 Today was the last day of having the 8th graders from Saints Joseph & Francis Xavier School in Wilmette volunteering at the Food Pantry for the school year. We are grateful for this on-going partnership where the 8th grade class comes every Monday to volunteer at the Food Pantry, and we are looking forward to having a new class in the fall.
Additionally, Franciscan Conventual Postulants, Kole and George, are ending their time with us on May 12th. Postulancy is a year-long program of living within the Franciscan community and learning the living the religious life. (You can learn more here.) We thank all of them for their time and dedication! On Sunday, our parish celebrated Laotian New Year at St. Thomas of Canterbury church. Mass was held at 8 AM followed by festivities and the new year's feast in the social hall. Fr. Bang Cong Tran, SVD celebrated the Mass, together with Fr. Nick Hien, Deacon Joseph, Fr. Alejandro Lopez, OFM Conv. and Fr. Thomas Fetz, OFM Conv. On behalf of the Laotian community at Mary, Mother of God Parish, we were happy to have you all celebrating with us. New Year's MassFeast & Festivities*Photos courtesy of parish volunteer Luana Lienhart, OFS
We thank St. Padre Pio Parish for their generous donation to our parish's Food Pantry at St. Thomas of Canterbury church. Br. Ayub and parishioner Hung loaded up the donation with the help of Eri, a staff member at St. Padre Pio parish.
You can learn more about the wonderful work of our Food Pantry and other Outreach Ministries by clicking here! You can also sign up to volunteer. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul at Mary, Mother of God Parish is launching two special outreach programs for families served through the St. Thomas of Canterbury Food Pantry:
 We are looking for compassionate, organized volunteers to help with:
This is a beautiful opportunity to bring joy and dignity to children in our community. How to Get Involved: Interested in joining us? Please contact Pam Matambanadzo at 📧 email or 📱 224-507-4523 (Text). Thank you for helping us serve with love!  Mary, Mother of God Parish mourns the death of His Holiness Pope Francis. We join the faithful throughout the world in praying for the repose of his soul. Requiem Aeternam (“Eternal Rest”) Check out the parish's digital photo album for Holy Week! (Click "Read More" to see all of the photographs.) You can add your own photos of the celebrations and devotions to the album by emailing them to the parish office.  May the glory and the promise of this joyous time of year bring peace and happiness to you and those you hold most dear. May Christ, Our Risen Savior, always be there by your side to bless you most abundantly and be your loving guide. Amen
Today is Holy Saturday. Join us for Office of Readings and Lauds at 9 AM and Blessing of Easter Baskets at 10 AM, both at St. Ita church (5500 N. Broadway). The Easter Vigil will begin at 8 PM at St. Ita church. (La Vigilia Pascual comenzará a las 8 PM en la iglesia de Santa Ita.) On Holy Saturday, the Church is at the Lord's tomb. We mourn with the first disciples and meditate on Christ’ passion and death. We also remember his descent into hell where he preached the Gospel and opened the way to heaven for those who had died before. The Church awaits his resurrection with prayer and fasting on this day. This concludes Holy Week. Tomorrow is Easter Sunday.
Today is Good Friday, the day we commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Join us for private prayer with the statute of the body of Christ in our three churches from 12-3 PM. Each church will host Stations of the Cross at 3 PM. (El Vía Crucis en español será en la iglesia de Santa Ita (5500 N. Broadway) a las 5 PM.) The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion will be at 7 PM at St. Ita church (5500 N. Broadway). On Good Friday, the entire Church fixes her gaze on the Cross at Calvary. Each member of the Church tries to understand at what cost Christ has won our redemption. In the solemn ceremonies of Good Friday, we unite ourselves to our Savior and contemplate our own death to sin in the Death of our Lord. |
