St. Mary of the Assumption

Maple Park, Illinois

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One of the prayer options for the Penitential Rite at the first part of the Mass is one that you have heard me use quite often:

Lord Jesus, You came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s kingdom.

The early Christians were clearly taught that unity among the followers of Christ was fundamental to faithful Christian discipleship. We see it in the Gospels, the writings of St. Paul and other New Testament writings. We see it in the early Christians writers whom we call the “Fathers of the Church.” They constantly pointed out that Jesus and His work of salvation was meant for all people, not just for the Jewish people who had waited so long for God’s promise of a Messiah to be fulfilled. In Jesus, all the human distinctions which kept people apart were irrelevant; all who accepted Jesus as the Savior were His “family,” the new Israel, as the Church was called. We are to be “one in Christ.”

Of course, that intention of Jesus is always challenged because of the consequences of Original Sin. The human race is called to be one people in Jesus, but although we are saved by Him, we are still imperfect in our discipleship. It’s a tremendous challenge to place Jesus ahead of so many human emotions and weaknesses that are found in our broken world. The fullness of God’s kingdom is not found in earthly life, but only when God’s plan to “sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth” [Ephesians 1:10] becomes a reality.

The lack of the unity desired by Christ is found both in Christianity as a whole ─ there are more than 20,000 different Christian denominations in the world, a scandal which hinders the spread of the Gospel ─ and within the Catholic Church itself, as we see in the disagreements Catholics have with one another.

Should we be discouraged by this? I don’t think so. Disappointed, yes … discouraged, no. The Church is the Body of Christ, and He made it clear that no hellish attempt to undermine or destroy His Church will ever succeed. If we know our Church history we have seen again and again times when the Church seemed to be on the way out: wracked by scandals, by many people losing their faith and leaving the Church, by attacks from secular and atheistic regimes, etc. Every time it looks like the Church is “down for the count,” God raises up the people He needs to revive and reform His beloved Church. St. Pope John XXIII once called out some of the Church’s leaders at the Vatican who opposed his plan to call an ecumenical council, describing them as “prophets of doom,” who seemed to be able only to see what is negative.

Today there are many disagreements, some quite vehement, among our Catholic brothers and sisters within the Church. May we all stop and gaze at Christ, remembering that He came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s kingdom. Our disagreements should never be clothed in anger and hatred, but rather be placed before the Lord in prayer. The Church is His Body, and He takes care of it. Our task is to see things from His point of view ─ which is not always ours.

Important Messages from Bishop David J. Malloy

Dispensation from Mass attendance ended 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 would be lifted July 1, 2021. Both Bishop Mallory and St. Mary's ended live-streaming Masses on June 27. It's time to come back to Mass in church!

Read the Press Release Here

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Other News Items

• Fr. Antillon's Installation - You are invited to the Installation Mass of Fr. William Antillon as pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption and Sts. Peter & Paul parishes. This will be held at Sts. Peter & Paul Church on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 5:30 PM. A reception will follow in the Sts. Peter & Paul parish center. Please RSVP to the parish office if you plan to attend so we can get a count for food.
• Latest COVID-19 Guidance - To view the latest guidance given to us by Bishop Malloy, please visit the diocesan website at www.rockforddiocese.org.
• Anchor - Anchor sessions are on summer vacation. You can view previous sessions on Facebook.
• 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.

 

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Religious Education

It's time to sign-up for the 2021/2022 Religious Education Program.  You can choose in-person classes following appropriate safety guidelines or homeschool.  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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2021 Diocesan Appeal

Every parish in our diocese participates in the 2021 Diocesan Appeal. 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.
  

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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)

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 have issued a contract for 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 in early July. 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 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.