St. Mary’s is hosting a Blood Drive on Sunday June 27, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. inthe Great Hall. This is an opportunity for you to donate blood, which is desperately needed. Versiti Blood Bank of Illinois (Formally Heartland) approached us about hosting a blood drive because blood supplies have dipped to an all-time low during the pandemic, and the blood banks are desperate for space in order to welcome donors. Our goal is to have 18 donors so please sign up; invite your neighbors and your family and friends. See the sign-up link in this newsletter to go directly to the St. Mary’s page to schedule an appointment for June 27. Please consider making a donation, as the only way to have blood for people in an emergency is through people like you and me donating blood. Blood and blood products cannot be manufactured or created any other way. Please sign up, and if you need help or have questions please contact me or Amy Noe in the parish office.
Did you know…?
Every blood donation saves up to 3 lives.
Versiti gives back to our local communities by first serving 70+ hospitals in the Chicagoland area, including all of the veterans hospitals.
Every 2 seconds someone needs blood.
A patient in a motor vehicle accident can use up to 50 units of blood to save their life.
4.5 million Americans would die each year without a life-saving blood transfusion.
This Sunday, on Memorial Day Weekend, you are invited to join us for ONE in-person service at 9:00 a.m.Please note that we will not have an 8:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. Eucharist, or a 9:00 a.m. Zoom service this week. Gail Head will be playing the organ at the 9:00 a.m. Eucharist as we observe Trinity Sunday.
Deacon Mike is away this weekend on vacation, and I will be away from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday. If you have a pastoral care emergency you may contact Co-Warden Steve Brooks and he can contact our on-call clergy if needed.
This weekend we remember all of the men and women in the Armed Forces who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. I invite you to take some time this weekend to pray for them, their families and loved ones. You may use the prayer that I have enclosed here or another, but let us always remember and never forget the great sacrifice given on our behalf.
Prayer for Those Who Have Fallen in Battle
All Powerful God,
We honor today those men and women —
Our sons and daughters,
Husbands and wives,
Fathers, brothers, sisters, mothers —
Who have laid down their life for their country.
Whether weary or emboldened, quiet or defiant,
Vulnerable or ready when You called them home,
Their sacrifice is too humbling for words except these uttered in prayer.
Loving Lord, bless them forever in Your eternal peace.
Let the sounds of strife, the cries of battle, the wounds of war
be calmed for all eternity in Your loving and endless grace.
Let these great warriors find rest at last,
Ever reminded that we who are left behind
Cherish their spirit, honor their commitment, send them our love,
and will never forget the service that they gave.
(Prayer from the Passionists Order)
May you have a safe and blessed Memorial Day weekend.
Rev. Fran+
The Parish Offices will be closed on Monday, May 30, for the Memorial Day holiday.
Blood Drive
Sunday, June 27
Great Hall
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Make your appointment online to donate blood! Your donations are urgently needed, and it’s an easy way to support our local communities. More details are available on the flyers posted throughout the church, or you may contact the parish office. Make your appointment today! Thank you for your support.
Bishop-Elect Consecration Update
Bishop-Elect Paula Clark’s Consecration has been moved to Saturday August 28, 2021. This will give the Bishop-Elect time to heal and rest before starting her ministry with us as the Thirteenth Bishop of Chicago. Please listen to Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s message to the Diocese of Chicago regarding the consecration.
Food Pantry Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are needed for the next St. Mary’s date at the Food Pantry next Wednesday, June 2. Shifts times are 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., or 12:30 –2:30 p.m. If you are unable to help on June 2, there is another volunteer opportunity this month, on Wednesday, June 30. If you’d love to help on either or both of those dates, please contact Cate Williams.
2021 Flower Chart
The 2021 Flower Chart is posted in the Narthex. Parishioners are encouraged to select a Sunday closest to a significant date in one’s life, i.e. the anniversary of the death of a loved one or friend, a birthday or wedding anniversary, or perhaps on the occasion of blessings received, and underwrite that Sunday’s flowers. Donation amount is $30. There are donation envelopes under the chart, and the donations may be placed in the offering plate, or brought to the parish office. Thank you!!
Schedule Note: Next week’s newsletter will be sent out on Wednesday, June 2, as Parish Administrator, Amy Noe, will be out of the office on Thursday and Friday, June 3 and 4.
Co-Wardens Steve Brooks (1/22), and Mike Higgins (1/23)
Treasurer, Cate Williams
Heather Horeled, Lorraine Taylor (1/22)
Cheri Dudek, Dorothy Nyberg (1/23)
Stacy Cook, Doug Murphy (1/24)
We Pray For
Parishioners: John, Heather, El, Roseann, Cindy, Betsy, Matthew, Glenice, and Shirley.
Family/Friends: Julia, daughter of Heather Robert; Betty, friend of Daphne Starr; Jean, mother of Andrew Wild; Don; Russ, missionary in Chile; Bishop-elect Paula Clark; Millie; Jim; Marilyn and Tom; Madeline; Tarsha; John; Billy; Danny; Pamela; Millie; 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.
