Congratulations to those celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation!

Congratulations to our 83 teens and 3 young adults who are celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation this season! Most were confirmed on April 9th, 2022 with Bishop Jeffrey Grob and our Pastor Father David Ryan with Deacon Bob Arvidson.

As the two-year Confirmation Preparation continued to focus on family-based topics to be discussed at home, this year, we also had small group discussions where the teens were able to come together in-person. Special thanks to the Confirmation Small Group Leaders: Jim Bukowski, Traci Dahlinger, Kathy Fuell, Kirk Galasso, Karen Nolan, Ray Urban, Bill Weismann, Rose Weismann, and Georgia Wiersma. And a thank you to Karen Nolan who also invested in preparing our young adult men for this Sacrament.

Thank you also to all the adult chaperones who helped with the Castle retreats we held in December & February: Joe Bruno, Traci Dahlinger, Kathy Fuell, Lexi Hitchens, Katie McGlauchlin, Mikey McGlauchlin, Bill Weismann, and Georgia Wiersma.

Thank you to Josh Goodman for leading us in the music for our Masses with Emma Belew, sharing their vocal gifts with us all. Thank you to the tech team that was there to stream both Masses for family and friends - Sarah Richards, Cristina Mac Cormac, Francisca Alivia, and the many others that jumped in to help.

Our parish is very proud of all our teens and young adults. It was an honor to celebrate this important sacrament together. We look forward to continuing the journey with these young people as they grow in their faith and their relationship with God!

Caitlyn Anne Armstrong

Lauren Sarah Bailey

Lucas Anthony Bajerski

Lauren Elizabeth Beery

Ella Francis Beischer

Riley Gemma Betz

Sophie Elizabeth Ann Borst

Ethan Christopher Buccelli

Julia Ignatius Bukowski

Kieran Michael Cawley

Conner Nicholas Cognac

Meghan Catherine Cupples

Tyler Nicholas Czabaj

Michael Dominic Dizon

Matthew Christopher Drozdzynski

Anna Mary Edgcomb

Isabel Cecilia Edgcomb

Amanda Teresa Eng

Alaina Thomas More Fahey

Aidan Luigi Flannery

Lauren Jean Foraker

Kendall Catherine Freeland

Josef Thomas Gaggiano

Julia Rose Galasso

Victoria Elizabeth Gallo

Connor Padre Pio Grafrath

Olivia Catherine Of Bologna Harold

Dominic Dymphna Harold

William Charles Jokerst

David Cecilia Kalesz

Adam Joseph Ketcham

Travis Michael King

Rebecca Dorothy Klunder

Ella Sophia Knight

Allison Elizabeth Ann Koelper

Jack Michael Kopilash

Paige Catherine Kutsor

Elena Elizabeth Labuda

Morgan Elizabeth Lesniewicz

Natalia Veronica Macon

Caitlin Catherine Marino

Rylee Elizabeth Matheson

Grace Clare Mcconnell

Evan Jude Mehrholz

Maya Mary Mendocha

Jillian Katharine Michels

Emilie Saint Patricia Moorman

Courtney Sara Morrison

Andrew Dominic Savio Morton

Matthew Gabriel Nerenberg

Jason Joseph Paull

Rebecca Joan Pinedo

Lauren Monica Pinto

Eli Michael Piper

Ella Catherine Of Siena Polich

Kevin Anne Potempa

Jack Francis Of Assisi Quesinberry

Megan Michael Raube

Ashley Teresa Ribordy

Joseph Dominic Richards

Andy Dominic Ridosh

Anna Bernadette Roscoe

Charlotte Gemma Rosenbaum

Isabella Francis Runez

Nicholas Joseph Salerno

Olivia Mary Shaf

Kaitlyn Abigail Shively

Joshua Augustine Smith

Brayden John Stanovich

Presley Natalia Stellflue

Sean Christopher Sullivan

Nicole Gemma Swiatlowski

Julia Marie Taylor

Anthony Richard Tignino

Annie Rosalia Titterton

Kellen Patrick Valancius

Elaina Katharine Drexel Wendland

Olivia Catherine Wielgos

Wyatt George Wiersma

Riley Gall Wiltgen

Grant Christopher Wold

Nick Joseph Zettler

Ethan Sebastian Zurcher

Michael Francis Schumacher

Andrew Florian Cotsiamitis

Luke Philip Neri Yankoe

Congratulations to our Graduates!

May God's blessing follow you all as you find new journeys to travel. May you walk safely along the pathways of your dreams. May His gentle hand guide the decisions you will make and the passions that you follow. May your hearts and lives always reflect His love and truth, and may hope be a light within you that you carry into each new day.

No matter what school you go to or are going to next year, we are all for one and one for all in Christ within our St Francis de Sales Parish community. We are so proud of our graduates and wish you all the best in your next chapter.

St. Viator: Sunday, May 15th @ 10am

Mundelein: Sunday, May 15th @ 3pm

Lake Zurich: Sunday, May 22nd @ 3pm

Stevenson: Friday, May 27th @ 5pm

Carmel: Friday, May 27th @ 6pm

Barrington: Friday, June 3rd @ 7pm

St Francis de Sales School: Saturday, May 28th @10am

LZMS North: Tuesday, May 24th @ 5pm

LZMS South: Tuesday, May 24th @ 7:30pm

Remember to Count Your Blessings!

Kairos Registration is OPEN!

We are excited to announce that we have rescheduled Kairos and registration is open! This retreat is open to incoming juniors, seniors, and graduating seniors this year! Participants do not need to be Catholic to attend - All are welcome!

What is Kairos?

Kairos is a Christian experience of prayer and reflection. St. Francis de Sales Parish began hosting Kairos retreats for high school juniors and seniors in 2009. Kairos can be a powerful and life-changing opportunity for teens as they grow in their knowledge of themselves, others, and especially, God.

Good Reasons to Participate in a Kairos Retreat:

1. Everyone needs time to reflect. This retreat offers a break from the many distractions in our lives.

2. The Kairos retreat centers on seeing God’s love in our lives and encourages the development of a personal relationship with God.

3. This retreat creates an open and accepting retreat atmosphere for you to experience God’s love and forgiveness and the importance of friendship and family.

4. Maybe you don’t know if God really cares and you need to find out just how much He does.

5. The reasons to attend are as unique as each person. Talk to past Kairos participants or youth ministry adults and ask them why they participate in Kairos!
   Masks will be worn per guidelines at the time. Teens will sleep in private rooms. The retreat will begin on Friday near 4:00pm and will conclude Monday near 7:00pm. Teens will be transported to and from St Francis de Sales on bus.

Cost: $300.00 for 4 days & 3 nights (please let us know if you need assistance).

If you are interested in Kairos but want to learn more before registering, please email us and we can connect you with someone who can answer your questions!

Steubenville Registration is OPEN!

We are excited to announce that we are going to Steubenville and registration is open! This experience is open to all high school students.

What is Steubenville?

Steubenville Youth Conference is an event where hundreds of Catholic teens come together to experience the peace of Jesus through inspiring talks, praise and worship, and the sacraments. Teens will have an opportunity to grow closer to their peers at St. Francis de Sales Youth Ministry, as well as with teens around the nation. You will return home with memories that will last a lifetime, and knowing you are never alone.

Please watch the two videos in this email to learn more! One video is from St. Francis de Sales Youth Ministry's experience in 2015, and the second video is the trailer for Steubenville 2022 (Theme: Fearless).

Reserving a Spot:

We only have 28 spots. Availability is on a first come, first served basis and a spot can only be assigned by the submission of your registration form and check. Once all 28 spots are reserved, a waiting list will be established also on a first come basis.

Cost: $300.00 per person - Includes retreat fee, room & board, bus transportation, and group t-shirts.

What’s not covered in the fee? Meals in route (one meal each way), gift shop purchases at conference.

Please let us know if you need assistance!

If you are interested in Steubenville but want to learn more before registering, please email us and we can connect you with someone who can answer your questions!

Golden Rose Awards

On February 6th, Sarah Richards from St Francis de Sales was awarded the Golden Rose award from the Vicariate One Archdiocese Council of Catholic Women (ACCW),  for her service, spirituality and leadership.

Parishes across the vicariate were invited to recognize young women who have gone above and beyond in their service and leadership.  Since they didn’t hold this event last year, we are also able to recognize Madelyn & Katie Zolnierek and their parents accepted the award for them.

Sarah Richards is a natural leader and not only participates in youth group activities and retreats but encourages others to join too. She is welcoming to all and models the kindness and compassion that Jesus calls us all to share. She cares deeply about her faith and is open to initiating insightful conversations about her faith journey.

Sarah is a leader in our peer ministry program and has volunteered to lead multiple Confirmation Castle retreats. She doesn’t hesitate to share where she sees God working in her life and how she sees God working through others. In small group discussions, she is compassionate and creates an environment for sharing and no-judging which is essential for open communication and a meaningful retreat

Recently, Sarah encouraged her peers to join her at Eucharistic Adoration on the evening of her birthday. Seeing groups of teens enter the church to spend time with Jesus was inspiring and impressive. 

Sarah has been serving our whole parish by streaming Masses every Sunday. She was invited and trained by our previous tech team members (Madeyln & Katie) before they left for college and since then, she has continued to stream 9am Sunday Mass. Her efforts allow us to stream Mass to those who can not come into the church, which is especially important during this time. She is also training new tech team members. Beside streaming to people at home she ensures that the prayers during Mass are also projected to the screen for those sitting inside the church. This allows everyone in the church to feel confident in participating, especially those who may have been away from the Mass for a while. 

Madelyn and Katie Zolnierek were also honored for their service, spirituality and leadership. Both Madelyn and Katie were invited to join the tech team by the previous team who were heading off to college. We began streaming Mass when the churches were instructed to close in March 2020. At that time our teen tech team helped stream daily noon Mass as well as 9am Mass on Sunday.  When these teens left for college Katie & Madelyn jumped in to take over.  They not only helped at the 9am Mass on Sunday, but they also volunteered for so many other Masses including Holy Thursday, Stations of the Cross, Good Friday and Easter. They streamed the many 1st Communion and Confirmation Masses held since there was a capacity limit in the church. Thankfully, the grandparents and others who were unable to join the Masses were able to watch through YouTube and Facebook.  And then, before they left for college, they brought Sarah into the loft and trained her. During this winter break from college they rejoined Sarah in the loft and it was great seeing them all working together again. 

Katie and Madelyn also helped fill the 1000 Lenten bags which included our own Lenten prayer book as well as a candle, Holy Water and other items that people could use to enhance their Lent experience at home. On Ash Wednesday, they helped run bags out to the parking lot to be shared with the hundreds of people who participated in the “covid safe” drive-up Ash distribution. 

Madelyn and Katie led our first post-covid Confirmation Castle retreat in June. They shared their faith with high school teens with gentleness, love and compassion. This retreat involved taking our two night event and condensing it into a one (long) day. They were part of the team of peer ministers who were extremely flexible, understanding and willing to help make this important retreat a success. We couldn't have done it without them.

POSTPONED: Calling Juniors & Seniors! KAIROS 18 REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

POSTPONED: Keep an eye out for updates to a later date!

Calling Juniors & Seniors! KAIROS 18 REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Jan 14-17 [Martin Luther King Jr Weekend]

What is Kairos?

Kairos is a Christian experience of prayer and reflection. St. Francis de Sales Parish began hosting Kairos retreats for high school juniors and seniors in 2009. Kairos can be a powerful and life-changing opportunity for teens as they grow in their knowledge of themselves, others, and especially, God. Kairos is open to any junior or senior high school student who would like to join us. Participants do not need to be Catholic to attend. All are welcome.

Good Reasons to Participate in a Kairos Retreat:

• Everyone needs time to reflect. This retreat offers a break from the many distractions in our lives.

• The Kairos Retreat centers on seeing God’s love in our lives and encourages the development of a personal relationship with God.

• This retreat creates an open and accepting retreat atmosphere for you to experience God’s love and forgiveness and the importance of friendship and family.

• Maybe you don’t know if God really cares, and you need to find out just how much He does.

• The reasons to attend are as unique as each person. Talk to past Kairos participants or youth ministry adults and ask them why they participate in Kairos.

  Important Information:

• Masks will be worn per guidelines at the time. Teens will sleep in private rooms.

• Cost: $300.00 for 4 days & 3 nights (Please let us know if you need assistance)

• The retreat will begin on Friday near 4:00 pm and will conclude Monday near 7:00pm.

Transportation details are in process! Other details shared on the Registration Form!

Congrats Confirmation Class of 2021!

Francisca Madeleine Sophie Alivia 

Tyler Benedict Armstrong 

Patrick Damien Baartmans 

Matthew Jude Baehr 

Michael Gabriel Bala 

Cameron Patrick Baldwin 

William Christopher Bartels 

Keira Quiteria Bauman 

Colton Hubertus Belew 

Adam Joseph Benedict 

Olivia Therese Benedict 

Abigail Clare Blanchette 

Shaylea Brigid Bodo 

Erica Ava Brenner 

Ryan Michael Charneske 

Connor Brendan Clausen 

Gavin Patrick Clausen 

Evan Michael Coombs 

Lainey Alexandra Cordova 

Nicholas Matthew Costis 

John Coughlin 

Gabriel Augustine Creasy 

Natalie Catherine Czarnik 

Alejandro John 

Del Bosque-Siller 

Nathan Francis DiLegge 

Gwendolyn Cecilia Dionesotes 

James Francesco DiTommaso,II 

Ryan Aloysius Donnan 

Andrew Luke Dziubinski 

Jack Ferdinand Dziubinski 

Natalie Mary Dziubinski 

Braden Gregory Eckman 

Benjamin Sebastian Elias 

Ian Sebastian Ferguson 

Natasha Michael Fernandez 

Ciaran Raymond Finn 

Kaylie Jude Freeland 

Ryan Sebastian Friddle 

Adam Robert Galdoni 

Lucas Sebastian Ganan 

Deysy Lucia Garcia 

Joseph Genovese 

Hannah Regina Glazbrook 

Julia Ann Goodrich 

Dylan Sebastian Harer 

Grant Christopher Harrison 

Kathryn Zoe Elizabeth Hilton 

Mary Catherine Huels 

Alyssa Francis Hynek 

Riley Bridget Irvin 

Nathan Lawrence James 

Kacper Anthony Kierat 

Spencer Anthony Kinsey 

Jackson Patrick Koenigsknecht 

Jack Joseph Koester 

Gillian Camilla Kramer 

Dominik Michael Krawiec 

Emilia Helena Kubik 

Noah Sebastian Kyrychenko 

Ryan Sebastian Loch 

Matthew Luby 

Anna Anne Lutz 

Kathryn Mary McCormick 

Kaylie Catherine McKenna 

Madeline Catherine Mack 

Michael Andrew Maloney 

Michela Lucia Mangiardi 

Nicholas Carlo Medina 

Emma Mary Magdalene Mescha 

Liam Patrick Mulroe 

Hugo Oscar Navarrette 

Taggart John Niepomnik 

William Michael Niese 

Ethan Lidwina O’Gradney 

Zachary Joseph Parsons 

Ryan Anthony Paull 

Delaney Patrick Petrow 

Kate Gabriel Pieters 

Annabelle Agnes Pinto 

Brendan Matthew Powers 

Michael Reed 

Nicole Teresa Rogus 

Christina Marie Santello 

Ashley Teresa Schabes 

Bradley Francis Schaefer 

Dillon Sebastian Schmidt 

Christian Christopher Seminaro 

Jillian Agatha Sherman 

Stephanie Catherine Sherman 

Carson Sebastian Shively 

Kate Rose Shondy 

Benjamin Uriel Snider 

Campbell Sebastian Stawarz 

Ariel Anastasia Stencel 

Orna Brigid Stuart 

Benjamin Michael Swiat 

Julia Dwynwen Szewczky 

John Taurus 

Luke Tauras 

Olivia Faith Thomas 

Christian Lawrence Tirado 

Elizabeth Katharine Tirado 

Brooke Rose Wahlund 

Michael Adjutor Wywrocki 

John Sebastian Zachara 

Daniel Augustine Zizzo 

Jacqueline Katherine Zizzo 

Nolan Michael Zuchnik