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Mass Schedule
Due to the coronavirus quarantine, by direction of Bishop David J. Malloy, all public gatherings have been suspended until further notice. Fr. Ariel will be livestreaming the Palm Sunday and Holy Week Masses on Facebook from SS Peter & Paul parish. Please see his article below for the schedule. -
Act of Spiritual Communion
It is a beautiful and praiseworthy tradition to recite an act of spiritual communion when one is unable, for whatever reason, to receive Holy Communion. Below is an act of spiritual communion composed by Saint Alphonsus Ligouri.
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen. -
Today's Readings
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From the Desk of Fr. Ariel Valencia (April 6, 2020)
The Lion's Roar
NOTE THE NEW LIVESTREAM ADDRESS AT THE END OF THE FOLLOWING PARGRAPH...
Since public gatherings are not allowed due to the coronavirus quarantine, I will be livestreaming Masses from SS Peter and Paul during Holy Week. On Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper will be livestreamed at 7:30 PM. On Good Friday there will be a Passion of the Lord service livestreamed at 3 PM. The Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday will be livestreamed beginning at 7:30 PM and on Easter Sunday the Mass will be livestreamed at 9 AM. Please join me at:
https://www.facebook.com/StMaryMP
Msgr. Dzielak and Fr. Ariel will offer confessions at St. Mary's and SS. Peter and Paul respectively from 5 to 7 PM on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week. Confessions will be held in the sacristies of each church maintaining 6 ft. separation. However, note that no more than 10 persons can be present in the church at a time and proper separation must be maintained. See: https://www.facebook.com/StMaryMP/videos/209256057028045/ -
Online Giving
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Parish Calendar
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Thursday, April 9All public gatherings have been suspended until further notice per directive of the bishop. Mass of the Lord's Supper will be livestreamed from SS Peter and Paul beginning at 7:30 PM.Read More
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Friday, April 10All public gatherings have been suspended until further notice per directive of the bishop. Passion of the Lord service will be livestreamed from SS Peter and Paul beginning at 3 PM.Read More
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Saturday, April 11All public gatherings have been suspended until further notice per directive of the bishop. Easter Vigil Mass will be livestreamed from SS Peter and Paul beginning at 7:30 PM.Read More
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Sunday, April 12All public gatherings have been suspended until further notice per directive of the bishop. Mass will be livestreamed from SS Peter and Paul beginning at 9 AM.Read More
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From the desk of Msgr. Tom Dzielak (April 5, 2020)
Daily Prayer for our Country
Stations of the Cross 2
Stations of the Cross 3YOU HAVE MADE US FOR YOURSELF, O GOD, AND OUR HEARTS ARE RESTLESS UNTIL THEY REST IN YOU
[St Augustine, THE CONFESSIONS]
This weekend we hear St. Matthew’s account of the suffering and death of Our Lord. There are many words I could reflect on, but the ones which capture my attention at this time are spoken by Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane: So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?...The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak [26:40b, 41b].
Venerable Fulton Sheen, whose cause for sainthood is in process, was famous for his television career and for bringing many people into the Church. He spoke to us in the seminary in Rome when he was attending the Second Vatican Council, and the thing he stressed was that a priest should make a holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament every day. He spoke from experience because as far as we can tell, he did exactly that: make a holy hour of prayer every day of his life as a priest.
It may seem like that should be simple for a priest, since we are usually around the church most the day. But the words of Jesus ring so true: the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. I think most people can relate to that. How often do we think that we are too busy to pray, or too tired, or any other reasons? It comes down to priorities, of course. I think it was St. John XXIII who said something to the effect that we enough time to do the things we need to do, although we don’t have enough time to do everything we want to do.
St. John Paul II was certainly one of the busiest men alive during his time as Pope, but he spent an hour first thing in the morning every day before celebrating Mass and moving on to his daily schedule. I doubt that most priests are busier than the pope!
Obviously, those who are lay people do not have the advantage of being around the church all the time. Actually, you shouldn't be, since you have other responsibilities. But you could “keep watch” with Jesus by frequently calling to mind His presence in whatever you are doing: in your home, at your job, during your recreation, while driving or commuting to work. Jesus doesn’t need formal prayers when you don’t have the opportunity to offer them; He wants your presence to Him, your awareness that you are surrounded by His love like the fish is surrounded by the water.
Can you keep watch Him today?
A message to mourners from
I have often reflected upon the surest comfort for those who mourn. It is this: a firm faith in the real and continual presence of our loved ones; it is the clear and penetrating conviction that death has not destroyed them, nor carried them away. They are not even absent, but living near to us, transfigured: having lost, in their glorious change, no delicacy of their souls, no tenderness of their affection. On the contrary, they have, in depth and in fervor of devotion, grown larger a hundredfold. Death is, for the good, a translation into light, into power, into love. Those who on earth were only ordinary Christians become perfect. Those who were good become sublime.
Fr. Karl Rahner, SJ -
From the Desk of Deacon Greg Urban
Church Stained Glass Window Work
The work installing exterior vented clear-glass on the nine windows (five windows on the North side of the church and the four windows in the upper church sanctuary (altar area)) has been completed. The cost for this phase of work was $80,000. Through your generosity and our fundraising activities (many thanks to our volunteers and guests!), we had the funds to complete this work. There are ten more windows on the South and East (front) sides of the church that will still require this work when we raise the necessary additional funds.
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 diocesan appeal goal) until December 31, 2020. 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.
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Parish News & Events
Updates due to Coronavirus Quarantine
NOTE THE NEW LIVESTREAM ADDRESS AT THE END OF THIS PARGRAPH.
Since public gatherings are not allowed due to the coronavirus quarantine, Fr. Ariel will be livestreaming Masses from SS Peter and Paul during Holy Week. On Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper will be livestreamed at 7:30 PM. On Good Friday there will be a Passion of the Lord service livestreamed at 3 PM. The Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday will be livestreamed beginning at 7:30 PM and on Easter Sunday the Easter Day Mass will be livestreamed at 9 AM. Please join him on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/StMaryMP
Msgr. Dzielak and Fr. Ariel will offer confessions at St. Mary's and SS. Peter and Paul respectively from 5 to 7 PM on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week. Confessions will be held in the sacristies of each church maintaining 6 ft. separation. However, note that no more than 10 persons can be present in the church at a time and proper separation must be maintained. See: https://www.facebook.com/StMaryMP/videos/209256057028045/
IMPORTANT MESSAGES FROM BISHOP DAVID J. MALLOY
Bishop Malloy’s Holy Week, Easter Services Online Schedule
To comply with Vatican and state guidance about group gatherings during this time of pandemic, Bishop David Malloy has cancelled all in-person Masses and other prayer gatherings in the Rockford Diocese until further notice. In accord with general instruction from the Holy See in celebrating Holy Week and Easter, the following liturgies will be celebrated and streamed live from the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford. The Triduum and Easter celebrations can be seen via the Diocese Rockford Facebook page and at the diocesan website, www.rockforddiocese.org . (Note: Holy Thursday and Good Friday will also be streamed live on the Diocese of Rockford YouTube Channel)Bishop Malloy's Holy Week Schedule
** STATEMENT UPDATED AS OF 1:00 PM, 3/26/2020 **
Bishop Malloy issues new statment regarding indulgences.
Bishop Malloy's Letter & Indulgence Statement
** STATEMENT UPDATED AS OF 2:30 PM, 3/20/2020 **
Bishop Malloy issues new directives to priests for Churches, Holy Week and Easter
Bishop David J. Malloy today issued new directives to priests and pastors of the 104 parishes in the 11-county Diocese of Rockford. In an effort to cooperate with the ever-changing guidelines being issued by local state and national health and government authorities in regard to the coronavirus pandemic, Bishop Malloy is instructing his priests on compliance measures in regard to the celebration of the sacraments and other gatherings including all services planned for Holy Week and Easter. These directives may be changed at any time as new direction is received.
Bishop Malloy's Letter
Vatican Letter
Diocesan Cancellations AND Postponements
There are still some Easter Lilies available at St. Mary's in Maple Park.
Some Easter Lilies Still Available!
Confessions are being heard from 5-7pm this Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. You can pick up a lily from the back of the church at those times.
Maintain a safe distance from others and only 10 people allowed in the church at a time. I also have a few at my house. Contact me (Anne Carson at 815-901-1764) if you'd like to pick one up from me.
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.
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.
The Catholic faith community of St. Mary, Maple Park is constantly in need of people to be involved in our liturgy. We are very much in need of cantors, accompanists, choir members, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, lectors and altar servers. Make an effort to actively participate at Mass and step up! Contact Deacon Greg if you feel called to serve in a ministry.
Volunteers - We Need You!
Religious Education NewsClasses Sundays, 9:15-10:30 AM
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, all RE classes have been cancelled until further notice.
Remember Your Parish...
Just like for your family, during this time of quarantine it is important that the parish continue paying its bills. While we are unable to gather in church, if you are able to continue your Sunday contributions to the parish, please mail them to: PO Box 70, Maple Park, IL 60151, or use our Online Giving service. Thanks and may God bless you and your family during this difficult time!
Please also remember St. Mary’s with a gift in your will or estate plan. -
Bp. Barron's Lent Reflections
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Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. He is giving them a visual proclamation of his new commandment: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one...
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Word on Fire
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Catholic Link
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As we navigate through the Coronavirus and the seemingly unending strain of directives and regulations released by the Church and... The post The Doors Were Locked |The Paschal Mystery In Light of...
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Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has invited U.S. Catholics to... The post Litany Of The Sacred Heart appeared first on Catholic Link.
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I would like to offer a few songs to listen to during Holy Week, the Triduum, and Easter. I tried... The post Sacred Music for Holy Week & Easter Sunday appeared first on Catholic Link.
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We find ourselves in uncharted territory with the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to the medical aspect of the crisis, the... The post Spread a Message of #HopeDuringCOVID19! Are You Up for the...
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Catholic News Service
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IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Archdiocese of Newark By This is one of a series of pastoral and personal reflections on living in this time of pandemic. It was written by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of...
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IMAGE: CNS photo/Mihoko Owada, Catholic By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The disappointment of not being able to celebrate Easter Mass in churches across the country this year might be most...
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IMAGE: CNS photo/Bob Roller By WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has canceled the U.S. bishops' spring general assembly that was planned for June 10-12 in Detroit...
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IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Christopher Gunty BALTIMORE (CNS) -- Acknowledging the pain that the world is experiencing as the novel coronavirus claims thousands of lives and disrupts everyday...
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