🐾 The Cougars Are Ready to Roar!

August 13 | QR School

Classrooms are ready, lockers are set, teachers are excited, and tomorrow our hallways will once again be filled with the energy, laughter, and smiling faces of our Cougars! A brand-new chool year begins tomorrow, and we can’t wait to welcome our students back for another year of learning, growing, serving, and growing together in faith.

And there’s always room in the Cougar den! If you know a family still searching for the right school home, it’s not too late to join us. Come discover a community where students are known, loved, challenged, and encouraged to grow in spirit, mind, and body.

Here’s to a great year ahead. Let’s hear you ROAR, Cougars! 🐾

Alpha

A New Season Begins Sept 10

Alpha returns September 10 with good food, great conversation, and a welcoming place to explore life's biggest questions. Follow this link to register, everyone's invited!

Journey of the Heart Grief Share

New Season Sept 13 - Oct 18 | 1:30-3pm SJE

You don't have to walk through grief alone. Journey of the Heart Grief Sharing returns September 13–October 18, offering hope, encouragement, and compassionate support for those navigating the loss of a loved one. Follow this link to discover more or register for our upcoming session.

Called to Serve? ❤️

9/17 @ 6:30pm SJE | 9/20 @ 11:445am QR

Have you ever wondered what it means to serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion? Come learn more at one of our upcoming training sessions! Current ministers are also encouraged to attend for a refresher and ongoing formation.

• Thursday, September 17 at 6:30pm (SJE)
• Sunday, September 20 at approximately 11:45am, following Mass (QR)

Come explore this beautiful way to serve Christ by serving His people. Please sign up so we know how many to expect!

Summer Ministry Spotlight

During these Summer days, with warmer weather, longer evenings, and a slightly slower pace, it’s a great opportunity to explore new ways to get involved in parish life! Whether you’re looking to serve, grow in faith, meet new people, or reconnect with the OLBS community, there are so many ways to take part. Visit our website, contact the parish office, or chat with a Ministry Coordinator after Mass. Because at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, You Belong.

Getting Ready to Ask the Big Questions!
Alpha isn’t quite a ministry. It isn’t really a program. It’s an experience—a welcoming place to share a meal, enjoy conversation, and explore some of life’s biggest questions about faith, meaning, and God.

This summer, our Alpha Team is busy preparing to launch our second full season on September 10! As part of that preparation, team members will attend an Alpha Training Lab, picking up even more ideas, tools, and tips for creating the warm, welcoming, no-pressure environment that makes Alpha so special.

The questions can be big. The conversations can go anywhere. And everyone has a place at the table. We can’t wait to see what Season Two brings!

Follow this link to discover more.

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Honoring Our Past. Building Our Future.

We invite you to continue sharing photos, stories, traditions, and reflections from St. Julian Eymard Church to help us celebrate our shared history and inspire the next chapter of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish life. Please send submissions to Mary Ellen in the parish office.

Pastoral Year Kickoff: Companions on the Journey '26

Saturday, Aug 29 | 9-11:30am, QR School

All parish leaders (Parish and School Ministry Coordinators, Council Members, Catechists) are invited to begin our new pastoral year together on Saturday, August 29, with Mass (8:15am, QR) followed by a Morning of Reflection led by Fr. Ramil Fajardo, Judge of the Archdiocesan Tribunal. As we continue our parish theme, Companions on the Journey, Fr. Ramil will lead us in prayer and reflection as we prepare to walk with Christ and one another in the year ahead. We hope you'll join us for this inspiring morning of faith, fellowship and renewal.

Questions? Contact Mary Ellen in the parish office.

Mission Cooperative Appeal

Aug 29/30 | All Masses

Founded in 1989 in the Catholic Diocese of Murang'a, Kenya, the Sisters of Emmanuel focuses on uplifting the dignity of vulnerable populations. They run the Emmanuel Skill Centre, which empowers marginalized young women through vocational training in trades like dressmaking, hairdressing, and computer literacy.

The Sisters will speak at all Masses onAugust 29 and 30, and we will take up a special collection to support them. You may also donate online, following this link.

News from Respect Life Ministry

Help Needed

Alliance Women's Clinics, formerly TLC Pregnancy Services, is recruiting for a registered nurse position, to take their mobile unit clinic out more days. Here is the job ad, feel free to reach out to Liz with any questions.

Pray to Save Lives

Northwest Families for Life invites you to pray to save lives every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9-10:30am in front of American Women's Medical, 110 S. River Rd, Des Plaines. Questions? Download the flyer or call Laura at (847) 651-4877.

News from Marriage & Family Ministry

💍 Love Weddings? We Need You!

Are you super organized, great at keeping track of details, or someone who simply loves weddings? Our Marriage & Family Ministry is looking for Wedding Coordinators to help couples prepare for a beautiful, joy-filled celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage.

Sound like you? Contact the Parish Office to learn more—we’d love to have you on the team!

The Bible & Church Fathers

September 2 - November 25

Discover how the early Church understood and lived the Catholic faith through The Bible and the Church Fathers from the St. Paul Center. Join us on Wednesdays from 7:00–8:30 p.m., September 2 through November 25, in Shea Hall as we explore the writings and wisdom of the Church Fathers together.

The study is free to attend, and all adults 18 years and older are welcome. Many participants may also choose to purchase optional study materials: $25 for a physical workbook plus streaming access, or $20 for a downloadable PDF workbook plus streaming access.

Streaming allows you to watch or rewatch the video sessions at your convenience, and the workbooks include discussion questions to help you prepare for each week's conversation.

Follow this link to register today.

🍽️ Last Supper of the Season!

Sept 3 | 6:30pm SJE

What a wonderful summer it’s been! Our final Summer Supper of the season is Thursday, September 3, and we’re so grateful for every cooker, volunteer, and guest who has helped make another season so special.

Help us close out the summer in style! Shop, cook, prep, or serve—there’s a place for everyone at the table.

Curious About Becoming Catholic?

Sept 6 & 13 | 6:30pm QR

OCIA begins with Information Sessions on September 7 & 13, with regular gatherings starting September 20 & 27 and continuing through the Easter Vigil. Register online or contact the parish office to learn more. We'd love to walk this journey with you.

Ready to Turn the Page with Book Club?

Next Meeting September 14 | 7pm SJE

Our Parish Book Club returns September 14 with inspiring reads, engaging conversation, and new friendships. Watch for this season's reading list!

Little Ears, Big Faith! ❤️

Resumes September 20 | 9:15am SJE

Children’s Liturgy of the Word returns Sunday, September 20 at the 9:15am Mass at St. Julian! CLW will continue through the end of April, alternating between the 9:15am and 10:30am Masses, giving our youngest parishioners an opportunity to hear and explore God’s Word in a way especially for them.

Love sharing your faith with children? We’d love to welcome new CLW leaders and helpers—contact the Parish Office to let us know you’re interested!

Registration for 2026-27 Religious Ed Is Open!

Faith Formation Resumes in September

Classes begin September 22 for 5-8, and September 26 for K-4, and we can’t wait to welcome your family back for another incredible year of faith, friendship, learning, and fun! Whether your child is continuing their journey or joining us for the very first time, Religious Education is a wonderful opportunity to grow closer to Jesus and build lasting connections within our parish family.

Deacon Inquiry Nights

September to April | Virtual or In Person

“Whom shall I send? Who will go for us? ‘Here I am, send me!’” — Isaiah 6:8

Have you ever considered the call to be a Deacon of the Catholic Church? Join us for a Deacon Inquiry Session. We will meet as noted below at 7:00 PM.

• Monday, September 21, 2026 Diaconate Office, 816 Marengo, Forest Park, IL
• Monday, November 9, 2026 Virtual Meeting (via Teams) 
• Monday, February 22, 2027 Virtual Meeting (via Teams)
• Monday, April 12, 2027 Diaconate Office, 816 Marengo, Forest Park, IL

The sessions will provide men and their wives with an overview of the Ministry of a Deacon, the Deacon Formation Program and the application process. Men, single or married, ages 32-62, are invited to attend. Wives are strongly encouraged to accompany their husbands. For more information and to RSVP for a session contact the Office of the Diaconate at (708) 366-8900 ext. 102.

Let Your Child's Faith Shine Through Song!

September 26 | 3-4pm, QR

There's a place waiting in Kids' Choir! From making new friends and learning beautiful music to leading our parish in worship, every rehearsal is filled with faith, fun, and unforgettable memories. Visit our website to discover more and register today!

Step Into Oktoberfest!

Oktoberfest Parade | Sat, Sep 19 | 2pm

We're looking for an enthusiastic volunteer to head up our Oktoberfest Parade Crew this year! If you enjoy bringing people together and have a little creative spirit, we'd love your help planning our float, rallying volunteers, and checking in with the float at 12:30pm before the parade steps off from Devon & Tonne at 2:00pm on Saturday, September 19.

We'll provide the float (a borrowed flatbed tow truck!) and purchase any decorations that can't be donated. You bring the enthusiasm.

Interested? We'd love to hear from you!

Ministry of Care Training

October 3 | 8:30am -4:30pm, AdventHealth LaGrange

Ministry of Care Training will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, October 3, 2026 at AdventHealth LaGrange Hospital, 5101 Willow Springs Road, LaGrange, IL 60525. Lunch will be provided during the free training.

Participants must be 18 years of age or older and have the support of their pastor and the Minister of Care Parish Coordinator. Topics will include the spirituality, theology and the rites of the Pastoral Care of the Sick.

Contact Deacon Tom Carlson to enroll: tcarlson@archchicago.org or (630) 746-8384

Discover Your Gifts: Your Gifts, God's Plans!

Did you know the Holy Spirit has blessed you with unique gifts to build His Kingdom? Whether it’s something you’ve always suspected or a surprising new discovery, taking the Charism Assessment could be your “Aha!” moment!

Follow this link and uncover your gifts today! Let’s put them to work for God’s glory.

Don't Get Phished!

Help us protect our parish community

Please be cautious with e-mail messages—don’t click on suspicious links, don’t send gift cards, and always hover over the sender’s name to be sure the e-mail address is legitimate. Together, we can protect our parish community from scams.

DISCOVER OUR QUEEN OF THE ROSARY SCHOOL!

FAITH FORMATION ROUND UP

Thank you for making RE such an important part of your family life. We can’t wait to see you in September!

Save these dates:

Sep 19 | Oktoberfest Parade

Sep 20 | Catechetical Sunday

Sep 22 | Classes Resume 5-8

Sep 26 | Classes Resume K-4

Oct 3 | Blessing of the Pets

Oct 4 | Fall Fest

Oct 24 | Rake 'n Run

Nov 8 | Pancake Breakfast

If you have any questions or need assistance, our Lifelong Faith Formation Coordinator, Christine Nagle, is here to help.

YOUTH MINISTRY CORNER

Find friends, faith, and a place to belong in OLBS Youth Ministry! Our next meetup is Sunday, August 16 at 6:30pm in the Teen Center!

Contact

(847) 979-0901 | info@olbsegv.org

Worship sites:

Queen of the Rosary

750 W. Elk Grove Blvd.

St. Julian Eymard

601 Biesterfield Road

School:

Queen of the Rosary School

690 Elk Grove Blvd.

(847) 437-3322 | www.qrschool.org