Lenten Fasting Regulations Abstinence - on all the Fridays of Lent, and on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. No meat may be eaten on days of abstinence. Catholics 14 years old and older are bound to abstain from meat. Invalids, pregnant and nursing mothers are exempt. Fast - on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday Fasting means having only one full meal to maintain one's strength. Two smaller, meatless and penitential meals are permitted according to one's needs, but they should not together equal the one full meal. Eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. Catholics from age 18 through age 59 are bound to fast. Again, invalids, pregnant and nursing mothers are exempt.

Here are some recent notes from Father Brian:

I want to take this brief opportunity to introduce myself and to say how anxious I am to meet all of you and I become your new pastor. I truly feel blessed that our paths are about to meet in what I hope will be a long and fruitful relationship for all of us. I want to get to know each and every one of you personally, and I know that as time moves on, I will come to know you and your families very well, and I look forward to that earnestly.

Mass intentions and requests are now being taken for any upcoming available Mass. It is no longer necessary to give 3-4 weeks notice. There are plenty of available dates for Mass intentions. The Mass intention for each Mass will be announced at the Mass by Fr. Brian and will be listed in the Bulletin each week. There is no greater or powerful way to honor someone or to pray for their eternal souls than to do it with a Holy Mass. Mass involves the presence of Jesus himself, in the gift of the Holy Eucharist, which He gave to us, His Church. One needs not to be present at the Mass to offer a Mass in someone's name and honor.

If you are ill or know anyone else who is ill and would like to receive Holy Communion at home, or be put on the sick list in the bulletin for prayers, please call the rectory; and then notify the rectory again when you want them taken off of the list.
 
 

March 14, 2010, Sunday - Religious Education - Grades 1-6 - 8:10 a.m. to 9:20 a.m., Grades 7-12 - 10:20 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

March 21, 2010, Sunday - Religious Education - Grades 1-6 - 8:10 a.m. to 9:20 a.m., Grades 7-12 - 10:20 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

March 25, 2010, Thursday - Evening of Recollection

April 4, 2010, Sunday - Easter.

April 11, 2010, Sunday - Religious Education - Grades 1-6 - 8:10 a.m. to 9:20 a.m., Grades 7-12 - 10:20 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

April 25, 2010, Sunday - Religious Education - Grades 1-6 - 8:10 a.m. to 9:20 a.m., Grades 7-12 - 10:20 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

May 2, 2010, Sunday - First Communion Celebration at 9:30 a.m. Mass.

May 13, 2010, Thursday - The Solemnity of The Ascension. Holy Day of Obligation..

May 16, Sunday - May Crowning by First Communicants.at 9:30 a.m. Mass

May 16, 2010, Sunday - Women & Girl's breakfast after 9:30 a.m. Mass

August 15, 2010, Sunday - The Solemnity of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

November 1, 2010, Monday - The Solemnity of All Saints. (Not a Holy Day of Obligation since it falls on a Monday)

Please note that a calendar for any activities that require the use of the church or church basement is posted on the bulletin board in the church vestibule. All organizations are responsible for putting their dates on this sign-up calendar and checking to see if anyone else is already on for the same date. If there is another activity listed, please phone to clarify if it is feasible that both activities can take place on the same date.

St. Mary's Altar & Rosary Society

Altar & Rosary officers for 2009-2010: President Mary Williams, 946-2926; Vice President Carol Glenn, 225-7201; Secretary Kay Tyne, 946-3585; and Treasurer Theresa Lannen, 946-4043. Activities TBA, Sunday - Men & Boy's breakfast. March 25, 2010, Thursday - Evening of Recollection April 1, 2010, Thursday - Holy Thursday. Hot Cross Buns following Holy Thursday Mass. April 22, 2010, Thursday - Regular Monthly Meeting. 7 p.m. Kathleen Hughes - Home of Hope May 2, 2010, Sunday - First Communion Celebration at 9:30 a.m. Mass. May 16, 2010, Sunday - Women & Girl's breakfast after 9:30 a.m. Mass May 20, 2010, Thursday - Installation of Officers, 6:30 p.m. Salad and dessert supper to follow installation of new officers. Bring a salad or dessert to share.

Church of St. Mary Knights of Columbus Council 9987 Meets in Church basement at 7:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month. For information contact Mr. Patrick O'Brien at (815) 946-3301 All men of the parish more than 18 years old are cordially invited to become a part of our newly reorganized Knights of Columbus Council here at St. Mary's. For information phone Patrick O'Brien at (815) 946-3301. Regular meeting is scheduled on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Church. The first Sunday of each month at 7:30 a.m. Mass is the Knights of Columbus Mass.

Youth Group Activities and Events St. Mary's Youth Group meets on the first and third Sunday of each month from 4-6 at the Vock residence on Buffalo. Phone 946-2940 for more information. Please see one of our members to order your coffee cake. Our members are: Kristin Powell, Mallory Hopkins, Lana Scholl, Holly Scholl, Megan Scholl, Cole Engelbarts, Morgan Vock, Sarah Rademacher, Panjee Plachno, Olivia Gorzny, Drew Cheatham and Natalie Faivre.

Parish Respect Life Larry Plachno was recently appointed Parish Respect Life Coordinator. Please watch this space for information on new Respect Life activities and programs. Volunteers, program managers and helpers are badly needed. Please phone Larry at (815) 946-2341 for additional information.

Corrected to 03/07/10