Saint Patrick Catholic Church
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission Statement
    • Contact Us
    • Directions
    • Sacraments >
      • Eucharist
      • Baptism
      • Reconciliation
      • Confirmation
      • Marriage
      • Vocations
      • Anointing of the Sick
    • Staff
    • History
    • Registration
    • Stewardship >
      • Why give?
    • Parish Boundaries
    • Cemetery
  • Calendar
    • Parish Calendar
    • Liturgical Roles
    • Religious Education
    • Liturgical Calendar
    • Holy Days of Obligation
  • Ministries
    • Pregnant? Need Help?
    • Religious Education >
      • First Communion Pictures 2020
      • RE Handbook
      • Religious Education Volunteers
      • Confirmation 2015
      • Confirmation 2016
      • Confirmation 2018
      • Confirmation 2019
      • For Parents
    • Adult Faith Formation
    • Respect Life >
      • Why We March
      • Elizabeth Ministry
    • Youth Ministry
    • Communications
    • RCIA
    • Parish Outreach
    • Music and Liturgy >
      • Choir >
        • 3 J's and the Flock
      • Altar Servers
    • Health Apostolate >
      • Homebound Ministry
    • Knights of Columbus
  • News
    • Diocesan Appeal
    • Bulletin
    • Flocknotes
    • Daily Readings
    • Links
    • Diocese of Rockford
  • Prayer
    • Eucharistic Adoration
    • Offer a Mass

October 18, 2015

10/17/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Dear brothers and sisters,      

This Sunday, Pope Francis will rise to the thrones of sainthood a holy couple; Loius and Zelie Martin. They are well known as the parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the little flower. The French couple was married in 1858. “For almost a year the couple lived as celibates, but the advice of a confessor changed their minds and they decided to raise as many children as possible for the glory of God. Zelie gave birth to nine children, five of whom entered religious life.”

“The family lived a comfortable lifestyle, but they also suffered the loss of four children at an early age and had to deal with a rebellious daughter. Their devotion never wavered, however.  The couple lived modestly, reached out to the poor and the needy, and led daily prayers in the household. St. Therese would later write:  ‘God gave me a father and a mother who were more worthy of heaven than of earth.’”

“In 1877, at age 45, Zelie Martin died of breast cancer. Louis and his daughters moved to Lisieux. Gradually his daughters left to enter the convent. Despite his loneliness he said: ‘It is a great, great honor for me that the Good Lord desires to take all of my children. If I had anything better, I would not hesitate to offer it to him.’ Louis died in 1894 after suffering greatly.” (www.foryourmarriage.org).
Pope Francis declaring a married couple as saints is truly a blessing for the church. It is at the same time recognition and encouragement to all married couples as they seek happiness and holiness in their marriages. I encourage you to learn more about the Martin’s life and pray that you will find in them a model to learn from. Louis and Zelie’s feast day is July 12.            
​
I would like to share with you more good news. We have an active Pastoral Council at our Parish. We met on October 6th and our next meeting will be February of next year. The members of St. Patrick’s Pastoral Council are Deacon George Schramm, Bobby Chadwick, Fermin Garcia, Jeremy Good, Geri Hayden, Dionne Horner, Doug Kroupa, Idalia Marin, Kathy Pfeiffer, Javi Salinas and Zach Vowels. I am very grateful for their willingness to work with me on matters concerning pastoral ministry. I am confident that their advice will be for the best of the community. God bless St. Patrick.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Rev. Johnson Lopez

    Father Lopez is Pastor of Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Rochelle, IL.

    Categories

    All
    Advent
    Annunciation
    Christmas
    Epiphany
    Holy Spirit
    Mary

    Picture

    Archives

    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014

    RSS Feed

    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission Statement
    • Contact Us
    • Directions
    • Sacraments >
      • Eucharist
      • Baptism
      • Reconciliation
      • Confirmation
      • Marriage
      • Vocations
      • Anointing of the Sick
    • Staff
    • History
    • Registration
    • Stewardship >
      • Why give?
    • Parish Boundaries
    • Cemetery
  • Calendar
    • Parish Calendar
    • Liturgical Roles
    • Religious Education
    • Liturgical Calendar
    • Holy Days of Obligation
  • Ministries
    • Pregnant? Need Help?
    • Religious Education >
      • First Communion Pictures 2020
      • RE Handbook
      • Religious Education Volunteers
      • Confirmation 2015
      • Confirmation 2016
      • Confirmation 2018
      • Confirmation 2019
      • For Parents
    • Adult Faith Formation
    • Respect Life >
      • Why We March
      • Elizabeth Ministry
    • Youth Ministry
    • Communications
    • RCIA
    • Parish Outreach
    • Music and Liturgy >
      • Choir >
        • 3 J's and the Flock
      • Altar Servers
    • Health Apostolate >
      • Homebound Ministry
    • Knights of Columbus
  • News
    • Diocesan Appeal
    • Bulletin
    • Flocknotes
    • Daily Readings
    • Links
    • Diocese of Rockford
  • Prayer
    • Eucharistic Adoration
    • Offer a Mass