Ministries to help...

Liturgy is at the heart of everything that we do.  It is the source and summit of the life of our parish.  We take to heart the value of coming together as one family of faith to give thanks and be fed at the table of Word and Eucharist.  Among our ministries are:

Extraordinary Ministers of Communion

Adult and Children choirs

Bell choir

Lector

Altar Server

Ushers

Welcoming Ministry

Arts & Environment Ministry

Sacristans Ministry

Linens Ministry

Also known as the Discipleship and Evangelization Commission, we offer programs and events to deepen our understanding of the Christian faith and the richness of our Catholic Tradition.  W offer the following:

Living Word Bible Study (Tuesdays) 

Growing in Faith Together (Wednesdays)

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults 

Faith Formation Programs

Baptismal Preparation Seminars

Wedding Preparation Seminars

Marriage Enrichment Programs

Faith Matters Series

The Parish of St. John Paul II feels called to reach out to the poor and to be a Church for the poor.  We come from a long tradition of service in our local community in Kankakee, and we have made a mark as a place of hope for so many in our area, where poverty continues to grow.  We continue to seek partners in our outreach efforts, including the following:  Azzarelli Free Clinic, Kankakee Catholic Food Pantry, Family Bridges, Couples Date Night, Lisieux Learning Link Tutorial Program, Immigration Ministry, Youth Outreach to Pembroke Township, Red Cross Blood Drives, Parish Nursing Program, Homebound Ministry, and Pro-life Ministry, Back to School Giving Tree, Christmas Giving Tree

 Teenagers from St. John Paul II are led by longtime youth leaders, Ken and Michelle Barrie.  Bridging communities and hosting special events throughout the year to cater to the needs of our youth, John Paul II Parish is growing in its identity as the parish for young Catholics!  Youth events are held on Sunday evenings, after the 5PM Mass - come join us at The Gathering.  Among the biggest Youth Events in our parish are:

The Gathering (Sundays)

One Bread, One Cup Liturgical Conference

Pembroke Mission

Breakfast Fundraising Event

Harvest Sunday

Joliet Diocese Youth Leadership Conference 

Advent Taize service

 St. John Paul II's is a community, and we are called to build community.  We pride ourselves of being intentional in building relationships with one another, and being good at taking care of one another as brothers and sisters.  We continue to grow as a family, and we celebrate this bond of faith that God has given us.  And so, to build our community, we have the following:

JPII Parish Picnic

Dinner with Twelve New Friends

Martha Ministry

Council of Catholic Women

Knights of Columbus

Daughter of St. Anne

Parish Festival

Fellowship Sundays

Our parish welcomes our Hispanic brothers and sisters, and we desire that our spiritual home can be their spiritual home too.  Our growing Hispanic community started their spiritual home at the former St. Teresa Church, and later on another community started at St. Rose of Lima.  These communities are now unified into our parish as the St. John Paul II Hispanic Ministry.  Some programs sponsored by our Hispanic Commission are:

Independence Day Kermes

Guadalupe Feastday

Tres Reyes Weekend

Encuentros Juveniles

XV Encuentro

Adoracion Nocturna Ministry