6:00-7:30 pm: Deacon Mike will offerAshes-to-Go, in the church, for those unable to attend the service at Noon.
Compline Prayer in Lent (Zoom)
You are invited to join us at 8:00 p.m., every Thursday in Lent, for Compline, beginning March 3. The dates and Zoom link are listed below. The link will remain the same every week.
To participate by phone only: 312-626-6799; meeting ID: 848 2838 6833. If you are participating by phone, you may view/print a copy of the service here.
Lent Devotional Resources
Copies of The Living Compass's Lenten booklet, Living Well Through Lent 2022, are now available in a basket on the Narthex table. It is designed for use as an individual reflection, or for group study, providing a foundation for a deeper Lenten experience, in preparation for the true meaning of Easter. There are also additional opportunities through the Living Compass website:
The booklet may be downloaded electronically (English and Spanish)
A small group facilitator’s guide is available for those doing group study
You may sign up to receive each day’s readings via email
Join the private Facebook discussion group moderated by some of the contributors
Purchase the booklet as an e-book from Amazon (.99, or free with Kindle Unlimited)
Mask Mandate to Be Lifted Monday, February 28
Per the Diocese of Chicago, please continue to wear a mask at all times when inside the building, regardless of vaccination status. Beginning on Monday, masks will no longer be required, although they are recommended, especially for the vulnerable or unvaccinated. We ask that you please be respectful of any individual who chooses to continue to wear a mask. Coffee Hours and any receptions with food/drink can begin to be scheduled as volunteers become available.
Ministry Volunteers Needed
During these past two pandemic years, many of our volunteer ministries have been continuing with just a very few people, and in some cases, ceased altogether. We are in need of volunteers for the following two ministries. Please prayerfully consider helping with one or both of these very special volunteer opportunities.
The Altar Guild is a very important behind-the-scenes ministry that many do not think about, but it is an essential guild in the church. Altar guild members set up and clean up the communion vessels for both the 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. services, in addition to funerals, weddings, Holy Week, Christmas and other services as needed. In the past we’ve had four teams who were assigned to one week a month, and then the teams took turns covering when there was a fifth Sunday. Although the time commitment is minimal, this is a very special, quiet way to serve at God’s altar. Please contact Deacon Mike if you are interested in learning more about the Altar Guild.
The Welcome Bakers ministry acknowledges a newcomer to St. Mary’s by delivering a loaf of fresh bread to them the week of their first visit. This ministry is easy, can be done at your convenience, and is a very special way to extend hospitality to all those who visit. If you are interested in being part of this ministry, please contact Amy Noe in the parish office.
Diocesan News
The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Chicago has announced that on March 7, Bishop-elect Paula Clark will return to work here in the Diocese of Chicago. Assisting Bishop, Chilton Knudsen, will continue to work with the Diocese as Bishop-elect Clark transitions from a 20-hour work week, to full time over the next several months. As you recall, Bishop-elect Clark suffered a serious medical event last April, and then the death of her husband in December. We are so blessed that she is now able to return to the Diocese and continue her work. The complete letter from the Standing Committee can be read online.
Parishioners: Ruth, Kristi, Cindy; Edward, John, John, and Matthew.
Family/Friends: Sue, mother of Rick Noe; Leo, brother of Dn. Mike Choquette; Sigrid, dear friend of Karen Meter; Steve Szalaj, friend of the parish; Ted, brother-in-law of Jane Helmboldt, and his wife, Ginny; Barbara, friend of Jane Helmboldt; Andi, friend of Carissa Nyberg Stanich; Chris, colleague of Rick Noe; Frances, aunt of Catherine Carroll; Brent; Eric; Ashton; Sherri; Laura; Dawn; Betty; Jean; Don; Millie; Nick; John; Pamela; Susan; Ted, Jeff, Tom, Nicholas (infant) and his family; Mark, Chris, Sarah, Douglas, Mark, Andi, Greg, Wayne, Scott, Sue, Sarah, Dave, Brynn, Neil and Des, Kyle, Rick, Sylvia, Jess, Joanne, Kay, Brian, Sarah.
Those Who Have Died and Those Who Mourn
Merle, mother of former St. Mary's Curate, Pastor Andrea Wight
