Virtual Bulletin
get the scoop on the latest going-ons at our parish
First Staff Day with Fr Christian
/On his first day, July 1st, Ministry Center and School staff joined together with Fr Christian for lunch and prayer. We read Matthew 8:23-27 together and prayed and reflected on Christ’s presence in the storm.
Fr Christian brought his print of Rembrandt’s “Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee”. We shared ways we are reminded to turn to Jesus and trust that He is with us always.
Church Background: Day Chapel & Tabernacle
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An important decision in church design is the location of the tabernacle. We designed the church with a separate area where we can say Mass when there are fewer congregants. We use this for the weekday morning Masses. When we do this, the faithful who are participating aren’t spread out through our large church. With that decision, our liturgical consultant recommended that the tabernacle be placed in the Daily Mass Chapel. This provides a smaller space for those who want to pray before the Eucharist in a more intimate setting. It allows the reserved Eucharist be used for daily Mass and for a communion service. Many of us grew up in churches that had the tabernacle behind the main altar, and it takes some getting used to having the tabernacle placed in this location. But it provides a reverent and beautiful space to pray with Jesus in the Eucharist.
Walking Together
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Walking Together
St. Francis de Sales would resort to writing notes teaching and explicating the Catholic faith on sheets of paper, slipping them under doors. That was the only way he might hope to re-evangelize in Geneva. The Catholic Revival didn’t come easy for St. Francis, but he had a resolve and resiliency to forge ahead, to walk together with others, in gentleness and love.
Walking together in the spiritual life is pivotal. We find countless examples from Sacred Scripture: Jesus instructs the apostles to walk together in pairs, as he sends them out as those who share in his mission (cf. Mark 6:7); later, Jesus will call forth the seventy-two who will also participate in the mission, they, too, are to walk together in pairs (cf. Luke 10:1); or think of that monumental and momentous Resurrection day, when Cleopas and the other disciple are walking together with the Risen Lord Jesus on the Road to Emmaus (cf. Luke 24:13-35). If we flip back to the Old Testament, we discover equally compelling examples of walking together: Naomi and Ruth in their pact of true friendship, Enoch and Noah, both depicted in the Book of Genesis as righteous ones who walked with God. Even the psalmist who writes “under his wings you may take refuge” absolutely believed that the Lord – in whom refuge is found – was walking together with him (cf. Ps. 91:4).
This past week, I had the opportunity to visit the University of Notre Dame for some rest and reflection. One of my fondest memories was praying at the Grotto. There, I saw people walking together in faith, young and old, parents with their children hand-in-hand, college students, summer camp kids, visitors and tourists. Above all, in the midst of the sacred silence, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit, allowing this concept of walking together to become tangible in the unity of the human family – because we are all looking for something, we are all yearning for something; we are all desiring something to settle and satisfy our restless hearts. Indeed, how wonderful that people walk together toward Christ, seeking the aid and intercession of Our Lady who leads us to ever deeper friendship with her Son.
As the new Pastor of St. Francis de Sales, I am deeply honored to have the privilege of walking together with you in your unique human experiences: the worries, challenges and concerns, goals and aspirations, hopes and dreams. That’s all okay! I pledge to walk with you and to point us to Christ so that we may find hope in Him and in each other. At the Corby Hall residence for Holy Cross priests and brothers, right before entering the Holy Spirit Chapel, the seal of the order is stamped on the floor; it reads “Spes Unica”. That means: our only Hope. Indeed, the direction in which we will walk together is Christ – Christ through his saving work of Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension is the only source of our Hope! And it is having hope that enables us to move forward, to take that next step, even when we are uncertain, because we trust that God is with us and God loves us. If we ever need reminding of the love of God, let us gaze upon the Cross: there we see love outstretched and open to all, a new and eternal covenant that our parish continues to share with others through mission and evangelization.
St. Francis de Sales wrote notes and letters; I will, too, in the medium of a new pastor’s column entitled “Eagle’s Landing” that will appear each week in the bulletin. In the days, months, and years to come, I look forward to using this platform as a way to communicate and share faith, news, and ideas. I am also eager to engage in avenues and events that will afford us the opportunity to meet, for you to share your faith, news, and ideas with me, and for me to listen.
As we walk together with Our Lady’s guidance, be assured of my prayers as I remain –
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Christian Shiu
Administrator
ACA REPORT FOR OUR PARISH - JUNE 2026
/ACA REPORT FOR OUR PARISH
JUNE 2026 REPORT
June 2026
Donor Count 201
Goal $114,142.40
Amount Pledged $99,586.12
Amount Paid $86,686.11
Balance Due $12,900.01
June 2025
Donor Count 339
Goal $104,221.12
Amount Pledged $177,496.70
Amount Paid $143,422.20
Balance Due $34,074.50
Church Background: Pews & Chairs
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As you know we have both pews and chairs for seating in our church. When we were designing the new church, the design committee wondered what seating would be best for our congregation, so we did a survey. We asked if there should be kneelers in church and 95% said they preferred kneelers. We have installed kneelers at almost every seat. Then we asked if the parish preferred pew or chair seating. The results were 70% preferred pews and 30% liked chairs. So, we decided to put both pews and chair seats in church. We hope you have found your favorite seat in church, whether it is a pew or chair, and are comfortable as you join in prayer with others.
Church Background: Entry Doors
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Have ever noticed that we have two sets of main doors entering our Gathering Space. We can come into church through the East or the West doors. When we were designing the church, it became apparent that because we seat 900 people, we needed to provide 300 parking spaces. The only way was to have parking on both the East side and the West side of the school. Two parking lots led to two main entrances. It has worked out so we don’t enter church walking alongside others, but instead we see other parishioners coming in the facing set of doors. We see one another and we often stop to visit in our Gathering Space. This greeting of others and joining in conversation builds our faith community. Having two entrance doors has led to more interaction and more fellowship in our parish. It is a reason that we are known as a “welcoming” community.
Bride's Room Transformation
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Thank You Mike Skarzynski for Updating the Bride’s Room!
The room will now be used for the Greeters and Altar Servers to check in for their shifts along with other ministries as needed!
Church Background: Picking Materials
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Members of the design committee visited many churches and made note of what we liked and what ideas we would not use in our new church. We contracted with Ware and Associates of Rockford to be our architects, and Father John Buscemi to be our liturgical consultant. In our meetings, we decided that the church should look like the homes we lived in. We wanted to use wood, brick, and glass to make the church space beautiful and comfortable. We loved stained glass, but our budget didn’t allow for it. We especially wanted good “sight lines”. So, our church design puts the front pews only 20 feet from the priest during Mass. And the last pews are only 90 feet away from the presider. At this distance, the worshipper can see the facial expressions of the priest and vice versa. This led to our almost semi-circle design of our seating.
Consecration of our Country to the Sacred Heart
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Our U.S. Bishops will consecrate the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The consecration is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 11, on the eve of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Friday, June 12).
Watch the Livestream of the Consecration, which will take place in the context of a Votive Mass on June 11, in Orlando, with all the bishops gathered in Plenary Assembly. https://www.youtube.com/@UsccbOrg/streams
Read the reflection on why: https://www.usccb.org/reflection-consecration-sacred-heart
Watch the video on why: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIr884JEjx4
Read and reflect upon Dilexit Nos (He Loved Us) https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/20241024-enciclica-dilexit-nos.html, on the human and divine love in the Heart of Jesus Christ, and Delixi Te (I Have Loved You) https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/apost_exhortations/documents/20251004-dilexi-te.html, which follows and continues on love for the poor.
Build Your Daily Prayer Routine with Hallow
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Build Your Daily Prayer Routine with Hallow
(Open the app, click on Discover and type in one of the names below. After you have prayed the first session, click on the three dots next to the title. A list of options will appear. Select “Add to Routine” and the Session will appear in your Routine - aligned with the time you entered it. If you would like to pray at a different time, select Edit in the upper right-hand corner and change the time associated with the Session.)
Daily Contemplation – Guide: Fr. Timothy Gallagher – TRT 10 – 15 mins
Daily Examen – Guide: Various – TRT 5 – 15 mins
Daily Exegesis – Guide: Logical Bible Study – TRT 15 – 3 mins
Daily Gospel – Guide: Lectio Divina – TRT 5 – 30 mins
Daily Holy Spirit – Guide: Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR – TRT 3 – 6 mins
Daily Homily – Guide: Various – TRT 8 – 15 mins
Daily Leadership – Guide: Dan Cellucci – TRT 3 mins
Daily Meditation – Guide: Various – TRT 5 – 30 mins
Daily Minute – Guide: Fr. Frankie Cicero – TRT – 3 mins
Daily Miracle – Guide: Lectio Divina – TRT 4 – 12 mins
Daily Reflections – Guide: Jeff Cavins – TRT 9 – 15 mins
Daily Rosary – Guide: Various – TRT: 20 – 3- mins
Daily Saint – Guide: Various – TRT 3 – 10 mins
Daily St. Paul – Guide: Jonathan Roumie – TRT: 4 – 9 mins
Daily Virtue – Guide: Sr. Mary Bethany O.P. – TRT 3 mins
Hallowed Be Thy Day – Guide: Lisa Cotter – TRT 8 mins
Help Us Welcome Fr Christian & Fr Gerald!
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To help our new priests settle into the parish rectory, we are hosting a virtual housewarming! Following some standard routine updates to the house, we want to ensure they have everything they need for a wonderful fresh start.
We are inviting parishioners to contribute financially toward stocking the rectory with new essentials, including towels, bedding, kitchen items, and cleaning tools.
If you would like to contribute to their housewarming, please TEXT “Rectory” and the amount you would like to donate to 847-443-9997. IE: “Rectory 100”. You can also drop a donation in the church baskets or at theMinistry Center - just write "Rectory" on the envelope.
Any questions, please reach out to the parish office.
Thank you for your beautiful spirit of hospitality!
Please join us for the 2026 Jubilee Garden Season!
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Come volunteer in the St. Francis de Sales Jubilee Garden this season!
8 to 10am on Saturday mornings through November
We’d love to have you join our Jubilee Garden!
Come when you can — no weekly commitment required
Drop in anytime between 8 AM and 10 AM
Stay for an hour or the whole morning — it’s up to you!
Just wear clothes you can get dirty and bring garden gloves
Tools are provided as well as guidance so don’t be concerned you know nothing about gardening— just bring your willing spirit!
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just curious, we welcome all helping hands. Help us care for this special place of growth and reflection. Questions? Contact Sharon Fredrickson at sfred.sfdsjg@gmail.com or 847-643-6633 — or just show up!
Welcome Father Gerald Walsh
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He will join us September 1st, 2026
Father Gerald G. Walsh, 56, was born in Chicago and attended Our Lady of Lourdes School and Quigley North Preparatory Seminary. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in philosophy at Niles College of Loyola University and a doctorate in ministry at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.
He was associate pastor of St. James, Arlington Heights (1995-1996); St. George, Tinley Park (1996-2001); and St. Francis Borgia (2001-2005) before joining the faculty at Quigley Preparatory Seminary (2005-2007) and then serving as director of recruitment and formation at St. Joseph College Seminary (2007-2011). He was associate pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Glenview (2011-2014) before being named pastor of Prince of Peace, Lake Villa (2014-2026). He will join us as associate pastor at St. Francis de Sales, Lake Zurich in September 2026.
Bio shared from May 20, 2020 Chicago Catholic article “Chicagoland Archdiocesan priests celebrate ordination anniversaries”
Confirmation Registration OPEN for 2026!
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Are you in high school and want to get confirmed?
Join us for our 2 year High School Confirmation Preparation Program!
This program is designed for Freshmen & Sophomores in High School, but Juniors & Seniors can also register!
2026-27 Registration Now Open! Classes start in September
Questions? Contact Diana Arizmendi at darizmendi@stfrancislz.org or 847.726.4842