Twin Priests, a Shared Vocation, and a

Once-in-a-Lifetime Meeting

KSKJ Life’s National Spiritual Advisor, Fr. Richard Gielow, and his twin brother, Fr. Robert Gielow, recently experienced an unforgettable moment in their lifelong journey of service. As twin priests in the same religious order founded by St. Vincent de Paul, their shared vocation has always been a remarkable story—one defined by faith, dedication, and a deep commitment to the communities they serve. Recently, their journey took them all the way to Rome for a visit with Pope Leo.

During their conversation, Fr. Richard and Fr. Robert were honored to receive the Pope’s gratitude for their 55 years of priesthood. Their decades of ministry—marked by parish missions, spiritual guidance, and continued active service—left a strong impression. Pope Leo complimented their ongoing work and expressed appreciation for the unique blessing of twin brothers dedicating their lives to the same religious mission.

In true Chicago fashion, the conversation ended with a lighthearted moment. The brothers shared that they are lifelong Chicago White Sox fans. The Pope smiled warmly and replied, “Maybe next year.”

Before they departed, Pope Leo presented each of them with special rosaries, a meaningful and treasured symbol of the visit.

A Holiday Message From

KSKJ Life's Spiritual Advisor

Dear KSKJ Life members,

Sometimes it might feel like the world just isn’t cooperating with us. Your baseball team didn’t make the World Series; your football team might not make the playoffs; the weather is getting colder; prices still haven’t gone down; and we might be dealing with a few challenging situations. And yet, we just celebrated a wonderful Thanksgiving. We might have watched a lot of football, but for a couple of days we simply enjoyed family and friends and a very nice meal. We truly do have much to be thankful for.

And now Christmas is coming—another great blessing, a time when we can share love and experience peace, joy, and happiness. We see the excitement in children as they open their gifts and their faces light up with happy smiles. We show our love for one another with a gift, a visit, or a kind word. We reflect on the meaning of this season and, for a while, set aside the everyday frustrations to focus on what matters most. We are truly blessed.

My hope is that on January 1st, we continue to remember the true spirit of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

May God bless you all.

Fr. Richard Gielow, CM

Learn how a MYGA could fit into your goals. We’re here to help guide you.

Get Ready for Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday… and a Smart Financial Move This December

The holiday season is here, and with it comes a whirlwind of excitement — Black Friday deals, Cyber Monday steals, and the generosity of Giving Tuesday. As you prepare for a busy start to December, it’s also a great time to think about opportunities that can benefit YOU and your long-term goals. At KSKJ Life, we’re here to help you finish the year strong.

If you’re looking for a safe, stable way to grow your savings, our Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity* (MYGA) offers competitive fixed rates — currently up to 5.45% APY** .

If you’d like to learn how a MYGA could fit into your goals, we’re here to help guide you.

Holiday Kindness

✨ 12 Days of Kindness Challenge ✨

Spread holiday cheer with simple acts of kindness! Join us for 12 days of meaningful, easy activities that members can do on their own or with family.

Day 1: Compliment someone today
Day 2: Hold the door for a stranger
Day 3: Donate canned goods to a local pantry
Day 4: Call or visit an elderly neighbor
Day 5: Send a handwritten holiday card
Day 6: Pick up litter in your community
Day 7: Leave a positive note for someone to find
Day 8: Donate gently used winter clothing
Day 9: Pay for someone’s coffee or meal
Day 10: Share a warm smile with everyone you meet
Day 11: Bake cookies for a friend or coworker
Day 12: Donate to KSKJ Life's Supporting Soldiers Campaign HERE

KSKJ LIFE MEMBERSHIP

Find Balance This Season with YogaVista

As the year wraps up and the holiday season gets busy, it’s the perfect time for members to lean into the wellness benefits available to them-starting with YogaVista.

YogaVista offers gentle, accessible yoga classes designed especially for older adults and beginners. With on-demand videos, members can stretch, strengthen, and de-stress anytime that fits their holiday schedule.

Why it’s great for year-end wellness:

• Easy for all abilities - including chair yoga and low-impact classes
• On-demand convenience during a hectic season
• Supports relaxation and stress relief
• Helps build healthy habits going into the new year

This season encourages members to give themselves the gift of movement, calm, and self-care. YogaVista makes it simple to stay active, centered, and well—through the holidays and beyond.

Plan Ahead With KSKJ Life

December  7th: Joliet Lodge #29 Meeting and Election
Election of officers for 2026 will take place at this meeting. If you are interested in being an officer, please come to the meeting or reach out to one of the current officers.
 

December 14th: Lodges #79 & #53 Annual Family Christmas Party
St. Mary #79 and St. Joseph #53 will be hosting their annual Family Christmas Party on Sunday, December 14th. Families with youth members under the age of 18 are welcome to register for this fun event. Once again we will be doing an oatmeal drive at the event. Families are asked to donate boxes of instant oatmeal, and the children will repackage them for distribution at a Waukegan area Food Pantry.

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