Category: Parish News

2^nd Collection on May 3^rd & 4^th

Our parish is participating in the 2025 Waterleaf Baby Bottles for Life Campaign to benefit, support, and educate pregnant women facing crisis or unintended pregnancies.

Our annual campaign is switching to the month of May. We will have a 2^nd collection at all Masses on May 3 & 4. The funds collected support the life-affirming programs and services of the Waterleaf Medical Clinic and their Aspire Education and Resource Center located in Aurora.

If you prefer to make an online donation, please go to Waterleaf Baby Bottles for Life Campaign. Your support helps to continue the gift of life, love and hope!

For more information about Waterleaf, call at 630-701-6270 or visit them on the web at www.onechoiceonelife.org.

May 3 & 4

There’s still time to get some of your favorite cookies!  SMI Girl Scout Troop 75912 will be selling Girl Scout Cookies in the Commons on Saturday, May 3, after 4:00 & 5:30 Mass and on Sunday, May 4, after 10:45 and 12:15 Mass, while supplies last.

The cost is $6.00 per box.  Cash, credit cards and Zelle are accepted.

Honor your mother or a mother figure in your life with a Mother’s Day Remembrance Card. A card may be purchased for mothers who are living or deceased. For each card ordered, your mother will be included in prayer for 12 Masses throughout the year (one each month).

Cards can be delivered directly to the mother through an e-card, sent in printable form to the purchaser, or picked up from the Commons Desk.  Cards picked up at the parish will be printed on cardstock.  

Order online at www.smip.org/mothersday through May 7th or purchase at the Commons Desk through May 11^th.

Remembrance Cards are $10 each.  All proceeds will benefit the parish cemetery.

This year’s Woman of the Year, Debbie Shimek, is well known around SMI. A long-time member of the parish, a volunteer in many capacities and a beloved retired member of the teaching staff. Some accolades from fellow CCW members were leader, organized, joyful, kind, dedicated, humble, responsible, enthusiastic, respectful, encouraging and displays her love of God in all she does.

Debbie married George in May of 1977. They have two children, Terra and Jeff and have resided in the Joliet/Shorewood area their entire marriage. Debbie decided that teaching was her calling. She taught 41 years, 31 of them at SMI, 5 in Music and 26 years helping over 800 second graders prepare for First Reconciliation and First Communion.
Debbie has been involved in Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Band Boosters, VBS, Eucharistic Minister, Bereavement, Catechist, Alpha, Parish Council, Catholic Book Discussion and Vice President of CCW – just to name a few!

When asked what some of her favorite things to do were, Saturday lunch with Mom and sisters ranked high. Time spent with George, Terra (Tim), Amelia, Henry, Jeff (Kalissa), and Raegan is very important to her, whether it’s an activity or family gathering. She especially appreciates her book discussions with her two granddaughters. She enjoys reading, working crossword puzzles and knitting.

Debbie was thrilled and very excited about being selected and said she is honored to represent SMI. She has a great love for the staff and community of this wonderful parish.

She will be honored at a Mass at the Cathedral of St. Raymond on Saturday, April 26th.

Advance Notice: St Mary’s Lenten Project – California Wildfire Assistance

We are certain you are all aware of the devastation in California. You may have even seen pictures of what is left of Corpus Christi Church with severe damage to their school. The miracle here is that the tabernacle was the only thing unharmed. Our thought is that this tragedy is something that we as St Mary’s can relate to since we suffered a similar destruction 35 years ago here with the Plainfield Tornado of 1990. With that weighing heavy on our hearts, we reached out to the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to find the best possible way we can help. After a tearful conversation with Sister M. Anncarla Costello we have committed to provide financial assistance to the Wildfire Victims Emergency Relief Fund through our Lenten project. This will replace our CRS Rice Bowl efforts of the past few years

Sister said they have been approached by several organizations wishing to send blankets and clothing to aid victims, however at this time, those effected have nowhere to sleep let alone a closet to store clothes. It is important to give them right now what they need most, financial assistance to find a place to sleep. She said people have not only lost their homes, cars, belongings and church; many have also lost their places of employment. Especially hard hit are the victims of the Eaton fire which is a lower middle-class area of Los Angeles. While their church, St. Elizabeth, was spared from the flames, the smoke damage is so severe that they will have to repair 70-80% of the property. One worker at the Archdiocese had her home spared while the rest of the neighborhood was destroyed, but they cannot return to the home because the smoke and heat have forced their older home to be declared uninhabitable.

The Archdiocese itself is asking all of its parishes to contribute to this cause and have established the Wildfire Victims Emergency Relief Fund, whereby both Catholic and non-Catholic, will be able to receive a one-time grant for $1000. Anyone in need of financial assistance due to the fires are eligible: parishioners, neighbors, or anyone can apply at one of the area churches. Funds are being held at the Archdiocese level and they do have protocols and procedures in place to make certain no person/family is able to fraud the system. The Archdiocese is offering this grant to all persons, in their words; “All are our sisters and brothers in Christ.”

So, plan ahead as Ash Wednesday is March 5^th and Easter Sunday April 20^th. If you were planning on sending monies to The American Red Cross, various Go Fund Me pages or other organizations aiding the wildfire victims, consider putting that donation into our pool of funds going to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Sister has assured us that 100% of the money donated will go directly to persons in need. The Archdiocese is not holding back any administration fees to process these grants.

The April Envelope packet will have a special envelope for this effort. We will also have envelopes available in the narthex and reception desk for you to use and a new fund is established for OSV online giving for this effort. Please make use of these methods to support those in need in the Los Angeles area.