Masses for the Week
Join in SingingPentecost Sunday Among the most vital of our responsibilities as a community of faith, is sharing in worship with one another. Our Sunday celebration, the Mass, is best celebrated when we all participate.
AnnouncementsLast Sunday's Collection was $1,126.00. Thank you and God bless you. Donation in memory of Pauline Matejkovic from Anna M. Godschall. Beginning June 1st, there will be only one Mass on Sundays - 10:00am (during vacation time). 1997 Catholic Charities AppealWe urge those who have not returned their charity envelope to please do so as soon as possible. We must reach our goal - we need your help! To date we have only collected $3,324.00 with 106 parishioners participating - that is only about 1/3 of our parish members. We need the support of our remaining parishioners. We have to collect $4,676.00 to meet our goal. Please don't let this year be the first year that St. Joseph's did not meet their goal! Choir NewsReminder - The Annual Choir Picnic will be held on this Sunday, May 18th at 3:00pm at Craig's house. If you need directions, please call 873-6564. BYOLC. We will be singing this weekend and next weekend at the 11:00am Mass. Next Sunday will be the last one for the season. I will be collecting folders and tapes from everyone in the next two weeks. Please do not forget to bring them to church. I would like to take this time to thank everyone for all of their efforts. We had a terrific year. I hope to see all of your back next year along with some new faces. Craig Cigas, Music Director Holy SpiritThe Spirit is coming! The Spirit is coming! "It's not new wine. We're drunk on God's presence." God is so overwhelming that we can only drop our jaws and marvel when we receive the Spirit. Christ Jesus "tuned down his godness" (kenosis) so he could deal with us as equals. Yet today, the fiftieth part of Easter - Pentecost - all three persons of the Holy Trinity burst forth with love, rolling like fiery lava over creation, filling the faithful with the divine Spirit of life. Wow! A Family PerspectiveThe Apostles didn't recognize Jesus until they saw his wounds. God's presence isn't found only in the joyful moments of family life. We can expect to find God in the "evening of the day," when we are exhausted and cranky, and when we are most aware of our family's failures and shortcomings. Today's Gospel reminds us that the wounded Jesus is standing among us, urging us to forgive and offering us peace. |
Older American MonthThe month of May has been proclaimed by Congress as "Older American Month". Elder Pennsylvanians deserve honor and respect...not abuse. Old age is something we should treasure. But for some elderly people, it is a time for crying. The abuse of elderly people is something that people do not usually talk about. It is a shameful secret. But it happens in all communities. Sometimes there is even abuse of the elderly in families where everything appears to be fine. What is elder abuse?It is when someone takes the money an elderly person needs to live. It is when someone pushes or hits an elderly person who is too frail to defend herself. It is when no one takes care of an elderly person who cannot take care of himself. If you have elderly persons in your family and your community, here is how you can show them honor and respect. Do
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This message has been brought to you by the Chester County Department of Aging Services. For more information or to stop Elder abuse in your community, please call (800)564-7000. Life AwarenessIf you are thinking about being a priest, sister or brother, come to Life Awareness. A weekend of prayer and discussion about this kind of life has been planned for you by the five Serra Clubs of the Archdiocese. It is open to single Catholic men and women, ages 18 to 40, on the Rosemont College Campus, July 11th-13th, 1997. There is no charge. Application forms may be found at the church doors. For more information, please call Mr. Frank Hallinan, (215)563-7000 or Father Greg Parlante (610)667-5778. The Exorcist, I not IIOur culture is becoming far too specialized. Some time ago a priest was called to exorcise the devil out a parishioner. A year later, the cleric was called again. "Sorry," the priest said, "I deal in possessions, not re-possessions." - Helen T. Hughes Women's Club NewsParish PicnicLet's hear from you. Make your reservations as soon as possible to aid us with our planning. Tickets will be sold at all Masses. $5.00 for adults and Children 12 and under are FREE. Let's make this a grand parish get-together. The picnic will be held rain or shine! Installation DinnerOur Annual Installation Dinner will be held on Sunday, June 22nd at The Stottsville Inn. Call Ann Cigas (384-2955) for reservations. Family Life InformationGroup Skills Training - with a family perspective is being offered to anyone whose ministry touches families - support group and committee leaders, pastoral council members, etc. on June 7th. For more information, call the Family Life Office at (610)660-9002. Marriage Encounter - the greatest gift we can give our children is our love for one another. To refresh your marital love, make a marriage encounter weekend. The next weekend will begin on June 20th. For more information, call Dan & Kathy O'Shea, (800)456-8330. Natural Family Planning - classes will begin on June 18th at 7:30pm, at the Family Life Office on the campus of St. Charles Seminary, Wynnewood. For information, call the Family Life Office at (610)660-9002. Separated, Divorced & Widowed - support group meets monthly at 7:30pm in the school meeting room of St. Joseph, Downingtown. For information, call Clara Shinpaugh at (610)873-8390. Phases - a nine week program addressing issues of separation/divorce, will be starting in Delaware/Chester County in June. For more information and a registration form, call the Family Life Office at (610)660-9002. Encourage - support group for parents, relatives, and friends of homosexual persons. Meets monthly. For information, call Courage/Encourage, (215)587-4505. Confidentiality is assured. |