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Christmas & New Year's Office Schedule

The parish office will be closed from December 24th - 26th and December 31st - January 2nd.

Religious Education Christmas Program 2025

Christmas Dinner Basket Drive

St. Joseph Parish is once again reaching out in love to support families in need through our annual Christmas Dinner Basket Drive. In past years, thanks to the generosity of our parishioners, we have been able to provide 35–40 Manteno families with a full ham dinner along with a Berkot’s gift card to help make their Christmas brighter. This year, our goal is to raise $4,000 to support 40 families, with all funds used to purchase food and gift cards. Monetary donations are being accepted through December 15, with basket pickup and delivery scheduled for December 21. All requests and donations are handled with care and confidentiality, reflecting our parish’s commitment to sharing Christ’s love in a tangible way during the Christmas season.

Giving Tree Ministry

The St. Joseph Parish Giving Tree offers our parish family a meaningful way to help Manteno individuals and families who are facing difficult times during the Christmas season. Families confidentially share gift needs, and parishioners are invited to take a tag from the Giving Tree in the narthex and return the unwrapped gift with the tag by December 18. Monetary donations are also welcome and may be placed in an envelope labeled “Giving Tree” or given online, allowing our volunteers to shop on behalf of those in need. All information is kept strictly confidential, and any funds collected beyond the Giving Tree and Christmas Dinner Basket goals will support our parish Outreach Program. Thank you for sharing Christ’s love through your generosity.

Embracing the Joy and Meaning of the Christmas Season

The Christmas season invites Catholics to celebrate the profound mystery of the Incarnation—God becoming man in Jesus Christ. Advent prepares our hearts for this joy through prayer, reflection, and the symbolism of the Advent wreath, reminding us of hope, peace, joy, and love.

At Christmas, we rejoice that God chose to dwell among us in humility, revealing His closeness and His desire to save us. Mary’s faithful “yes” made this miracle possible, and she remains our model of trust and discipleship.

The Church celebrates Christmas as an entire season—from the Nativity of the Lord to the Baptism of the Lord—each feast deepening our understanding of God’s love. This season also calls us to live out Christ’s light through acts of kindness, generosity, and compassion.

Christmas reminds us that God is with us—Emmanuel. May His peace and joy fill our hearts today and always.

“Song of the Angels (1881) by William‑Adolphe Bouguereau — public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)”

Knights of Columbus Blood Drive - December 26th

This Christmas give something that means something, give the gift of life.

St. Joseph Knights of Columbus Council 11358 in conjunction with the American Red Cross will be hosting a blood drive on Friday, December 26^th from 2 PM until 6 PM in the church hall.

Come give blood and get an exclusive long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt.

To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org,

Sponsor code Manteno.

Contact Ed Leeson (815) 468-7419 for more information.

Feast of St. Stephen, The First Martyr

Friday, December 26

Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is known from Acts 6–7. A Hellenistic Jew, he was chosen as one of the Church’s first deacons to assist the Apostles, especially in caring for the poor. Filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, Stephen also preached boldly and performed signs, provoking opposition from those who rejected his message.

Brought before the Sanhedrin, Stephen gave a powerful witness to Christ, proclaiming that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the true Temple of God. Enraged, his accusers dragged him outside the city and stoned him to death. As he died, Stephen prayed words echoing Christ on the Cross: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,” and “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

Stephen’s martyrdom, witnessed by Saul—later Saint Paul—sparked persecution that scattered the early Church and helped spread the Gospel. As the Church’s protomartyr, Saint Stephen reminds us that God brings grace and fruit from suffering united to Christ.

“The Entombment of St Stephen Martyr” by Juan de Juanes (c. 1555–1562), Museo del Prado, Madrid. Image via Wikimedia Commons (public domain).

Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist

Saturday, December 27

Saint John the Apostle stands apart among the Twelve as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Tradition attributes to him the Gospel of John, three New Testament letters, and the Book of Revelation. His writings are deeply contemplative and focus on divine love, intimacy with God, and faithful Christian living. Unlike the other Apostles, John is believed to have died of natural causes around the year 101.

A fisherman from Galilee and brother of James, John was called by Jesus early in His ministry. Along with Peter and James, he formed Jesus’ closest inner circle, witnessing key moments such as the Transfiguration, the raising of Jairus’ daughter, and the Agony in the Garden. John leaned on Jesus at the Last Supper and was the only Apostle present at the Crucifixion, where Jesus entrusted Mary to his care.

After Pentecost, John preached with Peter and helped guide the early Church. Tradition holds that he later lived in Ephesus with the Blessed Virgin Mary and ministered throughout Asia Minor. During exile on the island of Patmos, he received the visions recorded in the Book of Revelation. Remembered above all as the Apostle of love, John’s life and teaching echo his final exhortation to the faithful: “My little children, love one another.”

“Saint John the Apostle” from the Grandes Heures d’Anne de Bretagne (early 16th century), via Wikimedia Commons (public domain).

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Sunday, December 28

The Feast of the Holy Family celebrates the mystery that God chose to enter our fallen world through an earthly family. Jesus was born of the Blessed Virgin Mary, raised by Mary and Saint Joseph, learned and worked among them, and lived fully within human family life. This feast, celebrated within the Octave of Christmas, invites us to continue rejoicing in the Incarnation and to reflect on the sanctity of family life.

Though devotion to the Holy Family is ancient, the feast itself is relatively recent. In the late 19th century, Pope Leo XIII promoted the Holy Family as a model for Christian households amid social and cultural upheaval. He emphasized the family as the foundation of society and presented Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as perfect examples for children, parents, and spouses. In 1921, Pope Benedict XV extended the feast to the universal Church, and later popes—including Paul VI and John Paul II—deepened its meaning by highlighting the family as the “domestic church.”

The Holy Family endured poverty, misunderstanding, exile, and hardship, yet lived in perfect charity, obedience, and faith. Their daily life in Nazareth stands as a model of Christian virtue. As we honor the Holy Family, we are invited to reflect on our own family relationships and to seek their intercession, striving to grow in love, unity, and holiness within our homes.

“The Holy Family” by Raphael (16th century), via Wikimedia Commons (public domain).

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God / The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord

Thursday, January 1, 2026

The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, celebrated on January 1, is a Holy Day of Obligation honoring the Virgin Mary’s role in salvation history as the mother of Jesus Christ, true God and true man. The title “Mother of God” (Theotokos) was affirmed at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, safeguarding the Church’s teaching on the mystery of the Incarnation.

Restored to January 1 by Pope Paul VI, this solemnity invites the faithful to reflect on Mary’s faithful “yes” to God and her example of discipleship. The liturgy emphasizes peace, blessing, and Mary’s contemplative heart as she treasures the mystery of Christ.

As the Church begins the new year, Catholics are encouraged to honor Mary through Mass, prayer, and devotion, trusting in her maternal intercession and her guidance toward her Son, Jesus Christ.

Duccio di Buoninsegna, Madonna and Child, c. 1280–1285 — Public domain, Wikimedia

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.

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 pray pull a thorn from her heart.

Schedule:

• Weekdays: After morning Mass
• Saturdays: 5 PM
• Sundays: 8:30 AM
• Wednesday Evenings: 6:00 PM (at the Grotto, weather permitting)

(Concluding Rosary prayers here.)

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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