Symbolism in the Church #12

The Patron of this parish is rightfully a figure of prominence in this church. This parish was named after St Joseph, the foster father of Jesus. Our heavenly Father, to whom we address the prayer that Jesus taught us, chose St Joseph to be the father here on earth for His only begotten Son. St Joseph was hand picked by God, of all men throughout all of time, to be the earthly father of Jesus. This alone should make us pause and ponder his importance in the life of Jesus and, therefore, our lives.
Since St Joseph is the namesake of our parish community, it should make us pause all the more and put ourselves individually and as a community under his care to lead us ever closer to Jesus. We are not a community of just Jesus and me; that is not why Jesus founded a church. We need help from each other here below and help from above. If we did not need help from above, why would God make angels and have them serve us, as is well attested in the bible. Continue reading “Symbolism in the Church #12”

III domingo de pascua ciclo C 2019

La iglesia nació de Jesús, de su Espíritu, no del esfuerzo de sus discípulos. Es evidente que el esfuerzo y tesón de los discípulos también fue necesario, pero fue el Espíritu de Jesús, el Espíritu Santo, el que dio savia y vida a la primitiva Iglesia cristiana. Cuando los discípulos de Cristo no han actuado movidos por la palabra y el espíritu de Jesús, la Iglesia se ha desorientado lamentablemente y ha perdido eficacia y fecundidad. Tenemos que reconocer que esto ha ocurrido más de una vez a lo largo de toda la historia del cristianismo y esta ha sido la causa de que la Iglesia cristiana haya sido a veces, lamentablemente, muy poco cristiana. Los discípulos de Jesús se habían pasado la noche en el lago bregando como expertos pescadores que eran y no habían pescado nada, pero cuando se dejan guiar por el Maestro recogen tal cantidad de peces que las redes se rompían, hemos de reconocer que lo que quiere decir a sus lectores el evangelista es eso que apuntábamos arriba: que, si la Iglesia cristiana no se deja guiar por Jesús pierde eficacia y autenticidad y puede llegar a ser más que signo del reino de Dios, contra-signo. Y lo que decimos de la Iglesia en general, lo podemos decir de cada uno de nosotros en particular y de cada uno de los grupos y comunidades cristianas que formamos el conjunto de la Iglesia cristiana. Cuanto más apartados vivamos del evangelio de Jesús, más contra-signo de su reino seremos y no podremos ni nosotros mismos considerarnos Iglesia nacida de Jesús, ni tenemos derecho a pedir a la sociedad que nos vea como talles. Hagamos un serio examen de conciencia sobre este punto, cada uno de nosotros en particular y cada uno de los grupos y comunidades que formamos el conjunto de lo que llamamos Iglesia cristiana. Continue reading “III domingo de pascua ciclo C 2019”

Early Registration for Religious Education Classes

We would like to extend a special invitation to you to register your child/children early for Religious Education Classes. We will have registration on Tuesday June 18, 2019, from 4:30 to 7:30pm, at the Holy Family Community Center. You do not need to pay for classes at this time; however, we must have payment for classes on or before September 8, 2019, which is the first day of class. There will be a 10% discount for all who pay at the registration in June.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions at 815-232-8271 x5.
Thank you for your cooperation. — Ann Peters, CRE

Fireside Bus Trip

We are planning a trip to THE FIRESIDE in Fort Atkinson, WI, on Wednesday, November 20, for the Broadway version of the movie, A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL.

A Christmas Story is the hilarious account of Ralphie’s desperate quest to ensure that an Official Red Ryder Carbine-action Air Rifle ends up under his Christmas tree. This show is a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays with your friends from St Joseph and St Mary Churches. The menu for the day starts with Tomato Bisque and features Chicken Cordon Bleu and a Beef Short Rib along with Gingerbread Frozen Custard Pie.

The bus will leave from St Joseph at 8:45am. The cost per person is $98 and includes dinner, theatre, transportation and driver tip.

To register, call Mary Koppi at 815-232-4687. Payment is due before October 21; please make checks payable to St Joseph Church. Checks may be placed in the collection in an envelope marked BUS TRIP.

Venezuelan National Guard Attacks Church During Mass

SAN CRISTOBAL – Members of the Venezuelan National Guard attacked a Catholic church in San Cristobal Wednesday, amid nationwide protests against the government of president Nicolas Maduro.
Bishop Mario del Valle Moronta Rodriguez of San Cristóbal de Venezuela said May 1 that “this afternoon a horde of Bolivarian National Guardsmen attacked Our Lady of Fatima church in Barrio Sucre of San Cristóbal.”
A Mass was ending, he said, “when two (members of) the GNB entered the church on a motorcycle.” …

http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/venezuelan-national-guard-attacks-church-during-mass

Pro Life Corner

At eight weeks, the baby is capable of feeling pain; all body systems are present; sucks thumbs, wakes and sleeps. This is the time when most abortions are performed. “The greatest gift of God, I would think, is the gift of life. The greatest sin of humans, it would seem, would be to return the gift ungratefully and unopened.” -John Powell, S.J.