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June: Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

For his first monthly prayer intention since his election on May 8, 2025, Pope Leo XIV has called on the faithful to pray “that the world might grow in compassion.” The intention, released in The Pope Video for June—traditionally the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus—focuses on finding consolation in a personal relationship with Jesus and learning compassion from His Heart.

In the video, Pope Leo prays that each person may encounter Jesus deeply and be moved to bring consolation and mercy to the world. An original prayer to the Sacred Heart, led by a woman’s voice, emphasizes trust in Jesus’ love, a desire to be shaped by His will, and a mission to serve others with compassion.

The video features images from the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus in Rome—home to the renowned image of the Sacred Heart by Pompeo Batoni—and the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Makati, Philippines.

This prayer initiative is part of The Pope Video project, run by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, which mobilizes Catholics to respond to global challenges through prayer and action. Since its launch in 2016, the initiative has reached over 247 million views across multiple languages and platforms.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity – June 15, 2025

On June 15, 2025, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity—One God in Three Divine Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This mystery, revealed by Christ and defined by the Church, is at the heart of our faith.

The Trinity is a perfect communion of love: the Father begets the Son, the Son is begotten, and the Holy Spirit proceeds from both. Though beyond full human understanding, this truth invites us into deeper worship, prayer, and love of God.

Use this day to renew your faith, profess the Creed, and open your heart to the mystery of God's eternal love.

Solemnity of Corpus Christi - June 22nd, 2025

The Holy Eucharist is the most precious treasure on earth—Christ’s true Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. No earthly wealth can compare to its infinite value. In the Eucharist, we are united with God and with one another in a communion that leads to eternal life.

The Solemnity of Corpus Christi began with a vision received by Saint Juliana of Liège in the 13th century. Her devotion inspired Pope Urban IV to establish the feast in 1264, following a Eucharistic miracle in Bolsena. He asked Saint Thomas Aquinas to compose the hymns we still sing today, like Tantum Ergo and Panis Angelicus.

As we celebrate this solemnity, let us renew our faith in Christ’s Real Presence and grow in love and reverence for the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Corpus Christi procession. Oil on canvas by Carl Emil Doepler.

The Value of Holy Communion

As the National Eucharistic Revival enters its final year, we reflect on a passage from the 1957 Marian Helpers Bulletin, highlighting the spiritual losses that come from missing Holy Communion. These include missing a personal encounter with Jesus, sanctifying grace, the remission of venial sins, spiritual protection, and eternal rewards. The article asks: "Will a few extra minutes of sleep repay you for all these losses?" A powerful reminder of the immeasurable graces received in the Eucharist.

Parish Picnic

SAVE THE DATE!
St. Joseph’s Parish Picnic
Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025

Join us for a day of fun, food, and fellowship with our parish community!

• First Planning Meeting
  June 9 at 6:00 PM
  St. Joseph’s Church Basement

We welcome all helping hands and ideas to make this year’s picnic a success!

For more information, please contact:
Camille Carlson at 815-954-6186

Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details!

First Friday Devotion: Honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The First Friday Devotion is a Catholic practice inspired by Jesus' revelations to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century. Jesus promised blessings to those who honor His Sacred Heart by attending Mass and receiving Communion on the first Friday of each month for nine consecutive months. This devotion expresses love and seeks reparation for sins against His heart.

She wrote the following about Jesus’ revelation to her about First Friday: “I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that Its all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on nine first Fridays of consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they will not die under My displeasure or without receiving their sacraments, My divine Heart making Itself their assured refuge at the last moment.”

How to Practice the Devotion

1. Attend Mass and Receive Communion: On nine consecutive first Fridays.
2. Pray and Reflect on Jesus’ Sacred Heart: Offer prayers and acts of love.
3. Make Reparation for Sins: Pray for those who don’t know or love Jesus.

This devotion invites us to grow in faith, trust, and love for Jesus, drawing closer to His heart each month.

In response to Our Lady of Fatima’s requests, the Devotion of the Five First Saturdays holds a special place in Catholic spirituality, offering believers an opportunity for grace and renewal. As directed by Our Lady during her apparitions to Sister Lucia of Fatima, this devotion is a powerful means of reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Origins and Purpose of Devotion

The First Saturdays Devotion stems from the message of Our Lady at Fatima. In one of her appearances, she revealed her Immaculate Heart encircled by thorns, symbolizing the blasphemies and ingratitude of humanity. Our Lady requested this devotion as an act of reparation and offered a promise of grace and assistance at the hour of death to those who faithfully practice it.

The Five Requirements of the Devotion

1. Confession
   Go to confession within twenty days before or after the First Saturday, with the intention of making reparation.
2. Receiving Holy Communion
   This should be done on the First Saturday itself, offering it in reparation for offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart.
3. Recitation of the Rosary
   Five decades of the Rosary are prayed while meditating on its mysteries.
4. Fifteen-Minute Meditation
   In addition to the Rosary, participants spend an extra 15 minutes reflecting on one or more of the Rosary mysteries with the intention of reparation.
5. Intentions for Reparation
   All actions performed during this devotion must be carried out with the sincere intention of reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

“Behold, my daughter, my heart encircled with thorns, with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. Give me consolation, you at least; and make known on my behalf that I promise to assist at the hour of death, with the graces necessary for salvation, all who on the First Saturday of five consecutive months: 1. Confess their sins, 2. Receive Holy Communion, 3. Recite five decades of the rosary, and keep me company for 15 minutes meditating on the mysteries of the rosary, with the purpose of making reparation to my Immaculate Heart.”

Why Five Saturdays?

The number five was chosen due to the five main types of blasphemies committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary:

• Blasphemies against her Immaculate Conception.
• Blasphemies against her Perpetual Virginity.
• Blasphemies against her Divine and Spiritual Maternity. These involve offenses against her role as the Mother of all humanity and the rejection of her maternal care.
• Blasphemies involving dishonoring her images.
• Blasphemies leading to the neglect of instilling knowledge and love for Mary in the hearts of children.

May every Hail Mary we pray pull a thorn from her heart.

Schedule:

• Weekdays: After morning Mass
• Saturdays: 4:30 PM
• Sundays: 7:25 AM & 10:00 AM
• Wednesday Evenings: 6:00 PM (at the Grotto, weather permitting)

Come and join us in prayer and community!

We warmly invite you to be part of our weekly scripture study group, Jesus Talks! This adult faith gathering meets every Wednesday at 6:30 PM in the parish hall. Together, we reflect on the readings for the upcoming Sunday liturgy, share our faith journeys, and support each other in prayer and fellowship.

All are welcome!

For more information or to be added to the Jesus Talks email list, please contact the Parish Office at 815-468-3403. We look forward to growing in faith together!

Hello. I am Kris Fisher and I have lived in the Kankakee area for over 40 years with my husband Marc. We have five adult children and 16 grandchildren. I am a nurse by education and worked in the field of community health. Over the past three years, I have been working in the ministry of Spiritual Direction and have received certification from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, in partnership with the Diocese of Joliet.

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