July 3, 2022
This weekend we celebrate the birthday of our nation and the freedom that we have. But what is freedom? Freedom is defined as the absence of necessity, coercion or constraint in choice or action (Merriam Webster Dictionary). Our forefathers were able to free themselves from oppression and were able to choose how best to govern themselves. We are thankful that they provided that freedom to us.
Jesus, also invites us to be free, but he teaches us that freedom comes with responsibilities. We are taught that we are free to live in harmony with God’s will, namely to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are free to accept His gifts of time, treasure and talent and to use those gifts for the benefit of our brothers and sisters.
As you celebrate our nation’s freedom, take a moment to think how you have used the gifts that God gave you freely.
Happy Fourth of July and may God bless us and America.
June 26, 2022
A sound and sustainable ecology, one capable of bringing about change, will not develop unless people change, unless they are encouraged to opt for another style of life, one less greedy and more serene, more respectful and less anxious, more fraternal.
Pope Francis, June 5, 2022
Stewardship is defined as taking care of the gifts that the Lord has given us, namely time, talent and treasure. However, many times when we hear of stewardship it is in connection with the environment. We are faced every day with headlines describing terrible forest fires or horrific flooding. We have experienced abnormally high temperatures in recent weeks. Some may argue that these are normal occurrences that happen over time. That may be the case or not.
Our Holy Father is asking us to take stock of our way of living and see if we can be thoughtful of others. He is encouraging us to think of not only those around us, but also across the world. How are we using the gifts that the Lord has given us, namely clean air, clean water and an environment that allows us to survive? By trying to live that style of life, Pope Francis is asking us to live a life that is “more respectful and less anxious, more fraternal.”
June 19, 2022
In 2018, St. Thomas the Apostle parish in West Springfield, Mass., shared in an article in their bulletin four things a good steward should do: be motivated by love, to care for others, to lend strength and to show gratitude.
Consider fathers, on this day to honor them, as examples of good stewards. A good father loves his children with his whole heart. His role is to care for his children, to put their needs first. He should be an example of strength, not necessarily bodily strength, but moral strength. And he should show examples of gratitude to the Lord for the gifts He has given him.
Think of St. Joseph, who was the epitome of a good steward. Fathers, on this special day, set yourselves as examples of good stewards and share the gifts that the Lord has given you with your children and those around you. And, children, share those same gifts with your fathers.
June 12, 2022
When the day of the Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:1-2
Fifty days after Christ’s Resurrection God sent the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, to help them continue to live as Christ taught them. As the Holy Spirit descended upon them they could understand each other, even though they spoke different languages. That gift of understanding reflected the diversity of God’s people and that they were of one heart, one spirit. We should be open to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit as the Apostles did. It reflects our gifts of time, talent and treasure and encourages us to use them to reach out to others. We are directed to use those gifts to bring Christ’s love to others.
How are you using those gifts, whether it is within your family, among your friends or community, or right here at
St. Thomas? Visit our website to see the various ministries which ministries could use your gifts.
May 22, 2022
The next time you come to Mass, notice the items the priest uses during the Consecration. Yes, there is the chalice for the wine and the paten for the Hosts, but there are also linens. The cup is wiped with a white linen cloth called a purificator. The priest, after washing his hands, uses a towel. After Mass these items are laundered, ironed and put away for another Mass. There are few purificators every week because of our receiving Communion under one species. Only the priest is wiping one chalice. Who does this simple laundry task?
Presently, there are only three people taking care of the laundry. They do that job on a rotating basis, taking one week at a time. There are four Masses every weekend, a daily Mass, a Communion service daily. Add to these baptisms, funerals and perhaps, Masses on Holy Days. Laundry piles up.
We are looking for men or women who would be able to help with this task. It is a way to use your time in a productive way. It takes little talent to launder and to iron the purificators. Please consider this valuable task and get in touch with Samantha Delke at sdelke@stapostle.org or 630.355.8980, x120 for more information. Thank you.
May 15, 2022
“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace”
(1 Pt 4:10)
This Bible passage is very easy to quote, but can be difficult to understand. What particular gifts have we received? How can we use those gifts to serve one another? What opportunities can we find to be good stewards? Last Saturday, after 4:30 pm Mass, we witnessed a prime example of what good stewardship is.
The middle school students needed to raise money for their summer mission trip to Kenosha, Wis. Our Knights of Columbus Council gave of their time to prepare the meal. If you shared that meal you know that our Knights used their talent to cook. In fact, they often use their time and talent to help our parish. And those of you who ordered a meal used your treasure to support the cause. Our youth saw a prime example how we use the gifts that God gave us to “serve one another.”
April 17, 2022
Why do you look for the living among the dead?
He is not here, but has risen”
Luke 24:5
Pope Francis once said, “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? How often do we look for life among dead things, things that cannot give life, that are here today and gone tomorrow? Why do you seek the living one among the dead?” In other words, where do you put your priorities? How are you using the gifts God has given you?
How did Lent go for you this year? Did you take the time for prayer? Did you use your treasure to help others, like Catholic Relief Services or Ertha’s Orphanage? Did you develop a talent of hospitality, welcoming others into your life or at St. Thomas. You need not wait until Lent next year to take good care of the gifts that God has given you. You can spend your Easter season not seeking life “among dead things,” but setting your priorities straight.
Have a blessed Easter!
April 3, 2022
“The practice of stewardship is important for the mission of the Church and for the spiritual well-being of each individual Christian. Everyone benefits from the sacrificial gift one makes of his time, talent and treasure.”
-Pope Benedict XVI
The focus of the 2022 Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal is Devoted to the Works of the Lord. The works of the Lord is not limited to our parish or to a certain group of people in the Diocese. As Pope Benedict says “everyone benefits” from a gift that one makes. Yes, the Appeal is asking you to use your gift of treasure, but you could also use your time and/or talent for one of the ministries that the Appeal supports. You could volunteer to serve at the Daybreak Center that provides shelter to those in need or you could volunteer to feed the hungry through the Shepherd’s Table (see the Diocese’s website).
However, your gift of treasure also goes to our schools and religious education programs. Your gift also goes to the education and preparation of our seminarians. Our gifts go beyond our parish boundaries to create the spiritual well being of each of our fellow Christians in the Diocese of Joliet.
March 27, 2022
We are in the middle of Lent and the talk among Catholics focuses on what we are giving up. However let’s focus, instead, on what we can do. The focus during Lent should be on prayer, sacrifice and almsgiving, How can we use our gifts and how are gifts being provided for us? For example, we are charged to be prayerful. At St. Thomas we have opportunities to participate in Stations of the Cross on Friday nights during Lent. This week we have the opportunity to attend our Lenten Retreat, led by Fr. Ed. Shea. Come back tonight, then return Monday night and Tuesday night. See the bulletin for the details.
We are also charged to give alms. This year our Lenten collection will be going to Ertha’s Orphanage in Haiti. You can pick up a little brown box at the entrances to the church and collect your spare change to be returned at the end of Lent.
And we are charged to sacrifice? That could mean a sacrifice of your time, but not in an isolated fashion. How can you use that time off the computer or sacrifice of TV time to good use to help others?
Please see the bulletin or website for more details for these and other opportunities to use your gifts this Lent.
March 20, 2022
A synod is defined as a governing or advisory council. Pope Francis has called a synod and has invited all members of the Church to participate with their thoughts and ideas on where the Church is heading now, where should it be heading and how do we get there together. That is an overwhelming task, especially since he is asking that 1.2 billion members participate. However, God has given us the gift of time. We can take some of that time to answer several questions pertaining to how the Catholic Church should proceed.
Click here for the survey. Take some time to answer the questions. It will not take more that 10 or 15 minutes, if you wish.
Another opportunity to participate is to attend a Listening Session to be held in the Parish Gym on the evening of April 4 at 7:00 pm. Please consider using your time wisely for this important task.
March 13, 2022
Be generous when you worship the Lord, and do not stint the first fruits of your hands. With every gift show a cheerful face, and dedicate your tithe with gladness. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, and as generously as you can afford. For the Lord is the one who repays and he will repay you sevenfold.
Sirach 35: 10-13
We have been given so much in so many ways. Just watch the news lately and you can see how fortunate we are. There are so many ways that you can give “as generously as you can afford,” whether to Catholic Relief Services to help those in Ukraine or to our Lenten almsgiving project to help Ertha’s Orphanage in Haiti. Have you pledged your gift to the Catholic Misitries Annual Appeal? That is using your gift of treasure wisely.
Whatever you chose, know that the Lord is only asking that you donate what you can afford and that you do so with gladness.
March 6, 2022
The mission statement of St. Thomas the Apostle parish begins with, “Led by the Holy Spirit, rooted in the Eucharist, St. Thomas the Apostle strives to be an inclusive servant community …”
One of our goals driven by that statement is to “Reach out to others in need with the unconditional love of Jesus.” This year’s theme for the Joliet Diocese’s Annual Appeal is “Devoted to the Works of the Lord.” We can connect our parish’s Mission Statement and our goal very easily to the Catholic Ministry Annual Appeal theme.
Proceeds from the CMAA collection allows the Diocese (of which we are all members) to reach out to those in need through Catholic Charities, perhaps by providing food through mobile food pantries or help with housing. Proceeds provided help our Catholic schools like our school, All Saints Academy. And proceeds help our seminarians to finish their studies and provide us with our spiritual leaders for our parish in the future.
We are reaching out to you to complete your pledge cards and return them to St. Thomas. You can read our parish mission statement and our goals and then see how that encourages us to participate in this year’s Catholic Ministry Annual Appeal.
February 27, 2022
In 1992, in their Pastoral Letter, Stewardship: a Disciple’s Response, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops stated, “sharing is not optional for Catholics who understand what being Church involves … sharing is stewardship.”
This is a concept we should think about as we are asked to participate in this year’s Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal. Sharing our gifts should not stop at the boundaries of our parish, but be shared for the benefit of the entire Diocese of Joliet. Our parish benefits from the proceeds from the Appeal through our Religious Education program as well as our school, All Saints Catholic Academy. A few weeks ago we had a visit from one of our seminarians who shared the story of his journey with us. He benefits from the Appeal. Please remember these examples as you pledge to support this year’s appeal.
February 13, 2022
In 1992, in their Pastoral Letter, Stewardship: a Disciple’s Response, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops stated, “sharing is not optional for Catholics who understand what being Church involves … sharing is stewardship. As Christian stewards, we receive God’s gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others and return them with increase to the Lord.” How have you cultivated your gifts and shared them with others?
An opportunity to share your time and treasure (and possibly talent) is to participate in the Knights of Columbus indoor golf outing at Top Golf on March 13 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. All net proceeds benefit St. Thomas Cares and the Care Pantry. A link to purchase tickets is on the parish website. Be a true Christian steward.
February 6, 2022
“We respond to the call of Christian stewardship through the use of our time, talent and treasure. We are all blessed in a variety of ways. These blessings come from God and not from what we may see as our own efforts. It is unknown how much time we will have on this earth, but we are called to use it wisely, especially in prayer. Any talents we possess that will allow us to be of service to others are blessings from the Lord. Any treasure we may reap requires us to be generous in serving the Lord.”
Fr. Edward Martin, Pastor of St. Isabel Church, Sanibel, Fla.
January 30, 2022
January 30, 2022
In John’s Gospel he tells the story of Jesus summoned to the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus and then proceeds to raise Lazarus from the dead. The other part of that story is what was going on with Mary and Martha. Mary sits by his feet listening to his teaching. Meanwhile Martha is in the kitchen, preparing the food for the all those who have come to bring condolences to the sisters and those who have accompanied Jesus. Martha has quite a task and was frustrated with her tasks at the time and with Mary. We tend to focus on the rivalry of the sisters, but, perhaps, we should focus on their gifts.
Martha’s gift was that of hospitality. Her gift was one of making guests feel included and welcomed. She prepared quite a feast, it is told, but more importantly she probably made everyone feel special. That is an important gift. Mary, meanwhile, by sitting by Jesus’ feet, was able to demonstrate a gift of learning. She was able to set an example for all by listening to Jesus’ teachings. One would like to think that she later shared what she heard with her sister.
We all have unique gifts. When we share these gifts, it should not be a competition. At every moment there is an opportunity to recognize our gifts and be willing to share them without fear of our gifts not being worthy. Remember this as you determine what gifts you have and how you can share them.
January 23, 2022
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them;.there are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served. There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to everyone for their particular service.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (Good News Bible)
The next time you join us at St. Thomas (whether in person or virtually) look around. You will notice that there are many people doing various tasks all to their abilities. Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Greeters: all perform a service to their own ability. All the ways they are serving not only serves others but, ultimately, the Lord. Consider volunteering to serve our Lord.
Also, there is a need every month to help with providing a meal for the homeless at Hesed House. If your ability is cooking, prepare a dish from the recipe provided. If that is not your ability, then provide other supplies to help with that meal. See the bulletin or the St. Thomas website for more details.
January 16, 2022
The Stewardship Way of Life is the grateful response of a Christian disciple who recognizes and receives God’s gifts and shares these gifts in love of God and neighbor.
Diocese of Charleston, January 9, 2022
We all have gifts, given to us by our Lord. Last week a call went out from the Liturgy Office for volunteers to participate in the Mass. This could be a way to use the gifts of time and talent that God has given us. There is a need for Lectors: those who could read passages from the Old and New Testaments during Mass. There is a need for Eucharistic Ministers: those who could distribute the Body of Christ. There is a need for Greeters: those who can share a warm welcome and a kind word to those attending Mass. We tend to take for granted that we will always have enough Lectors, Greeters or Eucharistic Ministers, but sometimes those scheduled need substitutes for whatever reason. At a few Masses lately we have been short of volunteers. Please consider volunteering and call the Liturgy Office.
Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
1 Corinthians 4:1
January 9, 2022
They went into the house, and when they saw the child with his mother Mary, they knelt down and worshiped him. They brought out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and presented them to him.
~Matthew 2:11
The Magi brought what was most precious to the child for even they knew his importance. Gold acknowledging his royalty. Frankincense acknowledging his divinity, and myrrh indicating his humanity (it was to be used to prepare bodies for burial). Mary received these gifts humbly and took care of them, knowing how important they were.
God gives us gifts, too, and expects us to use them wisely. Time, talent and treasure. The gifts that God gives us are important and we should take care of them. As we enter a new year, let us focus on how we will use those gifts for the benefit of others. Using them wisely will show the World how important they are.
December 12, 2021
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21
What Jesus is reminding his followers in this passage is to get our priorities straight. What is it that you feel is important? What do value?
During this time leading up to Christmas, we are inundated with requests for sharing our treasure with a myriad of organizations and companies, from department stores to charitable organizations. Where is your treasure going? What is important to you? If we must choose, is our treasure going to help those less fortunate? Is our treasure (or talent or time) going to help others? Where is your heart?
We are winding down our Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal for 2021. This Appeal helps programs in our Diocese like Catholic Charities and supporting our Deacons. If you have not yet given, please consider sharing your treasure. CMAA is a good place to share your heart.
December 5, 2021
As we begin our Advent Season, here is a prayer to remember:
An Advent Prayer by Henri Nouwen
Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness,
Send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, “Come, Lord Jesus.”
We have so much, but we are anxious. We are so blessed, but we long for joy. We are searching for the light. As you say this prayer think how you can be the light for others by using your gifts. That might be the light you are seeking yourself.