St. Theresa’s

St. Patrick’s

Immaculate Conception

www.iccmonmouth.org

This Issue:▪ Diaconate Ordination▪ Dcn Joe McCleary▪ Dcn Tom Mann▪ 1st Communion▪ Special Updates▪ Congrats to Graduates▪ Reminder on Totus Tuus

Congratulations toDeacon Joe McCleary & Deacon Tom Mann!

Ordination to the Diaconate ~ May 20, 2017

United in Faith Monthly Newsletter June 2017

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Always be open to the voice of God! It will lead you on a life-changing journey and I am living proof. If someonehad told me six years ago that I would be prostrate on the floor of the cathedral on May 20, 2017, I would havelaughed. Instead, God laughed! Five years ago, after much urging from Fr. Bernas and others, I attended theorientation for Class X of the permanent diaconate and there was no turning back. I still couldn’t imagineordination but I did feel that God was telling me to go on and see what was there.

What was there was a very supportive team consisting of Msgr. Nolan, Sr. Diane, DcnGary Schulz, Dcn Gary Koerner and their wives Linda and Connie. After three roundsof interviews the class was set and began in early 2013.

Each weekend was like a retreat. It challenged and refreshed! There were momentsof doubt for all in the class but we worked as a team to counsel and support ourbrothers and sisters. So, a class of 29 strangers and wives ended as a class of 24ordained deacons and 22 wives who are a family. We are all eager to see what Godhas in store for us as we serve Him and you, our parishioners.

I know that I could not have done it without your prayers and support so I say, “ThankYou” from the bottom of my heart. You are in my prayers daily and have been throughout my journey. A specialthanks to my family for their love and prayers. Msgr. Mack, Fr. Tom, Fr. Tim and Deacon Will and Alice, thank youfor your prayers, support and encouragement. Thanks to the Stewardship committee who had to sit through mypractice homilies and to Dcn Tom Mann and Linda who have become like family to me. Finally, thanks to God forHis whispering over and over and over!

So, take a few moments every day and be quiet and listen to God. It’s usually a whisper, but trust me, once youhear it, you can’t forget it! God bless you all.

Deacon Joe McCleary

Always Be Open to the Voice of God

They say that the Lord works in mysterious ways. When I look back at my life, from my ornery youth to my selfishadolescence to my time away from the Church and Our Lord, I can certainly say this is true. He held onto meeven when I had let go of Him. The twists and turns and especially the journey of the past five years have beenincredible. When I think of all the people God has put in my path and has spoken through to get me where I amtoday it is nothing short of miraculous. I have been abundantly blessed!

He removed all obstacles and doubts. When I said, “I’m too old.” He said, “Abrahamwas in his 70’s when I asked him to serve.”When I said, “I’m a sinner.” He said, “So was David.”When I said, “I’m not holy enough.” He said, “Neither was Paul.”When I said, “I can’t speak in public.” He said, “Moses stuttered.”When I said, “I’m too busy.” He said, “So was Martha.”When I said, “I’m not worthy.” He said, “No one is.”When I said, “I’m a simple undereducated farm boy/blue collar kind of guy.” He said,“So was Peter, most of the Apostles and Joseph.”When I ran out of excuses, I said, “Ok, I’ll try.” I think He smiled.

Continued on Page 4….

The Lord Works in Mysterious Ways

United in Faith Monthly Newsletter June 2017

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Row 1: Joshua Velázquez, Jasmine García, Marely Gonzales,Andrea Velázquez, Marcos Vera, Melany Murillo, StephanieHernández, Moisés Martínez, José Mora.

Row 2: Ximena Guerrero, Brenda Velázquez, Atziri Vázquez,Sebastián Izquierdo, Ángel Villalba, José Velázquez, MiguelVillalba, Kevin Juárez, Noelia Jacobo, Luiz Pérez-Ruiz

Row3: Fr. Tom Otto, Kaylee Ibarra, Nancy Pérez- Ruiz, JesúsCampos, Nadiayvonne Campos, Haxuzeineeh Favela, JuliánSerna, Guadalupe Vázquez, Alexander Gandarilla, Javier Rojas.

Jackson Reed andWest Markham

First HolyCommunionSt. Patrick’s

St. Theresa’s Parish - High School: Brittany YoungSt. Theresa’s Parish - College: Michael Olin (Illinois State University)St. Patrick’s Parish - 8th Grade: Bridgett Brokaw (ICS), Madelynn Reed (West Central)St. Patrick’s Parish - High School: Kyle Campbell (Monmouth-Roseville), Casey Crum (Monmouth-Roseville),Kaitlyn Kane (Monmouth-Roseville), Jacob Dance (Burlington Notre Dame), Will Kane (United), Braeden Reed (West Central)Immaculate Conception Parish - Immaculate Conception School 8th Grade:See Picture to the right - Back row: Carter Russell, Jack Thompson, TobyTurnquist, Declan Flynn, Leonardo Aguilera, Richard Saavedra, JovanniVazquez, Christian Perez Middle row: Bridget Brokaw, Ryley Huston,Patricia Arteaga, Dareann Pettis, Catherine Fuller, Reese Putnam Firstrow: Kayla Pinedo, Easter Lun, Allison SerpicoImmaculate Conception Parish - Monmouth/Roseville 8th Grade: StevenMeza, Carlos Alcala, Melanie Mora, Rodolfo Palma, Dailenis Vera,Alexander Mendez, Katherine Guerrero, Keisha Wilson-Bahun, Iratze Aceves, Fidencio Avalos, Abigail Schaeffer, Jesus Rojas,Darbin Garcia, Lizbeth Izquierdo, Edgar Jimenez, Michelle Hernandez, Santiago Miranda, Daniel Cisneros, Allison JuarezImmaculate Conception Parish - High School: Blake Arnold, Ryan Cunningham, Cristina Godina, Oscar Godina, Noah Huston,Alyssa Roe, Lindsey Steele, Madeline Gavin, Daniela Alcala, Dulce Andrade, Alfredo Avalos, Rebacca Godina, John Izquierdo,Megan Krieger, Emma Marshall, Seth McBride, Paul Lissette-Garcia, Olivia Roden-Lair, Kal YoungquistImmaculate Conception Parish - College: Blake Bichsel (Monmouth College), Matthew Bertelsen (Monmouth College), ConnorGillen (Monmouth College), Nicholas Mainz (Monmouth College), Sandra Pinedo (Monmouth College), Sophia Peterson (WIU),Laura Alcala (WIU), Joseph Arteaga (unidentified college), Sadie Boock - Cornell, Sydney Enderlin (Longwood College), ConnorGillen (unidentified college)

Congratulations and God’s greatest blessing on all of our graduates. Continue to seek the Lord as you move onto the next chapter ofyour life. Please contact Theresa Noel at 734-6147 if a graduate’s name was not mentioned.

First Holy Communion ~ 12:00 Spanish Mass at Immaculate Conception

Special UpdatesBaptisms:Ariana Guadalupe Nava - child of Miguel & MarthaNava (May 13, 2017)

Deaths:Catherine Vincent Monmouth April 19, 2017Karen Tierney Monmouth April 28, 2017

Congratulations to All of Our Graduates!

Immaculate Conception Church210 West Broadway

Monmouth, IL 61462

Resident

Non-ProfitU.S. Postage

PAIDMonmouth, ILPermit No. 27

Reminder on Totus TuusPlease volunteer to help in some area of need if you can. Sign up sheets are in the back of the church. Mostimportantly, please pray for the success of the event.

….Continued from Page 2: The Lord Works in Mysterious WaysThe Lord removed enough of the obstacles to make the journey possible and left enough of them to test myperseverance and obedience. The journey has not been without sacrifice and suffering but the blessings have faroutweighed either one. When I witnessed the peace and joy of all the good people who were already serving, I thought,“I want to be a part of that.” And when it became hard and the devil tempted me to quit, I was lifted up by the prayersand help of my family, friends, classmates, parishioners, and by the advice and wise words of Msgr. Mack to whom I willbe forever grateful.

So here I am at the end of the fastest five years of my life, an ordained deacon. Yes, the Lord works in mysterious ways,I’m living proof of that! I am still old, still a sinner, not nearly as holy as I should be, still can’t speak in public very well,still a simple guy, and still unworthy but I do love the Lord and the people of Immaculate Conception, St. Pat’s, and St.Theresa’s. I can’t promise that I won’t make mistakes but I will make you the same promise I made the Lord all thoseyears ago…I’ll try…to serve you the best I can with a generous heart.

Linda and I would like to thank everyone who supported us with prayers and kind words of encouragement andeveryone who filled in for us at Sunday Mass when we were in Peoria, we owe you! Thanks also to everyone for thecards and generous gifts that so humbled and overwhelmed us. A special thanks to the Stewardship Committee for thetime and hard work that went into planning of the potluck celebration, all the good cooks who provided the food, and allwho came to celebrate with us. God Bless!

Deacon Tom Mann

Date: July 2 - 7 (will not meet on July 4th)