Masks Required Regardless of Vaccination Status
Suburban Cook County announced that face coverings are required in all indoor public spaces for all people over the age of 2, regardless of vaccination status. Therefore, masks are now REQUIRED indoors for all clergy, staff, volunteers and parishioners inside archdiocesan facilities in Suburban Cook County and in the City of Chicago, including Masses, liturgies and all activities/events within our parishes.
Adventures in Grace: a pilgrimage
In our 2018 strategic plan, Renew Our Church, we acknowledged the diminishing lack of participation and the disengagement in organized religion. We also acknowledged that key to our parish Mission is building and maintaining a vibrant community. The Plan clearly stated one of the outcomes: an expanded, more engaged, and spiritually committed parish community. It specifically called out actions and goals to engage new parishioners, as well as re-engage our current parishioners and stimulate volunteerism.
To support these actions, our Capital Campaign’s Case Statement included funding to develop programs for spiritual renewal and faith formation with measurable results and sustainable funding beyond initial funding. These initiatives will serve our long-term goal of sustainability and leadership in worship and faith building.
Adventures in Grace: a pilgrimage is the first such initiative, developed in collaboration with Soul Play, an independent consulting organization. The key individuals, Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson and Laura Field, have extensive experience in guiding others through their faith journey. Their energy, creativity, passion and humor are unparalleled.
Adventures in Grace is a spiritual renewal initiative inspiring all to grow in faith, hope and love through a re-imagined experience of church. Our vision for this shared experience is a renewed, inspired, inclusive and joyful parish community. We trust that this pilgrimage into the heart of our tradition will deepen both our individual and communal faith, and commitment to God and the world.
Adventures in Grace includes a series of seven provocative, personal and collective experiences steeped in Catholic tradition, progressively expressed, and centered on the gift of sacramentality. Each adventure will begin on a Sunday at all masses, followed by an event on the Wednesday evening of that week. All events will be live-streamed and available for viewing online at any time. There will also be opportunities for small-group discussions.
Participants (“travelers”) will enjoy many different, exhilarating adventures including live events, large and small group sessions, music, videos, preaching, and online activities. The pilgrimage will be an adventure into grace and the sacredness of our lives that we celebrate in the sacraments. It will be a comprehensive, communal experience involving every aspect of our community such that all existing ministries, activities and programs will be molded and shaped around the pilgrimage. All are welcome to all parts of this pilgrimage, and there are no suitcases required. Come as you are!
Our pilgrimage begins Sunday, September 26, when we introduce Adventures in Grace to all who attend our masses that weekend. We’ll celebrate the conclusion of this spiritual renewal with a homecoming June 5, 2022, at our Pentecost services. People can join us at any time for any part during the year. There is no charge, but we do appreciate your registration. It will allow us to share ongoing messages with you throughout the year.
For more information about “Adventures in Grace: a pilgrimage,” please visit our pilgrimage page on the Holy Family website. Registration will begin after September 5 via Sign-Up Genius.
Catechists
We are in need of catechists for our Family and Teen Faith students. A catechist simply put is a teacher. You do not have to be an expert in things of faith or religious to be a catechist, and you can have a significant impact on the faith development of a young person by being one. Faith classes do not meet every Sunday and you will receive resources and training that will supplement the most important criteria for being a catechist—the desire to share your faith. Please be a catechist or encourage someone else to and contact the Faith Office for more information.
Holy Family Academy
Academy classes have started and all students are in person. Enrollment is strong and we’re looking forward to a great year!