207 S. Main Street, Manteno IL 60950 | 815-468-3403 | stjosephmanteno@gmail.com
Welcome To
ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH
Our Parish!
We, the family of St. Joseph Parish, redeemed by Christ’s death and resurrection and strengthened by His Sacraments and Gospel, accept our calling to follow Him and let His light shine through us to all.
Father Thomas' Annual Vacation
While Father is gone, the priests from Maternity BVM will be covering our weekend Masses and Saturday Confessions beginning January 18th. Also, while Father is gone, during the week, there will be Communion Service Monday thru Friday at 7 am beginning January 13th. There will be NO morning adoration while Father is gone; however, Tuesday evening Adoration will continue but confessions on Tuesday evening will NOT be offered.
If you need a priest for anointing, please call Maternity BVM at (815) 933-8285 or St. Joseph, Bradley, at (815) 939-3573.
What is Ordinary Time?
Ordinary Time is a season in the Church’s liturgical calendar that focuses on the daily living out of our faith. The term “ordinary” comes from the Latin ordo, meaning “order,” as the weeks are counted in an orderly way between the major seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. It’s a time of spiritual growth and reflection on Christ’s life and teachings, inviting us to find God’s grace in the rhythm of our everyday lives.
The First Week of Ordinary Time
This week begins following the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which marks the end of the Christmas season. In the Gospels for this week, we see Jesus beginning His public ministry. He calls His first disciples, preaches the message of repentance, and reveals the presence of God’s Kingdom in His words and actions. This week sets the tone for Ordinary Time by emphasizing the call to discipleship and the mission of bringing Christ’s light to the world.
A Call to Reflect
Ordinary Time may lack the festive celebrations of other seasons, but it is no less important. It reminds us that holiness is found not only in extraordinary moments but in the quiet, consistent practice of our faith. Let this week be an opportunity to answer Christ’s call to follow Him, deepen our prayer life, and live out His love in the ordinary moments of our days.
Registration for the 2024-25 faith year is now available online for current and new families. To register, click Link to 2024-2025 Registration Form below.
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
- Attend Mass and Receive Communion: On nine consecutive first Fridays.
- Pray and Reflect on Jesus’ Sacred Heart: Offer prayers and acts of love.
- 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.
The First Saturdays Devotion: A Path to Reparation and Spiritual Renewal
It is the desire of our pastor Father Thomas to make available to our people, and all who wish to join us, the opportunity to partake in the devotion of Five First Saturdays. Beginning May 4th, 2024, Mass will be celebrated on the first Saturday of each month at 9:00am.
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
- Confession
Go to confession within twenty days before or after the First Saturday, with the intention of making reparation. - Receiving Holy Communion
This should be done on the First Saturday itself, offering it in reparation for offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart. - Recitation of the Rosary
Five decades of the Rosary are prayed while meditating on its mysteries. - 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. - 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 recite pull a thorn from her heart.
Homebound Ministers of Holy Communion
We have openings for additional Eucharistic Ministers to help with the Homebound Ministers of Care Program that provides Holy Communion to our homebound parishioners. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Mary Burczak at 815-549-3644.
Join family and friends to Pray the Rosary and experience the peace of prayer together!
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!
Join Us for Jesus Talks: Adult Scripture Study
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!
Spiritual Direction
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.
What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual Direction is meeting with a trained director to reflect on how God is present and active in your life right now. Prayer is an essential component. Through the meeting, a relationship between the Holy Spirit, the director, and the directee is forged. Despite its name, the director is only a facilitator in the process of discovering how God may be calling you into a deeper relationship with Him. Nearly all the great saints of the Catholic Church had a spiritual director. Spiritual Direction is not psychotherapy or counseling. A spiritual director can help you look at life through a different lens, and often, that is all that is needed to progress along the narrow road to our ultimate goal of Heaven. If you are interested in meeting with a spiritual director, please call Kris at 815-735-5102.
Holy Mass Schedule:
Saturday @ 5pm | Sunday @ 8 & 10:30am
Tuesday through Friday @ 7am
Reconciliation:
Saturday 4-4:30 pm | Tuesday 6-6:30 pm or by appointment
Adoration:
Tuesday through Friday 6-7am | Tuesdays 6-8pm
Parish Office Hours:
CLOSED MONDAYS
Tuesday through Thursday 8am-4pm | Friday 9am - Noon
ONLINE MASS
can be viewed "LIVE" Sunday at 8:00 am or
watch recorded version anytime after 9:00 am on Sunday.
St. Joseph Parish Wedding Anniversary Recognition
Coming Home is available at th church for $25 or Click Here To order Online
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We, the family of St. Joseph Parish, redeemed by Christ’s death and resurrection and strengthened by His sacraments and Gospel, accept our calling to follow Him and let His light shine through us to all.
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815-468-3403
207 S Main St, Manteno, IL 60950, United States of America
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