Church guide

On Saturday, July 13, the Center for Correctional Concerns of the Will County Adult Detention Facility celebrated 40 years of ministry to the inmate population. Almost 70 current and former staff and volunteers gathered at the Joliet Franciscan Center to share their memories of service at the CCC. Founded in 1979, by Sister Vivian Whitehead who served as its director until 1988, the center provides programs that include social service, spiritual guidance, substance abuse education, counseling and placement into treatment programs, bible study opportunities and religious services. The CCC's GED program is very successful. When Sister Vivian left her position at the CCC to become Joliet Franciscan president in 1988, Sister Juanita Ujcik succeeded her as the CCC's director, a position she held until 2009. Sister Vivian returned to the CCC as an educator in 1992.

Good and Gracious God, there are times when I feel all alone. These are the times when I must remember that I am not alone. You are always with me. Thank You for always being there.

Good and Gracious God, help me to see the goodness in people. Sometimes I judge another too quickly before I see the good that lives within them. Thank You for being with me today.

In 2016, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate committed to a stance of Anti-Racism. As we take this position, we promise to make conscious intentional efforts to eradicate racism in all its forms – individual, cultural and institutional. For more information, please visit http://www.jolietfranciscans.org/arc/ Please enjoy this recording of "Children of the World".:http://www.jolietfranciscans.org/arc/

Good and Gracious God, I will be present for all who I interact with today. In being present, I hope I serve You well.

Good and Gracious God, each new day provides a new beginning. Please be with me as I move through this day and the days to come.

Good and Gracious God, I will take time today to reflect on all the good things in my life and there are many. I don't always realize how much I have been blessed with, but I am very fortunate. Thank You for Your never ending goodness.

Good and Gracious God, I pray that we become a world of understanding, one of tolerance. Only through understanding and tolerance that can we achieve a oneness. Thank You for Your understanding and patience of my shortcomings.

Good and Gracious God, too many people are being hurt or lost through acts of violence. How do we stop it? We must pray and then pray harder.

In 2006, the Joliet Franciscan Sisters and Associates committed to a Corporate Stance denouncing the practice of human trafficking and committing ourselves to the work of bringing about the elimination of this evil practice. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.jolietfranciscans.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Signs-of-Human-Trafficking.pdf

Good and Gracious God, I have many challenges facing me. I ask You to please guide me as I tackle each challenge and make good decisions.

Good and Gracious God, many people have passed through my life. Some have been there for just a short while others for significantly longer. Each has impacted me in some way and I am grateful for them. I ask that You bless and watch over them. And I thank You for You have been with me from my very beginning and are still present in my life.

Good and Gracious God, what is Your plan for me today? How will it be revealed? I will listen for Your words as You whisper to me through my heart, mind and soul.

Good and Gracious God, I am a small part of Your universe. But, with Your guiding hand, I can make a great and positive impact.

Good and Gracious God, help me to be more positive in the situations I face rather than the negative. With Your guiding hand, I have the ability within me to change things for the good.

Good and Gracious God, please be with the victims - the victims of those who do them harm. Let those who are victimized feel your loving presence with them. Please guide them to a safe place.

Good and Gracious God, bless our country and its people. I pray that we may continue to grow in our appreciation of our freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. Thank You for giving us this day to celebrate our freedoms.

The Joliet Franciscans wish you a safe and happy Fourth of July. God bless our country.

Good and Gracious God, I pray that all of us on Your earth will be kind to each other. We are Your family, Your children. Let us open hearts and minds to Your love and peace.

60 year Jubilarian Sister Mary Berendt (left) with Sister Rosemary Huzl, coordinator for Sisters living at OLA, share a light moment.