Bob Lanigan to Receive Ministry of Acolyte
This Sunday, our Deacon Candidate Bob Lanigan will receive the Ministry of Acolyte at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception on the campus of Mundelein Seminary.
This ministry will commission Bob and his 11 classmates to:
• Assist Priests, Deacons and Bishops in carrying out the celebration of the Eucharist
• Be Eucharistic Ministers and Ministers of Care
• Because they are uniquely called to this ministry, they should strive to live more fully by the Lord’s example given to us in the Gospel and seek more fully to be molded in His likeness
• They should seek to understand the deep spiritual meaning of what they do to offer themselves daily to God as spiritual sacrifices acceptable to Him through Jesus Christ.
Bob has been in formation for Ordination to the Office of Permanent Deacon for two and a half years now. He and his wife Kristin participate regularly in academic and formation activities including Sacramental Theology, Foundations of Catholic Doctrine, Moral Theology, Liturgy, Homiletics, Spiritual Theology and Deacon Roles in Renew My Church. He and Kristin have made retreats and this year Bob will participate in a series of field education experiences centered around Baptisms, Weddings and the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
Currently there are 550 active Deacons in the Archdiocese of Chicago including our own Deacon Dennis Brown and his wife Marge. There are 61 men and their wives, including Bob and Kristin, in Formation and Diaconal studies.
Bob seeks to be ordained in 2025.
Please join me in prayerful support of Bob and Kristin as they continue this very important preparation.
Be More
Next weekend and then on the following Wednesday evening, November 15, we welcome Erin Maiorca to continue our Ignatian Spiritual Fitness Program.
Erin will be focusing on Be More … Aware — primarily through offering different prayer methods that will aid us all in discovering what will be best to challenge us to grow stronger spiritually. Deepening and expanding prayer forms will lay a foundation for the wondrous encounters of the abundant love of Christ that lies ahead. All of this will deepen our awareness of God in all things.
Annual Report Follow Up
If you didn’t hear the Annual Report presentation at Mass last weekend, please go to the website or pick up a copy of the bulletin that contains the details. One thing I neglected to mention in my presentation is the encouragement for you to serve in one our many ministries AS A FAMILY. I am confident that such service will strengthen your family and ours
Migrant Donation Drive
The number of migrants arriving in Chicago continues to rise. There is a growing need for supplies, especially for the families being housed in Chicago police stations. At all Masses the weekend of November 11/12, specific donation items will be accepted. Please see the Human Concerns page and the website for these most needed items as well as additional information. As always, I thank you for your generosity and compassion toward migrants in our midst.