As soon as you come in the door of the foyer area, there is a painting above the glass doors as you are facing into the church. It is a picture of Jesus with His hands down towards those who are sick and poor. It reminds us of how Jesus has compassion for the sick and poor. This is a place where they can come and receive consolation from our merciful Lord. So often we think of those who do not suffer as blessed. However, when we read Matthew, Chapter Five, verses three through twelve, we start to understand that it is specifically people who suffer who have God’s support. Continue reading “Symbolism in the Church #17”
Domingo del Corpus Christi ciclo C 2019
Dios se hizo hombre y convivió con nosotros. Es algo muy grande, inconmensurable. Sin duda, Jesús es el rostro de Dios Invisible. Luego, la noche en que iba a ser entregado, dejó a sus discípulos una presencia permanente en la forma real de su Cuerpo y su Sangre. La misma que había servido para la Encarnación de Dios en hombre. Esto es también enorme y da vértigo solo pensarlo. Porque Dios está presente en una cercanía impresionante: en los sagrarios de todas las iglesias y sobre el altar de todas las misas cotidianas. Es probable que no seamos capaces de entender totalmente esa realidad; que, incluso, la aceptemos intelectualmente, pero que se nos olvide o que no la sintamos de manera suficiente. Continue reading “Domingo del Corpus Christi ciclo C 2019”
Relax, Refresh, and Renew with myParish App
June typically signals a time to slow down for the summer (unless you are involved in youth ministry and vacation bible school). It’s a time to relax, refresh and renew both personally and spiritually.
While you’re out at the beach, a lake, in the park or waiting for an appointment, your myParish app gives you quick access to many aspects of your Catholic life every day. Continue reading “Relax, Refresh, and Renew with myParish App”
Corpus Christi Procession June 23
The Jewish people followed God in the pillar of cloud when leaving Egypt. God Himself led them all the way to the promised land. We, too, follow God wherever He may lead us. The Corpus Christi Procession will be this Sunday, June 23, after the morning Mass at St Joseph Church. We invite all people to come and join us in making a public witness of our faith as we process from St Joseph to St Mary Church. We will follow Jesus where He may lead us.
Bishop Malloy makes statement on recent abortion law in Illinois
For those who missed the news about the abortion expansion in Illinois. Here is Bishop Malloy’s statement on May 31.
Today is a dark day in the history of the State of Illinois.
With today’s vote by the Illinois Senate to approve the horribly misnamed Reproductive Health Act, that body has declared that abortion in Illinois is a fundamental right. This legislation strips the unborn of any protection or rights under the law, and demonstrates a grievous disregard for the care and human solidarity we owe to the most vulnerable among us.
This legislation disregards the advances of science that demonstrate the development and the shared humanity of unborn children. In the face of this reality, our State will allow abortion at any time during the 9 months of pregnancy for any reason. It also mandates the cooperation of those who support the gift of life by requiring all insurance plans subject to regulation by the State of Illinois to cover abortion services.
This action takes us one step further down the path which devalues our shared humanity and the dignity we bear as human beings from our creation. The State of Illinois and we as its citizens are better than this.
I thank all who have called, written or visited their legislators to express opposition to this terribly misguided legislation. I urge that we continue to pray, to lobby and most especially to teach our children, the next generation, that respect for the right to life must be rebuilt and reclaimed in the years to come.
The Trinity and Fatherhood
Jun 19, 2019
Audio and Video
Corpus Christi Novena Explanation
June 23 is the Feast Day of Corpus Christi, where we as Catholics honor Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. All are invited to pray the novena prayer below. You can cut it out and pray it for the nine days of the novena. The Novena starts Friday, June 14.
Novena prayers are great for opening us up for the graces of special feast days like this. We look forward to honoring our savior Jesus and the graces He wants to give us.
~ Daily Novena Prayers ~
O Lord, You have given us this Sacred Banquet, in which Christ is received, the memory of His Passion is renewed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.
V: You have given them bread from Heaven.
R: Having all sweetness within it.
Let us pray. God our Father, for Your glory and our salvation You appointed Jesus Christ eternal High Priest. May the people He gained for You by His Blood come to share in the power of His Cross and Resurrection by celebrating His Memorial in this Eucharist, for He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.
O Jesus, since You have left us a remembrance of Your Passion beneath the veils of this Sacrament, grant us, we pray, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Your Body and Blood that we may always enjoy the fruits of Your Redemption, for You live and reign forever. Amen.
Marian Society Meeting
The St Joseph Marian Society will meet on Thursday, June 13, at 7:00pm in Berg Hall. Traveler extraordinaire, Ann Young, will present a program on Budapest, The Queen of The Danube. Budapest is the capital of Hungary, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Hostesses for the evening are Jan Ackerman, Toni Ginger and Stephanie Helms. All ladies of the parish are invited to attend.
~ Thank You/Gracias ~
This thank you is long overdue. We just wanted to thank Fr. Diego and The Hispanic Community for the statues they purchased for the Easter Vigil. If you were unable to attend the Visitation at St Mary Church, it was the utmost humbling experience. So serene and absolutely beautiful. These are some of the pictures of the statutes they purchased. A thank you seems so small for all you do for St Mary
Church. God Bless all of you.
Este agradecimiento es un poco tarde, Queremos darle las gracias al Padre Diego y a la comunidad hispana de la Iglesia de Santa María, por la compra de las estatuas que donaron para nuestra iglesia.
Si no tuvieron la oportunidad de asistir a la visitación en la iglesia de Santa María fue la mejor experiencia espiritual, muy serena y hermosa. Aquí podrás ver algunas fotos de las estatuas que se compraron. Unas gracias parecen algo pequeño por todo lo que hacen por nuestra iglesia de Santa María, Dios los bendiga.
Pentecost Sunday
Jun 10, 2019
Audio and Video