St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

Masses for the Week

Welcome

We would like to welcome Mr. Jeffrey J.Seiss to our Parish Community.

Memorial Mass

Next Sunday, May 17th, marks the First Anniversary of the death of our beloved Pastor, Father Cyril S. Ponisciak. To mark this anniversary, the 10:30 Mass that morning will be offered for the happy repose of his priestly soul. We expect that members of the Ponisciak Family will be in attendance, to observe this occasion with us. All parishioners are invited to participate in our May 17th Liturgy. In keeping with Father Cy's delight in seeing people come together in fellowship, coffee and donuts will be served to all in the Parish Hall immediately following the Memorial Mass.

In Tribute to Mary, Our Mother

At the conclusion of the 10:30 Mass next Sunday morning, May 17th, a reverent Tribute to the Blessed Virgin Mary will take place, climaxing in the crowning of her image. Our Children's Choir and the First Holy Communion Class will be especially featured. We trust that many of our parishioners will be participating. Please note that our First Communicants should report to Mr. Frank Lasak, Jr, in the rear of the Church, no later than 10:10am next Sunday, for a brief rehearsal of their part in the Marian Tribute.

Catholic Charities Appeal

Our Catholic Charities Collection last weekend only amounted to $1,805.00 with only 19 parishioners out of 296 giving. We urge you to please make your contributions this weekend. Our 1998 Parish goal this year is $8,200. We have always reached our goal and hopefully this year will be no different but we need your support. If you forgot your envelope this weekend - drop it in the mail to St. Joseph's Church, 404 Charles Street.
In the spirit of christian stewardship, we ask you to reflect on your many blessings and respond with a generous gift to the Catholic Charities Appeal. Thank you .

Ann B. Cigas, 1998 Chairman

A Kindness Acknowledged

Recently, a letter of appreciation from the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius was received at our Rectory Office in response to a Parish contribution made in loving memory of Sister M. Edmund Cigas. The letter's author was Sister M. Paracleta Amrich, General Superior of Sister Edmund's religious community. It seems most fitting to share this portion of the letter with our parishioners:

"We thank you and, through you, the parishioners of St. Joseph's for your expression of condolences, the support of prayers that wended their way to the Lord soon after Sister's death amid the glow of Easter peace and joy, and the special Mass intention set for her at a Parish Mass on Saturday, May 16th. We are grateful...We join our prayers to Sister Edmund's that our joint intercession will keep before the Lord the particular needs of the Parish as a whole and the individuals who comprise this special faith community, with yourself, dear Father Oulds, as its chief guide and presider. God's blessings in abundance be upon all of you."

Love One Another

Liturgy is to faith what poetry is to prose and love is to life. Aren't our lives prosaic without love? Who can even imagine a gospel without love? And can't faith without worship get fuzzy, unsung and routine? How do we measure love for one another? Surely not by emotional states fallen into or out of, but rather by lives given and trials endured: "We must undergo many trials if we are to enter God's reign." Love is the poetry of a marriage, the grace-filled bond between a baby and its mother. And what do we celebrate in liturgy if not love: God's for us and ours for God and one another?

Manna Food Drive

Sturdy bags are available this weekend for your donations of non-perishable foods to the Archdiocesan Manna Food Drive, to be conducted next weekend, May 16th/17th. Foods such as stew, soup, cereal, pasta, tuna and peanut butter are in great demand at the various Emergency Food Cupboards across the five counties of our Archdiocese, including that located in Coatesville. The lives of so many, young and old, are touched by your generosity to the Annual Manna Food Drive. Please drop off your food donations in the Church vestibule next weekend. Thank you!

Congressional Update

Our National Congress recently passed two separate pieces of legislation that represent major strides on the issue of school choice. Congress' passage of tuition vouchers of $3,200 for students in the District of Columbia and tax-free educational savings accounts for all parents in the U.S. Affirm the rising tide of support for school choice measures. Also, in a victory for the Pro-Life Movement, Congress recently approved a bill that would ban U.S. Aid to any international family planning group that performs or promotes abortions. Congressmen Pitts (610-444-4581) and Weldon (610-640-9064) voted in favor of these three bills. Kindly contact them and thank them for their support.

A Special Invitation

On Friday, May 15th, at 10:30am, on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway & 20th Street, Philadelphia, a Solemn Installation of the flag of Slovakia will take place with the City's Mayor and the Slovak Ambassador presiding. Prior to this event, a Mass will be offered for the people of the newly established Slovak Nation at 9:00am, in the Cathedral-Basilica of SS. Peter & Paul, 18th Street and the Parkway. All parishioners are cordially invited to attend these singular festivities honoring an industrious, religious and persevering people.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

This weekend, Confessions will be heard on Sunday, May 10th, from 9:45 until 10:15am. On the following weekend, Confessions will be heard on Saturday, May 16th, from 5:45 until 6:15pm. Subsequent weekends will continue with a similar rotation between Sunday and Saturday. Also, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at anytime upon request.

Parish Directory Available

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Craig Cigas, an attractive and complete Directory of Parish Services is available from a basket in the rear of Church. Within its pages, frequent questions are answered, a who's who is listed, organizations and activities are given and a brief Parish history appears. If you have not already taken one, please do so and retain it as a handy resource of the many elements comprising the pastoral life of St. Joseph Church.

A Family Perspective

Our readings the past few weeks have mentioned the "elders" of the Church several times. Our home churches have "elders", too. Why not "call the congregation" of the family together, and have your elders relate "all that God had helped them accomplish, and how he opened the door of faith" for them?

Clothing Drive

Do your spring cleaning and recycle!

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, serving families in need of the Philadelphia area since 1851, is pleased to announce the establishment of its first Clothing Donation Center/Collection Box in Chester County. The Center is located on the parking lot of the new Home Depot Store located at 690 Lancaster Pike in Frazer. The public is invited to bring their tax-deductible donations of usable clothing to this convenient collection location---open to receive donations seven days a week.

Continuous collection of clothing donations allow The Society to fulfill the constant needs of the underprivileged. The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul annually serves over 8,000 Philadelphia area individuals assisting with material, emotional and spiritual needs regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation. The Society's Central Council Office, along with its 800+ volunteers, provides food, clothing, basic necessities and financial support, and operates five thrift stores assisting the disadvantaged throughout the Philadelphia five county area.

The Society would like to thank the management of the new Frazer Home Depot Store for their tremendous support in this endeavor. All donations made at this location are tax deductible. Donors are invited to call (610)832-0900, to receive a tax receipt. Donations are limited to clothing only at this location.

Hoagie Sale

The Congrega Society of Our Lady of the Rosary Church is having a Hoagie Sale on Friday, May 15th. Orders can be placed for noon or for 5:00pm pickup at the Church Hall. Choices are $4.00 for Italian or $3.50 for American. To order, please call Pat.

Emmaus Nights

A Discernment Series sponsored by the Vocation Office for Diocesan Priesthood. Bi-monthly sessions, on the second and fourth Wednesday, 7:30-9:30pm, continuing on Wednesday, May 13th at Saint Charles Seminary for those men who are seriously discerning the call to priesthood. The evening will include communal prayer, topics of interest, group discussion and refreshments. No registration is needed. Call the Vocation Office for details (610)667-5778.

A Happy Mother's Day to All Mothers both living and deceased!