St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

Masses for the Week

Memorials

Donation has been received and is gratefully acknowledged in memory of JEAN CISARIK from Rose Guldan and Mary Sabocsik.

Sincere sympathy is extended to Mr. & Mrs. Mark Gushanas family on the recent death of his father, Louis Gushanas, Jr. May he enjoy eternal peace.

Welcome

We would like to welcome into our Parish Community, Ms. Margaret Mary Cieslinski and Ms. Deborah DeLellis.

Announcements

We are please to announce the amounts we have donated to the following collections:

To date our Easter Collection is $11,891.00. Thank you and God bless you.

Catholic Charities Sunday

May 2nd-3rd, 1998

As you know, the Catholic Charities Appeal is an important campaign in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It is through the Appeal that our Archdiocesan family reaches out to our brothers and sisters in need.

But what if the Appeal wasn't able to raise the funds necessary for these programs? Would anybody notice? The answer is Yes, and the number of people who would feel the loss numbers over 250,000 children, seniors, men and women each year.

Established in the early fifties by Archbishop John F. O'Hara, C.S.C., the Catholic Charities Appeal was designed to aid the Archdiocese in the funding of the many social service programs that were being developed. Programs and institutions such as Divine Providence Village, St. Edmond's Home for Crippled Children and St. Vincent's Hospital all received funds from the first Catholic Charities Appeal.

The Catholic Charities Appeal has the ability to assist people in many different ways, at many different times in their lives. Please allow the Archdiocese to continue these services through your support of the Catholic Charities Appeal. Support the 1998 Catholic Charities Appeal through generous gifts of time, talent and treasure.

The Rosary Society

Intentions for May

1. That Mary our heavenly mother help all mothers to imitate her in their love and care of their families.
2. For God's holy church, that he may lead and unify it.

First Communion Day in the Parish

The joy of the Easter Season is compounded for us by our Parish Celebration of First Holy Communion at this Sunday's 10:30am Mass. It is a memorable sacramental event, bringing to the Table of the Risen Lord thirteen young First Communicants:

We share with their families and friends the happiness and pride of this beautiful occasion, as well as pray that our First Communicants will be drawn into a deeper relationship with Jesus through their frequent, fervent reception of the Holy Eucharist. Our sincerest congratulations are extended to the children and their parents! And our heartfelt appreciation goes out to Lisa Hillman and Pam Krupansky, Parish Catechists, who have worked so very closely with the youngsters in preparing them for their First Holy Communion Day.

A Special Day for Another Young Parishioner

This Sunday holds a very special meaning for Nicholas Ponto, son of Dr. & Mrs. Albert Ponto and a sixth grade student at Coatesville Catholic School. In solemn ceremonies, at 3:00pm, in St. Cecilia Church, Nicholas will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation as administered by Bishop Martin Lohmuller, Retired Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia. His sponsor for the Sacrament is William Swinty. With Confirmation, Nicholas completes the Rites of Initiation, is given the presence of the Holy Spirit in all fullness and is strengthened to witness to the risen Christ. Heartiest Congratulations to our young Confirmed and to his family and friends, who take joy and pride in the blessed occasion with him!

Archdiocesan Scholarship Award

Elizabeth Catanese has been named an Archdiocesan Scholar for Bishop Shanahan. During her senior year at Bishop Shanahan, Elizabeth will be attending full credit courses at Villanova University in the morning and classes at Bishop Shanahan in the afternoon. The scholarship was awarded based upon academic achievement, standardized test score, and a written essay. Congratulations, Liz. Our Parish family is very proud of you and wish you much success.

A Family Perspective

Today's second reading reminds us that surviving the trials and tribulations of our lives will bring us before God's throne. To survive, individual family members and whole families need the support and encouragement of people who share their Gospel values. Who supports and encourages your family's values?

May Procession

Please come to the Cathedral, at 18th and the Parkway at Logan Circle, for the May Procession. This one hour will bring you, your family, and most of all Mary our Mother, the greatest of joy. As we approach the year 2000, we should ask Mary to guide and protect us. She has asked us to pray for world peace, and on May 10th, we will pray for peace in our families, our nation, and our world.

Parishes, organizations, and schools are encouraged to carry banners. Children receiving their First Communion are invited to wear their white dresses/suits. For elderly people and others unable to attend, we are accepting "petitions and thank-you's" for Mary, which will be offered to Mary at the time of the crowning. The petitions will remain sealed. Please mail to: May Procession, Cathedral Rectory, 1723 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Women's Club News

Please Mark your calendars! Due to "lack of interest", the Annual Card Party scheduled for Monday, May 4th had to be cancelled.

However, please remember our Annual Parish Picnic, scheduled for June 14th. Details will be forthcoming next weekend. Please save this date in your busy schedule and join us. A great time was had by all last year.

Installation Dinner, Sunday, June 28th, at the WayneBrook Inn. Details in a future bulletin.

Help Needed

Camp Overbrook is looking for certified lifeguards to work with children from June 22nd to August 7th. This program is sponsored by the Office for Youth and Young Adults of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Philadephia Department of Recreation. Camp Overbrook provides recreational and cultural activities for children ages six through twelve. Staff arrive on the grounds of St. Charles Seminary at 8:15am and depart around 2:15pm. If interested in becoming a member of Overbrook's staff, please contact Mindy Boucher at (215)567-4280.

Family Life Information

Natural Family Planning classes will be held at St. Charles Seminary, Wynnewood; Assumption B.V.M. Parish, West Grove; St. Joseph Parish, Downingtown.

Courage is a spiritual support group for homosexual men and women seeking to live according to the Church's teaching on sexuality. For information, call (215)587-4505. Confidentiality is assured.

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

Separated and Divorced Catholics support programs are held throughout the Archdiocese.

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. For information please call 1-800-456-8330.

Retrouvaille is a program that helps couples in hurting marriages put the pieces back together and rebuild loving relationships. If your marriage is tearing the two of you apart, if there is little or no meaningful communication, Retrouvialle may be able to help you. For information call 1-800-470.2230

For more information on any of the above, please call the Family Life Office at (610)660-9002.