A Thought for the day
By: Fr. Brian Johnson, C.Ss.R.
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Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Monday, September 21st
Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist.  Matthew, tax collector was called by Jesus to be one of the 12.  What is so amazing about this is that the Jewish Authorities considered tax collectors to be the lowest of the low.  They were traitors to their people because they worked for Rome.   But, Jesus was different.  To him, all people were holy and precious in God's sight.  This is a very powerful and important thing to challenge us today in how we view people.  The Black Lives Matter movement that is all over the news today reminds us that there are no second class citizens.  We can't just say that all people matter, because that leaves us open to continue life as we have been living it.  The challenge is not to see people as white, black, Hispanic, Asian, etc., but to see each and every person as worthy of honor and respect not because of the group he or she belongs to, but simply because he or she is a human being.  Jesus' call of Matthew reminds us that every person is valuable, no matter the sex, race, and religion.  For God, it is not a matter of "all lives matter," but of "Each Life Matters!"

Tuesday, September 22nd
“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”  These words come from today's Gospel.  Family is the closest relationship most of us have.   Family identifies us and grounds us.  It defines us as to who we are.  For Jesus, this designation of "family" was much wider than just his nuclear family of Mary and Joseph.  For Jesus, all people are family, because all people are children of God and seen as precious in His eyes.   Even those people we might consider evil or less than ourselves are part of that family and loved deeply by God.  The question is never whether God loves us or not, but whether we open ourselves to accept the love that is offered.  It is in hearing and acting on God's word that we open ourselves to the wonders of his love.  It is in following him that we can truly love everyone.  Without an openness to His Word, we are simply blind people who are headed for false goods and false happiness.  We are called to hear and to live as Jesus' brothers and sisters.

Reserve your place at Mass!!

We have reopened for reconciliation, weddings, funerals, baptisms and public Masses with  a maximum of 100 people in attendance. Our public Masses at this time are in St. Michael's Church and are on Sunday at 9:00 and 11:00am and daily Mass on Tuesday at 8:00am with the devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help afterwards. Click one of the red buttons below to reserve your spot at one of the Sunday liturgies.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held every Saturday from 11:am - noon. There is no need to make reservations for this but you will need to sign in upon entry into the church.

Each weekday (Monday through Friday) daily Mass is offered at 8:00am across our Renew My Church grouping.  To see the schedule for each day and the location of the Mass, Click Here! To reserve a spot at a Tuesday morning Mass click the red button below.

PLEASE NOTE: At this time, you MUST social distance, wear a mask and have a reservation to attend any liturgy in the church.. All reservations are being done on Eventbrite. If you have problems making a reservation, call the Parish Office and we will assist you, 312-642-2498.

All liturgies require volunteers present to Set-up, Greet, and Clean (disinfect) as part of the Re-Opening plan set forth by the Archdiocese of Chicago.. We will always be accepting new volunteers, especially as the number attending liturgies and those present increases. If you are interested in helping, please call the Parish Office (312-642-2498) or email and we will connect you with the team leader. Thank you!

Make your reservations for a Sunday, 9:00am Mass NOW!
 

Make your reservations for a Sunday, 11:00am Mass NOW!
 

You must wear a mask and socially distance from others!

Be Aware of Utility Scams

The utility companies are reporting an increase of consumer fraud incidents across the region. Customers are being contacted, either by phone or in-person, and are being told they owe a past-due balance and need to pay immediately, or risk their service being cut-off. Some have reported, the suspects are in utility marked vehicles, or have received a call from a number belonging to the utility company. If you are approached by a utility company for a meter inspection or suspect possible fraud at any time, please contact ComEd, Customer Service Dept. 

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Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
(Live streaming will be on Sundays at 9:00am)
Presider: Fr. Larry Sanders, C.Ss.R., Pastor

All Masses and services are streamed live on
St. Michael's Facebook page
Sunday 9:00AM
Weekday Mass 10:00AM.
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St. Michael in Old Town
@StMichaelInOldTown.

Check out ALL the streaming offerings,including (past) Masses, OMPH devotion and Redemptorist Workshop
with Fr. Greg May, C.Ss.R.

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Thank you to those who have donated!

St. Michael's operate on a very tight budget. We continue to have salaries, utilities, maintenance, insurance and other expenses to pay. Without weekend liturgies, St. Michael's is losing a significant amount of income from the Offertory. We ask that you continue to support St. Michael's Church today and every chance you are able.

To give electronically, you can set up a recurring payment on your credit card, debit card or have it deducted from directly from your bank account. 
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