YAM Catholic Jeopardy Night

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RSVP HERE

VFW Blood Drive @ Knights of Columbus Space

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REGISTER HERE

Formation and Training for NEW EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

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 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.

Register here

Come, and You Will See

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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!

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Thursdays at 9:30am
OR Mondays at 5:30pm

Sign Up Today!

Become a Faith & Health Companion

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 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.

Sign Up Today!

Stay healthy this season—Walgreens Vaccine Clinic at SFdS!

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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! 💙🩺

Vaccine Administration Record (VAR) — Informed Consent for Vaccination ENGLISH
Vaccine Administration Record (VAR) — Informed Consent for Vaccination SPANISH

Do you want to join Music Ministry?

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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

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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

Quigley Days: September 26, 2026

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Learn more

Are you interested in becoming a Minister of Care?

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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

Where Two or Three are Gathered

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23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

The Condition of Discipleship

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). These words of Jesus within the context of dealing with one who sins communicates the Lord’s presence and nearness to the established structure of the Church. When the Church administrates collectively in the name and authority of Christ, He is there in the midst of them. This concept of “collectively” or in other words, togetherness is crucial to our understanding of ecclesiology. The Church is “One”, founded on Christ. In the words of St. Paul: “[strive] to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace, one body and one Spirit … one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all” (Ephesians 4:3-6). Therefore, in many ways, and as church father St. Cyprian of Carthage once suggested, the actual presence of Christ is contingent upon authentic unity among the members of the one body of Christ.

The Eucharist that we celebrate here at St. Francis de Sales indeed is the sacrament of unity and bond of charity. Where two or three gather in Jesus’s name, he is Really Present in the midst of them. In fact, we become what we receive: the Lord Jesus is truly in us, and the power of the Holy Spirit – a protagonist in how this miracle occurs on the altar – binds and connects all of us together in the one Christ. We have deep spiritual union with Jesus and communion with every other member of the Body of Christ who has also received the Risen Lord in the Eucharist.

A parish is defined as a stable community of Christian faithful who gather regularly to celebrate the Sacraments, finding the source and summit of worship in the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist. This makes us one: for what we have in common, most importantly, is the living communal witness of our faith in Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life.

We are blessed to welcome three seminarians into our shared experience of faith at St. Francis de Sales. Alex Klein (Diocese of Wichita), Benjamin Wemhoff (Diocese of Wichita), and William Jordan (Archdiocese of Chicago) began their assignment with us this past weekend, attending and acolyting the 9am Mass. They will continue to celebrate Sunday Mass with us, rotating Mass times and being present to meet and greet parishioners before and after Mass. In addition, for their Fall semester, Alex and Will will take on Youth Ministry, working under the direction of Diana Arizmendi. Ben will serve in the Religious Education Program under the direction of Mimi McGlauchlin. All three of them will occasionally visit our parish school and do ministry there, such as teaching a Religion class or giving a presentation to students. Additionally, Alex, Ben and Will will undertake some minister of care opportunities as well as preside at a Communion Service at our neighboring assisted living facilities. They will also attend a finance council and evangelization team meeting, and engage in other ministerial opportunities as well as special parish and school events. In terms of the length of their assignment, the vision of the Tolton Teaching Parish Program is that the seminarian remains at the same parish over the course of their formation, until they are ordained. This is a unique feature of the program, allowing the seminarian to develop continuity of relationships over the course of multiple years. I know we will be blessed by their witness of faith and ministry and for what they will also teach us. I am grateful to parish staff (and parishioners who will be asked in the future) for serving as mentors to our seminarians. Please continue to pray for Alex, Ben and Will, and count on their prayers for us!

Wishing you God’s peace and everything good, I remain –
Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Christian Shiu
Administrator

Growing Together: St. Viator Fall Basketball Clinics (Grades 6–8)

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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!

REGISTER HERE

Can I Use AI Without Losing My Soul? @ St Joe's in Libertyville

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Vicariate I parishioners are invited to a presentation, Can I Use AI Without Losing My Soul?, at St. Joseph Parish, 121 E. Maple Ave., Libertyville, on September 27, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. For information, contact Abby Daniels, Communications Director, St. Joseph Catholic Church, adaniels@stjoseph-libertyville.org.

Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we work, communicate, learn, and even how we encounter information about our faith. But as technology continues to evolve, an important question remains: How do we, as Catholics, live faithfully and intentionally in an AI world?

You are invited to come and listen to Fr. Conrad Espino and others on Sunday, September 27, 2026, 6:30 PM in the St. Joseph Koenig Center for an engaging presentation and conversation about Artificial Intelligence, the Pope’s perspective on AI, and what it means to live as a Catholic in an increasingly AI-driven world.

This event is open to everyone 7th grade and up - including teens, adults, and families! Please share and invite others to join us!

Please register at https://stjoseph-libertyville.org/events/can-i-use-ai-without-losing-my-soul

Welcome Fr Gerald Walsh!

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Please join our parish family in giving a joyful and heartfelt welcome to Fr. Gerald, our new Associate Pastor at St. Francis de Sales!

We are so blessed to have him join our pastoral team alongside Fr. Christian, and we look forward to all the gifts, wisdom, and pastoral care he will bring to our community, school, and ministries.

Be sure to say hello and introduce yourself after Mass this week. Let’s keep Fr. Gerald in our prayers as he settles in and begins his ministry here in Lake Zurich!

Here are some pictures from our Staff Luncheon the other week to welcome Fr Gerald to the team and bless Emily Moorman as she heads off to college after a summer of helping cover the front desk!