St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

Masses for the week of September 27th, 1999 will be offered at St. Joseph Church:

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, Andrew Hamara, Joseph Laird, Barbara Seymen.

As well as our October Bridal Couples: Ann Marie Branson & Conal McBride, Julie Callahan & Jeffrey Wallace, Marie Reczek & Bobby Brown. 

This weekend, Confessions will be heard on Saturday, September 25th, from 5:45 to 6:15pm, prior to the Evening Mass. Next weekend, Confessions will be heard on Sunday, October 3rd, from 9:45 to 10:15am, prior to the Morning Mass. Also, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available anytime upon request. 

Our three word logo, "Remembering, Rejoicing, Renewing," captures the spirit of this Parish 75th Anniversary Year. This week we focus our attention on the renewing aspect of the St. Joseph Church Jubilee. From Sunday, September 26th, through Friday, October 1st, a full Passionist Parish Mission will be conducted for us by Father Claudio Piccinni, C.P., a preacher in great demand. This is a very special Program of Prayer, Reflection and Renewal not only in observance of the Parish Anniversary, but also in anticipation of Christianity's Third Millennium.

The main Mission Service will be held at 7 o'clock nightly, Sunday thru Thursday. A morning Mission Mass will be offered at 9:00 daily, Monday thru Thursday, and at 9:30 on First Friday. Confessions will be heard at all Services. Should anyone wish to avail themselves of the opportunity, Father Claudio will be available to meet with you privately during the day. Following the Service on Thursday night, a fellowship over sweet treats and beverages will take place in the School Hall. Please plan to attend our Passionist Parish Mission. The investment of your time and attention during these days should bring wonderful spiritual dividends.

There will be no choir practice for either choirs this Monday, September 27th, due to the Parish Mission.

Practices will resume next Monday, October 4th. Youth Choir will practice at their usual time of 6:45pm, and the Adult Choir will practice at 7:30pm. Thank you.

Within the past month, our Cardinal-Archbishop appealed for donations to assist the countless victims of the devastating earthquake in Turkey. The Catholic Relief Services is present in Turkey addressing needs for food, sanitation, shelter and health. Please know that we made a contribution of $300.00 out of general parish funds to alleviate the suffering inflicted by this natural catastrophe. Continue to remember the victims in the kindness of your prayers.

Over the course of this century, Catholic people everywhere have had an extraordinary love for St. Therese of Lisieux, affectionately known as "The Little Flower". Her short life, so filled with love of God and neighbor, is truly an inspiration to live a life of holiness. In recent years, the Carmelite Friars have taken her relics around the world for the veneration of the faithful, and now they are expected in our Archdiocese. The relics of St. Therese will be venerated on October 10th-11th in the Carmelite Monastery, North Philadelphia, and on October 12th in the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter & Paul, Center City. Masses, Prayer Services and Special Programs are planned throughout this privileged period; kindly consult the large St. Therese poster displayed in the vestibule for full details.

Our Lady of the Rosary Church, South 17th Avenue, is hosting a Community Rosary Rally on Sunday, October 10th, at 3:00pm on the Church grounds. Rosary intentions will include the sacredness of human life, world peace and family renewal. All are encouraged to participate. Refreshments will be served following the Rally.

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 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. Our first session in the series will be conducted on October 6th.

Which is Christian discipleship: to say "yes" and do nothing or to say "no" but then just do it? Jesus became our servant and died for us on the cross in obedience to the Father. His reward is Lordship over all, and his cross is our "ladder to salvation". Jesus' agony in Gethsemane hints at his human reluctance - but he just went ahead anyway to do it for us. Thanks to his paschal (Passover) work, now tax collectors and prostitutes and even we can follow him. For this mysterious paschal work, we are nourished in the Eucharist - our divine food for salvation.

A "thank you" is extended to all that participated in our Children's 75th Celebration held last Sunday, September 19th. Our Heavenly Father gave us a beautiful day and our Father John started the afternoon with a beautiful liturgy, with participation of the Children's Choir, a reenactment of the Gospel followed by food and fun.

We would like to extend a special thank you to the following who spent much time and effort in preparing for this celebration. In particular, Beth Ann Hackmeister, Lisa Hillman, Kathy Trumpelman, Susan Sandoski, and Kathy Catanese. Also, thank you to Bob Lasak, who made crosses for the children which were given to them as favors.

The Parish thanks you for your time, talent and treasure spent to make this event successful.

The next pierogie session is scheduled for Saturday, October 9th. At our last session, over 108 dozen were made. We encourage one and all to participate. If you can stay all morning, that is great! If you can only give an hour or two, that's just fine! We are looking for all the help we can. Remember, these efforts are used not only to raise money for the parish but to raise our sense of fellowship and getting to know each other. Please consider giving some of your time. Thank you.

The $500 Raffle sponsored by the Women's Club of St. Joseph's will be drawn on Thursday, September 30th after the 7:00pm Mission Service. A cake and coffee social will be hosted by the Club in conjunction with the drawing. Maybe, you will be the lucky winner!! Hope to see you there.