St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

Masses for the Week

Sacrament of Reconciliation

This weekend, Confessions will be heard on Sunday, August 2nd, from 9:45 to 10:15am, prior to the Morning Mass. Next weekend, Confessions will be heard on Saturday, August 8th, from 5:45 to 6:15pm, prior to the Evening Mass. Also, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available anytime upon request.

Emergency Appeal this Weekend

As recommended by our Cardinal-Archbishop, the Second Collection this weekend will benefit those victimized by the devastating weather phenomenon, El Nino. Please be generous in helping them in the struggle to rebuild their lives. Thank you!

The Latin Mass of Old

Anyone, who may be interested in having a weekly Latin Mass of the Old Tridentine Rite available in Chester County and would like more information, is asked please to contact Wanda Sandoski.

Local Assumption Triduum

Prior to the Solemnity of Mary's Assumption, a Triduum of Marian Prayer will be conducted on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, August 12th,13th,14th, nightly at 7 o'clock in nearby St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. Father Cletus Watson, T.O.R., Pastor, Church of the Crucifixion, Jacksonville, Florida will be the featured guest homilist each evening. A native Philadelphian, ordained thirty-two years, Father Cletus is a popular speaker, preaching with much spirit and enthusiasm. All are cordially invited to attend the Assumption Triduum.

We're Turning Blue

A "freshening-up" for our approaching Parish 75th Anniversary is underway. This is especially noticeable with the decor of the Church Sanctuary, as the color blue is applied to the furnishings, cushions and soon-to-arrive carpet. Blue seems to be the most appropriate color in keeping with its presence throughout the Church. New blue confessional drapes have likewise been installed. We hope that these improvements render a more coordinated appearance to our beautiful Parish Church.

Stand Up and Take a Bow

Congratulations to Kathy Catanese, Frank Lasak, Jr. and all the other staff members whose generous, dedicated efforts made possible a most successful Vacation Bible School Program this past week. Approximately three dozen grade school boys and girls were participants on "Sonlight Island" for five evenings, engaging in arts and crafts, music, story telling and much more. The entire School Hall took on an exotic island appearance, made warm and friendly by God's Word in practice. Judging from the children's enjoyment and the program's overall success, much serious thought will be given to our holding another Vacation Bible School series next year.

Floral Memorial

The arrangement of fresh flowers, placed in from of the main altar last weekend, was done by Joseph Sandoski, in loving memory of Mary Sandoski, to mark the anniversary of her birth. May she rest in peace.

A Family Perspective

The antimaterialism theme begun in last week's readings continues. To assess whether your family is "growing rich for yourselves instead of growing rich in the sight of God," why not draw up two lists, "for ourselves" and "for God", and compare them? There's nothing to lose and everything to gain.

The Rosary Society

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.

Cursillo Movement

The purpose of The Cursillo Movement is to bring about a change in our environments, (family, work, neighborhood, etc) by bringing Jesus Christ into our everyday world.

We welcome all those interested Catholics to a Cursillo Information Night to be held at SST. Philip and James Rectory Meeting Room, located on Ship Road & Lancaster Pike in Exton, on Tuesday evening, August 4th, 1998 at 7:30pm.

Cursillo means "little course" in Christianity. The next Cursillo Courses will be held at the Spirituality Center, Immaculate College, Frazer, PA. The men's will be held September 24th-27th. The women's will be held on October 22nd-25th.

Learn more about becoming a Christian influence in your world. Please join us on August 4th to learn everything you always wanted to know about Cursillo.

For more information, please contact Joe Cavanagh at (610)363-0639 or Gretta Burke at (610)363-1487.

God bless and keep you.

Feast of the Assumption

79th Annual Celebration

Every August since 1918 people have processed the streets of West Chester to honor the Mother of God on her feast of the Assumption. This public profession of faith is largely due to the efforts of the procession committee.

For five decades, this celebration included fireworks, Philadelphia concert bands, food, balloons, awards and even an outdoor showing of the movie "King of Kings". People came from all over to join in this day of friendship and love. This year marks the 79th year of this tradition.

The committee works earnestly to keep alive the dedicated spirit of our relatives and friends who began this feast to bring families together for a day of prayer and reunion. Although its heritage is of Italian nature, the feast is for all Christians who would like to join together in fellowship. Many things have changed through the years except for the enthusiasm and dedication of Tony DeMeo and his family who have been dedicated to keeping this 79 year old tradition alive.

On Sunday, August 16th, the feast will begin with Mass at 9:00am at Saint Agnes Church, West Gay Street, West Chester. Following the Mass will be a communion breakfast, at the Italian Social Club, Hannum Avenue, West Chester. For communion breakfast tickets, call Barbara Mange at 696-8832. The procession will begin at 2:30pm, in front of Saint Agnes Church and will end with Benediction in the Church.