St. Patrick, Kankakee ~ a Viatorian Parish 5TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME , 2017

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Salt and Light At a time of rampant individualism, we stand for family and community. At a time of intense consumerism, we insist it is not what we have, but how we treat one another that counts. At a time of growing isolation, we remind our nation of its responsibility to the broader world, to pursue peace, to welcome immigrants, to protect the lives of hurting children and refugees. At a time when the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, we insist that the moral test of our society is how we treat and care for the weakest among us. In these challenging days, we believe that the Catholic community needs to be more than ever a source of clear moral vision and effective action. We are called to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” in the words of the Scriptures (Mt 5:13-16).

US Catholic Bishops, Communities of Salt and Light

It is much easier, Jesus, to point fingers and speak with horror about the darkness in our world than to live ablaze with light, revealing the truth of systems and situations, bringing the colors of those around us into vibrant life, and warming the hearts of all we meet with compassion and love. But, we do not choose what is easy. We ask you to flood us with your light and make us light-bringers in our world.

It is much easier, Jesus, to separate ourselves from those who believe and act differently from us, to judge and exclude them and preach about the bland lifelessness of our world, than to live with salty spiciness, preserving what is good and true and beautiful, revealing the varied and exciting flavors of different cultures and peoples, healing and cleansing what is wounded and stained. But, we do not choose what is easy. We ask you to fill us with your saltiness and make us spice-bringers in our world.

O Lord, we celebrate your grace and truth, your compassion and self-giving, your justice and righteousness, and we offer ourselves to be those who follow your ways, who become light and salt, bringing life, justice and praise wherever we may find ourselves. Amen. John van de Laar

This Week: For Reflection … • When have you reached Monday, February 6 out to those in need and felt the light that the Tuesday, February 7 Scriptures talk about? • What did you learn as Envelope Number 370. you had direct contact with people in need? • Wednesday, February 8 What “light” did they give you? 5:40 REP Classes Thursday, February 9 Please bring something for the 12:00 Adoration until 5:00 p.m. FOOD PANTRY! 5:00 Vespers and Benediction

Friday, February 10 Pray for These Men and Women Saturday, February 11 Serving in the Military … Sunday, February 12 10:00 Little People’s Church Ryan Barrie, Joshua DesMarteau,

Synthia Dorsey, Dustin Foltz,

David Hodak, Nathan Hornback, Bulletin Sponsor of the Week Jordan, Matthew Lanasa, Troy Martin, Sarah Miller, Eye Physicians Justin Phelps, John T. Raimondo, Scott Riegel, Daniel Ryan, Andrew Ryan, of Kankakee Erik Schultz, Gregory Smith, Jessica Smith, Tom Stanley, and Widhalm. Thank you for your support! Be with them, Lord, and keep them safe! What must a Christian do in order for the salt not to run out and so that the oil for the lamp does not run out?

The “battery” a Christian uses to generate light … is simply prayer. Prayer is what lights up Christian life. Prayer must come from the heart.

As regards the salt that Christians are called to be: this is another Christian attitude – to give of oneself, to give flavor to the lives of others, to give flavor to many things with the message of the Gospel!

Both salt and light are for others, not for oneself. Francis, Homily, June 7, 2016

Today’s First Reading from reminds us that this light involves not simply personal piety or religious enthusiasm. It involves service to and solidarity with those in need. It is then that the light is most clear and bright. A Stewardship Note

ADULT CONFIRMATION PREPARATION and Celebration at the Cathedral

Adult Catholics (ages 18 and older) who have been baptized, received First Eucharist, and are practicing their faith, but have not celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation, are invited to participate in a preparation program.

Interested adults are asked to call the Rectory Office at (815) 932-6716 NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 15 to register for the two preparation sessions.

Adult Confirmation will be celebrated on Sunday, March 26, 2017, at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet at 2:00 p.m. Bishop Conlon and Bishop Siegel will administer the Sacrament. Holy Spirit, Come! Dwell in my heart. Illuminate my mind. Direct my footsteps. Be my guide. Amen.

Even our little ones learned about THE BEATITUDES During Little People’s Church last Sunday!

Our St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, set for Friday, March 17, will be held at the Knights of Columbus!

Mark your calendar NOW and watch for more information! (Dispensation granted for Parish Patron’s Feast Day.)

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING YOUR ANNUAL CHURCH CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS

Contribution statements – for tax purposes – will be available beginning February 1. Please contact the Rectory Office at (815) 932-6716 to request your statement.

Save the Date – Reflection / Study: Gospel According to St. Luke with Father (Sunny) Castillo Mondays, March 20 and March 27, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., at Maternity BVM Parish Hall.

This two-hour session FOR MEN AND WOMEN of faith, will include a presentation by Father Sunny; followed by small group sharing. The participants are asked to come prepared by reading the Gospel of St. Luke. Reflection questions will be provided to assist in the small group sharing. Registration is now open. Please contact Alicia Parkinson at (815) 932-9423 or email her at [email protected] Sponsored by the Inter-Parish Women’s Committee. Members of Boy Scout Troop 300, which is sponsored by Patrick Parish, are with us today, Sunday (February 5), at the 10:00 Mass.

They will be offering an invitation for boys and young men in our parish to consider becoming a Cub Scout or a Boy Scout. Troop 300 will also provide refreshments after Mass.

Dear Friends of Catholic Education, On behalf of the Executive Board, the Board of Directors, the Administration, the Faculty and Staff, and most importantly the students of Bishop McNamara Catholic School, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to our families, parishioners, and friends who helped make Catholic Schools Week so special. We appreciate the time you spent learning about the community of faith, knowledge, and service that Bishop McNamara Catholic School provides for our students and the parishes of Kankakee County. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude for the continued support and prayers for our students and their families.

May God bless you and your families! Terry Granger President, Bishop McNamara Catholic School

2017 C.C.W. Bishop Blanchette Scholarship information is now available in the Rectory Office. Completed applications must be returned by March 31, 2017. Any student registered at Bishop McNamara High School for the 2017-2018 academic year is eligible. The services of FACTS are used. One boy or girl from our Parish will be selected to be submitted to the Joliet Diocesan Council of Catholic Women to be considered for the scholarship. Please call the Rectory Office at (815) 932-6716 for more information. Remember … completed applications are due in the Rectory Office no later than March 31.

REQUESTING MASS INTENTIONS

Those wishing to request that a Mass be offered for a particular person or other intention may come by or contact the Rectory Office at (815) 932-6716 to schedule their request.

 Intentions can be for a deceased person or a living person.  A specific Mass time and date can be requested, but if that date is taken, the Mass will be assigned to the closest possible date of your choosing.  The Mass intention is posted in the Bulletin and is mentioned at Mass during the Prayers of the Faithful.

The suggested offering is $10.00.

Memorial Candles – You may also arrange to have a 14-Day Memorial Vigil Light burning before the Blessed Sacrament or the Holy Family statues, for your special intention. The donation for the 14-day candle is $20.00.

Please call the Rectory Office at (815) 932-6716 to make your request. Thank You.

Lord, Teach Me to Pray – An Ignatian study for women which teaches them how to further develop their prayer life … how to listen in prayer … how to meditate and contemplate … and what to do to overcome dryness and obstacles in prayer. We will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Mondays, February 13 through May 1. To register, or for more information, please call or text Mary Causer at (815) 922-0228. A $20 donation to cover the cost of materials is appreciated.

O Brother Jesus, who as a child was carried into exile, remember all those who are deprived of their home or country, who groan under the burden of anguish and sorrow, enduring the burning heat of the sun, the freezing cold of the sea, or the humid heat of the forest, searching for a place of refuge.

Cause these storms to cease, O Christ. Move the hearts of those in power that they may respect the men and women whom you have created in your image; that the grief of refugees may be turned to joy, as when you led and your people out of captivity. Amen.

Center for Concern / Education for Justice ST. PATRICK CHURCH, KANKAKEE, IL. (815) 932-6716. Liturgical Ministers Schedule. Please arrange for a substitute if needed. FEBRUARY 11 / 12 4:00 P.M. 7:00 A.M. 10:00 A.M. CANTOR A. Schneider / Choir M. White SERVERS K. Johnson S. Contreras E. Capriotti M. Contreras J. Brinkmann S. Yohnka LECTORS T. Schultz D. Berg B. Yohnka EUCHARISTIC G. Keller D. Arseneau A. Purcell MINISTERS D. Legris J. Boyd E. Skelly J. Menard D. Boyd M. Smith USHERS C. Denault G. Flageole R. Hartman P. Swanson C. Elsey R. Skelly P. Holohan D. Glenzinski G. Piatt S. Drassler B. Grasser T. Marcotte S. Berg A. Parkinson M. Born M. Spilsbury LITTLE PEOPLE’S CHURCH A. Kirchner / J. Fowler SACRISTAN S. Purcell Please pray for the sick and the dying, and all those who mourn the loss of a loved one. Also, let us remember in prayer the homebound and those in nursing homes or hospitals.

Prayer Line … Call (815) 933-6877 MASS SCHEDULE Monday, February 6 St. and Companions 7:15 Regina Blank Tuesday, February 7 7:15 Barbara Mans Wednesday, February 8 St. Emiliani, St. Josephine Bakhita 7:15 Linda Faber Thursday, February 9 7:15 Gene Heflin Friday, February 10 St. Scholastica 7:15 Leo & Philisee Massa Saturday, February 11 Our Lady of Lourdes Take a minute to 7:15 Parishioners & Benefactors LOOK UP THE 4:00 Patrick Shaughnessy / Anna Schiel WE CELEBRATE THIS WEEK. Sunday, Feb. 12 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Fascinating people! 7:00 Born and Boris Families 10:00 Theresa Stone (Birth. Ann.) / • Paul Miki, a Japanese Jesuit seminarian and Robert Ortman one of the 26 of … • Jerome Emiliani, a careless, irreligious soldier MEMORIAL CANDLES who turned his life around while in prison … The Holy Family Candle burns • Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese-born slave in memory of Mary Jo Link. who became a religious in … The Blessed Sacrament Candle burns • Scholastica, the twin sister of another famous in memory of Mary Margaret Barry Peabody. saint. Do you know his name?