St. Mary of the Assumption

Maple Park, Illinois

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The month of September, now almost past, is a time of turning from the glories of summer toward the harshness of winter. We typically call this season “autumn,” and when I looked up the meaning of the word, I discovered something quite interesting: we don’t know for sure the origin or meaning of the word “autumn,” which seems to come from a French word. 

From what we know, it seems that the time from September to November in England was called “Harvest,” so there is apparently a connection with nature. In the 16th century the time called “harvest’ began to be referred to as  “autumn.”

Whatever the case, this season of Autumn, or Fall as we also refer to it, brims to mind the idea of something ending. That would fit well with this weekend’s Gospel, the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man. Both die, and Lazarus is in heaven with Abraham, while the Rich Man is in hell. For those who believe there is no hell, or that God would not allow anyone to go to hell, we have this parable from Jesus, the living Word of God, who makes it quite clear that hell is real and that people can end up there.

It’s a reminder to us that the topic that our society does not want to talk about is all-important: where is my life taking me? What happens when I die. I will end up either in the blessedness of heaven or the awfulness of hell. So will everyone in my family, everyone of my friends, and everyone who is alive. It is all-important, then, that we come to know how we come to end up in heaven or hell. Saying, “well, I really don’t know about this, so I’ll just live my life as well as I can,” is not adequate, especially since Jesus has come to reveal the truth to us. And what does He say, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Every person, once presented with the story of Jesus, must make a choice, either for Him or against Him. He does not allow fence sitters on this issue.

As members of the Body of Christ, the Church, we need to pay attention to our personal relationship to Jesus, and then pray for those who lack that relationship, especially members of our own families and our friends. We certainly want ourselves and our loved ones to end up with Lazarus and not with the Rich man.

Important Messages

• Confession Schedule Change - Starting October 1st there will be a change in the Confession schedule for Saturdays. Confession time on Saturday will be from 3:00 to 3:45 PM. Wednesdays and Thursdays Confession times will remain the same. Wednesdays: 11:00 AM to 12:00 (Noon); Thursdays: 7:00 to 8:00 PM.
• Eucharistic Adoration - Beginning on Saturday, October 1st, our weekly Holy Hour (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament) will resume from 2:45 PM to 3:45 PM.
• COVID-19 Guidance - Masks are currently OPTIONAL for all church functions. Click here to view Bishop Malloy's memo to priests dated February 23, 2022.
• Church Cleaners Needed - Please follow the link to our Signup Genius page, Church Cleaning Schedule, if you are willing and able to help. 
• Daily Mass Schedule - Monday through Friday at 8:00 AM (unless otherwise announced)

 

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Harvest Drawdown 2022

 

• Saturday, November 5th, 2022, 5:30-10:00 PM at St. Mary’s Novak Center, 123 S. County Line Rd. Maple Park, IL.
• Drawdown is a reverse raffle. Last ticket drawn wins $2,500, or if the last five ticket holders all agree, $2,500 will be split evenly. This can also happen with 4, 3, 2 left… all depends when the last remaining ticket holders all agree to split at the same number.
• 1 in 300 chance to win $2,500, 3 chances to win $100, and 1 in 10 chance to win your money back.
• $40 per ticket includes entry into the drawdown, dinner, unlimited beer, wine, pop, water, and coffee for the evening.
• There will be other raffles (50/50, meat trays, and balloons) for purchase, and a silent auction.
• Need Not Be Present to Win $$$ in the Drawdown
• Must be 21 or older to attend

Click here to purchase your Drawdown ticket online
After purchase, click here to pay for your online ticket purchase

Download Instructions and Ticket Purchase Forms from the following links to purchase ticket(s) using voucher(s).  Use vouchers if you wish to mail-in your payment.

2022 Drawdown Ticket Sales Information - Selling Instructions
2022 Drawdown Ticket Purchase Form (Voucher) - Instructions
2022 Drawdown Ticket Purchase Form (Voucher)

For additional information, contact Julie Steadman at fru3161@gmail.com or Dan Diehl at
diehlparents@gmail.com or by phone at (815) 901-5547.

Thank you for helping make this a very successful fundraiser!
 

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Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)

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 began on September 11th. Please keep our youth and catechists in your prayers. Classes are held on Sundays, 9:15-10:30 AM, in the Novak Center. Download the 2022/23 RE Calendar and Registration Form here. If you have questions, please call our RE Coordinator Leila Rivers at 815-827-3205 x3.
  

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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. 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)

The latest phase of work installing vented clear protective glass over our beautiful sacred stained-glass windows is now complete. That being said, we will continue to raise 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, 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.