Category Archives: What’s New?

December 24th: 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. in English; 7:00 p.m. in SpanishDecember 25th: 7:30 and 10:00 a.m. in English; 12:00 p.m. in Spanish

What if the celebration of the Mass and the reception of the Eucharist is more than just something we do on Sundays? In the Bread of Life Discourse of John 6, Jesus points us backwards to the Hebrew wanderings in the desert where God fed his people with manna from heaven and at the sameContinue reading “RCIA”

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupeis on Saturday, December 12th.St. James Church’s Mass Times are:7:30 a.m. in SPANISH (note change for this morning Mass only),4:00 p.m. in ENGLISH and6:30 p.m. in SPANISH

The Immaculate Conception of The Blessed Virgin Maryis on Tuesday, December 8th anda Holy Day of Obligation.St. James Church’s Mass Times are:7:30 & 8:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. in Englishand 7:00 p.m. in Spanish

“O holy, patient, and loving God, in this season of grace-filledlonging, we await the coming of your Son and our Savior.In the midst of our busy world, our busy lives, weneed your help to remind us of what is important and necessary.The one gift that will last comes from you alone, Gracious God,as we growContinue reading “Second Sunday in Advent”

We begin our focused look at the sacraments beginning with two of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism and Confirmation, two most powerful encounters with the Holy Spirit. Led by Father Geary, all are welcome to join us this Tuesday at 6:30 PM over ZOOM. Joining us for the first time? Text 815-543-4738 with your nameContinue reading “RCIA”

We believe in one God…we say it every Sunday…the Creed. We may know it by heart, but how must we live in light of having been given such a great gift, this Faith that demands that we make right moral choices, love and serve our neighbor and become saints along the way? The answer toContinue reading “RCIA”

During the Advent season, families should spend timetogether preparing for the approaching celebration of the Birth of Christ.During this time of waiting, pray together that through this Advent seasonyour family will be more prepared to receive Jesus when He comes again. God of Love, Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us.He is a signContinue reading “First Sunday in Advent”

EffectiveMonday, November 23, 2020,the St. James Parish Office will beclosed to the public until further notice,due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases.You may contact the office anytimeat (815) 547-6397 and leave a message.Messages will be checked frequently and your call will be returned.Thank you for your patience!

There will not be RCIA class on Tuesday, November 24th. As we all turn to the Lord in this dedicated time of Thanksgiving, let us remember to thank Him always for the gift of His Church and the teaching that she has handed down to us. Also, please pray for those preparing to enter into communionContinue reading “RCIA”

Happy Thanksgiving to our St. James Parish Family!Thanksgiving Day Masses will be held at the following times: 7:30 a.m. in EnglishAnd9:00 a.m. in Spanish There will not be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament,Confessions, or a 6:30 p.m. Mass on Thanksgiving Day.

The life of Christ and of the Saints illustrate for us that prayer is an expression of our lived communion with God, a pathway to virtue that extends far beyond what we can gain from book learning and study. It is the Lord that begins this dialogue with us for the catechism teaches us that,Continue reading “RCIA”

Jesus Christ, God Incarnate, crucified, died and buried. But -that’s not the final word. Resurrected and ascended into heaven, He will come again to judge the living and the dead. What does that mean for us? Join us Tuesday night at 6:30 PM in Connolly Hall as Fr. Geary guides us through our uncertainty onContinue reading “The Last Things: Life, Death, Heaven and Hell”

THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS HAVE TOOTSIE ROLLS FOR SALE! Tootsie Rolls are for sale and ready for pick up in the parish office from 8:00 a.m. til 2:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday. The price for Tootsie Rolls are: $10.00 for a sleeve of 50 OR $50.00 for a case of 300. Thank You for SupportingContinue reading “TOOTSIE ROLLS”

ALL ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE LEGION OF MARYIN RECITING A PATRIOTIC ROSARYAT 6:30 PM SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1st, IN ST. JAMES CHURCH OUR COUNTRY NEEDS OUR PRAYERS. PLEASE JOIN US FOR THIS PRE-ELECTION ROSARY. Please call the parish office at 815-547-6397 with any questions. Thank You

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! DON’T FORGET TO  CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS!

 DON’T FORGET TO JOIN US THIS SUNDAY! SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1st,FROM 2:00—3:30 P.M.DOWNTOWN BELVIDEREON THE STATE STREET BRIDGE Stand with thousands of pro-lifers throughout the USA! You will be a light in a darkened world as you help put an end to abortion through prayer! Bring your whole family! Rain or Shine! Water, lawn chairs, umbrellas,Continue reading “THIS SUNDAY! – Life Chain”

OUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOUR VOTE! PLEASE BE INFORMED To help Catholics prepare for the upcoming November election of the President of the United States, please visit www.ilcatholic.org and read the Guidelines on Political Activities for Parishes and Catholic Church Organizations. For more detailed voting guidelines, go to https://www.usccb.org/offices/general-counsel/political-activity-guidelines

The Church is both the means and the end of God’s plan for salvation, for it is in the Church that we find communion with both Him, who is the Head, and with His Body. God acts through the sacraments which the Church brings to us, and He unites us in community with one anotherContinue reading “RCIA”