ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH

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Lent: A Season of Prayer, Fasting, and Renewal

Lent is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, preparing Catholics for Easter by deepening their faith and repentance. Rooted in Jesus’ 40 days in the desert, it calls believers to conversion, self-discipline, and charity as they reflect on Christ’s Passion and Resurrection. The three pillars of Lent—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—guide the faithful in strengthening their relationship with God and serving others. The season culminates in Holy Week, marking Jesus’ triumphal entry, Last Supper, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. Lent is a time of spiritual renewal, inviting us to grow in holiness, seek reconciliation, and prepare our hearts to celebrate the victory of Christ over sin and death.

Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross is a powerful Lenten devotion that invites us to walk prayerfully with Jesus on His journey to Calvary. Through a series of 14 stations, we reflect on Christ’s suffering, sacrifice, and love for humanity. This sacred tradition helps deepen our faith, foster repentance, and unite us more closely with Jesus in His Passion.

Join us for the Stations of the Cross on Fridays at 3:00 PM throughout Lent, with a special observance on Good Friday at 7:00 PM. Additionally, our Religious Education students and teachers will pray the Stations every Wednesday at 6:45 PM. All are welcome to participate in this meaningful time of prayer and reflection.

Parish Penance Service – April 3, 2025

Join us for our Parish Penance Service on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 7:00 PM. This special evening of reconciliation is open to the entire parish and will include visiting priests to hear confessions.

Take this opportunity to prepare your heart and soul through the Sacrament of Penance, seeking God’s mercy and grace. As Psalm 51:10 reminds us:

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."

We encourage all parishioners to attend and experience the healing and peace of God’s forgiveness.

For more details, please contact the parish office.

Join Us for a Delicious Spaghetti Dinner!

The Knights of Columbus Council #11358 invites you to a heartwarming evening of food and fellowship at our Spaghetti Dinner!

📅 Date: Saturday, April 5th
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: St. Joseph’s Basement Hall

Enjoy a delicious meal featuring:
🍝 Spaghetti with Meatballs
🥗 Tossed Salad
🍞 Bread and Butter
🥤 Beverages

Pricing:
$12 for adults
$8 for children (16 years and under)
$35 maximum per family

Come hungry and bring your family and friends! This event is a wonderful way to support our community, share in fellowship, and enjoy a great meal together. We look forward to seeing you there!

God bless and see you at the dinner!

Eucharistic Adoration – Holy Tuesday, April 15, 2025

During Holy Week, our parish invites you to a special Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. This day of prayer and reflection begins with Mass at 7 AM, followed by the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 7:45 AM. The Blessed Sacrament will remain exposed for adoration throughout the day and early evening until Benediction at 7:45 PM, concluding with the reposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 8 PM.

Holy Tuesday is a meaningful day in the journey to the Cross. On this day, Jesus taught extensively, challenged the Pharisees, and shared powerful lessons with His disciples. That night, Mary anointed Jesus with oil, an act of great love and devotion (Matthew 26:6-13). Inspired by this moment, we are invited to reflect on gratitude—who and what we appreciate in our lives and how often we express it.

We encourage all parishioners to participate in this special devotion by:

• Attending Mass at 7 AM
• Spending an hour (or more) in adoration anytime between 8 AM and 7:45 PM
• Joining us for Benediction at 7:45 PM to close this time of prayer

Since the Blessed Sacrament must never be left unattended, we are seeking volunteers to commit to one-hour time slots throughout the day. Families and individuals are welcome to sign up in the narthex or call the parish office at 815-468-3403. Even if you cannot commit to a specific time, we invite you to stop by and spend time in prayer, even briefly.

For more information, please contact Ed Leeson at 815-468-7419. We hope you will join us for this beautiful opportunity to grow in faith and devotion during Holy Week.

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.

Baby Bottle Change for Hope Drive – Lenten Almsgiving

St. Joseph Church and Religious Education Program is participating in the Pregnancy Resource Center’s Change for Hope Drive to support families in need in Kankakee County.

We invite you to pick up a baby bottle at St. Joseph Church, fill it with spare change, and return it to help provide care, support, and resources for those facing pregnancy decisions.

Return your filled baby bottles by Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025.

Thank you for your generosity in making a difference!

For more information, visit or contact St. Joseph Church.

National Eucharistic Revival

National Eucharistic Revival Session - April 10, 2025



Due to the Parish Lenten Service on April 3, the next National Eucharistic Revival Year Session has been moved to Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 7 PM in the parish hall.

That evening, we will watch "The Last Supper", a one-hour film shot on location in the Holy Land. This visually stunning presentation explores the Last Supper’s Jewish roots, historical significance, and traditional Passover meal, offering deeper insight into this sacred event.

Join us for an evening of reflection 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.

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