serve for the great gift of motherhood. Never has it been known that anyone who sought your intercession was left unaided by grace. Dear Mother, thank you for your "Yes" to the invitation of the angel which brought heaven to earth and changed human history. You opened yourself to God's word and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
Dear Mother, intercede for all of our mothers. Ask your Divine Son to give them the grace of surrendered love so that they could join with you in giving their own "Fiat." May they find daily strength to say yes to the call to the sacrificial love - the very heart of the vocation of motherhood. May their love and witness be a source of great inspiration for all of us called to follow your Son.
On this Mother's day, Mother of the Word Incarnate, pray for us who have recourse to you.
In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
"To love means the desire to perfect oneself and the loved one,
to overcome selfishness and to give oneself."
- St. Gianna Beretta Molla (Wife, Mother, Physician,
and
Catholic Saint!)
Patron Saint of: Mothers, Physicians, and Unborn Babies.
St. Gianna, Pray for us!
|
|
Plenary Indulgence in Time of Crisis
|
|
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. Here are some of the ways we can still participate in the life of grace and the life of the Church during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- As a refresher, here is a brief summary on the Church's teaching on grace, or participation in the divine life:
- Fundamentally, indulgences (plenary/full or partial) refer to a repairing and healing of the damage inflicted by sin.
- In the English language, the word "indulgence" carries the connotation of "permission" or "license to do something." In the Church and with regard to sin, this certainly is not the case.
- In traditional language, this is the "remission of temporal punishment due to sin." That we, through prayer and action recommended by the Church, can engage in this healing and repair is not because of our own efforts, merit, or power.
- The Church, drawing on the doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ and the Communion of Saints speaks of drawing grace from the "treasury of the Church."
- In this moment of isolation and disconnection, the proposal to seek an indulgence re-affirms our connection in the Body of Christ and with the saints.
- The Plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful suffering from Coronavirus, who are subject to quarantine by order of the health authority in hospitals or in their own homes if, with a spirit detached from any sin, they:
- unite spiritually through the media to the celebration of Holy Mass, the recitation of the Holy Rosary, to the pious practice of the Way of the Cross or other forms of devotion,
- one way to carry this out would to be pray one of the seven penitential psalms, which are: Psalm 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 138 and 143.
- or if at least they will recite the Creed, the Lord's Prayer and a pious invocation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, offering this trial in a spirit of faith in God and charity towards their brothers and sisters,
- with the will to fulfill the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer according to the Holy Father's intentions), as soon as possible, when the suspensions are lifted.
- In addition, health care workers, first responders, family members and all those who, following the example of the Good Samaritan, exposing themselves to the risk of contagion, care for the sick of Coronavirus according to the words of the divine Redeemer: 'Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends' (Jn 15: 13), will obtain the same gift of the Plenary Indulgence under the same conditions.
- Especially in this challenging moment, seeking an indulgence is a way of doing something spiritually and a way of praying for ourselves and for others.
|
|
Beneficiary:
-Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD)
-Phoenix Rising Foundation (North Chicago)
-A Safe Place
Drop off Location: Gorton Community Center south driveway outside of solarium
Start Date: April 27 until needs are fulfilled
Drop off days: Monday-Friday not on Saturdays or Sundays please
Drop off times: 10:00-4:00pm
please check expiration dates
ONLY SHELF-STABLE ITEMS NEEDED:
* Peanut butter
* Canned or dried beans
* Canned soup (no tomato soup);
Canned chili / stews
* Canned fruit
* Canned vegetables
* Canned fish and chicken
Participating Churches:
Community Church of Lake Bluff
Church of St. Mary
Christ Church of Lake Forest
|
The Soup Kitchen at Most Blessed Trinity is still serving those in need, but on a "take out" basis. As we have for the last two months, we will prepare "brown bag suppers" for our guests again on May 15. Our packets contain a well-filled meat and cheese sandwich, bag of chips, granola bar, a piece of fruit, and a drink (water or juice). We will need between 75 and 90 meals, and would welcome contributions of:
-
Loaves of sandwich bread, preferably whole wheat
-
Ham or turkey
-
Sliced cheddar, American, or Swiss cheese
-
Individual bags of chips
-
Granola bars
-
Oranges, apples, tangerines
-
Juice boxes or bottles/cans of water
Any and all contributions are welcome. Since the Parish Center is closed, we would ask that you deliver them to Ellen Tierney. Please contact Ellen if you need any additional information: at
ellenkelly@comcast.net
or (847.295.4649)
|
Family Meal Kit Donations-
EXTENDED THROUGH MAY 15
Thank you for supporting your neighbors in distress! With your help, Roberti Community House has been distributing food to families at risk, providing over 800 meals each week to Waukegan, North Chicago, Highland Park and Highwood. The needs of the high-risk population we serve is growing every week. Please help us sustain this effort.
Roberti Community House (RCH) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has been serving the needs of those residing in a distressed neighborhoods since 2011. The services we provide are considered part of the Essential Critical Infrastructurefor Human Service Operations.
PLEASE HELP US BY PROVIDING THE
ESSENTIAL
INGREDIENTS FOR A
FAMILY MEAL KIT OPTIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
(Note that all Meal Kits will include ground beef, generously provided by our partner "
BEEF4HUNGER". We are grateful for their support.)
Pasta Meal (for 8)
- 2 boxes pasta (penne, spaghetti, etc)
- 2 jars pasta sauce
- 2 cans vegetable (green beans, peas, mixed veggies)
- 2 cans fruit
Chili Meal (for 8)
- 2 cans beans (kidney, black, pinto)
- 2 cans diced tomatoes
- 1 pkg chili seasoning mix
- 1 pkg corn bread mix OR tortillas 2 cans fruit
Chicken Noodle Casserole Meal (for 8)
- 1 pkg noodles orpasta
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- 1 can mixedveggies
- 1 can peas
- 3 cans chicken
- Optional: Dried Parmesan Cheese
Rice/Bean Skillet Meal (for 8)
- 1 - 1 lb bag rice
- 2 cans beans (kidney, pinto, black) 1 can dicedtomatoes
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 jar salsa OR hot sauce
- 3 cans chicken or 2 cans SPAM
PLEASE BUNDLE MEAL INGREDIENTS TOGETHER IN A BROWN BAG/BOX TO AID DELIVERY
WHAT NEXT? Delivery of Donation
Through May 15, please assemble your goods in a bag and drop of at one of these locations:
MONDAYS 5/11
Home of Kristin Keevins, St. Patrick's Womens Group volunteer
109 Surrey Lane, Lincolnshire, Illinois
(off Route 22 and Riverwoods Road)
Drop off area will be clearly marked at the house
WEDNESDAYS 5/13
St. Patrick Church
991 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest, IL
place bags at south-west side doors
THURSDAYS 5/14
Home of Lisa and Gary Doyle, Lake Bluff residents and
volunteers at the Roberti Community House
545 East Scranton Avenue,Lake Bluff, Illinois
Drop off area will be clearly marked at the house
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
Sign up for our newsletter (via website)
DONATE: Roberti Community House accepts:
- Checks, payable to
Roberti CommunityHouse
-
Venmo(@Roberticommunityhouse)
We sincerely appreciate your support in helping us to provide for this at risk community. In this perilous time, the greatest needs are for emergency housing and food. This critical need for food is driving our efforts DAILY. We are grateful for YOU.
|
|
Let's thank our local Fire Departments! Firefighters are the first people to respond to Covid-19 patients. They, like so many other first responders work long shifts and make their own meals at the firehouse. A great way to say "Thank you" for all their dedication to keeping us safe is to purchase gift cards from local restaurants for them to use as needed! All you have to do is call a local restaurant and purchase a gift card. The restaurant will drop off the gift card to your local fire department for them to use when needed. Super easy and a huge help to the firefighters who won't have to worry about cooking for that meal!
|
During these uncertain times some of our parishioners have reached out to the Parish Office either wanting to volunteer while others need assistance. If you would like to volunteer or are in need of assistance, please fill out the appropriate form and someone will be in touch with you.
|
|
Community Celebration of Mass via Facebook Live
|
|
TV, Radio & Online Mass Offerings
|
Here is a List of Places You may watch Mass on TV, Radio or Online:
- TV: EWTN
- DirecTV Channel 370
- Dish Network Channel 261
- Verizon Fios Channel 285
- XFinity Channel 33, 291, 1668
- Online:
- Relevant Radio:
|
|
Prayers for the Sick and Deceased
|
|
Please remember in your prayers those who are sick, especially:
|
Pierre Adam
Renata Adamiec
Peggy Adams
Beny Alvarez
Alexa Anderson
Baby Bower Triplets:
Rose Marie, Adelaide Marie,
and Josephine Marie
Baby Mercer
Baby Peter John O'Rourke
Elvera Baeza
Dolores Beck
Beverly Beinlich-Pasquesi
Jack Brown
Mason Jeffrey Browner
Baby Virginia Bunimovich
Jerry Burns
Francesco Camoletto
Nancy Carani
Nova Carlson
Sember Carlson
Luis and Maria Cardenas
Michael Carpenter
Jeffrey Chicoine
Carolyn Cimarrusti
Jacqueline Cimarrusti
Marianna Cimarrusti
Charles Cook
Virginia Cordoba
Mary Elizabeth Cran
Greg DeBoer
Louis Degaetano
Mimi Degaetano
Mike Dellefield
Lewis Dilts
Joan Dolan
Annamarie Elfering
Hannah Erickson
Susan Ewert
|
Abby Furco
Esperanza Galikay
Dorothy Gimbut
Jenny Green
Jeanne Gross
Jesus Guzman
Edward Halle
Elizabeth Hand
Margaret Hartman
Jack Hempstead
John Herbert
Hannah Hodgson
Edward Hoover
Patricia P. Huber
Juan Hurandas
Rafael Ibarra
Shirley Jacksack
Dolores Jansyn
Dick Jaworski
Christian Jenko
Dr. Mickey Jester
Mark Kalbus
Raine Kamm
Oceana Kashul
Mason Kelly
Genevieve Kluza
Patsy Leonard
Caroline Lyczko
Fely Macalalad
Angela Martinez
Carolina Martinez
Ralph Mastro
Will Matthei-Schmidt
Derrick Mathews
Donna Mathews
Kathryn McConnell
Janet McCue
Margaret Mary McIntyre
Mary Anne Minich
|
Dolores Morrison
Rick Nacius
Barbara Neis
Dana Nelson
David O'Brien
Peter O'Brien
Joaquin Padilla
John Paleczny
Tom Palella
Mary Margaret Pawl
Mary Butterfield Peddle
James Dean Penar
Marie Pfeiffer
Lisa Pommer
Lil Porter
Marianne Powers
Carol Pozdel
Marcia Ries
Mathew Rowley
Susan Schey
Leroy Schwaba
Bill Shafer
Colleen Sheerer
Tai (Pascal) Shin
Martin Sobey
Joan Sparrow
Ellen Sreenan
Debbie Sternberg
John Sternberg
Maureen Strassburger
Elzbieta Szymanska
Leonard Teifeld
Richard Thomas
Linda Trueblood-Lambert
Joseph Urso
Amanda Van Vleet
Brittany Van Vleet
Jim Wenzel
Martha Williams
Barbara Wilson
Robert Yale
|
|
Please remember in your prayers those who have gone to their eternal rest with Our Lord, especially:
Ellen Whalen (mother of Anne [Larry Obermeyer] O'Connell)
Roy Daniel Da Roza, Sr. (father of Mary Kay [John] Sonnier)
Tom Pfeiffer (husband of Marie Pfeiffer; father of Karl [Margaret] Pfeiffer,
Cecilia [Stan] Smoniewski, Christopher [Sally] Pfeiffer,
Catherine [Stuart] Lanyon, and Paul [Mellisa] Pfeiffer)
|
|
Mass Intentions will be prayed for during a private daily Mass.
May 8, 2020:
Monica Jayesuria; Herbert Richards; Alfred Stroh; Peter Smock
May 9, 2020:
Jean Demaree; Mary Suh; Kristine Fontana; Aldo Raganelli
May 10, 2020:
Mothers of St. Mary's
May 11: 2020:
Dottie Corra; Donald Cantua; Angelina Manzetti; Betty Milite
May 12: 2020:
Jack Jureidini; Giuseppina Dalmazio; Douglas & Margaret E. Macdonald; Robert Raiford Falligant
May 13, 2020:
Richard A. Nacius; Irene Oddi
May 14, 2020:
Steven McDonough; William & Michael Lorenz; Peter Gillespie; Helen J. Kiwala
May 15, 2020:
Camila Eklund; Timothy Conant; Peter Muehr; Betty Milite
May 16, 2020:
Michael Ohr; Lloyd Vlies; Bob Pommer & Anna & Carl Deckmeyer; Souls in Purgatory
May 17, 2020:
Theresa & John Lee; Kathleen & Charlie Sutherland; Deceased Members of the Stroh Family; Maria & Sam Scopelliti & Mary Gabrielsen; Millie Insera; Robert Scott; 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!
|
"The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone."
1 Peter 2:7
Everyone is given unique gifts. Many people are able to recognize their talents and abilities, but there are many people who are unsure of their gifts. This may make them feel worthless. If you know someone who is struggling for a direction in life, give them a little encouragement. Help them discern how they might use their skills. No gift is too small or insignificant.
Sunday Collection Actual Budgeted Surplus/(Shortfall)
May 3, 2020 $19,441 $26,000
($6,559)
Total Sunday Collections Fiscal 2020 YTD
($34,573)
Sharing Parish Collection April 2020 $8,351
Total Sharing Parish Collection Fiscal 2020 YTD $98,232
-Our next collection for our Sharing Parish, Most Blessed Trinity in Waukegan, will be on May 17.
-The Catholic Charities Collection which usually takes place on Mother's Day will this year be on August 30.
|
|
THANK YOU for CONTINUING TO SUPPORT the Church of St. Mary
|
THANK YOU for CONTINUING TO SUPPORT the Church of St. Mary.
We are grateful for the outpouring of support from parishioners while we navigate financially with no public Masses. 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.
Ways To Give
Mail Your Contribution:
Church of St. Mary
c/o Business Office
201 E. Illinois
Lake Forest, IL 60045
OR
Online Giving:
Schedule your recurring donations via our online Giving safe and secure portal, GiveCentral Go to:
Church of St. Mary GiveCentral or click the image below.
Thank you!
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Donate or Register for Events
|
|
|
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.
Like the Church of St. Mary 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!
Homilies & Gospel Readings!
Listen to past Gospel Readings and homilies anytime, anywhere! Click on the podcast image or goto our website. Click on Multimedia/Podcasts.
Enjoy!
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
