christtheking-lombard-il

From the Pastor's Desk - 9/13/2026

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 21:49:39 GMT

From the Pastor's Desk...

This weekend we are remembering the 25th Anniversary of the terror attacks here in our country. We will perhaps go back and think where we were 25 years ago—where we were, what we were doing. The news came and it was unbelievable. We lived in a very frightening and uncertain time. God bless all who lost their lives that day. God bless the families who lost their loved ones. May we remember to keep World Peace in our prayers. There is so much happening in our world now. God gives us hope and healing.

With the school year kicking in, the regular meetings and activities in parishes pick up as well. Last week the priests in our Deanery met after taking a few months off for the summer. We have 22 priests in our deanery who get together once a month for a meeting with our Dean, Fr. Tom Paul, and then have a nice dinner and fellowship. We start our meetings with saying Evening Prayer together. Our next big deanery event will be during Advent for reconciliation. This year it will take place at Ascension on Saturday, December 12, from 8:00-3:00. We plan on having 4 priests present during that time, and all people in our deanery are invited to come for confession. We expect a few hundred people to attend during that time frame. Yes, Advent is not that far off—and neither is Christmas!

Peace……..Fr. Jeff

From the Pastor's Desk - 9/6/2026

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:46:34 GMT

From the Pastor's Desk...

A week ago last Wednesday, the priests of the Diocese of Joliet gathered at the Pastoral Center for a day of reflection. The purpose of this day was to help the priests in active ministry with some of the current challenges that they face. Our world is not what it was not so long ago. We looked at the different ages of the priests, realizing that the men in the room came not only from different backgrounds and cultures, but also from different “times” or eras of seminary and church life. It was important to note that priests need to support one another in priesthood. This is something that is also important, and carried out with fellow Catholics. A good question to ask ourselves is “How do I support someone else who is Catholic, especially if I am involved in ministry?” To support a fellow Christian is important; we share the same baptism and are all followers of Jesus Christ. The world is not so willing to go along with this today. Being mindful of supporting other Christians and especially other Catholics, even though there may be differences in who we all are, is vital. We are called to be disciples of Jesus. Let us give the answer “here I am Lord. I come to do your will.”

This Monday is Labor Day! A traditional holiday that marks the ending of Summer. We are reminded of the importance of work. We should be mindful that works gives a person dignity and contributes not only to one’s bank account, but to others in our world. I hope that you find joy and satisfaction in the work that you do; whether it be work at home, community or driving someplace to take care of what needs to be done at an office or corporation. Work is important. We also need to be mindful to pray for all who are seeking good employment, especially those who are looking for a good job for the first time. Please keep the unemployed, and those that are looking for a good job, but who are under-employed, in your prayers.

Peace……..Fr. Jeff

From the Pastor's Desk - 8/30/2026

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 20:15:35 GMT

From the Pastor's Desk...

Our last weekend in August! Summer is moving along; and sadly, with the first of September on Tuesday, the Fall Season arrives for us in the Chicago area, although the calendar tells us we are officially in Summer a few more weeks. I hope you take advantage of the warmer weather and all that it has to offer. A parishioner not long ago told me that the 2 most beautiful words in the English language are “summer afternoon”. Yes, how true! May we take the time to appreciate the Summer Time that is left.

Please register your child for Religious Education classes for either parish – Ascension and Christ the King. Passing on our Catholic Faith to our children is what we are all called to do. As a parish, we do that in different ways. Supporting mom and dad, and other family members, is something we cannot ignore. Our faith is a beautiful gift. The sacramental years are wonderful markers in the lives of our children. Confession, Communion and Confirmation all help our young people with a great framework of Christian order in the life of the church.

Please remember to pray for world peace. There is much unrest in our world right now. Praying for peace gives each of us something important to do; we are blessed of course in our own lives with the peace of Jesus Christ. He gives us the guidance we need in a turbulent world.

Peace……Fr. Jeff

From the Pastor's Desk - 8/23/2026

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:28:23 GMT

From the Pastor's Desk...

This Wednesday, the 26th, all the priests of the diocese will be at the Pastoral Center in Crest Hill for the entire day. It is a time where we get together every other year and spend time together praying and learning. Our day starts at 10:00 and concludes in the evening with dinner. Please keep the priests in prayer on Wednesday. Then, every other year, we spend time at Convocation—the 4 days of getting together for more in-depth learning, prayer and fellowship. Our next Convocation will be in September of 2027 right here at the Westin Yorktown Center.

Thursday, the 27th, we remember St. Monica. She is a good saint to pray to for guidance and help, especially for the conversion of someone. St. Monica had her son, Augustine, who was a bishop and doctor of the church. He was not always saintly! Monica prayed and prayed, cried and cried—and God’s divine intervention touched the soul of her son. We can see the importance of the persistence of prayer. Calling on God to help, guide, protect and heal is good for us to do.

We are still in the waiting stage of the possible merger with our 2 parishes of Christ the King and Ascension. In the meantime, while we wait, we are called to be faithful people. God is always with us wherever we are. He hears our prayers and gives us the grace we need. The Eucharist sustains us, especially at uncertain times. The Eucharist/Jesus is always present.

Peace……..Fr. Jeff

From the Pastor's Desk - 8/16/2026

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 21:39:26 GMT

From the Pastor's Desk...

Saturday, August 15, Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother. Mary, who is without sin, falls asleep, and is assumed into Heaven. Where Mary has gone, we too will follow. We are reminded that with death, we are born into eternal life. May we seek guidance from the Blessed Mother in our life here and now, so that we may be with her, the angels and saints at the end of our earthly life.

There is much happening in our world today. I am reminded that much of our military is active right now. May we pray for world peace, and for the safety of all military personnel.

Please remember to register your child for Religious Education, grades 1-8. Classes start after Labor Day! Also, it is good to pray for our children, young and old, as a new school year is about to begin.

May our children have good classes, and may they always be in safety.

Peace……Fr. Jeff

From the Pastor's Desk - 8/9/2026

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 20:51:01 GMT

From the Pastor's Desk...

Last week I was down in southern Indiana at St. Meinrad Archabbey and Seminary. I attended the college seminary there for 2 ½ years in the mid 1980’s. Where did all the time go? That is the question that so many who were at the Alumni Reunion were asking. There were different class years highlighted, mine from 1986 being one of them. There were priests, lay men and lay women there; all had gone through and graduated from either the high school from years ago, the college, now defunct, or the school of theology. St. Meinrad has adapted to the changing times, and many lay people have attended school there. They also train most of the deacons in the Tri-State area down there. They have survived, because they have worked with the changing times, but keeping their traditions and roots. They have expanded their work in the summer with the youth. Year round, they have increased their Hispanic ministry.

There were a few things that the Rector spoke about in that week—1. Know your sins. 2. Know your blessings. 3. Keep your eye on the mountain you need to climb. You cannot climb a mountain by looking back over your shoulder. In these words, he reminded us that the Eucharist helps us to overcome many things that might seem unsurmountable. Being honest with ourselves is key to letting God work within us and use us. I hope that you are taking time to be honest in your prayer life. Know that God is there to help you. The Church with the sacraments and especially the Eucharist, will help with the important task of focus and priorities.

Peace……….Fr. Jeff

From the Pastor's Desk - 8/2/2026

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 19:30:20 GMT

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Here we are—August has begun. The last full month of Summer. Time is moving along in the good ‘ol Summertime. I pray that you are able to enjoy the warm weather and are able to get out and do so many things that we are not able to do during much of the year because of the cold. May you see and experience God’s creation this summer.

One of the hallmarks of Catholic prayer, is to pray for peace. Peace is so important in our lives. We all need to have “peace of mind” at the end of the day for a good night’s rest. Our world is moving very fast—we have so many more people today, and we have the invention of electronic media and communication. Not very peaceful if we look around at all that! But, as we pray for peace, we must remember that Jesus teaches us about the peace that comes from him, and the peace that the Holy Spirit makes real and present. God’s love is unconditional. That is the foundation for real and lasting peace. Perhaps as we continue to pray for peace in our lives and in the world around us, we may remember to imitate God’s love and peace.

In this month of August, even though we are still in Summer, many students will soon begin school. College students will soon be leaving the comfort and security of “home” and going off to something new and challenging. Our younger children will begin a new school year. Let’s pray that all goes well for our children; that they may learn much, and know that God is with them.

Peace…….Fr. Jeff

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