On Thursday, January 28th, 2010, Bishop J. Peter Sartain released the following status report on the Strategic Plan for the Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Joliet.
Lighting the Path to Our Future: Strategic Plan for Catholic Schools
Dear Friends in Christ,
In the fall of 2008, the Diocese of Joliet began a strategic planning process to determine the current situation of its Catholic schools and develop a comprehensive plan to ensure their continuing Catholicity, excellence and availability. Read more...
Diocese Welcomes
New
Auxilliary Bishop
On January 19, 2010at 2:00 p.m.,in the Cathedral of Raymond Nonnatus, Joseph M. Siegelwas ordained as our new Auxilliary Bishop, where he will assist Bishop Sartain in the pastoral administration of the Diocese of Joliet. He receives the office of teaching, governing and sanctifying as a bishop. He will exercise his ministry in union with the Pope and his fellow bishops throughout the world. An auxiliary bishop is also given a “titular see” since he is not a diocesan bishop. The “titular see” is usually the name of a diocese somewhere in the world that has been suppressed at some time in the past (i.e., absorbed into another diocese.) It is an honorary title given to the Bishop to remember in prayer those who have gone before us. Bishop Siegel's titular diocese will be Pupiana, northern Africa, in modern-day Tunisia, near the ancient city of Carthage.
These messages have been written for parish bulletins
but we offer them as information for you
URGENT: Stop Abortion Funding in Health Care Reform!
Protect Conscience
Ensure Affordable Health Coverage
Allow Immigrants to Purchase Private Health Insurance
As long-time advocates of health care reform, the U.S. Catholic bishops continue to make the moral case that genuine health care reform must protect the life, dignity, consciences and health of all, especially the poor and vulnerable. Health care reform should not advance a pro-abortion agenda in our country.
On November 7, the U.S. House of Representatives passed major health care reform that reaffirms the essential, longstanding and widely supported policy against using federal funds for elective abortions and includes positive measures on affordability and immigrants.
On December 24, the U.S. Senate rejected this policy and passed health care reform that requires federal funds to help subsidize and promote health plans that cover elective abortions. All purchasers of such plans will be required to pay for other people’s abortions through a separate payment solely to pay for abortion.
Outside the abortion context, neither bill has adequate conscience protection for health care providers, plans or employers.
These two bills must now be combined into one bill that both the House and Senate will vote on in final form. Provisions against abortion funding and in favor of conscience protection, affordability, and immigrants’ access to health care must be part of a fair and just health care reform bill, or the final bill must be opposed.
ACTION: Contact your Representative and Senators today by e-mail, phone or FAX.
To send a pre-written, instant e-mail to Congress go to www.usccb.org/action.
Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or call your Members’ local offices. Contact info can be found on Members’ web sites at www.house.gov & www.senate.gov.
MESSAGE—HOUSE: “I am pleased that the House health care bill maintains the longstanding policy against federal funding of abortion. I urge you to work to uphold essential provisions against abortion funding, to include full conscience protection and to assure that health care is accessible and affordable for all. Until and unless these criteria are met, I urge you to oppose the final bill.”
MESSAGE—SENATE: “I am deeply disappointed that the Senate health care bill fails to maintain the longstanding policy against federal funding of abortion and does not include adequate protection for conscience. I urge you to support essential provisions against abortion funding, similar to those in the House bill. Include full conscience protection and assure that health care is accessible and affordable for all. Until and unless these criteria are met, I urge you to oppose the final bill.”
WHEN: Votes in the House and Senate on the final bill are expected in January. click to download
Act today! Thank You!
URGENTE: ¡Detenga el financiamiento de abortos en la reforma del sistema de salud!
Proteja la conciencia
Garantice una cobertura asequible
Permita a los inmigrantes adquirir seguros de salud privados
Como promotores durante largo tiempo de la reforma del sistema de salud, los obispos católicos de los Estados Unidos continúan sosteniendo, desde el punto de vista moral, que una verdadera reforma debe proteger la vida, la dignidad, la conciencia y la salud de todos, especialmente de los pobres y vulnerables. La reforma del sistema de salud no deberá avanzar una agenda que promueva el aborto en nuestro país. Leer más
SPREADING HOPE EVANGELIZATION DRIVE
Dear Readers,
As your bishop and publisher of Christ is our Hope, I wish to thank you for your support of our new magazine. I hope you have enjoyed reading the magazine and have shared it with others. The goal of Christ is our Hope is to reach every Catholic home in our diocese with inspirational stories, news and information about our faith. Your parish makes this vital ministry possible. By supporting the annualSpreading Hope Evangelization Drive, you help ensure that every home in your parish continues to receive Christ is our Hope magazine.
As Christ is our Hope marks its 1st anniversary of publication, I am convinced that the magazine has been a critical component of our
evangelization and communication efforts.
WITHOUT CHRIST IS OUR HOPE MAGAZINE:
70% of our Catholic homes would not receive inspirational local stories, news and information about our Catholic faith.
BECAUSE OF CHRIST IS OUR HOPE MAGAZINE READERS SAY:
“Christ is our Hope improves my understanding of the mission of the church.”
“Christ is our Hope makes me feel more connected to my Catholic faith.”
“Christ is our Hope helps me explain my faith to others.”
The Spreading Hope Evangelization Drive is the weekend of Nov. 14-15, 2009.
I understand that many people are experiencing financial difficulty at this time. I urge you to evaluate your own personal financial situation and consider making a gift to help keep “Hope” alive! Your donation, regardless of the amount, will be greatly appreciated. I ask that you pray the enclose prayer for the success of Christ is our Hope magazine and our evangelization efforts throughout the Diocese of Joliet.
Pope Benedict XVI has declared a “Year for Priests” beginning with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 19, 2009. The year will conclude in Rome with an international gathering of priests with the Holy Father on June 19, 2010.
With the announcement of this Year for Priests, the Pope has declared St. John Vianney the Universal Patron of Priests on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of the Curé d’Ars.
On this website you will find a number of resources to aid your parish’s celebration of the year for priests. There is also information regarding events for priests that will occur throughout the Year for Priests.
Please pray for our priests that they might always be faithful to their sacred calling.
Prayer for Priests
Dear Lord,
we pray that the Blessed Mother
wrap her mantle around your priests
and through her intercession
strengthen them for their ministry.
We pray that Mary will guide your priests
to follow her own words,
“Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:5).
May your priests have the heart of St. Joseph,
Mary’s most chaste spouse.
May the Blessed Mother’s own pierced heart
inspire them to embrace
all who suffer at the foot of the cross.
May your priests be holy,
filled with the fire of your love
seeking nothing but your greater glory
and the salvation of souls.
Amen.
Señor Jesús,
te rogamos que tu Santísima Madre
cubra con su manto a los sacerdotes
y, por su intercesión,
les de fuerza para ejercer su ministerio.
Pedimos que María guíe a tus sacerdotes
para que sigan las mismas palabras de ella:
“Hagan lo que él les diga” (Juan 2,5).
Que les enseñe a tener el mismo corazón
que tenía San José,
esposo castísimo de María.
Que el corazón traspasado
de la Santísima Virgen
les inspire a recibir a todos
los que sufren al pie de la cruz.
Que sean sacerdotes santos,
encendidos con el fuego de tu amor
que sólo buscan tu mayor honor y gloria
y la salvación de las almas.
Amén.
The Joliet Diocese is comprised of many people from all walks of life. They make up our diocesan family filled with may faces and many needs. They are found among us in our parishes . . . communities . . . diocese and through the world.
Now more than ever we need to follow Christ who is the light of the world. It is during these challenging times that we are asked to continue to shine light and hope to those less fortunate by caring for our neighbors, especially those in need.
The Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal(CMAA) gives us the opportunity to continue the great work of the Catholic Church in our parishes, the community, the diocese and throughout the world.
I ask you to return the blessings the Lord has given to you by joyfully and generously making a contribution to the Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal.
God Bless You!
Sincerely in Christ,
Bishop J. Peter Sartain
Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal is now taking place.
Have you made your pledge or contribution?
Thank you for considering your support!
News you can use
STATEMENT FROM THE DIOCESE OF JOLIET
NOVEMBER 2009
STRATEGIC STUDY OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN THE DIOCESE OF JOLIET UNDERWAY
The Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Joliet is undertaking a long term strategic study, aided by the Meitler Consulting Team, regarding Catholic schools in the diocese. The two-year study will be completed in the spring of 2010. Up to this point, information and input have been gathered from a variety of sources, including pastors, principals, school board members and lay people throughout the entire diocese. As part of the process, the Catholic Schools Office has conducted Community Engagement Surveys providing opportunity to anyone who wished to give input regarding Catholic Schools in the diocese. The results of these surveys will help the office better understand enrollment as well as measure attitudes and support toward Catholic education across the diocese. The data will help diocesan school leaders continue to develop strong Catholic schools and market them effectively. When all of the information gathered during the strategic study is available, it will be assessed and evaluated. At the appropriate time in the planning process, decisions regarding Catholic schools in the Diocese of Joliet will be made. Bishop Peter Sartain wishes to convey that no decisions have been made regarding the possibility of any school closings or consolidations at this time. Data continues to be processed and information shared with Catholic School communities.
DECLARACIÓN DE LA DIÓCESIS DE JOLIET NOVIEMBRE 2009
ESTÁ EN CURSO EL ESTUDIO ESTRATÉQICO
DE LAS ESCUELAS CATÓLICAS IN LA DIÓCESIS DE JOLIET
La Oficina de las Escuelas Católicas de la Diócesis de Joliet está realizando un estudio estratégico de largo plazo, ayudados por el Equipo de Consultores Meitler, con respecto a las escuelas Católicas de nuestra Diócesis. El estudio de dos años estará completo en la Primavera del 2010. En este momento, la información y las sugerencias han sido colectadas de una variedad de fuentes, incluyendo párrocos, directores de colegios, miembros de los consejos escolares y laicos a través de toda la diócesis.
Como parte de este proceso, la Oficina de las Escuelas Católicas ha conducido una Encuesta en las Comunidades Comprometidas para que ellos tengan la oportunidad de dar sugerencias respecto a las Escuelas Católicas en la Diócesis. El resultado de estas encuestas ayudará a la Oficina a mejorar su entendimiento sobre la matrícula como también a medir actitudes y ayudar a la Educación Católica en toda la diócesis. La información ayudará a los líderes de las escuelas diocesanas a que continúen desarrollando fuertes escuelas católicas y a promocionarlas efectivamente.
Cuando toda la información colectada durante el estudio estratégico esté disponible, será analizada y evaluada. En el tiempo apropiado de este proceso, se tomarán las decisiones sobre las Escuelas Católicas en la diócesis de Joliet. Nuestro Obispo J. Pedro Sartain desea indicarles que ninguna decisión se ha tomado sobre la posibilidad de cerrar escuelas o consolidarlas en este momento. La información está siendo procesada y será compartida con las comunidades que tengan escuelas católicas.
BIBICAL INSITUTE OF THE DIOCESE OF JOLIET
Learn the Bible! Join the NEW Biblical Institute of the Diocese of Joliet. Study the Bible as a whole and in its parts, from a Catholic point of view,
and within a Catholic faith community.
For more information visit www.dioceseofjoliet.org/reo/biblicalinstitutedoj.asp
Do you have a petition for Bishop Sartain’s prayer list?(¿Deseas que el Obispo rece por alguna intención en especial que tú tengas?) You may send it to him at (Escríbele a):
Bishop Sartain’s Prayer List (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.orgAll are welcome; please join us!
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.
