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St. Marcelline ParishBackForwardPauseCaption
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Fr. Augustine MahongeAssociate Pastor
- First assignment: St. Benedict, Blue Island
- Education: Elementary and high school in Tanzania; Spiritan Missionary Seminary, Arusha, Tanzania; Tangaza School of Theology, Nairobi; and University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary
- Parents:Victoia Dimu Salimu and the late Richard Mbiu Mahonge
- First Mass: 5:30 p.m. May 23 at Holy Family Church, 1080 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Augustine Mahonge is the youngest of seven children, and he remembers gathering as a family for prayer every morning and evening. “I found myself interested in leading the prayers at our family and always I asked my mother if I could do it,” he wrote. “I found that to be more of a treat from my parents than a duty, to be allowed to lead everyone in prayer.” He was trained as an altar server by his brother, then a seminarian and now a priest in Tanzania. “Going to the seminary back in my country brought forth my desire to a more reasonable and passionate pursuit of priesthood vocation,” he said. “Deep within me I felt that this is what I want to do in my life.”
He entered the seminary in Tanzania, and then entered Tuite House of the Archdiocese of Chicago, a house of formation for men from Africa, in 2005. “I grew to love the text of M 16:15, that called for a missionary spirit to Jesus’ disciples. I always wondered how people, regardless of cultural background, race, social status and formation can be united by one faith and keep the joy of God’s love as they come together to church. In view of this I have always wanted to be in a place different from my own origin, background and experience but learn and serve among others of that same faith and belief. Chicago proves to be that place.”
Mahonge said he has a positive attitude and appreciation of culture that will help him bring the grace of God to his people.
“Christ is our rock when in or out of season, his message of love needs to be presented as the source of light, truth and life,” he said. “In him our rock we remain firm and stable like the house built on the rock.”
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Renew My ChurchSchaumburg and Hoffman Estates Final Grouping
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From the Pastor
Dear St. Marcelline Community,
I write to share some difficult news about Mr. Howard Grossman. The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) received a call from a third party stating that Mr. Grossman had a sexual relationship with a child when she was fifteen years old. This is alleged to have occurred 15 years ago. We have been informed by DCFS that they will investigate the allegation and St. Marcelline Church will cooperate fully.In consultation with the Archdiocese of Chicago and in keeping with archdiocesan child protection policies, Mr. Grossman will not be working at the parish during the investigation. Allegations are claims that have not been proven as true or false. Therefore, guilt or innocence should not be assumed.
At this time, our Director of Religious Education Mary Kramer will lead and oversee EDGE, Confirmation Programs and the ASP. Meetings and classes will continue at their scheduled time.
The welfare of the children entrusted to our care remains our priority. The Archdiocese of Chicago takes all allegations of sexual abuse involving minors seriously and encourages anyone who has been sexually abused by a priest, deacon, religious or lay employee to come forward. Complete information about reporting sexual abuse can be found on the archdiocesan website at www.archchicago.org.
As always, you are in my prayers. Please keep me in yours.Fr. Tony Bury
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Event Calendar
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our Mission Statement
The Catholic community of St. Marcelline is dedicated to continuing the mission
of Christ in the world by inviting all to an awareness of God’s abiding presence,
by sharing a common commitment to stewardship,
and by celebrating God’s love in prayer and sacrament.
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