15th Annual McHenry County Catholic Prayer Breakfast

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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"

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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!

All Souls’ Day Mass of Remembrance | Monday, November 2nd - 7PM in the church

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In our Catholic tradition, the month of November is dedicated to praying for our loved ones who have died, especially on November 2nd, the Commemoration of All Souls.

All who grieve the loss of someone special—whether recently or years ago—are invited to gather in prayer and hope in the Resurrection. Together with the St. Francis de Sales Bereavement Ministry we reach out in a particular way to parents, siblings, and families who have lost a child.

  • Memory Table & Candle Lighting: To remember those we mourn in a tangible way, you are invited to bring a framed photo or small keepsake to place on the Memory Table prior to Mass and candles will also be lit in prayer as part of this Mass.

  • Fellowship: Following Mass, please join members of the Forever in Our Hearts group and Bereavement Ministers in the Gathering Space for light refreshments, conversation, and mutual support.

All parents, family members, and supportive friends are welcome. If you have any questions, please contact the Parish Office 847-438-6622 parishoffice@stfrancislz.org

Hallow Parish Week: "Rebuild My Church" Prayer Challenge

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Over 800 years ago, St. Francis of Assisi knelt in a crumbling chapel and heard Jesus say, "Rebuild My Church."

In this 800th anniversary year of his passing into eternal life, St. Francis de Sales invites our entire community to unite in prayer for Hallow Parish Week. Starting October 5, 2026, our parish is joining hundreds of Catholic parishes across the country for the 7-day "Rebuild My Church" challenge on the Hallow app!

Discover How Jesus Rebuilds His Church

These seven days invite us to reflect on how Jesus transforms the world—not through massive programs or grand strategies, but through the ordinary, holy lives of everyday people.

Each day journeys through the inspiring story of a saint who answered that call in their own time and circumstance:

  • St. Francis of Assisi

  • Mother Teresa

  • Carlo Acutis

  • Elizabeth Ann Seton

  • Jan Tyranowski

  • Pier Giorgio Frassati

  • Anna Maria Taigi

An Invitation for Everyone

Join Fr. Christian Shiu as he guides our parish family through this shared week of reflection.

Whether you sit in the pews every Sunday or haven’t walked through the church doors in years, this challenge will help you discover that Jesus is still actively building His Church—and He invites each of us to become part of His story.

How to Participate

  1. Download or open the Hallow app on your phone or tablet.

  2. Search for the "Rebuild My Church" Parish Challenge.

  3. Select St. Francis de Sales Parish and pray along with us each day!

Pray with us on Hallow today!

Godparents' Day 2026

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St. Francis de Sales Parish would like to celebrate, honor, encourage and bless this special relationship between godparents and godchildren. Godparents can be wonderful Catholic role models and can journey alongside their godchildren. Godchildren can look to their godparents for wisdom on the importance that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit can have in their lives.

If you are a godparent, please invite your godchildren. If you are a godchild, please invite your godparents. If your godparent(s) or godchild(ren) have passed away into the light, you can still honor them by bringing their prayer card or a picture. After each Mass, we will offer refreshments in the Gathering Space. You won’t want to miss the famous blueberry pancakes at the Pancake Breakfast in Valker Hall, too! What a wonderful way to say ‘thank you,’ rekindle your relationship and highlight the spiritual importance of godparents.

Please call with any questions.

Holy Week Schedule 2026

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Reconciliation Schedule

9-11am & 5-7pm

Monday, March 30th

Tuesday, March 31st

Wednesday, April 1st

Holy Thursday

No Reconciliations

7pm Holy Thursday Mass

11pm Night Prayer

Good Friday

No Reconciliations

Noon Stations of the Cross [Bilingual]

12:30-2:25pm Tre Ore/Seven Last Words

3pm Service of the Passion

7pm Tenebrae

Holy Saturday

No Reconciliations

Noon & 1pm Blessing of Easter Baskets

7pm Easter Vigil Mass

Easter Sunday Masses

6:30am, 8am, 9:30am [streamed], 11am [broadcasted], & 12:30pm