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.

Weekend Masses have resumed. 

Mass on Sunday will also be live-streamed on Facebook at 8 AM. 

Daily Masses are celebrated here on Wednesdays & Thursdays at 8 AM.
 

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The Lion's Roar

Here is the second half of the Litany of St. Joseph:

Foster father of the Son of God, *pray for us.
Faithful guardian of Christ, *
Head of the Holy Family, *
Joseph, chaste and just, *
Joseph, prudent and brave, *
Joseph, obedient and loyal, *
Pattern of patience, *
Lover of poverty, *
Model of workers, *
Example to parents, *
Guardian of virgins, *
Pillar of family life, *
Comfort of the troubled, *
Hope of the sick, *
Patron of the dying, *
Terror of evil spirits, *
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
God made him master of his household, and put him in charge of all that he owned.

Let us pray.
O God, who in your inexpressible providence were pleased to choose Saint Joseph as spouse of the most holy Mother of your Son, grant, we pray, that we, who revere him as our protector on earth, may be worthy of his heavenly intercession. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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     During the past week we began the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which extends from January 18 through January 25.  These dates were originally chosen because in the former liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church January 18 was observed as the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, and January 25 was (as it is today), the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul.  In 1960 Pope John XXIII removed the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter on January 18 from the universal Church calendar because there had been two Feasts of the Chair of Peter, and the one on February 22 (which we observe today) was the more ancient one.  The pope saw no reason for duplication — although those who still follow the pre-1962 revised liturgical calendar may still observe January 18 as the date if they wish.

     So, what about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity?  Its roots go back into the 19th century when Protestants, Catholics, and Orthodox Christians were concerned with the scandal caused by the divisions within Christianity.  They believed that divisions within Christianity weakened the power of Christian witness.  There were a number of ways responding to this concern, which you can discover if you look up the history of the development of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

     The problem, as you might imagine, was not easily solved.  From the Catholic viewpoint, Christian unity meant unity achieved by other Christian bodies joining the Catholic Church.  This was not acceptable to other Christian bodies, who were not ready and often resistant to embracing this solution.  A solution was found in the Catholic Roman Missal (the “Mass book” used by the priest) that would be acceptable to all, or at least most, Christian groups: to pray on the basis that “our Lord would grant to his Church on earth that peace and unity which were in his mind and purpose, when, on the eve of his Passion, He prayed that all might be one.”  This allows all Christians who are sincerely interested in the fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer that “all may be one” to participate in prayer for Christian unity.

     On the level of different Christian communions formally joining one another, there have been conversations on the official level for many years.  The Catholic Church has participated in these conversations without compromising our Faith.  It is recognized by all participants that while we humans have the power to break things apart, only God can bring about the unity He desires.  Our ecumenical conversations are about clearing away the obstacles to God’s work and purposes.

     At a time when there is so much division and anger in our society, let’s pray that the peace which Jesus wants will be given to us through his grace, and that we will do what is necessary to open our lives to his work.

Important News Items

• 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.
• Anchor: Episode 39 - Visit with our priests on Thursday, January 28, on Facebook at 11:30 AM.
• Church Open Hours

• Confession Schedule

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Religious Education

Sundays 9:15-10:30 AM

CALENDAR

January 24 ~ CLASS
Parent meeting for First Communion parents
9:30 in the classroom
    

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St. Vincent de Paul

Click here for the 2020 Annual Report for the St. Gall Conference of St. Vincent de Paul that serves Elburn, Maple Park and Virgil area.  As shared in the Annual Report, the economic and emotional impact of the pandemic made 2020 a very active year for the Conference. The Conference is very grateful for the support received from St. Mary and Saints Peter and Paul.
 

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Important Messages from Bishop David J. Malloy

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...)
  

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Bishop David Malloy announced in a letter to all priests Oct. 8, a list of changes to the “Back in His Presence” guidelines issued in June of this year.

Bishop Malloy said in his letter that modifications to the original protocols are being made periodically “based in the experience that we gain as we live through this pandemic.”

After consultations with the Deans and with the Presbyteral Council, the following modifications have been made to “Back in His Presence.”   These changes were made effective for Masses beginning October 10-11, 2020.

Prior COVID-19 Statements from Bishop Malloy
Letter from Bishop Malloy and Executive Summary for reopening churches
Bishop Malloy's Dispensation Statement
Diocesan Cancellations AND Postponements

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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, 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.