 |  Dear friends,
Greetings! Apologies that this newsletter comes a day later than normal. Fr. Rich and I were in Houston, TX the last few days for the annual meeting of Paulist pastors, directors, and superiors. It was a restorative time being together with a number of Paulists.
A highlight of our time in Houston was the rich conversation we had around the Charism, Spirituality, and Mission document that emerged from our Paulist General Assembly this past June. One of the sessions featured a conversation between Fr. Frank and Fr. Rich - photo above!
If you haven't had a chance to read the CSM document yet, I encourage you to do so. One passage in particular, I think, succinctly captures Paulist mission for today:
"At the heart of every Paulist is a refusal to give up on people, on culture, or on the age in which the Church is situated."
It's a powerful reminder that God is continually at work in the world through the Holy Spirit, and is inviting us to find communion and unity amid the challenges of the world and complexity of human experience.
Here at Old St. Mary's, we continue to dream, reimagine, and strengthen what it means to be neighbor, friend, and family to one another, and to the greater community we are a part of. How might we lean more deeply into a way of being Church that refuses to give up on anyone? A community where differences don't have to become divisions, where our diversity is celebrated with grace, and where no one is made to feel like a stranger?
May the Holy Spirit continue to be guide and sanctifier in all that we do! Fr. Dan |
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| Flu Shot ClinicSunday, October 25, 2026 • 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM Walgreens will host a flu shot clinic this Sunday from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM in the Parish Center. Stop by and get your flu shot as we head into the colder months!
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 | Young Adults Wine & Cheese SocialSunday, October 25, 2026 • 5:00 - 6:00 PM Stop by for a simple wine & cheese social for Young Adults after the 4PM Mass this Sunday! A great way of getting to meet your fellow young adults at Old St. Mary's. |
 | Young Adult WYD Registration Live!The Paulists are taking a Young Adult group to World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea! Pilgrimage is from August 1 - 10, 2027. Learn more and register at wyd.paulist.org.
All young adults ages 18–39 are welcome. Financial scholarship money available. We're hoping for a few young adults from Chicago to join us on what will be an incredible experience! |
 | Finding Meaning WorkshopWednesday, October 28, 2026 · 09:30 - 10:30 AM Our Claret Center intern, Elizabeth Milman, leads a workshop this coming Wednesday on "Finding Meaning."
We’ll explore some of the different things that can give our lives a sense of meaning and purpose, including relationships, values, service, spirituality, faith, and personal growth. |
 | Ofrenda Altar in the CommonsRemember your departed loved ones in our parish ofrenda altar in the Commons. Bring photos, preferably framed, to the ofrenda between Oct. 21 to Nov. 1. Please label them with your name and phone number so that we can return to you. |
Adult Open GymSunday, October 25 · 5:00 - 6:15 PM Join us for adult open gym (18+) this Sunday after the 4 PM Mass! Open gym is available most Sundays, except during Holiday Weekends / conflicts with church/school events. Email the parish office for latest information. |
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♥ Help Stock the St. James Food Pantry!One of our longstanding social justice commitments has been supporting St. James Food Pantry, which serves thousands of neighbors experiencing food insecurity. With reductions in federal assistance placing increasing pressure on local food pantries, the need for community support is especially urgent.
Our school is already organizing a food drive, and we invite our church community to help by donating personal hygiene essentials, which are in particularly high demand.
Please bring new, unopened items, preferably in travel or toiletry sizes, or individually-packaged (rather than multipacks) so they can be easily distributed to those in need.
Most-needed hygiene items right now: - Deodorant
- Bar soap and shampoo
- Toothpaste and toothbrushes
- Mouthwash
- Personal wipes
Thank you for helping put faith into action! |
♥ Winter Clothing DriveHappening until November 15 Help keep our neighbors warm this winter! We are collecting new or gently used: - heavy winter coats and jackets,
- heavy gloves, socks, scaves
Seeking both adult and child sizes. Please note that we are specifically seeking warm, insulated winter outerwear, not sweaters or lightweight jackets.
Donations may be dropped in the collection bins in the commons. Thank you for your generosity! |
| Events on the Horizon at OSM |
 | YOUTH MINISTRY Youth Night - Catching the Wave!Sunday, November 1 · 5:15 - 6:45 PM Ever had a time when it was hard to talk to God honestly? Or maybe there are things about the Mass, confession, or other Catholic practices that don’t totally make sense to you. You’re not the only one – faithful Christians have been asking and answering these questions for 2,000 years.
On All Saints’ Day (Sunday, 11/1), join us in the Commons for a beach party with a purpose. All of us – even the Saints – get hit by a wave of doubt or dryness in our faith at some point. Just like in surfing, the key is learning to ride the wave instead of wiping out.
Learn more and add to your calendar below! |
Care at the End of Life: A Catholic PerspectiveTuesday, November 10, 2026 · 09:30 - 11:30 AM Making decisions about medical care, especially as we or our loved ones approach the end of life, can raise difficult questions. How does our Catholic faith guide us in making these decisions? What should we consider when planning for our own care or accompanying someone we love?
Join Fr. Bob Cary, CSP, for a two-hour seminar exploring Catholic teaching on care at the end of life. Fr. Bob will introduce basic principles of Catholic bioethics, discuss the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services issued by the U.S. Catholic Bishops, and offer practical guidance on medical powers of attorney, including Illinois law and resources from the Illinois Catholic Conference.
The session will also include a review of relevant documents to help participants better understand their options and make informed decisions consistent with their faith. |
✦ Memorial for Scotty BaiseSaturday, November 7, 2026 · 11:00 AM Parishioner Scotty Baise died at age 46 on September 30. For the past two years, Old St. Mary's was a major part of his community in Chicago. He usually wore black, and he most commonly came to the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass and sat in the back pews near the organ. We will hold a Memorial Mass for him at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 7. All are welcome. |
| Archdiocesan Synodal Listening SessionsSaturday, November 21 | 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM The Archdiocese of Chicago will undertake a synodal process from Fall 2026 to Summer 2027, culminating in an Archdiocesan Ecclesial Assembly on June 12, 2027. This synodal process is a time for the Church to pray, reflect and listen to one another. It provides an opportunity to be attentive to where the Holy Spirit is leading us as a Church and community of faith, as we seek to remain faithful to the mission entrusted to us by Jesus Christ.
Join the Synodal Listening Session that will take place at Old St. Mary's on Saturday, November 21, from 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM. |
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 | Save the Date: Our Lady of Guadalupe CelebrationSaturday, December 12, 2026 · 08:30 AM Help make this celebration possible! Please consider making a donation to support this beloved parish tradition. Your generosity helps us share the joy of this special feast with our entire community. |
 | Save the Date: Simbang GabiFriday, December 18 · 06:30 PM Join us for our annual Simbang Gabi celebration, a beloved Filipino Advent tradition filled with faith, joy, color, and community.
Please consider donating to help defray the costs for Simbang Gabi. Your generosity makes our celebration possible! |
| Staff and Volunteer Opportunities |
We are hiring! Pastoral Associate for Communications and OutreachWe're hiring! This person will be a member of the pastoral team, not only coordinating our communications strategy and telling our story, but also serving as a liaison to the ministries that reach out to our neighbors: greeters, hospitality, live streaming, and the Social Justice Committee.
Learn more below, and lease share this job description with those you might think would be a good fit for this position! |
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Volunteers urgently needed Help Us Keep Children’s Liturgy of the Word Going!Every time we offer Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLW) at our 11:00 AM Sunday Mass, we are delighted to see so many children eager to participate! But we need your help to keep this wonderful ministry going.
We don't currently have enough volunteers to offer CLW consistently, and we would love to change that! No teaching experience is necessary, and all materials are provided! Please consider giving a little of your time to help make this ministry possible for our children. You don't have to commit to every Sunday, and your presence can make a real difference! Email Elise to sign up. |
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Volunteers needed Help Us Welcome Families Celebrating Baptism!Baptism is a joyful occasion in the life of our parish, and we’re looking for volunteers to help welcome and accompany families as they celebrate this special moment!
Our Baptism Hospitality Ministry is in need of volunteers at the 8:30 and 11:00 AM Sunday Masses. Volunteers arrive about 30 minutes before Mass to help reserve pews, welcome families, walk them through what to expect, and assist the priest during the celebration.
If you regularly attend either of these Masses, this is a wonderful and easy way to share your time and help make an important moment in a family's faith journey even more special. Interested in helping? Contact Lauren to sign up. |
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| Photos from Recent Events! |
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