St. Mary of the Assumption

Maple Park, Illinois

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.

Mass on Sunday will also be live-streamed on Facebook at 8 AM. 
 
Daily Masses are celebrated here on Wednesdays & Thursdays at 8 AM.
 
 

Welcome to our new pastor, Fr. William Antillon, effective June 16.

Have you signed up to receive St. Mary Flocknotes yet? We have a new system designed to keep our parishioners informed about the latest happenings, especially during this time when we can't meet in church. If you don't receive our Flocknotes click on the logo above to sign-up!

   

This weekend we celebrate Father’s Day in our country. May God bless all fathers of families in our parish, and those who may have to fulfill the role of a father for some reason or another.

A 20th-century writer, Clarence Budington Kelland, said, “My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” I was very touched by those words when I saw them. I suspect those words could well be applied to St. Joseph and Jesus, and I think they are a wonderful tribute to any fathers who are rightly described in that way.

I’m not alone in my opinion that much of the social dysfunction in our society is due to the lack of healthy fathering for boys as they are growing up. We know there are many boys who lack a healthy relationship with a father. It has been said that “the most effective guard against delinquency is a father who is at the same time both strict and loving” (Sheldon Glueck).

A father is meant to be a role model for his sons, teaching them about life and what it means to be a man who is a blessing both to his family and society. It’s hard to imagine there being anything more important in a father than this role as a mentor.

At a time when sexual assault is so frequently in the news, fathers have a crucial task to perform in providing a healthy sex education in the home, helping their sons become men who live according to love rather than lust.

In the ways of faith, a father is called to be a spiritual leader of his family. Surveys indicate that the example of a father who practices his religious faith is a key as to whether the children will practice when they become adults.

May the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, come upon all the fathers of our parish and remain with them forever.

Important Messages from Bishop David J. Malloy

Dispensation for Mass attendance ends July 1

Bishop David Malloy advised priests of the Diocese of Rockford in a June 11 letter, that the dispensation from the obligation of attending Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation (per canons 85 and 87 in the Code of Canon Law of 1983) will be lifted July 1, 2021.

Read the Press Release Here

---

Vaccines and COVID 19

See this important note from our Diocesan Ethicist, Fr. Ken Wasilewski, regarding the new COVID-19 Vaccines:

As concerns about the Coronavirus continue, and talk of an imminent vaccine becomes more prevalent, there are a few moral questions about the vaccine which have also arisen. These really come down to two basic areas: first, how a given vaccine is developed, and secondly, the morality of receiving that vaccine (or not receiving it). Generally speaking, the Church has long been a supporter of vaccine development and use. (more...)

Letter dated 3/5/21 from Bishop Malloy regarding use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine.

---

  
Latest COVID-19 Guidance - Below is a summary of the latest COVID-19 guidance given to us by Bishop Malloy. Please visit the diocesan website at  www.rockforddiocese.org for further information. Hoping to see you all in church soon!

June 10, 2021

Dear Monsignor/Father,

I write this letter to you today to inform you that effective June 11, 2021, The Illinois Governor has moved Illinois to Phase 5. The following guidance will be implemented beginning on that date:

Masks and Social Distancing

Fully vaccinated laity, clergy, and religious are not required to wear a mask indoors or outdoors except where required by federal, state, local, or business establishments’ laws, rules and regulations. Please note that no one is to be asked about their vaccination status or to document that status. The cooperation and good will of all is presumed in this matter.

Pursuant to the Illinois Department of Public Health and CDC guidance, masks are still required to be worn by all people while inside a day care facility, correctional facility, veterans’ home, long-term care facility, group home, and residential facility; in healthcare settings; and on public transportation.

Specific rules apply to employees, children, and visitors at the St. Elizabeth Catholic Community Center youth building, issued by DCFS on June 2, 2021: https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/brighterfutures/healthy/Documents/Day_Care_Guidance.pdf

Any restrictions that may from time to time be implemented by your city or county should be followed.

Capacities

All indoor and outdoor sacramental and non-sacramental gatherings and activities may resume at full capacity. This applies to workplaces, meetings, conferences, recreational and social activities, spectator sports events and festivals, youth and young adult ministry activities, religious education gatherings that are not held in an active school building, funeral visitations, activities involving bus transportation and overnights, and the use of parish facilities for wedding receptions or other celebrations or activities. However, parishes and Diocesan facilities should continue to accommodate those who are not fully vaccinated, and those who may feel more comfortable seated around others who are wearing masks or who wish to social distance.

Liturgical

Holy Communion will remain under one species for the faithful. If inadvertent contact is made when someone is receiving on the tongue hands should be sanitized before giving Communion to the next person. Altar servers may resume. The use of holy water fonts may resume. The use of long-handled collection baskets held by ushers may resume. Otherwise, we recommend parishes continue the use of a centrally-located collection basket for envelopes to be deposited. Weekly bulletins may be distributed by ushers. Continue to refrain from the Sign of Peace.

Cleaning, Disinfecting and Sanitizing

Rigorous cleaning and disinfecting of our churches and offices have become the rule and, while the State no longer requires a heightened vigilance for sanitary surfaces, our guidelines have developed into good habits. Thus, while heightened cleaning and disinfecting is no longer required, please continue to take advantage of these good habits to clean surfaces regularly as a preventative measure. Please continue to make hand sanitizer available for employees, parishioners, and visitors in your churches and offices.

Food

Parish and school kitchens may resume operations without restrictions. Food consumption is permitted at all gatherings and activities without restrictions. Food may be brought from home for consumption on parish premises or at Diocesan facilities such as for bake sales and funeral luncheons.

Thank you for your continuing efforts to keep us holy and safe.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

David J. Malloy 
Bishop of Rockford 
  

---

Other News Items

• Anchor - Anchor sessions are on summer vacation. You can view previous sessions on Facebook.
• Mass on Sunday will be live-streamed on Facebook at 8 AM.
• Daily Mass: Daily Masses are currently being celebrated here on Wednesdays & Thursdays at 8 AM.
• Church Open Hours

• Confession Schedule

• Year of St. Joseph - In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pope Pius IX’s declaration of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church, Pope Francis has proclaimed a special “Year of St. Joseph.”  It is a wonderful opportunity to increase our love for St. Joseph and knowledge, “to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal" (Patris Corde). Fr. Ariel has assembled a worship aid and we encourage you to Down-load it here and use it during the year. You may also pick-up a printed copy at church.

 

---

2021 Diocesan Appeal

Every parish in our diocese participated in the 2021 Diocesan Appeal commitment weekend on May 1 & 2. This important campaign has a tremendous impact on the ministries and programs that are offered in each parish throughout the diocese. This year’s Diocesan Appeal theme is “Bear Much Fruit.” As Jesus teaches us, he is the vine and we are the branches. When we remain close to him, we are capable of incredible things in this world. Every year, the Diocesan Appeal raises money that directly supports many ministries, programs, and services throughout the diocese. These programs include Catholic Charities, seminarian formation, Catholic Schools, and so much more. Please prayerfully consider making a gift to the 2021 Diocesan Appeal. Every gift makes a profound difference in the life of our parish and entire diocese. We invite you to watch the Diocesan Appeal 2021 video which can be found near the top of this page.  Click here to donate or make a pledge online.
  

---

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.
 

---

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.
 
 
  

---

Remember Your Parish...

Just like for your family, during this time 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.

Church Stained Glass Window Work (Update)

We continue to raise funds to install exterior vented clear-glass on the remaining ten windows on the South and East (front) areas of the church. We just received a quote on finishing these remaining windows from the proposed contractor, Daprado Rigali, in the amount of $50,000. At the combined Pastoral Council and Buildings and Grounds on November 11, based upon recommendation of the committees, Fr. Ariel approved proceeding. The work will begin this coming spring or summer. Through your generosity and our fundraising activities (many thanks to our volunteers and donors!), we will have most of the funds to complete this phase of work. That being said, we will continue to raise funds to pay for this work and save for rebuilding the actual interior stained glass as it is deemed 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 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.