Virtual Bulletin
get the scoop on the latest going-ons at our parish
BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY TRAINING 2026
/Vicariate I Ministry Commission
BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY TRAINING 2026
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Presenters: Deacon Joe and Diane Yannotta
Place: St. Edna Church, 2525 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60004
RESERVATIONS: You MUST contact the Bereavement Ministry Coordinator at your parish prior to registering for this workshop. (Reach out to the SFdS Parish Office to inquire more!)
Bring a bag lunch.
Questions? Contact Deacon Joe Yannotta jyannotta@stedna.org or Diane Yannotta at dyannotta@comcast.net.
OPT IN FOR OUR KIDS - Stronger Together. Better for Illinois.
/OPT IN FOR OUR KIDS - Stronger Together. Better for Illinois.
A federal tax credit scholarship program for K-12 Education
Benefits ALL types of schools. Can add up to almost $2 billion in new resources to public and private schools. It doesn’t take from existing funding.
Supported by Illinoisans. Nearly 7 in 10 Illinoisans support opting into this program.
Keeps Illinois dollars here. If Illinois doesn’t opt in, it has been reported that people will donate up to $1 billion to schools in other states to receive the tax credit.
Opportunity for public and private school families to work together for a common goal – to support ILLINOIS kids.
It’s a tax credit. It’s voluntary. It’s popular. It works.
HOW IT WORKS
Taxpayer contributes to a scholarship granting organization which uses the funds to support scholarships for K-12 students.
Taxpayer receives tax credit for their donation.
WHO BENEFITS
Students from ALL backgrounds
Kids in public, private and faith-based schools.
Call Governor Pritzker today!
Tell him: OPT in for Illinois KIDS! Call 217.782.6830 or visit gov.illinois.gov/contact-us/voice-an-opinion.html
Learn more about the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit and how it helps Illinois families.
Morning Reflection: The Armor of God by Fr John Kartje
/The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. PSALM 34:18
A Morning of Reflection - You are invited to honor God’s presence while nurturing your soul on Saturday, October 31st, 2026. We welcome all, especially those who have sustained the loss of a family member, relative or child from a miscarriage, abortion, stillbirth, or suicide.
9:00am Mass followed by Continental breakfast and
The Armor of God presented by Fr. John Kartje, rector and President of the University of St. Mary of the Lake
St. Edna 2525 N. Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights IL.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Sponsored by the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women Vicariate I
Formation and Training for NEW EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
/Formation and Training for NEW EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Presenter: Deacon Allen Tatara
When: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Where: St. Anne Church, 120 Ela Street Barrington, IL 60010
Time: Check in at 8:30 a.m. - Training 9 – Noon
Register at: forms.cloud.microsoft/r/sHq3skaBqj
A follow up session will take place in your parish that will include any particular practices for your parish.
The workshop will include:
The ministry of Eucharist: our baptismal call to ministry
A theology of Eucharist as celebrated in the Roman Catholic tradition
The roots of our ministry in Scripture, the early Church, and on through the Second Vatican Council
Historical aspects of our celebration of Eucharist in practice and devotion
A review of the Liturgy of the Eucharist and how our ministry as EMs “fits” in the larger picture
Questions and Answers
This training meets the archdiocesan requirements for mandation and remandation.
Questions? Contact Marie Paul at mariep@sttheresachurch.org.
Come, and You Will See
/25th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Come, and You Will See
In John’s account of the calling of the first disciples, we find a truly transformative invitation. It is an invitation from the Lord. With the accompaniment of John the Baptist, Andrew (Simon Peter’s brother) and another unnamed disciple run up to see this “Lamb of God.” Upon meeting Jesus, the Lord poses a question to them: what are you looking for? They say in reply: where are you staying? Not a bad question at all! To that, Jesus responds, “Come, and you will see” (John 1:39). The disciples stayed with him that day. They had made their first assent of faith by responding yes to Jesus’s invitation.
Recently, I received an invitation to come and see the Barrington Biz Builders guest day meeting. The Biz Builders is “a local chapter of AmSpirit Business Connections that brings together business owners, community leaders, and professionals who are interested in building meaningful relationships, sharing referrals, and supporting one another’s businesses and organizations.” Within this forum, I was able to share with local businesses and community leaders a bit about who we are as St. Francis de Sales and what we do: our mission is Christ, and we are called to build disciples to make disciples while living a life of service modeled after Jesus. After the meeting, I got to speak with several stakeholders who expressed their support of St. Francis de Sales, especially as we work together to promote the dignity of the person and common good. I received another invitation for this past Wednesday, in which I attended the “Taxing Bodies Town Hall Forum” hosted at the Ela Area Public Library. At this event, I was able to meet local county and village officials, including the Superintendent of Lake Zurich School District 95, Dr. Kelley Gallt. Invitations are transformative; they present new opportunities; they allow for an encounter! I am so grateful to have been invited to attend these local events.
In reflecting on the gift of invitations, the opportunity to come and see, I would like to personally invite you to attend the Fall Scripture Study: Biblical Call Stories at the St. Francis de Sales Ministry Center! Having started on Wednesday, 16 September at 7pm, and meeting each week, I will lead us in an exploration of some of the timeless call stories from the Old and New Testament. Our essential question is this: How does the study of Scriptural call stories impact or shape how I understand God’s call in my life? Come and see, and know that God is absolutely involved and active in your life, still calling you to go out into the deep (c.f. Luke 5:4). In addition, please save the date as I would like to extend an invitation to our future Advent Night of Renewal! Entitled “Be Not Afraid: You are God’s Favored One”, this inspiring presentation will take place at St. Francis de Sales on 15 December from 7pm - 9pm. Led by Becca Siar (Director of Retreat Ministry and Liaison for Young Adult Ministry, Archdiocese of Chicago) and Fr. Bradley Zamora (Chaplain and Director, Northwestern University, Evanston), all are welcome to come and see what will be an evening of grace. Please know you are blessed and chosen by God, for we are the Lord’s!
Wishing you God’s peace and everything good, I remain – Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Christian Shiu
Administrator
Take Charge of Your Diabetes!
/Thursdays at 9:30am
OR Mondays at 5:30pm
Become a Faith & Health Companion
/Advocate Faith and Health Partnerships invites you to apply for our premier cohort learning series designed to equip faith community leaders to walk alongsideothers during times of challenge and stress.
Stay healthy this season—Walgreens Vaccine Clinic at SFdS!
/We are glad to partner once again with Walgreens to help keep our parish family and local community protected this fall. Stop by for convenient, walk-in vaccinations right here at the church!
📅 When: Sunday, September 27 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Where: The Gathering Space
Available Vaccines:
Flu Shot: Latest seasonal vaccine (Free, even without insurance!)
COVID-19 Vaccine: Updated booster (requires insurance)
Additional Vaccines on Hand: Tdap, Hepatitis B, Pneumonia, Shingrix (Shingles), and RSV
The Walgreens pharmacy team will have tablets on-site to look up the state registry and verify which immunizations you or your family members are due for.
Protect yourself and your loved ones before the cold weather sets in. See you there! 💙🩺
Do you want to join Music Ministry?
/Cantors (all ages)
Lead songs at Masses. Can sing individually or in small groups. Rehearsals 30 minutes before Mass and/or during the week.
Instrumentalists
Play and accompany songs for masses. Rehearsals 30 minutes before mass and/or during the week.
Adult Choir (Fall through Spring)
Sing at the 9am Mass. Wednesday Rehearsals 7pm-8:15pm.
Youth Choir (Fall through Spring)
Sing at the 11am Mass. Rehearsals 45 minutes before Mass and/or during the week.
Handbell Choir (all ages) (Fall through Spring)
Play once a month with the summer off. Wednesday Rehearsals 6pm-6:50pm.
For more information, please see Jonathan after Mass or reach out!
Jonathan Kim, Director of Music
847-726-4729 - jkim@stfrancislz.org
We are the Lord’s
/24th Sunday of Ordinary Time
We are the Lord’s
“For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:8). These words of St. Paul are poignant and powerful.
The motto for Carmel Catholic High School is Belong, Believe, Become. I’m very fond of that slogan. There’s great spiritual breadth and depth to such a maxim. In the life of missionary discipleship, the journey starts with belonging. Before the catechesis and training, before identifying goals and benchmarks, before trying to reach the next level, the Christian first starts with a sense of belonging. It is in knowing that I have friendship with Christ, I am in relationship with the Lord, I belong to Him that makes all the difference and changes everything. If I know that my identity stems from Christ, if I know who I am and whose I am, then I will be able to believe: to grow in faith, knowledge and wisdom, and therefore become all that God calls me to be as I put my faith into action.
St. Paul teaches that, simply put, we belong to God! Our living and our dying, our entire existence and every aspect of it therein, everything belongs to Christ our Lord, and it is God who we ultimately answer to – since we belong to him. That’s the Good News! At St. Francis de Sales, my motto can very well be: “We are the Lord’s.” Here, as members of the Church, the Body of Christ, we are proud to profess the lordship of Jesus Christ over every aspect and dimension of our lives, our being, our parish. To God be the glory.
“We are the Lord’s.” As one family in Christ, belonging to the one Lord, indeed we, too, celebrate its members. In the words of St. Paul: “if one part [of the body] is honored, all the parts share its joy” (1 Corinthians 12:26b).
Just over a week ago, on September 1st, Fr. Gerald Walsh joined our parish community as the Associate Pastor.
I am delighted to have Fr. Gerald here. I have known him for over 10 years and he is an exceptional priest who indeed witnesses to the truth that we belong to God, and God loves us. Since arriving, he has spent time meeting parishioners and families, parish staff and school faculty, and visiting the sick to celebrate the Sacraments. In addition, Fr. Gerald has been engaged with our school community, greeting students and encouraging them on their journey of faith. Please join me in welcoming Fr. Gerald and keeping him in our prayers. I know he looks forward to serving at St. Francis de Sales, helping us to grow in our relationship with God.
Another cause for joy is that a member of our very own parish community has entered the seminary system for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Andrew Kowalski is from St. Francis de Sales parish, receiving his Sacraments here. Currently, he is in the Propaedeutic or Spirituality Year, the year of discernment made prior to entering into philosophical and theological studies at Mundelein Seminary. As a part of this formation stage, Andrew resides at the Bishop Quarter House located right next to Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. There, Andrew is able to focus on the human and spiritual foundations of his vocation, within the framework of having intentional community and a consistent rhythm of prayer. When Andrew has a free weekend or is back in town during a semester break, he looks forward to worshiping with us at his home parish. Please keep Andrew as well as our Teaching Parish assigned seminarians (Alex, Ben and Will) in your prayers.
Wishing you God’s peace and everything good; we are the Lord’s –
Fr. Christian Shiu
Administrator
YOGA has resumed!
/Yoga with Laurie has returned for the 2026 season!
MONDAY mornings 9:15am in the MINISTRY CENTER
Questions? Call the parish office 847.438.6622
Are you interested in becoming a Minister of Care?
/Are you interested in becoming a Minister of Care?
Basic Ministry of Care Training Course will be offered on two occasions this fall.
Saturday, October 3, 2026 at AdventHealth LaGrange Hospital from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Lunch will be provided during the free training.
OR
Two Saturdays, October 17th & 24th at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Glenview from 8:30am – 1pm. You must attend both Saturday training sessions for this offering!
A final Session, “How It’s Done in Your Parish” will be required after one of these training sessions is fully completed and you are certified.
If you are interested in partaking in this outreach, please reach out to Deacon Tom to get registered! (847)438-6622
St. Vincent de Paul MORNING FOOD Harvesters Needed!
/MORNING FOOD Harvesters Needed!
When: Monday – Thursday mornings (approx. 2 hours/day)
Requirement: Must be able to lift heavy boxes
Your help ensures fresh food reaches local families in need across our community. Interested or have questions? Email volunteer@svdplz.org
FREE Breakfast & Meet Fr Gerald!
/The 2nd Sunday of each month the Knights of Columbus - Queen of Peace Council host a FREE Breakfast!
Come one, come all, come hungry for a great breakfast!
Join us after 9am Mass for a FREE pancake & sausage meal down in Fr Valker Hall!
Fall Mass Schedule | Sunday 5pm is Back!
/Weekend Masses
Saturday Vigil 5pm
Sundays 7am, 9am, 11am & 5pm
9am is live streamed on YouTube & Facebook
11am is also broadcasted to the West Parking Lot
Daily Mass
Monday - Friday
8:30am Mass
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Noon Communion Service
Saturday
8:30am Communion Service
