St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

Masses for the Week

Mass Time Next Sunday, June 14th

Our morning Mass on Sunday, June 14th, will be delayed briefly, not starting until 10:45am. In this way, Father John will be able to complete the traditional Solemn Corpus Christi Liturgy at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. This 10:45am Mass time applies only to June 14th. Thank you for your understanding.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

This weekend, Confessions are being heard on Sunday, June 7th, from 9:45am until 10:15am. On the following weekend, Confessions will be heard on Saturday, June 13th, from 5:45am until 6:15pm. Also, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at anytime upon request.

A gift from our Cardinal - Archbishop

Parishes participating at last weekend's Archdiocesan Renewal Event, Pentecost '98, were given a very special gift from His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua. A beautifully framed, attractive print of Mary, under the title "Our Lady of the Millennium", was distributed at the conclusion of the festive ceremonies. Our copy is currently on view in the vestibule, awaiting a more permanent place in Church. We welcome your inspection of it over the next several weeks.

Vacation Bible School

We are planning a Vacation Bible School for the children of St. Joseph and St. Stanislaus parishes. The VBS is scheduled for five consecutive evenings from Monday, July 27th through Friday, July 31st. In order to make this first VBS a success, we will need your help. We need adults to teach classes, coordinate games and activities, help with arts and crafts, provide snacks and lead the music program. If you can help in any way, please call Frank Lasak or Kathy Catanese. Please watch the bulletin for an organizational meeting for the VBS in June. Thank you.

Community Blood Drive this month

Over the past several summers, the facilities of the St. Stanislaus Kostka School Building, Corner of West Diamond and North Church Streets, were used for a Community Blood Drive conducted by the American Red Cross. The same is true this year with the Blood Drive being scheduled for Monday, June 22nd, from 2:00pm to 7:30pm in the Auditorium. Be a real lifesaver; be a blood donor! See the flyer attached to this Parish Bulletin for added information on signing up.

Sign of the Cross

The cross of Christ Jesus is for execution - and for glory. Touching the heights of heaven and depths of earth, the cross holds bound together everything between. The tree of death becomes for the faithful the Tree of Life: the ladder of light across our fear and sin as well as our lifeline to God. In the name of the Holy Trinity we cover ourselves from forehead to heart and from shoulder to shoulder, the trademark of faith given us at baptism, piercing open divine life for us. this is the sign of the cross - to be made carefully and with sure joy.

A Family Perspective

Trinity Sunday

"We even boast of our afflictions," from today's second reading, is something families can identify with. We tell and re-tell stories of our hard times, whether the ending of the story is happy or sad. We are living witnesses to the endurance, virtue and hope the reading celebrates.

Padre Pio Day of Graces

The 1998 Padre Day of Graces will be held on Saturday, June 20th from 1pm to 6pm at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA. The Most Reverend Thomas J. Welsh, Bishop of Allentown, will be the main celebrant of the Concelebrated Mass with visiting priests from Italy and PA. ALL are invited to travel to the Shrine on a bus leaving from St. Madeline's Church in Ridley Park at 10:30am and from St. Pius X Church in Broomall at 11am. For reservations and further information call: Betty Walsh at 521-4985 or Helena Gaydos at 356-7956 on or before June 15th.

Strawberry Festival

This year The Daughters of St. Mary of Providence are celebrating 50 years of service in Elverson, PA. Their Strawberry Festival, which helps keep the retirement and retreat center going, will be held at St. Mary of Providence Center, 227 Isabella Road, Elverson, PA, on Sunday, June 28th from 1pm to 6pm. Events will include: tours of the mansion, delicious food (including strawberries and ice cream), raffles, hay rides, games, white elephant, hand crafts, religious items, etc. For more information or directions, please call 942-4166.

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.

Separated & Divorced Catholics

Support programs are held throughout the Archdiocese. To receive a listing of locations, please call the Family Life Office.

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.

Marriage Encounter Weekends

The honeymoon is not over. The romance and joy of your marriage can last a lifetime. Be honeymooners on a marriage encounter weekend. Next dates are June 26th-28th, July 24th-26th, and August 21st-23rd. For information call 1-8004LOVE30.

Bereavement Programs

A directory listing parish/cluster Bereavement Programs is available by calling the Family Life Office.

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, Retrouvaille may be able to help you. For information, call 1-800-470-2230.

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

Women’s Club News

Annual Parish Picnic

Don’t forget our Annual Parish Picnic on June 14th - 1:00 PM at the Westwood Fire Company grounds. Tickets must be purchased this weekend. Tickets can be purchased at the Masses this week-end or call Andy Levenite.

Installation Dinner

The Women's Club Installation Dinner will be held on Sunday, June 28th at the Waynebrook Inn in Honey Brook. For reservations please call Ann Cigas. Cost $20.00.

Patrons

Please remember to patronize the local businesses who have helped to support the activities of the Women's Club during the month of June: