February Castle 2023 ♥️

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sfdsym  February Castle 2023 ♥️ What a blessing of a weekend! Thank you to all our retreatants for giving this weekend a shot. Thank you leaders for sharing your love with all of us this weekend. Thank you parents who joined us for a lovely mass and for supporting our teens.

FINALLY - Thank you, God, for guiding every person that joined us and made this weekend special. Watch over us as we try to live out what we learned this weekend and maintain the wonderful connections we built. #secrettolife

SHARE YOUR VOICE - SUPPORT OUR PARISH

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This survey is a great way to reflect on your own spiritual growth while helping our parish plan for the future.

Please help us by completing this short, 10-15 minute survey. Visit https://portal.catholicleaders.org/dmi/survey/gbd3kg or scan the code below.

We will also have paper copies in the gathering space and parish office.

This survey is available starting Ash Wednesday until March 31st, 2023

Thank you!

RACHEL'S VINEYARD

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Rachel's Vineyard is a safe place to renew, rebuild and redeem hearts broken by abortion. Weekend retreats offer you a supportive, confidential and non-judgmental environment where women and men can express, release and reconcile painful post-abortive emotions to begin the process of restoration, renewal and healing.

Do not continue to live in the shame, fear or numbness.Call our toll-free national hotlines:

Rachel's Vineyard: 877 HOPE 4 ME (877)467-3463

H3LPLINE: Help, Hope, Healing...After the Pain of Abortion. call or text (866)721-7881

Host Families for Totus Tuus Missionaries Needed

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Our parish is hosting our annual Totus Tuus Summer camp from June 17th-23rd. This camp is facilitated by four college-aged missionaries who are giving of their summer in the service of Jesus Christ. While they are here at the parish, we are in need of two families willing to host them in their homes (one for the men and one for the women).

If you are willing to host or would like more information please contact the Religious Education office at religiouseducation@stfrancislz.org or at 847.726.4850.

First Friday Eucharistic Adoration

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Come spend time with Jesus. Open your heart and let Him make a difference in your life. Join us for First Friday Adoration anytime between 9am-2pm. All are welcome to stop by for a few minutes, an hour or for 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, please scan the code to the right or call the Ministry Center to sign up!

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

School News - Week of Jan 22, 2023

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The Soaring Eagle Award was started this year by administration. Teachers and staff have an opportunity each month to nominate a student who demonstrates one of our school norms which are community, growth, respect, innovation and service. The following students received the Soaring Eagle Award for the month of December.

  • Lucas from Preschool 3’s for demonstrating the acts of respect, growth and service by helping his classmates whenever they need it. He is respectful to his classmates and often helps Mrs. Dunne clean up the classroom! Great job Lucas!

  • Austin from Preschool 4’s for demonstrating the acts of respect, growth and innovation by being the nicest boy who is always respectful to his classmates and teachers. He always includes others and is always building his “creations” and being innovative!

  • Maggie from Kindergarten for demonstrating the acts of respect and growth by being polite and a good listener to her teachers. Maggie has shown growth in her learning and is gaining more confidence every day. Great job Maggie!

  • Brooklyn from 1st grade for demonstrating the acts of community, respect and service by always being thoughtful and greeting her friends with a smile in the morning. She helps take down and put up chairs without being asked by her teacher.

  • Henry from 1st grade for demonstrating the acts of respect and growth by growing as a person and a student this year. He is a great leader and takes on responsibility when others need help. He is very respectful and follows the classroom rules. Great job, Henry!

  • Tyler from 2nd grade for demonstrating the act of community by always going out of his way to help others in his class. He never hesitates to assist a friend in need. He is always prepared for class and is a great student! Great job, Tyler!

  • Tvisha from 2nd grade for demonstrating the act of community by being a wonderful helper and leader in her classroom. She is always thinking about how her actions impact others. Tvisha is mindful of her actions and how they speak louder than words.

  • Valerie from 3rd grade for demonstrating the acts of community, respect and service by always being respectful to students and teachers. She shows service by helping others with their classwork. She is always courteous to those around her. Great job, Valerie!

  • Milani from 3rd grade for demonstrating the act of respect by always showing respect to others by holding doors, using her manners and bringing her kind and calm presence with her to class every day! Great job, Milani!

  • Penelope from 4th grade for demonstrating the act of growth and service by continuing to grow as a confident and hardworking student. She gives 100% effort in all she does and her work is always an amazing model for her peers. She has a Christ-like heart, always caring for her friends.

  • Brynn from 4th grade for demonstrating the act of community and respect by consistently showing respect, love and compassion to her classmates and teachers. She is always lending a helping hand to anyone who needs it! Great job, Brynn!

  • Stella from 5th grade for demonstrating the act of respect by always showing respect to her teachers and peers with a smile on her face. She is always willing to help others and her positive attitude shines through!

  • Ben from 6th grade for demonstrating the acts of respect, community and growth by being respected by his peers. Ben is a problem solver and is always looking for a solution. Ben is a leader in our classroom and community!

  • Will from 6th grade for demonstrating the acts of respect and community by always following instructions and being respectful to his teachers. Will’s maturity shines through his behavior.

  • Ella from 7th grade for demonstrating the act of growth by writing about art and her artwork with amazing insight. Her understanding of aesthetics and what art is and can be, demonstrates growth. Great job, Ella!

  • Billy from 7th grade for demonstrating the act of community by taking the initiative to help out in the classroom. He is always raising his hand and is eager to participate. Billy is a joy to have in class!

  • Zachary from 8th grade for demonstrating the acts of respect and service by always helping when asked, and he does so respectfully and without hesitation. Great job, Zachary!

Christmas Choir Thank Yous

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“Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!”

This melody and many others still resound in our hearts and minds from our Christmas celebrations. It takes a lot of musicians to make our liturgies at Christmas such glorious ones. Starting on Christmas Eve at 3:00 mass in the church, Rosie Aitken, music teacher in our school, led 9 students in song along with 2 cantors. They were also accompanied by a flute. They faithfully attended rehearsals and sounded like angels. We are truly blessed. The 3:00 mass in Valker Hall and the 5:00 mass in church were accompanied by Olga Lunetta. We had a cantor and flautist at both of these masses. Olga also played at the 6:30 AM mass with songs led by Fr. Merold. Thank you, Olga, for all you do for us and thank you to these musicians who made the Christmas music come to life! The midnight mass was led by a quartet accompanied by a violin and cello. It was wonderful to hear the congregation sing prelude songs along with our solos. A handbell player, Jocelyn Purtell, played a solo on the bell tree. Truly beautiful music. The 11:00 mass had a trio, choir, handbells, and violin and cello. Thank you to Dave Strutzel for playing organ for us! With his help, I was able to direct everyone. Thank you, musicians, for your countless hours of rehearsal. You made it possible for all of us to truly celebrate the birth of “Our Newborn King”! The 9:00 Christmas Day mass was led by our high school/college students. How wonderful it is that our young people want to come home and share their talents with us! Led by Chris Misik, we heard beautiful voices sing “O Holy Night”. They were accompanied by Matthew Nerenberg on oboe and Elizabeth Vinnes on flute. We can never forget to thank our cantors. They, and their families, give of their time and talent so that we can all sing the music of our church. Thank you for your leadership and all you give to this ministry! We could not have done it without you! So I give a big “Shout-Out” to all of you. Thank you, beautiful job, and Happy New Year.

Patricia Stewart,

Director of Liturgical Music

Annual Catholic Appeal 2023: Walking on the Road with Jesus

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Please Make Your Gift to the 2023 Annual Catholic Appeal - Father Merold will be preaching on this year's Annual Catholic Appeal at all the Masses the next two weekends. Let us join together on Walking this road with Jesus, our Good Shepherd. Thank you.

Many families in our parish will be receiving the Annual Catholic Appeal mailing from Cardinal Cupich. On behalf of those served by the ministries, parishes, and schools that receive funding from the Appeal, we thank you for your gifts. Please return your response as soon as possible. The Annual Catholic Appeal offers a wonderful opportunity to answer the call "Walking on the road with Jesus." In addition to providing for ministries and services throughout the archdiocese, the Appeal also funds services that are of great help here in our parish.

As we contemplate God's many gifts to us, we should also reflect on our gratitude. Your financial support for the work of our parish, our archdiocese, and the Church throughout the world is one way to express this gratitude. Please give what you can to the 2023 Annual Catholic Appeal. Thank you!

Reflect Weekend

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Mid-life Singles (mid-30s to 50s): Are you looking for a renewed sense of purpose & belonging? Register today for a life-changing REFLECT weekend retreat at the Joseph and Mary Retreat House (formerly Cardinal Stritch Retreat House) in Mundelein, IL (in the northern suburbs), on March 3-5, 2023. Take a chance and get involved... you won't regret it! Cost is $285 for meals and a single room. Visit www.ReflectRetreat.com, e-mail reflect.chicagoland@gmail.com, or call (630) 222-8303 for details.

Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide - Next Meeting Feb 15th

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The Catholic Charities LOSS PROGRAM was started by Fr Charles Rubey in 1979 with 3 couples who had lost children to suicide. At that time, they would meet regularly in their homes. Today this program has spread throughout the Archdiocese and beyond bringing hope and meaning to those affected by suicide.

Open monthly group meetings will be held at the Parish and Ministry Center on the

3rd WEDS of EACH MONTH; 7-9pm.

www.catholiccharities.net/LOSS

Anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide is invited to attend. **Please register if you are new to this program by calling (312) 655-7283

Suicide loss is complicated and traumatic. Together we walk through this specific type of grief and offer each other support. A licensed clinician and a trained facilitator will run each meeting. No matter how recent or how long ago you experienced loss by suicide -all are welcome! Any questions, please call Tish Guinter (847) 293-4332