Congratulations to those celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation!

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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

Join us for a Rosary to Our Lady of Fatima

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Who is Our Lady of Fatima?

Our Lady of Fatima is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in connection with her apparitions to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. Our Lady of Fatima told the shepherd children to pray the rosary daily for the end of the war (World War I). Mary continued to appear once a month for 6 months to the three children, Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco. In October of 1930, the Bishop of Leiria-Fátima approved the visions as “worthy of belief.” Our Lady of Fatima urgently desired for all of faithful to pray daily for the salvation of poor sinners, and for the whole world. That message from Our Mother Mary is a challenge – no matter where you are in your own personal prayer life – to go deeper, to pray often, and with greater fervor.

Join us for a Rosary to Our Lady of Fatima

Monday, June 11th following the Noon Mass 

We will pray a rosary with the 5 prayers to Our Lady of Fatima. Prayers for Hope, Healing and an end to abortion in our country.

IJAS State Science Exposition Awards 2022

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Elanora Alivia - GOLD Award
How Different Color Light Surrounding Affects Efficiency in Young Students 

Jack Armstrong- GOLD Award
Blue Light After Hours

Maria Bukowski- SILVER Award
Which Liquid Evaporates the Fastest? 

Michael Dorner - GOLD Award
Masks: A Shield or a Scam?

Orla Gaffney - BRONZE Award
The Effectiveness of Water Filters

Elizabeth Magnone - GOLD Award
How Does Mask Type Affect Oxygen Levels, Heart Rate, and Athletic Performace?

Greta Roscoe - GOLD Award
Rust: Where Does It Thrive?

Here are the results from the IN PERSON Illinois Junior Academy of Science (IJAS) State Exposition held at the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, IL on Saturday, April 23, 2022.  Each student presented their project to a set of 2 judges to receive a score that placed them into Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Participation.

Additionally, we had 2 students who scored in the top 10% of the more than 700 participants at the State level - Jack Armstrong and Greta Roscoe!

Because Jack and Greta scored in the top 10% they have been nominated to submit their projects for a chance to showcase their research at the national level.

Congratulations to all of our IJAS State Qualifiers! These students have put in a lot of time and effort to prepare for our local, Regional, AND State Science Fairs this year!  

I also want to thank you parents for all of the help and support you provided these young scientists along the way!

Rita Salit

SFS 3rd Quarter Honor Roll

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6th Grade High Honors

Anthony Bukowski

Morgan Deignan

Serah John

Nora Villinski

6th Grade Honors

Zofia Bizon

Danny Lawitz

Lucas Ogurek

Emma Rangel

Logan Schick

Tate Williams

7th Grade High Honors

Charlie Grund

Kaitlin Kasprzak

Megan Kleeman

Jack Luby

Juliana Marcy

Ciana Monte

Zachary Santner

Noah Ulbrich

7th Grade Honors

Miles Badal

Angelo Bernardi

Leo Catalano

Haley George

Emily Horbus

Lucas Hovinen

Frances Johnson

Alexander Schlosser

Eli Turner

Abby Vinnes

Michael Zitella

8th Grade High Honors

Maria Bukowski

Michael Dorner

Natalie Ferguson

Orla Gaffney

Darby Leetch

Libby Magnone

Brooklyn Ogurek

Olympia Pissios

Greta Roscoe

8th Grade Honors

Elanora Alivia

Jack Armstrong

Samantha Gillis

Lauren Laning

Emerson Larson

Luca Martinez

Ryleigh Sydell

Parker Taylor

Mabel Valladares

Sophie Wielgo

Congratulations to our Graduates!

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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!

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!

SPRED at St. Francis de Sales is Back!

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The Pandemic has affected us all, and SPRED is no exception. We closed our SPRED doors in March of 2020 and didn’t reopen them until October of 2021. When we reopened, we were smaller and offered only one age group. We are now prepared to reopen our 6-10 age group in the Fall of 2022, as we continue to grow our 11-16 age group. 

SPRED welcomes individuals with special needs into their Catholic community by forming small, age appropriate, faith groups that come together to support each other in their religious journey. SPRED serves persons age 6 to the grave and offers the opportunity to celebrate the sacraments of Holy Communion, Confirmation and Reconciliation with their fellow SPRED friends and at our SPRED Masses once or twice a year.

We house two age groups here at St. Francis de Sales and service all other age groups in our surrounding parishes. We also serve as a training and observation center for SPRED Catechists. We are one of only three in the Archdiocese of Chicago and the only one in the suburbs.

If you or someone you know is interested in more information, or in being a part of our SPRED Ministry either as a special needs member or a catechist (catechists must be at least 21 years of age) then please contact either Kelly L. Smith or Jackie Bathery: Co-Chairpersons, St. Francis de Sales SPRED. 

Kelly L. Smith: kellylyn60@yahoo.com        Jackie Bathery: jnj1229@aol.com

Look for our Nut Sale in the Fall and more about SPRED at St. Francis de Sales in the coming months. 

First Friday Eucharistic Adoration | June 3rd

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First Friday Eucharistic Adoration

Do you want to quiet your mind and take time from the busyness of life? Come spend time with Jesus. He will make a difference in your heart. Join us for First Friday Adoration anytime between 9am - 4pm. All are welcome and you do not need to sign up to come stop by for a few minutes, an hour or however long you are able. In order to offer this amazing experience, we need a few adorers to commit to each hour. If you are able to commit to an hour. Visit our parish website to sign up for a time slot.

Prayer Squares Now Available!

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Prayer squares, also known as pocket prayer shawls are now available through the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Prayer squares are miniature versions of prayer shawls perfect for carrying in your purse or pocket. They can also be tucked inside helmets and may be able to be taken into surgery.

As with all the prayer shawls, the crafters infuse each stitch with a prayer or loving intention to provide love and comfort to the person who will receive it.

If you are interested in receiving one, please stop by the Ministry Center.

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.”