A mandatory shelter-in-place order exists for the State of Illinois. What this means for our parishes is that effective 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21 through Tuesday, April 7: • All churches and adoration chapels must be closed and locked until the order is lifted by the governor.     MORE>

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• Palm Sunday Masses, in English, Spanish and Polish will be available online beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday. ABC-7 will also broadcast the English-language Palm Sunday Mass at 12 p.m. Sunday, Univision will broadcast the Spanish-language Mass at 10 a.m. Sunday, and Polvision will broadcast the Polish-language Mass at 9 a.m. and again at 3 p.m. Sunday. The schedule for additional Holy Week and Easter Sunday liturgies will be shared in the next few days.
• In the next week, the archdiocese will roll out a Facebook campaign to promote the universal offertory program and coronavirus emergency fund. If you have a Facebook account, follow us at https://www.facebook.com/archchicago and share posts as you see them.
• More information and support tools regarding the COVID-19 Financial Response Plan are forthcoming this next week.

THE PRESENCE & POWER OF PRAYER

During these challenging and rather bizarre days, it’s truly unfortunate that we can’t be together to do what makes life’s troubles easier to bear—to pray with one another. Or can we?
 
The simple & wonderful fact is that prayer is even better than telephones, texting or social media because it can connect us on a much deeper level, anytime or anywhere, to anyone & everyone, living or dead! So with that fact in mind, I have a suggestion, particularly since it has now been confirmed that all public Masses will be suspended through & even beyond Easter, a profoundly disappointing turn of events for every faith community.
 
My suggestion then, for as long as it may be necessary is this…. During the time of the weekend Mass you would normally attend, set aside ten, fifteen, thirty minutes—whatever feels right—and pray, in spirit, with your fellow parishioners who would normally be sitting somewhere in church with you at that time. Picture some of them in your mind as you read the scriptures for that Sunday (found elsewhere on this website) or pray in intercession for them, for our parish family, the universal Church, and for all God’s children on this planet. You might even want to Google one of your favorite church songs and either listen or sing along. Yes, this is far from perfect, but for now, it’s going to be the best we can do.
 
Now, to be honest, the one thing we can’t do in this way is take up a collection! So, if you’re able, please either mail or drop off your regular offering whenever you can, especially your Easter offering when that time comes. The life of a parish is no different than your own; bills—and especially salaries—must be paid even in these extraordinary times. Of course, if your own income has been adversely impacted by this crisis, take care of your own needs first or help out your neighbors in whatever way you can. And if there’s anything we here at the parish office can do for you, just let us know.
 
As the old saying goes: “this too shall pass.” Until it does, let the “presence & power of prayer” sustain us all.
 
Fr. Bob

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St. Joseph
17951 Dixie Highway
Homewood, IL 60430