A Note From Father Eickhoff

August 6, 2023

Just a few bullet points about upcoming events in this week’s bulletin article:

  • The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – which is a Holy Day of Obligation – will be on Tuesday, August 15. This Feast Day celebrates the entrance of Mary, both body and soul, into heaven; and it is an important marker of the esteem that both God and the Church places upon Mary.  There will be Masses in honor of the Feast Day at 7am, 12pm, and 7pm.
  • The St. Anne Parish Pig Roast will be held on Sunday, September 10 from 12pm to 3pm. Tickets will be Four Dollars each with children under 3 years old eating free.  The price of the ticket will include the complete dinner with sides as well as drinks.  Tickets will be on sale after all the Masses during the weekends of August 19-20 and August 26-27.  We are accepting either cash or checks.  We are also looking for people to donate baked goods for desserts at the Pig Roast.
  • It was announced at the Feast Day Mass for St. Anne that the Diocese of Joliet has given to pastors the authority to reintroduce the reception of the Precious Blood during Holy Communion at all Masses.  I plan on carrying out the reintroduction of the Precious Blood at all weekend Masses this Fall.  Before a starting date can be set there are several practical factors that need to be addressed.  First, we need to schedule additional Eucharistic Ministers at each Mass.  Second, we need to ensure that all of the Eucharistic Ministers are prepared to distribute the Precious Blood.  Quite frankly, it has been several years since the distribution of the Precious Blood was stopped and we have many new Eucharistic Ministers who have no experience with handling the communion cup as well as many Eucharistic Ministers who are out of practice.  Third, before we begin communion under both the Body of Christ and the Blood of Christ it will be good to have some refresher instruction for everyone as to the Real Presence of Jesus Christ.  Once these things have been done communion under both kinds will begin.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Stephen Eickhoff
Pastor