“Thy will be done”
We have been praying a lot for the Renew My Church process: for St. Mary of the Angels, the three other parishes in our grouping, as well as for the whole Archdiocese of Chicago: we introduced the Renew My Church prayer into our Mass petitions four or five years ago,...
how to celebrate first holy communion
Along with Godparents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, parents educate your children in the Faith. Your example means everything to them: attending Sunday Mass each week expresses your faith, thanking God for the greatest gift his love could give: to receive him in...
The celebration of the Eucharist
No one may share the Eucharist with us unless he believes that what we teach is true, unless he is washed in the regenerating waters of baptism for the remission of his sins, and unless he lives in accordance with the principles given us by Christ. We do not consume...
Renew My Church: Each One Discerning his Own Mission
The grouping team from St. John Berchmans, St. Hedwig, St. Aloysius, and St. Mary of the Angels presented our feedback report to the Renew My Church Commission. Now it is in the hands of the Cardinal and his teams. As we await our decision, let’s continue praying and...
Renew My Church: Let us Dream
Our four parishes ended the grouping team meetings of Renew My Church with a quote from Pope Francis: “I dream of a ‘missionary option,’ that is, a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and...
Easter letter
Easter 2021 Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Mary of the Angels, Abraham accompanied his only son, Isaac, as he carried the wood up Mount Moriah—Calvary. There Abraham would tie his son to the wood to sacrifice him. As he raised the knife to slay him, an angel...
Palm Sunday: Christ’s Kingship
In the first Gospel, we reenact our Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, when he rides in triumphantly, seated on a donkey. This was foreshadowed when David had his son Solomon mount his royal donkey and ride into Jerusalem to take possession of his kingship. So...
Renew My Church: Come Holy Spirit
The grouping teams from the four parishes have embraced the task and, taking with them your feedback, they are beginning to dream and listen to the Holy Spirit. Let’s listen to Pope Francis who, in his recent book for the Church experiencing the pandemic, Let us...
Renew My Church: Do St. Mary of the Angels and St. Aloysius fit?
I have been reflecting on the possible scenarios—I hope you have too as we need your feedback. These reasons have come to mind on why I think it could be a good fit: 1. Both parishes now serve a majority of commuters, yet leadership teams from both parishes see the...
Renew My Church: Scenarios
Our grouping team has been meeting with a facilitator and the other grouping teams from St. Aloysius, St. Hedwig, and St. John Berchmans. After reviewing the strengths and challenges of the Bucktown, Wicker Park, and east Logan Square, we were presented with the...