Join us this Sunday May 21 at 10:00 am Mass to bid happy retirement to our Pastoral Associate, Mary Jane Sullivan.

When I arrived at St. Josaphat Parish six years ago, Mary Jane Sullivan was one of the first people on the staff I sat down with. She told me, “I was planning on retiring this year. But you seem like a nice guy and I know this is your first year as a Pastor, so I’ll give you one more year.” Thankfully, Mary Jane stuck with me for six more years!

I could not have asked for a better Pastoral Associate. Mary Jane has taught me a lot about how to be a Pastor and how to accompany parishioners through the ups and downs, joys and struggles of life. She has been my right hand and my closest advisor.

I remember going with Mary Jane to the first summit the Cardinal hosted in the Archdiocese as we began the Renew My Church initiative. Mary Jane’s enthusiasm for the Cardinal’s vision for what a “renewed Church” could look like in the Archdiocese of Chicago is what kept her here longer than she had originally planned.

Mary Jane embraced her new role as the Director of Evangelization. She quickly formed an evangelization team and was instrumental in bringing Alpha to our parish. Mary Jane has helped us to become a more welcoming parish and expanded our ministries to better serve our parish community.

One of my favorite things about Mary Jane is seeing the joy it brings her to share her faith with others. She has a deep love for Jesus Christ, and she has committed her life to inviting others to get to know Jesus and form a relationship with him. I know that my own faith has deepened as a result of my friendship with Mary Jane.

It has been a joy working with Mary Jane these past six years as we formed our Senior Leadership Team and expanded our staff. She has done a magnificent job mentoring Sean O’Dea, Nathan Johnson and Emily Skafish to continue the good work she has begun here.

Please join me in thanking Mary Jane for her outstanding commitment to our parish these past 11 years, and for helping all of us to grow in our faith and draw closer to Jesus Christ. She has truly lived out the Lord’s command to “go make disciples.”

Thank you again, Mary Jane, for everything!

Fr. Francis

It’s that time again! Pick up a baby bottle, help a mother in need. Aid for Women helps women who are facing difficult, unplanned pregnancies. We’ll be handing out baby bottles after all the Masses this Mother’s Day weekend. Take a bottle, drop your change in it for a few weeks, and return it to the parish by the end of May. The money will help Aid For Women provide material support and counseling services for pregnant women, and assist them in accessing other community services.

The Refugee Ministry is collecting donations in boxes at the back of the Church and will deliver them to designated drop-off sites. You can find a list of urgently needed items along with other ways that you can help on the parish website and on a flyer in the back of the Church. If you are interested information on volunteer opportunities through the Refugee Ministry, contact Judy Lovero at judylovero@gmail.com.

Read the latest from our Refugee Ministry and prayerfully consider helping asylum seekers.

 Join us each morning the week of June 12–16 for songs, crafts and games! Best for kids ages 4 to 10. Register Here Early Bird discount ends on May 15th.

Lector Training on July 23 at 11:00am

Eucharistic Minister Training TBD

Please contact Jim Maciejewski for details.

We are looking for a volunteer, or two, to help co-host the St. Josaphat Tots Program September 2023 - May 2024. The Tots group meets weekly for one hour to play and have snack. All parents, nannys, grandparents and caregivers are welcome at Tots. Inquiries please contact Jeanne-Marie Cohen jeannemwalsh@yahoo.com.