St. Mary Catholic Church

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St Mary Parish Dekalb, IL

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St. Mary Church

DeKalb, IL

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St. Mary Church DeKalb, IL

St. Mary School Don't your children deserve the best education? http://stmaryschooldekalb.com/ _blank

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On Catholic Marriage

Understanding & Promoting the Catholic Church's Teaching on Marriage
Today's Readings
- First Sunday of Advent
  
  Reading 1 IS 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7
  Responsorial Psalm PS 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
  Reading II 1 COR 1:3-9
  Gospel MK 13:33-37
rcia program

RCIA SESSIONS IN THE PRESENTATION ROOM OF THE PARISH OFFICE FROM 6:30 - 8:00

For class dates and more information, click here.
Diocesan Safe Environment Program

All parish volunteers need to complete Protecting God’s Children, undergo a background check, and read a few important documents. Please contact Mona O'Bryan at the parish office 815-758-5432 x 102 if you are unsure if you have completed all the requirements or to answer any questions you may have. Thanks for your prompt cooperation with this important US Bishop's initiative.
Extraordinary Minister and
Lector Schedule
- E/M & Lector - October 1 - December 31

Other LinKS
Mass Sign-up
Hope Haven Meal Sign-up

Link for Live Streaming Mass on Sundays at 9:00 a.m.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZh1iPkdCl_hQKsCTCA-EVA
from the desk of Deacon Steve (November 12, 2023)

Universal

There is an old tale that says that when Jesus ascended into heaven, he was greeted by the angels who asked Him if the world had come to believe in Him as a result of His teaching, miracles, death and Resurrection. He said not yet, but he had commissioned 11 fisherman and tax collectors to continue His work. Gabriel looked at Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, do you have a plan B’.

I have been discussing the four marks of the church. One, Holy, Catholic, (meaning universal) and Apostolic. Jesus last words to His disciples as recorded by Matthew were “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (Mt. 28: 19). From this rather humble beginning the 11 remaining fisherman and tax collectors did indeed spread the Gospel message to all the world.
It might interest you to know that there are 1.2 billion Catholics in the world. There are 23 different sects, within Catholicism, of which Roman Catholic is only one. The largest per capita catholic population is in Brazil, (The U.S. is fourth), and the fastest growing churches are found in Africa.
Too often, I think we Americans forget that the church is worldwide. For example, the church in South America often faces political unrest and oppression. The church in China is regulated by a communist government. The war in Ukraine often pits Catholics on both sides of the battle lines. And the biggest need in Africa is not liturgical reform but rather clean water and food. The churches stance on marriage, abortion, euthanasia, is being challenged by people worldwide.
At this critical stage in our church’s history, it is vitally important that we work for unity within our universal church, that we pray for and support financially our missionaries in the world and remember Christ’s promise “I am with you always until the close of the age.” (MT. 28:20).

PEACE BE WITH YOU
Deacon Steve
Word on Fire