St. Mary Catholic Church

DeKalb, Illinois

     

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 107 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.

We need financial your support to complete future improvement projects! If you can help, please give what you can to our Capital Improvements Fund using the mailed envelopes or through our online giving system. God bless you in advance for your generous support! If you have questions, email Ann Hickey at annh@stmarydekalb.org.

VENI, SANCTE SPIRITUS

Pentecost is one of the major feasts of the church. In fact, it is considered to be the birthday of the church. Sadly, this feast of the third person of the Trinity is often forgotten. Sadly, we too often forget to call on the Holy Spirit to build a world of peace, a world of hope.

This feast offers a variety of possible options for scripture readings at both the vigil mass, and the mass of the day. One tells the story of the building of the tower of Babel. According to the story, the people try to build a monument without including God in their plans. The result is chaos, confusion, and defeat. By contrast, we see the disciples waiting on the Holy Spirit and emerging from the upper room ready to conquer the world; conquering it with the Good News of the salvation that we find in Jesus.

Our Gospel tells a Resurrection story where Jesus appears to His disciples and offers them the prayer- “Peace be with you.” Can there be peace in this world? As we look about, there are wars, violence in our streets, poverty and greed. These certainly are not the gifts of the Holy Spirit; this certainly is not the peace that Jesus promised.

We must ask ourselves if we want to continue to build this world without calling on God. Do we think we can achieve peace without the Holy Spirit? History has shown that since Babel till now, human efforts, without God, result in chaos, confusion, and defeat. With God, however, all things are possible, including bringing the peace of Christ to a troubled world, or as the psalmist writes- “to Renew the Face of the Earth.”


Veni, Sancte Spiritus, Come Holy Spirit.

2018 CONTINUING EVENTS @ ST. MARY

2nd & 4th Wednesdays - St. Mary Men's Group - "A Pope and a President"

Tuesdays - Teen Tuesday High School Youth Group