We celebrate the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene this weekend. In 2016 Pope Francis elevated her celebration from a memorial to a feast, thus placing Mary Magdalene on par with the male saints who also share a similar place in Church recognition. Mary of Magdala is mentioned in all four Gospels. She witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and Resurrection. She is mentioned 12 times in the Gospels, more than all but Peter, James and John. Mary traveled with Jesus and helped him and the Apostles out of her own financial resources. She is referred to as the Apostle to the Apostles because she was entrusted with the very first news that Jesus had risen from the dead. She then ran to the apostles with this news.
As is our custom here at Holy Family, to celebrate all women in the Church on the feast of Mary Magdalene we welcome Mary McKeon from the Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Barrington to share a reflection at Mass on Mary Magdalene’s role and that of all women who serve our church with such talent, wisdom and dedication.
Mary McKeon, originally from Quincy, Illinois, is a graduate of Marquette University. Mary taught school in Milwaukee’s inner city prior to her move to Washington, D.C., where she worked for the United States Senate. Upon moving to Michigan with her late husband David, Mary served on the staff of her parish and was a school, parish and community volunteer. She worked in adult and religious education, youth ministry, sacrament preparation, and liturgical ministry.
Mary was trained in spiritual direction through the Ignatian Spirituality Internship Program at Manresa Jesuit Retreat House in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and was hired there to begin a women’s ministry program. She served on the Manresa staff giving retreats for both youth and adults, and in 2014 received Manresa’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2012 Mary joined the Barrington, Illinois Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House ministry team where she continues to offer retreats in the Ignatian tradition, spiritual direction, prayer programs and days/evenings of reflection.
Along with her ministry, Mary’s daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren bring her deep joy and blessings.
Our Holy Family Catholic Academy has been authorized as an International Baccalaureate School. We are one of only 15 schools in Illinois, and the first in the Archdiocese and the northwest suburbs, to be so acknowledged. Please see page 15 of this bulletin for details. Congratulations to Kate O’Brien, our principal, and the faculty and staff for working so hard for this unique curriculum opportunity for our students that adds to our STEM and inquiry-based atmosphere of Catholic Education.
We also have some openings on our Academy Board. Current Board President Kevin Harris offers this invitation to all of you:
The Holy Family Catholic Academy (HFCA) Board is an advisory body to the pastor and principal on matters concerning the academy and its operations. Working collaboratively with the pastor and principal, the Advisory Board assists in establishing the current and future direction for the school as part of the total parish mission. Members of the Board include parents of Academy students, community leaders and Holy Family parishioners. Board members serve three year terms and commit to monthly meetings in which they meet in committees and as a full Board. The goal of HFCA is to develop thinkers and leaders grounded in faith.
Parents, parishioners and community leaders are encouraged to participate on the Board as either full Board members or members of committees to help contribute to the future success of the academy. Board committees include Finance, Public Relations/Marketing, Fundraising & Development and Technology. We are seeking members for the new term beginning September 2018. Those interested in taking an active role in guiding the future of HFCA should contact Kate O’Brien at kobrien@holyfamilyparish.org or Fr. Terry at tkeehan@holyfamilyparish.org. Also, if you are aware of an individual who could contribute to the Advisory Board or one of its committees, we would welcome nominations. We will happily follow up with the nominees on a confidential basis.
The HFCA Advisory Board meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 6:45PM at the parish campus.
Just a reminder, I invite all of you to encourage any family member, friend, acquaintance or loved one who may be interested in learning more about and perhaps becoming Catholic to please contact Bonnie Rooney at 847-977-4715.
There will be an information gathering at the Knights Café for anyone interested in becoming Catholic following the 9:00am Mass on Sunday, August 26. Start thinking now of someone who you want to invite to that gathering.