Mass for Pope Francis, April 29, 2025
April 21, 2025
St. Thomas the Apostle mourns the loss of Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff who spoke out tirelessly for migrants and the marginalized. St. Thomas will hold a memorial Mass for Pope Francis Tuesday, April 29 at 6:30 pm in the church. Please click here for the flyer. The Diocese of Joliet will hold a Mass remembering Pope Francis Thursday, April 24, at 7:00 pm at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus in Joliet. Auxiliary Bishop Dennis E. Spies will be the celebrant. Jubilee Year Reconciliation will be held before from 6:00-7:00 pm. We gather, as the people of the Diocese of Joliet, to pray for our Holy Father Pope Francis who has been called to the heavenly kingdom. May he now be rejoicing at the banquet table of heaven.
- Announcement from Bishop Hicks
- Novena in memory of Pope Francis (English)
- Novena in memory of Pope Francis (Spanish)
Bishop Hicks reacts to the death of Pope Francis
Condolences to the Catholic Community
From Bernie Newman, an elder at Congregation Beth-Shalom (Naperville) and representative to the Naperville Interfaith Leaders Assn (NILA) We at Congregation Beth Shalom extend to you and the Catholic community our condolences on the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis. He was a role model of humility, lovingkindness, and compassion. He was a great friend to the Jewish people, who sought peace and harmony throughout the world. As Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel, stated on hearing the sad news:“A man of deep faith and boundless compassion, he dedicated his life to uplifting the poor and calling for peace in a troubled world. He rightly saw great importance in fostering strong ties with the Jewish world and in advancing interfaith dialogue as a path toward greater understanding and mutual respect. I truly hope that his prayers for peace in the Middle East and for the safe return of the hostages will soon be answered. May his memory continue to inspire acts of kindness, unity, and hope.”
Zichrono Livracha, may his memory be for a blessing to the Catholic community and to the world.