St. Mary of the Assumption

Maple Park, Illinois

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    As we head into this month which honors the Rosary as a special prayer recommended by the Church for all its members, many of us will remember that prayer as something that was prayed together in our families when we were young. There were families that prayed the Rosary together on a daily basis, others less frequently. We know that there has long been a Catholic popular belief in the special role of the Rosary in the way that God has led the followers of Christ into a stronger personal faith and on occasions for some benefit for the Church as a whole.

Why does the Rosary have such strong intercessory influence with God? It must be the fact that the Rosary is meant to offer us a special time to reflect on the life and mission of our Savior, Jesus. The mysteries of the Rosary are a way of connecting with the flow of His life. It was St John Paul II who added a new fourth group of mysteries to help us think about some special events of Jesus’ life that happened between the time He was twelve years old and when He entered into the final days of His passion and death. We call the new ones the “Luminous” mysteries, events which show light upon the so-called “public life” of Jesus, the time when He left the daily routine of His life in Nazareth and went out to proclaim that God’s promised kingdom was now present in His (Jesus’) life and mission.

The Rosary can seem monotonous, but that is deliberate since the repetition of words frees us from focusing on what we have to say and allows our minds and thoughts to flow around Jesus and what was happening in His life. I think we have all had the experience when our minds have wandered while we were saying something we knew by heart. But the wandering of our minds during the Rosary, if it is wandering around in the life of Jesus, is exactly what is meant to happen in that prayer.

I have found it fruitful in my life to write out different reflections on the various mysteries of the Rosary. For example, I wrote a series of prayer intentions for priests that I use at times during the Rosary. I  believe I made copes of that available to anyone interested.

One could write “a Rosary for Marriage” or “a Rosary for peace” or “a Rosary for my children.” The Rosary is a popular devotion, so we are free to do such things. Writing out your own reflections may help deepen your prayer life, and that would be a fruitful and wonderful thing.

During October may we all come to a fruitful use of his special prayer that opens up our Blessed Mother’s powerful intercession in her life with God.

   

• Mass Schedule - Monday through Friday at 8:00 AM.  Sunday Obligation: Saturday 4:00 PM, Sunday 8:00 AM.
• Confession Schedule - Wednesday 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, Thursday 7:00 to 8:00 PM,
  Saturday 3:00 to 3:45 PM, or by appointment.
• Eucharistic Adoration - Our weekly Holy Hour (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament) is held on Saturdays beginning at 2:45 PM. Benediction follows at 3:35 PM.

 

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We are updating our Picture Church Directory!

Now is the time to gather your family and get a photo. Each family photographed will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait to be sent postage free to their home. Plus, they receive a complimentary directory.

The photo dates and times are: Thursday, October 12th, and Friday, October 13th, from 2:00pm-8:30pm on each date.

Our church directory will not be complete without you! To schedule, call the parish office (815) 827-3205 during normal business hours or for online scheduling go to: www.ucdir.com  Church code: il308 Password: photos
   

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St. Mary's 2023 Harvest Drawdown & Dinner - November 4


Will the leaves be brown and the sky gray? You won’t notice when you’re having a great time at our Harvest Drawdown on Saturday, November 4th. With a final prize of $3000. Also there will be great tasting, all you can eat chicken and porkchop dinner with sides, beverages, and dessert. How can you lose? Every 10th ticket is a winner. There will be raffles as well as a silent auction.

This year we have a Large Raffle whose tickets are
already on sale. See a committee member after Masses, see below, or call the office for tickets and info. We sold out of the drawdown tickets last year so don’t delay. Get your tickets today!

Click here for Parishioner Information Letter and Volunteer Opportunities.

This is our major fundraiser this year. Money generated will go towards replacing the North parking lot asphalt.

The Drawdown Grand Prize will be $3000 with cash payouts for every 10th ticket drawn. Tickets are $50 each and tickets include all you can eat food and beverages for the evening. Each person must have a ticket to attend and must be 21 or older. Only 330 tickets will be available.

Tickets are now available - Event Information & Ticket Sales Instructions

There are several ways to purchase your tickets:

• Tickets will be on sale after weekend Masses,
• By contacting a committee member,
• By visiting the parish office during business hours.
• Online Drawdown Tickets Request,
• By using and submiting a Ticket Purchase Form. Example on how to complete: Example of completed Ticket Purchase Form.

We ask that folks paying by credit card voluntarily include the optional 5% transaction processing fee to help cover our credit card processing costs ($2.50/ticket).  Pay by Credit Card here.

NEW THIS YEAR is our 'Large Raffle'- 3 winners, 3 separate prizes:  a 1 Week Vacation at a Hilton Resort, or Car washes for a year's from Ralph's car wash in Sycamore, or a Yeti Cooler full of Beverages. Tickets are $5 or 5 for $20. Large Raffle Flyer,

• Large Raffle Ticket Request

Winners need not be present to win. Don't wait, we sold out last year! Thank you!
  

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Order of Christian Initiation for Adults

Are you or do you know someone who is interested in becoming Catholic? Call the parish office. 

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Religious Education

Religious Education classes for the 2023/24 program began on August 20.  Classes are held on Sundays, 9:15-10:30 AM at St. Mary's Novak Center.

Download the 2023/24 RE Calendar and 2023/24 Registration Form here and submit completed registration form to St. Mary's parish office. If you have questions, please call Leila Rivers at 815-827-3205 x3. Please keep our youth and catechists in your prayers.
  

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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 hanksgiving, or any other special intention. Weekend Masses fill up quickly, but we do have daily Masses each week that are available. 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 one up.
 

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Volunteers - We Need You!

We have a continuing need for parishioners to serve as altar servers, cantors, lectors, and ushers/greeters. Training will be provided. Make an effort to actively participate at Mass in this special way and step up! Contact Deacon Greg or the parish office if you feel called to serve in a ministry. 
 
Church Cleaners - We have a need for volunteers to help clean the church every other week. Many hands make light work!
See the Church Cleaning Schedule here. There are a few spots where folks are needed. Please send a message through Signup Genius if you need to make changes or have any questions. Thank you all for your help.
   

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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.

Blacktop Maintenance & Church Stained Glass

Blacktop Maintenance - The North church driveway has been replaced. The work was completed on Aug. 30. We are soliciting donations to help pay this expense and complete similar work on the South driveway, which was originally installed along with the North driveway in 1974. If you are able to help, please write “Blacktop Maintenance” on your check or you can give online here. Thanks, in advance, for your generosity!

Church Stained Glass - We continue to solicit 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,  give online here, or writing “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.