"As for me and my household,
we will serve the LORD."
~ Joshua 24:15b
Sunday's Readings:

First Reading — Joshua challenges the Israelites to serve either the Lord or other gods. They choose the Lord (Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b).
Psalm — Taste and see the goodness of the Lord
(Psalm 34).
Second Reading — Paul reflects on how husbands and wives should reverence and love each other (Ephesians 5:21-32 [2a, 25-32]).
Gospel — Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life (John 6:60-69).
Decisions, Decisions...
There is an axiom that states, “Not to decide is to decide.” This saying was popular in the turbulent times of the Vietnam War. It urged us not to allow others to answer the moral questions raised by our nation’s involvement in that terrible conflict, but to decide for ourselves. Making such choices is never easy. Avoiding them is common.

Jesus, for his part, was not only a gallant risk-taker, but a clear decision-maker. As he pursued the mission to which the Father called him, he continually decided for us and for the Father. He worked hard to lay out a scenario that would enable others to make similar choices. Never did he make decisions for others or force others into decisions, even decisions that had eternal ramifications.

Jesus is inviting us to make such decisions today. We won’t be absolutely sure. What is sure, however, is the command that issues from God’s word: Take the risk. Decide!
August Outdoor Mass, Book Discussion and Cookout
The Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Summer of Prayer concludes with the outdoor Mass on Sunday, August 22nd at 5pm at Queen of the Rosary. Following Mass, all are invited to stay (or join us if you attend an earlier Mass) for fellowship. The Men's Club will man the grill for our cookout and we'll continue our discussion of Matthew Kelly's book "I Heard God Laugh." Come see what's cookin' at OLBS!

Follow this link to view all upcoming events.
Summer Supper Sept 2nd
According to Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap Study, one in seven people in Cook County will experience food insecurity this year. Though statistics like this are hard to hear, and the hunger seen by OLBS Good Samaritans even harder to see, we are proud to be part of a parish of service. Thank you for your continued support of Catholic Charities Dinners and Summer Suppers.

We will be serving a traditional Oktoberfest meal complete with smoked sausage, homemade German potato salad and apple pie for the September 2nd Summer Supper. If you are able to shop, cook, prep, pack or serve, please follow this link to sign up!
Coming in September...
"For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul" – Proverbs 2:10

Check out these Adult Faith Formation Opportunities beginning in September, all are invited:

Tuesday Morning Group will begin reading Six-Weeks with the Bible "Proverbs: Wisdom for Living." New members always invited, please contact the parish office for more information.

Thursday Evening Bible Study will begin studying Ascension Press "James: Pearls for Wise Living." Download the flyer to sign up.
New Ministry of Care Training
Do you have 90 minutes to spare once 
a month to share your faith and bring the 
healing presence of Jesus to our sick and
homebound? Training for new ministers will take place in person on Saturday, September 18th and 25th. Please pray to the Holy Spirit and if the Lord is calling you, please contact the parish office to be connected with our Ministry of Care, or download the flyer for more information.
Sing to the Lord a New Song
Join the OLBS Choirs!

For Youth:
  • Sing once per month at Mass
  • Practice Wednesdays after school
  • Rehearsals begin September 8th

For Adults:
  • Sing for regular Sunday and special liturgies and celebrations
  • Practice Tuesday from 7 to 8:30pm
  • Rehearsals begin August 24th

Contact OLBS Music Director, Michael Hawes, for more information.
Come and Be Comforted
If any of the following describe your grief journey, Journey of the Heart Grief Sharing may be for you:
  • Are you struggling to pray, feeling abandoned by God?
  • Have you lost interest in attending Mass or other events?
  • Are you questioning God’s reasoning in calling your loved one to Him?

Following a loss, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Journey of the Heart Ministry seeks to let those grieving know that they are not alone. God has not abandoned you, and neither has your OLBS parish family.

The Journey begins in September. Follow this link to discover more.
School Report
School Is In Session!
Queen of the Rosary School is looking for lunch 
supervisors for grades K-8 for the 2021-2022 school year. For those new to the school, the lunch program runs from 11:00 to 11:40 a.m. daily when school is in session. Lunch supervisor is a paid position. We would love to find individuals who could commit to five days a week, as this provides consistency for our students. If you (or anyone you know) would be interested in a position, please contact the school office (847) 437-3322
RE Roundup
Registration for 2021-22 Religious Education was due by Monday, August 16th. Instruction will be in person, and this year you have the option to select the schedule/worship site which is most convenient for your family. If you have not already registered, follow the button below to head to our simple and secure online registration and payment system. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the parish office (847) 979-0901.
Mark Your Calendars for the First Day of Class!
Sept 11 (9:15 - 10:30am): QR Grades K-4
Sept 12 (10:15 - 11:30am): SJE Grades 7-9
Sept 14 (4:30 - 5:45pm): SJE Grades K-3
Sept 14 (7:00 - 8:15pm): QR Grades 5-8
Sept 15 (4:30 - 5:45pm): SJE Grades 4-6
OLBS Religious Education is a volunteer-based program helping to form our youth and providing opportunity for them to encounter Jesus Christ. If you are called to teach our most impressionable, please contact the parish office today for more information on this important formation role. Discover more.
Youth Ministry Corner
This past Sunday, August 15th, teens from OLBS Youth Ministry celebrated the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary by:
  • Discussing prayer in various formats
  • Looking at upcoming service events
  • Making pocket rosaries

Did you miss the action? Head to the YM Facebook page to see photos or drop us a comment. All OLBS teens aged 7th grade through 12th grade are invited to participate in Youth Ministry.
Events for Young Adults
Coming in September...

Would you like to introduce a Young Adult Ministry at OLBS? Please contact the parish office (847) 979-0901 today!
Culture of Life Update
Help Us Build a Culture of LIFE! 
Please join us before the Rosary for Life and Respect Life meeting on Tuesday, September 14th for a Meet 'n Greet dinner with the Respect Life Ministry. Hear from members of the Respect Life Ministry on what a culture of life means to them and learn about upcoming events scheduled for September and October to help support a culture of life. All are invited and a light supper will be served. We hope to see you there!

Walking With Moms In Need
Walking with Moms in Need is a time of service in which Catholic parishes and communities "walk in the shoes" of local pregnant and parenting women in need. Discover more.
Next Respect Life Meeting
All are invited to join our next Respect Life Ministry meeting on Tuesday, September 14th.

Follow this link to see more from OLBS Respect Life Ministry.
Raise Your Hand
Sooner than we think, we'll be readying our worship sites to celebrate Advent and Christmas liturgies. This is one of the busiest times of the liturgical year for our Art & Environment team. If you have an eye for decorating or enjoy flower arranging or crafting, Art & Environment may be the ministry for you! Contact the parish office to learn more.

Follow this space for spotlights and updates on the various volunteer opportunities available around the parish. Joining a council or board or volunteering for a ministry requires a short time commitment and shows great stewardship. Please share your gifts and offer your talents to a consultative board or one of the many ministries serving our parish and community. Raise your hand. Make a real difference in the life of our parish, school and religious education programs. OLBS needs YOU!

Want to know more? Please contact the parish office (847) 956-0130.
DID YOU KNOW?
OLBS Religious Education is a volunteer-based program helping to form our youth and providing opportunity for them to encounter Jesus Christ. While students enjoy the last weeks of Summer Break, Mrs. Uhlarik and catechists are busy planning the upcoming calendar for Youth Faith Formation. If you are called to teach our most impressionable, please contact the parish office today for more information on this important formation role. Discover more.

We are grateful for your continued generosity to the needs of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament family during this time. In addition to dropping or mailing your donation to church, you may give online where you may make weekly contributions to our parish family and keep the vital ministries and services we provide going. We thank you for your generosity!
VIRTUAL TOOLBOX
Though things have opened up, we recognize that not all are able to join us at this time, so we remind you that we continue to have the following virtual tools available to help us stay connected:

Sunday's Digital Worship Aid.
We are no longer preparing a digital worship aid as we have been able to place hymnals and missals in the pews once again! The dark blue books are both hymnal and missal, so please look there to follow along with the readings on Sunday.

Daily Prayer. Follow this link to review daily prayer, or signup to receive daily prayer delivered right to your inbox.

Morning Prayer. No commute, no computer needed...join us on your phone Monday through Saturday for Morning Prayer. Learn more.

Weekly Bulletin. Download the weekly parish bulletin when you are unable to attend Mass.

Weekly Rosary. The Rosary is prayed at SJE on Tuesdays at 7pm. If you are unable to join us in church, we invite you to join the live-stream.

Live-Stream. We have live-stream available for Sunday liturgy and some daily Mass from both churches: QR and SJE.

Let's Get Social. Like or follow us on Facebook to receive news and updates in real time and join the conversation: QR and SJE.
(847) 979-0901 | OLBSCares@ArchChicago.org

Worship sites:
Queen of the Rosary, 750 W. Elk Grove Blvd.
St. Julian Eymard, 601 Biesterfield Road

School:
Queen of the Rosary School, 690 Elk Grove Blvd.
(847) 437-3322 | www.qrschool.org