ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH

Mass Times

Directions

Religious Education

Upcoming Events

Divine Mercy Sunday falls on the Sunday after Easter. The Diary of St. Faustina Kowalska records 14 different occasions when Jesus revealed to her His desires concerning the Feast of Mercy (Divine Mercy Sunday). The most comprehensive revelation in her diary is entry 699.

“The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.”

To observe Divine Mercy Sunday, individuals should participate in a Mass, make a Confession, receive Holy Communion, and pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. It's also recommended to venerate the image of the Divine Mercy, be merciful to others, and trust in Jesus.



In celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday (4-27-25), our parish will be having adoration, confessions, and recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy from 3PM until 4PM in the church.

What is Divine Mercy Sunday?

Discover the origins and meaning of Divine Mercy Sunday, the extraordinary promise Jesus offers on this special day, and how the image, novena, chaplet, and Hour of Mercy reveal the depth of God’s love and compassion for every soul.

“My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners... The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment... Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.” — Jesus to St. Faustina

Divine Mercy Sunday, celebrated on the First Sunday after Easter, is a profound invitation to trust in God’s mercy and return to His embrace. Jesus Himself said that "Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy."

Take time to reflect, pray, and draw near to the heart of Jesus, who longs to pour out His mercy upon all.

Easter: The Glorious Celebration of Christ’s Resurrection

Easter is the most joyful and central feast in the Christian faith, celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after His crucifixion. It proclaims Christ’s victory over sin and death and the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation. Easter begins with the Easter Vigil and launches a 50-day season called Eastertide, which concludes with Pentecost. The Resurrection is the foundation of Christian hope, assuring us of new life in Christ. It calls us to live with renewed faith, to turn away from sin, and to be witnesses of Christ’s light, love, and joy in the world.

Save the Date: Fr. Thomas’s Golden Jubilee Celebration

We are joyfully preparing to celebrate a remarkable milestone in the life and ministry of Fr. Thomas—his Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years of faithful priesthood. Please save the date for this special occasion, which will take place on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 10:30am.

All are invited to join in honoring Fr. Thomas for his decades of devoted service to the Church and the community.

More details will be shared soon.

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.

National Eucharistic Revival Session – May 1, 2025

Join us on Thursday, May 1 at 7 PM in the parish hall for a special National Eucharistic Revival Year session featuring a powerful video by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC titled Explaining the Faith: What is Divine Mercy.

This one-hour presentation will explore key questions about the Mass, God’s love, Divine Mercy, and the Catholic faith, helping you grow in understanding and deepen your relationship with Christ.



All are welcome for this evening of insight and fellowship. Refreshments will be served!

Join the 2025 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage – A Journey of Faith

As the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage concludes, the St. Katharine Drexel Route will journey 3,300 miles from Indianapolis to Los Angeles, bringing Christ’s presence to communities along the way.

Beginning May 18, 2025, the pilgrimage features daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, processions, and service stops at sacred sites like the tomb of Venerable Fulton Sheen and the Shrine of Blessed Stanley Rother.

Walk with Christ as a Perpetual Pilgrim, Eucharistic Caravan member, or host. Join us in this powerful encounter with our Lord!

More details coming soon. St. Katharine Drexel, pray for us!

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.

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.

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

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 recite 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.

St. Joseph Parish Communications

We are in the process of revising our communication system in an effort to better communicate with YOU, our parishioners.

Send us a Message