Daily Mass Schedule (during the School Year):
Monday, Thursday & Friday:
6:30am and 8:00am
Tuesday: 6:30am and 9:00am
Wednesday: 8:00am and 9:10am (9:10am is at St. Patricks)
Saturday: 8:00am
Weekend Mass Schedule:
Saturday: 5:00pm
Sunday: 8:00am, 10:00am, NOON & 6:00pm
Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Saturday: 8:30am or by appointment with a parish priest
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From the Desk of Fr. Mike Nacius, Pastor
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I was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago by Cardinal Bernardin in May of 1989. Ordination was the culmination of my formative years, learning from my mom and dad to be a person of faith and a person of prayer. My mom begins her day in quiet prayer, using her prayer book that is held together by tape and rubber bands so it doesn't break apart. I am very grateful for being encouraged and supported by other family, parishioners, and friends throughout my life as well as throughout my priesthood.
Leading up to and since I was ordained, I have tried to deepen and strengthen my relationship with Jesus, who called me to priesthood while I was a student in college. My relationship with Jesus has continued to deepen, evolve, and mature to this very day. Daily I turn to Jesus and trust in Jesus; I strive to stay close to the Good Shepherd who leads me and refreshes my soul.
In addition to family, friends, and parishioners, I have had the consistent support, challenge, and guidance of my spiritual director since 1989. Over the past thirty years he has been with me through challenging moments of priesthood as well as the joyous moments. When I meet with him I am able to share moments of desolation as well as consolation - in my prayer, my ministry, my family, and my life with Jesus.
There are many moments of grace that are a blessing in parish ministry. Sharing faith with parishioners. Serving parishioners alongside dedicated and faithful staff. Sharing in moments of joys and sorrows within each year of ministry.
There is enthusiasm at the start of each year of ministry in the parish. There is the joy of celebrating our Savior's birth at Christmas. There is the heavenly grace of seeing children receive the sacraments as well as the newly baptized coming into the Church at the Easter Vigil. Celebrating Jesus' victory over sin and death with Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday. Witnessing accomplishments in family and parishioners celebrated at graduation each spring. These and others round out many years' activities from August through June.
One of my favorite and most important weeks in my calendar is the time I take to retreat, and spend time in prayer with Jesus. Last December, on Christmas day, before I went to bed I gave myself a Christmas gift. I went on the internet to register for this year's retreat. I am away on my annual retreat this week, in Gloucester, MA. I am at Easter Point retreat house, where I retreat to annually since the early 1990s to spend time in prayer, time in adoration, time in reflection, and time in relationship with Jesus the Good Shepherd. I will be back at St. Mary's next Monday, November 25, and look forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with parishioners, guests, and family at St. Mary's.
I will be praying for you, the parish, our Church, and the
Renew My Church
program in the Archdiocese. I ask for your prayers for me, the others on retreat, and the retreat staff.
Early this fall, I shared with the parishioners my understanding that the east stairs project would have been completed last month. Unfortunately, we are still waiting for the project's completion. In conversation with the company that is custom fabricating the railing for the east entrance to the church I learned of some unexpected and unanticipated delays. The custom fabrication of the railings, as well as some related delays, has slowed down progress on the project. We are in ongoing conversations with the company as well as with the project manager from the Archdiocese who has been guiding us from the inception of the project. We have been told that they are doing all they can to complete the project as soon as possible for the Church of St. Mary.
We are in communication as well with the city of Lake Forest regarding steps to take so we will be given approval to use the stairs and entrances to the church in the Advent season. I will keep the parishioners informed of any further developments as they unfold. Your prayers for the timely and successful completion of the project are appreciated.
Today, at the 10:00am Mass, we welcome Fr. Pat McGrath to St. Mary's. Fr. McGrath is the
president of Loyola Academy. We are grateful that he is here to lead the community in prayer.
God bless us with thankful and prayerful hearts,
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Phase Four and Message from Father Mike
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Listen to Fr. Mike Nacius share more about the Phase Four and More for St. Mary's Construction Project.
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Click the GiveCentral Logo to securely and conveniently donate to the
Phase Four and More for St. Mary's, Fr. Barry Preservation Fund.
Thank you for your generosity!
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Middle School Parents Needed
"
Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life."
John 8:12
In order to build up Middle School youth ministry we are currently in need of parents, students, and parishioners to help! Through Sol, our hope is to give middle school students an opportunity to encounter Christ and live out their faith with joy, being a light to the world. Sol Middle School Youth Ministry is for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.
If you are interested in supporting this in any way or have
middle school students who may be interested, please reach out to the youth minister or fill out a brief survey on the website.
Thank you so much!
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Children's Sacrament News
2
nd
Grade Parent Reminder:
1
st
Reconciliation Parent Meeting(s) in the UGC Multi-Purpose Room
Choose one to attend
: Sunday, November 17 at 1:15pm
or
Monday, November 18 at 7:00pm.
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Donut Sunday! Sunday, November 17
Donuts, coffee, and juice will be served
after the 8:00 & 10:00 AM Masses
in the Upper Grade Center Cafeteria.
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St. Maria Goretti Circle is coordinating this year's Christmas Sharing Tree to benefit families of Most Blessed Trinity Parish in Waukegan. Ornaments can be chosen and registered before and after Masses on November 23 and 24.
Please register your ornaments so you can pick up your family's wish list. Circle members will be at tables in the back of the church to assist with this process.
If you have questions, please call:
Betty Collins at (773) 655.1733 or
Carolyn Merfeld at
(312) 925.2851
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Giving Tuesday is December 3rd!
Please support the School of St. Mary's Annual Fund on Giving Tuesday, or anytime!
The Annual Fund helps to cover the actual cost to teach each student which is more than what we charge in tuition. It also goes to teacher bonuses. Teachers in the public school system make about 2/3 what a Catholic School teacher earns.
In addition, the Annual Fund helps to support those students who may need tuition assistance as well as the cost of keeping our two beautiful campuses is great shape!
Click on the Giving Tuesday image to go directly to donate to the Annual Fund. Thank you so much for your generosity!
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The Spring Gala is for everyone in the parish community, their extended family and friends!
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Donate or Register for Events
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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.
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!
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