St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

Masses for the Week

Altar Servers

Donations

The following memorials are being gratefully acknowledged:

Recently a donation in the name of our Parish was made to the local Chapter of the American Cancer Society to promote cancer research. Our charity was prompted by the ACS's Annual Daffodil Day Campaign, and brings to us several bouquets of this early Spring flower. As the supply allows, these will be distributed next weekend to anyone who would care to take them to a sick or homebound family member or neighbor.

3rd Sunday of Lent - Holy Name

How many are the names of God! In our liturgy, we call upon the Lord, our Christ, for mercy. We ask our Father for our daily bread. We pray to the Holy Spirit to sanctify our gifts. And in all this we recall the revelation to Moses that our God is the God Who Is. This most wonderful of names reminds us that the holy presence is with us always, journeying with us, one with our sacrament, speaking the word of life. The God Who Is does not abandon us but ever offers us one more chance to bring forth fruit.

Days of Eucharistic Devotion

The weekend of our Annual Eucharistic Devotion concludes this Sunday, March 15th, with a Solemn Closing Service at 4:00pm. This service will be based upon the Church's Liturgy of the Hours with prayers, scripture and hymns, and will feature a Eucharistic Procession and Rite of Benediction. Our elementary school children from both public and parochial schools are especially urged to participate in the Procession; they should gather in the rear of Church no later than 3:45 on Sunday afternoon. It is hoped that many of our parishioners will be in attendance at these Closing exercises, blessed with the grace, peace and companionship of the Lord in His Sacrament of Life.

Be reminded too, that the hospitality of the St. Joseph Table awaits all participants in the Parish Hall, immediately following the Church Service. A bountiful presentation of covered dish and dessert offerings will be spread out, inviting everyone to feast and enjoy. In honor of our Parish Patron, we strengthen the bonds by which we are a Faith Community and break bread together in friendship. Our culinary delights are courtesy of the St. Joseph's Women's Club and the many fine cooks of our Parish, as organized by Fran Shesko and her band of generous helpers. A most sincere Thank You goes out to all who create this happy and tasty event.

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 7:00pm, in St. Joseph Church; on Wednesdays, at 5:30pm, 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 1:15pm, with the school children participating. On Saturdays, immediately following the 9:00am 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 Lenten Communal Penance Service will be conducted at 7:00pm 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 hearings 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!

Confessions

Kindly keep in mind that the hearing of confessions rotates between Saturday and Sunday. This weekend, the Sacrament of Penance will be offered on Sunday, March 15th, 9:45 to 10:15am; next weekend on Saturday, March 21st, 5:45 to 6:15pm.

Pastoral Council Meeting

The monthly Pastoral Council Meeting will be held on Monday, March 16th at 7:30pm in the Rectory Meeting Room.

Women's Club News

Easter/Spring Bazaar - Sunday, March 29th 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

We are looking for more responses to our Questionnaire last week in regard to manning our various activities at the Bazaar. Please let us hear from you.

Take-Out Orders

It’s not too early to place your Take Out Orders for Stuffed Cabbage and Pierogies. Call Ann Cigas.

$500 Chances

Also, a reminder to turn in your $500 chance tickets as soon as possible. This is very important to us. Thanks in advance.

Paskas (Easter Bread)

We are getting many requests for Easter Bread (Paskas). If you make them, will you please share your talents and make some for the Bazaar? Call Ann Cigas if you are able to help. PLEASE!

Eucharistic Devotion Covered Dish

We hope you all will enjoy our covered dish social following our Eucharistic Devotions Sunday afternoon sponsored by the Women’s Club. We look forward to seeing you there.Thank you for supporting all our activities.

Attention ALL Artists

We're looking for a logo to commemorate St. Joseph's Church 75th Anniversary. We would like the logo to include the colors of the Slovak flag: red, blue and white. Please drop off your artwork at the Rectory no later than Sunday, April 19th. Feel free to submit as many ideas as you would like! If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Hillman.

Eucharistic Devotion Procession

All the elementary school children of the parish - including those attending both public and catholic schools - are urged to participate in a procession during the closing service of the Eucharistic Devotion this Sunday. All the children are asked to meet for the procession in the back of church by 3:45pm.

Other Events of Interest

Open House

The adult education programs at Neumann College, Aston, PA, will be holding an Open House on March 19th, at 7:00pm in the Life Center. Come and learn about our fast track undergraduate program, business evening majors and graduate programs in education, nursing, pastoral care and counseling, and physical therapy. For more information or to reserve your place, please call (610)558-5604.

All Star Benefit Concert

Join us for a music filled night, featuring Irish Tenor Frank Patterson, and comedian Cozy Morley. Also, the Camden County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums and the Campbell Family Dancers. Saturday, April 18th, 7:30pm at the Cardinal O'Hara High School, Springfield, PA. FREE parking, FREE refreshments, and FREE door prizes. Tickets are $20.00 per person. Please send order and check to Sister Patrick, Holy Family Home, 5300 Chester Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143, or call at (215)729-5153.

Prep Summer School

The 35th Session of the St. Joseph Preparatory Summer School will run from June 29th thru July 29th. This enrichment program is designed to benefit current seventh graders and high school students. The Pre-Eighth Grade Program features Math, English, Computer Science and Physical Education. We also offer Latin, Government, Biology and Chemistry to High School students for full credit. There is also an extensive transportation program that makes it easy to get to and from the Prep. For further information, please contact Mr. Kevin Kelly or Mrs. Cheryle Levins at (215)978-1954.

Discernment Retreat

A Discernment Retreat is being sponsored by the Vocation Office for Diocesan Priesthood the weekend of April 3rd, 4th, 5th, 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.