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Interview with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul  Members hosted an ice-cream social for the parish with the help of Religious Education students. In 2023, members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul revived an old branch of the society – also known as a conference – at Mary, Mother of God parish. Conference President Pamela Matambanadzo sat down to tell us about the Society, who they are, what they do, and how parishioners can get involved.
What is the Society of St. Vincent de Paul? We are a network of friends inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness, and seeking to build a more just world through personal relationships with and in service to people in need. (That is our mission statement). St Vincent de Paul himself said “go to the poor and there you will find God.” I feel those few words speak to what we do and why. We are an international Catholic lay organization present in 155 countries. From the international perspective, it breaks down smaller and smaller as you get more local. Our conference is Mary, Mother of God Parish and we reactivated the Saint Ita conference which was first established in 1933. Everyone is invited to join our circle of friends! In this country, we have roughly 47 million people living in poverty. Society in the US has approximately 85,000 members. As a small group we are aware that we cannot meet our goal to end poverty alone. We are constantly looking to increase our membership. God gives each of us so many different talents. It is your God-given skills and talents that we are asking our fellow parishioners to bring and join us. Even if it’s just volunteering an hour or two, there are ways that everybody can help. After all ‘many hands make light work’! - Nehemiah 3.  Estimados feligreses,
Además de la Misa regular en español de los domingos a las 12:30 PM, la Parroquia María, Madre de Dios ofrecerá una segunda Misa en Santa Ita (5500 N. Broadway) para nuestros feligreses de habla hispana. Esta tendrá lugar a las 5:30 PM los jueves por la noche. Todos están invitados a asistir, y estamos buscando voluntarios para proclamar las lecturas. Si usted está interesado, por favor póngase en contacto con la oficina parroquial al 773-561-5343. Paz, P. Alejandro Lopez, OFM Conv. On Sunday, October 29, the Filipinos of Saint Ita committee hosted a breakfast fundraiser after the 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM Masses. Attendees were treated to a Filipino-style breakfast and all proceeds will support upcoming committee events. Photos courtesy: Carmela Dumas
Highlights from the St. Thomas of Canterbury Rosary Walk. Thank you to everyone who helped continue this unique tradition for another year. We were grateful to have representatives from the Spanish-speaking, Filipino, Eritrean, Vietnamese, and English-speaking groups in our parish. Everyone came together to pray for our neighborhoods and our city. The walk also included music from the St. Thomas of Canterbury choir! Photographs courtesy: Christina Llanes
 On October 26, the St. Rita Domestic Violence Awareness Ministry hosted a roundtable discussion at Canterbury House, a ministry of Mary, Mother of God parish located in the rectory at St. Thomas of Canterbury church. The event began with a potluck meal followed by discussion. Attendees read an excerpt from The Power of the Cross “Good Friday 2010” by Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa and reflected on the Church’s teachings on domestic violence. One highlight was exploring the ways both men and women have a responsibility to educate others about healthy relationships. If you or someone you know is looking for resources related to domestic violence, click the button below. "The Chili Cook-off was a fabulous event that helped bring together so many different members of our parish from the different churches of Mary, Mother of God. And one of our own brothers won! It was my first year of this competition but look forward to many more years of tasting. Who knows? I might actually submit my own recipe next year!"  This year's Chili Cook-off did not disappoint! We had seven chili recipes entered into the competition each with their own unique ingredients, spices, and flare. It sure made for a mouthwatering Saturday night.
Thank you to all our contestants: Fr. Thomas Fetz, Alicia Corro & Family, John & Laura Fogarty, Bob & Susanne Henning, John Kryl, Alfredo & Mercedes Mac Laughlin, and Chris & Tracy Schonberger. You all did a wonderful job and your participation in this parish fundraiser was deeply appreciated. We also want to thank our volunteers Sebastian Ang, Robert Nicklas, Angie Palomo, Carolyn Kryl, Marieluise Kailing, and Kokou Dagawa for running this event so smoothly. Lastly, we are grateful for everyone who helped clear the tables and chairs in Jubilee Hall after the event to prepare for the Blood Drive the following morning. Community gatherings like this would not be possible without the love and support of all of you!  The Militia of the Immaculata hosted a Rosary Walk on Saturday, October 21. The group met in the parking lot of Saint Ita church and made their way around the neighborhood. Learn more about the Militia of the Immaculata ministry at Mary, Mother of God parish by clicking here! Photos courtesy: Yasha Hookens & Carmela Dumas Mary, Mother of God Parish Finance Council Meeting Minutes for 10/19/23 Saint Ita Rectory Basement – 7 PM Attendance
Council members received earlier via email the agenda, the minutes of the September meeting, and the financial statements and reports. The meeting began at 7:03pm with Father Alejandro leading us in prayer. Meeting Minutes John Kryl made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Magali Duvivier. The minutes were unanimously approved. Updates from Father Alejandro At a town hall meeting at St. Thomas of Canterbury, a proposal to install a fence outside the church faced mixed reactions due to the presence of homeless individuals, particularly Priscilla, who needs help. A plan for how to handle her going forward will be developed. The staff attended the Archdiocese’s second (and last) emergency operations planning meeting. A detailed plan still needs to be developed. Father is looking to engage outside assistance in completing this project given the number of campuses and the size of parish operations.  Parishioners have reported receiving emails and phone calls from someone claiming to be Fr. Alejandro asking for money. This is a SCAM and should be reported IMMEDIATELY! DO NOT respond to these messages. Instead, call the parish office. We have reported this scam to local law enforcement as well as the Archdiocese. If you ever receive an email/phone call claiming to be from the parish asking for money or your personal information, the first thing you should do is directly call the parish office. It is better to be safe than sorry in these situations. PARISH OFFICE: 773-561-5343 Feligreses han informado de la recepción de correos electrónicos y llamadas telefónicas de alguien que dice ser el P. Alejandro pidiendo dinero. ¡Esto es una ESTAFA y debe ser denunciado INMEDIATAMENTE!
NO responda a estos mensajes. En su lugar, llame a la oficina parroquial. Hemos denunciado esta estafa a la policía local, así como a la Archidiócesis. Si recibe un correo electrónico o una llamada telefónica diciendo ser de la parroquia pidiendo dinero o su información personal, lo primero que debe hacer es llamar a la oficina parroquial. Es mejor prevenir que lamentar en estas situaciones. LA OFICINA PARROQUIAL: 773-561-5343 |
