St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

Masses for the Week

Your Prayers are Requested

In the kindness of your prayers, please remember the Sick: Julia Esposito, Vera Lahm, John Yankech, Mary Riley, Elizabeth Taran, Carolyn Pechin, Lillian Turansky, Rose Guldan, Jean Moister, Lyndsey Conner, Sarah Hoopes, Marie Reali, Mary Shesko and the Dead: Casper Hracho.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

This weekend, Confessions will be heard on Saturday, February 20th, from 5:45 to 6:15pm, prior to the Evening Mass. Next weekend, Confessions will be heard on Sunday, February 28th, from 9:45 to 10:15am, prior to the Morning Mass. Also, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available anytime upon request.

The Look of Lent

Throughout the Lenten Season, our sanctuary is dressed in the color and texture of these forty days. Our joyful Alleluia lies buried to the side, shrouded in purple. Gone are the flowers, replaced by the barren branches of gnarled wood. The cross of our Savior takes on a special prominence, as we reflect on how the Tree of defeat becomes the Tree of victory. It is Lent, when we ponder anew the meaning of our Baptism and the priority of its commitment to be the disciples of Jesus Christ.

Lenten Services

In addition to the daily morning Mass at 9 o'clock, a mid-week evening Mass is offered every Tuesday at 7 o'clock. The Stations of the Cross Devotion is conducted on Fridays, at 1:15pm, and immediately following the 9:00am Mass on Saturdays.

Archdiocesan Reconciliation Weekend

Our Holy Father has called for 1999 to be observed as a Year of Reconciliation prior to the Great Millennium 2000. In keeping with the papal intention, our Archdiocese is planning March 19th and 20th as a Weekend of Reconciliation, stressing the importance of sacramental confession. A full explanation of the Archdiocesan Program and participational helps are being distributed to all households of our Parish beginning this weekend. We pray that the hearts of many, especially those estranged from the Church, will be moved by grace to respond to the Weekend of Reconciliation.

Choir News

Starting this week February 21, 1999 and continuing through the season of Lent, the Adult Choir rehearsals will be moved from Monday at 7:30pm to Tuesday night after the special Lenten Mass. The Youth Choir will continue to rehearse at it’s regular time.

Reminder

Have you remembered to make your contribution in behalf of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook? The Annual Seminary Appeal is currently underway, so that today's seminarians might be tomorrow's priests. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.

Parish Volunteers' Dinner

We are hoping that all replies for our February 28th Appreciation Dinner will have been made by today, February 21st. Such cooperation is most helpful in our completing arrangements for this delightful occasion thanking our Parish volunteers.

Shanahan's Spring Auction

Bishop Shanahan High School's 12th Annual Spring Auction will be held on March 27th, at 6:00pm, in the school gymnasium. Admission is $25.00 per person or $40.00 per couple. Items of value and interest are already catalogued. If you are unable to attend, but care to contribute, call the Development Office at 343-6255 or 6256 for more details. Come join in the fun.

A Family Perspective

Jesus fasted and prayed for forty days to prepare himself for what lay ahead of him. Practicing self-denial and regular prayer will strengthen our families for what lies ahead of us. What plans does your family have for observing Lent?

Pastoral Council News

Nominations

Thank you to those who participated in the nomination process thus far. We have a total of 42 potential candidates. Each nominee will be receiving an invitation to attend an informational meeting. This meeting will help each nominee to better understand the workings of the pastoral council.

Regular Meeting

All council members are invited to a joint meeting with the St.Stanislaus pastoral council. This meeting will be held in the St. Joseph rectory meeting room on Monday March 8th at 7:00 pm. The purpose of this meeting is to get acquainted and discuss ways that we can work together to enrich both parishes.

Annual 40 Hours Eucharistic Devotion

March 12th, 13th, 14th

St. Joseph Parish will be holding its Annual 40 Hours Eucharistic Devotion the weekend of March 12th, 13th and 14th. We are asking each family to take a half hour out of your busy day to sign-up for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during our Eucharistic Devotion Weekend. A sign-up sheet will be provided in the back of the church or contact Andy Levenite. We hope to have as many families as possible participate. Thank you.

Attached to this bulletin is an invitation from the Women's Club to join us following the closing of our 40 Hours Devotion on Sunday, March 14th for a Covered Dish Social. Please contact Fran Shesko to make your reservations.

75th Anniversary News

Event being Planned

The Committee is planning a special party for the children of the parish on Sunday, September 19th, 1999 at Hibernia Park. Many activities are being planned for this event and more information will be forthcoming at a later date. We just wanted you to mark your calendars so all our children will be able to attend. We don’t want them to miss this special affair just for them.

Important Reminder

Group photos for the following will be taken after the 10:30 Mass this Sunday, February 21st:

CCD Teachers, Eucharistic Ministers, Lecturers, Altar Servers, Adult Choir, Youth Choir, Pastoral Council, Ushers, and Officers of the Women’s Club.

We are looking for a 100% participation so that our 75th Anniversary Church Directory will be complete. Leaders of the above groups, please remind your members to be present. The photos will be taken in the Church.

Women's Club News

Regular Meeting

Reminder of our Regular Meeting this Sunday, February 21st at 7:00 PM in the Parish Hall.

Flea Market

Please remember our Flea Market planned for Saturday, May 15th when you do your spring housecleaning.

Special Thanks

Thank you sincerely to the 23 wonderful ladies who turned out to make Pierogies for the Easter Bazaar last week. Your dedication is truly appreciated.

A "Big thank you" to our Paska bakers, Andy Levenite, Sue Dunlap, Pauline Howell, Babes Horenci, Steffie Levenite and Helen Yankech. They did a wonderful job! Our bazaar customers are in for a great treat!

Next Pierogie Making Session

Please remember our next pierogie making session - which is scheduled for Saturday, February 27th at 8:00am. We are always looking for extra hands.

Catholic Social Services

Licensed counselors available in CSS Downingtown office for Marriage, Family, Individual counseling Monday thru Friday 8:30am to 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-Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm.

Fatima Pilgrimage

Fatima Pilgrimage sponsored by the National Blue Army, September 9th-16th, 1999. Cost is $1,498 plus tax. For further information call Martha McCormick at 215-365-2722.

If you would like them to take your petitions to Fatima and place them at the very spot where Our Lady appeared, put them in an envelope so marked and send them to Mrs. McCormick, 7006 Passyank Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19142.