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October 16 - Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (Memorial)

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647–1690), born in Burgundy, France, was a Visitation nun and mystic chosen by Christ to spread devotion to His Sacred Heart. From childhood, she experienced mystical graces and a deep love for Jesus. Despite family hardships, poor health, and opposition from both relatives and her religious community, she persevered in her vocation.

Between 1673 and 1675, Jesus appeared to her multiple times, revealing His burning love for humanity and His sorrow over human indifference. He asked her to promote devotion to His Sacred Heart, especially through adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, reception of Holy Communion on First Fridays, and the establishment of a feast day in honor of His Sacred Heart. Jesus also gave her the well-known twelve promises to those who honor His Heart, including the grace of final perseverance.

Though initially doubted and even ridiculed, her revelations gained support through the Jesuit priest Saint Claude de la Colombière. After her death, devotion to the Sacred Heart spread throughout the Church and was officially recognized. Pope Benedict XV canonized her in 1920.

Patron Saint of: devotees of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque Contemplating the Sacred Heart of Jesus | Corrado Giaquinto | 1765 AD

October 17 – Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr (Memorial)

St. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35–107 AD), a disciple of the Apostles and an early Christian martyr, bore witness to the faith we still profess today. He taught that the Church is the visible Body of Christ, gathered around the bishop and united in faith and charity. Ignatius is the earliest known writer to call the Church “Catholic,” underscoring its universality and fidelity to the Apostolic teaching.

At the heart of this unity is the Eucharist, which Ignatius boldly proclaimed as the very flesh and blood of Jesus Christ. Far more than a symbol, the Eucharist is the divine food that nourishes believers and binds them together in the life of Christ. His words remind us that to belong to the Church is to gather as one around the altar, partaking of the Lord Himself and proclaiming His death and resurrection until He comes again.

“Take note of those who hold heterodox opinions… They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, which suffered for our sins and which the Father, in His goodness, raised up again.”
— Letter to the Smyrnaeans 6:2–7:1

Ignatius of Antiochie | Neapolitan School of Painting, possibly Cesare Fracanzano (1605-1651)

October 18 - Saint Luke the Evangelist (Feast)

Saint Luke, the beloved physician, companion of Saint Paul, and inspired author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, was likely born in Antioch, one of the earliest Christian centers. His Gospel, written in elegant Greek, emphasizes God’s mercy, the dignity of the poor and outcast, and the universal call of salvation—making him the only Evangelist thought to have been a Gentile convert.

Luke carefully investigated and wrote an “orderly account” for Theophilus, guided by the Holy Spirit, so that all might know the truth of Christ. His Gospel uniquely records treasured details about the Blessed Virgin Mary—the Annunciation, the Magnificat, and the Presentation in the Temple—suggesting a close connection with her or her early community. He also preserves parables found nowhere else: the Good Samaritan, Prodigal Son, and Rich Man and Lazarus.

Tradition holds that Luke accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys and remained with him during his imprisonment in Rome. Some accounts say Luke was also an artist, painting an image of Our Lady with the Child Jesus. He is believed to have died in Greece at about eighty-four years old.

Today, we honor Luke not only as an evangelist but also as a witness of faith, who gave us a Gospel rich in compassion and beauty. His writings, inspired by the Spirit, continue to bring countless souls to Christ.

Patron Saint of: physicians, surgeons, artists, and butchers.

Rogier van der Weyden | Saint Luke Drawing the Virgin | between circa 1435 and circa 1440 AD

St. Joseph Catholic Church Annual Turkey Dinner

Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025

Time: 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Location: Church Basement Hall, 207 South Main Street, Manteno, Illinois

Join us for a delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings! Enjoy turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, sweet potatoes, and bread.

Cost: $13.00 per dinner

Bring your family and friends for great food and fellowship at our annual community tradition!

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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