Catholic Men Chicago Southland

Catholic Men Chicago Southland (CMCS) needs your help to meet new challenges, seize opportunities, and bring Catholic clarity to a new generation. The generosity of readers and attendees makes our work possible. Because of supporters like you, CMCS remains a trusted, independent voice—free from outside pressures, faithful to the Magisterium, and responsive to the Church’s greatest needs. We keep operations lean so every dollar goes straight to serving souls: our blog, annual men’s forums, and spiritual resourcesthat help Chicagoland men know and live their faith in a changing world. This June we ask for your help to meet rising costs, launch a new project, and strengthen our Catholic men’s ministry across Chicagoland. 

His Eminence Blase Cardinal Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, offers a reflection for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.

God of power and mercy, you destroy war and put down earthly pride. Banish violence from our midst and wipe away our tears, that we may all deserve to be called your sons       and daughters. Keep in your mercy those men and women who have died in the cause of freedom and bring them safely into your kingdom of justice and peace. We ask this though Jesus Christ our Lord. R/. Amen

usccb

Memorial Day Field Masses

May 25, 2026 at 10:30 am

in the Archdiocese of Chicago Cemeteries.

Click here to visit the website for location Maps.

ALL SAINTS, Des Plaines

Most Rev. Jose Maria Garcia-Maldonado 

Mass time 10:30 am

ASCENSION, Libertyville

Very Rev. Thomas McCarthy, O.S.A.

Mass time 10:30 am

ASSUMPTION, Glenwood

Most Rev. Daniel T. Turley, OSA

Mass time 10:30 am

CALVARY, Evanston

Rev. Lawrence Collins

Mass time 10:30 am

CALVARY, Steger

Rev. Wayne A. Svida

Mass time 10:30 am

GOOD SHEPHERD, Orland Park

Most Rev. Francis J. Kane

Mass time 10:30 am

HOLY CROSS, Calumet City

Most Rev. Mark A. Bartosic 

Mass time 10:30 am

HOLY SEPULCHRE, Alsip

Most. Rev. Lawrence J. Sullivan, V.G.

Mass time 10:30 am

MARYHILL, Niles

Rev. Jason Torba

Mass time 10:30 am

MT. CARMEL, Hillside

Rev. Andy Matijevic 

Mass time 10:30 am

MT. OLIVET, Chicago

Rev. William T. Corcoran

Mass time 10:30 am

OUR LADY OF SORROWS, Hillside

Rev. Stanislav Bindas, CM

Mass time 10:30 am

QUEEN OF HEAVEN, Hillside

Most Rev. Robert M. Fedek

Mass time 10:30 am

RESURRECTION, Justice

Most Rev. John S. Siemianowski

Mass time 10:30 am

ST. ADALBERT, Niles

Very Rev. Steven Bartczyszyn, CR

Mass time 10:30 am

ST. BENEDICT, Crestwood

Msgr. Dennis J. Lyle

Mass time 10:30 am

ST. BONIFACE, Chicago

Rev. Michael J. Bradley

Mass time 10:30 am

ST. CASIMIR, Chicago

Most Rev. Joseph N. Perry

Mass time 10:30 am

ST. JOSEPH, River Grove

Rev. Marek Smolka 

Mass time 10:30 am

ST. MARY, Evergreen Park

Rev. Matthew R. Litak 

Mass time 10:30 am

ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL, Palatine

Most Rev. Timothy J. O'Malley 

A Message from the CMCS Director 

Dear CMCS Brothers in Christ, and Friends,

I’m concluding a sabbatical with my spiritual director and want to share important plans for Catholic Men Chicago Southland (CMCS).

In 2004 Bishop Emeritus Joseph Perry founded CMCS with Deacon John Rangel and I to address the need for a Catholic men's apostolate in Chicagoland. We established CMCS to operate independently of the Archdiocese while remaining within Vicariate VI at the bishop's request to keep the effort manageable. When we launched the internet ministry in 2009, Bishop Perry used it to share messages with followers; I managed operations and covered for him during travel. After Bishop Perry’s retirement, I kept the ministry active for his permanent successor.

Since Bishop Bartosic’s appointment to the vicariate about a year ago, he has recently asked me to take a sabbatical and suggested a vision for CMCS to move forward without relying on his direct oversight. During this time of discernment I came to embrace that vision: a refocus to our roots of independence with a renewed focus on evangelizing the wider Chicagoland region.

To support that vision we are applying for 501(c)(3) status to access benefits such as vendor discounts and tax-deductible donations, as well as accepting grants. This status will also allow CMCS to offer a salaried Executive Director position, aligning our structure with similar ministries nationwide. As part of the transition, our advisory team will become a formal board of directors (a requirement for 501(c)(3) status). I will remain Executive Director, now accountable to the board rather than acting unilaterally.

Beginning the new fiscal year (July 1, 2026), CMCS will expand live events across the Chicago Southland beyond Vicariate VI and relaunch an internet ministry serving Catholic men throughout Chicagoland — including the Archdiocese of Chicago, the dioceses of Rockford and Joliet (IL), and the Diocese of Gary (IN). We will emphasize parish-based men’s spirituality groups and encourage awareness of the domestic church for families, as described in the Catechism.

We believe CMCS needs a healthy season of change and ask for your prayers and support as we implement these plans in the coming weeks and months. Know that our prayers are with you as well in ‘Living the Goodness of a Catholic Man’.

Please pray for Bishop Emeritus Joseph Perry and Bishop Mark Bartosic in thanksgiving and gratitude for their support of the CMCS mission, and for Bishop Bartosic as he prepares to serve as Archdiocesan Vocation Director while continuing as Vicar for Vicariate VI.

In Christ,

Frank J Casella,

Dear CMCS men and friends,

Thank you for your patience and prayers. Brief updates and next steps:

1. **Leadership:** Frank J. Casella has been on sabbatical and will conclude it in the coming weeks; he will reach out then.

2. **Next Men’s Forum:** We are planning a men’s forum for fall 2026.

3. **Renewal:** We’re returning to our 2004 roots and rebuilding CMCS from the ground up to better meet the needs of Catholic men today. This is a thoughtful overhaul of how we operate—mission, programs, and parish engagement.

4. **How:** CMCS exists to support and evangelize Catholic men in parish life; it is not about a single leader (Frank) or bishop (Bartosic / Perry) being in charge, but about all of us being deeply in love with our precious Lord and with each other, surrendering and joining together—one large brotherhood—encouraging one another to keep Christ at the center of our lives.

5. **Change & Feedback:** Change can be healthy. Please share what you think CMCS should keep, change, or add to make the apostolate more valuable to your spiritual formation. [email protected]

6. **Communications:** You’ll hear more from the team in the future. If you’d like Frank’s reflections, subscribe to his blog on WordPress; posts will also appear on Substack, Tumblr, and Medium. We’ll use this mailing list and the CMCS blog for updates and events; a Tumblr will continue to share curated content from around the web about living as a Catholic man.

We appreciate your support as we “do the road construction.” Stay tuned for more—exciting things are coming.

To the Members of CMCS,

Effective immediately, Bishop Mark Bartosic has requested that Frank J Casella, CMCS Executive Director, take a sabbatical of up to six months. This decision comes in recognition of Frank's longstanding dedication and invaluable contributions as the foundation of the CMCS apostolate.

As a result of this transition, the Men's Forum, typically held in the spring following Easter, has been postponed and is expected to take place in the fall. Additionally, the blog, regular articles, and video content will be on hold during this period.

Our mailing list will be used primarily to provide updates regarding CMCS-related news. In the meantime, we encourage you to visit Frank's Simple Moments photography blogs, where his artistic work continues to offer spiritual inspiration and reflection.

A Catholic sabbatical is an extended period of leave granted to a priest or religious leader for spiritual, personal, and professional renewal. Rooted in the biblical concept of the Sabbath — a time of rest and trust in God's providence — it is not a vacation, but a structured period away from regular ministry duties to deepen one's faith, engage in reflection, and restore one's capacity for service.

We invite all CMCS members to keep Frank in prayer, along with the CMCS Team, as well as Bishop Bartosic and his continued ministry.

Deacon John Rangel,

CMCS Co-Founder & Director of Mission

—-

Lent posts from this blog https://cmcsmen.tumblr.com/search/Lent

From our archive blog https://cmcsvirtues.wordpress.com/?s=Lent

Lent - Square Format - Documentary Color Photograph Copyright 2016 Frank J Casella - frankjcasella.pixels.com - In this photograph a bare altar with purple banner sets the tone at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois, where faithful Catholics visit throughout the days for prayer and reflection.

——

By Frank J Casella, CMCS Co-Founder & Executive Director

Christ is calling for your heart—will you answer? When you create space for God to speak, you'll discover He has profound truths waiting just for you. Consider this: my chiropractor treatments in recent months from a setback have become unexpected spiritual retreats. Those few days away from my phone and internet aren't just recovery time—they're sacred opportunities to silence the noise and hear the Holy Spirit's voice. Imagine having mini sabbaticals built into your year. You need this.

Bishop Emeritus Joseph Perry reminds us that Lent exists for one purpose: to bring us back to God. Let's be honest—we're drowning in distractions. Our information-overloaded world pulls us in a thousand directions. We all carry burdens we'd rather hide. But here's the liberating truth Matthew Kelly shares: life is messy, families are messy, and that's okay. Even the Saints weren't born perfect—they simply learned to transform their shortcomings into strengths and virtues. You can do the same.

This is exactly why Deacon John Rangel and I co-founded CMCS. We recognized a critical gap in Men's Ministry within the Archdiocese of Chicago. But more importantly, we knew we needed this ministry ourselves. Father Burke Masters cuts through to one simple truth: your spiritual life isn't about achieving perfection—God simply wants your heart. Are you ready to give it to Him?

Don't walk this Lenten journey alone. Visit our daily blog posts for inspiration and spiritual growth, then share them with other men who need to hear these messages. Our annual Men'sForums exist because isolation is the enemy of growth. We've moved beyond passive conferences where you listen and leave unchanged. It's time for real engagement, real conversation, real transformation.

Stop the cycle. We men are too hard on ourselves. Our culture relentlessly tears us down. The search for authentic Catholic manhood can feel endless and lonely. But our Episcopal Liaison Bishop Mark Bartosic offers the solution: make Christ the center of your life, understand deeply why that matters, and then boldly share that truth with others.

Here's your challenge: What is your 'why' as a Catholic man? If you don't know, commit this Lent to discovering it. If you do know, commit to deepening it. The time for half-hearted faith is over. This Lent, go all in. 

Lenten Resources from the Archdiocese of Chicago .

Videos for Lent from the US Bishops.

Explanation of the liturgy of Lent from CatholicCulture.

Do you believe in miracles? From Matthew Kelly.

What is LENT and why is it celebrated? - EWTN.

Pope’s Lenten message: Abstain from harsh words and rash judgement.

Find these and more on the CMCS side blog -

Crucifix - A simple Crucifix with palms. This is the Crucifix that I gaze on each day for my prayer time, to put my thoughts on Love and others, and not on self.  Religious Art Photograph by Frank J Casella - frankjcasella.pixels.com  Pope Francis: “[Today’s Gospel invites us to] turn our gaze to the crucifix, which is not an ornamental object or clothing accessory – sometimes abused! – but a religious sign to be contemplated and understood.”

—-

(Lent is next week. For those who never had, or need to, read this again)

The Catechism reminds us that the family is the primary place where we learn the priceless lessons of reconciliation and forgiveness. Within the family, we develop essential qualities such as endurance, the joy of work, and fraternal love—virtues that are vital for building strong, harmonious relationships. The family also teaches us that forgiveness is not a one-time act, but something we must practice again and again as we face the inevitable challenges and conflicts of everyday life. As the Catechism states, “Here one learns endurance and the joy of work, fraternal love, generous—even repeated—forgiveness” (1657).

As most of us can attest, family life can also be the hardest place to put these lessons into practice. Living in close quarters, carrying deep emotional bonds, and navigating complicated relationships can make forgiveness and reconciliation especially challenging. Yet the Church urges us to pursue reconciliation within our families, calling us to be “generous and tireless in forgiving one another for offenses, quarrels, injustices, and neglect” (2227). This is not only a natural expression of mutual affection, but also a requirement of Christ’s charity, which calls us to love one another as he has loved us.

Although we may think of many people in our lives as brothers and sisters, and recognize relationships that need healing, the most important restoration often begins at home. This Lent, set aside time to reflect on your family relationships and ask God to bring the reconciliation and healing you need. Pray for the strength to forgive those who have hurt you, and for the courage to apologize and make amends when you have hurt others. As you let go of the tensions and conflicts that have been weighing you down, you can come to the altar with a heart at peace—ready to offer your gift to God with gratitude and humility.

A Message From The CMCS Director

Dear CMCS Men and Friends,

I want to take a moment to thank you for being part of the CMCS apostolate and our online ministry. February 18th is Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent, and it also marks the beginning of our annual Lenten matching-gift appeal. 

Once again, a generous CMCS supporter will match every donation—up to $700—through Divine Mercy Sunday, the Sunday after Easter. Separately, the CMCS team and my family agree that the time is right for me to begin seeking support outside CMCS so I can earn a salary doing this work. I’m asking for your part to help in funding only this apostolate. 

If you’re able to give early, we can reach our goal by Ash Wednesday and then concentrate more fully on prayer and fasting during Lent, with almsgiving as part of the season. 

As we enter this new phase, I have one simple request: if  your engagement with CMCS has been helpful to you, please consider a $5 donation. Small gifts add up quickly and can make a real difference in reaching our Lenten goal. If you can’t afford a special gift right now, please don’t worry—you are always welcome, and you and your prayers in numbers are truly felt and appreciated. If you can, please share our online content with at least one person, and consider bringing your father or son to the next Men’s Forum. 

Again,  if you’ve ever thought, “CMCS has helped me,” and you’d like to give back—especially as I work to better provide for my family—a first-time or one-time gift is a meaningful way to do so.

give.cmcsmen.net

Thank you. 

You are the reason this apostolate has lasted twenty-two years, and the reason it’s growing into something even bigger. Thank you for reading, for showing up, and for being part of this journey. Know that I and the team are praying for you, and praying for your personal prayers to be answered.

Frank J Casella, 

Co-Founder & Executive Director 

Photo: Family Walk to the Park - A family goes for a walk in park. Kind of reminds me of the Norman Rockwell artwork "Walking to Church" - Copyright 2016 Frank J Casella - frankjcasella.pixels.com

—-

By Frank J Casella, CMCS Co-Founder & Executive Director

I'm revisiting an article I wrote a few years ago about the role of a father, as it still resonates with me. This is one reason I co-founded CMCS in 2004 - I recognized a need for men to receive spiritual encouragement and support. I've noticed a recurring theme in men's groups: the devil's efforts to distance husbands and fathers from their families. CMCS is actively working to counter this trend and safeguard men's spiritual well-being.

An article about spiritual headship says this: Catholic teaching holds that husbands are considered the head of the family, which implies a God-given authority over their wives and children. However, this authority does not imply superiority; both spouses are equal in dignity and share responsibilities within the marriage, with the husband called to love and serve his family sacrificially, as Christ loves the Church.

1 Corinthians 11:3: "The head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is her husband, and the head of Christ is God."

And I especially liked this article ‘The Authority of the Husband according to the Magisterium’ how “the fourth encyclical of Leo XIII’s long and fruitful pontificate is his doctrinal encyclical on Marriage, Arcanum divinae sapientiae (February 10, 1880). He repeats that the authority of the husband is tempered by the example of divine authority, and he also offers two distinct motives—taken from Sacred Scripture—for the wife’s just submission to her husband. First, woman was created from man, and therefore, after him (Genesis 2:21-23). Second, as in Quod apostolici muneris, Leo refers to the Pauline parallels of Christ-Church, husband-wife (Ephesians 5:23-24) to indicate the proper family order.

The husband is the chief of the family and the head of the wife. The woman, because she is flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone, must be subject to her husband and obey him; not, indeed, as a servant, but as a companion, so that her obedience shall be wanting in neither honor nor dignity. Since the husband represents Christ, and since the wife represents the Church, let there always be, both in him who commands and in her who obeys, a heaven-born love guiding both in their respective duties.”

So back to my article, here’s some line-items that speak to me:

Our job is to balance out what Mom says, because there is something about the voice of Dad that determines in our kids the image they see of themselves as a person and member of society ... and how they can see God as their Father.  

Many people believe the first role of a man, husband, and father is to provide and protect the family.  However, our Catechism teaches our main role is to be a parent and to get our family to Heaven. 

In other words, a Father has the power to pass on blessings or curses to his wife and family. In order to be a blessing, though, we as men must first be open to receiving the blessings. 

Guys!  As the father and husband, and priest of our house, we are to example and speak to our family about identity (and mission).