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News & Notes from Fr. Pete Jankowski
Let Us Keep Doing What We Are Doing to Build Our Parishes!!!
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Dear All:
There is so much good to discuss with what is taking place at our Bordertown Parishes. Before I get to that, I do have to address “The Bad” and “The Ugly.” Sometimes we take for granted the warnings of the prophets and the story of “The Rich Man and Lazarus” (Luke 16: 19-31) from last Sunday’s Mass (which about 320 of our potential 2000 collective parishioners from both parishes heard last weekend). When folks do not come to Mass to hear these Sunday messages and what this means to us, we sometimes take God for granted… and our local Churches as well.
In the October 16th bulletin, I will include an article by Bishop Ronald Hicks from the Joliet Diocese entitled, “Pruning the Diocesan Tree so that We Can Thrive and Grow.” As has happened throughout the country (the Diocese of Madison just announced that the bishop there soon will close 70 of the 102 parishes in the diocese), Bishop Hicks will be doing the same in the Diocese of Joliet in a short while. Media sources have theorized why this is happening – the sex abuse crisis in the Church and the malaise of faith among our millennial generation has caused the growth of the “nones” in this country, who, by 2070, will outnumber the Christians that live in the states. Locally, this easily can be recognized even in the size of our parish directories – where in 1991 St. Patrick’s directory was over forty pages long, in 2016 it was reduced to sixteen pages. Many people have stopped supporting our church – where our churches used to be full in the 1960s, our October number count for October 1-2 resulted in 72 faithful attending the 9:00 Mass at St. Anne’s and at St. Patrick’s, some 67 faithful attended our 4:00 p.m. Saturday Mass, 81 at our 10:30 a.m. Mass in English and 102 faithful at our 12:00 Spanish Mass. Pews have become emptier; the campus at St. Patrick’s was in such disarray that our insurance agent “gently” chided me last week concerning the condition of the campuses I inherited.
For the sake of our parishes’ respective futures, I have implored our faithful to fill the pews, for the sake of the parishes and certainly for their salvation. You should never come to Mass because of me or those that preceded me – you come to Mass to build a relationship with God who works through an unworthy vessel like me to offer you the chance for salvation. Jeremiah and prophets warned the Chosen People about this in the 6th Century BC and before that to no avail, either; last Sunday’s gospel did the same for those living in the 1st Century AD. Bishop Hicks’ “shot across the bow” for the Catholics of today’s age is included here in this note…
CLICK HERE TO READ BISHOP HICKS'
OCTOBER COLUMN, IN ENGLISH & SPANISH
That said (and what do I know about anything???)…
I would like to think that a parish like St. Anne should never close, considering that it is considered a National Shrine that has cured scores of faithful her parish’s history – to close a shrine like this is to close the healing power of God to those who desperately need that gift (which was why we did what we could to offer sacraments to the faithful, even during the Pandemic). St. Patrick’s hosts the largest growing demographic in the Church throughout the United States (by 2050, half of our Catholic population in the US will be Hispanic) – to cut that group off would be foolish. In both cases, by preserving our parishes and welcoming the faithful into the community, we do ourselves and God a great service by keeping up with what we are doing.
The first thing that must be done for the sake of the faith is to FILL THE PEWS! For the sake of heaven as well as the preservation of our parishes, we need to show the bishop and the diocese (and GOD!!!) that we actually care for what we have by supporting the communities that have supported us for years. I was a little put off by a woman who called both parishes, chiding us for not praying the rosary during October to respect life when, in fact, our St. Anne crowd prays the rosary prior to every 5:00 p.m. Wednesday and First Friday Mass in Church (which you are all invited to attend) and at St. Patrick’s prior to every 9:15 a.m. weekday service and after the 10:30 a.m. Mass (which, again, you are most welcome to join). A few of our parishioners have been carrying water for these parishes for a good amount of time. To them, I feel blessed and honored that they and I pray for everyone else.
Each week, I take three hours a week to record and produce Online Masses for the benefit of those who stay at home and cannot join us for weekend Mass, for whatever reason. My university salary goes back to the parish – I am now $2,000 away from paying off a $20,000 truck I gave to our maintenance man (Artemio Ojeda), who has done wonderful things at our parishes as a result. Thanks to Van Drunen Farms, we were able to gift Business Manager Kathy Griffiths and Secretary Ema Elvir with laptop computers so that they can take their work home with them. Thanks to our associations with the Poor Clares in Minooka, IL, we found a way to repair a roof at St. Patrick’s that should have cost the parish $60,000 (and a probable capital campaign) and instead were able to figure out a way to make $8,000 off the project. A whole group of people were able to help us finance a gym bathroom that should have cost us $75,000 but now will be done for less than $10,000. A group from Alcoholics Anonymous is helping us renovate the second floor of our St. Patrick’s gymnasium which was vandalized terribly and is in desperate need of repair. The Knights of Columbus at St. Patrick’s are planning to offer coffee and donuts after the 10:30 Mass at the parish once a month and to show up in “full force” to support the cause of St. Patrick’s.
Bishop Hicks will be celebrating Masses at the parishes on December 4th (9:00 a.m. at St. Anne’s for her 150th Anniversary of her building) and at St. Patrick’s at 10:30 a.m. in English and 12:00 p.m. in Spanish. To show up just for those Masses would be a “token” (but still would help) – to sustain the growing attendance at our Masses and to support our parishes on a more cfonsistent basis would be more important infinitely, if not just for the preservation of our campuses but for your well-being with God as well (as I keep saying, telling God we love the divine means nothing if we don’t back up what we are saying by filling those pews - IT'S THE THIRD COMMANDMENT!!!).
This weekend, we will include “Time and Talent” forms in the pews. We have a long way to go in keeping up with the campuses we have. St. Anne’s continues to work on their sidewalk projects – St. Patrick’s has much more to do. However you can help – first of all, by honoring the third commandment and attending weekly Sunday Mass – would go a long way to showing the bishop and God how much we care about the parishes that have been gifted to us by God and those who have come before us. God bless all of you for your continued support of our Border Town parishes!!!
Fr. Pete Jankowski
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WATCH THE MASS FOR THE 28th SUNDAY
OF ORDINARY TIME ONLINE
RECORDED AT ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH, MOMENCE
At this Mass, Fr. Pete speaks about the requests he has received for prayers in our local community. If you know of someone who is in need of sacraments or a pastoral visit, please call the office at St. Anne's (815) 427-8265 or at St. Patrick's (815) 472-2864.
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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. | |
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The Next St. Patrick's CCW Meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the church basement. The ladies will be praying the rosary; bring your own and share why it is your favorite!
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St. Patrick's Religious Education Bake Sale & Hispanic Ministry Food Sale of Enchiladas, Tamales, Fruit and Corn in the Cup (elotes) takes place after the 10:30 & 12:00 Masses in the Church basement. | | |
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)!!! call (815) 472-2864. | |
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Challenge: 100 Bricks for Life in October!
Fr. Pete buys the first ten bricks!!!
We are 25% Towards Our Goal!
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St. Anne’s will be taking a food collection for Thanksgiving baskets for the needy in the area. Please take the bags the Service Commission will provide on October 23, 30 and November 6 and fill with thanksgiving items (frozen turkeys can be included separately). Please return bags no later than November 13.
The Service Commission will have a special Thanksgiving food drive to help the St. Anne Food Pantry. REP kids will decorate paper bags and deliver them to parishioners on October 23 & 30 and November 6. Parishioners can return the filled bags to the church each weekday Mass or Sunday but no later than November 13. Frozen turkey donations can be taken to St. Anne Hall Hall and placed in the freezers. Monetary donations can be made by sending a check to:
St. Anne Food Pantry
c/o National Bank of St. Anne
158 W. Station Street
St. Anne, IL 60964
The St. Anne Food Pantry will be open on November 5 & 19, from 8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. for those who need food for their Thanksgiving dinner.
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UPCOMING PROJECTS AT ST. PATRICK'S | |
ST. ANNE NOVENA - JULY 17-26, 2022 | |
ST. PAT'S/ANNE'S
PHOTO DIRECTORIES
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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! | |
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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. | | |
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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!!!
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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.
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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!!! | |
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To View St. Patrick's Bulletin for
October 8-9, 2022
CLICK HERE!
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To View St. Anne's Bulletin for
October 8-9, 2022
CLICK HERE!
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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.
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR BELOVED DECEASED: Richard Young
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, M. Clocksin, 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.
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Fr. Pete Jankowski posts his homilies online at the parish website for those who wish to keep up with the gospel message each week.
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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! | |
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BOOK, BRICK & PEW DEDICATION PROGRAM | |
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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
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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
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