Our Parish!
We, the family of St. Joseph Parish, redeemed by Christ’s death and resurrection and strengthened by His Sacraments and Gospel, accept our calling to follow Him and let His light shine through us to all.
Memorial of St. Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest
Wednesday, September 23
Saint Padre Pio was born Francesco Forgione in Pietrelcina, Italy, in 1887. Raised in a devout Catholic family, he showed a deep love for prayer from childhood and entered the Capuchin Franciscans at age fifteen. Ordained a priest in 1910, he eventually settled at San Giovanni Rotondo, where he became renowned for his devotion to the Mass, long hours hearing confessions, spiritual guidance, and his simple advice: “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.”
In 1918, Padre Pio received the stigmata—the wounds of Christ—which he bore for fifty years. Numerous extraordinary events, healings, and conversions were associated with his ministry, though he also endured years of investigation and restrictions from Church authorities. Despite these trials, he remained obedient and devoted to prayer, penance, and serving others, including helping establish a hospital for the sick and poor. Padre Pio died on September 23, 1968, and was canonized by Pope Saint John Paul II in 2002. His feast day reminds us to persevere in prayer, trust in God during suffering, and seek holiness through faithful service.
Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels
Tuesday, September 29
On September 29, the Church celebrates the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, the three Archangels named in Sacred Scripture. Each was entrusted with a special mission: Michael, whose name means “Who is like God?”, is the great defender against Satan and protector of God’s people; Gabriel, meaning “God is my strength,” announced the coming of Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary; and Raphael, meaning “God has healed,” guided Tobias and brought healing to his father in the Book of Tobit.
Throughout salvation history, God has used His angels as messengers, protectors, and servants of His divine will. This feast invites us to thank God for their ministry and to seek their intercession—asking Michael for protection, Gabriel for guidance in receiving God’s Word, and Raphael for healing and safe passage.
Memorial of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Thursday, October 1
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, affectionately known as “The Little Flower,” was born in France in 1873 and entered the Carmelite convent at just fifteen years old. Though she lived a quiet and hidden life, her extraordinary love for Jesus transformed even the smallest daily actions into offerings of love. Her simple spirituality, known as the “Little Way,” teaches that holiness can be found by trusting completely in God and doing ordinary things with great love.
Thérèse died from tuberculosis in 1897 at only twenty-four years old. Her autobiography, Story of a Soul, spread her message throughout the world, and she was later named a Doctor of the Church. She is also a patron saint of missionaries, despite never leaving her convent, because of her deep prayers for the Church’s missionary work. Her feast is celebrated on October 1.
Memorial of St. Faustina Kowalska, Virgin
Monday, October 5
Saint Faustina Kowalska was born in Poland in 1905 and entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy at age twenty. Though she lived a humble life as a cook, gardener, and doorkeeper, she experienced profound encounters with Jesus, who entrusted her with spreading the message of Divine Mercy. At the direction of her superiors, she recorded these experiences in her Diary, which became the foundation for the Divine Mercy devotion.
Through Saint Faustina, devotion to the Divine Mercy image and the words “Jesus, I Trust in You,” the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the three o’clock Hour of Mercy, and Divine Mercy Sunday spread throughout the world. Faustina died in 1938 at only thirty-three years old and was canonized by Pope Saint John Paul II in 2000. Her life reminds us to place complete trust in Christ’s mercy and to extend that same mercy to others.
Saint Faustina Kowalska (1931) — Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons
MAKE Disciples: A Call to Renew Our Faith Together
The Diocese of Joliet has invited all of us to embrace a new vision for discipleship through the MAKE Disciples initiative — a heartfelt effort to awaken, renew, and strengthen our call to follow Jesus more deeply. Rooted in the words of Christ to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), this movement invites every parish, family, and individual to rediscover what it means to live and share our faith with joy.
At St. Joseph Catholic Church, we welcome this call as an opportunity to grow together as a community of intentional disciples. Through prayer, study, and service, we are reminded that discipleship begins in our own hearts — in daily encounters with Christ, in the love we show one another, and in our willingness to reach out to those who are searching for hope and belonging.
MAKE Disciples encourages us to listen to the Holy Spirit and to one another, helping our parish become a place where faith is nourished, relationships are strengthened, and every person feels invited to take part in Christ’s mission. It is a journey of renewal — not just for programs or ministries, but for the heart of our Church family.
We invite you to learn more about this diocesan initiative and join us in living out its mission here at St. Joseph. Together, let us answer the call to be true disciples — people who love, serve, and share the Good News in every corner of our lives.
Vatican Recognizes Eucharistic Miracle in Vilakkannur, Kerala
On May 9, 2025, the Vatican officially recognized a Eucharistic miracle that occurred in 2013 at Christ the King Church in Vilakkannur, Kerala, India. During Holy Mass, an image resembling the face of Jesus appeared on a consecrated host. The miraculous host was preserved and later sent to Rome for investigation. After years of careful examination, the Vatican declared it a true Eucharistic miracle. The announcement was made by Archbishop Joseph Pamplany, marking Vilakkannur as one of the few places in the world blessed with such a profound sign of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
This event joins a list of documented Eucharistic miracles from around the world, many of which were compiled by St. Carlo Acutis. To explore more of these extraordinary signs, visit The Eucharistic Miracles of the World.
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.
First Fridays Devotion: Honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus
The First Fridays Devotion is a Catholic practice inspired by Jesus' revelations to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century. Jesus promised blessings to those who honor His Sacred Heart by attending Mass and receiving Communion on the first Friday of each month for nine consecutive months. This devotion expresses love and seeks reparation for sins against His heart.
She wrote the following about Jesus’ revelation to her about First Friday: “I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that Its all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on nine first Fridays of consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they will not die under My displeasure or without receiving their sacraments, My divine Heart making Itself their assured refuge at the last moment.”
How to Practice the Devotion
- Attend Mass and Receive Communion: On nine consecutive first Fridays.
- Pray and Reflect on Jesus’ Sacred Heart: Offer prayers and acts of love.
- Make Reparation for Sins: Pray for those who don’t know or love Jesus.
This devotion invites us to grow in faith, trust, and love for Jesus, drawing closer to His heart each month.
The First Saturdays Devotion: A Path to Reparation and Spiritual Renewal
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
- Confession
Go to confession within twenty days before or after the First Saturday, with the intention of making reparation. - Receiving Holy Communion
This should be done on the First Saturday itself, offering it in reparation for offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart. - Recitation of the Rosary
Five decades of the Rosary are prayed while meditating on its mysteries. - 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. - 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.
Homebound Ministers of Holy Communion
We have openings for additional Eucharistic Ministers to help with the Homebound Ministers of Care Program that provides Holy Communion to our homebound parishioners. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Mary Burczak at 815-549-3644.
Volunteers Needed
Do you usually attend our Saturday Evening Mass on Saturdays at 5:30? We are in need of:
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Hospitality Ministers
- Altar Servers - Adults and Youth
Please call us @ 815-468-3403 ext. 7000 or email stjosephmanteno@gmail.com
Join family and friends to Pray the Rosary and experience the peace of prayer together!
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!
Join Us for Jesus Talks: Adult Scripture Study
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!
Spiritual Direction
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.
What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual Direction is meeting with a trained director to reflect on how God is present and active in your life right now. Prayer is an essential component. Through the meeting, a relationship between the Holy Spirit, the director, and the directee is forged. Despite its name, the director is only a facilitator in the process of discovering how God may be calling you into a deeper relationship with Him. Nearly all the great saints of the Catholic Church had a spiritual director. Spiritual Direction is not psychotherapy or counseling. A spiritual director can help you look at life through a different lens, and often, that is all that is needed to progress along the narrow road to our ultimate goal of Heaven. If you are interested in meeting with a spiritual director, please call Kris at 815-735-5102.
Holy Mass Schedule:
Saturday @ 5:30pm | Sunday @ 9am
Wednesday & Friday @ 7:30am
Communion Service:
Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday @7am
Reconciliation:
Sunday @ 8am | Tuesday 6-6:30pm or by appointment
Adoration:
Wednesday & Friday 7-7:30am | Tuesdays 6-8pm
Parish Office Hours:
Monday through Thursday 9am-3pm
Friday 9am-1:30pm
ONLINE MASS
can be viewed "LIVE" Sunday at 9:00 am or
watch recorded version anytime after 10:00 am on Sunday.
St. Joseph Parish Wedding Anniversary Recognition
Mass Intentions
If you would like to request a Mass intention—whether for a loved one, a special occasion, or another intention—please call the parish office or email us at stjosephmanteno@gmail.com.
Please note:
- Do not use the online giving form to request Mass intentions at this time.
- Requested dates may not always be available, but we will do our best to accommodate your preferences.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
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