NOTES FOR OCTOBER 28, 2022 | |
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News & Notes from Fr. Pete Jankowski
Why Do We Do What We Do???
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Before I present my little “diatribe” below… I ask that you pray for Business Manager Kathy Griffiths, who lost her mother Mary Clocksin yesterday. A few months ago, Kathy had to bury her father, William. The funeral will take place next week in Kankakee, time TBD. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon Kathy’s parents.
Also next week, we will celebrate All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day at both parishes – St. Anne’s at 5:00 p.m. each night and St. Patrick’s Church with Bilingual Services at 7:00 p.m. For the All Souls’ Day services, we invited those whose family members were buried at our respective parishes to join us to remember their beloved deceased at our Masses.
Some of the folks in our Religious Education Program asked me a question that has haunted most of my priesthood – how do we get kids to Mass (if anyone knew the solution, they would be rich!!!)? As you know, a good number of folks drop their kids off for classes and pick them up without any of the family members ever spending any time in Church on Sundays – to my way of thinking, it is like saying to a spouse or a best friend, “I love you but I don’t want to spend any time with you.” From experience, you know how those type of relationships turn out…
As I have answered in other parishes, so we will do here. Starting the first Sunday of November and running the first Sunday of every month, students in our religious education programs will be required to attend Sunday Mass (St. Anne’s 9:00 a.m. Mass will be bilingual, per the request of our catechists). We will get kids more invested in the liturgical life of the Church. Just FYI.
A good amount of work was completed at our parishes this week. Jim Sparenberg and the gang were able to finally complete the sidewalk project at St. Anne’s, as well as erect a lit flagpole that was a long time in the works. At St. Patrick’s, Ryan Loftus took it upon himself to remove a rusted ramp from the front area of the rectory and bought, painted and installed a new ramp for the sake of those with special needs and our seniors. Joe Krause (in addition to working on the bathroom project) continues to repair the church balcony wall that fell into disrepair. Over at our gym, our staff chose Veteran Floors to being a renovation process of our gym floor. We decided to buy about $2,500 worth or new tables for the gym to replace our damaged furniture and safeguard the floors from any scratching (if anyone would like to donate to that cause, we would appreciate it). There is a lot of good happening at our parishes… and is all due to you!!!
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Now to the diatribe…
The Poor Clare Sisters and Nick Skokna decided to gift our parishes again with a whole lot of fresh produce, fresh meat, and boxes upon boxes of pastries and chips for our border town communities (I never thought I could stomach “cinnamon and sugar Cheetos” until I actually tried some – THEY ARE REALLY GOOD!!!) Thanks to Paul & Janice Gelino for driving up to Hinsdale to get the pastries. I also wish to thank the Illinois Migrant Council, who donated another 100 computers to the needy of the area – that is THREE HUNDRED DONATED COMPUTERS that we have given to needy families in the area this year alone!!!
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As we have done before, we distributed all this food to the various Food Pantries in the area (Aroma Park, Momence, St. Anne and Martinton), as well as churches and schools in the Joliet area. We received much thanks but a “higher up” in the faith questioned our motivation in giving away food to those in the area and the manner in which I was getting the food. I have preached about this before but, for the sake of getting this off my chest, I produce the e-mail response to this inquiry for your consideration…
Why do I try to be charitable? What is my ulterior motive in doing what I do? Why do I pump all my money back to the parishes I serve instead of taking care of myself with nice cars, houses, etc.? Why do I take the university salary to buy a $20,000 truck for our maintenance man where I serve for the sake of my parishes (that one is ironic - I bought a truck for the parishes and I was reported by some of my parishioners to the chancery as a “liability to the diocese”…). “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men…” (an old “Shadow” reference).
When a company overstocks a product (close to expiration date, damaged box on a pallet, etc.), the company is stuck with inventory they either have to donate or destroy. At my last parish, I was the recipient of entire semis full of fresh chicken, cereal, etc. that fed the needy of the food pantries in the area, a pantry I inherited in 2006 that served 30 families and when I left Joliet in 2018, served 300. When the Hostess company went out of business a few years ago (before the company was purchased by another agency), I was the recipient of a warehouse full of Ding Dongs, Cupcakes, etc. that were distributed to anyone I could find, including the University of St. Francis. I ended up leading a diocesan day of reflection for the bishop and his staff and passed out Twinkies as part of my reflection - they asked the same question as you - and they were the head shepherds of the diocese!!!
The problem here is that food pantries sometimes are so overstocked themselves that they reject the product and the product ends up in a landfill.
I gave Nick Skokna (who helped me with this project) a contribution letter earlier this month, stating that the food goes to feed the needy and is not used for profitable causes … and that is true. Besides USF, I got rid of four hundred cases of product that went to USF, Immaculate Conception Church and School in Morris, St. Joseph Church in Joliet, and food pantries in Momence, St. Anne, Martinton and Aroma Park, IL that otherwise would be suffering without this help. Nick Skokna tells me that he helps out St. Mother Teresa’s order and the poor they serve on a constant basis.
BTW, the CCW in Momence knit blankets from plastic bags and mittens and hats that we distributed to the kids at the Centro Vilaseca for poor families in Joliet - don’t know of the bishop ever visited there but if there is a group who he should meet, it should be them in Joliet and the Poor Clare’s in Minooka, who got me connections to the chips, Nick Skokna, the folks for the plumbing and roofing, etc…
The problem in today’s age is that people forget about Christian Charity, which is what the Church and its ministers are supposed to follow (the pope elevated the head of his charitable agency in the Vatican to the position of Cardinal for that specific purpose!). The problem at times is that we pray Mt 25 (“when I was hungry you gave me food…”) and the Prayer of St. Francis (“for it is in giving that we receive”) but we forget to live it. When folks at my parish question how “I” am able to get things done at the parish, “I” respond that the ministry gets done not because of “me” but because of the Spirit that works in me.
Notice what happens when potato chips are no longer about me (trust me - I tried a bag of the lime potato chips - YOU CAN HAVE THEM!!!). All of a sudden, impossible things get done, like Nick Skokna finding me a roofer who took a $60,000 roofing project at my church and did it for $25,000 (I raised $33,000 for the project and MADE $8,000 - go figure). Nick got me a plumber to do a $75,000 bathroom project for FREE - when parishioners found out, they pitched in and volunteered to help with construction.
When I started a Hispanic Ministry at St. Patrick’s in Joliet with thirty people in 2006 and find out that they just had a weekend retreat where FOURTEEN HUNDRED SOULS signed up to attend, we start realizing that Christian Charity pays dividends if you allow the Spirit to guide you, as opposed to doubt and despair that is killing today’s Church. It’s just that the skeptical have no idea that “paying it forward” produces more good and allows the Church to grow more than trying to find the flaw in a plan they think has an ulterior motive. One way builds the Church, the other way kills it.
Then, on the other hand, I do what I do because St. Teresa of Calcutta mandates I do so, as stated in the quotation attributed to her - my ministry is about God, not anyone else anyway…
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WATCH THE MASS FOR THE 31st SUNDAY
OF ORDINARY TIME ONLINE
INCLUDING A "LITANY OF SAINTS" IN HONOR OF THOSE WHOSE FUNERALS WERE CELEBRATED AT THE BORDER TOWN PARISHES
RECORDED AT ST. ANNE'S CHAPEL - ST. ANNE, IL
This week, the border town community prays for those in our community whose funeral Masses were celebrate at our parishes last year. Fr. Pete also reflects on a visit to his Aunt Ida Novelli's house and the funerals she celebrated in a two-year span for her husband Francesco, daughter Gina and grandson Brett.
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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. | |
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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.
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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!!!
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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)!!! 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 29-30, 2022
CLICK HERE!
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To View St. Anne's Bulletin for
October 29-30, 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.
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: Robert Kraus and Mary (and William) Clocksin
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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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