St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

Masses for the Week

Welcome

We welcome Mr. & Mrs. Omar Nika and their son, Nicholas Mellow, into our parish community.

Acknowledgment

A donation has been received from Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Cigas in memory of Mrs. Anne Cisarik.

A donation has been received for the health and God's blessing for Julia Esposito by Mrs. Agnes Novotny.

Envelopes

Quite a number of the envelopes for next year have already been picked up. If you cannot locate your envelopes, please call the Rectory; I assure you this is not intentional but mistakes do happen. Let's clear the table ASAP.

Children's envelopes have not as yet been prepared but they will be forthcoming. The amount of their donations is not significant but hopefully will cultivate a sense of "giving".

Sacrament of Reconciliation

This weekend, Confessions will be heard on Saturday, September 5th, from 5:45 to 6:15pm, prior to the Evening Mass. Next weekend, Confessions will be heard on Sunday, September 13th, from 9:45 to 10:15am, prior to the Morning Mass. Also, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available anytime upon request.

Your Prayers Are Requested

In the kindness of your prayers, please remember the sick: Julia Esposito, Casper Hracho, Vera Lahm, John Yankech, Sophie Zelina; and the dead: Walter Buckley. Also, we pray for God's blessing upon Rose Guldan, who celebrated her 90th birthday on August 26th.

Vatican II Revisited

On Sunday, September 20th, at 2:00pm, WHYY-TV/Channel 12 will present "Reflections on Vatican II," a two hour documentary that chronicles the history and lasting effects of the Second Vatican Council on the Catholic Church and the world at large. Over three years in the making, this documentary will offer viewers an exceptional inside look at the Council as revealed by those who were there. From beginning to end the story is monumental! Plan now to watch on September 20th.

A Little Something Extra

In keeping with this month's PBS broadcast of "Reflections on Vatican II" (described above), a special insert page will be attached to our Parish Bulletin each weekend of September. The printed piece itself is called "Faith Connection", and it will offer feature articles on the Second Vatican Council. We hope it provides religious enrichment for you. Let us know what you thought of "Faith Connection" over its four weeks of distribution.

An Important Life Issue

Soon after Labor Day, the United States Senate is expected to vote on the over-ride of President Clinton's veto of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act. We ask our parishioners to thank Senators Rick Santorum and Arlen Specter, representing our State, for their support of the veto over-ride. In the days and weeks ahead, all are invited to join thousands across the Nation in prayer to end abortion in all of its forms.

Archdiocesan Apostolate to the Deaf

Religious instructions for youth who are deaf or hard-of-hearing are conducted in sign language at regional centers throughout our Archdiocese. Please contact Sister Kathleen Schipani, I.H.M. at (215)338-9373 V/TTY to register a child for these classes. Also, numerous spiritual programs are available for adults who are deaf and employ sign language. To inquire, call Sister Kathleen (as above) or Father Anthony Russo, C.Ss.R. at (215)423-9547 V/TTY.

A Family Perspective

In today's second reading, St. Paul asks Philemon to receive his disciple for Paul's sake and Christ's. This is what husbands and wives ask of each other to do with in-laws. It isn't always easy but they are our relatives in Christ, to be welcomed as he is be welcomed.

Special Invitation to our men and high school boys

Until recent years, an annual special event in practically every parish was the Communion Breakfast for the men and high school boys. It was "a guys' morning out", during which they would attend Sunday Mass together, receive Holy Communion and then participate in a gala breakfast in the parish hall. We would like to re-introduce this wonderful practice of reaching out to the men and high school boys of the parish by cordially inviting them to a Grand Communion Breakfast, following the 10:30am Mass, on Sunday, September 27th, 1998. The breakfast will be prepared and served by the members of the Women's Club of St. Joseph Church, who are generously willing to underwrite the expense. Certainly, for our men and high school boys, this is an invitation that can't be refused: a full, delicious breakfast at NO COST to the participants! Added details will be arriving at the homes of our parishioners by way of a flyer. Check your mail this week and please respond as directed. Come and enjoy "a guys' morning out!"

Youth Choir

We will be having sign-ups for the Youth Choir after masses this weekend. All children of the parish between the ages of five and thirteen are invited and encouraged to participate. Practice will begin the third week in September. We try to plan different programs for the children each year with our main focus on Christmas. However, with 1999 being the year of the Church's Anniversary, we will be working on some special programs for the celebration. It should be an exciting year! If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me after Mass or phone me.

Susan Sandoski, Youth Choir Director

Catholic Social Services

Licensed counselors available in CCS Downingtown office for Marriage, Family, Individual counseling Monday thru Friday 8:30am-4:30pm and Tuesday & Wednesday till 8:00pm. To set up an appointment for intake, please call Sr. Lisa at CSS (610)269-4060, Monday thru Friday, 8:30am- 4:30pm. We work to utilize insurance to your advantage.

Auditions

The Archdiocesan Boy's Choir of Philadelphia cordially invites the young men of your parish, ages 7-14, to audition for admittance to the choir on the following dates:

September 12, 1998, 10:00am to 1:00pm, at the Chapel Hall, Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Philadelphia, PA.

September 19th, 1998, 10:00am to 1:00pm, at St. Charles Seminary, Wynnewood, PA.

Private audition with Choir Director, Mr. Thomas Windfelder (215)425-6995.

Women's Club News

Needlework Guild

We will once again participate in the Annual Needlework Guild Ingathering which benefits local charitable organizations such as Brandywine Hospital, The Salvation Army, Home Health Care and Pocopson Home. Toward this end, the Women’s Club will be collecting new artcles of clothing for infants, children and adults. If you would care to participate, please contact Margaret Florian, Chairperson or bring your donations and leave them in the Vestibule of the Church - Marked NEEDLEWORK GUILD! Cash donations are also welcome - Margaret will do your shopping for you. We look forward to your usual support of this community endeavor. Thank you!