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This Sunday marks the beginning of the season of Advent. This Sunday is the “New Year’s Day” of Catholic life. Each liturgical year we walk within the mystery of Jesus, and the Sunday Scripture readings guide us on our journey. Our Gospel guide through this new year of walking is the Gospel according to Luke, who offers us a picture of Our Lord consistent with the other Gospels, yet has its own unique view of Him through material found only in Luke. During this year I’ll try to point out some of the special insights that God gives us through the inspired words of St Luke.

Cardinal Josef Ratzinger (who would later be elected as Pope Benedict XVI) wrote 
 

“`Advent's a Latin word that can be translated `presence’ or ‘coming.’ ... What Christians mean in general by this word `Advent,’ then is: God is there. He has not left the world. … He comes to us in many different ways.” [cf BENEDICT US, Ignatius Press/Magnificat, 2006, p. 365] 

 
Since Christmas this year occurs on Saturday, we have four full weeks of Advent. It’s important that we don’t lose Advent in focusing everything on Christmas. We’re not waiting for a Baby, Jesus, to be born into history anymore. He’s already present to us and wants to be born spiritually in our hearts each day.

With all the commotion about buying Christmas trees, Christmas presents and preparing for the Christmas Day celebration, we can be distracted from our daily relationship to the Lord. Perhaps one thing that might help is a simple prayer when you wake up: “Jesus, be born again in my life during this day, in whatever way you see I need you with me. Amen.” The Lord knows the ways in which you need His presence in your life. He just needs your permission to show you.

Important Messages from Bishop David J. Malloy

Dispensation from Mass attendance ended July 1

Bishop David Malloy advised priests of the Diocese of Rockford in a June 11 letter, that the dispensation from the obligation of attending Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation would be lifted July 1, 2021. Both Bishop Malloy and St. Mary's ended live-streaming Masses on June 27. It's time to come back to Mass in church!

Read the Press Release Here

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Other News Items

• The parish office will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday & Friday, November 25 & 26. The office will reopen on Monday, November 29th. Wishing you all a blessed Thanksgiving holiday.
• COVID-19 Guidance - Masks are required at all Masses and inside parish buildings regardless of vaccination status. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation! To view the current guidance given to us by Bishop Malloy, please visit the diocesan website at www.rockforddiocese.org.
• Daily Mass - Monday through Friday at 8:00 AM. (unless posted otherwise)

• Confessions - Tuesday 8:30-9:30 AM; Wednesday 11:00 AM-12:00 Noon; Saturday 11:00 AM-12:00 Noon.

  

Religious Education

CLASSES ARE UNDERWAY, Sundays, 9:15-10:30 AM, in the St. Mary's Novak Center. Download the RE Calendar and Combined Registration Form here.

If you have questions, please call our RE Coordinator Leila Rivers at 815-827-3205 x3.

Celebration of the Eucharist

Sunday Masses -
Saturday 4:00 PM
Sunday 9:30 AM
 
Weekday Masses -
Monday through Friday 8:00 AM (unless posted otherwise)
 
Confessions- 
Saturdays: 11:00 AM-12:00 (Noon)
Tuesday: 8:30-9:30 AM during Adoration
Wednesday 11:00 AM-12:00 (Noon)

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