Notice from the Archdiocese of Chicago:

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

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We received notice from the Archdiocese of Chicago that we can fully reopen on Friday, June 11 without capacity restrictions and no Mass registrations are necessary. If you have already registered to attend Mass, please know that you may attend the Mass for which you have registered or you may choose to attend another Mass. 

 

Mass times remain the same: 5:00pm on Saturday and 10:00am & 11:45am on Sunday. Please note that masks are no longer required if you are fully vaccinated. It is recommended that those individuals who are not vaccinated continue to wear a mask.

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May 30, 2021

With the recent news from the CDC and public health departments regarding masks, we want to provide an update on our own parish operations. After careful consideration, it has been decided that we are going to maintain our mask requirement for all Mass and liturgy attendees until we reach Phase 5, which is anticipated in the next several weeks. 

 

We came to this decision for several reasons:

• Given that less than 40% of adults in the State are fully vaccinated, the majority of our adult Mass attendees and visitors remain susceptible to infection and will still need to wear a mask at Mass.

• The vast majority of children under age 18 are not yet vaccinated.

• Our greeter/hospitality team simply does not have the number of volunteers to assist with the added need to validate attendees’ vaccination status cards.

 

You might still wonder why we’re continuing to require masks when some large retailers are no longer requiring masks or operating under the “honor system” assuming all visitors not wearing masks are fully vaccinated. First, since the beginning of the pandemic, we have operated with the health and safety of everyone in our community as the foremost priority. Collectively, we have lifted one another up in prayer and charity, adhered to protocols and guidelines, and committed to a unified approach to overcoming the challenges of the pandemic. It is with that spirit of unity that we continue moving forward. Second, we do feel that to make a change in mask use we need to verify vaccination status of all attendees and we simply do not have the capacity for this change right now. 

 

I understand that not all will be pleased with this decision. As always, we thank you for your patience as our staff and volunteers work hard to make the celebration of Mass and our liturgies beautiful and safe as we continue to manage within important health guidelines.

 

Again, we anticipate changes when we reach Phase 5 in the coming weeks and we hope to be able to share updates then.

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June 23, 2020

We Need You!

We are looking for a few good women, men, and teenage volunteers to help with the reopening of our church for weekend Masses. Specifically, we are looking for 2-3 volunteers to be greeters at the beginning of each Mass, and 3-4 volunteers to help sanitize the church after each Mass. Currently, St. Pat’s is celebrating Mass at 5pm Saturday evening and again at 10am Sunday morning.  In the weeks to come, we will be adding Masses on Sunday. 

 

If you would be interested in becoming a greeter, please contact Michael LeVert at (312) 961-1040. 

 

If you would be interested in being on the clean-up crew, please contact 

Marianne Seiler at marianne.seiler@comcast.net or (847) 323-4950.

 

If for some reason you are unable to contact Michael or Marianne, please feel free to contact the parish Ministry Office at (847) 234-1401, Monday through Friday from 8am until 4pm.

 

Thank you for becoming part of our Parish Reopening Team!

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June 16, 2020

Cancelling your Mass reservation if you cannot attend.

As you may imagine, there is a large demand for the weekend Masses. We would like to provide as much opportunity as possible for all our parishioners to be present at “live” Mass.  If you have reserved a ticket for a weekend Mass and find you are unable to attend, please cancel your reservation online.  You may also call the office Monday through Friday, 8 am-4 pm, and we can cancel your reservation for you as well.

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June 8, 2020

Funerals

A ticket is required to attend a funeral at St. Patrick Church. To view a listing of upcoming Funerals, and obtain a ticket to attend, please click here.

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June 7, 2020

We are happy to share with you that St. Patrick Church has applied for and been granted certification from the Archdiocese to resume the public celebration of Mass!

 

We have been asked to slowly begin celebrating the Eucharist with the congregation. To that end, daily Mass will be offered Monday through Friday at 8:00 am in the main church and will continue in the main church until further notice. Weekend Mass on Saturdays at 5:00 pm and Sundays at 10:00 am in the main church. We will livestream the 10:00 am Sunday Mass and our weekday Masses as we have been doing. You can access the livestream of Sunday Mass on our website. Weekday Mass is available on the parish Facebook page. Please check our website often for the most current information.

 

Registration is required to attend any of our Masses. You can sign up on our Mass Tickets website page. If you are unsure how to do this or do not have access to a computer, you may call the office Monday through Friday at 847-234-1401. A limited number of reservations can be made through the office. If your call is not immediately answered, please leave a message and we will return your call.

 

In order to maintain appropriate social distancing, St. Patrick can accommodate only 100 parishioners per liturgy in the main church. You will need to bring your ticket to the Sunday Mass to be allowed into the church. No one will be allowed into the church on Sundays without a ticket. Over time, additional Masses will be added on the weekend as long as we can assure everyone’s safety. Before coming to Mass, we ask that you read “Tips for All Worshipers What to Expect”.

 

Please be mindful of the number of people who may signing up for Mass following a three-month absence from gathering as a parish family. Cardinal Cupich’s dispensation from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass remains in force. 

 

Key Points

• The only entrance to the church is through the center doors on the south side of the building.

• Face coverings must be worn at all times in the church.

• Please maintain social distancing at all times.

• Please follow directional signs and sit only in designated pews on the blue crosses in each pew. Families living in the same house may sit together in the same pew and are not required to social distance.

• Volunteers will be on hand to help direct you.

• Restrooms will be available only for emergencies. In case of an emergency, a volunteer will assist you.

• You may exit the church by any door. We respectfully ask that you leave the church once Mass has ended. We greatly appreciate no one lingering in the Gathering Area.

 

It is with grateful hearts that we are able to gather together once again. Please practice patience and kindness as we all learn to adapt to a new “normal”. 

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June 2, 2020

Tips For All Worshipers

What to expect as you enter our church during the gradual re-opening of St. Patrick Church. Learn More

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May 24, 2020

Coronavirus Gradual Re-Opening

St. Patrick’s will be gradually offering opportunities to pray and receive the sacrament of Penance in the weeks ahead.

 

Starting Saturday, May 30, confessions will be heard in the main church from 4:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon, under the following conditions:

 

• All penitents must wear a face mask or covering; you won’t be admitted to the church unless your mouth and nose are covered.

• Hand sanitizer must be used upon entering the church. Sanitizer will be available at the center doors of the main entrance. Although you may exit the church through any doors, entry to the church is only possible through the center doors of the main entrance on the south side of the building.

• Social distancing must be maintained at all times. Please stay at least 6 feet away from other penitents.

• A maximum of 10 penitents is permitted inside the church at any time. If there are 10 people already in church, you will be asked to wait outside. You can wait under the porticos or anywhere else on the parish grounds, as long as you maintain social distancing.

• If you choose to confess behind the confessional screen, you are asked to clean the screen area with a sanitary wipe before leaving the confessional. Sanitary wipes will be provided.

• Since there is no 5:00pm Mass, I will continue to hear confessions until the last penitent has finished.

 

Beginning Monday, June 1, the main church will be open for private prayer Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm under the same conditions: a face covering must be worn, social distancing maintained, and no more than 10 people in church at any time. If anyone cannot enter the church because there are more than 10 people already praying, those who have been there the longest will be asked to leave in order to accommodate those who are waiting.

 

These directives are all dictated by state law and current archdiocesan policies.

 

Even the partial reopening of the church requires a large number of volunteers to serve as “greeters,” i.e., those who will welcome people to the church and see that all the safety policies are followed, and others who will help with the sanitation of the church after it has been opened. Volunteers must not be older than 65 or have an underlying medical condition. High school students may volunteer with the permission of their parents. Those over 65 or who have an underlying medical condition may volunteer provided that they understand the risk involved and are willing to take that risk. If you wish to volunteer, please call the parish office and leave a message.

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May 13, 2020

Coronavirus Re-Opening Plans

Cardinal Cupich and the Archdiocese of Chicago have announced a plan for the gradual re-opening of our churches. Click here to read the plan.

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April 5, 2020

Dispensation from Easter Obligation

Cardinal Cupich has issued a decree dispensing all Catholics from the obligation to receive Communion and go to Confession during the Easter season. Read the decree by clicking here.

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April 5, 2020

A Brief Reflection for Palm Sunday

View a video message from Msgr. Dempsey for Palm Sunday

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March 27, 2020

Video Message from Msgr. Dempsey

View a video message from Msgr. Dempsey on parish updates due to the health crisis.

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March 26, 2020

A Meditation for 5th Sunday of Lent

Read Msgr. Dempsey's Meditation for the 5th Sunday of Lent.

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March 24, 2020

Cardinal Cupich Video

View the video of Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, offering a message of hope and encouragement to Catholic School students and their families.

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March 21, 2020

Monsignor Dempsey Letter

Read the letter from Msgr. Dempsey to our parish community.

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March 21, 2020

Church Campus Closed

By order of the Most Rev. Ronald A. Hicks, Vicar General, all churches, chapels, and parish offices are to remain closed until after April 7. We are sorry for the inconvenience. Our Lady, Health of the Sick, pray for us.

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March 19, 2020

The Archdiocese of Chicago has issued the following new guidelines that will be implemented at St. Patrick Church.

• The Chrism Mass will not be celebrated publicly, nor will the annual Day of Reflection be held.

• Holy oils will not be distributed until the current health crisis is abated.

• Palm Sunday and Holy Week Liturgies will not be celebrated publicly.

• The Religious Education and Confirmation Programs will be suspended until further notice in conformity with new Archdiocesan policies. We will keep you updated when we know classes will re-start. 

• There will be no public celebrations, event outside including live Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.​​

• There will not be any distribution of blessed palms; however, if a priest blesses palms privately, those palms may be reserved for distribution at a later date to be determined by the USCCB and/or Archdiocese of Chicago.

• Easter sacraments for RCIA candidates and catechumens are to be postponed –guidance will be provided later on when they might be celebrated after this crisis subsides.

• The Mass of the Lord’s Supper (without washing of the feet), the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion, and the Easter Vigil will be celebrated by Cardinal Cupich and the auxiliary bishops in Holy Name Cathedral without a congregation and will be livestreamed. If/when the Mass of the Lord’s Supper is celebrated privately, will not include the ritual of the washing of feet.

• There will be no Communion services currently nor during Holy Week until we are cleared to return for public liturgies.

• We will continue to follow the CDC guidelines by allowing no more than 10 people to gather together at one time inside or outside the church, practicing social distancing, and cleaning and disinfecting of churches after use.

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March 18, 2020

Guidelines and Policies on Funerals, Wakes and Viewings, and Committals to Clergy and Parish Staff.

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The Archdiocese of Chicago has issued guidelines and policies on funerals, wakes and viewings. These guidelines clarify and reiterate current guidelines and policies, keeping in mind that those already issued by Cardinal Cupich on Friday, March 13, allow for funerals and other liturgies under certain conditions. These guidelines and policies are in effect until further notice.

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March 17, 2020

Impact and Updates

As many of you are aware, in compliance with the March 13 announcement by the Archdiocese of Chicago due to the Coronavirus, public Masses have been suspended, Religious Education and Confirmation classes have been cancelled until April, and church events cancelled or postponed until their next scheduled dates in April. 

As we all know, the Coronavirus pandemic is an evolving situation, so naturally, things are subject to change. We are updating our website with new information often, so this is the best place to keep current with parish news.  Please check our website often to receive the most up-to-date details in our parish life. In the meantime, our church campus remains open daily until 4:00pm for private prayer and the Ministry Office remains open, but is operating under reduced hours from 8:30am to 1:00pm.

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Giving

During this period of time, while public Masses are suspended due to the Coronavirus and as directed by the Archdiocese of Chicago, our office staff continues its daily support of our parish. Although Masses are suspended, our expenses are not. Utility bills, salaries, facility maintenance, and other expenses still must be paid, despite our empty collection baskets.

We ask that you prayerfully consider continuing your support of St. Patrick during these challenging times. You may mail your weekly envelope and contribution to the parish office to the address below or donate on our website through Give Central by clicking here.

St. Patrick Church
991 S. Waukegan Rd.
Lake Forest, IL  60045

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Precautions

In keeping with the guidelines established by the Archdiocese of Chicago, St. Patrick Church has instituted the following practices to help reduce the risk of contracting or spreading the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Until further notice at St. Patrick’s:

• Holy water fonts will be empty;

• You are asked to refrain from physical contact during the Sign of Peace—a simple nod, smile, wave, etc. will suffice. Family members, of course, are welcome to greet one another as they wish;

• Holy Communion will be distributed under the appearance of bread only; those who cannot receive a regular host, may request a low-gluten host, as several of our parishioners already do.  Please remember the Catholic doctrine of concomitance, i.e., the whole Christ, Body, Blood, soul, and divinity, is received under each appearance, so that if you receive under one appearance only, you are not deprived of any of Christ’s presence or grace;

• While it remains the individual’s choice to receive Holy Communion in the hand or on the tongue, the Archdiocese asks you to consider, for the time being, the possibility of receiving the Eucharist in the hand.

 

Lastly, please remember per canon law (cf. canons 85 and 87, code of canon law, 1983), a dispensation from the obligation to attend Holy Mass is granted to:

• Those of any age who are currently ill;

• Those with an underlying health condition;

 

Moreover, any person over 60 years old may choose to use this dispensation.