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.

Our Website will experience a Major Upgrade in December 2023!

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

Over at St. Patrick's... A couple of months back, one of our alumni sent me this framed picture from what I assume was the 1920s-30s over at the gymnasium in Saint Pat's Academy, Momence. Unfortunately, the frame was falling apart so I took the picture to Hobby Lobby and got it reframed. If anyone has any information about this picture, please feel free to share. We are in the process of figuring out where to put it. We spent so much time preserving the picture that we wanted to do right by it.

As Artemio Ojeda is enjoying his brand new John Deere lawnmower with a sixty-inch cutting deck that was donated by an anonymous parishioner, as the food pantries from Kankakee County come to collect the four pallets of donated water that were brought to us courtesy of Van Drunen Farms, Troy Coleman, and his drapery company have come to install the brand new fireproof drapes for our gymnasium stage that were donated by yet another anonymous parishioner. This year, we have collected somewhere over $300,000 in donations and services to better our gymnasium, church and grotto.

Finally, a group of St. Pat’s faithful gathered on October 28 to pray a “Rosary for Life,” during which we re-dedicated our updated gymnasium and grotto. I have spent the last few months learning to write grants to help us maintain what we have for your benefit.

Over at St. Anne's... I would like to thank Mayor David O’Connell and the St. Anne Village Board for approving (in theory) a “Memorandum of Understanding” between the Village and the Bishop of the Joliet Diocese. In essence, the diocese offers approval of the village, on their dime, installing a generator for both the rectory and the Community Hall (which, I am told, that building used to be called) and the Memorandum (which I am told is not a contract but, as diocesan lawyer Maureen Harton attests has more “teeth” than just a letter) assures the village the first opportunity to buy the hall if anything should happen at the parish (the parish gets downgraded to a “chapel” in the future, etc.).

Let us be clear with this – there is no immediate issues at St. Anne’s – she continues to function in the way she has for over a hundred seventy years (if you remember the game of “telephone,” I am sure that no matter how emphasized we make that comment, somewhere down the line this statement most likely will be misconstrued). That said, with the diocese consolidating half to three quarters of their Joliet community parishes by July 1, eventually the bishop will work his way through the rest of the diocese. It is prudent of us to take care of what we have so that future generations can benefit from what this generation’s parishioners has provided for them (if you look at the history of the Martinton parish hall, you might understand better why we do what we do).

As you know, a whole slew of good souls has made significant upgrades to this parish in the last four plus years I have served St. Anne’s (and Lord knows how many upgrades took place prior to that!). Those who have made these upgrades make it very clear to me how much they love this parish. On the side, those who have been working with me have provided a great number of services we normally would not have. Because of these upgrades, we have guaranteed that local services like the St. Anne Food Pantry would be able to serve our community in the hall for years to come. I am still trying to get the person running Northlake Villa Senior Housing to write us a letter for the purposes of grant writing, but now we have provided them an emergency shelter next to where they live. More to come on all of this. – Fr. Pete

AND FINALLY… Many businesses in our area offered services to St. Patrick’s as part of a “Service Raffle” at our Parish Picnic on September 24. As the Service Raffle was not announced at the picnic (this is what happens when the priest gets COVID and cannot attend his own picnic!), we are offering these services in this week’s bulletin. If anyone wishes to utilize these services, St. Patrick’s receives the money from each project to help the parish with its debt and projects. Please call the office if you are interested in utilizing these services (we will only accept the first caller to utilize these services).

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.

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 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Celebrated at St. Patrick's Church - Momence, IL

Once we realize that YOU are the treasure of life in whom the Holy Spirit resides, it is then we realize how to utilize the talents that God has bestowed on us, which is the theme of today's homily. Fr. Pete offers practical examples of utilizing these gifts with those in the parish who very much seek them in the priest, deacon or bishop.

BONUS MASS for Thanksgiving

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

So many of those whom have gone before us serve as a wonderful inspiration for us in today's age, including St. Anne's Parishioner Lucy Houk (1943-2023), St. Patrick's Parishioner and the Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago and wonderful supporter of our local Hispanic Community (especially at Camino y Esperanza Retreat House) Most. Rev. John Manz (1946-2023). Each of them (and us) pale infinitely in comparison to our Lord, who died and rose so that we have a chance for salvation. This is the message for which we REALLY give thanks on this special national holiday.

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

CLICK HERE!!!

CLICK HERE for the Readings for This Weekend!

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.

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. Silvia Tejada, has now made herself available for Spanish Adult Education Classes in the church during the children's religious education classes in St. Pat's Church Basement.
2. We continue our “December Drawing” at St. Pat’s at St. Pat’s – 1000 tickets at $20 a piece. Please check the bulletin for further information.
3. On-Site Thanksgiving Masses will take place at St. Anne's at 8:00 a.m. and St. Patrick's at 9:15 a.m. The Mass is also available at the parish website online.
4. Christmas Inc. once again will be offering complementary Christmas lunches in the Church's Community Hall for those who RSVP for the event. The lunch will take place on December 25 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at St. Anne Hall. David O'Connell is looking for volunteers to work one hour shirfts for the event (11-12 or 12-1). If you can help, please contact the office or him.

To View St. Patrick's Bulletin for

November 19, 2023



CLICK HERE!

To View St. Anne's Bulletin for

November 19, 2023



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, Jesse & Ashley Childress, Abraham Daily, Tom Dandurand, Aria Dionne, Carol Futcher, Raelynn Garrett, Jack Houk, 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.

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