NOTES FOR JANUARY 12, 2024 | |
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Faithful can subscribe to the notes by contacting the parish office and providing their e-mail address. Thanks for your support of our border town parishes!!!
Please remember - Fr. Pete does not send out text messages, e-mails or social media posts to solicit
funds for himself or any organizations outside of the parishes he serves. Fr. Pete's emergency phone
number is (815) 685-1359 and his e-mail addresses
are either [email protected] or [email protected].
Please do not trust any correspondences that
utilize any other phone number or e-mail address.
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Please support our parishes by clicking the ONLINE GIVING picture - these are your local homes where God is present! Let's share this grace with those of the next generation! | |
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News & Notes with Fr. Pete Jankowski
Some Warm Thoughts on a Very Snowy Weekend...
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Feel free to contact Fr. Pete at email [email protected]. If you have an emergency, please contact Fr. Pete at (815) 685-1359 | |
To Make Our Winter Storm a Little More Palatable... | |
A few months ago, the artists from Wheaton Religious Goods were kind enough to re-plate one set of liturgical vessels for me that I received as an ordination gift in 1996. I also have to do the other set at St. Patrick’s. | |
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Pictured are the vessels that
I was using prior to the Wednesday Mass this week.
My family was kind enough to buy these and the other set for me. Every time I use them, I remember them in my prayers and what my family and friends (and everyone else!) meant to me leading up to my ordination… and mean to me today.
These vessels aren’t cheap to re-plate; this is only the second time that I have had them re-plated in almost twenty-eight years as a priest; perhaps I will also do them if I make it past forty years in the priesthood. I was thinking about this, though, when I received these liturgical vessels back from Wheaton Religious…
How many times have I used these vessels at the Masses I have celebrated? How many times have I remembered all of you in prayer each time I have used these vessels? The gold eventually gets wiped out of these vessels because I use them over and over again for the Masses I celebrate. That’s a lot of Masses these last fourteen years (just like the Masses I celebrated the FIRST fourteen years!).
I know I should have them re-plated more often but… I have celebrated a whole slew of Masses with these vessels on behalf of a great many of you, if not all of you, at the parishes I have served. It was well worth the effort to get them cleaned up. It’s always about God, working through me so that this grace is offered to you. That is the major reason I am still a priest.
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Meanwhile, while Jana Stedman was looking to buy hats, scarves, mittens, socks and slippers for those in need over at Harbor House (which is the focus of our January collection at both parishes), she found a deal at Ross Dress for Less in Bradley (next to the Target, I guess), which was selling hats and gloves for kids at $3 a set. I am not sure the sale is still going on but when you are able get your cars out of your snowy driveways, perhaps you might take a gander over to Ross (or somewhere else) to take care of our families in need. | | |
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Both Parishes will be Praying the "9 Days for Life" Novena after the Homilies of every Mass we celebrate from January 16-24. The Spanish Speaking Community will pray the Novena each night at 6:30 p.m. and hold a special Mass on January 24 at 7:00 p.m. | | |
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One of the areas at our parishes we do not cover a great deal is the “Right to Life” Movement." Only because no one has stepped forward to promote the cause (except DRE John Rehmer, who does so many things at our parishes!). The US Conference of Catholic Bishops last fall declared (once again) that the life in the womb is the pre-eminent “Right to Life” issue in this country and to defend the life of the helpless child in the one is of great importance to our faith.
As we know, children in the womb (and outside of it) have very little control in this world. They cannot vote; they cannot consume alcohol. Children depend on adults to lead them and guide them and provide them with a type of “moral compass” in life. The role of godparents at baptism is supposed to serve as a second set of Christian examples for the children to follow. Children need that guidance; the fact is, we all do.
Towards this cause of promoting life, we are following the bishops’ lead on this subject by investing in the “9 Days for Life Novena” from January 16-24 (see the website www.9daysforlife.com for more information). During these nine days after our Mass homilies, we will be praying that particular Novena Day at Mass and reflecting on the theme for that day. On January 24, we will celebrate special Masses for life at our parishes (5:00 p.m. at St. Anne’s; 9:15 a.m. (English) and 7:00 p.m. (Spanish) at St. Patrick’s. At St. Patrick’s, our Hispanic community will pray the “Rosary for Life” at 6:30 every night of the Novena, just like the English-speaking community does prior to every single Mass we celebrate at both parishes.
St. Patrick's Knights of Columbus will join us in full force at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on January 21 and will be providing coffee and donuts after Mass for those who wish to to join us in prayer!
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Meanwhile... on Wednesday night, Nick Skokna called me about picking up another hundred or so cases of junk food for our pantries (this time around we got a bunch of BBQ Doritos, Spicy Queso Funyons, Regular Crunchy Cheetohs and BBQ Lays Chips). I got a fifteen-foot U-Haul and headed up to Minooka to pick up the goods.
Wednesday marked the two-year anniversary of the burial of the former prioress of the Poor Clares, Mother Mary Dorothy of the Holy Spirit Urschalitz. Since then, the community has grown from six to TWENTY SISTERS!!! I promised the sisters we would help them, as I have done for the Sisters of St. Joseph in Joliet (Las Hermanas Josefinas), Brothers Alphonsus and Charles with the Hospitaliers and all the Viatorians that help us out. I told Fr. Moises Mesh and Brother Jhobany Orduz that their community have an open invitation to speak about vocations whenever they want at our parishes. Tentatively, they are scheduled to do just that t the Masses on January 27-28, 2024.
While I was up north, the sisters gave me another trove of liturgical items, including a huge ambo, candlesticks and other glass candleholders. If it were not for the sisters and their Latin Mass, St. Pat's would not have an upgraded church roof, bathrooms in the gymnasium and food that has helped numerous food pantries in the area. BTW, with the snow, not as many folks have taken advantage of the chips... so come get 'em this weekend at St. Pat's!
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Join Us at Our Annual Polka Mass and Appreciation Dinner!
February 10, 2024
Polka Mass w/ Ray Koncar at 4 pm
Appreciation Dinner to Follow
This week, we started planning in earnest for our Border Town Mass and Appreciation Dinner in February (prior to our Ash Wednesday services and the Season of Lent), we just worked out details with JR's Chicken and Bill & Elina Dimitrious in Joliet (owners of four restaurants in that area), whose staff will also be preparing food for this event. Anyone who volunteers at the parish is invited to join us with their families. All you have to do is RSVP at St. Anne's [(815) 427-8265] or St. Patrick's [(815) 472-2864] and you are all set to go - hope to see you there!!! We have included highlights from last year's celebration with this note.
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And on a personal note...
What has been done for the parishes I serve... and for me this week... goes WAY BEYOND the call of duty. What a couple people have done for us is a testimony as to how much you are all loved at our parishes. Please know that!!!
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ST. PAT'S ACADEMY & COMMUNITY CENTER GYM WINDOW PROJECT | |
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Lorri Simpson and a whole bunch of nice people from our parish were able to help us raise $10,000 so that we could finish replacing all the windows at our facility. Last year, Van Drunen Farms and a few other folks were able to install the bulk of our gym windows and now we are finishing it up with a little help from Wally Martin, Bill Powers, and a few of our friends from Joliet. Between the $10,000 and some donations from our local groups to take care of the rest of that project (more on that later), we are able to finish this part of the project within the next month or two.
After this project and a renovation of one of our spaces to form a warming kitchen are completed, most of our renovation work in the gym will be done for the sake of the Momence Community. (The “big ticket items” that still remain will be putting Internet in the facility ($20,000), a generator for inclement weather ($20,000) and a $250,000 parking lot to help alleviate the problems on Hill Street.)
Thank you for your patience with us during this renovation. may God bless all of you!
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Please Stay Safe! If you are Not Comfortable Leaving Your Home This Weekend Because of the Snowstorm, Feel Free to Watch Our Online Masses Here! Thanks for Supporting Our Border Town Parishes!!! | |
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Mass for the Second
Sunday in Ordinary Time
Celebrated at St. Patrick's Church - Momence, IL
So many good souls are called by God in so many different ways to build the body of Christ, as referenced in both our first reading from 1 Samuel and our gospel from John. Fr. Pete reflects on the good work of the three core staff members of the parishes he serves (Secretary Ema Elvir, Business Manager Julia Bisaillon and Maintenance Director Artemio Ojeda) as three wonderful examples of this Christian Service.
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Reflection in Spanish for the
Solemnity of the Epiphany
Celebrated at St. Patrick's Church - Momence, IL
Offered by Brother Ender Jhobany Orduz Duarte
Thanks to Andres Ojeda and family for recording our Masses!
Video will be Accessible on Friday Night at 6:00 p.m.
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UPCOMING PROJECTS AT ST. PATRICK'S | |
WE HAVE REDUCED OURPARISH DEBT AT ST. PATRICK'S BY A FACTOR OF OVER $200,000 IN THE LAST TWO YEARS!!! | |
One of our seniors has taken it upon themself to take courses on writing grants. The US Government offers millions of dollars of grants that are accessible for those who apply for them. Since both parish halls are seen as "Community and Emergency Centers" by our respective cities, we need help in getting generators and internet on our properties to help the cities... and us!!! ... in our efforts to serve the people of our area. | |
ST. PATRICK'S / ST. ANNE'S
PHOTO DIRECTORIES
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Thanks to Ruth Sparenberg, Anne Andrade & Joanne Hermann for assembling, scanning and editing the follow Photo Directories from the Church History of St. Patrick's and St. Anne's Churches! | |
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The Holy Father provides a wonderful opportunity to receive an Apostolic Blessing for Birthdays, Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, Weddings, Religious Professions, Ordinations and Anniversaries of these sacraments. | | |
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For weddings and such, Fr. Pete offers a special blessing on the first Sunday weekend of each month and is willing to purchase an Apostolic Blessing for anyone who asks (and if he can afford it... since he pays out of pocket!!!).
If you are interested in receiving an Apostolic Blessing, you can do so by clicking the link below or by calling the parish offices.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR OWN APOSTOLIC BLESSING!!!
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Parish Hotline... If you know of someone who is sick and in need of the sacraments or if you know someone who wishes a visit at the hospital or care facility, please contact the parish office or Fr. Pete Jankowski at (815) 685-1359.
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Fr. Pete offers the anointing of the sick at both parishes at the First Friday Masses every month (St. Patrick’s at 9:15 a.m. and St. Anne’s at 5:00 p.m. (English) and 7:00 p.m. (Spanish). | |
PULPIT ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS WEEKEND | |
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(Momence) Please note that all parish offices will be closed on Monday, January 15 in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
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For those who are wishing a 2023 Contribution Statement, please contact the parish office.
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On January 20-21, we will be taking a Second Collection for the Church in Latin America. We ask you please to be generous towards this cause.
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Please consider donation socks and slippers to Harbor House in January. More information can be found in the bulletin.
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KEEP UPDATED WITH OUR PARISH BULLETINS!!! | |
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To View St. Patrick's Bulletin for
January 14, 2024
CLICK HERE!
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To View St. Anne's Bulletin for
January 14, 2024
CLICK HERE!
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PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK: Mary Kay Blankestyn, Ashley & Jesse Childress, Guadalupe Maria De Leon, Austin Fuhrmann, Ron Gall, Joel Hart, Karen Hensa, Joanne McCracken, Marilyn Peterson, Joanne Prather, Evelyn Provost, Ron Schroeder, Ruth Sparenberg, Cynthia Vickery, Gary Witherall... and all those on our sick list.
At St. Anne's... Eva Bell, Paula Bertrand, Lola Billings, Duane Blanchette, Cheryl Boswell, Patrick Burns, Cindy Capriotti, Abraham Daily, Tom Dandurand, Aria Dionne, Carol Futcher, Raelynn Garrett, Val Lagacy, Bentley Lottinville, Linda Miramontes and John Wojnowski.
At St. Patrick's... P. Anderson, N. Atkinson, R. Bailey, D. Barth, Beedle Family, D. Brown, W. Bukowski, B & E. Coffman, S. Conner, M & D Cousin, M. Cruz, A. Delaney, D. Demack, M. Dionne, J. Dobbins, E. Duke, D. Dunlap, G. Field, C. Fritz, R. Gall, J. Grill, R. Harper, J. Hibbs, D. Hiller, C. Jones, L. Kane, R. Kazee, A. Kijewski, L. Lee, L. Leranth, E. Lopez, B. Love, J. Marcotte, W. Marten, L. McNulty, L. Mercado, R & V Morse, C. Ortman, D. Petronio, M. Peterson, C. Piec, C. Provost, E. Provost, R. Rehmer, P. Reising, D. Roberts, B. Ryan, A. Schaff, J. Schopf. Schmied, K. Simpson, B. Siwicki, B. Spagnola, M. Tolbert, M. Tolmer, H. Tousignant, M. Velazquez, C. Vickery, M. Williams, M. Witherspoon, S. Young, A. Zimmerman, M & L Zink and G. Zokal.
PLEASE PRAY FOR BELOVED DECEASED: David Lagacy (Funeral at St. Patrick's on Tuesday, January 16 at 11:00 a.m. - CLICK HERE for more information) and Ronald Schroeder (Funeral at St. Anne's on Friday - January 19 at 5:00 p.m. - CLICK HERE for more information).
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Fr. Pete Jankowski posts his homilies online at the parish website for those who wish to keep up with the gospel message each week.
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PARISH REGISTRATION FORMS | |
FR. PETE'S TELEVISION SERIES | |
CLICK HERE to watch Fr. Pete’s Twelve Part Series “Stories on the Journey,” Broadcast on Shalom World TV! | |
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BOOK, BRICK & PEW DEDICATION PROGRAM | |
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For only $100, you can dedicate a brick to someone special at St. Patrick's Outdoor Grotto (where the Our Lady of Lourdes Outdoor Masses are celebrated)!!!
(815) 472-2864
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For only $25, you can dedicate a Journeysongs Pew Book from either parish. Please call (815) 472-2864 (St. Patrick's) or (815) 427-8265 (St. Anne's) for more information! | | |
LINKS TO CATHOLIC WEBSITES
CLICK ON PICTURE TO ACCESS SITE
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