St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

Masses for the Week

Donations

The following memorials are being gratefully acknowledged:

2nd Sunday of Lent - Glory

Though we do not sing the Gloria in this season, we cannot help but speak of glory. Our citizenship is in God's heavenly reign, and in the story of the transfiguration of Christ Jesus we understand that our destiny is glory. How do we get from here to glory? Paul tells us not to serve the "belly god", the urge to satisfy ourselves alone. The traditional sacrifice of fasting, prayer and almsgiving helps us change our focus from the belly god to the God of Glory. We deny ourselves, remember God and serve our neighbor. The union of these three humbling practices transfigures us beyond recognition.

Mass Opportunities During Lent

Daily morning Mass, Monday through Saturday, is offered at 9 o’clock, alternating weekly between St. Joseph Church and St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. On two nights of the week, evening Mass is celebrated on Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, in St. Joseph Church; on Wednesdays at 5:30 PM, in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.

Lenten Way of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross Devotion, a venerable Lenten exercise, will be conducted in both churches on Thursdays at 1:15 PM with the school children participating. On Saturdays, immediately following the 9:00 AM Mass, the Stations of the Cross Devotion will be conducted in the Church designated as the Worship Site for that week.

Communal Penance Service in Lent

As Easter nears, on Monday, March 30th, a Lental Communal Penance Service will be conducted at 7:00 PM in St. Joseph Church. At the conclusion of the Service, based on the Way of the Cross, several priests will be available for the individual hearing of confessions. We welcome your participation.

Lenten Almsgiving

Operation Rice Bowl invites your participation during Lent to assist in feeding the world’s starving and malnourished people. Your kind donation may be placed in the specially marked receptacles in the rear of the Church. Thank you!
Ecumenical Service This Weekend

Sponsored by our area Churches, a Lenten Unity Service, featuring an Ecumenical Children’s Choir, will be conducted in the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepard, South 17th Avenue, this Sunday, March 8th, at 4:00 PM. Come and join our community in prayer as we strive to be one human family before the Face of God. Refreshments will follow in the Church Hall.

Eucharistic Devotion Procession

All the elementary school children of the parish - including those attending both public and catholic schools - are invited to participate in a procession during the closing service of the Eucharistic Devotion on Sunday March 15th. We will hold a brief practice on Sunday March 15th during our regular CCD meeting time (approximately 9:30 am). All the children are asked to meet for the procession in the back of church by 3:45pm next Sunday. (Even if you can't make it to the practice session, you are still welcome to participate!)

January / February Pastoral Council Meetings

During our January meeting, we discussed how we worship as a parish community. This discussion included many changes related to worship including an improved sound system, an additional eucharistic minister on Sundays, and the use of a new combination hymnal and missalette to help encourage congregational singing. We also discussed expanding the Eucharistic devotion from one day to two days and how we could encourage more parishioners to participate in eucharistic adoration. The coodination of Lenten services between the two parishes was also reviewed.

During our February meeting, we continued planning for the eucharistic devotion in March. Part of this planning included an introduction to the custom of St. Joseph's table, which was chosen as the theme for our covered dish supper following the eucharistic devotion. The involvement of men in the spiritual life of the parish was also discussed. This discussion included a review of the history of the currently inactive Holy Name Society. As a first step toward encouraging fellowship among the men of the parish, tenative plans were made for a men's communion breakfast to be held on September 27th.

The next meeting of the pastoral council will be held on Monday, March 16th at 7:30pm in the rectory meeting room.

A Family Perspective

St. Paul encourages the Philippians to imitate him. Children are natural imitators, which is why the good example of parents and other adults is so important. What things in your life do you and don’t you want the children in your family and community to imitate?

Women's Club News

Easter/Spring Bazaar

Sunday, March 29th - 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the Parish Hall. Please return your $500 chance sales as soon as possible. Please don’t put them aside and forget them. Return them this week-end so this will not happen. Thank you for supporting this aspect of the Bazaar.

Take-out Orders

Take-out orders for pierogies, stuffed cabbage and nut rolls can be placed by calling Ann Cigas. We have a limited number of all the above, so place your orders early so as not to be disappointed. We hope all parishioners are planning what they will be baking for the Bazaar. We concentrate our efforts at this Bazaar on the Bake Table since we as a Club do not have too many activities planned because of the various crafters who will be exihibiting their wares. Please plan to help us. Thank you.

Help Wanted

Attached to this Bulletin, you will find a help wanted form which we hope you will complete. We are inviting you all to come out and help us man the various activites at the Bazaar. If you are not able to help at this event, fill it out anyway for future events such as the Card Party and Parish Picnic.

Eucharistic Devotions Covered Dish

Don’t forget to call Fran Shesko no later than Sunday, March 8th if you are planning to attend the Eucharistic Devotions Covered Dish. We still need to hear from many of you.

75th Anniversary Meeting

The meeting will be held this Wednesday, March 11th. Even if you were not able to attend the first meeting, you are still welcome to come. Also, please don’t forget to return your Questionnaire on this event. We have received quite a few with many good ideas and suggestions. Thank you.

Other Events of Interest

Coatesville Catholic School News

Hustle and talent paid off for our Coatesville Catholic Boys JV Basketball Team, as they won the Division One JV Basketball Tournament recently hosted by Assumption BVM Parish, West Grove. Heartiest congratulations to the 5th and 6th Grade team members: Justin Pappas, Robert Hennessey, Richie Gallagher, Nick Ponto, Brett Gushanas, Jared DiGuiseppe, William Gallagher, Brian Powell, Stephen Hurley, Ben Rasp, Michael Ward, Dominic Fantanarosa and Gary Walton. Way to go!

The Beatles Revisited

On Saturday, April 18th, at 8:00 PM, in Alumne Hall Theatre, Immaculata College, the Parents Guild presents “IMAGINE: The Beatles Tribute.” This two hour show features a live band performing the Beatles’ greatest hits, in costumes from the early days. Tickets are $15/Adult, $12/Student; call 1-800-388-2909. Visa and Mastercard accepted. Relive the magic of the Fab Four.

Spiritual Time Away

St. Mary of Providence Center, 227 Isabella Road, Elverson will hold a Lenten Day of Recollection on Wednesday, March 25th, from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Father Robert Murray, O.S.A. will serve as the day’s spiritural director. To register, please call 942-4166.

Adoption Agency

La Vida, a State-licensed, non-profit adoption agency, needs parents to adopt orphaned Asian-born infants, opening hearts and homes to these abandoned youngsters. Interested parties are invited to attend the next orientation meeting. For further information, kindly call Elyse at (908) 850-4641 or Michaelina at (215) 230-4956.

Attention All High School Students

Are you interested in service in the Southwest? From June 20-June 30 travel with 11 other teens to Arizona to live and teach on a reservation, experience Native American culture and hike the Grand Canyon. Call Mike or Miss O’Donnell at 610/649-9410 NOW for info and application.

Young Adult Gathering

SPRINGFEST ’98 , the 10th annual gathering of Catholic Young Adults, will be held on Saturday, April 4 and is sponsored by Young Adult Ministry of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. This fun and unique day, held at Gwynedd Mercy College, will include dynamic workshops, outdoor activities, many opportunities to meet and interact with other Catholic young adults, Mass, dinner and dancing. Pre-registration is required by March 27. Call Joy at 610/649-9476 for a brochure and our free newsletter.

Discernment Retreat

- is being sponsored by the Vocation Office for Diocesan Priesthood the WEEKEND OF MARCH 20-21-22, 1998. The retreat will be held at Saint Charles Seminary. College-age and young adult men and high school seniors are invited to attend. Call the Vocation Office for details 610/667-5778.