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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We rejoice together with people of faith preparing for the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Savior of the world. We look at our calendars and react to the truth that there are ten days remaining until December 25. May prayer be part of the next ten days. We prayerfully reflect on our Advent calendars, knowing that we rejoice today, the third Sunday of the Advent season. We prayerfully reflect on our Advent calendars that in faith we pray, in faith we prepare, and in faith we journey these Advent days as a hopeful, trusting, believing people.
The Parish Staff has been and continues to pray, plan, and prepare for the celebration of Christmas with the parishioners of St. Mary's. We will once again be welcoming families, guests, friends, and parishioners to the Christmas Masses celebrating our Lord's birth. We will be celebrating eight (8) Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. By far, the most popular time for people to come to celebrate Jesus' birth is at 4:00pm on Christmas Eve.
Energy is high and emotions are on edge as people of faith try to work their way into the packed Church of St. Mary, the Upper Grade Center gym of St. Mary's, and the chapel at Woodlands with hundreds, if not thousands, of others. This year, Fr. Mark is celebrating the 4:00pm Christmas Eve Mass in the church. Bishop George Rassas will be celebrating the 4:15pm Mass in the Upper Grade Center Gym. I will be the celebrant of the 4:00pm Christmas Eve Mass at Woodlands. In addition to these three busy, overcrowded, and packed Masses, there are five additional Masses celebrated at St. Mary's.
Parish Staff is very well aware that the early Masses on Christmas Eve work well for families. All are asked bear in mind that emotions are on edge and energy is high as people cram their way into the overcrowded Masses on Christmas Eve. You are invited to consider attending either the 6:00pm Mass or the 11:00pm Mass on Christmas Eve or the 8:00am, 10:00am, or 12:00 Noon Masses on Christmas Day. There is the possibility that emotions may be on edge and energy high as people work their way to St. Mary's this Christmas if there is standing room only or no extra room in the pews. May we prayerfully, joyfully, and faithfully gather with believers at St. Mary's or in churches in towns where we travel to this Christmas.
This weekend we give thanks for the families that were fortunate to take a name of a family from the Christmas Giving Tree, purchasing gifts for them, and returning them today so that the Guild of St. Mary may deliver them to our Sharing Parish, bringing Christmas joy to individuals and families of Most Blessed Trinity Parish. Many thanks to the St. Maria Goretti Circle and their band of helpers assisting with the Christmas Sharing Tree this year.
If you were not one of the families fortunate enough to get the name of a family for the Christmas Sharing Tree but are looking for a way to bring and spread Christmas joy with people in need, I offer the following to you. We have been and continue to serve people in need that come to St. Mary's for assistance as well as through PADS Lake County and the Catholic Charities Refugee programs. Individuals and families serviced by these programs have the same needs as all of us. If you are filled with the Joy of Jesus this Advent and would like to support and bring Christmas joy to others, you are invited to purchase gift cards in the denomination of your choice to
Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, Target, Jewel, Aldi
, gas cards of your choosing or
Ventra
passes also (1 day, month-long, or a regular card with money loaded on to it). Gift cards can be dropped off to the Parish Office and we will get them to the clients serviced by PADS Lake County, Catholic Charities Refugee programs, and our parish.
In this Advent season there are so many examples of kindness, charity, and generosity given in so many ways. Our world is better by each and every expression of Christ-centered love. In addition to the many charities and organizations supported by parishioners, your continued generosity of your time, talent, and treasure to St. Mary's is welcomed and appreciated. Thanks for your generosity shown to the parish with a charitable donation in the Christmas collection.
God bless you with peaceful and prayerful hearts this Advent,
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The Fiscal-Year 2019 Church of St. Mary Parish Annual Report has been mailed to the homes of parishioners and is also available
HERE
. The report is also available on the church website.
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Advent and Christmas Schedule for the Church of St. Mary
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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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St. Maria Goretti's Circle would like to thank those who are participating in the Christmas Sharing Tree event this year.
Gift Collection will be on December 14 and December 15 before and after all Masses EXCEPT the 6:00pm Mass. If you are attending the Noon Mass, we ask the gifts to be dropped off before Mass to allow us time to meet the delivery time. Please drop off gifts at the Oakwood Entrance of the Upper Grade Center.
If you have any questions about the gifts and/or collections, please call Betty Collins at (773) 655.1733 or
Carolyn Merfeld at (312) 925.2851.
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It's Coffee and Donut Sunday THIS Sunday, December 15th!
Donuts, coffee, a
nd
j
ui
ce will be served
after the 8:00 & 10:00am Masses
in the Upper Grade Center Cafeteria. Join us for some hospitality and meet your neighbors in faith!
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Children's Sacrament Upcoming Schedule
-1
st
Grade: Christmas Eve Family Mass 4:15pm in the UGC Gym
Take part in the procession dressed as angels & shepherds (costumes are available)
If interested, see permission slip on the Religious Education website. (For Families tab, then Activities & Events)
-2
nd
Grade: 1
st
Reconciliation Retreat(s) -
choose one to attend (UGC-Multi-purpose Room)
Sunday, January 5
at 1:15pm
OR
Monday, January 6 at 7:00pm
-6
th
Grade RE students: Synagogue Visit-
B'Nai Tikvah
Sunday, January 12 during Intensive classes
-8
th
Grade: Confirmation Retreat
UGC
Saturday, February 8 12:30 - 6:00pm (ends after 5:00pm Mass)
-2
nd
Grade: 1
st
Communion Parent Meeting(s) -
choose one to attend (UGC-Multi-purpose Room)
Sunday, February 23 at 1:15pm
OR
Monday, February 24 at 7:00pm
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Youth Ministry
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday, December 15th
Join COR at the 6:00pm Mass
COR Candle Light Dinner 7:00 - 8:30pm
Our annual COR
Candlelight
dinner is coming up!! COR and Kairos students and past participants are invited to join together for 6:00pm Mass, then head over for dinner, festivities, singing, and celebration! We would love to see you there! Please RSVP so we know how much to order for our catered in dinner. Also, please bring a donation of $10 for dinner if you are able!
Tuesday, December 17th
COR Bible Study 7:30-8:45pm
Sunday, December 22nd
COR Soup Kitchen 11:30am - 3:00pm
*
Please RSVP
SAVE THE DATES
Kairos XXXVII
March 5th - 8th
*
Retreatant Applications available
January 5th
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The School of St. Mary is selling charming ornaments that feature an inviting Christmas scene of our church. These were created by St. Mary's parishioner Bridget Halloran, a professional fine artist and art teacher on the North Shore. Ornaments are available for $10 (cash or check) at the Parish Center or you may arrange to purchase an ornament by contacting Carlotta Plotner at:
carlottaplotner@yahoo.com
.
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We are now accepting Preschool Applications for the upcoming 2020-21 School Year.
We are excited to offer an additional section of our popular Little Angels Preschool Class. One section will meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and the other on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. Families can select their preferred days in the application. Historically, this class has filled quickly, so please apply right away if you are interested.
We are also pleased to offer an All-Day Three-year-old Preschool Program next year. This class will, of course, be developmentally appropriate, including both lunch and a rest period. If you are interested in any of our preschool offerings, please follow these steps:
- Click on the Parent login on the top right corner
- Click on FACTS Family Portal (ParentsWeb) in the top right corner
- Enter our District Code: SOSM-IL
- Enter a user name
- Enter a password
If you are a current family, you already have a portal account as well as a password. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Kathleen Trkla or Mandy Castle at (847) 295.4830.
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Click on the image to register!
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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Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.
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