Holy Week 2023

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We would like to invite you to come and join us as we experience Holy Week here at St Francis de Sales Parish. See the schedule below.

Monday, April 3

8:30am & 12 Noon Mass

11:00am Confessions

Tuesday, April 4

8:30am & 12 Noon Mass

11:00am Confessions

6:30pm Living Stations of the Cross by SFS 5th Grade

Wednesday, April 5

8:30am & 12 Noon Mass (Noon Streamed)

2:00pm-3:30pm & 5:00pm-6:30pm Confessions

Holy Thursday, April 6

8:30am Mass

7:00pm Mass of the Last Supper

11:00pm Night Prayers

Good Friday, April 7 - The Lord’s Passion

10:00am-11:45am Confessions

Noon-3:00pm Tre Ore

(Stations of the Cross & Reflection on the 7 Last Words of Christ)

1:00pm-2:30pm Confessions

3:00pm Passion of the Lord Service

7:00pm Tenebrae

(Meditation Service of Darkness & Light)

Holy Saturday, April 8

10:00am–11:45am Confessions

12 Noon & 1:00pm Blessing of Easter Baskets

(1pm in Parking Lot)

7:00pm Easter Vigil Mass in the Holy Night

Easter Sunday

The Resurrection of Our Lord

6:30am Easter Mass - Church

9:00am Easter Mass - Church & Fr Valker Hall

(also streamed on Facebook & YouTube)

11:00am Easter Mass - Church & Fr Valker Hall

(also broadcasted to West Parking Lot)

12:30pm Easter Mass - Church

Lenten Gospel Series

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Join us for our Lenten Gospel Series

Each Sunday Mass this Lent will feature a homily as well as a witness talk from a fellow parishioner, both centered around the prayer

"Lord, Open My Eyes..." (Psalm 119:18)

Week 1 - To Become More Aware

Week 2 - To See the Light of Jesus

Week 3 - To Know God Accepts Me & Loves Me

Week 4 - To Come & See

Week 5 - To Have Hope in the Resurrection

Journey with us each week as we prepare our hearts for Easter!

Based on Scripture. This series will start February 25th / 26th.

Mass of Remembrance March 11th @ 11am

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Mass of Remembrance

Dear Parents of Brothers and Sisters in the Risen Christ,

On behalf of St. Francis de Sales Bereavement Ministry and Forever in Our Hearts Grief Support Group, we invite parents and family members to share in a liturgy to honor children now entrusted to God’s loving care. To reach out to parents who have lost a child and to help parents take another step on the long road to healing, a Mass of Remembrance to honor children who are deceased will be celebrated on Saturday, March 11th at 1pm. Whether death came recently or long ago, and whether they departed this life before birth, or as infants, young children or teens, or in adulthood, the lives of our beloved children were far too short. Please join us to pray with other parents who have also lost children and share our hope in the Resurrection. All bereaved parents and family or close friends are welcome. Please join members of our Forever in Our Hearts Grief Support Group and Bereavement Ministers in the Gathering Space following Mass for refreshments and fellowship.

God give you peace,

Fr. James Merold,
Parish Administrator

BLESSING OF Our Young Adults who are bound for college, universities, community schools, trade schools or the military

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BLESSING OF Our Young Adults who are bound for college, universities, community schools, trade schools or the military

Beginning the weekend of August 6th & 7th Fr. Ryan will provide blessings for all the young adults who are bound for college or universities, the military, trade schools or community schools. The blessing will take place during the petitions throughout August.

Pentecost Email Blast 2022

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Happy Birthday, Church!

Join us this Sunday for one of our church's three high Holy Days, Pentecost! Make sure to wear your red to represent the fire of the Holy Spirit.

Saturday Vigil @ 5pm, Sunday @ 6:30am, 9am [Streamed], & 11am [West Parking Lot]

Streamed Mass @ 9am on YouTube

Streamed Mass @ 9am on Facebook

This weekend, the Church celebrates Pentecost, one of the most important feast days of the year that concludes the Easter season and celebrates the beginning of the Church. Here's what you need to know about the feast day:

The timing and origins of Pentecost

Pentecost always occurs 50 days after the death and resurrection of Jesus, and ten days after his ascension into heaven. Because Easter is a moveable feast without a fixed date, and Pentecost depends on the timing of Easter, Pentecost can fall anywhere between May 10 and June 13.

The timing of these feasts is also where Catholics get the concept of the Novena - nine days of prayer - because in Acts 1, Mary and the Apostles prayed together "continuously" for nine days after the Ascension leading up to Pentecost. Traditionally, the Church prays the Novena to the Holy Spirit in the days before Pentecost.

There is a parallel Jewish holiday, Shavu`ot, which falls 50 days after Passover. Shavu'ot is sometimes called the festival of weeks, referring to the seven weeks since Passover. Originally a harvest feast, Shavu`ot now commemorates the sealing of the Old Covenant on Mount Sinai, when the Lord revealed the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai. Every year, the Jewish people renew their acceptance of the gift of the Torah on this feast.

What happens at Pentecost?

In the Christian tradition, Pentecost is the celebration of the person of the Holy Spirit coming upon the Apostles, Mary, and the first followers of Jesus, who were gathered together in the Upper Room.

A "strong, driving" wind filled the room where they were gathered, and tongues of fire came to rest on their heads, allowing them to speak in different languages so that they could understand each other. It was such a strange phenomenon that some people thought the Christians were just drunk - but Peter pointed out that it was only the morning, and said the phenomenon was caused by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit also gave the apostles the other gifts and fruits necessary to fulfill the great commission - to go out and preach the Gospel to all nations. It fulfills the New Testament promise from Christ (Luke 24:46-49) that the Apostles would be "clothed with power" before they would be sent out to spread the Gospel.

Where's that in the bible?

The main event of Pentecost (the strong driving wind and tongues of fire) takes place in Acts 2:13, though the events immediately following (Peter's homily, the baptism of thousands) continue through verse 41.

Happy Birthday, Church!

It was right after Pentecost that Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, preached his first homily to Jews and other non-believers, in which he opened the scriptures of the Old Testament, showing how the prophet Joel prophesied events and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

He also told the people that the Jesus they crucified is the Lord and was raised from the dead, which "cut them to the heart." When they asked what they should do, Peter exhorted them to repent of their sins and to be baptised. According to the account in Acts, about 3,000 people were baptised following Peter's sermon.

article taken from www.catholicnewsagency.com

“The name of the day itself is derived from the Greek word “pentecoste,” meaning 50th.”

artwork by Leanne Bowen

Everything that we believe in and do should lead us to unity with our Lord. The Holy Spirit flows into us and through us. This print shows the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit and the 12 fruits of the Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, faithfulness, modesty, gentleness, chastity and self control.” -Galatians 5:22-23

Prophet Isaiah writes about the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

“The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge, piety, and the fear of the LORD.” Isaiah 11:2

Wisdom

Understanding

Counsel

Fortitude

Knowledge

Piety

Fear of the Lord

Celebrating 47 Years & many more to come!

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Fr Paul Wachdorf

This past Saturday marked the 47th Anniversary for Fr Paul Wachdorf on his ordination into the priesthood. We are blessed to have such a wonderful man serving our community and want to wish him many more years of blessing God’s people. 

Fr. Paul Wachdorf hails from the South side of Chicago. He attended St. Justin Martyr Parish School, Quigley High School Seminary South, and Niles College of Loyola University where he received a B.S. in Psychology. He attended Mundelein Seminary, received a Master of Divinity degree, and was ordained a priest on May 14, 1975. Fr. Paul’s first priestly assignment was at St. John Fisher Parish from 1975-1981. In 1981 he was appointed to the formation faculty of Mundelein Seminary. During his tenure at Mundelein Seminary, Fr. Paul served as Associate Dean of Formation, spiritual director, Director of Spiritual Life and Prayer Formation, and served as a weekend associate at Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity Parish in Winnetka. He has also received a master’s degree in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University. He was named pastor of St. Gregory the Great Church in July 2007 and retired as the Pastor Emeritus of St. Gregory the Great in September 2020. In retirement, Fr. Paul is the Coordinator of Spiritual Direction for the priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago, which includes recruiting/resourcing spiritual directors and being a contact for priests seeking a spiritual director. Currently, Fr. Paul lives in Lake Zurich and has been helping out at St. Francis de Sales since December of 2020.

We love you Fr Paul!

Divine Mercy Sunday Prayer Service // Sunday, April 24th, 2022 | 3pm

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The Divine Mercy Sunday Prayer Service will be Sunday, April 24th and begin at 3pm at St. Francis de Sales Parish Church. Confessions will be available before the 3pm prayer service, 1pm-3pm and will also be available after the service. All are welcome.

Why is there Divine Mercy Sunday?

Jesus appeared to St. Faustina Kowalska for the first time on Feb. 22, 1931 and gave her His first revelation about His Divine Mercy. Jesus’ message is that He desires mankind to avail itself to the infinite mercy of God on earth. That is why he wanted the first Sunday after Easter to be Divine Mercy Sunday. This is not a feast day invented in the Middle Ages or thought up by the Vatican. This is a special feast because it is one asked for by Jesus Himself!

How do we avail ourselves to this Divine Mercy?

Jesus will give us complete forgiveness of sins and punishments if we do a few simple tasks. We are asked to attend Mass and receive Holy Communion on Divine Mercy Sunday. We also should say the Divine Mercy Chaplet and venerate the Divine Mercy Image on Divine Mercy Sunday. A good confession must be made 20 days before or after Divine Mercy Sunday. Not much to ask for when you consider that you receive forgiveness of sins and remission of punishment!

Why did God give us the Feast of Divine Mercy?

Jesus said to St. Faustina, “I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender Mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My Mercy. The soul that goes to Confession and receives Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the Divine blood gates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near Me, even though its sins be scarlet. My Mercy is so great that no mind, be it man or angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it is solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the fount of My Mercy.” (St. Faustina Diary 699)

Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday Easter is the day that we celebrate the triumphant Jesus Christ who sacrificed His life for us and then rose from the dead. On Divine Mercy Sunday, we again are given a view of Jesus as the loving Savior. The Divine Mercy Image Painting hangs in our church on the south wall. Jesus told St. Faustina to have this image painted. It shows the red and white rays of His blood and water. He also told her to have the words, “Jesus I trust in you” written across the bottom. If you want God’s Mercy, trust in Jesus’ message and join us for more information on the Divine Mercy Revelations, you can visit the website of the Association of Marian Helpers, www.marian.org, or you can read the “Diary of St. Faustina.”

Holy Week Schedule

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PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSIONDistribution of Palms

Saturday, April 9
5:00pm Vigil Mass

Sunday, April 10
6:30am
9:00am (also streamed on Facebook & YouTube)
11:00am (also broadcasted to West Parking Lot)

Monday, April 11

8:30am & 12 Noon Mass
11:00am & 1:00-2:00pm Confessions

Tuesday, April 12

8:30am & 12 Noon Mass
11:00am & 1:00-2:00pm Confessions

Wednesday, April 13

8:30am & 12 Noon Mass
11:00am & 1:00-2:00pm Confessions

Holy Thursday, April 14

8:30am Mass
7:00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper
with Adoration after Mass until Night Prayer at 11:45pm

Good Friday, April 15

10:00-11:45am Confessions
12 Noon-3:00pm Tre Ore (*Stations of the Cross & Reflection on the 7 Last Words of Christ)
1:00-2:00pm Confessions
3:00pm *Passion of the Lord Service
8:00pm Tenebrae (Meditation Service of Darkness & Light)

Holy Saturday, April 16

10:00-11:45am Confessions
12 Noon & 1:00pm Blessing of Easter Baskets (1pm in Parking Lot)
7:30pm Easter Vigil Mass in the Holy Night

Easter Sunday April 17, 2022 | The Resurrection of Our Lord

6:30am - Main Church with Fr Ryan

9:00am - Main Church with Fr Ryan, Fr Valker Hall with Fr Paul
(also streamedon Facebook & YouTube)

11:00am - Main Church with Fr Ryan, Fr Valker Hall with Fr Paul
(also broadcasted to West Parking Lot) 

12:30pm - Main Church with Fr Ryan

Mass of Remembrance | Saturday, March 12 @11am

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Dear Parents of Brothers and Sisters in the Risen Christ,

On behalf of St. Francis de Sales Bereavement Ministry and

Forever in Our Hearts Grief Support Group, I invite parents and

family members to share in a liturgy to honor children now

entrusted to God’s loving care. To reach out to parents who

have lost a child and to help parents take another step on

the long road to healing, a Mass of Remembrance to honor

children who are deceased will be celebrated on Saturday,

March 12th at 11 am. Whether death came recently or long

ago, and whether they departed this life before birth, or as

infants, young children or teens, or in adulthood, the lives

of our beloved children were far too short. Please join us to

pray with other parents who have also lost children and share

our hope in the Resurrection. All bereaved parents and

family or close friends are welcome. Please join members

of our Forever in Our Hearts Grief Support Group and

Bereavement Ministers in the Gathering Space following

Mass for refreshments and fellowship.

God give you peace,

Father David F. Ryan, Pastor

Ash Wednesday - March 2nd

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Please join us for one of these opportunities to receive ashes:

6:30am Prayer Service with ash distribution in church

8:30am Mass with ash distribution in church with School Students

12:00 Noon Mass with ash distribution in church.  Mass also live streamed to Facebook and YouTube

4:30pm Prayer Service with ash distribution in church

4:30pm Drive up ash distribution in the west parking lot.  The church prayer service will be broadcast to 89.9FM on your car radio

7:00pm Mass with ash distribution in church

Advent 2021

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Advent is here.  This year has been very challenging for all of us, and we may wonder how to hold hope and joy in our hearts right now.  

Advent blesses us with time to step back and focus on our true Hope and Joy- God loves us so much that He sends His only Son so that everyone who believes may have eternal life. ~John 3:16  

Take time during Advent to talk to Jesus and give Him your joys, struggles and questions. He came into this world for you!

Here are some resources and opportunities to help:

Reflections on the daily Advent Gospel readings by Bishop Barron

To receive Booklet: https://books.wordonfire.org/adventbooks2021

Or to receive free daily email reflections:https://dailycatholicgospel.com/adventreflections

Dynamic Catholic Advent Videos

This Advent, discover and choose the things that draw you to the light! 

Short, inspirational free videos each day to help you slow down and find Hope.

https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/advent.html

Rejoice! Finding Your Place in the Advent Story- Ascension Press 

https://ascensionpress.com/collections/rejoice-finding-your-place-in-the-advent-story

offers 2 Advent resources:

  • Rejoice Journal will help you to see how the people, places, and events of the first Advent affected Jesus's story. 

  • Weekly free guided meditation videos to help you find your place in the Advent story.

Short Advent Daily Reflection videos that feature Dr. Tim Gray commenting on the daily Mass readings, diving deeper into the joys and mysteries of the Incarnation.

https://daily.formed.org/

Pray More Advent Retreat

Presentations from 6 different speakers that will help you focus on prayer in your everyday life this Advent -- and onward into the new Liturgical year.

https://praymoreretreat.org/

PARISH ALL SOULS’ MASS | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 7 PM

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PARISH ALL SOULS’ MASS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 7 PM

In our Catholic tradition, during the entire month of November, we pray for our loved ones who have died. Most especially, we remember them on November 2, the Commemoration of All Souls. All who grieve the loss of someone special, whether recently or years ago, are invited to attend the 7 pm All Souls’ Mass on Tuesday, November 2nd to pray and light a candle for loved ones who have died. 

To remember those whom we mourn in a tangible way and make their presence a part of this special liturgy, you are invited to bring a memento to place on a memory table prior to Mass. The memento might be a picture of your loved one or some other small article that means a great deal to you as you remember them. If you have questions, please contact the parish office.

All Souls November 2

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We honor those parishioners who have died since the last All Souls Mass

We honor those parishioners who have died since the last All Souls Mass

Thomas Jacobs 

Mary Elizabeth Soliwoda 

Lucille Rudsinski 

John Zigmond 

Robert Logan 

Thad Jurczak 

Therese Brown 

Anna DeSanto 

Veronica Hoehne 

LeRoy Vincolese 

James Kuczora 

Santina Mazzetti 

Dorothy  Thompson 

Donald Novak 

Shirley M Schmidt 

Rosemary Kamhout 

Thomas Harrington 

Giuseppe Guajliardo 

 Theresa Marie Sansalone 

James Mastores 

 Jack Welbourn 

Elizabeth Fox 

Maria Birkenbach 

Susan Rodriguez 

Patricia Miiller 

Eugene Mizerka 

Ronald Sapochak 

Lucia Romozzi 

Andrew Lindgren 

Paul Sheedy 

 Diana Olczyk 

 Earl Strack 

 David Vrba