Share Christ’s love with someonein need this Christmas!
GIVING TREE 2025
Adopt a family or individual(s) to bless this Christmas!
Be a blessing to a family or individual in need this Christmas. It’s the last weekend to stop by the Giving Tree table in the Commons after all Masses to see how you can help make a difference in someone else’s life.
Please return your wrapped gift(s) (unless your tag specifies not to wrap) to the Commons on Saturdays (11/29 &11/30) from 3:00 PM until 5:30 PM and on Sundays (12/6 &12/7) from 7:00 AM until 1:00PM.
Questions? Call Robin Contreras (815)814-8457.
Check to see if shifts are still available or ask at one of our tables for other opportunities to assist. smip.org/GivingTree
Thank you to all parishioners who have completed and submitted your Commitment Card! For those parishioners who have not yet had the opportunity to renew your resolution, a final letter will be mailed to you with a personalized Commitment Card. We invite all parishioners to make a commitment as a sign of our dedication to increase the missionary outreach of St. Mary Immaculate Parish. We want to lead more souls to heaven! You may return your card by:
mailing it to the church using the pre-addressed envelope included with the letter.
or bringing it to Mass next Sunday.
or you may visit our parish website at www.smip.org/onlinegiving/ and complete an electronic Commitment Card.
We ask that all commitment cards are returned to the parish by Sunday, December 7. As a friendly reminder, electronic giving is an easy, safe and secure way to support St. Mary Immaculate Parish. To set-up a recurring weekly or monthly gift or to make a one-time donation directly from your bank account or credit card, please visit our website and follow the instructions. We are grateful for your support!
Love Your Parish
Here, united in God’s love, we are a visible sign of the body of Christ and together we do great things. Nourished by prayer and the sacraments, the members of our parish community are journeying on the path of discipleship and growing in relationship with Jesus Christ daily. We value discipleship and evangelization.
Love Your Savior
As we strive to love one another better, good stewardship plays a key role. Stewardship isn’t a code word for financial support. Stewardship is about doing the work of Christ and engaging our many resources to further the ministry and mission of Our Lord. Remembering that everything we have is a gift from our creator.
Love Your Neighbor
We know the importance of bringing the love of God to our neighbors. Through our many ministries, and our social and service-oriented outreach programs, we put into action the truth stated so eloquently by St. John the Apostle: “If God so loved us, we also must love one another” (1 Jn 4:11).
See How Thelma Is Living As A Faithful Steward
My name is Thelma Brantley. My family (husband Dancie D. Brantley III of 39 years and our daughter Rebecca) and I have been members of SMI parish for 29 years. I got involved about 27 years ago. My first ministry was with the Religious Education group for about seven years, teaching the sacraments for the first year, and then moving to second grade as my daughter was making her first communion, and concurrently as a confirmation mentor. I am currently part of other ministries, such as adult choir, resurrection choir, served as a greeter, ushers, and the garden ministry.
My husband (who is a Baptist) wanted to get involved in a ministery with me and asked me to share a list of the various ministries at SMI. We got involved with the marriage prep ministry. During the time we served, we sponsored 10 couples in the program. Seventy-five percent of those couples were interfaith marriages like us, which made the couples extremely comfortable. We shared our perspective on our marriage as an interfaith marriage couple.
Being part of so many ministries within the parish, I received so much, like lifelong genuine friendship. I am very blessed to have the pleasure of working with so many of “God’s Servants.” So many of these volunteers give of themselves, selflessly.
I am often told by numbers of parishioners that they look forward to seeing me on Sundays. If the truth is told, I am glad to see each of our parishioners at church, and when I am out and about in the community.
I would tell anyone who is not part of a ministry at SMI, to get involved. Give a little of your time and talent, you will be surprised of how much of impact you could make. My mother (God rest her soul) told me as a teenager to give of myself and expect nothing in return. Always pass on the blessing that have been given to you. Thank you to everyone reading my short testimony, I am humbled for the opportunity to share it with you.
Make your Commitment Now!
Forget the checkbook and make donating simple for you and your family. With Online Giving, you can give back to your church whenever and wherever with the simple click of a button from your computer or smart device.
SMI is offering for sale bricks at the stations of the cross on the north side of the parking lot. A great gift idea for First Communions and Graduations! What a beautiful way to remember a special occasion for someone! If you are interested, please download, print, and fill out the form below and return it to the Parish Office. Copies of the form can also be picked up in the Commons.
For any questions or to see a sample, please contact Pam Angelus at 815-436-2651 or pangelus@smip.org
“We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart, and far-sighted vision. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire.” — Pope Francis
Understanding the Jubilee Year
What is a Jubilee?
A Jubilee Year is a time of forgiveness, renewal, and spiritual reflection in our relationship with God. In biblical tradition, a Jubilee was marked by the remission of debts, the return of property, and the restoration of relationships—among individuals, nations, and even creation itself (cf. Leviticus 25:8-55). The first Christian Jubilee was declared in 1300 by Pope Boniface VIII.
The 2025 Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope
The upcoming Jubilee, titled Pilgrims of Hope, calls us to rediscover the hope found in Christianity and to become signs of hope in our daily lives. This sacred year will take place from December 29, 2024, to December 28, 2025.
As Pope Francis reminds us, “May this Jubilee be a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the ‘door’ (cf. Jn 10:7,9) of our salvation, whom the Church is charged to proclaim always, everywhere, and to all as ‘our hope’ (1 Tim 1:1)” (Spes Non Confundit, 1).
Pilgrimages and Holy Doors
During Jubilee Years, the Pope designates Holy Doors for pilgrims to pass through as a sign of conversion—leaving behind their old way of life and embracing renewed faith and zeal. Passing through a Holy Door is an act of spiritual renewal and devotion.
This year, the only official Holy Doors will be in Rome. A replica of the Vatican’s Holy Doors can be found in our Commons area, serving as a reminder of the significance of this pilgrimage tradition.
Local Pilgrimage Sites
While the official Holy Doors are in Rome, local pilgrimage sites provide an opportunity for spiritual renewal during the Jubilee Year. Pilgrimage sites in our area currently include:
Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus – Joliet
St. Patrick Parish – Yorkville (see attached flyer)
National Shrine of Saint Therese – Darien
Corpus Christi, Carol Stream
Immaculate Conception, Gilman
St. Joseph, Bradley
St. Joseph, Manhattan
St. Peter, Itasca
Sts. Peter and Paul, Naperville
What is an Indulgence?
An indulgence is the remission of temporal punishment due to sins that have already been forgiven. While repentance and confession bring forgiveness, sin disrupts God’s order and affects others. As part of divine justice, purification is necessary to restore this order.
An indulgence offers this purification through the merits of Christ’s sacrifice and the holiness of the saints, granting spiritual renewal without the suffering typically associated with penance.
How to Obtain a Jubilee Indulgence
To receive a Jubilee indulgence, one must:
Perform the designated act of devotion.
Confess their sins and be detached from all sin.
Receive the Eucharist at Mass.
Pray for the Pope’s intentions (all within a twenty-day timeframe).
Acts That Grant a Jubilee Indulgence
Visit a Jubilee Site – Pilgrimage to a designated site must include participation in Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, devotional prayers, or a penitential service with sacramental confession.
Pious Visit to a Cathedral or Basilica – Adore the Eucharist for a suitable time, recite the Our Father and the Profession of Faith, and seek Mary’s intercession.
Those unable to travel (due to illness, cloistered life, or imprisonment) can spiritually unite themselves with pilgrims by reciting the Our Father, making a Profession of Faith, and offering their sufferings to God.
Engage in Spiritual Enrichment – Participate in a mission, spiritual exercises, or a study of Vatican II documents or the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Perform Works of Mercy – Visiting and assisting those in need is considered a pilgrimage to Christ Himself.
Undertake Penitential Practices – This can include fasting or abstaining on Fridays, making charitable donations, or volunteering to serve others.
The Jubilee Year is a profound opportunity for spiritual renewal and deepening our commitment to faith. May this time of grace inspire us to grow in hope and holiness.
