St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

Masses for the Week

Catholic Charities Appeal

In this renewal year, we invoke the aid of the Holy Spirit, Giver of Hope, to help us spread the Gospel of Christ.

Through your generous gifts of time, talent and treasure, the Catholic Charities Appeal brings hope to thousands of men, women and children each year.

Thank you for your support of the Catholic Charities Appeal at St. Joseph's Parish.

Our second week's collection amounted to $2,943.00. Together with last week's contributions we have now reached $4,748.00 of our goal leaving a balance of $3452.00 to collect. To date we have heard from 73 parishioners out of a total of 297! May we hear from you this week?!

Ann B. Cigas
Catholic Charities Chairman

Announcements

We congratulate Mr. & Mrs. Danny Ohar, Jr, on the recent baptism of their son Ryan Daniel Ohar.

Acknowledged is a donation to the parish in memory of Father Cy Ponisciak by Gerald Bugar.

In your prayers, please pray for the repose of the soul of Mrs. Vivoldi, mother of our parishioner, Amelia Shubrooks.

Holy Day of Obligation

The Solemnity of Our Lord's Ascension falls on Thursday of this week, May 21st. It is a Holy Day of Obligation. A Vigil Mass will be offered in our Church on Wednesday evening at 7 o'clock. On the Holy Day itself, Masses will be celebrated at 9:00am and 7:00pm in nearby St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. Ascension Thursday is the fortieth day after Easter Sunday and marks Jesus' return in glory to the right hand of the Father, there to intercede for us.

Pastoral Council Meeting

The monthly pastoral council meeting will be held on Monday, May 18th at 7:30pm in the Rectory meeting room.

Memorial Day Mass

Weather allowing, in observance of Memorial Day, May 25th, an outdoor Mass will be celebrated at 9:30am in St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery, Waterworks Road, West Caln Township. It will be offered for the happy repose of the souls of all who rest in this consecrated soil. Participants are invited to gather at the Shrine of the Pieta, and to bring with them some type of folding chair. Should weather not allow, this Holiday Liturgy will take place at 9:30am in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.

Pentecost '98 at Villanova University

On Sunday, May 31st, the very special Archdiocesan Renewal Event, Pentecost '98, will take place in the afternoon at the Pavilion of Villanova University. Those who signed up to participate as our parish delegation are requested to assemble in front of St. Joseph Church that day no later than 12:45pm. A chartered bus will be taking us to and from the Renewal Event. If anyone else would like to join our number, please register your interest with Andrea Levenite at 384-4665. We can accommodate additional participants.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

This weekend, Confessions will be heard on Saturday, May 16th, from 5:45 until 6:15pm. On the following weekend, Confessions will be heard on Sunday, May 24th, from 9:45 until 10:15am. Also, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at anytime upon request.

A Family Perspective

Peace is Jesus' farewell to his disciples. What farewell gifts are you preparing to leave your family: memories of peace and harmony or of conflict and dissension? The time to build (or rebuild) peace is now.

Come Down, O Holy Spirit

In the eucharistic prayer we ask God to send the Holy Spirit to bless the gifts we offer in thankful remembrance of the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. We invoke the Holy Spirit to consecrate the bread and wine, changing them into Christ's body and blood. This "calling down" or epiclesis accompanies a gesture with which the presider holds his hands outstretched over the offerings. We find ourselves in that position today as we call upon the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in Christ's name, to come down and bless our world with joy and peace.

To Engage or Not to Engage

This program is designed to assist seriously dating couples define their thoughts and feelings and perhaps articulate their questions. If you are thinking marriage, don't miss this opportunity! This program is held on Tuesday evenings, June 9th, 16th & 23rd from 7:00-9:30pm. Registration is required by Monday, June 1st. Call Joy at the Young Adult Ministry Office at (610)649-9476.

Basketball Camps

The John Miller Summer Basketball Camp will be held June 14th-18th for all girls ages 9-18. It will be held in the newly renovated and air conditioned Hayman Center. It is a very instructional, overnight camp. Commuter rates available upon request.

LaSalle University Offensive Skills Weekend Day Camp will be held June 20th-21st for all girls ages 7-11. It will also be held in the newly renovated Hayman Center. It will provide personalized instruction for both guards and forwards.

For more information on the above camps, please contact LaSalle Women's Basketball office at (215)951-1555.

Women’s Club News

Due to a conflict in scheduling with our Pastoral Council, the Women’s Club will hold its regular May Meeting on Tuesday, May 26th instead of Monday May 18th as previously scheduled. Please make this change on your calendar and plan to attend since we will have our annual election of new officers for 1998-99.

We will also be making final plans for our Annual Parish Picnic which will be held on Sunday, June 14th at the Westwood Fire Company grounds. Tickets will be on sale next weekend after Mass. Adults/$5.00, Children 6-12 /$3.00. Children under 6/FREE. We are planning some nice activities and, of course, the food will be great!! Please plan to attend.