St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

Masses for the Week

Your Prayers are Requested

In the kindness of your prayers, please remember the sick: Vera Lahm, Julia Esposito, Casper Hracho, John Yankech, Mary Riley, Rose Guldan and Jean Moister.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Haiko, parents of Stephen Ernest Haiko, recently baptised.

R.C.I.A. Classes Forming

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is the approach offered by our Parish Family both to welcome new members from other religious denominations or no Church affiliation and to complete the Sacraments of Initiation for adult Catholics who have received only Baptism. In a friendly and informative manner, the beliefs and the practices of the Catholic Faith are presented over a series of weekly sessions, beginning in the Fall and continuing to the Spring. Quite simply, the R.C.I.A. Program is the Church's way of making new Catholics and full Catholics. For further information or to register, kindly contact Father John at 384-1172. We are looking to open our new series on October 14th.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

This weekend, Confessions will be heard on Sunday, September 27th, from 9:45 to 10:15am, prior to the Morning Mass. Next weekend, Confessions will be heard on Saturday, October 3rd, from 5:45 to 6:15pm, prior to the Evening Mass. Also, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available anytime upon request.

Men's Communion Breakfast

Immediately following this Sunday's 10:30am Mass, a Grand Communion Breakfast will be served to the men, young men and high school boys of the Parish in the School Hall. Rev. Mr. Frank Clark, Director, Archdiocesan Family Life Office, will be the featured speaker. Those holding reservations are reminded of this special event, generously sponsored by our Women's Club.

Be Reminded, Please

The Special Collection this weekend benefits the Care of the Aging and Ill Priests of the Archdiocese. This Appeal is a major source of revenue for Villa St. Joseph, Darby and Regina Coeli Residence, Warminster. Your customary generosity is greatly appreciated.

New Parishioners' Sunday

Happily, over the past few years, our parish membership has increased noticeably with the registration of new families in St. Joseph Church. We should like to recognize our new parishioners in a special way on Sunday, October 11th. By way of a letter, they will be invited to participate at the 10:30am Mass and receive the Church's suggested blessing for new members to a Parish. After Mass, an informal "get acquainted" reception will be held in the School Hall over coffee and donuts. All parishioners, old and new, are welcome to attend and strengthen the ties which unite us.

C.A.C.E.S. Maiden Voyage

Coatesville Area Catholic Elementary Schools will host their 1st Annual Auction on Saturday, October 17th, 1998 at 6:00pm at the Schneider Parish Center. There will be limited edition artwork, vacation home rentals, portrait sittings, collectible "beanie babies", simple will writings, electric grill, sony boom box, huffy bicycle, computer software, Lonaberger baskets, college corner, 1 week St. Joseph's University Basketball camp, a large collection of signed sports paraphernalia and much, much more.

Admission is $15.00 per ticket which includes admission, hors d'ouvre's, desserts, non-alcoholic beverages. A cash bar is optional ($1.00 beer / $2.00 wine & mixed drinks). Please call 857-0229 for tickets.

Coatesville Life Chain

Take one hour to stand for life 2:30-3:30pm on Sunday, October 4th.

The Life Chain begins in front of St. Cecilia's Church at 6th Avenue and Route 30 at 2:30pm. Please feel free to park in the church parking lot. Please arrive at least 10 minutes early to sign in and collect literature. Someone will be there to greet you and distribute posters. The Life Chain goes on regardless of the weather, so please come prepared. Please refrain from speaking once you join the chain to help keep the prayerful spirit of the event. Do not respond to any passing cars in anyway. For further information please feel free to call: Maureen Dailey 383-7269.

50th Anniversary Celebration Mass

Holy Cross Parish in Springfield celebrates its 50th Anniversary: a wonderful memory, a glorious future! Mark your calendars now and save the date! All former parishioners, graduates, faculty members, and friends are invited to attend the 50th Anniversary Mass celebrated by Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua on Sunday, November 1st, 1998 at 11:30am in the Upper Church. We look forward to seeing you at this celebration.

Clothing Drives

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul will be at the following locations below to collect donations of usable men's, women's, and children's clothing for those in need throughout the Philadelphia Archdiocese. Other items accepted include bed and bath linens; pots/pans/dishes/cooking utensils; small working appliances; books/albums/toys; and small home furnishings. You are invited to bring all donations to the truck/trailer located on the grounds of the parishes named below. For home pickup of furniture and large appliances, please call the Society at (610)832-0900.

• Saturday, October 17th, 9am-2pm at Saints Simon & Jude Catholic Church, 8 Cavanaugh Court, West Chester, PA

• Saturday & Sunday, October 17th/18th, 9am-2pm at Saint Peter Catholic Church, 1080 North Manor Road, (Rt 82 & Fairview Rd), HoneyBrook, PA

• Saturday & Sunday, October 17th/18th, 9am-4pm at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church, 2101 Pottstown Pike, Pottstown, PA

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 Home Depot Store, 690 Lancaster Pike, Frazer, PA.

For Catholic Young Adults

Leadership for Life - Mondays, October 5 through November 23rd, 7-9pm at St. Joe's University. A new and exciting series designed to give the tools you need to be an effective Christian leader. Perfect attendance is not required.

Prayer Gathering - Thursday, October 15th & November 19th at 7:00pm at Young Adult Ministry Office in Ardmore.

Food for the Journey Retreat - Saturday, October 17th, 10:00am at Camp Neumann. Prayer, faith sharing, and fellowship with the theme: "Come & Journey with Me: Preparing for the Third Millenium." (Mass follows)

LEAP Weekend - October 23rd through October 25th at Camp Neumann. Discover your untapped potential through exciting outdoor and indoor activities. Your life will never be the same!

Winter Clothing / Blanket Drive - Sunday, November 1st, before and after the 5:00pm Young Adult Mass at the Cathedral Chapel, to benefit the homeless in Philadelphia.

To register for the above activities or to receive our free newsletter for young adults, call Sonji at the Young Adult Ministry Office at (610)649-9476.

To Engage or Not to Engage - Tuesday evenings October 27th, November 3rd & 10th from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. This program is designed to assist seriously dating couples define their thoughts and feelings and perhaps articulate their questions. If you are thinking marriage, don't miss this opportunity! Registration is required by Friday, October 16th. Classes will be held in Wynnewood. To register for this, please call Joy at the Young Adult Ministry Office at (610)649-9476.

Lost Alumni

Mercy Vocational High School, 2900 West Hunting Park Avenue, Philadelphia, is anxious to locate lost Alumni. Any Mercy Vocational graduate who is not receiving mailings or has recently moved, please call Judy at (215)226-1225 ext. 120.

Family Life Information

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 more information on the program beginning November 13th, call 1-800-470-2230.

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING - classes will be held at Immaculate Conception, Jenkintown; St. Stanislaus, Lansdale; St. Francis of Assissi, Springfield. For information and dates, call the Family Life Office, (610)660-9002.

"ENDINGS AND NEW BEGINNINGS; RELATIONSHIPS AFTER DIVORCE" - a workshop for separated and divorced Catholics, will be held on Saturday, December 5th, from 9am until noon, on the campus of St. Charles Seminary. For registration information, call the Family Life Office at (610)660-9002.

SEPARATED & DIVORCED CATHOLICS - support programs are held throughout the archdiocese. To receive a listing of locations, call the Family Life Office at (610)660-9002.

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER - "The greatest gift we can give our children is our love for one another." To refresh your marital love, make a Marriage Encounter Weekend. For information call 1-800-456-8330.

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.

BEREAVEMENT PROGRAMS - a directory listing parish/cluster Bereavement Programs is available by calling the Family Life Office at (610)660-9002.

Women's Club News

Please remember your Needlework Guild donations. We have not heard from many of you - may we do so soon? This is a really worthy charity and the only one we do for the community. We appreciate your support. Drop you articles on the table in the vestibule. We are looking for infant articles, children and adult clothing, and all articles must be new.