CATHOLIC CHURCH

St. John the Baptist

Though raised in the faith, many

of us might not have a firm understanding of the why behind much of the Catholic Church’s teachings and traditions. In turn, it’s easy to get caught simply going through the motions, not understanding the deep meaning behind the acts we’re performing.

Parishioner Chuck Hickey says this is what makes faith formation opportunities like St. John the Baptist’s longstanding Followers of the Truth Ministry so important.

“You just find out all kinds of things about the faith,” Chuck says. “Many of us who have been raised Catholic have no idea why we do some of the things that we do as Catholics. This ministry really allows you to learn the ‘why’ behind it all while also reinforcing all the things you’re doing at home.”

Followers of the Truth was born years ago out of a four-year parish program entitled Why Catholic? Journey through the Catechism. Lasting for four years, this program met for six weeks during both the spring and the fall and was coordinat-ed by then-parishioners Joe and Sue Vullo. Infused with a new appreciation for their Catholic faith through this program, members decided to continue meeting regularly, forming today’s ministry.

continued on page 5

In this Issue:

2 Our Annual Parish Stewardship Summary

3 Start a New Life, Not Just a New Year

4 Sitting in the Lord’s Presence

Eucharistic Adoration Brings Abundant Blessings

6 Highlights of Our 2019 Stewardship Renewal

7 Bringing Christ to Others: Ministering to the Sick and Homebound

JAN/FEB 2020

Followers of the Truth members gather for a recent meeting.

Followers of the TruthLearning the “Why” Behind Our Catholic Faith

Followers of the Truth

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St. John the Baptist

Our Annual Parish

Stewardship Summary

Our Annual Parish Stewardship Summary

Parish Account Balances—Resources as of June 30 2019 2018 2017 Parish Checking Account $ 50,347 $ 41,602 $ 5,461 Our Investments Held at the Diocese DIAL* (Excluding Cemetery) 159,618 135,610 147,883 Catholic Foundation at market value 716,177 689,078 626,356 *Diocesan Investment and Loan Program (DIAL) is a cash account which earns interest. Money is transferred between checking and DIAL based on timing of needs.

Parish Revenues FY 2020 2019 2018 2017 Budget Sunday and Holy Day Collections 250,185 247,415 243,686 243,500 Poor Fund & St. Vincent de Paul Society 14,603 12,105 6,717 12,000 Martin Trust Income 72,118 69,437 72,820 72,000 Catholic Foundation Collections 5,116 6,948 7,647 4,800 Catholic Foundation Income/Loss * 27,095 55,818 74,542 0 Dial Interest (excluding cemetery) 2,839 2,708 1,944 2,859 All other revenues ** 109,338 94,087 136,537 68,680 Total Revenues 481,294 488,518 543,893 403,839 Parish Expenses Payroll 143,176 167,679 170,210 151,738 Religious Education 29,232 35,012 15,290 33,830 All Other Expenses 215,731 189,278 280,751 209,424 Total Expenses 388,139 391,969 466,251 394,992 *Catholic Foundation change (which is not a budgeted line item) **Excludes Diocese collections and cemetery revenues. Includes 83,377 from Real Estate Sale

Diocesan Collections Remitted to Diocese 13,662 23781 23952

If you desire to see more financial details, please call the parish office to set an appointment.

Number of registered families 486 Baptisms 9 First Holy Communions 17 Marriages 0

Our Annual Parish Stewardship Summary

Parish Account Balances—Resources as of June 30 2019 2018 2017 Parish Checking Account $ 50,347 $ 41,602 $ 5,461 Our Investments Held at the Diocese DIAL* (Excluding Cemetery) 159,618 135,610 147,883 Catholic Foundation at market value 716,177 689,078 626,356 *Diocesan Investment and Loan Program (DIAL) is a cash account which earns interest. Money is transferred between checking and DIAL based on timing of needs.

Parish Revenues FY 2020 2019 2018 2017 Budget Sunday and Holy Day Collections 250,185 247,415 243,686 243,500 Poor Fund & St. Vincent de Paul Society 14,603 12,105 6,717 12,000 Martin Trust Income 72,118 69,437 72,820 72,000 Catholic Foundation Collections 5,116 6,948 7,647 4,800 Catholic Foundation Income/Loss * 27,095 55,818 74,542 0 Dial Interest (excluding cemetery) 2,839 2,708 1,944 2,859 All other revenues ** 109,338 94,087 136,537 68,680 Total Revenues 481,294 488,518 543,893 403,839 Parish Expenses Payroll 143,176 167,679 170,210 151,738 Religious Education 29,232 35,012 15,290 33,830 All Other Expenses 215,731 189,278 280,751 209,424 Total Expenses 388,139 391,969 466,251 394,992 *Catholic Foundation change (which is not a budgeted line item) **Excludes Diocese collections and cemetery revenues. Includes 83,377 from Real Estate Sale

Diocesan Collections Remitted to Diocese 13,662 23781 23952

If you desire to see more financial details, please call the parish office to set an appointment.

Number of registered families 486 Baptisms 9 First Holy Communions 17 Marriages 0

Cemetery -June 30- 2019 2018 2017 2020 Budget DIAL (Cemetery Balance) 360,381 351,142 371,963 Revenues* 52,213 59,003 37,714 50,542 Expenses 51,488 39,069 29,119 44,200 * Includes the bequests from the Arnold Clarke estate during 2018 and 2019. The budget for 2020 includes reimbursement to the parish operating account of funds from DIAL to the extent expenses exceed revenue. It also includes projected DIAL interest of $7,200.

St. John Cemetery During the fiscal year ending last June there were 10 funerals at St. John the Baptist Church and 14 interments in the cemetery.

During the last two years, St. John the Baptist Cemetery was the recipient of a bequest from the estate of Arnold Clarke that totaled $79, 207. For many years, Arnold served as caretaker for the cemetery handling both administrative and grounds care.

After discussion with the Finance Council and Parish Council, it was recommended that a portion of the Arnold Clarke bequest be used to acquire a statue of St. John the Baptist and placement of a Community Columbarium in his memory. The community Columbarium will be used to inter abandoned cremated remains that are left at local funeral homes.

Cemetery -June 30- 2019 2018 2017 2020 Budget DIAL (Cemetery Balance) 360,381 351,142 371,963 Revenues* 52,213 59,003 37,714 50,542 Expenses 51,488 39,069 29,119 44,200 * Includes the bequests from the Arnold Clarke estate during 2018 and 2019. The budget for 2020 includes reimbursement to the parish operating account of funds from DIAL to the extent expenses exceed revenue. It also includes projected DIAL interest of $7,200.

St. John Cemetery During the fiscal year ending last June there were 10 funerals at St. John the Baptist Church and 14 interments in the cemetery.

During the last two years, St. John the Baptist Cemetery was the recipient of a bequest from the estate of Arnold Clarke that totaled $79, 207. For many years, Arnold served as caretaker for the cemetery handling both administrative and grounds care.

After discussion with the Finance Council and Parish Council, it was recommended that a portion of the Arnold Clarke bequest be used to acquire a statue of St. John the Baptist and placement of a Community Columbarium in his memory. The community Columbarium will be used to inter abandoned cremated remains that are left at local funeral homes.

Number of registered families 486

Baptisms 9

First Holy Communions 17

Marriages 0

3

It’s January and that means it’s time for New Year’s resolutions

— at least that’s the widespread perception in our culture. So, I want to reflect on resolutions for a few minutes.

Often, New Year’s resolutions are intended simply to undo the harm we did to ourselves by overin-dulging in food and drink between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. Some resolutions are chang-es we know we should make, but aren’t really committed to making — thus, they don’t last very long.

Reflecting on this in broader terms, when should we make a resolution to elim-inate a sinful practice from our life? That question has a simple answer — the moment we realize we’re engaging in a sinful practice. In other words, as soon as we realize we’re doing something wrong, we should stop.

Now, I admit that making the changes we need in order to grow closer to Christ is easier said than

done. All too often, we fool our-selves into thinking we can make all the changes we need under our own strength and on a convenient timetable. For real change, we need guidance and we need help — a new life, in fact. St. Paul ad-dressed this when he wrote to the Romans (6:4), “We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.”

In other words, we need a new life, not a new year. We find this

new life in union with Christ within His Body, the Church. The Church can provide you with guidance. She has 2,000 years of accumulated wisdom and ex-perience, beginning with God’s own revelation. The Ten Commandments provide a brief, incisive outline for ethical behavior. Help comes from God’s grace, available to us in the sacraments and through prayer.

A new life means we have new priorities and a new viewpoint when we look at every aspect of the way we live. It impacts the use of the time we have, the talents God has given us, and the treasure with which He has blessed us. With God’s grace and guid-ance, lived in union with the Church, we find that “in newness of life” we can “cease doing evil” and “learn to do good.” That’s a resolution worth making.

Happy New Year!

In Christ,

Fr. Butler, Pastor

Start a New Life, Not Just a New Year

A Letter From Our Pastor

Dear Parishioners,

JAN/FEB 2020

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St. John the Baptist

Imagine if the risen Christ were to appear to us at the altar of St.

John the Baptist — wouldn’t we all go running to meet Him? More likely than not, millions of people would travel from around the world just to sit at His feet and soak in His in-comparable graces. It may be hard for us to picture this scenario, and yet the reality is that we indeed have a chance to rest in Christ’s True Presence on a regular basis!

It is one of the greatest bless-ings of the Catholic Church to have the Real Presence of Jesus dwelling in our midst in the form of the Holy Eucharist. And here in our parish, in addition to receiving the Eucha-rist at all of our Masses, we may also partake in one of the most sa-cred and life-changing experienc-es our Catholic faith has to offer — Eucharistic Adoration. Adoration

before the exposed Eucharist is available every Tuesday from 5 to 6 p.m. and on first Fridays (and ev-ery Friday during Advent and Lent) from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., when the devotion concludes with a benediction.

Cathy Certain is the coordi-nator of Adoration at St. John the Baptist. She first experienced prayer before the exposed Eucha-rist about 20 years ago.

“I ‘accidentally’ discovered Adoration while living in South Florida,” she says. “Although I had been a Catholic all my life, I had never experienced Adoration when I first heard about it in Mass and decided to check it out. For a long time, I didn’t know what I was sup-posed to do, but with the help of others — especially my sister-in-law who sent me prayer booklets —

the Lord very patiently introduced Himself. Once I learned that He is really present in the Eucharist, I just couldn’t stop visiting Him.”

Now, Cathy knows from experi-ence that the blessings of a regular Adoration hour are many. Thanks to her own commitment to Ado-ration, she has found herself on a closer walk with Christ.

“My faith has been changing since my first visit,” Cathy says. “It started as a ‘fulfill some re-quirements’ and ‘follow the commandments’ religion to a relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ. It changed from going to Mass every Sunday because it was a requirement to going to Mass daily because He is giving Him-self to me in the Eucharist, and I really need Him!”

In today’s busy world, it can be intimidating to commit time each week to Eucharistic Adora-tion. While the parish is always in need of more parishioners who are able to devote a weekly or month-ly hour of their time to scheduled Adoration, anyone is welcome to stop in — even just for a few min-utes — during Adoration. The Lord is there for us all!

“God is waiting for us to come to Him,” Cathy says. “He is Love, and He is the one inviting us to come. He wants to have a rela-tionship with each one of us, and the more we spend time with Him — like with any relationship — the better it will become.”

Sitting in the Lord’s Presence

Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen one’s prayer life.

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Whether you decide to spend your time in Adoration reading Scripture, praying a Rosary, or simply spending time in quiet, meditative prayer, the rewards of this time with the Lord are great.

“I think that among all devotions, Adoration is the perfect one,” Cathy says. “I couldn’t compare it with any other because the Lord is in front of you and there is basically no obstacle between you and Him. We were made for this — it is our mission as children of God.”

We are so blessed that our parish offers this oppor-tunity to experience the special graces that flow from a devotion to the Holy Eucharist. Let us embrace this truly precious gift and go often to sit and rest in His presence!

JAN/FEB 2020

Eucharistic Adoration Brings Abundant Blessings

Adoration with the exposed Eucharist takes place at St. John the Baptist

every Tuesday evening from5 to 6 p.m. and on first Fridays (and

every Friday during Advent and Lent) from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. We are always looking for new adorers to sign up for

a regular hour of Adoration! Please contact the parish office at

815-498-2010 for more information.

Followers of the Truth continued from front cover

“When the program ended, we had developed some wonderful friendships and so we said, ‘Why don’t we continue getting together once a month?’” Chuck says. “We picked the first Wednesday of each month, and at that point Joe and Sue would do some research and share with us some aspect of the Catho-lic faith. Then, we would all come together to discuss and share.”

When Joe and Sue eventually moved away from the parish, they asked Chuck to take over the group’s leadership and he has been coordinating it ever since. Following the same general format, Followers of the Truth continues to meet the first Wednesday of each month from 8:30-10 a.m. in the Parish Center.

“It’s kind of an open thing,” Chuck says. “I’m not lecturing. I’m there to learn and receive as well, of-tentimes learning as much if not more than the oth-ers. I try to find things that I feel might be interesting

to our members, from Catholic magazines and books. We might go over three to five topics during the hour and half. It really just kind of reinforces religion and gets us all pepped up.”

Periodically, the group will adopt an actual study, for which they will meet in succession over several weeks. Oftentimes these studies include a weekly video presentation followed by a guided discussion. The group also meets weekly during Advent and Lent, praying the Rosary together, followed by seasonally appropriate reflections and discussions.

“I’ve been doing this now for six or seven years and it’s been very rewarding,” Chuck says. “Not only do we learn a lot about the faith, but people are able to share with one another their ideas and experiences. It’s cultivated a beautiful sense of camaraderie — help-ing us know we aren’t alone in the world and really strengthening what we’re each trying to do at home.”

The group is always open to others, eager for new input and ideas on how they can continue growing in the truth together. Simply join the group any first Wednesday

of the month, or contact Chuck Hickey at 815-498-2064.

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St. John the Baptist

Highlights of Our2019 Stewardship Renewal

This past autumn, our parish conducted the 2019 Stewardship Renewal. This gave

parishioners an opportunity to discern their stewardship gifts and make commitments to give of their time, talent and treasure as members of the St. John the Baptist parish community. This month, we are happy to share with you some of the highlights of the 2019 Stewardship Renewal.

- There were 118 commitment cards received from 46 percent of active parish households.

- There were 1,194 commitments to prayer, or the Stewardship of Time, from 97 percent of participating households.

- Some of the commitments to prayer in-cluded: Attend Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days, 110 commitments; Spend at least 15 min-utes a day in personal prayer, 97 commitments; Pray for the sick of our parish, 96 commitments.

- There were 445 commitments to ministry, or the Stewardship of Talent, from 85 percent of participating households. Of these, 70 were new ministry commitments, while 375 were re-commitments to parish ministries.

- Some of the commitments to ministry included: Funeral Lunch, 68 commitments; Adoration, 48 commitments; Corned Beef Din-ner Volunteer, 29 commitments; Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, 25 commit-ments; Women’s Society, 23 commitments.

- There were 89 commitments to the offer-tory, or the Stewardship of Treasure, 75 percent of participating house-holds. The average pledge was $1,474.

We thank all those who participated in our 2019 Stewardship Renew-al. If you did not have the opportunity to participate in the renewal by filling out and submitting a commitment card, we invite you to consider the ways you may share your gifts of time, talent and treasure with God and community. It is never too late to get involved!

St. John the Baptist C A T H O L I C C H U R C H

2 0 1 9 S T E W A R D S H I P R E N E W A L

Called toerve S

Please bring this card to Mass on September 28th or 29th, or mail using the envelope provided. Thanks and God bless you for your involvement in our parish community!

Formation

_________ Baptismal Preparation_________ Followers of the Truth _________ Religious Education Volunteer_________ Respect Life _________ Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)_________ Scripture Study _________ Symbolon_________ Vacation Bible School _________ YDisciple

Service

_________ Church Cleaners_________ Church Decorators _________ Corned Beef Dinner Volunteer_________ Garden Club _________ Knights of Columbus _________ Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto _________ Photography_________ Prison Ministry_________ Rosary Makers_________ St. Vincent de Paul_________ Women’s Society

Commissions/Committees_________ Building and Grounds Commission _________ Evangelization Committee_________ Finance Council _________ Parish Life Commission _________ Stewardship Commission_________ Welcoming Committee

Potential Ministries _________ Driving People to Appointments_________ Ministry of Loneliness_________ Rosary Group

2 0 1 9 C O M M I T M E N T C A R DMy offering of time, talent & treasure

Continued on back panel

Address

City State ZIP

First & Last Name

Phone

Email

Spouse: First & Last Name

Spouse: Phone

Spouse: Email

TALENT (continued) TALENT (continued)

320 S. Depot Street • PO Box 276 • Somonauk, IL 60552815-498-2010 • www.stjbsom.org

St. John the Baptist C A T H O L I C C H U R C H

Called toerve SSt. John the Baptist

C A T H O L I C C H U R C H

Please clearly write the first name(s) of interested family member(s) on the line.

= Currently Involved = Interested in JoiningPlease clearly write the first name(s) of interested family member(s) on the line.

= Currently Involved = Interested in Joining

7

It’s easy to take things for granted when you have your health. From accomplishing what you want

during the day to going to wherever you’d like, most of us don’t give a second thought to the ease and freedom that exists in our daily choices. But when someone is homebound due to age or illness, they lose much of their independence. And for those who are unable to travel to Mass, they often lose their ability to be united with Christ in the Eucharist, as well.

Here at St. John the Baptist, however, there are a number of Eucharistic Ministers who serve those who are sick and homebound. These dedicated people work hard to ensure that in the midst of their suffer-ing and loneliness, our parishioners know that they are not forgotten by the Lord or their parish family.

“If you are sick or unable to go to Sunday Mass, a big part of your life is missing,” says parishioner Jackie Rucinski, who has been coordinating the min-istry of bringing Communion to the sick and home-bound for the past 17 years. “One can watch the Mass on television, but then they miss out on inviting Christ as Body and/or Blood into their life. There is a large empty feeling without Communion.”

Those who serve with this ministry go to visit people in their homes, following our weekend Mass-es, each week. They spend time chatting with the person they are visiting, leading them in prayer, reading the Gospel and sharing the Eucharist with them. They also bring things like the bulletin, and share any important parish news, as to help parish-ioners feel connected, even when they aren’t able to be physically present with the parish community.

“Christ Himself strengthens each person by receiv-ing His Body,” Jackie says. “Hopefully the homebound feel His everlasting love through this ministry.”

Jackie has found that her own faith has grown by being a part of this ministry and hopes that the same is true for those that she visits, especially in a time of suffering, whether long-term or short-term.

JAN/FEB 2020

Bringing Christ to Others:Ministering to the Sick and Homebound

“Through this ministry, hopefully, each individual knows and feels the love of

Christ. This is my hope that they know that they are loved by Christ through their suffering and belief in His loving heart.”

— Jackie Rucinskicontinued on back cover

320 S. Depot StreetPO Box 276Somonauk, IL 60552Phone: 815-498-2010www.stjbsom.org

Mass TimesSaturdays 5:00 PMSundays 8:00 and 10:30 AMWeekdays:Tuesdays 6:30 PMM, W, Th, F 7:00 AM

Sacrament of ReconciliationTuesdays 5:00 PMSaturdays 4:00 PMor by appointment

AdorationTuesdays 5-6 PM andFirst Fridays 7:30 AM-9:00 PM with Benediction 9:00 PM

St. John the Baptist

Return Service Requested

Ministering to the Sick and Homebound continued from page 7

JAN/FEB 2020

“By carrying out this ministry, I feel that Christ is asking me to continue His work,” Jackie says. “He spreads more of His love to me, as His minister, and through me, to others.

“Through this ministry, hopefully, each individ-ual knows and feels the love of Christ,” she adds. “This is my hope that they know that they are loved by Christ through their suffering and be-lief in His loving heart.”

Jackie encourages her fel-low parishioners to consider serving those who are home-bound through this ministry. Those who are interested will receive training and will accom-pany Jackie on visits, to learn how the process works.

“This ministry only requires a deep faith in Christ and the ability to share this love and care to those unable to visit Him in His home, the church,” Jackie says. “Hopefully, the parishioner feels the deep responsibility of sharing Christ’s love with those unable to come to Christ’s home.”

If you or someone you know is in need of a visit from someone bringing Holy Communion to

the sick and homebound, please contact the parish office at

815-498-2010. If you are interested in serving others through this ministry, please contact Jackie

Rucinski at 815-343-6947.