St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

Masses for the Week

Our sincere sympathy is extended to the Cigas & Hracho Families, and to the Bednar Family on the recent deaths of their loved ones. May they enjoy eternal peace.

Schedules

In Memoriam:
Sister M. Edmund Cigas, SS.C.M.

On Holy Saturday, April 11th, Sister M. Edmund Cigas of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius closed her eyes to this world and gained the experience of seeing her Lord face-to-face. A native of Coatesville, Sister Edmund had spiritual roots in St. Joseph Parish, as it was from here that she entered religious life in 1927. Her death came after a brief illness at Maria Hall Retirement Home in Danville, PA.

Hers was a distinguished life of service to the Church and the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius for more than 70 years. For 40 of those years, Sister Edmund taught in parochial elementary and junior high schools. An additional 6 years were spent as the principal of St. Joseph Parochial School, Bayonne, New Jersey. Sister Edmund also served in various leadership positions for her religious community, including local Superior and Director of Novices and Postulants. At the time of her death, Sister Edmund was directing the Religious Gift Shop at Maria Hall.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Edmund was celebrated on Easter Tuesday, April 14th, at the Sisters' Motherhouse in Danville. Hers was an Easter come early this year, and one that will last forever. May she rest from her labors, for she takes her good deeds with her. May this faithful Bride of Christ take her place at the eternal Wedding Feast in Heaven.

Our sincerest condolences are extended to Sister Edmund's family, both by blood and by vows, especially to her brother and sister who are our fellow parishioners; Andrew Cigas and Elizabeth Hracho. Mass will be offered for the happy repose of her soul in our Parish Church soon on a Saturday evening.

Parish Memorial Fund

Contributions to our Parish Memorial Fund in recent months have made possible the purchase of a sturdy brazier and stand for the lighting of the new fire at the Easter Vigil Service. Also, these donations have underwritten the expense of completely refinishing our handsome statue of the risen Christ. We are most grateful to our kind and thoughtful donors.

With Much Appreciation

Our execution of the Sacred Liturgy and the appearance of our Church itself are just about unmatched in reverence and beauty for the Solemn Ceremonies of Passion (Palm) Sunday, Holy Week and Easter. How grateful we are to the many dedicated, generous people, young and old, who make it possible! The hands and voices, hearts and spirits of so many are lifted up lovingly to create the arena of our worship at this most special time of the year. To them all we express our sincerest thank you. God love you for your kind efforts!

Easter Collection

Our sincere thanks to all who contributed to the Easter Collection and to all who participated in the Lenten and Easter Services. May God bless one and all!!!

Adult Choir Reminder

Rehearsals will resume on Wednesday evenings at 7pm, beginning this Wednesday, April 22nd. Please plan to attend. Thank you.

75th Anniversary Meeting

We will be holding a planning meeting on Monday, April 20th at 7:00pm in the parish hall for the St. Joseph's 75th Anniversary Celebration. We will be deciding on the banquet facility. Please plan to attend! If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Hillman.

A Family Perspective

If Jesus hadn't returned for Thomas to see, he probably wouldn't have believed that Jesus was truly risen. As families, we, too, often need to re-appear as witness for Christ, so that doubting family members will come to believe and have life in his name.

Alpha and Omega

Doubting Thomas touches the risen Lord! But Jesus says, "Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe." That's us. Jesus the Christ passes on his way and work through Peter, through the other apostles, through the church. These are the bearers of what is "not recorded in the books" about the living One, the First and the Last, the One who holds the keys of death and the underworld. Truly, the Christ is risen!

Memorial Mass

The Second Annual "We Are Remembered" Easter Mass (for families who grieve the death of a loved one) will be celebrated at St. Joseph Church in Downingtown on Tuesday, April 28th, at 8:00pm with a social to follow in the Education Center gym. No pre-registration is necessary. All are welcome. Call Kate at 269-0335 or Janis at 269-7352 for more information.

Clothing Drive

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, serving those in need of the Philadelphia area since 1851, is collecting donations of men's, women's, and children's clothing; along with usuable bath and bed linens; pots, pans, dishes, eating utencils; small appliances; books and toys and home furnishings. The Society can also use your plastic and paper bags. All donations made to The Society are tax-deductible. The public is invited to take all donations to our truck/trailer located on the grounds of:

• Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 338 Manor Avenue, Downingtown Saturday, May 9th, 9am - 5pm

• Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 219 Dayton Street, Phoenixville Thursday, May 14th, 9am - 2pm

• Our Lady of The Assumption Catholic Church, 35 Old Eagle School Road, Strafford (Wayne) Saturday & Sunday, Mary 16th & 17th, 8am - 6pm

• SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 1325 Boot Rd, West Chester Thursday, May 21st, 9am - 2pm

• Our Lady of The Rosary Catholic Church, 80 South 17th Avenue, Coatesville Saturday & Sunday, Mary 23rd & 24th, 9am - 2pm

For any further information or for furniture/large appliance pickup, please call (610)832-0900.

Attention High School Singers & Actors

The Office for Youth Young Adults is looking for six energetic teens who sing and like children for the Children's Summer Theater Program. Program runs from June 22nd thru August 7th. A small stipend is offered. Auditions will be held at the rehearsal site, the CSC Office at 1213 Clover Street, Philadephia, on May 6th & 7th. You must call Miss O'Donnell to schedule an audition at (610)649-9410. Prepare a song!

Women's Club News

Annual Card Party

Don't forget our Annual Card Party on Monday, May 4th at 7:00 PM in the Parish Hall. Call Mary Benkovich for tickets ($5.00) for an evening of fun and prizes and good refreshments. If you can help us out with a door prize ($5.00 Value) it would be very much appreciated.

Meeting

Our next Regular Meeting will be held on Sunday, April 26th at 7:00 PM in the Parish Hall. We are planning a delightful program which will be presented to us by the Golden Slippers, a dance troupe of the Oxford Senior Center. Please make note of the change of “day” for this meeting. Looking forward to a good representation of our members and parishioners at this presentation.

Officers Needed

It's that time of year - Time for the election of officers for the new year. If you are willing to serve in the capacity of any of the offices, please contact Ann B. Cigas before our April Meeting.

Patrons

Please remember to patronize these local business who have help to support the activities of the Women's Club during the month of April.

Coatesville Flower Shop 384-2677

Spring is here! Coatesville Flower Shop has that special beautiful bouquet of flowers for that special occasion - Call them today!

Florian Construction Company 857-9402

Planning to spruce things up a bit or make some changes? Florian Construction does custom brick, block, concrete, stone and even carpentry and decks.

Greg A Vietri, Inc. 383-1713

Greg is a local Electrical Contractor and can help you with all of your electrical needs.

Frank's Pools 942-9174

Summer is almost here - wanting to update your old pool? Frank's Pools do total pool repair to make your pool look like new. They also do tile, coping, decks, and plaster work.