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March 28, 2021: Palm Sunday
Parish Newsletter
The Church of St. Mary :: 201 E. Illinois Lake Forest, IL 60045
Virtual Office: 847-234-0205 :: Email: receptionist@churchofstmary.org
From the Desk of Fr. Mike Nacius, Pastor
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Led by the mercy of God we journey together through this week we call holy, beginning with the rich celebration of Palm Sunday.
--------Lent is a special season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. May we grow together during this final week of Lent as we conclude these forty days having been led mercifully in every effort of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving!

        During Holy Week and on Easter Sunday we will welcome many guests and visitors to the parish. We are requesting and reminding all parishioners to tell family and friends to register via SignUp Genius for all prayer services, devotions, and Masses. Many parishioners may be a guest and visitor at another parish as they celebrate Easter out of town. I invite everyone to go out of their way to welcome the guests and visitors that worship with us during Holy Week.

        There are many opportunities to worship this coming week. The following is the schedule of our services. This schedule was also mailed to all registered parishioners. If you have not received this schedule in the 2021 Easter mailing please contact the Parish Office.
Holy Thursday, April 1
Morning Prayer at 8:00am
Mass of The Lord’s Supper at 7:30pm
with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
in the church until 9:30pm
 
Good Friday, April 2
Morning Prayer at 8:00am
Stations of the Cross at Noon
Liturgy of The Lord’s Passion will be celebrated at 3:00pm
Good Friday is a day of Fast and Abstinence.
 
Holy Saturday, April 3
Morning Prayer at 8:00am
Reconciliation following Morning Prayer
Drive-in Blessing of Easter Foods at 1:00pm – Oakwood Parking lot
Easter Vigil Mass 8:00pm
Easter Sunday, April 4
Easter Sunday Mass Schedule:
8:00am, 10:00am, and 12:00 Noon Mass

        Many parishioners support the work of Catholic Relief Services and the Lenten Rice Bowl project. Donations can be returned in the Sunday offertory collection indicating the donation is for Operation Rice Bowl. You are encouraged to count the money you collected during Lent in the Rice Bowls and then write a check for that amount. It is not necessary to return the actual Rice Bowl containers to the parish. Thanks for your almsgiving this Lenten season.

--------Your generosity to the Church of St. Mary as well as to the many second collections touches heart and improves lives across the globe. Last year, the churches were closed during Holy Week. We were in the early days of the pandemic shutdown. The annual Good Friday collection supports the Church in the Holy Land. This year the need is as great as it ever has been. A donation to the Pope’s annual appeal is a way for Catholics to express their solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. The collection is used to support the lives of those caught up in war, violence, and instability in the region. Thank you for supporting the Pontifical Good Friday Collection this year.
 
        I share one final time the prayer that was part of the education and prayer opportunities offered to all who used the Rice Bowls this Lent to enhance our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
God of Mercy, You call us to recognize you in our sisters and brothers, and to care for those most in need – for whatever you do for the least of these you do for me. This Lent, ignite your love in us so that through our prayers, fasting, and almsgiving we may support all who experience hunger in body, heart, and spirit. AMEN.

        May the mercy of God direct our lives this week we call holy.
Lent & Holy Week
Message of the Holy Father Francis for Lent 2021
The message of the Holy Father Francis for Lent 2021, entitled: “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem “ (Mt 20: 18). Lent: a Time for Renewing Faith, Hope and Love. Read it in its entirety HERE.
A wealth of Lenten resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops can be found HERE. This includes a wonderful Lenten calendar with readings and reflections for each day.
Pontifical Good Friday Collection
To make a donation for the Holy Land collection, please click here.
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 March 28, this Sunday. 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 March 27, 2021 - Sunday, April 4, 2021

<--- Register for Attending & Volunteering




Saturday, March 27, 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, March 28, 2021 Palm Sunday:
+ 8:00am: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius 
+ 10:00am: Livestream Sunday Mass
+ 10:00am: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius 
+ 12:00pm: PUBLIC MASS --> Register via SignUp Genius

Monday, March 29, 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, March 30, 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, March 31, 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 1, 2021 Holy Thursday:
+ 8:00am: Livestream Morning Prayer
+ 8:00am: PUBLIC PRAYER with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 9:30am --> Register via SignUp Genius
+ 7:30pm: Livestream Mass of the Lord's Supper
+ 7:30pm: PUBLIC MASS with Solemn Adoration after Mass till 9:30pm --> Register via SignUp Genius

Friday, April 2, 2021 Good Friday:
+ 8:00am: Livestream Morning Prayer
+ 8:00am: PUBLIC PRAYER with Rosary & Private Prayer after Mass until 9:30am --> Register via SignUp Genius 
+ Noon: Livestream & PUBLIC PRAYER Stations of the Cross --> Register via SignUp Genius
+ 3:00pm: Livestream & PUBLIC LITURGY of the Lord's Passion --> Register via SignUp Genius

Saturday, April 3, 2021 Holy Saturday:
+ 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


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.
March 28, 2021: Gospel Reflection for Palm Sunday
The two gospel readings for Palm Sunday are full of contrasts. In the Gospel at the Procession, we have Jesus entering Jerusalem from the east, as was prophesied the Messiah would do, and is greeted by the crowds as a king; laying down palm fronds and their cloaks. This is the same crowd who will, a few days later, cry out for Jesus to be crucified! How fickle humans can be when they don’t have faith but are merely interested in fad.

In the Passion we hear all the disciples say how they will stand by Jesus and not have their faith tested in the events that will soon occur. Peter, closest to Jesus yet still does not have full understanding of who Jesus truly is, is the most verbose in his claims of standing with Jesus even if it means death. As noted by some theologians, notably John Shea, Peter says this out of a false sense of self. It is easy to claim that we will be there for a friend or in this case for the Son of Man but when times get rough we tend to turn and run. Jesus understands, we can tell because Jesus says to the disciples that they will scatter but after Jesus has risen he will meet them in Galilee!

Jesus then takes the group to Gethsemane to pray. He asks his three closest disciples to stay awake and pray with him as he goes ahead of them a bit and prays that the cup may pass him, but let God’s will be done, not his own. Jesus will pray this three times and each time he returns to find the disciples asleep, meaning they do not have full understanding of the events happening. They do not have the same relationship with God that Jesus does, so they cannot understand fully.

The religious elite, who have been jealous and scared of Jesus, have made sure their false claims and testimonials from others are grounds for Jesus to be found guilty of blasphemy. While this was happening Peter was outside the building trying to eavesdrop when he is noticed as being a follower of Jesus. Knowing or at least fearing (keyword fear) what was being done to Jesus, Peter denies knowing him. Quickly two more people will point him out as one who knows Jesus or at least resides in the same area. After all three denials, Peter hears the cock crow and he realizes what he has done, even more so, the fact that Jesus knew he would deny knowing him. Peter’s self identity has been shattered. This is not a bad thing, now that Peter has lost his identity, he can start to see himself as of God, not of himself.

The Pharisees and scribes then send Jesus to Pilate for further questioning and some of them go into the crowds and stir up things by having the crowds demand that Jesus be crucified and Barabbas, a murderer, released. The crowds are showing preference to one who has taken life over the one who offers eternal life!
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!
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
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
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
Richard Thomas
Tommy Thomsen
John Tocks
Linda Trueblood-Lambert
Joseph Urso
Amanda Van Vleet
Brittany Van Vleet
Marisol Vazquez
Martha Williams
Barbara Wilson
Susan Wittig
Robert Yale
Mass Intentions
Mass Intentions will be prayed for during a private or public daily Mass.

March 27, 2021:
7:30am: Mary Kay Tschanz
5:00pm: Dorina Mentuccia; Eliseo Elisei
March 28, 2021:
8:00am: Anita Schroeder; James William Surane, Sr.
10:00am: Emery Homor; Peter Gillespie
Noon: Janina & Zbigniew Mazur; Darlene Foley; People of St. Mary’s
March 29, 2021: Monsignor Frank Cimarrusti
March 30, 2021: Mary Lynch
March 31, 2021: People of St. Mary’s
April 1, 2021 ~ Holy Thursday: Morning Prayer
April 2, 2021 ~ Good Friday: 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
Sunday, April 4 ~ Easter Sunday
8:00am: People of St. Mary’s
10:00am: People of St. Mary’s
Noon: 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
“Pilate again said to them, ‘Then what shall I do with the man whom you call the King of the Jews?’ And they cried out again, ‘Crucify Him.’”  
MARK 15:12-13

Jesus told us “whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me.” Every day we are presented opportunities to help someone. Every day we have the opportunity to see the face of Jesus in others and be the face of Jesus to others. Pray for the strength and courage to stand up for those in need of our help.
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!
The Church of St. Mary has a YouTube channel! Once we have 1000k subscribers, we can stream live! Look for the black and white image of the Church of St. Mary when searching for the channel or click on either image here to go straight there! Don't forget to subscribe!