diocesan-freeport

COVID-19 Update

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The public celebration of the Mass was suspended, along with adoration, reconciliation, pastoral ministry, and parish gatherings, all in order to lessen the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. On May 13, the Diocese of Illinois announced a multi-phase plan for reopening our churches for the celebration of the Mass, of the sacraments, private prayer, adoration and ministry.

St. Joseph & St. Mary Parishes, in accordance with the Diocese of Rockford, have established a committee to assist the churches in the implementation of this plan. Training is taking place this week. We will continue to communicate the process as we move through the various phases of this plan, and appreciate your patience. Please keep this group, and the parishes, in prayer. Thank you.

SAVE THE DATES • • • St Mary Fish Fry – Every Friday During Lent

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St Mary Church will host a Fish Fry each Friday during Lent from 5:00-7:00pm at the Holy Family Community Center.
The menu will feature fish, potato, vegetables, a roll, beverage and dessert. The cost is $10.00 per person.
Our Fish Fry will be held on February 28, March 6, 13, 20 & 27, and April 3.
Bring your friends and join us for some great food and fellowship! Proceeds will benefit St Mary Church.

MRC Spaghetti Dinner

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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.

MRC Spaghetti Dinner

Posted on by diocesan-freeport

The Madonna Renewal Center will be sponsoring a spaghetti dinner on Tuesday, February 25, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm 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 by email here.

Who Dunnit?

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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… and that’s just to name a few!

So… 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 7:00 pm 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.

Ladies… Come Expand Your Horizons!

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.

St. Mary Fish Fry

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Save the Dates!

Every Friday During Lent

St Mary Church will host a Fish Fry each Friday during Lent from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Holy Family Community Center. The menu will feature fish, potato, vegetables, a roll, beverage, and dessert. The cost is $10.00 per person.

Our Fish Fry will be held on February 28, March 6, 13, 20 & 27, and April 3.

Bring your friends and join us for some great food and fellowship! Proceeds will benefit St Mary Church.

Symbolism in the Church #41

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One of the last pieces of artwork we will look at is the painting on the wall with Jesus holding bread and a chalice. This painting is on the right side as you are looking at the altar. This picture is in reference to the Eucharist, what we as Catholics know to be the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Himself.

The Eucharist is Jesus, so much so that it is Jesus as though He just walked into the room. Jesus manifests Himself in a similar way as He multiplied the loaves. In fact, it is in the bread that He manifests Himself. Jesus chose to be with us, not just in a spiritual way, which is a comfort in itself but to be with us physically in what appears to be bread and wine.

We see Jesus in this picture saying to us, “Take this and eat… take and drink.” He is inviting us to participate in such a holy relationship with Him. This is no mere bread; it is the bread of angels. This image was painted during our last full renovation in 2000 by Raymond Tatar. It is said to be his last painting; on his next job he fell off a high scaffold in a church and died. A couple of repairs have had to be done to this painting since then.

Family members come by from time to time to see the picture. It was situated in front of the tabernacle, where Jesus is reserved in the blessed sacrament on the smaller side altar below the painting. The tabernacle is now in the high altar in the center of the church.

-Father Barr

Who Dunnit ? ? ?

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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.

Symbolism in the Church #41

Posted on by diocesan-freeport

One of the last pieces of artwork we will look at is the painting on the wall with Jesus holding bread and a chalice. This painting is on the right side as you are looking at the altar. This picture is in reference to the Eucharist, what we as Catholics know to be the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Himself. The Eucharist is Jesus, so much so, that it is Jesus as if He just walked in the room. Jesus manifests Himself in a similar way as He multiplied the loaves. In fact, it is in the bread that He manifests Himself. He chose to be with us, not just in a spiritual way, which is a comfort in itself. Jesus chose to be with us physically in what appears to be bread and wine. We see in this picture, Jesus is saying to us, “Take this and eat… take and drink”. He is inviting us to participate in such a holy relationship with Him. This is no mere bread; it is the bread of angels. Continue reading “Symbolism in the Church #41”