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“Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord.’”
On Wednesday evening, July 22, at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Nicholas courtyard, we will celebrate the feast day of St. Mary Magdalene. Mary Signatur will offer the reflection. All are welcome. Join Sr. Francine for her final vows at St. Mary at 9:30 a.m. this Saturday, June 11, 2026 Mass will be led by Bishop John Siemianowski
At the age of nineteen, after a powerful and moving dream, I felt called to take the next step. With the consent and blessing of my parents, I entered a period of discernment that led me to the Congregation of the Sisters of the Visitation of Saint Mary, where I continue to live my vocation with joy.
After my first religious profession, I was missioned to study pedagogy and formation for three years. I then served for five years in our mission in Burkina Faso, teaching children and accompanying families. This mission was both beautiful and challenging, as the presence of jihadist violence forced us to live with daily uncertainty. Yet even there, God’s fidelity sustained us. Because of the growing needs of our Congregation, I was later sent to Divin College in Iowa, USA, to pursue intercultural studies and Theology. This new mission has allowed me to deepen my understanding of cultures, strengthen my formation, and prepare myself to serve the Church in a broader and more compassionate way. Through all these experiences- war, mission, study, and community life—I have learned a simple but profound truth that I carry in my heart and wish to share with everyone: The Holy Trinity loves us deeply. We serve God in the Church, trusting that He will never abandon us. Sister Francine Mave Lonu
For more than twenty years, I have served in the Archdiocese of Chicago in various roles, including catechetical leader, Director of Faith Formation at St. Viator Parish, and as faculty member at the University of St. Mary of the Lake. Additionally, I have had the opportunity of working with youth, as a Peace Builders mentor, taking delegations to the Viatorian Youth Congress, and teaching at Regina Dominican High School. Outside the archdiocese I have also worked as bilingual national consultant with RCL Benziger, counsellor, psycho-educational teacher and philanthropist. Currently I am a Viatorian Associate. Each of these experiences has shaped my vocation and deepened my commitment to forming disciples.
As we celebrate the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Scriptures invite us into humility, peace, and trust in the Lord. Zechariah proclaims a king who comes not in power but in gentleness, bringing peace to the nations. In the Gospel, Jesus offers one of the most tender invitations: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest,” calling us to learn from his meek and humble heart. This message speaks deeply to parish life. We are not called to carry our burdens alone, but to bring them to Christ and to one another. In a community of faith, humility opens the door to communion, and trust in God allows us to keep moving forward even in seasons of challenge or uncertainty. The Lord’s yoke is light because it is borne in love, and his peace becomes real when we allow his Spirit to guide our hearts and our shared life. Now, that journey has led me here, and I am truly grateful. I look forward to meeting you, hearing your stories, sharing in your joys and challenges, celebrating the liturgy together, and growing in faith as one community. May we continue to learn from one another and be strengthened in our shared mission. With gratitude and faith, Hector Obregon-Luna Director of Lifelong Faith Formation The Well of Mercy in Chicago is hosting their 6th annual Golf for Goodness Sake Event on July 27, and we would love for you to join us. The proceeds from this event directly support women and children in crisis by helping provide safe housing, meals, mentorship, and programs that help rebuild lives and create long-term stability. We have many ways that you can support and participate, please reach out to us for more information at 773-654-3167 or visit https://www.thewellofmercy.com/. Thank you, we hope to see you there. 
As we celebrate the fourth anniversary of St. John XXIII parish, two important and connected efforts that are helping shape our future are taking place: a campus review and long-term visioning process to identify space needs to support our ministries and strategic priorities and a capital campaign to bring that vision to life.
Campus Review and Long-Term Visioning Process Led by Mary Doucette and Krista Simons Gliva, this 15-month effort has prayerfully assessed our campuses, listened to ministry needs, and reviewed how our spaces are used. We are gaining a clearer understanding of how our facilities can better serve our mission. Findings will be shared with parish leadership in May and with the parish community in June, along with opportunities for parishioners to offer input and feedback as we shape next steps. Capital Campaign Beginning this summer, St. John XXIII will participate in the Archdiocese’s Generation to Generation campaign. Most funds raised will remain in our parish to address our priorities and strengthen our ministries for years to come. Guided by the long-term visioning results and with input from external capital campaign consultants, parish leaders have begun preparation, including speaking with and surveying parishioners to shape the campaign goals. What’s Next In the months ahead, we will share results and invite parish dialogue. Together, through prayer and shared commitment, we will discern how best to move forward. For questions, please contact Mary Doucette [email protected]. After discussion and discernment, we are continuing our tradition of a reception to welcome our Neophytes into community! This will be abbreviated in deference to our Somos Unos helpers. The reception will take place in Oldershaw Hall following the Vigil Service but only for on to one and a half hours. We will have celebratory drinks and are asking for donations of prepared finger foods and nothing else. Please, no salads and nothing that needs silverware.
Suggestions include:
Volunteer needs:
Please contact Nancy Holdsworth at 847.864.8158. Thank you as we look forward to Easter’s unbridled joy! St. John XXIII recently became a member of the Coalition for Spiritual & Public Leadership (CSPL), a spiritually rooted group that brings together congregations, grassroots organizations, universities and parishes to use their collective power to create thriving communities. Fr. Dan Hartnett SJ, one of our regular presiders, is a longtime member of CSPL's Clergy Council. Several of our parishioners attended the CSPL Ash Wednesday Mass at which Cardinal Cupich was the presider and the procession last Fall to the Broadview Detention Center. Lawyers for CSPL filed and recently won the lawsuit that finally allowed Eucharistic ministers to bring communion and spiritual support to those being detained.
As a benefit of our membership in the coalition, ten St. John XXIII parishioners attended an all-day training with folks from other parishes, and from Loyola, DePaul, and Dominican Universities to better understand how our parish can be supported by CSPL. Each member organization pays dues to CSPL. In thinking about how to fund this, Fr. Jean Philippe and the PPC leadership determined that this year's Holy Thursday collection will support both our Pastoral Migratoria ministry as it has the past few years AND the CSPL membership. Your generosity in helping us bring the Catholic Social Teachings to life in ways that Cardinal Cupich and the US Catholic Bishops Conference have encouraged will be much appreciated. Watch for more news about CSPL or speak to someone after Mass today if you have questions. |
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