Welcome To the

Border Town Parishes

St. Patrick's Church

119 North Market Street

Momence, IL 60954
(815) 472-2864

St. Anne's Church

230 N 6th Avenue

St. Anne, IL 60964
(815) 427-8265

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Online Mass for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time at the Border Town Parishes - June 30, 2024

Celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church

Momence, IL

The literary tool used in today's gospel is called a "Markan Sandwich," where the author inserts one story in between another. Fr. Pete references that sandwich and a basic theme in Mark's writings... that FAITH PRECEDES THE MIRACLE, something we all need to learn.

Catholic Conversations on Catholic Spirit Radio - a Podcast with Paul Garcia about the St. Anne Novena from July 17-25, 2024 and the Feast Day on July 26, 2024. First Broadcast on June 22, 2024.

YOU CAN LISTEN TO THE PODCAST IF YOU CLICK HERE!!!

Welcome to Catholic Conversations on Catholic Spirit Radio! I'm your host, Paul Garcia. Today, we're honored to have Father Pete Jankowski from St. Anne's Catholic Church in St. Anne, Illinois, and St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Momence, Illinois. Father Pete is also a theology teacher at St. Francis University in Illinois. Join us as Father Pete shares exciting updates about the upcoming 138th annual St. Anne Novena and its rich history.

The St. Anne Novena is a nine-day period of prayer leading up to the Feast of St. Anne on July 26th. This tradition, which began in the 1850s, includes venerating a relic of St. Anne, the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus. Father Pete recounts the history of the relic and its journey from France to St. Anne, Illinois, and shares miraculous stories of healing associated with it.

Father Pete emphasizes the significance of faith, prayer, and community in experiencing God's grace. He invites everyone to participate in the Novena Masses from July 17th to 25th and the special events on July 26th, including Masses in English, Latin, and Spanish, processions, and activities for all ages.

Tune in to hear inspiring stories and learn more about the spiritual and historical importance of the St. Anne Novena. Discover how this event brings people together in faith and devotion, offering a unique opportunity to encounter God's love and grace.

2024 ST. ANNE NOVENA

ONLINE MASSES PLUS...

Nightly Masses (Except Sunday) from July 17-25 at 7:00 p.m.

in St. Anne's Pavilion, weather permitting (otherwise indoors)

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE ST. ANNE NOVENA PAGE

This year's 2024 Novena and Feast Day will focus on TEN FAMILIES who often are not remembered in the faith but make a significant difference in their experience of faith, an experience that we should not take for granted.

The FIRST Day of the 2024 St. Anne Novena

(Married Couple Ss. Priscilla & Aquila)

Wednesday - July 17, 2024

Today's Mass focuses on the saints Priscilla & Aquila, a married, tent-making couple that welcomed St. Paul into their home and helped St. Paul in his ministry. St. Priscilla may very well have been the first woman evangelist after the Lord's death and resurrection; according to tradition, both Priscilla and Aquila died a martyr's death.

The SECOND Day of the 2024 St. Anne Novena (and Parents Ss. Zechariah & Elizabeth)

Thursday - July 18, 2024

Today's Mass focuses on the saints Zechariah and Elizabeth, who briefly are mentioned in the first chapter of Luke's gospel and "recede" (as does their son, St. John the Baptist) as a precursor to the coming of the incarnate Son of God.

The THIRD Day of the 2024 St. Anne Novena (and parents St. Joseph and the BVM)

Friday - July 19, 2024

Although we focus on the story of the Jesus' parents and the Lord's Nativity every Advent and Christmas Season, our focus on the Lord's father on earth has not received the kind of attention that his wife has received. That said, within the last two hundred years, the life of St. Joseph has inspired bishops and popes alike to amend that error and give honor to the unheralded parents that often reflect the love we need to show our parents and grandparents today. Fr. Pete's homily on this third novena day highlights the importance of what BOTH of Jesus' parents have given to us in the world of faith.

The FOURTH Day of the 2024 St. Anne Novena (and parents Ss. Isidore the Farmer and Maria) Saturday - July 20, 2024

Considering this Novena takes place in a rural area that Pope Francis may very well call the "peripheries" of the Joliet Diocese, Fr. Pete talks about the role that St. Isidore the Farmer and his wife Maria played in serving the needs of the farming community in Madrid, Spain during the 11th Century and the importance of carrying that same type of blessing to our farmers one thousand years later.

The FIFTH Day of the 2024 St. Anne Novena and the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

(St. Bernadette) Sunday - July 21, 2024

Focusing on the life of St. Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879), Fr. Pete’s homily today focuses on the child-like innocence that must serve as a person’s disposition to encounter the Lord. Fr. Pete reflects on the children of the world who live in this innocence and the adults in the world that sometimes forget to see this gift which is the main way to open the doors to heaven. Fr. Pete concludes his homily with reading St. Bernadette’s “testament of faith,” one that exposes both Bernadette’s suffering and her endearing holiness.

The SIXTH Day of the 2024 St. Anne Novena

(and Parents Ss. Louis & Zélie Martin) Monday - July 22, 2024

Today's Mass focuses on the only couple in the Catholic Church who were canonized together as husband in wife, Ss. Louis & Zélie Martin. Fr. Pete talks about the importance in this Mass about God and family, an institution called "the domestic Church," one that should be embraced, not vilified, especially in regard to the stay-at-home parent.

SEVENTH Day of the 2024 St. Anne Novena (and Lucinta, Francesco and Lucia - the Children of Fatima) Tuesday - July 23, 2024

Prior to every Mass, many faithful from our Border Town Parishes pray the Holy Rosary on behalf of the sick, the dead and those who have asked for special prayers. In his homily, Fr. Pete speaks about the special prayer recited at the end of each decade of the rosary, the "Fatima Prayer" for those most in need of God's mercy... which is us!!!

The EIGHTH Day of the 2024 St. Anne Novena

(and the Children of Medjugorje)

Wednesday - July 24, 2024

God appears to communicate most directly with the children of the world, as the childlike possess a type of innocence often lost when a person grows older. Fr. Pete references all the children who have experienced the apparitions (including St. Bernadette, the three children of Fatima as well as the six children who are the subject of the homily at this Mass. Fr. Pete also references Carlo Acutis, the soon-to-be patron saint of the internet who died at the age of fifteen in 2007, the first millennial saint of the Church.

Ninth/Last Day of the 2024 St. Anne Novena (and St. James and His Mother St. Salome)

Tuesday - July 25, 2024

This last day of the Novena focuses on an apostle and his mother, two individuals with their shortcomings, as we all have. Finding that strength given to them by the Holy Spriit as the Lord's resurrection, what St. James offered the people of Spain, Medjugorje and the faithful of today's age is a sign of strength that all of us need to persevere and recognize our true purpose in life - it is all about God, loving our God and loving our neighbor in God's name.

The Feast Day of St. Anne (Patroness of Our Church) - Friday - July 26, 2024

On this feast day of the Patroness of this community whose name is attached to the city, Fr. Pete offers a homily on the tradition that presents us with the St. Anne story and the thesis that without the mother, there can be no son (or daughter). So many mothers serve as the "moral compasses" in our society. During this Mass, we honor Good Ste. Anne, the Blessed Mother and all the mothers of our Catholic tradition who have made the necessary sacrifices for the betterment of their families.ll!!!

2023 St. Anne Novena

Julie Dillenburg was kind enough to take pictures for this year's event. Thanks to Fr. Jason Nesbit, CSV (Homilist a the 10:00 Mass), Fr. Moises Mesh, CSV (Presider and Homilist at the 2:00 Spanish Mass), Fr. John Peeters, CSV, Fr. John Horan and Fr. Michael Powell for joining us at this celebration. Thanks to everyone who helped make this event such a spirit-filled one for the 500+ faithful who came with us to pray!

CLICK HERE to View the 2023 St. Anne Novena Pics