April 4, 2021: Easter Sunday Parish Newsletter The Church of St. Mary :: 201 E. Illinois Lake Forest, IL 60045 Virtual Office: 847-234-0205 :: Email: receptionist@churchofstmary.org www.churchofstmary.org :: https://www.facebook.com/ChurchofStMaryLF/

From the Desk of Fr. Mike Nacius, Pastor

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HOPE He Offers People Everlasting Life   Easter is our celebration of the hope Jesus offers the world. Jesus offers humanity, people of every race, language and way of life the hope of everlasting life. We are able to rejoice because we are "hope filled” followers of the Risen Lord. Called forth from every tribe and tongue, people and nation, Jesus’ victory has brought us as God’s family back to our loving creator.   Throughout the past year we have been praying for those journeying in faith in our RCIA program. At the Easter Vigil we welcome Julie Booma, Michael Dolan, Dee Shreve, Mary Kate McComish, John Sternberg, Brianne and Michael Clatch who will complete the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil. It will be a beautiful celebration as they profess their faith in the Catholic Church and received the Eucharist for the first time as fully initiated members of the Roman Catholic Church and parishioners of St. Mary’s. Please reach out and congratulate and welcome them personally when you see them in our community.   Next Sunday, April 11th, at the 10:00 AM Mass, Melissa Delia will be baptized, receive the other sacraments of initiation and be received into the Catholic Church. It will be a very special moment for her husband, children and family. We welcome those who are able to join us in person this Easter. We welcome those who are able to pray with us from their homes, via the streaming of Easter Masses this year. One year ago we were not able to come together and to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. With grateful hearts we worship this Easter Day sharing the hope found in our Risen Lord. I am very grateful to the work of the Parish Staff for assisting parishioners and guests calling the Parish Office leading up to our celebration on Easter Sunday. Members of our Maintenance Staff, Music Ministry, Art & Environment Committee worked to enhance our coming together in faith to share the joy of Easter. We celebrate “resurrection” for 50 days. May we continue to share our hope, profess our hope and minister with hope to those in need in our parish, in our cities and towns and those in our larger world. Thank you for your generous Easter gift to the parish. Thanks also for your almsgiving this Lent supporting the Rice Bowl initiatives that were offered this Lent at St. Mary’s.  ALLELUIA! HAPPY EASTER! CHRIST IS RISEN! REJOICE IN HOPE!   May God bless all humanity with hearts and lives of hope, shared with the world throughout the Easter season.

Pontifical Good Friday Collection

To make a donation for the Holy Land collection, please click here.

Holy Week

Meet Our RCIA Candidates

My name is Dee Shreve. I am a mother, daughter, Army Brat, and wife of a recently retired United States Navy Chief. We have four beautiful daughters (three adult children and one kindergartener) and reside in the Village of Lake Bluff.         On July 15, 2015, the Navy relocated us to the Recruit Training Command here in the Great Lakes, which ultimately became our last tour. We loved it here so much that we decided to make it our permanent home after my spouse's military retirement. However, my home of origination is the Washington DC Metropolitan Area.         During my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, listening to music and e-books, exploring new restaurants, and learning and growing in my faith. My sponsor is a very dear friend of mine, Lisa Kowalik. Lisa and I first met four years ago when her sweet son, Sebastian, and my daughter, Aubrey, both were in the same classroom together for the Little Angels preschool program at the School of St. Mary's. In fact, they spent three consecutive years together in the same class, which has been a pleasure.         I chose Lisa as my sponsor because of her natural loving spirit and strong faith in God that is so visibly evident in her personality and all that she does. So, I am highly grateful that she eagerly accepted my request for sponsorship and all the guidance she's been providing me along the way in this journey.

Parish Center Easter Office Hours

From the Cardinal

Holy Communion to Those in Cars

In the months ahead, we will be offering you the opportunity to come and receive the gift of the Eucharist in Holy Communion from your cars. This will take place on the last Sunday of each month, our next opportunity will be on April 25. All are welcome. This opportunity is especially for those who are not able to worship in person at St. Mary’s.  Please follow the directions below:    Starting at 1:00pm, after the congregation leaves the Noon Mass, cars may line up entering from the east Oakwood entrance.  Driving through the parking lot, proceed under the school breezeway and drive behind the church, stopping by the south church/elevator entrance where the priest will be.   Please stay in your car, with a mask fully covering your nose and mouth, waiting in prayer to receive the Eucharist.  The priest will process from car to car, offering the Eucharist.   After you receive the Eucharist you can pull over, parking your car in the parking lot, offering a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist.

Church Schedule

SCHEDULE: Saturday April 3, 2021 - Sunday, April 11, 2021 <--- Register for Attending & Volunteering Saturday, April 3, 2021: + 8:00am: Livestream & PUBLIC Morning Prayer --> Register via SignUp Genius + 8:30am: Reconciliation in Church, registration not required + 1:00pm: Drive-in Blessing of Easter Food in Oakwood parking lot + 8:00pm:  Livestream Easter Vigil Mass & PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius   Sunday, April 4, 2021 Easter Sunday: + 8:00am: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius  + 10:00am:  Livestream via Facebook + 10:00am: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius  + 12:00pm: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius Monday, April 5, 2021: + 7:30am: Livestream Daily Mass + 7:30am: PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am --> Register via SignUp Genius  + 8:00am: Rosary --> Register via SignUp Genius Tuesday, April 6, 2021: + 7:30am: Livestream Daily Mass + 7:30am: PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am --> Register via SignUp Genius  + 8:00am: Rosary --> Register via SignUp Genius Wednesday, April 7, 2021: + 7:30am: Livestream Daily Mass + 7:30am: PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am --> Register via SignUp Genius + 8:00am: Rosary --> Register via SignUp Genius + 5:00-7:00pm: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament --> Register via SignUp Genius  Thursday, April 8, 2021: + 7:30am: Livestream Daily Mass + 7:30am: PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am --> Register via SignUp Genius  + 8:00am: Rosary --> Register via SignUp Genius Friday, April 9, 2021: + 7:30am: Livestream Daily Mass + 7:30am: PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am --> Register via SignUp Genius  + 8:00am: Rosary --> Register via SignUp Genius Saturday, April 10, 2021: + 7:30am: Livestream Daily Mass + 7:30am: PUBLIC MASS with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 8:30am --> Register via SignUp Genius + 8:00-9:00am: Reconciliation in Church, registration not required + 5:00pm:  Livestream Sunday Mass & PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius   Sunday, April 11, 2021: + 8:00am: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius  + 10:00am:  Livestream via Facebook + 10:00am: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius  + 12:00pm: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius GENERAL GUIDELINES Below are a few guidelines for being in the Church. There are numerous signs around the exterior and interior of the Church to help facilitate these new patterns. Due to the limited capacity, number of parishioners and our reduced Mass schedule, we ask that you sign up for a weekend Mass every other week and one weekday Mass to allow others to be able to pray in the Church and celebrate Mass in person. If the day before, there are still open slots, you may sign up.   Church Entrance:  The south door, near the elevator, is the only entrance into the Church. Please form a line along the exterior south wall of the Church and a volunteer greeter will let you in. Arrive On Time:  South Entrance doors will open 15 minutes prior to the start of Mass and it is strongly encouraged you arrive by the time the doors open as time is needed to Greet visitors and allow Ushers to seat you.  Entrance Doors Close:  South Entrance doors will close at the start of Mass to allow volunteers to attend Mass. Thank you for allowing yourself time to arrive. Volunteers:  Parish volunteers will be on site to help direct and guide all of us as we begin to open and re-enter the Church. Masks/Face Covering:  Mask or face coverings are required to be worn by all individuals at all times while in the Church building. Hand Sanitizer:  Sanitize your hands as you enter the Church building. Social Distance:  Maintain proper social distancing of 6 feet apart, unless you are with somebody who lives in the same household as you. There are floor markings to help facilitate this. 100 Persons Maximum:  A maximum of 100 individuals (excluding the priest and other ministers) are allowed in the Church at one time. In inclement weather, personal vehicles would be a necessary shelter while waiting. Church Exit:  The north doors onto the main plaza will be the only exit from the Church (unless you require use of the elevator). Church East Entrance - Emergency Exit Only:  Please do not use the East doors onto the stairways for either entering or exiting. Surface Sanitizing: All surfaces touched by persons are sanitized prior to the next opening of the Church. Restrooms Unavailable:  For the safety of all, the restrooms will not be available, unless it's an emergency. Registration Required:  Registration is required through SignUp Genius for Public Mass, Adoration, Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals. 85 slots will be available online and 15 slots will be available by calling the office for those who do not have access to technology. SignUp Availability: SignUps for the next week's schedule will be available through SignUp Genius after 9:00am on Friday's. Registration is required for Public Mass & Prayer, Adoration, Weddings, Funerals and Baptisms. If you need assistance, please contact the Parish Center Office during normal business hours at receptionist@churchofstmary.org or call 847-234-0205. Leave a message and they will call you back. VOLUNTEERS We are requesting volunteers to assist and volunteer guidelines will be sent to all volunteers when they SignUp for a Church of St. Mary Volunteer SignUP shift: Volunteer Tasks: Greeters will assist in managing the flow of congregants as they enter the church, participate in the liturgy/sacrament, and exit the church. Team members will combine some of the functions of an usher, such as directing participants to appropriate seating/waiting areas, but will include additional responsibilities, including, but not limited to, making sure attendees use hand sanitizer upon entering, are wearing a mask, and are reminded not to enter if ill. Given the circumstances, greeters will need to be tactful and firm paying careful attention to all people on-site. To support parish greeter teams, rudimentary training tips on handling difficult situations will be provided. Volunteers will ensure that: all supplies needed for each sacramental celebration/gathering are ready for use, entrances and exits are marked and propped physically open prior to attendees' arrival/departure, and windows are opened.  Volunteers will help maintain and sanitize essential and trafficked areas of the church after the church has been used. Masks and gloves will be provided, if necessary, in addition to approved cleaning/disinfecting supplies. May God grant you peace and comfort in this time.

April 4, 2021: Gospel Reflection for Easter Sunday

This Sunday's Easter gospel is from John. The Gospel of John was written significantly later than the synoptics (Mark, Matthew & Luke), and its author is more concerned with trying to get at the truest meaning of Jesus' teachings than historical accuracy.  There is a lot of symbolism in this reading, in John’s entire gospel in fact. The very first line we are told it is the beginning of the week. A new week means a fresh start, something new is happening. The resurrected Christ will offer us a new way of living; a new way of being! However this newness is just starting, barely even taking shape yet. We know this because we are told that Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early in the morning when it was still dark. It is early in this new way of being, so early it is still dark. In scripture oftentimes light and dark are code for being in right relationship with God or not. It may also refer to having understanding of what is happening, as is the case here. Mary will not understand why the tomb has been opened. She mistakenly fears that the body of Jesus has been removed/stolen by either robbers or the religious elite and the Romans. It is still dark; she does not understand that Jesus has risen. Once Mary tells the disciples what she has seen, Peter and the Beloved One run to the tomb. Peter might get there first but he too will not understand. The Beloved One however will see and believe, even if he does not have full understanding. Peter looks in and sees the burial cloths and the cloth around Jesus’ head in the tomb but no Jesus! His understanding also stops there. The Beloved disciple, goes into the tomb, enters where Jesus was, he sees and believes. So what does he see?  The Beloved disciple sees that what is meant for the dead, burial cloths, stay in a place for the dead. However Jesus is not there, therefore Jesus is not dead! He sees and he believes. That is the hope for us all, that we see God in everyone and everything and believe that God is so loving, so merciful that out of that abundance flows a love to each one of us and we in turn share that love and mercy with all we meet.

Religious Education

School of St. Mary

Ways to Volunteer

From Around the Archdiocese

Make Your Lent More Meaningful Mundelein Seminary and the four institutes comprising the University of Saint Mary of the Lake are offering a variety of opportunities for you to deepen your spiritual life throughout Lent. We hope you can join us! Take an overnight retreat on campus with Instituto de Liderazgo Pastoral from March 13-14. Join a Lenten book club to discuss C.S. Lewis' The Great Divorce with the Institute for Pastoral Leadership. Register for the Liturgical Institute's Celebrating the Easter Mystery online course, which is currently 50% off. Explore the possibility of joining the diaconate with the Institute for Diaconal Studies at a Thursday evening Zoom info session.

Lenten Reflections from Mundelein Seminary Get weekly gospel reflections in your inbox or via text message from seminarians who will be ordained to the priesthood in just a few short months. You will also receive a four-part audio Lenten reflection from our rector Father John Kartje. Sign Up

Plenary Indulgence in Time of Crisis

Plenary Indulgence The Apostolic Penitentiary, a branch of the Vatican offices which focuses on mercy and the forgiveness of sins, issued a decree granting a Plenary Indulgence during this extraordinary time. To see some of the ways we can still participate in the life of grace and the life of the Church during the Covid-19 pandemic please click here.

Volunteer & Assistance

To find ways to volunteer within our community and to seek assistance from the parish please click here. Here is a List of Places You may watch Mass on TV, Radio or Online: TV: EWTN DirecTV Channel 370 Dish Network Channel 261 Verizon Fios Channel 285 XFinity Channel 33, 291, 1668 Online: Church of St. Mary Livestream can be found on our Facebook Page. View past celebrated Masses or join us for a current Livestream Mass according to the schedule in this newsletter. Sunday Mass from Holy Name Cathedral (anytime) http://www.catholictv.org/masses/catholictv-mass (Daily at 9:30AM) Relevant Radio:   1:00 pm ET / 10:00 am PT.  These Masses will be broadcast live on your local station, on the Relevant Radio® app, at relevantradio.com, and on my Father Rocky Facebook page so you can tune in from wherever you are. The Mass will be rebroadcast each evening at 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT on your local station.

Daily Scripture Readings

To read the Daily Scripture readings you may go to usccb.org and select "Daily Reading" at the top left menu. You may also go to "Today's Reading" at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings

Prayer for the Sick and Deceased

Please remember in your prayers those who are sick, especially:

Pierre Adam Renata Adamiec Peggy Adams William Allingham Beny Alvarez Alexa Anderson Francis (Pierre) Avellone Baby Bower Triplets: Rose Marie, Adelaide Marie, and Josephine Marie Baby Mercer Baby Peter John O'Rourke Elvera Baeza Dolores Beck Brooke Bloom Jack Brown Mason Jeffrey Browner Baby Virginia Bunimovich Francesco Camoletto Nancy Carani Luis and Maria Cardenas Carmie Caluag Nova Carlson Sember Carlson Michael Carpenter Jeffrey Chicoine Carolyn Cimarrusti-Erickson Jacqueline Cimarrusti Marianna Cimarrusti Charles Cook Virginia Cordoba Mary Elizabeth Cran Greg DeBoer Louis Degaetano Mimi Degaetano Mike Dellefield Lewis Dilts Joan Dolan Hannah Erickson Susan Ewert Abby Furco Esperanza Galikay

Jenny Green Jeanne Gross Jesus Guzman Laura Rose Hamel Elizabeth Hand Joyce Hansen Margaret Hartman John Herbert Hannah Hodgson Edward Hoover Patricia P. Huber Juan Hurandas Rafael Ibarra Shirley Jacksack Dolores Jansyn Dick Jaworski Christian Jenko Dr. Mickey Jester Mark Kalbus Amy Kaleniecki Raine Kamm Oceana Kashul Mason Kelly Genevieve Kluza Patsy Leonard Caroline Lyczko Fely Macalalad Meg Macdonald Jim MacNaughton Angela Martinez Carolina Martinez Ralph Mastro Robert Matthei Derrick Mathews Donna Mathews Yvonne Tichelbaut McClosky Kathryn McConnell Janet McCue Francis McCullough Margaret Mary McIntyre Ann Milite Mary Anne Minich Dolores Morrison

Barbara Neis David O'Brien Peter O'Brien Joaquin Padilla Tom Palella Mary Margaret Pawl Mary Butterfield Peddle James Dean Penar Marie Pfeiffer Lisa Pommer Lil Porter Marianne Powers Carol Pozdel Marcia Ries Charlene Roberts Jeanie Rogalski Frank Rogalski Mathew Rowley Susan Schey Bill Shafer Colleen Sheerer Tai (Pascal) Shin Pat Spencer Nancy Sreenan Ellen Sreenan Debbie Sternberg John Sternberg Maureen Strassburger Craig Strom Elzbieta Szymanska Leonard Teifeld Tommy Thomsen John Tocks Linda Trueblood-Lambert Joseph Urso Amanda Van Vleet Brittany Van Vleet Marisol Vazquez Martha Williams Barbara Wilson Susan Wittig Laurie Wood Robert Yale

Please remember in your prayers those who have gone to their eternal rest with Our Lord, especially: Marion Morris: (mother of Kathleen Murphy) Mary Lynch: (mother of Ann [Frank] Burke; grandmother of Mike, Danny, John, Tommy, and Maggie) Richard Thomas: (husband of Mary Thomas; father of Marilyn [Rob] Wieland; grandfather of Clare Wieland) Ruth Larson: (mother of Joanne Whalen) Angelo Bisinella: (father of Debra [Alvaro] Vargas; grandfather of Kristin Vargas)

Mass Intentions

Mass Intentions will be prayed for during a private or public daily Mass. April 2, 2021 ~ Good Friday: 8:00am: Morning Prayer April 3, 2021 ~ Holy Saturday: 8:00am: Morning Prayer 8:00pm: Paul Dishinger; Special Intention for Maria Dishinger; Bob Pommer & Anna and Carl Deckmeyer April 4, 2021~ Easter Sunday: 8:00am: People of St. Mary’s 10:00am: People of St. Mary’s Noon: People of St. Mary’s April 5, 2021: Michael Gannon; Benjamin Asma April 6, 2021: Frank Waldeck; Special Intention for Jeanie & Frank Rogalski April 7, 2021: Goldie Backe; Ashen Onan April 8, 2021: Annamarie Elfering; Caritina Medina April 9, 2021: People of St. Mary’s April 10, 2021: 7:30am: People of St. Mary’s 5:00pm: Aldo Ragenelli; Bob Pommer & Anna & Carl Deckmeyer April 11, 2021: 8:00am: Cimarrusti-Valentino Family; Kathleen Smith 10:00am: James Labus; Frank Sylvester Noon: Stephen Foley, Sr.; Peter Danis; People of St. Mary’s If you would like to request a special Mass Intention, please email our Parish Receptionists at: receptionist@churchofstmary.org and they will kindly assist you!

Stewardship

“I will be their God and they shall be my people.”     JEREMIAH 31:33 What does it mean to be God's people? It means we recognize that everything we have and everything we are belongs to God. We aren't "owners" of anything, we are merely "stewards" of the gifts God has given us. It means we are willing to use our gifts and our lives to care for our neighbors and the world, just as God cares for us. Sunday Collection                  -------------------   Actual      Budgeted    Surplus/(Shortfall) March 28, 2021                               -------------   $27,444      $21,000             $6,444 Total Sunday Collections Fiscal 2021 YTD   $812,925     $798,000          $14,925

THANK YOU for CONTINUING TO SUPPORT the Church of St. Mary

We are grateful for the outpouring of support from parishioners while we navigate financially. Thank you for continuing to support your parish as well as our sharing parish, Most Blessed Trinity. Thank you for mailing your contribution to the Parish Office or scheduling your online donation. Offertory basket will be made available during Sunday Public Masses as well for your offering. Ways To Give + Drop in the Offertory Basket during Public Mass at the end of Mass + Mail Your Contribution: Church of St. Mary c/o Business Office 201 E. Illinois Lake Forest, IL 60045  + Online Giving:

Schedule your recurring donations via our online Giving safe and secure portal, GiveCentral Go to:  Church of St. Mary GiveCentral or click the image below.   Thank you!

Stay Connected

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 get notices on viewing Livestreamed Mass! Prior recorded Masses can also be watched via our 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!

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information@churchofstmary.org | http://www.churchofstmary.org