Liturgical Ministries
Part of our mission is to create a space where all are welcome and to greet everyone with warmth and kindness. Saint Mary of the Lake is a place where we not only share our faith, but we embrace a vision of hope and love for our community! To learn more or get involved with our ministry click the (+) next to each ministry.
Altar Servers
Bereavement Ministry
The church calls each member of Christ's body - priest, deacon, layperson to participate in the ministry of consolation: to care for the dying, to pray for the dead and to comfort those who mourn. The Saint Mary of the Lake Bereavement Ministry is one of the Spiritual Works of Mercy: praying for the dead, supporting and comforting those who mourn. Contact the parish office via email or phone for more information.
Hospitality Ministry
Ministers of Hospitality are hosts who put a face onto the parish by being the first person to greet all who enter Saint Mary of the Lake Church. Some who enter the church may be at home, others may be visiting. It is your goal to give them a warm welcome to the worship space. Please contact the parish office via email or phone for more information.
Music Ministry
Music ministry at Saint Mary of the Lake is vibrant and prayerful, providing the people of our community with joyful and prayerful experience. At the core of our music program are dedicated musicians, singers, and instrumentalists alike. Music Ministry at Saint Mary of Lake provides a unique opportunity to build community through the power of song.
Explore our music ministry opportunities below.
Organ stop list and information can be found by clicking here.
Explore our music ministry opportunities below.
- 10:30am Choir - is held every Sunday at the 10:30am mass. All are welcome to join! Any person, any ability is welcome! No experience necessary. This group meets at 9:30am before mass for rehearsal. The group is comprised of university students, parishioners, and parish staff praying contemporary and traditional style of music accompanied by various instruments.
- Cantors and Instrumentalists - Saint Mary of the Lake welcomes those who would like to use their musical talents to lead liturgies and song. If you have experience cantoring or playing an instrument, please reach out to Connor Ford for information on how to join our roster.
- Concerts - Check out the parish events tab for information on upcoming concerts at Saint Mary of the Lake. Recent concerts include, The Marion Consort, Wicker Park Singers, and many more.
Organ stop list and information can be found by clicking here.
Religious Education & RCIA
Our mission is to help you as parents/guardians to nurture and foster growth in the Catholic faith of you and your children. This is accomplished with help from Catechists/volunteers of our Parish who give of their time and talents.
- Sacramental Preparation for Children - is the process of welcoming all young people to prepare for and celebrate the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. Please reach out to Marc Vega for more information.
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) - is for those who have not been baptized; have been baptized in another Christian tradition; or have not had sacramental preparation. Please reach out to the Marc Vega for more information.
Society of Saint Vincent DePaul
The Saint Mary of the Lake Parish Conference of the St. Vincent DePaul Society is our parish's outreach program to the disenfranchised. The Society members meet the last Sunday of every month after the 10:30am mass in the Hargerty Center.
Those in need are welcome to the offices which open daily on limited hours. Specific hours are posted at the door or please call to make appointment English and Spanish.
While the works of the Conference are to give person-to-person service and assistance to those in need these works are done by the members for their personal spiritual grow as they live out their Gospel value. These works include:
President: Pam Matambanadzo
Vice President: Charles (Chuck) Blackman
Treasurer: Marianne Gaul
Secretary: Marion Sulkowski
Those in need are welcome to the offices which open daily on limited hours. Specific hours are posted at the door or please call to make appointment English and Spanish.
While the works of the Conference are to give person-to-person service and assistance to those in need these works are done by the members for their personal spiritual grow as they live out their Gospel value. These works include:
- Person-to-person home visits
- Emergency food pantry
- Visits to shut-ins and nursing homes
- Seasonal gift programs
- Ad-hoc activities including volunteers opportunities at the Saint Thomas of Canterbury Soup Kitchen.
President: Pam Matambanadzo
Vice President: Charles (Chuck) Blackman
Treasurer: Marianne Gaul
Secretary: Marion Sulkowski
Peace and Justice Ministry
Saint Mary of the Lake’s Outreach and Justice Ministry seeks to transform faith into action in the greater community. Catholic Social Teaching calls us to live the gospel by addressing the social issues of our time. We do so by accompanying the most marginalized among us, seeking to transform unjust systems that cause harm, and honoring the dignity of all people on earth.
We minister by collaborating with our neighbors to support various needs in our community. For more information on our current initiatives please click here.
Questions? Contact Claire DesHotels, Director of Outreach and Justice Ministry at cdeshotels@saintmarys.org or 773-280-7700 ext. 401
We minister by collaborating with our neighbors to support various needs in our community. For more information on our current initiatives please click here.
Questions? Contact Claire DesHotels, Director of Outreach and Justice Ministry at cdeshotels@saintmarys.org or 773-280-7700 ext. 401
COVID-19 Support - Volunteer/Assistance
Navigating Divorce Ministry
The Navigating Divorce ministry offered each Sunday from 8:45-9:45 AM on Zoom. This ministry consists of confidential discussion and sharing for any woman or man experiencing the various stages of grief which accompany the overall divorce process as it moves toward Roman Catholic healing objectives. The sessions are open and honest expecting individual involvement only when and if the participant feels the need to comment. Each one hour session is facilitated by Dr. Milt Kobus with assistance from Deacon William Pyrek. For additional information please email Dr. Kobus.
Liturgical Ministry Contacts
- Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament - Fr. Manuel Dorantes
- Altar Servers - Pam Matambanadzo
- Bereavement Ministry - Margaret Furlong
- Religious Education & RCIA - Marc Vega
- Eucharistic Ministers - Rosemary Ihejirika
- Ministers of Care - Loyda Vida
- Hospitality Ministry - Rosa Gamboa via email, via phone
- Ministerio de Lectores - Madel Rosario Silva
- Ministros de Comunion - Sofia Lopez
- Music Ministry - Connor Ford (English) Alma Cerda (Spanish)
- Justice and Peace - Claire DesHotels
- Lectors - Alice Broeren