St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

Masses for the Week

Thank You

A special thank you to Mrs. Mary Arvay for doing the "spring flower" planting around the church and Rectory. May God bless and reward her.

Congratulations

We would like to congratulate Donna Marie McLaughlin and Michael Todd Brownback who were married last Saturday in our Parish Church. May God's blessing be theirs now and always!

Catholic Charities Appeal

We are very disappointed that to date we have not reached our goal. 101 out of 297 parishioners of St. Joseph have responded to our Catholic Charities Appeal. Where are the rest of you? Total collected is $5608.00. We need $2,592.00. We will be extending our campaign for another week and hope that we will hear from the rest of you. Christian charity is a great virtue plus it certainly helps those less fortunate than us.

PLEASE TURN IN A CONTRIBUTION FROM YOUR FAMILY THIS WEEK EVEN A FEW DOLLARS FROM EVERYONE WILL HELP US REACH OUR GOAL OF $8,200. Thank you.

Ann B. Cigas, Catholic Charities Chairperson

Manna Food Drive

We are most grateful for the fine response to last weekend's Archdiocesan Manna Food Drive. Thanks to our donors' generosity, quite a number of bags of nonperishable food were delivered to the Coatesville Emergency Food Cupboard to meet their needs in the summertime. The lives of many, young and old, will benefit from such kindness. Again, thank you!

Sacrament of Reconciliation

This weekend, Confessions will be heard on Sunday, May 24th, from 9:45 until 10:15am. On the following weekend, Confessions will be heard on Saturday, May 30th, from 5:45 until 6:15pm. Also, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at anytime upon request.

In Appreciation

Thank you to all who made last weekend's observance of Father Cy's First Anniversary of Death such a beautiful and successful tribute to his memory. We are especially grateful to the children of the Parish for providing the spirited Mass music and for participating in the May Procession. Special appreciation is extended to the members of the Women's Club for our post-Mass fellowship over breakfast refreshments in the Parish Hall. Father Cy's family deeply appreciated the thoughtfulness and kindness extended to them on this occasion. God love you!

Adult Choir

The Adult Choir will hold it’s last rehearsal this Wednesday, May 27th, to prepare for Pentecost and Corpus Christi. Please plan to attend.

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.

A Family Perspective

In today's Gospel, Jesus prays for those who will believe in him through the words of the disciples. Almost two thousand years later, we are believers because someone passed those words to us. Today's parents, as the "first heralds of faith" to their children, are passing the Good News on into the new millennium.

Women’s Club News

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, May 26th - 7:30 in the Parish Hall. Refreshments will be served by Susan Sandoski and Kathy Catanese. Please note this change of date and hope to see many of you there.

Second Annual Parish Picnic

Get your tickets early to help us with our planning and purchasing of food. Tickets will be on sale after the Masses this weekend or Call any of the following: Ann Cigas, Sue Dunlap or Andy Levenite. Adults $5.00, Children 6-12 $3.00, Children under 6 - FREE. We hope to make this affair as good if not better than last year’s. However, we need your support to do this. Date: Sunday, June 14th, Westwood Fire Company Grounds - 1:00pm rain or shine!!!

Discernment Retreat

This retreat is being sponsored by the Vocation Office for Diocesan Priesthood the weekend of May 29th-30th-31st, 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.

Clothing Drives

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 usable bath and bed linens; pots, pans, dishes and eating utensils; small appliances; books and albums; toys; and small 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:

You are also invited to bring clothing donations only - seven days a week - to The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Donation Center Collection Box located at:

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is an international, non-profit charitable organization serving those with material, emotional and spiritual needs--regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation. The Society provides food, clothing and other basic necessities to families in need, and operates five thrift stores assisting the underprivileged throughout the Philadelphia area. Our mission calls its members to not only be responsible for raising funds for the poor, but defend the rights and dignity of the individuals served. Thank you for helping us help others.

Ascension of the Lord

"Why look you up to the sky?" Be confident and patient. Jesus has gone to be more closely with us. The Spirit comes with power to baptize us, to possess us, to strengthen us. We bear witness to repentance for the forgiveness of sins to the ends of the earth. With God's strength we can do all things. Why be frightened? Lord, help our timidity and impatience!