Diocesan Stewardship Appeal – 50 more families needed! We are in the final weeks of our 2023-24 DSA fundraising efforts. To reach our goal, we just need 50 more families to contribute $100. Our Diocesan ministries help put our Eucharistic love into action and we all need to do our part to support their work.
Our parish is so blessed with great priests and deacons who proclaim the Gospels and administer the sacraments. They, along with our lay leaders, help pass on the faith to the young and old. Your support of the DSA provides these leaders with the education and formation that they need to help us all in our quest to know the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Over 20% of the Diocesan funding goes to supporting the poor, the homeless, the unborn, and the hungry. We are all aware of the economic struggles that some of our neighbors are facing. Your contribution is a vital component of our Catholic mission to help the needy.
Please reflect on all the gifts God has given to you and how you can use these gifts to share God’s love with others. Every gift we receive toward the DSA matters!
If you would like to contribute, click here. Thanks to all parishioners who have already contributed! We are so blessed by your
generosity!
generosity!
Blessing of Easter Baskets: A Long Christian Tradition. Bring your food baskets to Church on Saturday, March 30, at 1:30 pm, for this special blessing. When we say grace, the last familiar words of the prayer, ‘through Christ, Our Lord,’ are the key to understanding the blessing of food on Holy Saturday. The blessing imparted is always through Christ by the power of His dynamic act of salvation: His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.” Learn more here.
Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit, Coming to Our Parish! Saturday, April 6 through Wednesday, April 17, view displays detailing documented cases of consecrated bread and wine inexplicably changed into flesh and blood. The Exhibit will change each week and be available for viewing during office hours and Mass times.
March for Life in Springfield. There is limited seating still available on the Huntley-St. Charles March for Life bus on April 17. The Marengo-Mendota bus line is closed to registration. Sign up here.
Encounter Christ
Be Reconciled. A Diocesan-wide day of reconciliation on Wednesday, March 20. Our priests will be available from 9 am-7 pm.
Intercessory Prayer Rosary. This coming Monday, March 18, 7-8 pm in the Guadalupe Chapel. Join us in the act of praying on behalf of others. All are welcome. Each prayer of the Rosary will include a specific intercession, such as recently married couples, an initiative of the parish, and many more.
Parish Potluck! Join us for our next potluck on Saturday, March 23, after our 4 pm Mass. The parish will provide pulled pork sandwiches. Please register and bring a dish to share based on your last name. We want to provide enough food! Sign up here.
Grow In Christ
Reflections from the Holy Land for the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Click here for this week's annotations.
Surrender All: An Illustrated Journal Retreat through the Stations of the Cross. Copies are available at our Welcome Center, with a suggested donation of $4. Catholic artist Jen Norton offers a unique opportunity to ponder the extravagant love of Christ through the Stations of the Cross. Combining powerful, full-color illustrations with scripture, these original reflections and prayers, and journaling space, the book Surrender All will help you encounter Christ’s Passion in a new light. Bring home yours today!
Sanctuary Course Coming This Spring. Thursdays 7-8:30 pm, April 11 through May 30. During this eight-session program, participants will learn about the struggles and successes of mental health. Each week, reflect and discuss topics such as stigma, recovery, companionship, self-care, and the Church. This weekend, visit the Welcome Center to speak to a ministry leader. Please sign up here.
Elizabeth Ann Seton: Seeker to Saint on FORMED. A mini-documentary on the life of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton originally debuted on EWTN on January 4, 2021 – the 200th anniversary of Seton’s death and entrance into eternal life. Watch to learn about the remarkable life of the first American-born Saint. Sign up for a free, all-access account by visiting signup.formed.org
Be Sent by Christ
Hope for Haitians. Imagine bringing hope to a family who doesn’t know how they will survive the next month, week, or even the next day. They have no income, little or no food, and no access to clean water. With your help, Hope for Haitians helps provide sustainable sources of food for each family in a village by supplying animals such as chickens, goats, cows, and other livestock. The villagers are taught about animal husbandry, raising chickens for meat or eggs, milking goats or cows, and tending to their livestock to expand their possibilities.
Please donate through our parish Lenten appeal to help Hope for Haitians continue to provide animals to sustain a more productive and healthier lifestyle.
Thank you to all who picked up a donation box at the Welcome Center, there are still boxes available if you haven’t done so. We hope you are following your Lent Calendar and making this a family journey. If you would like to find out more about Hope for Haitians Mission donate online at hopeforhaitians.org/rockford-diocese/.
Easter Baskets. Families in need from our parish community will be getting Aldi Gift Cards to celebrate this Holiday, an easter basket for the kids, and hygiene goods to help with their household expenses. If you would like to share your blessings, please donate in the online giving section of our website, or donate items still needed. Hygiene kit items are toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, deodorant, toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, and laundry detergent. We are still collecting these items until March 20. Please bring your donations to room 216. God bless your generosity!
Breakfast and Dinner Helpers Needed! Hesed House, a homeless shelter in Aurora, needs volunteers to help serve dinner on the 2nd Thursday of the month and breakfast on the 2nd Friday of the month. Dinner servers need to be there from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. Breakfast volunteers are needed in one of the two shifts: 3:30 – 5:00 am or 5:00 to 7:00 am. If the Holy Spirit is moving you to serve in this meaningful and important ministry, please contact Sue at: Skibley0905@sbcglobal.net. Thanks for your prayerful consideration.
Food Pantry - Specific Items Needed. Our Food Pantry feeds Salvation Army's families in need in our community. Much-needed items are canned tuna, canned vegetables, canned fruit, granola bars, water, brown sugar, flour, toilet paper, and paper towels. Please bring your non-perishable items to our food pantry in room 216. “Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.” Isaiah 58:10
Stop Assisted Suicide-Weekly Learning Webinars.
Join weekly “Lunch and Learn Webinars” presented by Catholic Dioceses in Illinois and the Catholic Conference of Illinois, to learn more about the dangers of assisted suicide. Every Thursday, 12:30 – 1:00 pm, from March 14 – May 30, via Teams. Get informed about the negative ramifications of Assisted Suicide. “Let’s not succumb to the “false mercy” of assisted suicide, but instead endorse what Pope St. John Paul II called “the way of true mercy” by providing genuinely compassionate care, as a society and for our loved ones. Our answer today determines the care available now and for years to come.” Click here to find out more information and get involved.
Ongoing Events
Street Outreach for the Homeless. Bags with essential supplies are available at our office and Welcome Center. Next time you encounter a homeless person, follow Jesus in reaching out with a bag and a smile.
Daughters of Mary Widows Group. If you like to share conversation, enjoy fun afternoons, and visit interesting places, join us! The meetings are on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 1:30 pm, in rooms 213-215.
That Man Is You! Saturdays, 6:45 am, with breakfast, in the Hoffman Center. Includes small group discussions and presentations.
Looking Ahead to the Weekend Gospel Study. Wednesdays, 11:15 am, in rooms 213-215.
Lord of Life. Weekly sharing of blessings, the Sunday Gospel, God's action within our lives, and prayers of petition. Wednesdays, 7:30-8:30 pm, in Rooms 213-215.
Pietra Fitness. Thursdays, 9:30 am, in the Hoffman Center. Contact Laura at laura.m.saad@gmail.com.
Feed My Starving Children. Pack food at the Aurora location on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Contact Bob at drinibird2@gmail.com.
Northern Illinois Food Bank. Pack food at the Geneva location on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 5:30 pm. Register here.
Neumann Needlers. If you already know the craft or would like to learn, join this group on the first Monday of every month, 9 am - 11 am, in rooms 213-215, or pick up supplies from our office and knit from home! Contact Helen at Toots410@aol.com.
Silver Foxes. Join the fun and fellowship with this 55 years & over group. Contact Lorraine for more information at 630-632-5453.
Baby Items Collection for Walking with Moms in Need. Please donate baby items for area moms in need: baby shampoo, lotion, diaper rash cream, baby wipes, clothes (0-24 months), and diapers. Bring items to room 216.
Community Events
Easter Egg Hunt - Saturday, March 30 at 11 am. This annual event is conducted by the Knights of Columbus and the Ladies Auxiliary and is open to all families SJN and STP families. It is being held on the athletic field behind the St. Pat's Crane Road school. We would love for all families to participate! We kindly request all families to register here.
Save the Date for the 25th Annual Knights of Columbus "Never Give Up on Life" Chuck Hollenback Memorial Golf Outing on Monday, July 15. Outing inquiries can be directed to Fred Karl at ftkarl@sbcglobal.net.
Mass Intentions
Sunday, March 17th
8:00 † Dennis Jurek
8:00 † Dennis Jurek
9:30 † John Koscak
11:00 † Jim Nickels
Monday, March 18th
7:30 For the People of SJN
8:30 † James Hyler
7:30 For the People of SJN
8:30 † James Hyler
Tuesday, March 19th
7:30 † Deceased Members of the SVdP Society
8:30 Mili Bertrand (Intentions of)
7:30 † Deceased Members of the SVdP Society
8:30 Mili Bertrand (Intentions of)
6:00 † Ramon D. Vallecer
Wednesday, March 20th
7:30 Cecelia & Frank Schaul (Intentions of)
8:30 † Fr. Jerome Feeley Smith
6:00 † Vladimir Mikhailov
7:30 Cecelia & Frank Schaul (Intentions of)
8:30 † Fr. Jerome Feeley Smith
6:00 † Vladimir Mikhailov
Thursday, March 21st
7:30 † Carol Fickers
8:30 † Joe Arnony
7:30 † Carol Fickers
8:30 † Joe Arnony
6:00 † John (Jack) Napoli
Friday, March 22nd
7:30 † Nick & Rose Rossi
8:30 † Raymond Kosinski
6:00 For the People of SJN
7:30 † Nick & Rose Rossi
8:30 † Raymond Kosinski
6:00 For the People of SJN
Saturday, March 23rd
8:30 † Betty Slaughter
4:00 † Jim Smith
8:30 † Betty Slaughter
4:00 † Jim Smith
Sick List
Georgette Wurm, Jenny Martin,
Adele Fabish, Terri Carlson,
Cathy Brandenburg, Lisa Marie Fuchs,
Mary Anderson, Marianne Roberts,
Glenn Johnson, Larry Fehling,
Darlene Thomas, Patrick Thomas,
Don Van Borsch, Katie Kennedy,
Constance Thullen, Mary Ann Yench,
Carol Klooppmann, Gabby Amore
Adele Fabish, Terri Carlson,
Cathy Brandenburg, Lisa Marie Fuchs,
Mary Anderson, Marianne Roberts,
Glenn Johnson, Larry Fehling,
Darlene Thomas, Patrick Thomas,
Don Van Borsch, Katie Kennedy,
Constance Thullen, Mary Ann Yench,
Carol Klooppmann, Gabby Amore
Heavenly Father, we lift up all those who are facing various illnesses. Give them the hope and courage they need today and every day. Comfort their pain, calm their fears, and surround them with Your peace.
Stewardship Corner
Heavenly Father, form us all in the likeness of your Son so that in Him, with Him, and through Him, we may love you more deeply and serve you more faithfully, always and everywhere. Amen.
Collection Report
Budgeted Monthly Contribution Needed: $112,916.67
February Contributions Received: $104,167.00
Diocesan Stewardship Appeal Progress
Goal: $138,956.00
Pledges: $133,790.43 (Help us to the finish line!)
Goal: $138,956.00
Pledges: $133,790.43 (Help us to the finish line!)