On this FIRST day of the 2023 Novena, today's Mass focuses on Fr. Pete Jankowski's grandmother, Maria Carmela Cosenza (1911-2010), an immigrant from Cosenza, Italy who shared her love of family and faith with a "domestic Church" that started their life anew in the New World. "Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon her..."
Today's Mass focuses on Edwina Vincent, grandmother and secretary at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Sandwich, IL. Along with her maintenance husband Bill, Edwina has served that "peripheral community" (as Pope Francis might call it) for most of her life and the life of her family. Like other pillars like her in local parish communities, Edwina serves as the "doorway" through which parishioners encounter the first face of God at a Catholic parish. God bless Bill and Edwina and all those who dedicate their lives to their families, communities, Churches and certainly God.
The focus of this day's homily is on grandmother Ellen Fischer, who faithfully served the parishioners of St. Paul the Apostle Church while raising her children in Joliet. Ellen was such a positive influence at St. Paul's and, with staff Lillian Cepon, Ray Kaufmann and Bill Parker, served as models of compassion during the heyday of this parish's history.
The focus of this day's homily is on grandmother Sue Cordano, who, with husband Don Cordano (1934-2015), was part of Fr. Pete's daily breakfast crowd during the first twenty years of his priesthood. Dauter Marisue Grabavoy reflects on the manner in which mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Sue took care of husband Don throughout their marriage (and end of life cancer treatments) in a type of "love letter" that she writes about the matriarch of her family.
Today's Mass focuses on Cathy Weinberg, whose sacrifices made during her forty year marriage to husband Jim and their three daughters served as a model of faith that Fr. Pete remembers some fifteen years ago. Fr. Pete had the honor of celebrating the wedding Mass for two of her three daughters and spent many nights in the Weinberg home sharing stories of faith with Jim and Cathy
Today's Mass focuses on Evangelina Hernandez, who symbolized the "heart" of her family and the heart of the St. Patrick's Community in Joliet. She and her husband Rafael helped start the Hispanic Ministry at St. Patrick's Church in Joliet, building a community from its initial phases to one of the largest communities in the city based on two words that help build parish Churches - "Bienvenidos" and "Hospitalized" - "Welcome" and "Hospitality,"
The inspiration for this ten-part reflection series on grandmothers of the faith came from Facebook reflections by Tom Jagodzinski about his own mother Genevieve, who passed away in 2017. Fr. Pete reflected on Tom's memories and his own about this grandmother; Gen reminded Fr. Pete about so many other grandmothers who have modeled this life of grace, prompting these series of homilies about this under appreciated women of faith who followed the example of the grandmother NOT mentioned in the bible, Good St. Anne (the grandmother of Jesus).
On this EIGHTH day of the Novena, Joanne Hermann represents a whole slew of wonderful mothers and grandmothers who have supported a "periphery" Church of the Joliet Diocese which might not be appreciate in the larger diocesan framework but is "home" for Joanne and generations of her family, as the Church has been for so many others. Much thanks to all those parents who, similarly to Joanne and husband John, for their dedication and love for their local parish community.
There are many ways to sacrifice for the cause of the faith. On this NINTH and LAST Day of the Novena, we focus on St. James the first apostle who died as a martyr for Christ. There are other types of martyrs in this world. Today's homily focuses on St. Anne Parishioner Linda "Cookie" Schroeder who, after fifty plus years of marriage raising the children and grandchildren, now faces the task of caring for a husband who suffers from incurable illnesses. Cookie's example of faith and dedication to her husband serves as a model by which each of us should live our Christian life in the name of God.
On this Feast Day of St. Anne for 2023, we focus on Nonagenarian Ruth Sparenberg, one of the brightest lights in the sea of stars. Ruth's quiet and loving demeanor serves as a model for anyone wishing to live a Christian vocation. Much thanks to all ten grandmothers who were the focus of these homilies - Fr. Pete has benefitted from their respective examples of faith and we pray that you do as well!!!
Julie Dillenburg was kind enough to take pictures for this year's event. Thanks to Fr. Jason Nesbit, CSV (Homilist a the 10:00 Mass), Fr. Moises Mesh, CSV (Presider and Homilist at the 2:00 Spanish Mass), Fr. John Peeters, CSV, Fr. John Horan and Fr. Michael Powell for joining us at this celebration. Thanks to everyone who helped make this event such a spirit-filled one for the 500+ faithful who came with us to pray!
In his homily, Fr. Pete references a poem to "The Mother of the Madonna," by Rev. Matthew Russell, SJ, the first editor of "The Irish Monthly" periodical that reflects on the role of grandmothers in our life. Fr. Pete offers a special "Prayer for Special Favor" and a "Blessing to Grandparents" at this Online Mass as well.
Julie Dillenburg was kind enough to take pictures for this year's event. Thanks to Fr. Jason Nesbit, CSV (Homilist a the 10:00 Mass), Fr. Moises Mesh, CSV (Presider and Homilist at the 2:00 Spanish Mass), Fr. John Peeters, CSV, Fr. John Horan and Fr. Michael Powell for joining us at this celebration. Thanks to everyone who helped make this event such a spirit-filled one for the 500+ faithful who came with us to pray!
Here are the highlights of the THREE Masses and activities that took place on St. Anne's Feast Day at the First National Shrine in the United States - St. Anne's Church in St. Anne, IL. Thanks to Bob Thompson for the pics and to Fr. Jason Nesbit, CSV (Homilist at the 10:00 Mass), Fr. Don Wehnert, CSV, Fr. Moises Mesh, CSV and Fr. John Peeters, CSV (Homilist at the 2:00 Mass) for joining us at this celebration. Thanks to everyone who helped make this event such a spirit-filled one for the 500+ faithful who prayed with us!!!
This is the homily that Fr. Pete offered at the Traditional Latin Mass on St. Anne's Feast Day inside the church building - July 26, 2021
For the sake of those who pray in the Extraordinary Form (and with special permission), Fr. Pete celebrates the Latin Mass on the Feast of St. Anne - July 26, 2020
This is the Homily that Fr. Pete offered at the Outdoor Novena Mass in Honor of St. Anne (in ENGLISH) on July 26, 2020.
This is the Homily that Fr. Pete offered at the Outdoor Novena Mass in Honor of St. Anne (in SPANISH) on July 26, 2020.
This is the Online Mass that Fr. Pete offered at St. Anne's Church for July 26, 2020.