Parish Consultation at St Francis de Sales Parish

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We Need Your Wisdom!

Please take some time in the next week to respond to this Priest Placement Board survey. You may choose to answer online through the link below or use the paper surveys available in the Church and Ministry Center. Completed paper surveys can be dropped off at the Ministry Center where we will enter them for you.

All responses are due by March 10th, 2026

PARISH CONSULTATION AT ST. FRANCIS DE SALES

Upon the retirement of Fr. David Ryan in February of 2026, Cardinal Cupich will be appointing a new pastor to St. Francis de Sales Parish. The process of selecting that priest involves a great deal of prayer, research, discernment and discussion. One of the important groups in this process is the Priest Placement Board (PPB). This group advises Cardinal Cupich on candidates for pastor based on the talents and skills of the priest-candidates in light of the strengths and challenges of the parishes in the pastor pool. The PPB is composed of nine priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago who serve full-time as pastors or associate pastors, one of the members is retired. The work of the PPB is directed by Fr. Michael Knotek, the Vicar for the Professional and Pastoral Development of Priests who does this work full-time along with the ongoing formation for priests.

In order to gain wisdom from parish staff and parish leaders about the skills and talents needed in your next pastor, the PPB will be conducting a Parish Consultation at St. Francis de Sales on February 26, 2026. Two members of the PPB will facilitate two meetings, one with the staff and the other with the Parish Council Members and Finance Committee. These discussions are very important to give the Priests Placement Board insight about St. Francis de Sales and the capabilities needed in your next pastor.

The wisdom from the parishioners is also extremely important in the pastor selection process. To gather that wisdom, a form will be made available to parishioners to answer the following questions which the staff and lay leadership will also address in their discussions:

  • What are the strengths of your parish? What is working very well presently?

  • What are the specific challenges your parish is currently facing?

  • What current ministries and programs in your parish are vitally important and must continue in order for the parish to remain vibrant and grow?

  • What programs for parish renewal and evangelization are currently in place at your parish?

  • What are the specific and unique skills, talents and capabilities needed in your next pastor?

These parishioner input forms will continue to be gathered until March 10, 2026. The discernment process leads up to a two day meeting in March of 2026 whereby Cardinal Cupich gathers all of the input from the Parish Consultations and meets with the Vicar General, all the Auxiliary Bishops, the Priests Placement Board members, and other key personnel at the Archdiocese to make his decision about who he will appoint to be the next pastor of St. Francis de Sales as well as pastors for the other parishes in the pastor pool this year. Please pray for the continued guidance of the Holy Spirit to help identify the next pastoral leader of St. Francis de Sales.

TAKE THE SURVEY HERE

Paper forms available at the Ministry Center & Church

Workshops of Hope: Mental Health Wellness Series

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We our excited to invite you to our Mental Health Wellness Series, created in partnership with Advocate Health. 

Many of us have heard about the importance of Mental Wellness.  These three sessions are designed to aid our understanding so we can help ourselves and others.  Join us as we learn ways to connect, discover tools and grow in hope as we journey with those we care about.  

You may sign up for one or all three sessions.  

See flyer for more information and dates in October and November.

You can register online or print the attached form and bring it to the Ministry Center. More paper forms are available in the church and the Ministry Center.  

REGISTER ONLINE HERE
PAPER REGISTRATION

Fr Ryan Announcement

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To our fellow St. Francis de Sales community,

Today has been difficult for all of us. We ask for your prayers for Fr. Ryan and everyone at our parish.  

We would like to assure our community that the parish staff is united and working together to continue the important ministries of the parish that serve your needs. As disciples of Christ, we will strive to place our trust in God and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

As we move forward, please know that:

  • Fr. Steven Lanza has been assigned as administrator of the parish until we have a final outcome. He will work with the parish staff and Deacons to ensure Masses and other sacraments continue without interruption.

  • During this time, there will likely be different priests who make themselves available to serve our parish. Please welcome them and show your appreciation for their service. 

  • As stated in the letter from Cardinal Cupich, “...the Archdiocese has begun its investigation, with the presumption that one is innocent until proven otherwise." 

  • We know that prayer is extremely important, and in the near future, we hope to make plans to gather and pray for Fr. Ryan, our parish, and for every person affected by this situation.

  • If you would like to reach out to Father Ryan, cards and letters can be dropped at the Ministry Center or at church during the collection at Sunday Masses.

Please know that we will share additional details as they become available. During this time, the parish staff and Deacons remain available to help. Please call the Parish Office (847) 438-6622, and we will do our best to help you. 

The St Francis de Sales Parish Staff