St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

Masses for the Week

Announcements

Donations in memory of Rose Kozacheson have been received and are gratefully acknowledged: Andrew Bullock, Agnes Novotny, Camilla M. Teti, Secular Franciscan Order; St. John the Evangelist Fraternity.

In recent months, donations to the Parish Memorial Fund have made possible the purchase of several sets of Mass Vestments in the various liturgical colors, Communion stoles in the colors of the liturgical seasons, main altar cloth and other sanctuary linens, and a matching credence table. We are sincerely grateful to our kind donors for their thoughtfulness and generosity, and pledge them a continuous remembrance in our prayers at the altar. God love you!

Beginning next school year, 1998-1999, Coatesville Area Catholic Elementary School will conduct full day Kindergarten Classes using the facilities of the Schneider Center, Parkesburg. The option of half-day sessions will likewise be offered. Registration will be held in the Primary School Office (St. Cecilia Building) on Monday, January 26th, and Tuesday, January 27th, from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Kindergarten children must be five years old by September 1st, 1998 to qualify for enrollment. For further information, please call the School Office at 384-5961.

January 22nd sadly brings the 25th Anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing the practice of abortion in our country. An estimated 37 million babies have died and their mothers have been wounded over these past 25 years. Join Pro-Life forces as they speak out against and pray for an end to this slaughter of the innocents. We list a few opportunities: Chester County March for Life in West Chester on Sunday, January 18th, at 2:30pm, stepping off from 232 West Market Street; March for Life in Washington, D.C. with bus transportation available, on Thursday, January 22nd; Prayer Walk & Life Chain in West Chester on Thursday, January 22nd, from 11:45am to 1:00pm; Stand Up for Life Rally in Philadelphia on Thursday, January 22nd, at 12 noon, in City Hall Courtyard. For full information on any of the above events, please call the Chester County Pro-Life Coalition, West Chester at (610)692-4463.

Pastoral Council

A Pastoral Council meeting will be held on Monday, January 19th, at 7:30pm. We will meet in the Rectory. We will be reviewing our parish and cluster goals under the area of Worship. All Pastoral Council Members are urged to attend.

No Time for Fasting

Water turns to wine, and wine to blood. This is one of the central Christian mysteries, how an ordinary drink becomes miraculously transformed. The mystery speaks of thirst, of both the body and the spirit. We know we cannot survive without water, nor can our spirit live apart from Christ. In the cup we share, we experience the celebration of the wedding feast. The bridegroom comes; this is no time for fasting! The renewed practice of receiving both body and blood in Communion reminds us of the sobering question Jesus put to his first disciples: "Can you drink from the cup of which I will drink?" Our action is our assent.

A Family Perspective

The newly married couple in today's Gospel had just become a family, a "home church". Most couples fulfill the life-giving component of their marriage covenant by welcoming children. Those who are unable to have children are also families and home churches, and, like other families, are called to be life-giving beyond themselves.

Open House

Devon Prep's Open House is Sunday, February 1st, beginning at 1:00pm. Devon's Scholarship & Entrance Test is offered Saturday, February 7th, at 8:30am, and Sunday, February 8th, at 8:30am. For further information, please call the Director of Admissions at (610)688-7337.

High School Emmaus Nights

High School Emmaus Nights for 11th and 12th grade young men are being sponsored by the Vocation Office for Diocesan Priesthood - This series is designed to help the young man who is discerning the call to priesthood. Those discerning will meet on the third Wednesday of each month from 7:30 to 9:30pm at St. Charles Seminary resuming on Wednesday, January 21st, 1998. He will come together with other high school students who are in the same process. The evening will include prayer and discussion. No registration is needed. Call the Vocation Office for details, (610)667-5778.

Family Life Information

Marriage Encounter Weekends - The greatest gift we can give our children is our love for one another. To refresh your maritial love, make a Marriage Encounter Weekend. For information, call John and Sally Rahner, at (800)456-8330.

Natural Family Planning - classes are held in Chester County and at the Family Life Office on the campus of St. Charles Seminary, Wynnewood. For a schedule, 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.

Encourage - support group for parents, relatives, and friends of homosexual persons. Meets monthly. For information, call Courage/Encourage at (215)587-4505. Confidentiality is assured.

Retrouvaille - Is your marriage in trouble? Are both of you willing to work at saving it? Call (800)470-2230, for information on this program to help heal and renew troubled marriages.

Women's Club News

Reminder

Regular Meeting next Monday, January 26th at 7:30 PM in the School Hall. Refreshment Committee - Rose Hudock and Anne Reshey. We are hoping for a wonderful turn-out to help plan our spring activities. Thank you in advance.