Faithful can subscribe to the notes by contacting the parish office and providing their e-mail address. Thanks for your support of our border town parishes!!!

Please remember - Fr. Pete does not send out text messages, e-mails or social media posts to solicit

funds for himself or any organizations outside of the parishes he serves. Fr. Pete's emergency phone

number is (815) 685-1359 and his e-mail addresses

are either pjankowski@yahoo.com or pjankowski@stfrancis.edu.

Please do not trust any correspondences that

utilize any other phone number or e-mail address.

Feel free to contact Fr. Pete at email pjankowski@yahoo.com. If you have an emergency, please contact Fr. Pete at (815) 685-1359

One of our anonymous benefactors at the Border Town had asked if he could sponsor a group of college students from Front Royal, VA to visit our area from March 2-10 as part of their Spring Break Mission Program. I am told that 11-13 college students (plus two adult chaperones) would head our way during the break to experience the Catholic faith from a country perspective. As our parishes are involved in so many social justice programs on behalf of others (from Good Shepherd Manor to the Food Pantries to Harbor House to Camino y Esperanza Retreat House... and so much more!!!), I told our benefactor that these college students would learn so much from this experience and I would be honored to accept this offer, on behalf of the parishes that I serve.

Brother Alphonsus Brown from Good Shepherd Manor helped me start the process by providing a play or the students to live during their mission work in our area. We are in the starting phases of putting a program together. I have discussed with the college folks the various opportunities we can offer the students in providing a beneficial experience for them. Among the ideas bandied about...

• At Good Shepherd Manor, Brother Alphonsus Brown and Brother Charles Pratt have run this facility since 1970 that houses over a hundred men with special needs that have a place where they can receive the care that is so important to them (the facility used to be a high school seminary for forty years prior to the manor). Perhaps we could have the students spend a day at the manor to learn about this important service to the community.
• Hopkins Park is the poorest city in Illinois. Not until recently did the area get gas lines and internet. Many black families cannot afford the costs of living there; many Hispanic families have moved into these farms. I have celebrated a number of Masses at our families’ altarcitas in the country. We might be able to help us with a specific project and then Mass in their chapel.
• 70% of our area's workforce is Hispanic; many come out to our area because small time farmers are selling their lands to the big corporations, who seek help in taking care of the land. I thought maybe a tour of Van Drunen Farms one day might be a good idea. I can talk to Ted Peterson (a former member of the Super Bowl winning Pittsburgh Steelers team that live in the area) to see if there is a project at Van Drunen that might give the students a better understanding of our service element in the area.
• We have a Hispanic Retreat House named Camino y Esperanza in St. Anne, IL that serves a good number of souls in our area. Because of the good work of Ana and Eileen Rivas (and Ana’s husband Diacono Roberto, who died a few years ago), the Hispanic Community I serve is now the largest group for whom we care in the area. Perhaps a day at the retreat house doing projects might be in order.
• St. Anne’s Church is the oldest national shrine in the United States. The Novena and Feast Day have helped a good number of people there. I work with Bev Witvoet and their Food Pantry, who work out of our parish hall. Perhaps a Food Drive etc. might be in order one day with Mass at the Church. Nick Skokna helps me get hundreds of cases of food for the needy; the Poor Clares of the Annunciation Monastery in Minooka also give food. If you would like, we could travel to Minooka to pick up food; the nuns celebrate Mass in Latin in the extraordinary form, which I offer for them; with their permission, perhaps I can celebrate a Mass in Latin for your community up north.
• Since the bishops’ conference is pushing a Eucharistic Revival, I thought perhaps a day dedicated to this cause might be in order. We could get the students to help us with planning and implementing a day of prayer and such in Momence and invite the people of the area to come and join us for prayer, confession, adoration and such.
• About twenty minutes from our location, is Bishop McNamara High School, which is the one school in the area that offers Catholic Education the high school and grade school teens of the area. Perhaps we could have the students go there to have a day of reflection and service to the students at the school.
• Nick Skokna is a colleague of mine that works with Mother Teresa’s community in Chicago. Perhaps a day with the community might give the students an understanding of what this community offers in the area. Perhaps we can offer a service project there and I can offer Mass for the students in their chapel.
• We at the parish have been working with Maggie Rivera and the Illinois Migrant Council and their work in helping those coming to our area find work and places to reside. We have distributed hundreds of computers and a great amount of food to the migrants in the area (Nick Skokna got us 5,000 pounds of Carl Buddig salami to distribute a few months ago - crazy!). Perhaps Maggie can give us a day of her time to allow the students to learn about this important service in the area.

Focusing on social justice and service, I was speaking to Sandy Malpasuto from St. Patrick's about the need to start a Social Justice Committee at the parish in the similar way as the folks of St. Anne have done. Currently, some individual groups at the parish offer one service or another on behalf of the needy (the CCW have been making blankets for the homeless out of plastic garbage bags for years!); because we had to start from scratch in many ways at Pat's since 2019, we are trying to establish to types of groups that exist throughout the diocese.

As we have discussed below, there is a good amount of Grant Money available for use, if we try to seek it (I just read in the Chicago Sun Times this morning that FEMA's Emergency Food & Shelter Program provided Catholic Charities over $48 million in grant money for migrant causes, as one example). There are resources available for us concerning what we are trying to do at both parishes.

As an example, Mayor David O'Connell from St. Anne's spoke to the village board about utilizing the parish hall as a type of "Community Center" in the same way we are trying to do at St. Patrick's. The only condition the village board asked is that the diocese guarantee that the building will remain functional, regardless of what happens with parish consolidations in the future (and I very much doubt St. Anne's will need to worry about their Church being shut down - you don't close a national shrine!!!). This is the note I sent the bishop's office concerning this request...

Dear Mayor David O’Connell

As part of our discussions concerning the parishes I serve east of Kankakee (St. Patrick’s in Momence and St. Anne’s in St. Anne, IL), the residents of both cities/villages have made it known to me that our respective parish halls serve more than just the parishioners of our churches; they both have become de facto "Community Centers" for the area. Among the people we are serving in these halls…

• The senior residences in both cities are asking that the halls be used as “emergency shelters” for weather or police situations.
• Schools in the area have asked for keys to the halls in the event of a weather or police situation.
• The St. Anne Food Pantry uses the parish hall for their food distribution (as we have been donating literally hundreds of cases of food to the Pantry - as well as 5,000 pounds of Carl Buddig Salami this spring.
• The Illinois Migrant Council has used our facilities to distribute over four hundred computers to the migrants of the area, in addition to food and vaccinations to those in need.
• Kankakee Community College uses our facilities to teach English as a Second Language (and now we have requests to teach Spanish as a second language).
• Alcoholics Anonymous uses the halls for meetings held four times a week.
• Scouts in the area ask for use of the halls for their meetings.
• Christian groups are now using our halls as retreat centers.
• Both respective cities/villages utilize the hall for community functions, rent-free.
• Providing overnight services for displaced residents during power outages.
• Hosting “Christmas Inc.” dinners for families who are alone during the holidays, at no charge.

I had approached you about helping us upgrade the St. Anne Hall, similar to the way we have done so in Momence. As part of those upgrades, we are seeking generators for both halls for the emergency situations described above.

You will notice in the "Upcoming Projects Section" below that all kinds of monies can be utilized for the sake of the parish and community. Some of these areas we have discussed for a while; some of them are new to our list. This list includes (but is not limited to) ...

• A $6,000 lawnmower for St. Pat's (which we will purchase this weekend)
• A $15,000 generator for St. Pat's Community Center ($46,000 for the entire campus)
• A $15,000 generator for St. Anne's Community Center ($45,000 for the entire campus)
• $70,000 to Pave St. Pat's Parking Lot
• $225,000 to Create a Parking Lot at St. Pat's Academy Gym & Community Center

One of the other projects we are trying to address is creating a map and database of our two cemeteries at the Border Town. The maps have been created but we still are working on the database. After a two year "pause" on this project, one of my colleagues from Joliet (Rich Tapella, the former director of the Catholic Cemeteries Office in for the Joliet Diocese) will try to complete this project. I am very grateful for Rich, who is making this sacrifice in helping us out during his "senior years" of life.

Finally, one of the pillars of the St. Pat's Community died this week. Jean Gibson. Jean was very involved with the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Devotion at the parish; she was instrumental in helping us purchase the current Divine Mercy image in the church proper. Her funeral will take place on Wednesday, October 18 at 11:00 a.m. in the church.

Have a blessed week, everyone!!!



From September 6-15, Pilgrims from the Border Town Parishes Visited Marian Shrines in Medjugorje, Fatima and Lourdes. Below are the four homilies that Fr. Pete preached at these holy sites. Included with the homilies are video highlights of the holy sites the pilgrims visited.

Registration for Religious Ed. Begins this Weekend in Church at St. Patrick's and on September 10 at St. Anne's!

We have included Religious Education Registration Forms here in the Notes; you can also stop by the office to pick up the forms. RE Meets at both parishes on Sunday mornings – starting at 8:30 a.m. at Pat’s (starting September 10) and at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anne’s (starting September 24). For students in Religious Education, two years of formation are required to receive First Communion and Confirmation. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) begins in October with David Surprenant and Ana Rivas – any student aged 14 and over can sign up for RCIA, which is a one-year program, leading to the sacraments on Easter Weekend. Remember – confirmation is required for any young lady who wishes to celebrate their Quinceañera in church.

Registration

• Parish Registration
• Religious Education Registration

Formas de Registración

• Forma de Registración Parroquial
• Inscripcion Para Educacion Religiosa

RCIA

• RCIA Registration - English
• RCIA Brochure
• Forma de Iniciación Cristiana para Adultos
• Folleto de RICA

Because of the power outage at St. Patrick’s last weekend, we ended up moving our wedding service etc. over to St. Anne’s (a smaller but newly painted church that very nicely fit the crowd that attended). Because we were at St. Anne’s for the Mass, we tried recording their wedding with our new video camera system (you can watch the video below).

In case you have not figured this out, since we have the capabilities now of recording special services (Quinceañeras, Weddings, etc.), this and the fact that both parishes have a hall to celebrate receptions and two wonderful campuses to take pictures etc., you might wish to pass the word that both parishes are like a “one stop experience” for the sacraments – a family can celebrate everything at one place!

Also because of the power outage, we realize the reason why both halls are so important to our small communities. The governments from the county, state and federal levels offer Grant Money for small towns like ours to upgrade and preserve what we have. Both parish halls could benefit from free-standing generators, parking lots and air conditioning. One industrious parishioner wrote me the following for our consideration…

I went to the website you provided for the USDA Grants and Loan program. I found that our gym at St. Patrick’s may qualify for a grant because it is a Community Center. In addition, the Hall at St. Anne’s may qualify for funds as well because the facility is being used for a food pantry. The information states that funding priorities are for communities with a population of 5,500 or less also that individuals should contact their State Director to apply and discuss their particular situation: Each state has their own individual office to contact.

Writing grants is a specialized skill; I can do this for the parishes but if anyone knows of a person who has experience with this particular discipline, please contact our office.

ONLINE VIDEOS THIS WEEK

Mass for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Celebrated at St. Anne's Church - St. Anne, IL

We are gifted with so many wonderful meals by chefs throughout the world, whether it be at a fine restaurant or in our homes. The meal at the Eucharistic Altar infinitely is more important than any meal we serve at a restaurant or home dinner table - the latter feeds us for the day, the former nourishes us for the rest of our existence. This is the theme of this Sunday's homily.

For Catholic Daily Reflections (based on the scripture readings of the day),

CLICK HERE!!!

CLICK HERE for the Readings for This Weekend!

1973 St. Patrick's Church Photo Directory

1981 St. Patrick's Church Photo Directory

1986 St. Patrick's Church Photo Directory

1993 St. Patrick's Church Photo Directory

2004 St. Patrick's Church Photo Directory

2006 St. Patrick's Academy 100th Anniversary Commemorative Booklet

2010 St. Patrick's Church Photo Directory

2016 St. Patrick's Church Photo Directory

2023 St. Patrick's Church Photo Directory

1960s St. Anne’s Church Photo Directory

1970s St. Anne’s Church Photo Directory

1989 St. Anne’s Church Photo Directory

1998-2004 St. Anne’s

Church Photo Directory

2023 St. Anne's Church Photo Directory

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!!!

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).

1. Do you know of any adults who wish to receive the sacraments at Easter? The RCIA Process begins in October. Information is available in the bulletin and brochures can be found in the Narthex of the Church.
2. You are invited to include the names of your deceased loved ones in our Book of the Dead, which is located at the back of the Church, in remembrance of those who have died this last year. The Mass in Commemoration of All Souls will take place on Wednesday, November 1 at St. Anne’s (5:00 p.m.) and St. Patrick’s (bilingual at 7:00 p.m.). St. Pat’s will also offer the All Souls’ Day Service on November 2 at 9:15 a.m. All names of our beloved deceased will be honored at the weekend Masses on November 04-05.
3. After this weekend, all Sunday Masses will take place indoors.
4. St. Pat’s is sponsoring its “100 Bricks for Life!” Promotion, in honor of Rite to Life Month.
5. We begin our “December Drawing” at St. Pat’s at St. Pat’s – 1000 tickets at $20 a piece. Please check the bulletin for further information.
6. Our 2023 Rosary for Life will take place on Saturday - October 28 at St. Anne's Pavilion at 12:00 noon (inside Church during inclement weather) and at the St. Patrick's Grotto at 3:00 p.m. (inside Gymnasium during inclement weather). We will re-dedicate the Gymnasium at that time.

To View St. Patrick's Bulletin for

October 15, 2023



CLICK HERE!

To View St. Anne's Bulletin for

October 15, 2023



CLICK HERE!

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK: Mary Kay Blankestyn, Sue Bonvallet, Ashley & Jesse Childress, Guadalupe Maria De Leon, Austin Fuhrmann, Ron Gall, Kathy Griffiths, Joel Hart, Karen Hensa, Joanne McCracken, Marilyn Peterson, Joanne Prather, Evelyn Provost, Ruth Sparenberg, Cynthia Vickery, Gary Witherall... 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, Carol Futcher, Raelynn Garrett, Jack & Lucia Houk, Val Lagacy, Bentley Lottinville, Linda Miramontes, Cynthia Vickery and John Wojnowski.

At St. Patrick's... P. Anderson, N. Atkinson, R. Bailey, D. Barth, Beedle Family, D. Brown, W. Bukowski, B & 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. Grill, R. Harper, J. Hibbs, D. Hiller, C. Jones, L. Kane, R. Kazee, A. Kijewski, L. Lee, L. Leranth, E. Lopez, B. Love, J. Marcotte, W. Marten, L. McNulty, L. Mercado, R & V Morse, C. Ortman, D. Petronio, M. Peterson, C. Piec, C. Provost, E. Provost, R. Rehmer, P. Reising, D. Roberts, B. Ryan, A. Schaff, J. Schopf. Schmied, K. Simpson, B. Siwicki, B. Spagnola, M. Tolbert, M. Tolmer, H. Tousignant, M. Velazquez, C. Vickery, M. Williams, M. Witherspoon, S. Young, A. Zimmerman, M & L Zink and G. Zokal.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR BELOVED DECEASED: Jean Gibson (Funeral on Wednesday - October 18 at 11:00 a.m.)

CLICK HERE TO READ

ALL OF FR. PETE'S HOMILIES!

Click Here for the Parish

Registration Form in English

Click Here for the Religious Education Registration Forms FOR BOTH PARISHES

Click Here to Register for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

Click Here for the Time

& Talent Form in English

Click Here for the Link to All the Parish Forms

Help support our parishes buy purchasing copies of Fr. Pete’s Homiletic Books! You can purchase them at the parishes or online at Amazon.com!

Cycle A Homilies - Cycle B Homilies

Cycle C Homilies