Christmas Novena Starting November 30th
Merry Christmas from our Parishes
Christmas is coming, and our parishes have some exciting events for you!
Please see the postcard below for our Mass times.
All Souls Day List of Loved Ones
The Feast of All Souls Day is Sunday, November 2nd, 2025.
Sunday Masses will be held at 8:00am at St. Mary, 10:00am at St. Joseph, and 12:15pm at St. Mary (en español).
Vigil lights will be lit for all of these Mass times on November 2nd.
Families may purchase a vigil light in memory of family and friends whom you would like us as a parish to remember in our prayers, no matter when they died. The parish will provide a vigil light for all parishioners who have died in the past year. The vigil lights will be placed in the Sanctuary in an arrangement to lift all our prayers to heaven. It is a beautiful way to commemorate All Souls with the lights of all who guide us home through their own actions when they lived here with us as family and friends.
Below is the list of names for whom these vigil candles are offered for 2025
CHANGE IN MASS TIMES!
Please note that our regular Sunday Mass times are changing!
10:30am Mass at St. Joseph will now be moved to 10:00am
12:00pm Spanish Mass at St. Mary will now be moved to 12:15pm
Are you Curious about Becoming Catholic?
Come to our orientation session Thursday September 18th at 6:30pm in the Daleiden Room.
Talk with Fr. McMorrow or contact the parish office at 815-232-8271 for more information.
OCIA meetings every Thursday, 6:30-8:00pm
September 18th through March 26th.
In the St. Joseph Daleiden Room.
229 West Washington Pl. Freeport, IL 61032
Madonna Renewal Center Ice Cream Social
Hike to Damascus Landing
Join us for a prayerful Hike to McNeil’s Damascus Landing in celebration of the conversion of Saint Paul.
Sunday, June 29th
11:30am
Starting point: St. Joseph Church, after morning Mass
Our Lady of San Juan De Los Lagos – St. Mary, Sterling
We are very happy to announce the return of Our Lady of San Juan de Los Lagos to St. Mary church in Sterling IL, and they would be thrilled to have more visitors to see her!
St. Mary Catholic Church
600 Ave B, Sterling, IL 61081
PH: (815) 625-0640 Ext: 225
Please view the schedule below to see when you can visit St. Mary’s in Sterling to see this miraculous icon in person, and offer prayers to her.
La Igleisa de Santa Maria Les Presenta:
La Virgen de San Juan de Los Lagos
Jueves, 31 de Julio – Domingo, 3 de Agosto, 2025
Jueves, 31 de Julio:
7:00pm – Misa de Bienvenida en Español
(con banderitas y coro local)
Viernes, 1ro de Agosto:
8:00am – Iglesia Abierta para Visitas
8:30am – Misa en Ingles
10:00am – Misa en Honor a nuestra
Virgen en Español
4:00pm – Rosario en Honor a la Santisima Virgen
4:30pm – 6:00pm – Confesiones
5:00pm – Pequeña Platica en la Iglesia
6:30pm – Misa con Uncion para los Enfermos
Sabado, 2 de Agosto: Domingo, 3 de Agosto:
6:30am – Mañanitas con Coro 7:00am , 8:30am, y 10:00am – Misas en Ingles
8:00am – Puertas Abiertas para llevar Flores 11:30am – Misa Bilingüe con Mariachi y Procesion desde
A Nuestra Señora y Visitarla la Capilla a la Iglesia (intercesiones para los
8:30am – Misa en Ingles padrinos y niña/os vestidos de La Virgen
10:00am – Misa en Español y Reflexion y Juan Diego)
durante la Homilia 1:00pm – Despedida de la Imagen y Accion de
4:00pm – 4:30pm – Confesiones Bilingues Gracias en el Salon Bales
5:00pm – Misa en Ingles 4:00pm – Salida de La Virgen
5:30pm – Peregrinación en Bicicleta, comienza
en la Iglesia
Saint Mary’s Church Presents:
Our Lady of San Juan de Los Lagos
Thursday, July 31st – Sunday, August 3rd, 2025
Thursday, July 31st:
7:00pm – Welcoming Mass in Spanish
(with flags and local choir)
Friday, August 1st:
8:00am – Church Opened for Visits
8:30am – English Mass
10:00am – Spanish Mass in Honor of our Our Lady
4:00pm – Rosary in Honor of Our Lady
4:30pm-6:00pm – Confessions
5:00pm – Small Talk in the Church (Spanish)
6:30pm – Spanish Mass with Anointing of the Sick
Saturday, August 2nd: Sunday, August 3rd:
6:30am – Morning Serenade with local choir 7:00am, 8:30am, 10:00am – English Masses
8:00am – Church doors open to offer Flowers 11:30am – Bilingual Mass with Mariachi Band
to Our Lady with Procession from the Parish Center
8:30am – English Mass towards the Church (intercessions for
10:00am – Spanish Mass and Reflection Sponsors and Children to dress as Our during the Homily Lady and Juan Diego)
4:00pm-4:30pm – Bilingual Confessions 1:00pm – Farewell to Our Lady and shared Meal
5:00pm – English Mass to give thanks at Bales Hall.
5:30pm – Pilgrimage by Bicycle, beginning at 4:00pm – Departure of Our Lady the Church
Summer Events 2025
FACC Donations 2025
Every month, our parishes across the Rockford Diocese come together to donate specific items to the Freeport Area Church Co-Op – an organization which offers shelter and food for the community in great need. St. May and St. Joseph are participating again this year, and we invite parishioners to donate the suggested items to the FACC boxes in both churches. Check back every month, as items change. We appreciate your support in aiding our neighbors in need!
May
St. Mary
Spaghetti & Pasta Noodles
St. Joseph
Crackers & Cookies
June
St. Mary
Canned Corn Beef
St. Joseph
Canned Tuna
July
St. Mary
Easy Mac – Boxed Mac & Cheese
St. Joseph
Ramen Noodles
August
St. Mary
Ramen Noodles
St. Joseph
Canned Fruit
September
St. Mary
Canned Fruit
St. Joseph
Easy Mac – boxed Mac & Cheese
October
St. Mary
Easy Mac – Boxed Mac & Cheese
St. Joseph
Ramen Noodles
November
St. Mary
Canned Corn Beef
St. Joseph
Canned Fruit
