Virtual Bulletin
get the scoop on the latest going-ons at our parish
15th Annual McHenry County Catholic Prayer Breakfast
/
15th Annual McHenry County Catholic Prayer Breakfast 🕊️🥞
Join fellow Catholics from across the area for a morning of prayer, community, and inspiring speakers at the Fifteenth Annual McHenry County Catholic Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, October 31st, 2026!
Featured Keynote Speakers
Kevin Matthews (Radio Legend, Author, & Speaker): A household name across Chicago airwaves in the '80s and '90s, Kevin saw his life shift dramatically following a debilitating illness. At the height of his trial, encountering a broken statue of the Virgin Mary led to a profound spiritual awakening. Today, self-described as "Mary's Roadie," he shares a powerful witness of inspiration, healing, and hope.
Monsignor Michael J.K. Fuller (General Secretary of the USCCB): A priest of the Diocese of Rockford and an accomplished theologian, Msgr. Fuller serves as the General Secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. He brings deep insight, pastoral wisdom, and leadership from the heart of the Church in America.
Event Schedule & Locations
7:30 AM – Holy Mass
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church
1023 McHenry Ave, Crystal Lake, IL
9:00 AM – Breakfast & Speaker Program
Holiday Inn Chicago NW Crystal Lake
800 S. IL Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL
Ticket & Registration Information
Individual Tickets: $40
Tables of 10: $350
Sponsorships: Sponsorship opportunities are available.
Families Welcome: Complimentary onsite babysitting is available with advance online registration!
Space is limited and seats will sell out, so be sure to reserve your tickets early!
Register Online: Visit McHenryCountyCatholics.org or scan the QR code on the flyer.
Questions / Contact: Call 815-263-5628 or email mccpb2011@gmail.com.
Facebook: Follow along at McHenryCountyCatholicPrayerBreakfast.
Magnificat Prayer Breakfast: "God’s Healing Power"
/
Women of the parish and community are warmly invited to gather for an uplifting morning of fellowship, worship, and testimony at the upcoming Magnificat Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
Sponsored by the Magnificat, Mary ~ Mother of the Eucharist, McHenry IL Chapter (a ministry to Catholic women), this gathering offers a wonderful opportunity to be renewed in faith and enjoy breakfast with friends.
Event Details
Theme: "God's Healing Power"
When: Saturday, November 7, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church (Seton Hall), 1023 McHenry Avenue, Crystal Lake, IL
Features: Inspiring testimony, shared prayer, breakfast, and live music
Keynote Speaker: Judy Truett
We are blessed to welcome Judy Truett as our keynote speaker. Judy brings an amazing testimony grounded in over 50 years of service across various Catholic ministries. She will share her heartfelt journey as a mother navigating her daughter’s childhood cancer and disabilities, walking through widowhood, witnessing miracles, and encountering God’s deep healing power through it all.
Reservations & Information
Bring a friend, sister, or mother to share in this special morning!
To Reserve Your Spot: Scan the Reservations QR code on the flyer or click https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/SWKLKKJJYYVQ4
Baby Bottle Collection Begins Oct 24/25th
/
Pick up your bottle to fill on the weekend of Oct 24/25
With Thanksgiving, Make Your Requests Known to God
/
27th Sunday of Ordinary Time
With Thanksgiving, Make Your Requests Known to God
“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
Paul writes his letter to the people of Philippi (modern day Greece) while in prison. At this point, around 62 AD, Paul had completed his three missionary journeys; he had been arrested in Jerusalem and sent to Rome for imprisonment (cf., Acts 28:16; 30). While living under arrest, Paul continues to make the kerygmatic proclamation. He speaks to the Philippians passionately about having humility and a spirit of thanksgiving; he also spends a great deal of time talking about joy. (Paul mentions “joy” about 16 times in the four short chapters that comprise the Letter to the Philippians.) And while in prison! You may think one would be downtrodden and discouraged, sad and sulky. Not Paul: why? Paul has surrendered himself to the Lordship of Christ. Paul understands that true joy comes from justification in Christ. To be justified in Christ means to not just be forgiven of all our sins, but rather it means to claim the title of adoption, to become an adopted child of God whereby his Divine Life is infused within us. To have everlasting friendship with God, and to know that I am a result of God’s friendship, as Paul did, is to experience spiritual joy. It is within this framework that we pray, calling God “Abba”. I’m always fascinated with Philippians 4:6, because this particular verse is bold and exudes a calm, collected confidence. Have no anxiety – even when you’ve hit rock bottom (like Paul) – but rather pray, turn to prayer – make your petitions known to God, already with thanksgiving. But why with thanksgiving? Paul is taking a proactive stance. Even before knowing what will happen in the future or how God will answer prayer, you can count on God, you can trust that He will make a way, and you can be assured that the way God will answer prayer is truly the way we need it answered. Therefore, even before the final result is in, as we make our prayer requests known to God, be thankful, be grateful. God will provide!
Speaking of trusting in God’s provision as beloved children of God, I have been in contact with Pastor Dave Mudd of The Hope Collective Church in Lake Zurich. As you may know, they recently sustained a fire in their lobby that caused a great amount of damage, including destroying most of their food pantry. Sincerely yours in Christ, hile renovation and repairs continue to be underway, the congregation has been able to return to in-person worship in their gymnasium. Hopefully, thanks to the support and aid of many, Hope Collective will be able to return to normal operations in just a few weeks. I have assured Pastor Mudd, on behalf of St. Francis de Sales, of our prayers and support. Please continue to keep them in your prayers; they are a community steadfast in their faith! In a recent sermon preached by Pastor Mudd on “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3a), he emphasized the importance of radical trust in God. When you are feeling poor, let your requests be known to God, with thanksgiving, for the Lord will make a way out of no way. In other words, thank God now for what He will do! To that extent, Pastor Mudd highlighted the spiritual principle that when you are poor in spirit, in fact, try to give more of yourself in service to another, and you will not be disappointed.
Make your requests known: The Jubilee Garden! As you know, our wonderful Jubilee Garden ministry, led by Sharon Fredrickson, is currently located in the area of Route 22 and Quentin Road. We have been blessed to be able to use that land to house this parish ministry over the years. However, the landowners will be selling that property. Therefore, a request was made to relocate the Jubilee Garden to our very own backyard, here at St. Francis de Sales! In consultation with others, I have accepted that proposal and I am pleased to announce that the Jubilee Garden will be established adjacent to (north of) the school playground. Currently, we are in the process of moving equipment to the parish grounds. More details will be provided in the future. This is an exciting moment for us to have this garden ministry on-site, which will provide for formative educational experiences for our school and religious education children as well as Christian service opportunities.
With thanksgiving, I remain –
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Christian Shiu
Administrator
2026 Season Jubilee Garden Team
Help Every Kid Have a Halloween to Remember! 🎃👻✨
/
St. Francis de Sales is partnering with Joanie’s Closet (District 95) for a community Costumes for Kids Drive organized by parishioner Charlie Grund!
We are collecting new or gently used Halloween costumes to distribute to local families in need during the Gift of Love sign-up event. Help us ensure every child in our community can experience the fun and excitement of dressing up this Halloween!
🗓️ Collection Dates: October 4 – October 16
📍 Drop-Off Bin Locations:
St. Francis de Sales Ministry Center: 135 S. Buesching Rd (Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
St. Francis de Sales Parish School
District 95 Administration Building: 832 S. Rand Rd (Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Look for the designated collection bins at each location!
📬 Questions? Contact Charlie Grund at cgrund23@gmail.com.
Thank you for your generous support and for sharing the joy of the season with our neighbors in need! 🧡🦇
St. Carlos Acutis Traveling Exhibit coming to Lake County
/
This beautiful Exhibit is come to St Mary of the Annunciation on the weekend of Oct 10/11!
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.
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! 💙🩺
Growing Together: St. Viator Fall Basketball Clinics (Grades 6–8)
/
At St. Francis de Sales, supporting the growth of our young people extends beyond the classroom and into every arena of life—including the court. We are always proud to partner with our local Catholic high schools to share positive opportunities that help our youth build skill, character, and fellowship.
This fall, St. Viator High School is hosting basketball clinics designed specifically for boys in grades 6–8. Led by new Head Boys Basketball Coach Al Biancalana and Varsity Assistant/Theology teacher Donny Moore, these sessions give middle school players a chance to develop fundamentals, work with high school coaches, and connect with peers from across our Catholic community.
Whether your son is preparing for the upcoming parish season or curious about the high school level, these clinics are a great way to grow in sportsmanship, teamwork, and confidence.
Check the attached flyer for full session dates, times, and registration details!
St Francis de Sales Golf Invitational
/UPDATE: Our Golf Outing registration has closed! And that's great news because that means we have filled our capacity of 120 golfers! In addition, our gross income thus far is about $60,000! I am deeply moved by the generous supporters and sponsors of our important golf outing fundraiser. Thank You! - Fr Christian Shiu
St. Francis de Sales Invitational Golf Outing
All Donations Benefit SFdS School & Youth Ministry!
Monday, August 31, 2026
The Grove Country Club | 3217 IL-53, Long Grove, IL 60047
Golfers - $300 | Dinner Only - $100
AGENDA
9:00 AM Check-In and practice
11:00 AM Shotgun Start for all Golfers
12:30 PM Lunch and Beverages provided on course
4:00 PM Happy Hour
5:00 PM Buffet Dinner and Auction.
Spouses, Teachers, and Non-Golfers are encouraged to attend the dinner and auction!
FABULOUS AUCTION ITEMS
Reserved Seats for Premier Masses
Oktoberfest Private Seating
Premier Parking Reservations for Church or School
Golf Foursomes Gift Certifcates
and Prizes From Your Favorite Local Establishments!
SPONSORSHIPS:
Hole Sponsor
Beverage Cart
Cigar Roller
Foursomes
Bloody Mary
Boozy Putt
For Inquiries, Contact Mike Muir: mike@muirinsurancegroup.com
True Beauty: A one-day retreat for younger and older girls
/
True Beauty: A one-day retreat for younger and older girls to attend with their mother, guardian, or a woman role model. The day will be filled with activities, including presentations along with a fashion show, a craft, a potluck lunch, and more!
For more details or questions about this event, please contact our Director of Evangelization: Janeen Feldman at jfeldman@holyap.org or 847-885-7700, ext. 602 or you may register online at True Beauty - Holy Archangels Parish - Hoffman Estates, IL.
When: Saturday, August 22
Time: 9 AM - 3:30 PM
Where: Holy Archangels Parish - 729 Grand Canyon Street, Hoffman Estates | St. Hubert Campus | Parish Ministry Center | Club Room
Blood Drive | July 16th, 2026
/
Who benefits from blood donation?
At Versiti Blood Center of Illinois, formerly
Heartland Blood Centers, we never forget the patients who receive the blood we collect.
Every unit of blood is collected from volunteer donors who meet specific criteria and have been screened according to strict guidelines. Every unit (pint) is collected, transported,
tested and stored according to tightly-controlled procedures.
Examples of transfusion needs are:
Cancer: up to 8 units/month
Bone Marrow Transplant: up to 2 units/day
Liver Transplant: up to 100 units
Auto Accident: up to 50 units
Cardiovascular Surgery: 2-25 unit
FREE ANTIBODY TEST for every donation
BRING A PHOTO ID & MASK REQUIRED
July 16, 2026 | 2-6pm, Fr Valker Hall
Appointments are encouraged, Walk-ins welcome!