Welcome!

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

Catholics Come Home to Catholic Schools

In the words of Margaret Spellings, Former Secretary of Education, Catholic Schools are "National Treasures".
Do you want this treasure for your children or grandchildren?

"Catholic Schools afford the fullest and best opportunity...of Christian education."
Do you want your children to have the fullest and best opportunity for Christian Education?


"Catholic Schools provide the most effective way to evangelize and form holy men and women who make God known, loved and served."
Do you want your children to know, love, and serve God?


Catholic Schools are well known for academic excellence. Their graduates are accepted and often attend the best college prep high schools and top colleges and universities."
Do you want this educational excellence for your children?


The environment of catholic Schools is child and family friendly, safe, and nurturing. Catholic School parents are considered primary educators. Parent involvement is high and greatly appreciated.
Would your family benefit from such an educational environment?


Joliet Diocese Catholic School Educators are state certified and highly qualified. They engage in continuing staff development and faith formation activities.
Catholic School Educators love their students and treat them as younger brothers and sisters in God's family.
Because Catholic School teachers have high expectations for students, their students succeed.
Do you want this kind of teacher for your children?


Catholic Schools educate the whole child: Mind, Body, and Spirit.
Do you want this balance in your child's education?


Catholic Schools provide for the regular celebration of the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation and prepare students for Confirmation.
Would you like this opportunity for your child?


Catholic Schools provide tuition assistance.
Would this help you send your child to a Catholic School?


To find out more about St. Joseph Catholic School, please call our school office at 815-722-1005, check our website at www.stjosephschooljoliet.com or the Diocesan website at www.dioceseofjoliet.org.

The Promise Fulfilled

Do you believe in mere coincidences, or do you believe that everything happens for a reason?! Is it just a coincidence that we begin both Advent and Ordinary Time with the towering figure of John the Baptist? It seems that the Church has a message for us during these days of new beginnings.… John’s life was marked by a total commitment to the God of his fathers, as well as a poised anticipation of the promised Messiah. His was the first to recognize the Messiah as early as the Visitation, and the forerunner sent as Elijah to prepare the way for His public ministry at the Baptism. But the beauty of John’s life is not his heroic virtue and faithfulness, which are unparalleled; rather it is his willingness to point others to Christ. John reminds each of us not only that we need a Savior but also that we must help lead others to the fulfillment that only Jesus can bring.

The Baptism of the Lord by John—the First Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary—shines a brilliant light on the mission of Jesus as well. The Son comes not to proclaim Himself, but to do the will of His Heavenly Father. His mission is to fulfill the promise made long ago: to reveal the mystery of the Blessed Trinity and to draw all people to God who is Love.

Let’s pray that, both individually and collectively, we continue to become who God calls us to be during this New Year. Let’s remember that the gift of Baptism incorporates us into Christ’s body, the Church. As members of His Church, our mission is always to point beyond ourselves to Christ; our call is to lead others into communion with Trinitarian Love.

We need to constantly return to the question that propelled John: “What if my life is NOT all about me?!” After all, allowing ourselves to be drawn into the Love revealed in Jesus is the only path to true fulfillment. As the Letter to Titus reminds us, “the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done, but because of his mercy” (3:4-5). Amen!

Peace and Joy,
Mr. Spesia
If any parishioners are interested in becoming Lectors or Extraordinary Miniters, please contact the parish office so you can be included in the rotation.

Shut Ins and Nursing Home Residents

Do you know of anyone who would like to receive Communion and a visit on First Fridays? We have resurrected the Service Commission and are searching for those in need.
If you know of someone or are willing to help yourself, please contact either the rectory at 815-727-9378 or Larry or Joan Chapman at 815-729-9316.

Choose Life, a Wonderful Choice

Scripture specifies the prohibition contained in the fifth commandment:
"Do not slay the innocent and the righteous."
The deliberate murder of an innocent person is gravely contrary to the dignity of the human being, to the golden rule, and to the holiness of the Creator.
The law forbidding it is universally valid, it obliges each and everyone, always and everywhere.

Respect Life

From the Womb, to the Tomb

Stewardship at St. Joseph Parish

Hello! My name is Joyce Kraus; I gave this talk in church to many of the parishioners and am pleased to share this with you. I was not born into this parish; I am an immigrant from St. Jude's in New Lenox, where I was educated for the first 8 years of my school career. That education was one of the earliest and probably most lasting gifts, I received. I was married here at St. Joe's in 1998 to Art Kraus and each of our 3 children were baptized here. We now send our children Jack, 5th Grade, Joe, 1st Grade, and Emily, Preschool to St. Joe's School. And, I have become VERY proud to call this my Parish. My children are 5th generation students and when I'm here I feel like I'm home

This is just the beginning of the blessings which have been bestowed upon our family and the Gifts given to myself and ALL of us are the reason I write this.

You've probably heard by now through Father's talk, seeing it in the bulletin or perhaps by word of mouth about the Planned Parish Offering Program or Annual Stewardship Appeal. I will just restate for you a brief explanation of what stewardship is. We are all given gifts by God. Think for a moment about how you have been blessed. Stewardship is our response of gratitude! The gratitude we express is INTENTIONAL, PURPOSEFUL, AND consists of our time...talent...and treasure.

I would like to focus now on time and talent. The way I thought of stewardship was in terms of family. Being part of a family brings many benefits and much joy. It gives us a sense of belonging, a place to find comfort, love and support, and even a sense of who we are. What do WE as individuals bring to our family? We bring OUR strengths, talents, uniqueness, time and energy. When someone asks me what the most important thing in my life is, my immediate response is MY FAMILY. It is THE MOST precious gift God has given to me. EACH one of US belongs to God We are members of his family. And we are members of this Parish family. WHAT A MAGNIFICENT GIFT GOD HAS GIVEN US THE GIFT OF EACH OTHER!

As members of this family I challenge you to contemplate your talents and strengths and ask yourself if you've shared them with your Parish family. Would you like to start? The way I started was by baking at the request of a parishioner calling and asking for help for one of the church fundraisers. Baking is sort of a talent I have, and when I saw how important it was in supporting our Parish, it inspired me to do more. (Although, honestly, I don't need much of a reason to make cookies and cupcakes!) I meant something to me knowing it would benefit something I felt a PART of. When my oldest son started school here, I was reluctant to get involved; it was all new and there was a little bit of fear of the unknown, unfamiliar people, not knowing exactly what I could do? But I was invited to help in small ways and with the nomination by another parent to participate in the PTO, I was soon off and running. I had ambition and a passion that wasn't about myself, it was for the benefit of others. I now had a connection to the school, which brought me closer to my new Parish family.

Here's a little story: I have a very special connection to the statue of the Blessed Mother at the front of our church. On my wedding day during a beautifully sung solo of Ave Maria, I presented a rose to Mary and prayed that I would someday become a mother myself. Every time I come to Mass, I think of that moment; it's a part of the connection I feel and what helped to develop the special bond I feel with this Parish. I would like for my children to have the opportunity to experience this Parish family for as long as they so choose and THAT is why I give of myself, and our time and treasure to God.

It's not always easy to make time and financial commitments. I know we are all stretched thin these days. Sometimes, I have to take inventory of all the things I have on my plate. Many times I find that I have bitten off more than I can chew. There are days that I need to slow down and remember to reciprocate in my relationship with God. This is when I need to take a closer look at what I am doing: Is my energy being wasted somewhere? Are there empty calories on my plate that would be better replaced with something more substantial and nourishing? Yes, there are times when this is the case! Every morning in school the kids gather in the main hall for prayer and morning announcements and at the end the principal would ask the kids: who comes first? And the students answer: GOD! And who is second? Others! And what do we say? I am third! This year? theme is saying YES to God and the children all give a thumbs up to Heaven and God! I think that sort of goes along with the idea that everything you need to know in life you learned in Kindergarten!?

As I gave this talk in church I couldn't help but think of how a person is proud of their family. That is how I feel when I am at St. Joe's for Mass. I want to show others, Look: here is our Father, listen to how he teaches us, encourages us and shows us how to live like Christ. Look at our children of the school and parish: Aren't they beautiful, smart, and see how brightly their light shines? And Look at my brothers and sisters in Christ, see how talented and special each one of them is!

I hope you will accept the challenge to identify all of the positive things in your life, your gifts, strengths, and talents. Consider how you express your gratitude. A few weeks ago I listened to Fr. Tim talk about coming to Mass and being an active listener and taking what is said and turning it into action. We need to be doers when we walk out of these doors, in our everyday life. I see many of you every Sunday, (more often than I see my own relatives!). I look forward to that. It's a part of the gift I feel God has given me. It strengthens my desire to give of my time and talent because I see the faces of those who will benefit. I think about this song we sang in Bible school, This little light of mine...Do we let our lights shine? Has your light been covered or in the dark? I believe everyone has their light, has yours been allowed to shine?

In the mail you received Time and Talent volunteer forms. If you look at them you will see the areas of need are numerous and vary greatly. Please consider where your talents lie and how you could help fill these needs.

I believe that God's gifts to us transcend our human life situations. They are always with us, just sometimes get buried by schedules, responsibilities, illness and day to day things. So too, does our expression of gratitude get buried, or put on the back burner. We may not always have control over situations that come our way, but we do always have, if we choose, God in our lives and the choice to live a Christian life every day.

A ministry fair was held the weekend I gave this talk. Many of the organizations associated with our Parish were available in Ferdinand Hall after Mass. There are many opportunities available within our parish for you to become involved as a way to express your gratitude for the gifts God has given you. If you take that small step, I hope you will feel the bond you have with our church strengthened. I pray you will search deep in your heart and with courage and strength realize all YOU have to offer! God bless you!