St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

Masses for the week of September 6th, 1999 will be offered at St. Joseph Church

A Candle donation has been received from Mrs. Anne Reshey in memory of Rose Guldan on her 91st Birthday.

In the kindness of your prayers, please remember the Sick: Father Francis Schlett, Robert Hracho, Mary Shesko, Vera Lahm, Julia Esposito, John Yankech, Mary Riley, Jean Moister, Lyndsey Conner, Carolyn Pechin, Ann Hook, Joan Emery, and the Dead: Philomena Ducette.

This weekend, Confessions will be heard on Sunday, September 5th, from 9:45 to 10:15am, prior to the Morning Mass. Next weekend, Confessions will be heard on Saturday, September 11th, from 5:45 to 6:15pm, prior to the Evening Mass. Also, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available anytime upon request.

The Adult Choir will begin rehearsals for the 1999 - 2000 season on Monday night, September 20th at 7:30pm after the Youth Choir rehearsal. Returning members are asked to leave their folders and music in the choir loft any weekend before the 20th.
We also cordially invite any our new parishioners who might be interested (or existing parishioners for that matter), to join us on the 20th. Everyone is welcome in this group. The Adult Choir is not so much about whether or not you are a professional singer. But rather, it’s more about getting involved and sharing a little of your time and talents with your parish. If we occasionally hit a good note, all the better. I look forward to seeing you there.

C. J. Cigas, Music Director 

This is the motto of Carthusian hermit monks - for us it is the key to all our life's labor as Christians. "Love your neighbor as yourself" is not just a nice idea but is the only best way for Christians. As members of God's family we are all responsible for each other before the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. As sinners we all need mercy and encouragement to go the right way in the Holy Spirit through Jesus the Christ, toward the wedding feast of heaven given by the Father. Our life's true work!

In today's Gospel, Jesus tells us that "wherever two or more join your voices to pray for anything whatever, it shall be granted you." What better advertisement is there for family prayer?

Looking ahead by several weeks, we call your attention to the week of Sunday, September 26th, through Friday, October 1st, when a full Passionist Parish Mission will be conducted in St. Joseph Church. This is a very special Program of Prayer, Reflection and Renewal in keeping with our celebration of the Parish 75th Anniversary and in anticipation of Christianity's Third Millennium. Father Claudio Piccinni, C.P., a preacher in great demand, is perhaps remembered by some as the visiting priest who worked spiritual wonders for the approving parishioners of Our Lady of the Rosary Church several years ago. It is the same Father Claudio who will be our Parish Mission Director later this month.

The investment of your time and attention during these days should bring wonderful spiritual dividends. Please circle the Week of September 26th through October 1st on your calendar and plan to attend our Passionist Parish Mission.

We are in need of two adults to co-teach a 4th grade CCD class. If you can help, please call Frank Lasak. Classes will begin on September 26th.

There will be a brief organizational meeting for the CCD teaching staff BEFORE Mass next Sunday, September 12th. We will meet at 9:45am in the school hall. All teachers and aides are urged to attend!

Due to the holiday weekend, there will be no registration this weekend. Another registration session for CCD will be held in the school hall after the 10:30 Mass next Sunday, September 12th. It is especially important that new students are registered. Classes are available for children starting with preschool (age 4) through sixth grade. If you have any questions, please call Frank Lasak. Classes will begin on September 26th.

Licensed counselors are available for marriage, family, and individual counseling in the Downingtown Office of Catholic Social Services. Counselors will be available Monday thru Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, as well as Tuesday and Wednesday until 8:00pm. They work to utilize insurance to your advantage. To set up an appointment for intake, kindly call Sister Lisa at 610-269-4060 during morning and afternoon hours.

Are you a non-Catholic who would like to inquire about the beliefs and practices of the Catholic Faith? Are you a Catholic who may be lacking one or both of the later Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation and Holy Eucharist? Are you a fully initiated member of the Catholic Church who would wish to review his/her Catholicism in an updated fashion? Then the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.) is for you and it is very "user friendly!" Participants gather weekly, October through May, in the Rectory Parlor to engage in an organized program of instruction, discussion and prayer. For more information, kindly contact Father John at 610-384-1172.

Now that you've gotten the youngsters back to dance class, soccer practice and school, do something for yourselves. Marriage Encounter is a weekend just for you as a married couple. Upcoming dates are September 24th-26th, October 15th-17th, November 12th-14th and December 3rd-5th. For more information, call 1-800-4LOVE30. Help to make your good marriage even better!

The Women’s Club of St. Joseph’s Church is sponsoring their Fall Fund Raiser - A Raffle chancing off $500 to be given away the end of September. Chance books are being mailed to all parishioners and we are asking for your support by either buying or selling the chances sent to you. Kindly make your returns to Ann B. Cigas or drop them in the Women’s Club Drop Box in the vestibule of the church or you can drop them in the weekend collection basket.

We thank you in advance for your kind cooperation and look forward to hearing from all of you.

A reminder to any interested parishioners. We still have the wooden collectibles (similar to the Cat's Meow collectibles) of St. Joseph Church (current building and original building) for purchase. Each piece has historical information about the parish. The cost is $25.00 for the two piece set (current building & original building) or you can purchase either piece individually for $15.00. These items would make a wonderful gift for a family member or a past parishioner. If you are interested, please contact Andy Levenite or Ann Cigas. Thank you for your continued support of St. Joseph Parish and our 75th Anniversary Celebration.

Just a reminder that the 75th Anniversary Children's Celebration will be held on Sunday, September 19th from 1:00pm to ??? at Hibernia Park, Pavillion #6. A Children's Mass will be held at 1:00pm at the Pavillion celebrated by our Pastor, Father John with full participation of the children (Children's Choir, Altar Servers, Lectors, Reenactment of the Gospel, Offertory Procession) followed by an afternoon for food, fun and surprises. You should have received an invitation in the mail last week. We look forward to all children and their families participating in this fun event. R.S.V.P. no later than September 1st by dropping your response in the collection basket or by contacting Lisa Hillman or Andy Levenite. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

To prepare for the upcoming Christmas Bazaar, the following work sessions have been set:

- 1st Pierogie Making Session - September 18th @ 8:00am

- 2nd Pierogie Making Session - October 9th @ 8:00am

- Kifli Making Session - October 12th @ 5:30pm

- Nut Roll Session - October 23rd @ 8:00am

- Nut Roll Session - November 13th @ 8:00am

- Kifli Making Session - November 16th @ 5:30pm

- Stuffed Cabbage Session - December 4th @ 8:00am