Fr. James' Letters

May 14, 2021

Dear Parishioners,

We’ve slightly shifted the focus in the Mass readings to the Holy Spirit. In our first reading we hear about the Apostles traveling to Samaria to pray for the Christians there, specifically to lay hands on them “that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them.” The Lord in the Gospel says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always.”

Read more: May 14, 2021

May 7, 2023

Dear Parishioners,

Our Gospel today is often read at funerals. “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places…” I wonder if people find comfort in this saying from Jesus because they think their deceased loved one was unique and didn’t fit the standard mold. Jesus’ words indicate that people of all different flavors will find a place in heaven. Your loved one had some rough spots and difficult qualities? Well, don’t worry, Christ has just the room for him or her. Other translations of the Gospel text say, “In my father’s mansion there are many rooms.”

Read more: May 7, 2023

April 30, 2023

Dear Parishioners,

Peter does something that many of us, I think, wish we could do. He converts people. He gets them to change.

Read more: April 30, 2023

Who is Fr. James?

Father James Wallace grew up in Winnetka, Illinois and attended Sts. Faith Hope and Charity grammar school, New Trier High School, and then The George Washington University in Washington DC, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science in 2007. He attended seminary at The Pontifical North American College in Rome and was ordained a priest in 2012 for the Archdiocese of Chicago. In addition to being the pastor of Saint Paul of the Cross Parish, he serves as a canon lawyer for the Archdiocese, a dean in Vicariate II, and a professor of canon law and spiritual director at Mundelein Seminary. He is also one of the featured Mercy Home Sunday Mass celebrants, airing Sundays at 9:30am on WGN.

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Contact Information

St. Paul of the Cross

320 South Washington Street
Park Ridge, IL 60068


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Phone: (847) 825-7605

Mass Schedule

UC = Upper Church
HFC = Holy Family Chapel 

Monday - Friday

6:25 am UC

8:30 am UC

Saturday

8:30 am UC - weekday Mass

4:30 pm UC - vigil

Sunday

7:30 am UC

9:00 am UC

10:30 am UC and HFC

12:00 pm UC