St. Mary of the Assumption

Maple Park, Illinois

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The January 22 “Day of Infamy” on which the United States legally recognized a “right” to kill unborn children in the womb is now commemorated by a Day of Prayer for the Unborn. As usual the confrontation of “pro-choice” vs “pro-life” is part of the activity. I think we have to keep looking at the reality of those two positions.

Those who claim the title “pro-choice” point to the legality of abortion as part of their defense, but we might stop and think about what place legality has in society. For example, we had no problem in overturning laws which protected slavery in many states of our country. The Supreme Court overturned the Dred Scott decision, which protected the legality of slavery. We recognized that this law was  immoral and therefore should rightly be rejected. In the same way, it was legal in Nazi Germany to kill Jews and other people regarded as “misfits” in society, but the countries which saw these laws as immoral had no qualms about overthrowing those Nazi laws, even at the cost of a brutal world war. Legality does not always have the final word in society.

Common sense tells us there are seriously destructive laws which violate basic human morality that should be opposed and rejected. Of course, not every immoral act should be forbidden by civil law, but in most civilizations the killing of innocent and/or defenseless human beings has almost universally been condemned, and any laws which protect such killings are rightly subject to rejection.

But what about a woman’s right to choose? As I have previously pointed out, everyone with the mental capacity to understand and evaluate behavior is “pro-choice.” The question which must be constantly asked is “choice of what?” Our freedom to choose is not absolute. I was reminded while growing up, “Your right to swing your fist stops at my nose!” It is science which reveals that human life begins at conception (for those who think that this information is religious intrusion).

As Catholics, and as decent human beings, we are called to be “pro-life” from conception to natural death. The accusation that pro-life people care only about the baby in the womb and not about the mother and the future life of the baby is “fake news,” as proved by the work of pro-life pregnancy centers throughout the country.

May God touch the hearts of those who cannot see the evil of killing the innocent unborn, as well as those who encourage the deaths of those who are no longer seen as productive in their old age. Every person conceived has a purpose given him/her by God, the Creator of all life. May God have mercy on those who throw His purposes back in His face in the name of a sovereign right to choose.

Important Messages

• Forever Luncheon - Those who are 60 and older are invited to a luncheon at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Center on Thursday, January 27th at noon. Please RSVP the parish office at 630-365-6618 to reserve a place. We look forward to seeing you!
• Sts. Peter & Paul Snowball Dance - Get those dancing shoes shined up! The planning for the Snowball Dance is underway. Date: February 12, 2022; Where: Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Center; Time: 7:00pm
• Church Cleaners Needed - Please follow the link to our Signup Genius page, Church Cleaning Schedule, if you are willing and able to help. 
• COVID-19 Guidance - Masks continue to be required inside all parish buildings regardless of vaccination status. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation!
• Daily Mass Schedule - Monday through Friday at 8:00 AM (unless otherwise announced)
• Confession Schedule - Wednesdays: 11:00 AM to 12:00 (Noon); Thursdays: 7:00 to 8:00 PM; Saturdays: 11:30 AM.

 

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Religious Education

Classes are held on Sundays, 9:15-10:30 AM, in the Novak Center. Download the RE Calendar and Combined Registration Form here. If you have questions, please call our RE Coordinator Leila Rivers at 815-827-3205 x3.
  

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Mass Intentions

Please remember your loved ones with a Mass intention. We can pray for anyone, they do not have to be deceased. It can be for a wedding anniversary or birthday, a Mass of Thanksgiving, or any other special intention. Weekend Masses fill up quickly, but we do have daily Masses each week that are available. You can also use these Masses while you are away and cannot be here to pray for those loved ones. Please call or stop in the parish office for more information.
 

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New Parishioners Welcome!

If you are new to our parish or just visiting - WELCOME!!  If you would like to officially claim St. Mary’s as your Parish Home - we would love to have you!  Contact the Parish Office (815-827-3205) for information and a registration form.  Forms can be mailed or emailed to you or you may stop in and pick them up.
 

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Volunteers - We Need You!

The Catholic faith community of St. Mary, Maple Park is in need of people to be involved in our liturgy. During this time of COVID, we are in need of cantors, lectors, ushers, and greeters. Make an effort to actively participate at Mass and step up! Contact the parish office if you feel called to serve in a ministry.
 
 
  

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Remember Your Parish...

Just like for your family, it is important that the parish continue paying its bills. Please continue your Sunday contributions to the parish, by mail to: St. Mary Church, PO Box 70, Maple Park, IL 60151, or use our Online Giving service. Thanks and may God bless you!

Please also remember St. Mary’s with a gift in your will or estate plan.

Church Stained Glass Window Work (Update)

The latest phase of work installing vented clear protective glass over our beautiful sacred stained-glass windows is now complete. That being said, we will continue to raise funds for rebuilding the actual interior of our 100+ year-old stained-glass windows as this becomes necessary.

The Diocese has granted us permission that donations we receive for “Stained-Glass” will be exempt from the diocesan assessment (used as a basis of setting our Annual Diocesan Appeal goal) until December 31, 2024.  Therefore, we ask that you use the “stained-glass” offering envelope, online giving selection, or write “stained-glass” on your checks for contributions for the window work. We sincerely thank you for your past donations and ask for your continued generous support in this endeavor to help properly maintain our beautiful church building.