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September 21, 2020 
DIOCESE OF JOLIET 
Reception of Communion on the Tongue – During Cornavirus Pandemic 

Parish Reopening Co-Leadership Teams,  

For well-founded reasons the liturgical guidelines during the pandemic limited distribution of Holy Communion in the hand. Pastors are still urged to encourage the faithful to receive in the hand, as it is the safest way to distribute/receive Holy Communion. However, out of respect for those who insist on receiving on the tongue and with the hope of avoiding conflicts at this most sacred time of the Holy Mass, an exception may be made in a given parish at the full discretion of the pastor, and only in accord with a strict observance of the procedure provided here.  

Procedure for Distributing Holy Communion on the Tongue; 

Parishes are to establish a dedicated station for those receiving Holy Communion on the tongue, separate from those coming to receive communion in the hand; 
Communicants move forward to the designated station in single file maintaining six feet between each person assisted by markers on the floor; 
The minister distributing Holy Communion wearing a mask/face shield, sanitizes his / her hands, either from a nearby table, or offered by an usher; 
The communicant sanitizes his/her hands from a table or from sanitizer offered by usher, removes the strap of the mask or face covering from one ear, letting it hang from the other ear and exercises care not to touch the face, clothing or any other surface after sanitizing the hands; 
After having sanitized his/her hands, the communicant approaches the priest or extraordinary minister, and receives the Host on the tongue; 
The communicant steps six feet to the side, replaces the mask over the mouth and nose and returns to his/her seat;  
The minister puts the ciborium on a near-by table and sanitizes his / her hands, rubbing hands together and until they are dry (at least for 20 seconds each time). This must be done after each communicant receives; 
The minister picks up the ciborium and begins the process again; 

All other guidelines about masking, face shields and other preparatory actions before distribution remain in force.

Because of the safety precautions exercised for those receiving Communion on the tongue, each parish will have to determine how best this is to be done given the fact that some parishes distribute Communion to recipients remaining in the pews. In any case, it has worked out well for those who receive Communion on the tongue to come last and to a designated station.  

It should be observed from the outset that more care and time will be required in implementing this exception, as communion on the tongue poses additional health risks to both the minister and the communicant. Out of regard for specific health protocols, this process may not be rushed, particularly the sanitizing and drying of the minister's hands between communicants. Failure to strictly follow this procedure may result in de-certification of the parish to host congregations for liturgical services.  

 
Most Reverend Richard E. Pates
Apostolic Administrator Diocese of Joliet

THE PROPER WAY TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION
Only those practicing Catholics who are
in the state of grace may receive Holy Communion. 

If one is receiving the Sacred Host on the tongue: 

When receiving communion on the tongue please do not lean towards the minister. Please stand up straight as possible, after saying “Amen” in response to the minister of the Holy Communion, the communicant should open the mouth wide and fully extend the tongue far enough so that the Sacred host can be placed upon it without danger of falling also for safety precautions. Please note that it is important to extend the tongue, not just open the mouth. Once you have received communion proceed towards the inside middle isle and return to your seat.  

If one is receiving the Sacred Host in the hand, the following is normative:  

Upon approaching the minister of the Sacred Host, fully extend the hands under the glass in for the minister could reach them. The left hand is extended, with the right hand under the left in support (left handed person may with to place the left hand under the right). In essence, a throne is formed in the sign of an X-cross to receive the Sacred Host.

Do you really honor the Lord's Day, or does your
Sunday look like every other day of the week?

St. Isaac Jogues Live Mass
Saturday 4:00 p.m. & Sunday 10:30 a.m.

End Crisis & Division:
A Powerful Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows for Peace in the United States

We need to pray for our country!

Recent reports show numerous riots The situation causes unrest in society, whether it be physical, visual, or emotional.

Losing life is always tragic, as the Catholic Church teaches that every life is precious and deserves dignity. Let us pray the novena below for peace in our country and for the dignity and respect of all human life, from conception until natural death.  Our Lady of Sorrows is a very powerful intercessor. Many graces are attached to her devotion.

Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows for Peace

Most holy and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, you stood beneath the cross, witnessing the agony of your dying Son.  Look with a mother’s tenderness and pity on us, as we kneel before you. We venerate your sorrows, and place our request with dutiful confidence in the sanctuary of your wounded heart.

Present them, we beseech you, on our behalf to Jesus Christ, through the merits of His own most Sacred Passion and Death, together with your sufferings at the foot of the cross.  Through the united efficacy of both, obtain the granting of our petition.  To whom shall we have recourse in our wants and miseries, if not to you, Mother of Mercy? You have drunk so deeply of the chalice of your Son. You can with compassion receive our sorrows.

Holy Mary, your soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow at the sight of the Passion of your divine Son. Intercede for us and obtain from Jesus these petitions if they be for His honor and glory and for our good and the good of our nation.

For an end to all discrimination in our society,
Our Lady of Sorrows, hear us. For peace in our country, 
Our Lady of Sorrows, hear us.  For the protection of all human life, from conception until natural death, Our Lady of Sorrows, hear us.  
That the souls of the departed rest in the eternal peace
of your Crucified Son, Jesus Christ,  Our Lady of Sorrows, hear us.  
That we may see each person as Christ sees us–made
in His image and likeness, Our Lady of Sorrows, hear us.  
That the families of those who have lost a loved one may know the comfort of Christ’s constant love, Our Lady of Sorrows, hear us.  For our president, governors, elected officials, law enforcement officers, and all public figures, that they may encourage and promulgate peace in a divided society, Our Lady of Sorrows, hear us.  For an end to all violence and civil unrest, Our Lady of Sorrows, hear us.That we may love one another as Christ loves us, even when we may disagree.   Our Lady of Sorrows, hear us.  Amen.

All Souls Day Masses
November 2, at 8:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Masses at Assumption Church
Reservations will open on
Monday October 26th

Mass Times at Assumption 
Reservation Required
Saturday 4:00 p.m.
Sunday 7:30 a.m. & 
 11:30 a.m.
1st Saturday of the
Month 8:30 a.m.
Sunday 9:30 a.m. I.C. mass will be held at Assumption church please make reservations on Immaculate Conception Website 

Daily Masses
Rosary 8:00 a.m. Monday thru Friday (First Tuesday in October is rescheduled to October 13th at 8:30 a.m. )  First Tuesday ay of the Month 6:30pm mass followed by Saint Peregrine Devotion and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
Wednesday 8:30 a.m.
Friday 8:30 am.

Sacrament of Pennance/Confession Schedule
Saturday: 3:15 pm to 3:45 pm & 
Sunday following the 9:30 am mass at Assumption Church

Office Hours
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
Wednesday Office is Closed
Friday 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

A Prayer for our Nation's Election

O God, we acknowledge You today as Lord, Not only of individuals, but of nations and governments.  We thank You for the privilege Of being able to  organize ourselves politically And of knowing that political loyalty Does not have to mean disloyalty to You.   
We thank You for Your law, Which our Founding Fathers acknowledged And recognized as higher than any human law.  We thank You for the opportunity that this election year puts before us,  
To exercise our solemn duty not only to vote, But to influence countless others to vote, And to vote correctly.  Lord, we pray that Your people may be awakened.  Let them realize that while politics is not their salvation, Their response to You requires that they be politically active.   Awaken Your people to know that they are not called to be a sect fleeing the world But rather a community of faith renewing the world.  Awaken them that the same hands lifted up to You in prayer Are the hands that pull the lever in the 
voting booth; That the same eyes that read Your Word Are the eyes that read the names on the ballot, And that they do not cease to be Christians When they enter the voting booth.  Awaken Your people to a commitment to justice, To the sanctity of marriage and the family, To the dignity of each individual human life, And to the truth that human rights begin when Human Lives Begin, And not one moment later.   Lord, we rejoice today That we are citizens of Your kingdom.  May that make us all the more committed To being faithful citizens on earth.   We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

Adoration Chapel 
The Adoration Chapel remains closed at this time.  Please check back for updates.

A Girl Scout is collecting items for Help for Hope at Assumption Church and Immaculate Conception parish. There will be a collection bin at Assumption Church by the northeast entrance of the church, and the items  on the left are needed. 

The collection will be taking place this July and August, and in the spring. Feel free to donate and drop off items into the bin to help those in our community, especially during these uncertain times.
All donations are greatly appreciated!  Please contact Shaela O’Keefe (815) 634-9261 if you have questions. 

US Bishops lead Eucharistic procession down looted, vandalized city center to pray for end to ‘violence…conflict’

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