With Great Gratitude

Posted by St. Joseph

Next weekend, I will mark the 29th anniversary of my ordination as a Catholic Priest, in 1994. It will also be the start of my 10th year as your pastor at St. Joseph Catholic Church. As I reflect upon this milestone, I remember how grateful I am to be ... Read More »

May is for Mary

Posted by St. Joseph

Mary, the Mother of God, plays an important part in the life of a priest (as she should for all faithful Catholics!). Mary is a second mother to a priest. She wraps her arms around us, keeps us safe from impurity any morality, and pleads to Christ, the High ... Read More »

The Cost of Charity

Posted by St. Joseph

I was reading an editorial in the National Catholic Register about the amount of charity that comes from America's churches. The Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion found that religious groups and churches contribute $1.2 trillion each year to the American economy. This includes all kinds of giving and ... Read More »

Revisionist 23 Psalm

Posted by St. Joseph

Dear Friends,

I found this rewrite of the 23rd Psalm in "Priest" magazine. It certainly should help us to critically reflect on what I like to call the "Tabernacle of the Domestic Church"-our TV set, and by extension our computers and phones.

“The TV is my shepherd; I shall ... Read More »

Easter

Posted by St. Joseph

Today we see God’s plan for us. Colored eggs, peeps, jelly, beans, ham, chocolate, multiple eggs, fun, food, and… wait!

As fun as all this seems, the real plan is- God loves us and wants us to go to Heaven. This is why He took on human flesh, suffered ... Read More »

Palm Sunday

Posted by St. Joseph

I want to strongly encourage you to attend these wonderful and beautiful holy days as we approach Easter Sunday. Put this message on your counter, or refrigerator, so as not to forget!

Last Chance Confessions—Tuesday April 4 from 7-8pm, and Wednesday, April 5, from 7-8pm, in the church.

Holy ... Read More »

The Fifth Sunday of Lent

Posted by St. Joseph

The 5th Sunday of Lent is when I remind you, that if you haven’t gone to Confession or Reconciliation yet, the time is nigh! Here are your remailing opportunities to lighten your burden at St. Joseph Church.

Wednesday, March 29—Be Reconciled DayThis is a Diocese-of-Rockford-wide event. The times for ... Read More »

The Fourth Sunday Of Lent

Posted by St. Joseph

This weekend marks the halfway point of the Lenten season. At this time, two seemingly contradictory themes present themselves: Laetare Sunday, and the covering of the statutes and crucifix in the church.

First, Laetare Sunday. This Sunday is a sign of hope in the darkness and reverence of lent. ... Read More »

The Third Sunday Of Lent

Posted by St. Joseph

Wow! Here we are, the third week of lent. How’s it going for you? Have you been able to keep up with your asceticism? You might have fallen once or twice already. All I ask is, don’t give up. Keep striving. Get back on the horse of faith, and ... Read More »

The Second Sunday of Lent

Posted by St. Joseph

The second Sunday of Lent always deals with the wonder and awe of the Transfiguration of the Lord. We encounter people who have visions, dreams, and experiences, which are not very explainable. Some people get impulses from the Holy Spirit that lead them to action. Others are inspired through ... Read More »