NOTES FOR NOVEMBER 20, 2022 | |
Faithful can subscribe to the notes by contacting the parish office and providing their email address. Thanks for your support of our border town parishes!!! | |
Please support our parishes by clicking the ONLINE GIVING picture - these are your local homes where God is present! Let's share this grace with those of the next generation! | |
|
|
News & Notes from Fr. Pete Jankowski
About St. Pat's Gym Renovation
| | | |
A One Minute Tour of Our Gym Floor Renovation. To read the article from the Kankakee Daily-Journal about our Gym Renovation, CLICK HERE! | |
|
As many of you already know, when I came to the border town parishes in 2019, I inherited three houses in Momence and Hopkins Park that were at the point of being condemned and a house at St. Anne where Fr. Jim Fanale did not want to take advantage of the good souls of the parish to upgrade his house with parishioner money. Towards upgrading the houses, “house flipper” Wally Martin accompanied me from his previous work with me in Joliet to renovate the four houses. In Momence and Hopkins Park, the type of “decorations” that animals piled into the houses was beyond disgusting. Thanks to Wally and a good number of souls (including the Poor Clares who helped me populate the houses with religious images), we tried to bring the houses to a place where they would be worthy of homes under your care.
As you know, when the St. Patrick Academy was demolished in 2016, a good number of souls were not happy about the condition of the building, which resulted in its destruction. Realizing that the gymnasium would suffer the wrecking ball without intervention, the same folks that helped renovate the buildings under my care in Joliet came to Momence to do the same. The narrative we used for this renovation was turning the building into a type of “community center” that would benefit the people of Momence. The local Alcoholics Anonymous Group in town needed a place to meet, since their former church location was shuttered. The superintendent of the Momence School District and the director of Momence Meadows sent correspondences to me, stating that the gym served as a type of “emergency center” for police or weather situations. The leaders of the Gladiolas Festival asked to use our building in the event of inclement weather. Those who lost loved ones asked to use our facility for services that could house more people than their own respective churches could accommodate.
Towards that cause, we began in earnest to renovate our buildings, as you are well aware. Through the help of Joe Cohn, Joe Kraus and sons, Veterans Flooring, our AA Group, Van Drunen Farms and others, a project that would have cost us $250,000 in renovations ended up costing the parish less than $20,000 to complete, certainly within the budget that our Golf Outing Fundraiser gave us this year (thanks former principal Rick Preston!!!).
I want to thank the Knights of Columbus for donating $2,500 towards the purchase of thirty new tables for the gym, replacing the ones that were falling apart. I want to thank Van Drunen Farms for donating almost $8,000 towards the replacement of 240 chairs in the gym as well. “Cranky Mike” Doud helped us get rid of the remaining tables and chairs that were left after our giveaway this last week. Then, when Van Drunen Farms volunteered to replace the windows on the first level of the gym for a cost of over $50,000… I have been amazed at the community’s generosity towards this cause!
There is still much to do with the gym. If we could find volunteers to help us with a parking lot that conventional costs would say cost some $150,000, what would be of great help. Remember – grant money, volunteer supplies and free labor go a long way in making our pipe dreams a reality – and with prayer and your dedication, all things are possible with God’s help!
In the bulletins this weekend, we have included flyers concerning Advent Activities. Please note that the first three items on the docket are Fr. Tom McCarthy, OSA offering a Parish Mission on November 26-29, Bishop Ronald Hicks coming to visit our parishes on December 4th and a Drive-In Movie at St. Patrick’s, watching “The Polar Express” in our Parking Lot on December 10th! Lots going on and you are all invited to join in the fun!!!
| |
WATCH THE MASS FOR THE 34th SUNDAY
OF ORDINARY TIME ONLINE
(THE SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING)
RECORDED AT ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH - MOMENCE, IL
Returning to his story of Pope St. Leo the Great (d. 461 AD), Fr. Pete summarizes the Liturgical Year which the themes that underlie the gospel of Luke - filling the believer with the power of the Holy Spirit to serve as a "radical disciple" that makes a difference on behalf of the people that s/he serves as a leader of whatever community is under the person's care. This said, Fr. Pete is encouraging the faithful to help him find GRANT MONEY to upgrade the gym for the benefit of the community at large.
| |
|
|
Fr. Tom McCarthy, OSA Offers a Parish Mission at St. Patrick's & St. Anne's Churches on November 27-28 | | | |
|
Talk #1: St. Patrick’s Church
on November 27 at 6:00 p.m.
Talk #2: St. Anne’s Church
on November 28 with Talk
and Confessions at 6:00 p.m.
Talk #3: St. Patrick’s Mass & Reflection on November 29th at 6:00 p.m.
Fr. Tom is a native of the South Side of Chicago. He received his elementary school education at St. Adrian School and high school education at St. Rita of Cascia High School. He graduated from Villanova University with a B.A. in Communication Arts. He also has a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Lewis University. Fr. Tom entered the Midwest Province of the Augustinian Order in 1987. After completing his novitiate, he attended Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree. In 1993 he made his solemn vows as an Augustinian Friar and in 1994 he was ordained to the priesthood.
He did a pastoral internship at St. Clare of Montefalco Parish in Grosse Pointe Park, MI, and taught theology at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox. Fr. Tom ministered for 21 years at St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago as a teacher, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Fr. Tom ministered for nine years as the Vocation Director for the Our Mother of Good Counsel (Midwest) and five years for St. Thomas of Villanova (Eastern) Province. Fr. Tom spent two years as the Augustinian Advisor to the Office of First- and Second-Year Initiatives - Office of Student Life at Villanova University.
Fr. Tom ministered in Rome as part of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization where he was named a Papal Missionary of Mercy by Pope Francis in 2018. Father Tom spent two years as the Director of the Augustinian Marylake Shrine in King City, Ontario, and the Prior of the Marylake Augustinian Monastery.
| |
|
|
Bishop Ronald Hicks will be Visiting St. Anne's and St. Patrick's Church on December 4th! | | | |
St. Anne’s will celebrate her 150th Anniversary of her church’s building at 9:00 A.M. and St. Pat’s will host the bishop at the 10:30 A.M. Mass in English and the 12:00 Mass in Spanish. As the bishop attempts to visit all the parishes in the diocese before his consolidation plan takes effect in 2024, it would be nice if we make a nice showing at all our Masses that Sunday. | |
ST. PATRICK'S NIGHT AT THE CHRISTMAS MOVIES! | |
To get us into the Christmas Spirit, we are hosting an event held at other parishes, a Drive-In Movie experience of “The Polar Express” in our parish parking lot! In your cars, you will be able to signal in on our movie experience with your family! We will offer hot chocolate, popcorn, snacks and pictures with Santa Claus and “The Conductor” from the movie! The movie experience starts at 6:00 p.m. in the parish parking lot – all are invited to join us but you need to reserve your space by calling the parish office at (815) 472-2864. | |
ADVENT ACTIVITIES AT
THE BORDER TOWN PARISHES
| |
FR. PETE'S HISPANIC MINISTRY COURSE AT THE UNIVERSITY | |
Asked to teach a new course for the University of St. Francis concerning the largest growing Catholic demographic in the United States, Fr. Pete offers the following videos that he used to teach his students for your consideration. | |
St. Patrick’s Daily Drawing works in conjunction with the “Pick 3” Illinois Lottery. For $20 a ticket, you pick a number from 000-999. In the month of December, each “Pick 3” number offers a prize for our local contest - $250 for each weekday, $500 for each Sunday and $1,500 for December 1st. If we sell all 1000 tickets, the parish makes $10,000 for this fundraiser. Contact (815) 472-2864 for more information or contact Lorri Simpson. | |
|
Fr. Pete Paid Off the Parish Truck!
Sometime back, Mary Tolmer was kind enough to work out a deal with Fr. Pete so that he could buy maintenance guru Artemio Ojeda a $20,000 truck (he did the same for the maintenance man at the last parish as well – that truck cost $30,000… Fr. Pete is getting cheap!). Fr. Pete worked out a deal with Mary to pay the money back in a type of non-interest bearing loan. Fr. Pete had a couple bumps along the way, but today Fr. Pete gave Kathy Griffiths the last $1000 that he owed on the truck.
Fr. Pete still owes $3000 or so for other items he have purchased on behalf of the parishes. Much of what he is doing is self-imposed but it is still the right thing to do and Fr. Pete intends to hold up to his debts. Fr. Pete just wanted to be upfront with all of you so that you knew what he did for Artemio and the parishes so that we could keep him here on the property FOR A LONG TIME!!!
| |
|
|
Fr. Pete has chosen to donate TWO ANGELS for the St. Patrick's Altar of Sacrifice to match the ones he purchased for St. Anne's Church. Thank to Henry Stachyra for driving to Connecticut to pick up the statues!!! | | | |
Fr. Pete and other anonymous donors purchased a special PROCESSIONAL CROSS for the Sanctuary of St. Patrick's Church!
| | | |
UPCOMING PROJECTS AT ST. PATRICK'S | |
ST. ANNE NOVENA - JULY 17-26, 2022 | |
ST. PAT'S/ANNE'S
PHOTO DIRECTORIES
| |
Thanks to Ruth Sparenberg, Anne Andrade & Joanne Hermann for assembling, scanning and editing the follow Photo Directories from the Church History of St. Patrick's and St. Anne's Churches! | |
| |
|
The Holy Father provides a wonderful opportunity to receive an Apostolic Blessing for Birthdays, Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, Weddings, Religious Professions, Ordinations and Anniversaries of these sacraments. | | |
|
For weddings and such, Fr. Pete offers a special blessing on the first Sunday weekend of each month and is willing to purchase an Apostolic Blessing for anyone who asks (and if he can afford it... since he pays out of pocket!!!).
If you are interested in receiving an Apostolic Blessing, you can do so by clicking the link below or by calling the parish offices.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR OWN APOSTOLIC BLESSING!!!
| |
Parish Hotline... If you know of someone who is sick and in need of the sacraments or if you know someone who wishes a visit at the hospital or care facility, please contact the parish office or Fr. Pete Jankowski at (815) 685-1359.
| |
|
Fr. Pete offers the anointing of the sick at both parishes at the First Friday Masses every month (St. Patrick’s at 9:15 a.m. and St. Anne’s at 5:00 p.m. (English) and 7:00 p.m. (Spanish). | |
KEEP UPDATED WITH OUR PARISH BULLETINS!!! | |
|
To View St. Patrick's Bulletin for
November 19-20, 2022
CLICK HERE!
| |
|
To View St. Anne's Bulletin for
November 19-20, 2022
CLICK HERE!
| |
|
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK: Austin Fuhrmann, Jean Gibson, Evelyn Provost, Mary Kay Blankestyn, Ron Gall, Carmen "Butch" Florio, Cynthia Vickery, Joanne McCracken, Karen Hensa, Irene Budz... and all those on our sick list.
At St. Anne's... Eva Bell, Paula Bertrand, Lola Billings, Duane Blanchette, Cheryl Boswell, Patrick Burns, Cindy Capriotti, Jesse & Ashley Childress, Abraham Daily, Tom Dandurand, Aria Dionne, Teresa Dionne, Carol Futcher, Raelynn Garrett, Jack & Lucy Houk, Val Lagacy, Bentley Lottinville and Linda Miramontes.
At St. Patrick's... N. Atkinson, R. Bailey, D. Barth, Beetle Family, D. Brown, B & T Cantwell, M. Cantwell, E. Cirks, E. Coffman, S. Conner, M & D Cousin, M. Cruz, A. Delaney, D. Demack, M. Dionne, J. Dobbins, E. Duke, D. Dunlap, G. Field, C. Fritz, R. Gall, J. Gilbert, J. Grill, R. Harper, D. Haut, J. Hibbs, D. Hiller, R. Ilg, C. Jones, L. Kane, R. Kazee, K. Kelson-Laney, A. Kijewski, L. Lanove, L. Lee, L. Leranth, E. Lopez, B. Love, W. Marten, L. McNulty, L. Mercado, R & V Morse, C. Ortman, C. Palider, C. Piec, C. Provost, R. Rehmer, P. Reising, D. Roberts, A. Schaff, D. Schmied, T & J Settles, K. Simpson, B. Siwicki, B. Spagnola, M. Tolbert, M. Tolmer, H. Tousignant, M. Tedford, M. Velazquez, G. & L. Vlach, M. Williams, M. Witherspoon, C. Woosnam, S. Young, A. Zimmerman, M & L Zink and G. Zokal.
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR BELOVED DECEASED: John Krone, Melanie Zahradnik and Alex Meyer
| |
Fr. Pete Jankowski posts his homilies online at the parish website for those who wish to keep up with the gospel message each week.
| |
|
PARISH REGISTRATION FORMS | |
FR. PETE'S TELEVISION SERIES | |
CLICK HERE to watch Fr. Pete’s Twelve Part Series “Stories on the Journey,” Broadcast on Shalom World TV! | |
|
BOOK, BRICK & PEW DEDICATION PROGRAM | |
|
For only $100, you can dedicate a brick to someone special at St. Patrick's Outdoor Grotto (where the Our Lady of Lourdes Outdoor Masses are celebrated)!!!
(815) 472-2864
| |  |
For only $25, you can dedicate a Journeysongs Pew Book from either parish. Please call (815) 472-2864 (St. Patrick's) or (815) 427-8265 (St. Anne's) for more information! | | |
LINKS TO CATHOLIC WEBSITES
CLICK ON PICTURE TO ACCESS SITE
| | | | |
