christtheking-lombard-il

From the Pastor's Desk - 7/26/2026

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 22:27:33 GMT

From the Pastor's Desk...

Turn to God. So many times, in conversation, I find myself telling people to turn to God with whatever the current situation may be. As good people of faith, we might look at how we, as individuals, want to handle things. Turning to God brings God into our mindset and helps us to understand we are not alone. God is with us on our journey. We are blessed to hear sacred scripture at mass. These words feed us and remind us. When we receive holy communion, again, we are blessed as we receive Jesus himself. We ask him for what we need. In good times; and in hard times, turning to God makes ALL the difference. To turn to God is not something our culture talks about—in most cases, God is eliminated from any conversation. Don’t be afraid to talk to others about God, especially if you sense they are in need of something greater at that moment.

This week I will be down at St. Meinrad where I was in college seminary for 2 ½ years for a big Alumni doings! It is 40 years that I graduated from the college there before I started at St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein. Please know that I will pray for you this week at this special place as I gather with my brother priests.

Peace…….Fr. Jeff

From the Pastor's Desk - 7/19/2026

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 22:26:00 GMT

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The gospel of last week, the farmer sowing seed, reminds us how we might see things in our world. It reminds us of the many blessings we have. Do we see the world around us through a Catholic lens? Recognizing God as a priority in our life, we have an opportunity to sow good seeds of faith for others. We have the beauty of our church to help each of us nurture those seeds of faith that we already have ourselves. Looking at the world, culture, events around us, should always be done with eyes of good faith. We are followers of Jesus all the time; not just some of the time. Perhaps as we move through the summer and see the many good things around us growing and producing fruit, we will always see things through a Catholic and Christian lens.

I pray your summer is going well. It is said that most of our memories are those of events that take place in the summer! Traveling, visiting, doing things out-of-doors allows us to experience God in many good ways. Perhaps we might think of St. Francis who saw God in so much of nature. Just taking time to “be” in the presence of God wherever you are is never wasted time. Let God touch you, and may your relationship with Him grow.

Peace……Fr. Jeff

From the Pastor's Desk - 7/12/2026

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 21:53:34 GMT

From the Pastor's Desk...

Hopefully you are reading this in its “paper “ form! If you are, I want to say a great big thank you for coming to mass. When the weather is beautiful; and maybe too hot or too much rain, it is easy to not attend mass. So, thank you for coming to celebrate the Word of God and the Holy Eucharist. If the priest shows up to have a mass, and no one is present, that’s not much of a celebration. Our mass is a beautiful prayer, and is a true celebration of who we are as baptized followers of Christ, and as Catholic people. Coming to church is a communal event. God’s grace is present, and we support one another in our presence. Thank you for coming to “church” and supporting one another. We are so very blessed to have our Catholic faith that guides us and encourages us in so many ways.

One of the things I find myself telling people who ask me, is to give yourself time when coming to church. Some people have said they are not as focused as they would like to be in church. By giving yourself a few extra minutes, you may arrive unhurried, a bit more calm, and allow God’s grace to help you enter into the liturgy. Our mass is divided into 2 main parts; the first is the liturgy of the Word, and he second is the liturgy of the Eucharist. We first focus on the ambo with readings and prayers—then we shift to the altar at the offertory time as we prepare the bread and wine, and then to receive Christ in the Eucharist.

May God be with you this summer vacation season.

Peace……..Fr. Jeff

From the Pastor's Desk - 7/5/2026

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 21:20:09 GMT

From the Pastor's Desk...

Happy Birthday America! God bless the USA on 250 years! May we always be mindful of the many blessings we have in our country. May we always be thankful for all the lives that have been given for our United States. Our freedoms and quality of life have come with much sacrifice. May God watch over, protect, and bless our United States of America.

It is now 1 year that our 2 parishes have come together in shared ministry. We await the outcome from the Vatican regarding the merger of Lombard and Oakbrook Terrace. I encourage you to use this time of waiting well. What does the future hold? We don’t know. However, we are blessed with our Catholic faith. We have Christ in our life; and that is a true blessing. I pray that we see our faith as something valued and should always be a priority. No matter where we receive the sacraments, the fact that is important, is that we DO receive them. God’s love and mercy are overflowing. May we learn from the cross. I thank you for your support at this strange time. Let us remember that God is alive, and He is here with us.

Monday has a special saint on the calendar—St. Maria Goretti. She fought for her life, never giving up her faith or her morals. A powerful lesson for all! Her life and her sainthood are an inspiration, especially to young people who are so much a part of a material world. Let us all seek the things that we cannot see, and look towards our salvation in the Kingdom.

Peace……….Fr. Jeff

From the Pastor's Desk - 6/28/2026

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 22:58:47 GMT

From the Pastor's Desk...

Our last weekend in June. The 4th of July is next weekend. Summertime is here and it’s moving along. Often times we can connect what is happening in nature with the presence of God. I pray that you will be able to enjoy this time of year. We are more free to get outdoors and see what’s going on. The world is green, growing and alive. We can experience God in the nature that surrounds us. May you come to know God in a deeper way this summertime.

At the end of July, I will be down in southern Indiana at St. Meinrad for my 40th college seminary reunion, along with other classes that have milestones. I guess you can say that going down to St. Meinrad is my summer trip. It’s always so nice down there; a very rural area. First thing you notice when it gets dark outside, is the STARS! Lots and lots of stars that we just don’t quite get to see living in the suburbs of Chicago with all the night time lights turned on. It is always interesting to see the changes at St. Meinrad, and the changes that all of us guys have gone through whenever we are together. With my yearly stay at St. Meinrad for my retreat, I see the changes on campus come little by little. But when we get together as classmates, we see the changes in each other. God has blessed so many of us with our priesthood.

Wherever you end up this summer, may you arrive safely and make good memories—and hopefully seeing God at work in new ways.

Peace……..Fr. Jeff

From the Pastor's Desk - 6/21/2026

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:04:18 GMT

From the Pastor's Desk...

Wednesday, June 24, is the Nativity of St. John The Baptist. John was the cousin of Jesus, and was the one who always pointed to Jesus. Because John led a very different life; one that was holy and humble, many thought he was the Messiah. John would tell them, no, he was not. He would remind people that one mightier and greater was to come. As we look at the holy family, the cousin of Jesus played a very important part in the history of our beginning as a church. How might we point to Jesus for others? John had a good message for us all—be prepared! As faithful followers of Christ, we are to always be prepared to meet Christ. We are so very blessed with our Catholic faith.

A good, happy Fathers Day to all of our fathers! May we remember to pray for our fathers, living and deceased. Our dads who are busy raising families, taking care of so many things that are vital to a good, happy, healthy family. Perhaps we want to remember St. Joseph who was the father for Jesus here on earth. Jesus had this man in his life who not only taught him many things; but St. Joseph was simply “there” for Jesus in whatever our young Lord may have needed. May God bless all fathers in their vocation as being a “dad”.

Peace……..Fr. Jeff

From the Pastor's Desk - 6/14/2026

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 19:36:50 GMT

From the Pastor's Desk...

The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus—Friday, June 12. May we never forget the love and mercy that the sacred heart has for us. It is there for us; all we need do, is seek that sacred heart out. We are also challenged to live like the sacred heart for others. How might we share this special love?

Sunday, June 14—Flag Day. Some people fly the American flag every day. On Flag Day, we are encouraged to show our American Pride and put the flag up for all to see. How blessed we are to live where we live. We are encouraged to pray for our men and women in the Armed Forces and to pray for our nation. Much has been given us as a country, and we know that much is also expected. May God bless America.

Sometimes people ask me what is something good to pray for. Well, so many things are “good” to pray for, but perhaps the one thing that comes to mind, is to remember the poor. We live in a material world. It is hard to be spiritual, at peace, and even aware of God if basic things are not there, especially adequate food. Jesus tells us that the poor are always with us. We don’t always have answers, but Jesus tells us also that it is good to give. We can give financial help, but our prayers are so profound. We may never know what impact our prayers or other help may have. As people of faith, we must pray for the less fortunate.

Peace…..Fr. Jeff

From the Pastor's Desk - 6/7/2026

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 19:50:21 GMT

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June is busting out all over! As the song goes, from the musical, Carousel! Summertime is here, and all the good things that accompany it. May you have good memories this summer with the out of doors, visiting, etc. May you all be kept safe in your travels. June is also a month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; something to reflect upon at this beginning of summer that is so full of life.

This weekend is Corpus Christi Sunday—the body and blood of Christ. We are a Eucharistic people as Catholics. We connect in an intentional way with Jesus who is present to us in the Eucharist at every mass. We connect with Christ when we approach the sanctuary of the church and know that the Real Presence is in the tabernacle. Let us be proud of who we are, acknowledging that Christ is part of our life. He guides us and is with us. We certainly have much to be thankful for.

Please pray for the 6 new priests ordained this weekend at our cathedral in Joliet by Bishop Spies. These men will begin a life-long journey with Christ in a most unique way with Holy Orders. May God watch over them, protect them and bless them in many ways.

This Friday we want to remember the Sacred Heart of Jesus—His love for us is ever present, full of love and mercy.

Peace…….Fr. Jeff

From the Pastor's Desk - 5/31/2026

Thu, 28 May 2026 21:27:27 GMT

From the Pastor's Desk...

Yes, we are now back in Ordinary Time; and this weekend we remember the Most Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We begin each mass with this invocation. As people of faith, let us remember the power that each person of the trinity has for us, leading us and guiding us. While the liturgical color in Ordinary Time is green, on this special Sunday we wear white, celebrating the foundation of our faith.

This week on Tuesday, June 2, I will be celebrating my 36th Anniversary of receiving Holy Orders. I appreciate all the love, prayers and support from so many good people these past 36 years. Many stories that are good, holy and powerful. It is your stories that I see and hear. It is your faith that keeps me going forward as a priest in the church. If I were all by myself, that would be nothing—but with YOU all good things in Christ are made apparent. Thank you for being who you are. Thank you for sharing your faith with me in different ways. I appreciate each individual, each child of God. Please pray for me as your Parish Priest. Please pray for all priests who serve, and pray for vocations for the future of our church.

June, July and August are the Summer months for us. May you have a good and safe summer with cherished memories.

Peace…….Fr. Jeff