Fr. Tim's Letter

Dear Friends,
 
It is with a heavy heart that I share with you that Fr. Dan Smilanic, who is one of our visiting priests who has been so generous in celebrating Mass with us when needed, has passed away. While he has been dealing with several medical issues of late, as far as I know, his death was unexpected. He was 76 years old.
 
As of this writing on Tuesday, the Archdiocese doesn’t have any of the particulars of his arrangements yet.
 
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God,
rest in peace.
Amen.
 
Recently, you were invited to participate in the naming process for the new parish, currently named SS. Matthew and Hubert Parish. The process began with an invitation to suggest a name for the parish, which could include leaving it as is. After that took place, the Unification Committee was tasked with tallying up the many suggestions and narrowing the name choices down to five and offering another vote to all of you.
 
The top three names collecting the most votes were for SS. Matthew and Hubert, Holy Archangels, and St. Clare of Assisi. These names will next be presented to the Archdiocesan Presbyteral Council and Cardinal Cupich for consideration at their next meeting in early March.  Please note that each church building will retain their current names and the school will continue as St Hubert School.  We anticipate that the Cardinal will make a final decision on a new parish name shortly after the Presbyteral Council meeting in early March.
 
Please know the Cardinal will base his decision about a new parish name on what he feels is best for the parish and the Archdiocese. He is not bound to select the name with the most votes, though that is certainly one thing he will consider. My thought on all this is that whatever name is selected will be the work of the Holy Spirit.
 
A few have questioned why the name needs to change at all… it doesn’t, and SS. Matthew and Hubert is one of the names the Cardinal will be discerning. But as it is a new parish, a formal process for naming the parish is required and the parish will be consecrated under that new (or current) name.
 
On Friday, March 15^th, SS. Matthew and Hubert Parish is sponsoring a day trip to The Shrine of Christ’s Passion in St. John, IN.  The Shrine has a life-size Stations of the Cross along a half mile trail (then half mile back).  We will walk and pray the stations and after that Fr. Matt will celebrate Mass at St John the Evangelist Church. After Mass lunch will be catered in the Summit Room.  After lunch there will be time to shop at the two religious goods gift shops, before heading home. We will depart St. Matthew church by bus promptly at 8:00 am that morning and will return there around 4:00 pm.
 
Click here for more information and cost. Space is limited to 50 people.
 
May God bless you all.
 
       Fr. Tim Fairman