No Class this Wednesday due to the excessive cold
St. Emily and St. Thomas Becket Parishes
January 28, 2019
Dear Families,

The forecast isn't budging.  We're in for record-breaking cold on Wednesday, so stay home! We'll see you on February 6 instead.

Two suggestions: 
  • Say a decade of the Rosary together for those who struggle to find shelter and safety in the winter weather.  (And perhaps another decade for first responders who have to go out and do their job even when it it this frightful.)
  • Pop some popcorn and make some hot chocolate.  It is that kind of day, isn't it?
We have begun  collecting for Project Exodus . There is no better way to celebrate the promise of America - and live out the Works of Mercy - than to help a family begin a new life here in the United States. Please check out the ways you can be involved.

If you received notice that your son or daughter (fourth grade and up) needs to memorize a prayer or prayers , please check in with him or her and make sure that this happens.  We only see the students one time a week.  You see them for hours every day.  The easiest way to memorize something is to say it daily.  Like putting laundry in the hamper, brushing teeth or finishing homework, it might be something you need to mention to make sure it happens! Check ups to see who has finished memorization will resume next week.
ExodusProject Exodus
Help a family begin life in the United States

Project Exodus is an outreach project we have done the last four years. We collect the items that a family needs to begin life in the United States.  (We don't take care of furniture - but all the rest, including linens, towels, and kitchen equipment.) We do this in conjunction with Exodus World Service.

On the day they land to begin their new life, we meet them at their apartment and set it up so that they can settle in quickly.

We have helped families from Syria, Iraq, Myanmar, and Congo.  We don't yet know who we will help this year. 

There are 62,000,000 refugees in the world today.  It takes between five and twenty years to apply for and receive refugee resettlement status in the United States.

How can you participate?
  • Sign up to bring some of the items.  Sit down with your kids and decide what you want to contribute and take them with you to shop. (Besides modeling generosity, I have found this project helps to teach kids about setting up a household!)

    We hope to have all the items donated by February 13.
     
  • Come with us the day we move them into their new apartment.  Because we don't know when refugees will be arriving until about a week to ten days prior, this date is not yet set.  Kids have a fantastic time meeting the arriving family and doing the work to set up.  "It is like playing house, but with real stuff!" Let Cathy know if you'd like to be included.
familymassFamily Mass
Join us on February 24 at 9:30 AM

Family Mass is a great opportunity to not only worship together, but to minister together.

We hope that each month, different families will sign up to be the greeters, readers and gift bearers for our community.

The first mass of the year is Sunday, February 24 at 9:30 AM. You can sign up here.
  • The greeters will welcome parishioners upon their arrival to mass and hand out bulletins as they leave. 
  • For readers, the children of each family can divide the reading amongst themselves with their parents accompanying them to the ambo.
  • The gifts of bread and wine can be brought to the altar by the whole family.
euchFirst Penance / First Eucharist News
Celebrating First Penance

After the Reconciliation Family Event this last week, the next occasion is the celebration of the Sacrament of Penance.

It will be celebrated on Saturday, February 23 at 1:00 PM.


dinnerdanceSt. Emily Dinner Dance
February 9 - Buy your tickets now

St. Emily is hosting a Dinner Dance on February 9, 2019 .  Save the date and make plans to join us.

The evening will include cocktails, silent and live auctions, dinner and dancing. Your presence is requested!
emergencyclosing
Emergency Closing Information
Know how to be informed

We hope that all our Wednesdays are sunny and dry, but it is Chicago and we realize that winter weather is no joke.

If we find it advisable to close, we will send a blast email to all families that day.

We will also post any closings at the  Emergency Closing Center.  Please check there to make sure.   You can also sign up there for email alerts that tell if and when the Religious Education program cancels.

Dates to Save
  • February 13 - Target date for Project Exodus items
  • February 23 - First Penance Celebration
  • March 6 - Ash Wednesday. Class time includes mass at 7:00 PM.
Quick Links
St. Emily Parish
Catherine Crino, DRE
847-299-5865
St. Thomas Becket Parish
Renata Sosin, CRE
847-296-9051
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