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During the past few months, St. Joseph and St. Mary of Vernon Parishes engaged in the Renew My Church (RMC) review and discernment process. The Grouping Feedback and Discernment team (GFDT), which was made up of members from each community, met to review and discern how to respond to the call to renewal for the grouping’s parishes, including any potential changes to parish structures.

It is with a heavy heart that I share this letter. In reviewing the responses to the Synod question “What about the Church breaks your heart?”, I learned that the sexual abuse crisis has both directly and indirectly affected some parishioners. It breaks my heart to hear of this. I am grateful to those who shared their experience and pain. In response, the Synod team and I contacted the Archdiocese and have been in communication with them.

Dear Parishioners, Establishing Small Christian Communities has been my passion as a priest. It is what I did in Nigeria, South Africa, and at the various parishes I worked at in the Archdiocese of Chicago. It is also what I did my research on with the assistance of Community Psychologists at Vanderbilt University.

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, One of the most important aspects of our ministry as priests is to be available to people, especially in times of sickness and death. Our presence with and anointing of the sick or the dying is deeply appreciated by families.

Read Fr. Robinson Ortiz's farewell letter to the parish community

Thank you to all those who have contributed to our Media Ministry at St. Joe's

Cardinal Blase Cupich has appointed me the administrator of St. Stanislaus Parish in Posen, IL, effective July 1, 2021

March 28 begins a new era for St. Joseph’s Parish as The Carpenter moves from a weekly to a monthly publication and is reformatted into a new design.

Fr. Trout offers his reflection on the Year of St. Joseph

Father Hennessey shares an update on his health and a "thank you" for all of the well wishes.

St. Joseph Catholic School principal, Anne Phoenix, shares the reopening plans for the school year and why additional funding is crucial for success during the Covid 19 pandemic.

Deacon George Kashmar shares news about his departure from St. Joseph.

Father Trout attends a "Walk Out" ceremony for a good friend who recently retired from the Chicago Fire Department.

On May 13, 2020 I received a letter from Cardinal Cupich regarding a Multi-Phased Plan for Reopening Churches. I have forwarded this to the task force we established to assist in preparing for the reopening of our church.

"With those realities in mind, I am heartened to announce that we have reached an agreement with the Office of the Governor on a multi-phase Plan for re-opening our churches for the celebration of the sacraments, private prayer, adoration and Mass." -Cardinal Blaise Cupich

"When I was a child, and to some extent even today, mealtime had and still have a special significance in my family. It was a time to gather around our table to share the news of our day, what transpired in each one’s life that day, and to share some good food." -Father Martin

These are unprecedented times. Yet we know deep in our hearts that we are not alone or forsaken, and that God is with us. We know that his love for us—and the love and care we show each other—always triumphs over fear and darkness.

"Easter dawns accompanied by signs of spring – blooming tulips, crocuses and daffodils, budding trees and more daylight with each passing day – yet saying Happy Easter is a challenge this year..." -Father John Trout

"Indeed, God is good. The Resurrection of Jesus leads us out of exile from the land of sin and death to new life. The power and presence of the Risen Lord heals our wounded and fragile lives and binds our hearts with new hope." - Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago