Someone once said that Christmas belongs to children. Every year we recall the wonderful image of the most beautiful night of the year, Christmas Eve. With Christmas comes many things: Beautiful cards from loved ones, gifts of various kinds, and visits from our families. Christmas is a time of memories, a night of deep peace and love. It is the night of God. It's the night of God because Christmas reminds us that God himself has come to earth. The Word of God through whom all things were made has become a little child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. If Christmas is the feast of the Word of God made flesh, then one thing is necessary: To welcome the Lord Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas! May you have the joy of knowing that the savior has been born for you.
Listen to Bishop Sartain's Christmas Message in English or Spanish
An Excerpt
from the Collected Works of St. John of the Cross
"My will is yours," the Son replied,
"and my glory is that your will be mine.
This is fitting, Father, what you, the Most High, say;
for in this way your goodness will be more evident,
and your power will be seen and your justice and wisdom.
I will go and tell the world, spreading the word of your beauty
and sweetness and of your sovereignty.
I will go seek my bride and take upon myself
her weariness and labors in which she suffers so;
and that she may have life,
I will die for her, and lifting her our of that deep,
I will restore her to you.
Then he called the archangel Gabriel
and sent him to the virgin Mary,
at whose consent the mystery was wrought,
in whom the Trinity clothed the Word with flesh.
and though Three work this,
it is wrought in the One;
and the Word lived incarnate in the womb of Mary.
And he who had only a Father now had a Mother too,
but she was not like others who conceive by man.
From her own flesh he received his flesh,
so he is called Son of God and of man.
When the time had come for him to be born,
he went forth like the bridegroom from his bridal chamber,
embracing his bride,
holding her in his arms, whom the gracious Mother
laid in a manger among some animals that were there at that time.
Men sang songs and angels melodies
celebrating the marriage of Two such as these.
But God there in the manger cried and moaned;
and these tears were jewels the bride brought to the wedding.
The Mother gazed in sheer wonder on such an exchange:
in God, man's weeping,
and in man, gladness,
to the one and the other things usually so strange.
Finding hope in our Savior's birth
Have you ever wondered where to turn? Have you ever felt the rug had been pulled out from under your feet--that those upon whom you had depended proved to be undependable? Have you ever been on the verge of losing hope, of quitting? Have you ever wondered if God
had given up on you, or that his promises are a dream? Continue Bishop J. Peter Sartain column
The Hope of Christmas: Memories of Christmas Past
We asked people from around the diocese to contribute
their favorite Christmas memories,
ones that focused on the
hope that the birth of Christ brings.
Here are some answers. Christ Is Our Hope Magazine More memories
BISHOPS APPROVE BLESSING FOR CHILD IN THE WOMB
BALTIMORE—The U.S. bishops approved the Order for the Blessing of a Child in the Womb for use in the dioceses of the United States with a 223-1 vote November 11, at their General Assembly in Baltimore. The bishops also approved a Spanish version of the blessing with a 224-0 vote. The Blessing of a Child in the Womb was prepared by the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities after receiving requests from dioceses for such a blessing and not finding an existing blessing for a newly conceived child. In March, 2008 a blessing was prepared and submitted to the Committee on Divine Worship. The proposed blessing is distinct from the Blessing of Parents before Childbirth found in the Book of Blessings. The Blessing of a Child in the Womb Within Mass and Outside Mass, in English and in Spanish, upon recognitio by the Congregation on Divine Worship and the Sacraments in Rome for use in the dioceses of the United States of America, will be included in future editions of the Book of Blessings (de Benedictionibus) when the text is revised.
Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal 2008 U P D A T E
Thank you for your gifts!
As of December 31, 2008 we are 92% toward our goal,
with $5,909,760 pledged.
"You are being enriched in every way for all generosity,
which through us produces thankgiving to God,
for the administration of this public service is not only
supplying the needs of the holy ones but is also overflowing
in many acts of thanksgiving to God." 2 Corinthians 9:11-12
Lewis University presents St. John's Bible Exhibit
January 9 to February 8
Lewis University, Romeoville is hosting a traveling exhibition of 25 reproduction prints of The Saint John’s Bible. These will be on display from in the Caterpillar Gallery on the Romeoville campus. The exhibit is free and open to the public from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. The Saint John’s Bible is the first commissioned handwritten, monumental illuminated Bible in the modern era. Also associated with the exhibition will be a presentation entitled, “From Inspiration to Illumination: An Introduction to the Saint John’s Bible,” to be held at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 and 12:30 p.m. Jan. 29 in the Sancta Alberta Chapel on Lewis’ Romeoville campus. For more information see press release, visit www.lewisu.edu or contact Brother Joseph Martin, FSC, at 815-836-5148
Do you have a petition for Bishop Sartain’s prayer list?
You may send it to him at:
Bishop Sartain’s Prayer List
Diocese of Joliet
425 Summit St.
Joliet, IL 60435-7193.
¿Deseas que el Obispo rece por alguna intención en especial que tú tengas? Escríbele a: Lista de Oraciones del Obispo Sartain. Diocese of Joliet,
425 Summit St. Joliet, IL 60435-7193
Latin Mass
In his Apostolic Letter "Summorum Pontificium,” Pope Benedict XVI expressed his wish that Masses celebrated according to the "Extraordinary Form" of the Roman Rite (sometimes referred to as the "Tridentine" Latin Mass) be made available wherever there is a stable group of the faithful who wish to participate in Mass in this form. It is in this spirit that Bishop Sartain has established The Diocese of Joliet Latin Mass Community and has invited the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (www.fssp.com) to provide priests for this new ministry. Fr. Joseph R. Valentine, FSSP, has been appointed Chaplain of the community and is based at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Naperville. The Latin Mass is celebrated each Sunday at 12:00 Noon atSt. Bernard Church, 1301 Sterling Ave., Joliet; and at 5:30pm at Sts. Peter & Paul Church, 36 N Ellsworth St., Naperville. Daily Masses are celebrated at Sts. Peter & Paul Church (the time varies, so please contact the parish office for information: 630-355-1081). Fr Valentine will also be available for baptisms, weddings, funerals, etc., in the traditional rite as the need arises. Latin Mass Community weekly bulletins can be downloaded at www.jolietlatin.org
As we celebrate this Jubilee Year
of Saint Paul,
we are especially called to be apostles of Christ in
spreading the Word of God. Please join Catholics
at the Capitol, March 4, 2009--a day for the Catholic community –
Francis Cardinal George, the bishops of Illinois, clergy, and
laity – to promote our gospel values with elected state officials For more information see flyer and visit www.catholicconferenceofillinois.org
The VIRTUS PROTECTING GOD'S CHILDREN™Program
is on-going in the Diocese. This program represents a commitment to the safety and well being of the children of our communities. For more information about VIRTUS, see VIRTUS Online™. Click here for more information including policies, reporting, background checks, resources and other references. Click here for a workshop schedule.
Then he called the archangel Gabriel
