402 CHURCH ST.

Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday 7:30 am 4:00 pm Sunday Saint 8:00, 10:30 am 12:00 pm (Spanish)

Rev. Brian Geary, Pastor Rev. William Schuessler, In Residence Permanent Deacons: Deacon James Olson Deacon Steven Johnson ames Parish Secretary: Diane Johnson J Bookkeeper: Patti Brenz Dir. of Evangelization & Stewardship: Cathy Vendemia DRE: Barbara Graybiel Principal: Dr. Kathleen Miller Music Director: Christopher Aune

Parish Office 547-6397 Parish Fax 547-0607 St. James School 547-7633 Religious Education 544-3698 Catholic Charities 544-5434 St. Vincent de Paul 547-7429 Parish website stjamesbelvidere.org Sacrament of Penance Saturday Thursday First Saturdays 2:30-3:30 p.m. 5:30-6:15 p.m. 8:00 am or by appointment Sacrament of Baptism Parents need to be registered members of the parish, should be faithful in attending Mass, and are required to attend a Baptismal Preparation Class. The classes are offered at the following times: ~ First Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in English (please, no children at the class). ~ Fourth Saturday of each month at 4:00 p.m. (Note new class time) in Spanish (Please, no children at the class). The community of Saint James, The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated on the following days: ~Third Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in in the spirit of hope and joyful love, English ~Second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in unites to provide a Catholic model Spanish Please call the Parish Office to register for the class and of serving God by worshipping, Baptism. Sacrament of Marriage evangelizing, educating and Arrangements should be made at least four months in advance of the proposed date. Wedding dates cannot be ministering to the needs of all. scheduled over the phone. Couples must meet with the parish priest to set their date and are required to participate in a marriage preparation program.

May 17th, 2020 The is prayed each Sixty Sunday of Easter morning, Monday through Saturday, at 7:00 am (before the daily Mass).

BELVIDERE, IL

St. James Parish, Belvidere ~ 2

Liturgical Roles Mass Intentions May 23rd & 24th, 2020 Saturday, May 16, 2020—Easter Weekday Server: 7:30 am Scott Zwiefelhofer(Anniversary) Sat. 4:00 pm Sun. 8:00 am 4:00 pm Maureen Lungstrom; Matthew Paul 10:30 am Sunday, May 17, 2020—Sixth Sunday of Easter 12:00 pm-SP 8:00 am Richard Crocker Lector: 10:30 am The People of St. James Sat: 4:00 pm 12:00 pm Inocencia Salinas Sun. 8:00 am Monday, May 18, 2020—Saint John I, and Martyr 10:30 am 7:30 am Shirley Tidlund 12:00 pm-SP Tuesday, May 19, 2020—Easter Weekday Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: 7:30 am Bill LeutkenhausSat. 4:00 pm Sun. 8:00 am Wednesday, May 20, 2020—Saint Bernardine of Siena 10:30 am 7:30 am Billie O’Malley 12:00 pm –SP Thursday, May 21, 2020— Sacristan: Sat. 4:00 pm 7:30 am Jerome Kramarczyk & Albina Batus Sun. 8: 00 am 6:30 pm In Thanksgiving for Family Blessings 10:30 am Friday, May 22, 2020—Saint Rita of Cascia, Religious 12:00 pm-SP 7:30 am The Poor Souls in Purgatory Thursday, May 28, 2020, 6:30 p.m.—Spanish 8:30 am John TodtAltar Servers: Sacristan: Saturday, May 23, 2020—Easter Weekday Lector: 7:30 am Ruth Reinert  Extraordinary Ministers: 4:00 pm Dolores Moss (Anniversary) Sunday, May 24, 2020—The Ascension of the Lord Starting Saturday Morning, May 23, 2020, at 8:00 am Ruth Reinert; Roxanna Marchand 8:00 a.m.—This 7-Week Virtue Series for Men, 10:30 am John Todt (Anniversary); Pat Roden will be hosted digitally by Dan Petrousek and 12:00 pm The People of St. James—SP Eric Sinsabaugh. Watch your email and text for opportunity to register. This is a great series for men desiring to keep the faith at home strong by “As Americans, as Catholics and as pastors of our people, we write joining with other men in a pursuit of virtue. therefore today to call our fellow citizens back to our country’s Topic Session One: The Story of Father Kapaun, an introduction to founding principles, and most especially to renew our national the extraordinary life of virtue of this selfless military chaplain with respect for the rights of those who are unborn, weak, disabled and testimony by many of the men who witnessed it firsthand. Other terminally ill. Real freedom rests on the inviolability of every person sessions will cover: Mercy, Faith, Hope, Love, Courage and Mission. and child of God.” ~ United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Each session includes a weekly challenge ordered to personal growth in “Living he Gospel of Life,” Copyright 1998 USCCB. virtue and holiness. The study is for men only.

During these trying times, please pray the following prayer to Please join us and invite other men to join us as well. St. Rocco, Patron of Contagion, Epidemics, and Illnesses. This prayer invokes the aide of St. Rocco, a Catholic Saint and If you are not presently receiving messages via text or email from the Confessor who was born in 1348 in France. He traveled to Italy during parish, please call or text your full name to 815-543-4738 to be added an epidemic of a plague and prayerfully effected numerous and to the group so that you don’t miss this opportunity. miraculous healings throughout many cities in Italy. August 16th is his feast day; he was a Third Order of St. Francis member whose intercession was invoked especially during the Black Death period. The Ten Evangelical Virtues of the Blessed Prayer to St. Rocco Virgin Mary O great St. Rocco, deliver us, we beseech thee from the scourges of E-Study for Woman God; through thy intercessory, preserve our bodies from contagious diseases, and the contagion of sin. Obtain for us Thursday Evenings, Beginning May 21, 2020, at salubrious air, but above all, the purity of heart. Assist us to make 7:00 p.m.—In these 7 one-hour sessions we will good use of health, to bear suffering with patience, and after thy be examining this devotion and the virtues of the Blessed Mother that example, to live in the practice of penance and charity, that we our Lord desires for us to emulate: Mary Most Pure, Prudent, Humble, may one day enjoy the happiness which thou has merited by Devout, Faithful, Obedient, Poor, Patient, Merciful, and Sorrowful. virtues, of being with Christ, our Savior, in Heaven. We will be considering these virtues through the life of our Mother, various scripture passages, the Saints, and the messages of Mary at St. Rocco, pray for us. St. Rocco pray for us, various apparitions. St. Rocco pray for us. Please watch for an invitation in your text or email boxes. Register for the study and you will be sent links each week to join. Please Remember St. James Church If you are not receiving messages from the parish via text or email, please call or text your full name to 815-543-4738 to be added to the in Your Will. group so that you don’t miss this opportunity.

May 17, 2020 ~ 3

The Diocese of Rockford has created an From the Pastor’s Desk Online Giving Option on their website for any parishioners who would like to make a Dear Parishioners of St. James: contribution to their parish by visiting:

Praised be Jesus Christ! https://www.rockforddiocese.org/parish-support/

The Holy Spirit is the Consoler. He is the Divine Person Parishioners can make a Quick Gift by selecting a parish for Whose presence brings comfort. He is the Gift from the Father support. If you choose to donate to St. James—Belvidere in this and the Son. He reminds us of the promises of Jesus, especially way, your donations will be deposited directly into our that if we live and believe in Jesus we will never die. St. James Operating Account with the Diocese. Our office will receive information about all donations made in this manner, Jesus said on many occasions: "Do not be afraid." The Holy and we will in turn make sure your donations are credited to Spirit is the One who calms our fears. He is the One Who gives your St. James account. us the strength to trust in Jesus. He reveals the Father's love. Thank you for your continued support during this time! If we remain in God's grace by keeping His commandments, then the Holy Spirit will remain at our side as our helper, our FORMED.org advocate. He will pray in us, He will confirm us in grace, He The Catholic Faith at Home. will help us to persevere. Sheltered in Place? Take shelter in the Faith! Find Live-streamed "Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and Masses, Chaplet, the Holy Rosary, Studies, enkindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit Documentaries, Movies on the Saints, Audio Books, E-books, Audio and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the Dramas, Audio Teachings, Catholic Content for Adults, Kids and Teens. Over 4,000 titles, with hundreds of them in Spanish! This is your earth." FORMED, a gift from Father Geary free to us all. Please use it to grow and nurture your Faith, especially in this time of isolation. Here’s how: God bless you, • Visit www.formed.org/signup Fr. Geary • Type in our parish zip-code (61008) • Click on the St. James parish name • Enter your name and email. PARENTS of Children Receiving First Holy That’s it! You are in. Be sure to download the FORMED App for Communion: By now, you have been sent two messages access on the go! from the parish with links to Session 1 and Session 2 of the Parent E-Retreat, created just for you. This retreat STEWARDSHIP takes the place of the one scheduled here at the parish in March that was cancelled due to COVID-19. It is part of your child’s Jesus asks us to commit ourselves to be good stewards of preparation for their 1st Holy Eucharist. We look forward to sharing the gifts entrusted to us, to share our time, our talent and our with you this opportunity to grow closer to our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Remember, both parents should be participating in treasure as an outward sign of the love and gratitude we have for Him. How much time have you spent this week in prayer for others and the e-retreat. Watch your messages for the link to Session 3 to arrive for the work of the Church? this week. All sessions should be completed on a weekly basis so that Have you ever thought about how many of your free hours you you can complete the entire study by May 30th. If you did not receive a link, please email Barb Graybiel at b.graybiel@stjamesbelvidere so spend doing things for yourself versus how many you spend doing things for others? that she can send it directly to you. God bless you!

“Let him with two coats give to him who has none.” DRIVE BY & SAY HELLO TO FR. GEARY!

Would you like a creative way to make your weekly contribution to St. James Church? Consider driving by the church where Fr. Geary will be standing for the first 15 minutes of each of the previously The Religious Education Office will now accept tuition payments scheduled Masses: 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays, 8:00 &10:30 a.m. in cash. Payments may now be accepted each weekend in the and 12:00 Noon on Sundays. Members of the St. James weekly collection basket located outside of church where Hospitality Ministry will be on hand to collect weekly donations Fr. Geary and members of the St. James Hospitality Ministry if you care to drop them off in this way. Fr. Geary, the deacons, will be greeting parishioners who wish to donate to the church. and members of the Hospitality Ministry are all practicing Collection times are as follows: Saturdays at 4:00 p.m., and Social Distancing and will not be able to shake hands with Sundays at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m., and 12:00 noon. If you are anyone at this time. paying by cash or check, please insert payment into an envelope labeled “RE Office” and enclose the names of the parent(s) and Please continue to pray for an end to the COVID-19 child/children. Thank you! pandemic so we may all get back to attending Mass in our beautiful church! Thank you for your continued support!

May 17, 2020 ~ 4

ALL PUBLIC MASSES (SUNDAYS AND WEEKDAYS) ARE SUSPENDED INDEFINETLY

What is a Dispensation from Mass? A dispensation from the diocesan Bishop releases Catholics from fulfilling their Sunday obligation (Mass). During this time of pandemic, ALL Catholics in the Diocese of Rockford have been granted a dispensation from Mass indefinitely. Even though it may be a spiritual sadness for you not to participate in Mass, you should not feel guilty. You have a free conscience to stay OSF HEALTHCARE home. Catholics are encouraged to offer up their hardship, sickness or KEEPING YOU CONNECTED AND INFORMED pastoral care for the sake of those who are seriously ill and for those ______who have died. What should I do if I can’t go to Mass? Catholics are OSF HealthCare has THREE ways to connect you 24/7 to encouraged to make a ‘Spiritual Communion.’ How Do I Make a trustworthy information about novel coronavirus Spiritual Communion? Below are recommendations for how to make a (COVID-19). ‘Spiritual Communion’ when unable to participate in the

The recommendations can be adapted based upon personal and family needs. • Visit our chatbot, Clare, at osfhealthcare.org. Clare, a digital assistant, can educate you, screen you for COVID-19 and connect  Gather with others in your household and begin a time of prayer you to further care, if needed. with the sign of the cross. • Text OSF to 67634 to begin receiving tips and information from  Take time to read and reflect upon the readings from Sunday trusted sources with our FREE text messaging tool, OSF COVID Mass. You can find the readings at usccb.org. Companion.  Share prayer intentions quietly or aloud. • Connect directly with the COVID –19 Nurse Hotline* by  Pray the Lord’s Prayer. calling 1-833-OSF-KNOW (1-833-673-5669).  Offer a prayer of spiritual communion: “My Jesus, I believe that *Visit osfhealthcare.org/covid19 to learn more. You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least Money Matters spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.” For everyone’s safety when we are not allowed to attend Mass together, please prayerfully consider giving your Vatican City (CNS) — People who cannot get to confession Sunday Contributions online (see below) or mailing your because of the coronavirus lockdown, or another serious reason, contributions to the Parish Office at: can go to God directly, be specific about their sins, request pardon and experience God’s loving forgiveness, Pope Francis St. James Catholic Church said. “This is the right time, the opportune moment. An act of 402 Church St. contrition done well, and our souls will become white like the Belvidere, IL 61008 snow,” the Pope said on March 20th during his livestreamed morning Mass. Pope Francis began the Mass by praying again Thank you for your continued support of St. James for doctors, especially in northern Italy, where the COVID-19 Church. May God Bless you and your families! pandemic still is infecting thousands and leading to the deaths of hundreds of people each day. ONLINE GIVING

Father Geary and the Council of Catholic With so much uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 virus, and Women are pleased to announce that increasing recommendations to avoid crowds and take proper safety Mrs. Barb Olson has been chosen to be precautions, and since the Parish Office is currently closed, we wanted to remind you that Online Giving is available for you to make the 2020 St. James Parish contributions to the church. This option makes use of current “Woman of the Year” technology and security standards and allows you to easily setup Additional details to follow. recurring contributions. It also enables our church to take advantage of new tools to become more efficient. Congratulations Barb! Online Giving is intended to be a convenient tool for you to use, and we strongly support both Online Giving and Offering Envelopes for TOTUS TUUS contributions to the parish. Online Giving is the electronic way to participate in weekly offertory. Start giving online today! (Latin for “Totally Yours”)

1. Visit our church website at www.stjamesbelvidere.org and Regrettably, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, click on the online giving link. the Diocese of Rockford has canceled the Totus Tuus program, 2. Create an account previously scheduled to be held at St. James Parish in July of 3. Schedule your recurring gifts. this year. We are sorry for an inconvenience this may cause you. Thank You. Online Giving is provided by Our Sunday Visitor, a Catholic not-for-profit organization serving parishes for more than 100 years.

St. James Parish, Belvidere ~ 5

A Moment With Mary ~ Our Lady of ~ Mary Claire, the third visionary at Kibeho High School, had St. James Religious Education a very different experience from the first two visionaries at Kibeho. (815) 544-3698 Her persecution of Alphonsine and Anathalie had become so vicious We want to inform you that because of this Pandemic and the that the priest that had first put her up to torment and discredit them “Stay-at-Home” order, Religious Education Registration will asked her to desist. She was stubborn and wouldn’t stop her now resume, but there are changes in how we will proceed. mistreatment. In order to know the families that want to register, there is a On March 1, 1982, Marie Claire thought she had passed out in the garden walking between classes. She had a vision that seemed real. Pre-Registration Form which is available on our website at Instead of bright sunshine, it was suddenly black as night. She could www.stjamesbelvidere.org under the Religious Education tab. smell an odor of human excrement and rotting flesh making her want to Parents who want to register MUST fill out this form and either vomit. Suddenly, Mary Claire woke up and saw that her clothes were mail it to: St. James RE Office, 320 Logan Ave., Belvidere, IL soaking wet. Her friends had found her semi-conscious in the chapel. 61008, or email it to the RE Office at: Her friends tried to help her get up and go to the dormitory, but she [email protected] adamantly refused to go to the room where Alphonsine and Anathalie Once we receive this form, the RE Office will call parents to had seen the apparitions of Mother Mary. Suspecting that Marie Claire continue registration over the telephone. We will then verify all was oppressed by evil spirits, they ran and told a nun. She came back to your information, explain the program, enroll your child into his or chapel with them and doused her with blessed holy water from Lourdes her class, and answer any questions you may have. Please know and also said a benediction over her. Then Marie Claire obediently got registration is Not complete until payment is received. Our up and let them take her back to the dorm. Registration and Tuition Information is also available on our Marie Claire was shaken. She had been semi-conscious and lost most website. Our office hours are very limited; therefore, we will of that afternoon. That evening she lost consciousness again. She woke return any phone messages as soon as we are able. up then and found herself on the floor of the chapel surrounded by We thank you for your patience! friends and classmates. Alphonsine was kneeling beside her and handed her a small blessed statue of . Alphonsine then said, “Keep her with you to protect you from the evil one. Last “Faith in the resurrection of Jesus says that there is a future for night when the Blessed Mother appeared to me, she warned me that the every human being; the cry for unending life which is a part of the Devil was planning to attack students at the school. She says that we person is indeed answered. God exists: that is the real message of can protect ourselves from the enemy by wearing our .” “I will Easter. Anyone who even begins to grasp what this means also pray for you.” Watch for the rest of the story in your June Bulletin. knows what it means to be redeemed.” ~ Source: Ilibagiza, Immaculee. Our Lady of Kibeho, ~ Pope Benedict XVI New York City: Hay House, Inc. 2008

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