St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

Masses for the Week

Thank you

We thank our thoughtful parishioners who, despite being away on holiday or vacation, remember their weekly offerings to our parish church. We are most grateful.

Welcome

We welcome Mr. & Mrs. Kevin McNamara and their children, Kelley Jean & Patricia Marie into our parish community.

Congratulations

We would like to congratulate Mr. & Mrs. John Clifford on the baptism of their daughter, Molly Catherine. Also, to Mr. & Mrs. Dean Kane on the baptism of their son, Brendan Michael.

Condolences

Our sympathy is extended to the family of Mrs. Mary (Stanko) Lyons who was buried from this church Friday, July 17th, 1998. May her soul and all the souls departed rest in peace.

Special Collection on July 25th-26th

Next weekend, at both Masses, missionary priest Rev. Raju B. Selvaraj, will be speaking about the works and needs of his Diocese in India. The Diocese of Trivandrum has about 300,000 Catholics, 80% of whom are traditional fisherman and 20% marginal farmers, many being recent converts from Hinduism. Unemployment and poverty are most rampant in this community, and there is a great urgency for spiritual, educational and economical assistance. The Diocese itself depends on outside contributions for the salary and support of its priests, catechists and seminarians. Won't you be as generous as your means allow to this forthcoming special appeal? An appropriate donation envelope may be found midst the July envelopes in the Church Offering Box. Your generosity toward the Missions is always appreciated; God bless you for it.

Take A Stand for Life

A Vigil for Life will be held on Saturday, August 1st, beginning with a 7:30am Mass, in SS. Simon & Jude Church, West Chester Pike and Route 352, Westtown. A Rosary Pilgrimage to Planned Parenthood, West Chester will follow. All are invited to participate.

Vacation Bible School

We will be decorating the school hall for bible school on Friday July 24th starting at 7:00pm. We will be creating a beach / tropical island theme. Please come and help us make the school hall look great for our first bible school! Any questions, please call Frank Lasak or Kathy Catanese. Thank you.

Clothing & Toy Drive

The Coatesville High School Campus Leo Club will be sponsoring a Clothing & Toy Drive, at the Brandywine Y.M.C.A. in Caln, on Saturday, July 25th. Any contributions would be appreciated. Arrangements may be made for pick-up points by calling 524-1686. Additionally, if you know of anyone in need of clothing or toys, please call as well.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

This weekend, Confessions will be heard on Sunday, July 19th, from 9:45 to 10:15am, prior to the morning Mass. Next weekend, Confessions will be heard on Saturday, July 25th, from 5:45 to 6:15pm, prior to the Evening Mass. Also, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available anytime upon request.

September Golf Outing

The Third Annual Golf Classic, in support of the Chester County Family Service Centers of Catholic Social Services, will be held on Monday, September 14th, at the Chester Valley Golf Club. The cost per golfer is $195 and includes lunch and dinner. For more information on individual tickets, corporate sponsorships or advertisement rates, please call Jill Snyder at (215)587-0590.

An Invitation to our Men and Young Men

Come away for a little while and refresh yourself in faith and spirit at the not-too-distant, beautiful Retreat House in the rolling hills of Malvern. The Chester County Group of the "Men of Malvern" will be conducting their Annual Retreat Weekend at St. Joseph-in-the-Hills Retreat House, from August 14th through August 16th. Rediscover God and the power of prayer, regain a sense of direction and an inner peace at Malvern. Interested or have a question? Men or young men, please contact Ed Hudock at 384-6388 or Ed Lawrence at 384-7885. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to the enriching experience of a Malvern Retreat!

Seminary Lecture

A lecture to commemorate the passing of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, entitled "Mother Teresa of Calcutta: Exemplar of Catholic Spirituality," will be delivered by Father Frederick L. Miller, S.T.D. at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, 7:00pm, July 22nd. Admission is open to all. For more information, please call (610)667-3394 ext 287.

Parochial School News

Coatesville Area Catholic Elementary School will reopen on Monday, August 31st, 1998. Half day session will be held on August 31st, with dismissal at 11:00am. No lunch is required. Uniform dress code is effective as of Monday, August 31st. Buses will be available, Coatesville School District will mail a post card with your bus number , place of pickup and time, for other school districts please contact your district office. September 1-2-3 will be full day sessions with dismissal at 2:15pm for grades 1 through 8. Friday, September 4th and Monday, September 7th there will be NO SCHOOL. Classes will resume on the 8th for all grades.

Kindergarten orientation and open house for parents and students will be held on September 2nd at 10:00am at the Coatesville Catholic Kindergarten Schneider Center on Cemetery Road, Parkesburg. All Kindergarten students will report on September 8th for full day session from 8:10am to 1:45pm.

Tuition for the 1998-99 school year for one child is $1,100.00; two children $1,550.00; three children $2,000.00, for parishioners. Tuition collection and Stationary Sale will be held on July 28th-29th at the Primary Building at 9:00am to 12 noon and 5:00 to 8:00pm in the evening.

Special Pre-Millennium Religious Event

As announced in detail earlier, the Cross of Reconciliation, blessed for our Archdiocese by the Holy Father, will be enthroned in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 80 South 17th Avenue, on the weekend of July 25th/26th until Thursday, July 30th. On Tuesday of that week, July 28th, at 7:00pm, all are encouraged to join with other parishes in our Cluster for a Prayer Service at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, which will focus on the mystery of the Cross and the forgiveness it offers. There will also be the opportunity for Confessions. Do plan on attending as a preparation for Jubilee 2000.

A Family Perspective

Today's first reading and Gospel stress the importance of hospitality, something families are usually good at. It's important, though, to make God part of our gatherings, with grace before meals, prayers for travelers, deceased and ill members, etc.

Marriage Encounter Weekend

Are you too busy for each other? Take time for your relationship now. Experience a Marriage Encounter Weekend. Next dates are July 24-26, August 21-23, September 18-20 and October 23-25. For more information call 1-800-4LOVE30.