Lake Zurich Mayor Tom Poynton’s Memorial Day Speech // May 30th, 2022 @ 11am

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Lake Zurich Mayor Tom Poynton’s Memorial Day Speech

May 30th, 2022 @ 11am

  • American Legion Post #964 Commander Mike Hudson 

  • Father David Ryan (St Francis de Sales Parish)  

  • Village Board Members Present:  Greg Weider … Dan Bobrowski    

  • Andrew Tangen: Superintendent of Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County –  Guest Speaker

  • Assembled Veterans …  Current Military, and … Residents and Families of Lake Zurich

Good morning … and Welcome! to Lake Zurich and today’s Memorial Day ceremony. Thank you for attending.

Before I get to my “official” duties …  How about the LZHS Band … they are out here every Memorial Day … rain, sleet, snow or sometimes in sweltering heat … you will hear more from them in a bit. Thank You Josh Thompson and LZHS Band!

I am again honored to be here with you this morning as we reflect upon … and remember … our fallen service members and the sacrifices that they and their families have made on behalf of our country. 

Memorial Day is a day of reflection and remembering the men and women who died while serving … and the “usual” theme of Memorial Day is … “Remember”.

Today is no different … even as we are facing the unprecedented modern challenges of COVID-19, the unconscionable Russian invasion of Ukraine and the recent senseless shootings in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX.

Though we may also be facing our own individual challenges, we will always devote time to honor and remember the heroes who gave their lives.

It is common to give special emphasis on historical wars and rightfully so. 

No one who has given their lives for our freedom should ever be a passing memory.

Memorial Day gives us time to reflect on the historical battles and wars fought … and the lives lost. 

The “War to End All Wars” did not unfortunately, end all wars. 

We must not only honor the fallen of past wars but to also, keep in mind that men and women are dying today at war. 

Military combat zones exist all over the world and the United States, with 750 bases in at least 80 countries, remains at war today … with thousands deployed overseas and still more thousands serving at home. 

St. Francis de Sales parish in Lake Zurich “Remembers”. They devote a full page of the Weekly Parish Bulletin to the remembering of local service women and men currently serving and those who have returned home safely 

Memorial Day Weekend can be very complicated for modern military families. So, we remain mindful of not only the past but our present losses.

Before you wish every veteran or service member or their family a “Happy” Memorial Day, remember that for military families it means something much, much bigger than the start of summer. 

This is a very tender time of year for many … and many are grieving. 

Their day feels fraught with memories of those they’ve lost, and it could be a recent loss that is mixed with gratitude for the times that they’ve had.

If we want to honor and celebrate patriotism and the military this Memorial Day, then we have to honor the complicated feelings that surround it. 

Memorial Day is about remembering and honoring every single man and woman who has died for our freedoms — men and women who were mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, patriots, and incredible Americans and really, really great friends.

While it is true that every day is Memorial Day for the families of the fallen, they aren’t asking that you stay inside and wallow.

But we do owe it to them to pause, reflect, honor and remember. 

What better way to honor them than to be surrounded by those we love. They are grateful for your pause and reflections as you celebrate our heroes and the lives that they lived. 

From Bunker Hill to Afghanistan, there has always been a select group of Americans willing to fight for a cause greater than their self-preservation. 

Most of us have not been willing to write our wills at the age of 18 and good-bye letters in case we are killed in serving our country. 

So, honor those who President Lincoln characterized as giving “the last full measure of devotion”. 

Talk to your children, grandchildren, neighbors, family, and friends about … sacrifice, service, and what this three-day weekend really means. 

Observe the National Moment of Remembrance Silence at 3 p.m. today with a minute of silence and reflection. 

Look for ways that you can be of service throughout the year to honor the memories of those who gave their lives.

It is humbling to reflect how inextricably connected and united we are as a nation in remembering, because of the brave that gave the ultimate sacrifice. 

We honor them today and strive to continue throughout the rest of our days to never forget.   <Pause>  

Referencing back to Ukraine … I don’t know how anyone can look at the killing and destruction happening there and not be moved … and pissed off. 

It is mindless, amoral and unnecessary.

Please keep the people and soldiers of Ukraine … who are dying for their freedom … in your remembrances today.

I am a veteran and I “remember”

May we never forget.

Thank you for attending today. 

SAVE THE DATE! Life Line Screening // Wednesday July 13

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 13 // Fr Valker Hall

Life Line Screening, the nation’s leading provider of preventive health screenings, will offer affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings.

A package of five screenings to identify risk for stroke, heart disease and other chronic conditions will be offered:

  • Carotid artery ultrasound to identify plaque buildup in the carotid arteries, a major risk factor for stroke

  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm ultrasound to identify presence of an enlargement in the largest blood vessel in the body

  • An EKG to identify the presence of atrial fibrillation, which increases the risk for stroke

  • Ultrasound of the lower legs to look for plaque buildup known as peripheral artery disease

  • Ultrasound of the shin bone to identify risk for osteoporosis

A package of 5 vital screenings is offered for only $149 and take 60-90 minutes to complete. If you call today to register, you will receive a $10 discount!

To Register:

Call toll-free 888-653-6441

https://llsa.social/HSC

Text the word circle to 797979

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.