Liturgy News
for
January 30 - February 5, 2023


February 5th is the
Fifth Sunday of
Ordinary Time

See below in this publication for
Facts on the recent
Renew My Church Announcement.
Masses for the next week:  
Daily Mass: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri., - Fr. Joe; Wed., 2/1 – Fr. Joji Thanugundla
Monday – Thursday Masses begin at 8:15am; Friday Mass begins at 8:30am
Saturday, February 4th, Healing Mass at 8:15 - Fr. Joe, presider; Fr. Joji for Reconciliation and helping with Sacrament of Anointing
Saturday, February 4, 5:00pm; presider is Fr. Bob Heinz
Sunday, February 5, 8:30am; presider is Fr. Joe; with Parking Lot Participation
Sunday, February 5, 11:00am; presider is Fr. Joe; with Live Stream  
Please keep in your prayers:
  • For Roger MacLennan who passed into the arms of Jesus on January 22nd and for his family and friends who celebrated his life in the Mass of Christian Burial on Monday.
Eucharistic Adoration is every Tuesday,
6:00-7:00pm, in person.
 
Reconciliation available by appointment
with Fr. Joe, 847-255-7452, x102. 
Also during Healing Mass on first Saturdays of the month, 8:15am.
Announcements:
-The Blessing of the Throats for the Feast of St. Blaise will be offered at Masses next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
 
-Our February Healing Mass will take place Saturday, February 4th, at 8:15am. The Sacraments of Anointing and Reconciliation will be available during Mass.
 
-See the bulletin for details on Brad Vallem’s Bible study beginning on Wednesday, February 15th, entitled Lectio: God.
Important Facts You Need to Know
About Our Renew My Church Decision:
  • “St. Alphonsus Liguori and St. Thomas Becket will unite as one parish with two worship sites, one pastor and one pastoral team, effective July 1, 2023.
  • A new pastor will be designated by the end of March and begin his work on July 1.
  • Both churches will remain open and host Masses. The current Mass schedule will stay in effect through the end of June. When the new pastor is in place, if the Mass schedule changes, it will be widely publicized before it begins.
  • The pastors from both current parishes will soon meet with operational and pastoral support leaders from the Archdiocese who will begin to walk us through the process of uniting that will begin July 1.
  • The Archdiocese will help us to transition through a “unification plan.” There will be a “Unification Team” made up of leaders from both current parishes who will receive training on the unification process.
  • The new parish will have a new name that will be discussed by parishioners and decided on by Cardinal Cupich after the unification takes place. Each church location will still be referred to as its current name. “Parish” refers to the people; “Church” refers to the building.
  • The sacramental records for the new parish will be housed at the St. Thomas Becket location.
  • Both parishes are currently in a sound financial condition as we head into the unification.
 
  • “St. Alphonsus Liguori School will continue in its current structure, however, future viability will be revisited if the school is unable to maintain financial independence.”
  • St. Al’s School enrollment has increased by 22 students from 2021-22 to 2022-23.
  • St. Al’s School financial needs are met through tuition income and the parish subsidy, as well as grants, and funding such as Empower Illinois and Big Shoulders. It is customary that parishes with schools provide some financial support to their school.
  • The spirit and leadership of St. Alphonsus School are strong. Support of the School by student families and by the parish is solid, vibrant, enthusiastic, creative and capable. We love our School!
Ways to Grow Your Faith This Week:
Friday, February 3rd, is the Feast of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr. St. Blaise is the patron of throat illnesses, animals, wool combers, and wool trading. 
  • To read a short synopsis from Franciscan Media about devotion to St. Blaise, click here.
  • To learn some more details about St. Blaise from Catholic Online, click here.
  • For a 1 ½ minute video explanation of The Blessing of St. Blaise from The Religion Teacher, click here.

May St. John Bosco, St. Blaise, and St. Ansgar
intercede to God on your behalf this week.
Blessing of Throats on the Feast of Saint Blaise
Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr,
may God deliver you from every disease of the throat
and from every other illness:
 
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
 
Each person responds: Amen.
 


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