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The CARPENTER St. Joseph Catholic Church | Building a Community of Gratitude and Joy Welcome Fr. Emanuel Torres-Fuentes July 2021 | 121 E Maple Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048 | 847-362-2073 | StJoseph-Libertyville.org A Word From I am Father Emanuel Torres-Fuentes, born 42 years ago on Christ- mas. I grew up in Jalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, the second of four children. My mom, two sisters, and brother live in Jalapa. My dad passed away three years ago. I attended General Alvaro Obregon Elementary School, Carolino Anaya Middle School, Licenciado Antonio Maria de Rivera High School, and then studied Teaching at the Universidad Veracruzana. My dream was to become a teacher and after graduation in 2004, to work at a public or private school with hopes of having a good experience teaching Spanish grammar to chil- dren and adults. Writing in Spanish is not easy because of its many grammat- ical rules and complex sentences. My dream of teaching did not come true; everything happens for a reason. Deciding not to pursue teaching, feeling unfulfilled, I wanted to know more about God and have a real encounter with him. I wanted God to be my life’s rock, giving meaning, direction, and purpose. Invited to be a lector, Eucharistic minister, give talks, and oversee youth min- istry at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Jalapa, it was during this time and doing these activities that I initially felt God inviting me to discern a call to the priesthood. I entered San Rafael Guizar y Valencia Seminary to study Philosophy. In 2012, I was invited to study Theology at the University of St. Mary of the Lake. During my five years at Mundelein Seminary, my most formative experiences were becoming a Master of Ceremo- nies for Liturgy, traveling on a Mission trip to Tucson, Arizona, on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and learning American culture. Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2018, my first assignment was at Saint Juliana Parish in Chicago. I am thankful for the years I served there, and for the love and support of the staff and parishioners. Becoming associate pastor of Saint Joseph Parish on July 1st is a tremendous joy for me. I am grateful to Cardinal Cupich for appointing me to this fine parish, and to Father John Trout, Father Martin Luboyera, Father John Hennessey, and the staff for their gracious welcome. I hope to meet all of you soon to thank you for your prayers and welcome. I enjoy reading, pop music and Sudoku and watching football and hockey games, and would like to learn how to golf. Excited about our upcoming years together, I pray to Jesus that I serve and love you well. I look forward to sharing our faith, continuing to grow in love with God and the Church and getting to know you. My favorite Scripture passage changes often but Philippians 4:13 sustains me: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It is an ongoing reminder for me that with God’s grace I can do all things in my ministry - even in a different culture and language. Fr. Emanuel Torres-Fuentes, Associate Pastor July 2021 2 StJoseph-Libertyville.org Mass In The Park Mass @ 5 p.m. Signup / Volunteer Please bring your own lawn chairs/blankets (and RSVP by August 12 to help us plan for bug spray) Limited handicap seating available for food. Click Here Mass and Picnic Handicap Drop-Off on Broadway Street. We could use your help serving food, Picnic @ 6 p.m. setting up, kid's activities and more. If interested in volunteering your time. Burgers, Hot Dogs, Chips, Click Here Cold Drinks, and Ice Cream for Free Kid's Activities Music Provided No alcohol or smoking July 2021 3 StJoseph-Libertyville.org Community for The Kingdom Fr. Martin Drops-In on a Community for the Kingdom Gathering A Community For The Kingdom group had a great evening last night with Fr Martin saying Mass. Mrs. Hobson shared these photos of her small faith group with us. Community For The Kingdom groups are looking to reimagine Church with an emphasis on making personal connections in small faith groups through- out the community. If you're interested in exploring your faith in a Community For The Kingdom group or starting a Community For The Kingdom group of your own, please reach out to us at [email protected] Greetings from Fr. Falasiko Matovu Greetings from Uganda! I hope you are doing well and enjoying this warm summer weather. I am doing well just that we are having everything locked up due to the outbreak of the second wave of covid-19. Please keep us in your prayers. I heard that parishes in Chicago will be fully reopening as in the old days. How marvelous that is. I can`t wait to be back. My greetings to all, and I miss them so much. Fr. Falasiko Matovu July 2021 4 StJoseph-Libertyville.org A School Year to Remember The 2020 - 21 school year was unlike any SJCS has had, and with every obstacle presented to them, the class of 2020 - 21 displayed a grace and positive attitude as they perservered through it all. This class will not be forgotten. Congratulations to them. The Journey Begins: The 8th Grade SJCS class celebrated Gradu- ation in June. Principal Anne Phoenix hands a diploma to a recent graduate of St. Joseph Catholic School. July 2021 5 StJoseph-Libertyville.org Events | July 1 - 8 Prayer & Worship Commission Prayer & Worship Commission Social Justice Commission Feast of St. Thomas, Monthly Mass of St. Joseph The St. Joseph's Food Apostle WEDNESDAY | July 7 Pantry is Open 6 Days a Week SATURDAY | July 3 This is the Year of St. Joseph. And Join us for the Feast of the Apos- as the patron saint of our church, we tle St. Thomas at 8:30 a.m. Mass. have special celebrations in place. Join According to St. Thomas, per- us every first Wednesday of the Month fect prudence guides the moral to celebrate our patron St. Joseph at virtues of justice, fortitude, and the 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. St. Joseph temperance, it in itself is gov- Catholic Church celebrates this special erned and guided by charity, the Mass on the first Wednesday of every supernatural love of God and of month for the rest of the year. neighbor for the sake of God. Food Pantry Hours Sun. 10 a.m. – Noon Mon. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wed. 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Thurs. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Fri. 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. - Noon Follow the Food Pantry on Instagram July 2021 6 StJoseph-Libertyville.org Events | July 9 - 16 Youth Commission Join Us for This Month's Teen Mass Scan This SUNDAY | July 11 | 5 p.m. QR Code All are welcome to join us in-person and online for the Teen Mass. The focus of the Now To Teen Mass is on helping teens and their fam- ilies to fully participate, understand, and fos- Give ter transformation through prayer at Mass. Social Justice Commission Prayer & Worship Commission Employment Ministry Saint Bonaventure, Financial Survival Kit Bishop and Doctor of the THURSDAY | July 15 Church (Memorial) Financial Survival Kit - Our speaker will be THURSDAY | July 15 Michael Knight, Certified Financial Planning Bonaventure was a subtle scholastic (CFP) professional who is a fiduciary and a and a profound mystic. Because of Saint Joseph parishioner. More info on Pg. 10. the latter he is known as the "Seraph- ic Teacher." In philosophy he was the principal leader of the Platonic-Au- gustinian school of Franciscan thought; as such he stood op- posed to the Aristotelianism that was making its way into the schools of the time (ably represented by Thomas Aquinas). Bonaventure's Life of St. Francis was a favorite book of the Middle Ages. Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch July 2021 7 StJoseph-Libertyville.org Events | July 17 - 24 Prayer & Worship Commission Feast of St. Mary She was the first recorded witness to the resurrection of Jesus, His most ardent Magdalene and loving follower. She had stood with Mary at the foot of the Cross on that brutal TUESDAY| July 20 Good Friday afternoon and had been by the side of Mary during these difficult hours. On Easter morning, she went with the other women to the tomb and it was there, in the garden near the tomb, that Jesus appeared to her. It was she who brought the news of the Resurrection to the Apostles, and Peter and John raced to the tomb to see what had happened. Excerpted from The One Year Book of Saints by Rev. Clifford Stevens Youth Service Opportunity! Who: All incoming 7th grade- graduating seniors When: July 26-30, 2021 For more information or to register: https://stjoseph- libertyville.org/youth-ministry July 2021 8 StJoseph-Libertyville.org Events | June 25 - 31 Social Justice Commission Waukegan Soup Kitchen Needs Volunteers SUNDAY | July 25 We need volunteer lead- ers, individuals that will take re- sponsibility for groups of adult and youth volunteers. People that will coordinate and direct volunteer activities. We are looking for in- dividuals that work 3 times a year organizing volunteer groups for the soup kitchen. We have many people that want to volunteer and participate, but we are short on leaders that can direct and coor- dinate volunteers. New volunteers have many questions, they want to know what is involved, what is the time commitment and understand what they will be participating in.