From the Pastor's Desk - 10/11/2026

   Bishop-Elect Cahill will become our new Ordinary on Wednesday, November 11th. Please keep Bishop Cahill in our prayers as he prepares to leave his current diocese of Victoria, Texas, and comes up here to Joliet. Bishop Cahill was up here for prayer and a brief “meet and greet” with the priests a couple of weeks ago. He looks forward to working with all the priests, and getting to know people here in our large diocese! He has a good sense of humor and is easily approachable.

     Also, pray for seminarians. The numbers are just not what they used to be. Do you see someone who may have a vocation as a priest? If so, please encourage them to think about it. Don’t be too pushy; rather give encouragement in a good way. Our culture today is not about God or religion. It is certainly not about encouraging a man to give his life to the Church as a priest. Much of what the church is, and what a priest is, are both counter-cultural. For me, priesthood is a privilege and a joy. Yes—it is different from most other avenues a man can take. Prayer and walking with God are so important. Staying focused on who Jesus is in our daily life is foundational.

     People have asked me if we will soon know the outcome of the possible merger of our 2 parishes of Ascension and Christ the King, now that we have a new bishop appointed. Well, I don’t know. We continue to wait, and trust in the Holy Spirit. Waiting is hard to do, and is certainly something we are not used to in our modern age. Let’s use our time well as we “wait” for a decision. In the meantime, it is important to continue to do the things we do when at church, well. God does not abandon us. We must stay close to Him who gives us life, healing and hope.

 Peace……..Fr. Jeff