NOTES FOR JANUARY 19, 2024 | |
|
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.
| |
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 with Fr. Pete Jankowski
Even Gabby Has Given into the Weather (and the Gator!)
| | | |
Feel free to contact Fr. Pete at email pjankowski@yahoo.com. If you have an emergency, please contact Fr. Pete at (815) 685-1359 | |
|
As we shovel through the winter wonderland phase at the Border Town this last week, you might think that we would not be able to get anything done in the frozen tundra (although my car did break down with an “engine light” that flickered like a Christmas tree during my travels – I loathe getting rental cars but so goes the life of a priest…). That said, we have been really blessed by all the good things that have taken place.
Because of some really good benefactors out in the world, at St. Anne’s, I told you that Mayor David O’Connell and the Village of St. Anne worked out a nice agreement with the diocesan lawyers to preserve the parish hall, no matter what our future holds (this was a “just in case” measure, learning from the story of St. Martin’s Church and Hall in Martinton). As a result, we told you that this summer, the village will provide and install a generator for the Hall and Rectory. This is important – a senior center is located next to the hall and we wanted to make sure we helped out the residents in the city if there ever were a power outage (which is what we are trying to do at Pat’s as well).
Due to some wonderful generosity from our benefactors and a little common sense, we will be installing a generator for the St. Anne church building later this year as well as installing internet throughout BOTH of our campuses (at St. Anne’s, this total cost for the internet and generator normally would run $31,000+ that we have covered through some really kind people). We have been working on grants to bring these much-needed services for our local communities. By providing internet services for both parishes (and, at this time, generator services at St. Anne’s), we will be able to have security coverage throughout the property as well as being able to livestream Masses, if we so choose. We also will be able to provide internet for those wishing to use this service in our Community Center, like Kankakee Community College for the English as a Second Language Program they offer in the basement of St. Patrick's Church.
As a result… has anyone noticed that this little parish with a big heart on Route 1 (St. Anne’s) has been decades ahead of the rest of the diocese in the services they provide and the resources they have offered? I know we take for granted the services that the good souls of St. Anne’s offer the village but… St. Anne’s is way ahead of the curve when it comes to leading the charge in faith and common sense!
| |
|
Because of the weather, I still had to account for the last sixty cases of chips, so I drove up to the Vilaseca Daycare Center in Joliet, IL and made sure the kids in the area of Joliet could get as many stomach aches as I do by eating the Doritos, Funyuns and BBQ Lays Chips that were donated to us.
During this journey up north, I also visited the house of John and Dinah Archambeault, the latter being the newly retired circuit court judge of Will County. I stopped by their house after dropping off a hall of food for the El Centro Villisca Daycare Center (both are pictured above).
Dinah reminded me how a few years ago I ended up baptizing three of her grandchildren because one of the local priests refused to do so. You can tell that the parents of these children work for the government – the kids’ names are, and I kid you not, Justice, Liberty and Valor.
Before watching last week’s Online Mass, Dinah told me that she had made about thirty knitted hats for Justice’s Boy Scout troop, who does the same thing in southern Illinois. When Justice found out that we were taking up hat collections for Harbor House, he asked his grandmother to give the hats to Harbor House instead of him. Then Justice asked his grandmother if they could “adopt” our community so that they could make hats and scarves for Harbor House in the future. Justin is 13 years old, but obviously is a lot smarter than I am… and knows how to knit better than I do! Thank you, Judge Dinah, John and the entire family for thinking about the needy down in Kankakee County!
| |
|
Pictured Above is Wally Martin and Mary Tolmer in
August 2020, refitting the front pews of St. Patrick's Church
so that a casket could fit down the center aisle of church.
Thanks to Cotter Funeral Home for providing us with the casket!
As we continue to upgrade our campuses (we figured that the four houses we renovated in the lasts four years ran us about $60,000 total, of which I paid half out of pocket), Wally Martin was kind enough this week to remove all the shower doors at the St. Pat’s rectory and install curtains that will prevent water damage to the newly installed floors. Wally provided our new staff first-hand knowledge as to the horrible condition of our buildings prior to 2019 (no one should ever have allowed some of our buildings to become that degraded – some parishioners worried that our buildings would be condemned and torn down like St. Pat’s Academy was prior to my arrival and two buildings under my care in Hopkins Park were leveled two weeks prior to my arrival, without anyone ever telling me!!!). Below is a picture from the "Welcome Mass" I celebrated for the community on August 6, 2019. The video below is the first Spanish Mass celebrated at the parish on September 1, 2019...
|  | |
|
Wally and I were reminiscing with our new staff members how far we have come since August 2019. We were talking about how empty St. Pat’s Church was upon my arrival some four years ago. I found a video (above) of the first Mass we offered at St. Patrick's in Spanish in September 2019. The growth of our community is a testimony to how much all of you have done to build our community. We are really blessed at St. Patrick’s… and St. Anne’s… by everything you have provided!!!
In contrast from the Masses from 2019, below was the attendance of our 3:00 p.m. Christmas Even Mass on December 24, 2023...
|  |  | Last week, I also celebrated a “Polar Baptism” at St. Patrick’s with practically no one in attendance. Last Sunday… on a -10° day with a -35° windchill, our young friend Dominic Tobach (who has been coming to Mass for years with his grandparents Mike & Tracy Jo Plein and really wanted to be part of the church) was baptized at St. Patrick’s in Momence. Congratulations! Hopefully the priest can thaw out!!! | |
Because of the weather, we overloaded the food pantries in our area with chips and we had a surplus left over. Indigestion galore!!! This is the first time in me getting chips for the food pantries in Kankakee County that I had TOO MANY chips to distribute (the weather accounted for part of that) and the pantries did not have enough room for the food! We have placed fifteen cases of the remaining chips inside St. Anne's Church and thirty-five cases of chips inside St. Patrick's Church. Tell me of one parish in the diocese that gives you prizes LEAVING Sunday Mass!!! | |
|
One of our parishioners at St. Patrick’s loved our Christmas Banners so much that she asked us to buy more banners for the rest of the liturgical year from the same company. As a result, this wonderful benefactor gave St. Patrick’s a $10,000 gift, $3,100 being applied to the banners and the rest to reduce our parish debt. By doing so, our debt is now sitting at $113,000 (which is a far cry from the $330,000 we had two years ago!). Thanks for helping us improve our parish campuses. You are all the best!!!
And finally… In July 2023, Mr. Don Lambert of Momence spoke to Chief Patrick Siemsen of the Momence Police Department some time ago, wanting to gift someone with a 1995 Ford van (30,000 miles) with a chairlift that a family in need could use. Don used this van for years with a relative who needed it and now that his family has no more use of it, they wanted to give it to a family with a similar need.
Knowing that Nicole Gossett’s family from Chebanse desperately needed a vehicle like this for their daughter Katie, Don and the chief were able to offer the family this nice gift so that they could take care of their daughter with a little more ease. To help this cause, Mayor Terry D’Arcy of Joliet and D’Arcy Motors were able to get us the title for this van so this transfer is legal!!!
The Cardinal Glennon Children's Foundation wrote an article about Katie in their magazine this month which you can access if you CLICK HERE!!!
https://irp.cdn-website.com/.../2024%20Gossett%20Magazine...
Remember - STAY SAFE AND WARM THIS WEEKEND! IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND THE BORDER TOWN MASSES, THEN WATCH THE ONLINE MASS BELOW (JUST REMEMBER... LAST WEEK WE ONLY TOOK IN HALF OF OUR NORMAL SUNDAY COLLECTION AND THIS WEEKEND WILL PROBABLY BE THE SAME - SO PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PARISHES!!!).
| |
|
And finally… In July 2023, Mr. Don Lambert of Momence spoke to Chief Patrick Siemsen of the Momence Police Department some time ago, wanting to gift someone with a 1995 Ford van (30,000 miles) with a chairlift that a family in need could use. Don used this van for years with a relative who needed it and now that his family has no more use of it, they wanted to give it to a family with a similar need.
Knowing that Nicole Gossett’s family from Chebanse desperately needed a vehicle like this for their daughter Katie, Don and the chief were able to offer the family this nice gift so that they could take care of their daughter with a little more ease. To help this cause, Mayor Terry D’Arcy of Joliet and D’Arcy Motors were able to get us the title for this van so this transfer is legal!!!
The Cardinal Glennon Children's Foundation wrote an article about Katie in their magazine this month which you can access if you CLICK HERE!!!
Remember - STAY SAFE AND WARM THIS WEEKEND! IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND THE BORDER TOWN MASSES, THEN WATCH THE ONLINE MASS BELOW (JUST REMEMBER... LAST WEEK WE ONLY TOOK IN HALF OF OUR NORMAL SUNDAY COLLECTION AND THIS WEEKEND WILL PROBABLY BE THE SAME - SO PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PARISHES!!!).
| | |
|
Both Parishes will be Praying the "9 Days for Life" Novena after the Homilies of every Mass we celebrate from January 16-24. The Spanish Speaking Community will pray the Novena each night at 6:30 p.m. and hold a special Mass on January 24 at 7:00 p.m. | | |
|
One of the areas at our parishes we do not cover a great deal is the “Right to Life” Movement." Only because no one has stepped forward to promote the cause (except DRE John Rehmer, who does so many things at our parishes!). The US Conference of Catholic Bishops last fall declared (once again) that the life in the womb is the pre-eminent “Right to Life” issue in this country and to defend the life of the helpless child in the one is of great importance to our faith.
As we know, children in the womb (and outside of it) have very little control in this world. They cannot vote; they cannot consume alcohol. Children depend on adults to lead them and guide them and provide them with a type of “moral compass” in life. The role of godparents at baptism is supposed to serve as a second set of Christian examples for the children to follow. Children need that guidance; the fact is, we all do.
Towards this cause of promoting life, we are following the bishops’ lead on this subject by investing in the “9 Days for Life Novena” from January 16-24 (see the website www.9daysforlife.com for more information). During these nine days after our Mass homilies, we will be praying that particular Novena Day at Mass and reflecting on the theme for that day. On January 24, we will celebrate special Masses for life at our parishes (5:00 p.m. at St. Anne’s; 9:15 a.m. (English) and 7:00 p.m. (Spanish) at St. Patrick’s. At St. Patrick’s, our Hispanic community will pray the “Rosary for Life” at 6:30 every night of the Novena, just like the English-speaking community does prior to every single Mass we celebrate at both parishes.
| |
|
Join Us at Our Annual Polka Mass and Appreciation Dinner!
February 10, 2024
Polka Mass w/ Ray Koncar at 4 pm
Appreciation Dinner to Follow
This week, we started planning in earnest for our Border Town Mass and Appreciation Dinner in February (prior to our Ash Wednesday services and the Season of Lent), we just worked out details with JR's Chicken and Bill & Elina Dimitrious in Joliet (owners of four restaurants in that area), whose staff will also be preparing food for this event. Anyone who volunteers at the parish is invited to join us with their families. All you have to do is RSVP at St. Anne's [(815) 427-8265] or St. Patrick's (815) 472-2864] and you are all set to go - hope to see you there!!! We have included highlights from last year's celebration with this note.
| |
ST. PAT'S ACADEMY & COMMUNITY CENTER GYM WINDOW PROJECT | |
|
Lorri Simpson and a whole bunch of nice people from our parish were able to help us raise $10,000 so that we could finish replacing all the windows at our facility. Last year, Van Drunen Farms and a few other folks were able to install the bulk of our gym windows and now we are finishing it up with a little help from Wally Martin, Bill Powers, and a few of our friends from Joliet. Between the $10,000 and some donations from our local groups to take care of the rest of that project (more on that later), we are able to finish this part of the project within the next month or two.
After this project and a renovation of one of our spaces to form a warming kitchen are completed, most of our renovation work in the gym will be done for the sake of the Momence Community. (The “big ticket items” that still remain will be putting Internet in the facility ($20,000), a generator for inclement weather ($20,000) and a $250,000 parking lot to help alleviate the problems on Hill Street.)
Thank you for your patience with us during this renovation. may God bless all of you!
| |
Please Stay Safe! If you are Not Comfortable Leaving Your Home This Weekend Because of the Snowstorm, Feel Free to Watch Our Online Masses Here! Thanks for Supporting Our Border Town Parishes!!! | |
|
Mass for the Third
Sunday in Ordinary Time
Celebrated at St. Anne's Church - St. Anne, IL
Every created person is GOOD, created in God's image and through God's likeness. All of us have been given a calling. What we do with this life, what we do with this calling, determines our destiny. Fr. Pete preaches about how many, at times, forget the lesson of our history and forget that calling in life. Today we are challenged to follow the one our Lord has given us.
| |
|
Homily in Spanish for the
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Celebrated at St. Patrick's Church - Momence, IL
Offered by Fr. Pete Jankowski
Thanks to Andres Ojeda and family for recording our Masses!
| |
UPCOMING PROJECTS AT ST. PATRICK'S | |
WE HAVE REDUCED OURPARISH DEBT AT ST. PATRICK'S BY A FACTOR OF OVER $200,000 IN THE LAST TWO YEARS!!! | |
One of our seniors has taken it upon themself to take courses on writing grants. The US Government offers millions of dollars of grants that are accessible for those who apply for them. Since both parish halls are seen as "Community and Emergency Centers" by our respective cities, we need help in getting generators and internet on our properties to help the cities... and us!!! ... in our efforts to serve the people of our area. | |
ST. PATRICK'S / ST. 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). | |
PULPIT ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS WEEKEND | |
-
For those who are wishing a 2023 Contribution Statement, please contact the parish office.
-
This weekend, we will be taking a Special Collection for the Church in Latin America. We ask you please to be generous towards this cause.
-
Please consider donation socks and slippers to Harbor House in January. More information can be found in the bulletin.
| |
KEEP UPDATED WITH OUR PARISH BULLETINS!!! | |
|
To View St. Patrick's Bulletin for
January 21, 2024
CLICK HERE!
| |
|
To View St. Anne's Bulletin for
January 21, 2024
CLICK HERE!
| |
|
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK: Mary Kay Blankestyn, Ashley & Jesse Childress, Guadalupe Maria De Leon, Austin Fuhrmann, Ron Gall, 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, Abraham Daily, Tom Dandurand, Aria Dionne, Carol Futcher, Raelynn Garrett, Val Lagacy, Bentley Lottinville, Linda Miramontes 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 also pray for Frank Pilotte, who will be undergoing surgery this week.
PLEASE PRAY FOR BELOVED DECEASED: Ronald Schroeder (Funeral at St. Anne's on Friday - January 19 at 5:00 p.m. - CLICK HERE for more information).
Please also pray for Katie Munchalfen. One of our benefactors asked us to pray for Katie - her funeral takes place in Joliet on January 19 at 7:00 p.m.
| |
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
| | | | |
