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“If you suffer with Him, you will reign with Him. If you cry with Him, you will have joy with Him. If you die with Him on the Cross of tribulation, you will possess the eternal dwelling place in the splendor of the saints. And your name, written in the Book of Life, will be glorious among men.” – St. Clare of Assisi March 13
Bilingual Stations of the Cross with Fr. Alejandro Lopez, OFM Conv. presiding at St. Ita church.
March 20
Bilingual Stations of the Cross with Fr. Romert Morales, OFM Conv. presiding at St. Ita church.
March 27
Bilingual Stations of the Cross with Fr. Thomas Fetz, OFM Conv. presiding.
*Photos courtesy of parishioner Silvia Téllez, OFS
Our first gathering of Held in God’s Care, a new pastoral conversation series at Mary, Mother of God Parish, was a meaningful and moving start to what we hope will become an ongoing source of support, connection, and guidance for our seniors.
The goal of this series is simple but important: to ensure that no one in our parish walks the later seasons of life alone. We were blessed to have Deacon Paul lead our opening discussion. He began by focusing on one of the most important—and often overlooked—steps in preparing for the future: choosing a Health Care Agent, someone who can speak on your behalf if you are ever unable to do so. Deacon Paul walked us through the practical steps:
While these conversations can be difficult, they are also deeply important. As Deacon Paul reminded us, this is not about fear—it is about peace of mind. It is about ensuring that your voice is heard, even if you are unable to speak for yourself. One key takeaway that resonated with many was this: The person you choose should not only be someone you trust, but someone who is accessible—someone who will answer the phone when the call comes. This simple but powerful insight helped bring clarity to what can otherwise feel like an overwhelming decision. Beyond the practical guidance, the gathering created space for honest conversation. Participants shared their concerns, asked thoughtful questions, and helped shape the direction of future sessions by identifying the topics most important to them. This is exactly what Held in God’s Care is meant to be: a place of listening, learning, and walking together in faith. We look forward to continuing these conversations on the last Thursday of each month following the 8 AM Mass at St. Ita church (5500 N. Broadway), and we warmly invite all seniors—and those who care for them—to join us. Because in every season of life, we are reminded: we are held in God’s care—and we are not alone.  Last week, the 8th graders from SFX School in Wilmette presented a donation of $1,400 for the purchase of new shelves needed at the Food Pantry. These students volunteer every Monday at the Food Pantry as part of an on-going partnership with SFX School. We thank them for this thoughtful donation and for their continued support.
The Scrutinies are celebrated on the Third, Fourth and Fifth Sundays of Lent, by those preparing to enter the Church at Easter, known as "The Elect". They are important rites (religious ceremonies) of the Church and are associated with three specific Gospel stories :
At our parish, a scrutiny takes place at each one of our parish churches. The first at St. Thomas of Canterbury church, the second at St. Ita church, and the third at St. Gregory the Great church. Please pray for The Elect as they prepare for the entrance into the Church at the Easter Vigil. Anyone who wants to learn more about becoming Catholic at our parish, can click here. *Photos courtesy of parish volunteer Luana Lienhart, OFS
For Lent, our parish watched “Triumph of the Heart,” a feature film about the final days of St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish priest and Franciscan friar, who volunteered to die in place of another prisoner in Auschwitz Concentration Camp during World War II. The film was shown in Jubilee Hall at St. Ita church in English with Spanish subtitles. The event began with a bilingual introduction to St. Maximilian Kolbe and light refreshments were offered. Thank you to all those who attended! *Photos courtesy of parish volunteer Luana Lienhart, OFS
Also known as the Way of the Cross or Via Crucis, Stations of the Cross is a devotion that encourages meditation on the Passion of Christ. There are 14 stations that each depict a moment on his journey to Calvary, and death on the cross usually through sacred art, prayers, and reflections. This familiar Lenten practice began as pious pilgrims traced his path through Jerusalem on the Via Dolorosa (“Sorrowful Way”). Franciscan Connection Did you know the Franciscan Order created and promoted this devotion? While some Christians took pilgrimages to Jerusalem, the journey to the Holy Land was long and difficult. Thus, the Franciscans, who were caretakers of the holy sites in Jerusalem, asked for permission to build replicas of Christ’s stopping places in monasteries, churches, and gardens. In 1731, Pope Clement XII permitted Stations of the Cross to be created in all churches and set the number of stations at 14. *Photos of Bilingual Stations of the Cross at St. Ita church (5500 N. Broadway) on February 20 courtesy of parish volunteer Silvia Téllez, OFS ¿Qué es el Vía Crucis?También conocido como Las Estaciones de la Cruz, el Vía Crucis es una devoción que invita a la meditación sobre la Pasión de Cristo. Consta de 14 estaciones, cada una de las cuales representa un momento de su camino al Calvario y su muerte en la cruz, generalmente a través del arte sacro, oraciones y reflexiones. Esta práctica cuaresmal, tan común, comenzó cuando los piadosos peregrinos recorrieron su camino a través de Jerusalén por la Vía Dolorosa. Conexión Franciscana ¿Sabías que la Orden Franciscana creó y promovió esta devoción? Si bien algunos cristianos peregrinaban a Jerusalén, el viaje a Tierra Santa era largo y difícil. Por ello, los franciscanos, guardianes de los lugares sagrados de Jerusalén, solicitaron permiso para construir réplicas de los lugares de paso de Cristo en monasterios, iglesias y jardines. En 1731, el papa Clemente XII autorizó la creación del Vía Crucis en todas las iglesias y fijó el número de estaciones en catorce. *Fotos del Vía Crucis Bilingüe del 27 de febrero en la iglesia de Santa Ita, cortesía de la voluntaria parroquial Silvia Téllez, OFS
At the 2026 Serata di Spaghetti, the St. Frances of Cabrini Knights of Columbus Council distributed checks to this year’s Franciscan Conventual Postulants (men in their first year of formation as Franciscan friars). This was made possible from generous support of parishioners through ticket sales during the annual KoC Vocation Raffle and by the dedicated effort of all Council members during the entire month of November and their shared proceeds. The Knights are honored to again provide assistance to young men who answer the call to serve and study here each year. All men of the parish are invited to attend our next monthly meeting on Thursday 3/12 starting 7 PM in Jubilee Hall at St. Ita's church (5500 N. Broadway) for food/beverages, fellowship, a time to learn more about the Council’s many initiatives serving our Parish community and membership opportunities. Please reach out to Grand Knight Paul Solitro with your intention to join us so that we can have an accurate count. Blessings and we look forward to welcoming you!  Picture Caption: Back Row; Conventual Franciscan Fr Paul Schneider and the Postulates; Front Row; St Frances Cabrini Council Officers Jay Millar, Paul Solitro, Tom Popovics, Lionel Osaghae, Tager Evans and Kokou Dagawa En la Serata di Spaghetti, el Consejo de los Caballeros de Colón de Santa Francisca de Cabrini distribuyó cheques a los Postulantes Conventuales Franciscanos de este año (hombres en su primer año de formación como frailes franciscanos). Esto fue posible gracias al generoso apoyo de los feligreses mediante la venta de boletos durante la Rifa Vocacional anual de los Caballeros de Colón y al esfuerzo dedicado de todos los miembros del Consejo durante todo el mes de noviembre y a las ganancias compartidas. Es un honor para los Caballeros brindar nuevamente apoyo a los jóvenes que responden al llamado a servir y estudiar aquí cada año. Todos los hombres de la parroquia están invitados a nuestra próxima reunión mensual, el jueves 12 de marzo a partir de las 7 PM, en el Salón Jubileo de la iglesia de Santa Ita (5500 N. Broadway). Disfrutaremos de un momento de convivencia, aprenderemos más sobre las diversas iniciativas del Consejo para nuestra comunidad parroquial y las oportunidades de membresía. Por favor, comuníquense con el Gran Caballero Paul Solitro si desean unirse a nosotros para que podamos realizar un recuento preciso. ¡Les deseamos mucho éxito y esperamos darles la bienvenida!  Con profundo entusiasmo y gratitud al Señor, nos enorgullece compartir que el feligrés Luis Antonio Montesinos Suárez recibió el Ministerio de Lector el 15 de marzo, en la Capilla de la Inmaculada Concepción de la Universidad de Sta. María de los Lagos, en Mundelein. Este es un paso decisivo en el camino hacia la ordenación como diácono permanente. Pedimos oraciones especiales por Luis Antonio, su esposa Gabriela López Domínguez y sus dos hijos. Que sigan respondiendo generosamente al llamado a servir a la Iglesia, siguiendo el humilde ejemplo de San Francisco de Asís. ¡Felicidades a la familia Montesinos López With deep enthusiasm and gratitude to the Lord, we are proud to share that parishioner Luis Antonio Montesinos Suárez received the Ministry of Lector on March 15, in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, in Mundelein. This is a decisive step on the path toward being ordained a permanent Deacon.
We ask for special prayers for Luis Antonio, his wife Gabriela López Domínguez, and for their two children. May they continue responding generously to the call to serve the Church, following the humble example of St. Francis of Assisi. Congratulations, to the Montesinos López family! “O Lord Jesus, You paid the price – suffering for the redemption of all humankind and You won the victory. We shall walk with You, O Jesus to those high places of pain, for there is much in our own lives and in our communities that cries out for redemption. And so we pray… Forgive us O Lord.” *Photos of Bilingual Stations of the Cross at St. Ita church (5500 N. Broadway) on March 6 courtesy of parish volunteer Silvia Téllez, OFS «Oh, Señor Jesús, Tú pagaste el precio —sufriendo por la redención de toda la humanidad— y conquistaste la victoria. Caminaremos contigo, oh Jesús, hacia esos altos lugares de dolor, pues hay mucho en nuestras propias vidas y en nuestras comunidades que clama por redención. Y así oramos... Perdónanos, oh Señor.»
*Fotos del Vía Crucis Bilingüe del 6 de marzo en la iglesia de Santa Ita, cortesía de la voluntaria parroquial Silvia Téllez, OFS |
