St. Paul the Apostle
Parish
www.stpauljoliet.com
815-725-1527
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After Lent, the Easter season, and three Sundays of feast days—Pentecost, Most Holy Trinity, and Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ—the Church returns to Ordinary Time. This Sunday’s Gospel from Mark carries a significant message regarding faith and the Kingdom of God.
In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus appears reluctant to reveal his identity as the Son of God. After performing miracles of healing, he warns those cured to tell no one. Also, when preaching, Jesus chooses to speak to the crowds in parables, leaving them to discern his message. Only to his disciples does he explain the parable’s meaning, and he does this in private at a later time.
Today’s Gospel Reading consists of two parables about seeds. In the first, Jesus tells those gathered that this is “how it is with the kingdom of God.” A man scatters seed which over time sprouts and develops. Then when the grain is ripe, the man harvests his crop. The emphasis in the parable is on the seed, which seemingly has the power to grow on its own. In this it is like the Kingdom of God. While on earth, Jesus planted the seeds of the kingdom by his life, miracles, teaching, and suffering. However, the kingdom is not yet fully established. Although already present in Jesus and his group of twelve, it has yet to come to fruition; just as the seed in the parable needs time to grow, so does God’s kingdom.
The second parable focuses on the tiny mustard seed. Though not the smallest of all seeds, it is most likely the smallest that a first-century farmer in Jesus’ part of the world would have sown. Small as the mustard seed is, it develops into a tree. Though the mustard tree generally averages only nine to twelve feet in height, it has a wide expanse and provides a nesting place for birds. Just as the tree welcomes the birds, so is God’s kingdom welcoming and open to many.
These parables help us discern something about the kingdom of God and our own faith. In God we live and move and have our being, but God is a mystery and his kingdom, though present, has not yet come into its fullness. Today, the Kingdom of God is present in the Church. The mission of proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom given to the Apostles is now given to us. But just as seeds need time to come to fruition, so does the Kingdom of God. That is why in the Lord’s Prayer, we pray, “thy kingdom come.” We know that it will come in its fullness at the end of time. All we need is faith.
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A New Tradition begins at St. Paul the Apostle
Corpus Christi Procession
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Congratulations to our 2021 Confirmation Candidates who were
Sealed With The Gift of The Holy Spirit
last week by Bishop Ronald Hicks!"
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St Paul the Apostle Parish in Joliet is seeking a creative and energetic Director of Religious Education (DRE.) Our DRE position is a flexible part-time, unbenefited position responsible for administering the parish’s K-8 Religious Education. The program currently has approximately 80 children and 15 volunteers. The parish is looking for an experienced, faith-filled DRE willing to think creatively as we embrace the growth in the program. Responsibilities include: coordinating faith formation activities and sacramental prep K-8, managing a team of dedicated volunteers, and conducting administrative program commitments. Working knowledge of PDS and MS products is a plus. This position requires a professional, responsible, committed individual excited to work with a collaborative pastoral staff, and must have excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Must be a Catholic in good standing and have a working knowledge of Church teaching, Catholic sacramental theology and practices of the Church and Diocese. A bachelor’s degree in a related field is desired. We look forward to hearing from you soon at iwillserve@stpauljoliet.com
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Registration for the 2021-2022 school year is open, tours are available upon request.
Please contact Dawn DeMoor, Administrative Assistant for more information. Phone: 815-725-3390
New Student Tuition Transfer Grant
We are excited to welcome any new students to St. Paul’s for face to face instruction for the 2021-2022 school year! We are committed to continually providing a safe and healthy learning environment for our students, staff and parents! We currently have openings in all of our grades Preschool – 8th! St. Paul’s is thrilled to offer a Tuition Transfer Grants to new families!
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$1500 per student in grades 1st through 7th
- $1,000 for the first year enrolled in the school
- $500 for the second year.
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Students are welcome from any public, charter, or home school program!
- Grants for private school transfers are available as long as students are not transferring from another Catholic school in the Diocese of Joliet, Rockford, Peoria, Springfield or the Archdiocese of Chicago.
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Please continue to pray for our parishioners that are in need of prayers at this time
If there is someone you would like to add to the prayer list please
contact the Parish Office at 815-725-1527 or email parishsec@stpauljoliet.com
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June 11
Mary Pubentz
June 12
Anna Bayci
Marilyn Anderson
June 13
Thomas Brown 8 AM
Lori Berman 10 AM
Bill & Jackie Hickey
June 14
Vonna Cantu
June 15
Bill Scholtes
June 16
Intention of the Celebrant
June 17
Intention of the Celebrant
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Pope Francis Tweet
of the Week
Perseverance is the gift of God by which all His other gifts are maintained. Let us pray that, as individuals and as Church, we might persevere in doing good, and not to lose sight of
what counts.
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Song of the Week
Make Me A Channel of Your Peace
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Please click the link below to register for mass. Be sure to select the time that you wish to attend. You will receive a confirmation email upon registering to confirm your spot.
Check our Parish Website for all current information. Click the link below
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