The Madonna Renewal Center will be sponsoring a spaghetti dinner on Tuesday, February 25, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at St Thomas Catholic Church in Freeport. The meal includes spaghetti and meatballs, salad, garlic bread, beverage and dessert.
The pre-sale tickets will be $8.00, and tickets at the door will be $9.00. If you have any questions, please contact Pat Davis at 7pandj1@gmail.com.
The Diocese of Rockford Vocation Office Annual Spring Nun Run
The Vocation Office will be hosting a vocational discernment “Nun Run” for women 18 years of age, college age and older who are interested in a religious vocation. We will be visiting Sisters and Nuns of different orders with different apostolates; this will include talks on discernment and religious life, time in prayer with our Lord, as well as many opportunities to meet, share and pray with the sisters. We will be visiting various religious communities, in Missouri and Illinois. Continue reading
Light of the World Retreat
An invitation especially for you….
to be part of a special faith journey – to hear amazing talks – to reflect during quiet moments – to engage in rich fellowship and to connect with The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
•You are the one who will receive a precious gift by participating in Light of the World!
•For the Lord delights in you and makes your land his spouse. As a young man marries a virgin, your Builder shall marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so shall your God rejoice in you. (Book of the Prophet Isaiah) Continue reading
Fireside Bus Trips in 2020
We have reservations for two shows at the Fireside Dinner Theatre this year. Our first show is “JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT” on Wednesday, October 7. The second show is the Holiday show, “HOLIDAY INN,” which we will see on Wednesday, December 2.
Many performances for both of these show are already sold out. I encourage you to make reservations early, as it is not likely that I will be able to add to our number. As soon as all contracts are completed, we will have full details and pricing in the bulletin. If you have any questions, contact Mary Koppi at 815-232-4687.
Watch The Bible and the Church Fathers this Lent!
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I am Telling You the Truth
Domingo VI tiempo ordinario ciclo A 2020
La enseñanza del libro del Eclesiástico deja bien claro que el mal no procede de Dios, sino que tiene su causa en la libertad del hombre únicamente. Dios no quiere jamás el mal. Si éste se da, lo castiga. Ante el hombre siempre está la posibilidad de la vida o la muerte (pecado). El hombre, si quiere, puede optar por la primera, pero, si elige el pecado, la responsabilidad es sólo suya. Libertad y responsabilidad del hombre. Moisés decía a su pueblo: “Ante ti están la muerte y la vida; tú escogerás”. En medio de las dificultades, sabemos que Dios nos ayuda. Se dice que el gran filósofo y científico Blas Pascal recitaba diariamente el Salmo 118. Después de una larga noche de espera y vigilia orante en el templo, cuando aparece en el horizonte la aurora e inicia la liturgia, el fiel está seguro de que el Señor escuchará a quien ha pasado la noche orando, esperando y meditando en la Palabra divina. Confortado por esta certeza, ante la jornada que se abre ante él, ya no temerá los peligros. Sabe que no lo alcanzarán sus perseguidores, que lo asedian a traición, porque el Señor está junto a él. Continue reading
Symbolism in the Church #42
Most Churches have what they call a cruciform. In some churches it is more obvious than others. For some churches, even the outside is shaped like a cross, but for many others you have to go inside to understand the cross shape. When you think of the aisle going up the middle, that is the vertical beam. The horizontal beam is up in the sanctuary that goes from one wall to the other crossing the vertical beam. The altar is where the head of Jesus would be. Jesus is our head and that is where the sacrifice takes place. The steps are where Jesus’ heart is pierced, and out flows the water and blood, washing His peoples’ sins away and strengthening them with His sacred food. The pierced feet are His suffering church, nailed to the cross with their Savior. He suffers with us and we with Him. It truly becomes a wedding banquet. This is the place where we become one flesh with our Lord. I in Him and He in me.
This intimacy with Jesus goes deep into our souls. It makes this place an experience of the holy of holies. It constantly calls us back to Him. It is a place where we experience the love of God. It is a place where friends are found and relationships are built. It is where we were baptized, confirmed, forgiven of our sins, married and received our first communion. It is a place where the divine has touched our hearts so dearly that we wish it could remain forever. After all, why not? “For His love endures forever” (Ps 136).
Freedom by Following God’s Ways, Deacon Paul Ranney
Who Dunnit ? ? ?
A Baby Shower for the Blue Nuns… a Pizza Party for the Sleezer Home girls… Ladies’ Civil War-era Fashions on display… a Night of Cedarville History featuring Jane Addams…
WHO DUNNIT? None other than the St Joseph Marian Society!
During 2019 the Society also donated over $700 to assist charitable organizations in Freeport, hosted a reception for Deacon Timmerman and family, and in cooperation with St Mary Guild provided warm hats, gloves and Christmas gifts for twenty-five needy children.
The St Joseph Marian Society meets on the second Thursday of the month, March through December (no meeting in August) at 7:00pm in Berg Hall of the Aquin Elementary School. All ladies of the parish are invited to join; yearly dues are only $10.00. It is the responsibility of the Marian Society to provide desserts and serve funeral meals, organize the May Crowning of the Blessed Virgin, host one of the monthly birthday parties at Presence, and provide other services to the parish as needed.
Please consider joining with other ladies of St Joseph once a month for interesting and informative programs, service to church and community, and fellowship. The first meeting of 2020 will be Thursday, March 12; please watch the bulletin for details. If you have any questions, contact Mary Koppi at 815-232-4687.
