Ultrasounds reveal the lies of those who claim that the baby is not a person, not a human being. This is the time for a new abolitionism, the time to abolish the barbaric and inhumane practice of abortion. We must insist for the right to life, for the born and the unborn.
Fish Dinner
MRC Spaghetti Dinner 2019
IHM Sisters and the MRC Family wish to express their sincere gratitude to Father Barr and our beloved St Joseph-St Mary Parishes for all the support we received for our Mission. The Spaghetti Dinner was a huge success thanks to all of you. The desserts, and turning out in your numbers despite the biting cold, meant so much to us. We served about 475 dinners and netted over $1,000.00 in donations. Thank you for always being there for us. May the good Lord reward you abundantly. — Sister Theo
Symbolism in the Church #7
At first glance, we can see that the high altar is a great castle. It symbolizes the great castle that the Father in Heaven has made a room for us to live in when it comes to the last days of our pilgrimage of life. It is a place where we find rest and all that is right and holy. Judging by this castle, it is a place where our Heavenly Father has quite the spread prepared for us. I wonder how much chocolate there will be? Continue reading “Symbolism in the Church #7”
II domingo de cuaresma ciclo C 2019
El segundo domingo de Cuaresma nos presenta la Transfiguración del Señor. Superada la prueba del desierto, Jesús asciende a lo alto de una montaña para orar. Es éste un lugar donde se produce el encuentro con la divinidad: “su rostro cambió, sus vestidos brillaban de blancos”. El rostro iluminado refleja la presencia de Dios. Algunos rostros dan a veces signos de esta iluminación, son como un reflejo de Dios. Son personas llenas de espiritualidad, que llevan a Dios dentro de sí y lo reflejan a los demás. Jesús no subió al monte solo. Le acompañan Pedro, Juan y Santiago, los mismos que están con él en el momento de la agonía en Getsemaní. Sólo aceptando la humillación de la cruz se puede llegar a la glorificación. En las dos ocasiones los apóstoles estaban “cargados de sueño”. Este sueño simboliza nuestra pobre condición humana aferrada a las cosas terrenas, e incapaz de ver nuestra condición gloriosa. Estamos ciegos ante la grandeza y la bondad de Dios, no nos damos cuenta de la inmensidad de su amor. Tenemos que despertar para poder ver la gloria de Dios, que es “nuestra luz y nuestra salvación” (Salmo Responsorial). Continue reading “II domingo de cuaresma ciclo C 2019”
Lent Almsgiving
This Lent our almsgiving offering will be given to
the Society of St Vincent de Paul. You will find
envelopes in the pews with a St Vincent de Paul
label. According to custom, you are asked to make a
sacrifice of eating one small meal in place of a large one
and place the difference of the cost in your almsgiving
offering. Please return your offering by Easter. The Society
of St Vincent de Paul operates with the generosity of YOU.
Thank you for your generosity.
Aryl Dailey Free Lunch
We wish to thank the ladies from St Thomas for supplying
all of the homemade cookies and the ladies from St Mary
for the fruit and cereal bars for the February lunch. We
provided 133 meals on that Saturday. The generous
donation of personal items and warm clothing was
overwhelming and greatly appreciated by the recipients.
The next luncheon will be Saturday, March 16. We will
serve Sloppy Joe Sandwiches, Chips, Fresh Vegetables,
Fruit, and Dessert. We will be collecting hand soap and
small boxes of facial tissue. We are always in need of
women’s and men’s socks. Donations of apples and oranges
would be welcome.
These items may be brought to Berg Hall after 9:00am on
March 16, or contact Mary Koppi at 815 232-4687. Thank
you for your concern for our friends in need.
New Women’s group
Some of the women in the parishes saw the men’s group and said they wanted one as well. So we are having a women’s group meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the Month at 6pm. We will begin in St Joseph Church and move into the rectory for discussion and fellowship. We should be done by 7:30pm.
Symbolism in the Church #6
The high altar does not stand alone like the front altar. Most noticeably, it has what is known as the reredos. They are decorations that extend from the back of the altar to help focus on the sacrifice on the altar, the same sacrifice that lives in the tabernacle. Ours here at St Joseph is very rich in symbolism and teaching moments, more than in most I find.
First, the gold reminds us of the majesty of God. It is most evidently a golden palace. How many grandparents take their grandchildren to church here and the kids get it? It’s a great castle! Yes, a great golden castle for Jesus. That is truly where He lives, at the very center, the tabernacle. And in this majestic castle, we are invited to live, too, because in this castle there are many rooms for us (John 14:2-3). Jesus has prepared a room for you. Which room is it? Are you like the foundation or pillars and sturdy? Are you close to the heart of God, in the center? Has God risen you to lofty heights? Or are you by the arms of the reredos, always in His embrace? Or are you by the slain lamb from the long suffering of this life? … Continue reading “Symbolism in the Church #6”
Temptations
Mar 12, 2019
Audio and Video
