Stations of the Cross are prayed at Saint Joseph Church during Lent on Sundays and Fridays at 9:30am.
Stations are also prayed at our twinned parish, Presentation B.V.M. on Tuesdays at 7:15pm (followed by a Holy Hour at 8pm) and on Fridays with the Presentation B.V.M. School students at 1:30pm.
The penitential season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 6, 2019 and lasts until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 18, 2019.
The bishops of the United States prescribe, as minimal obligation, that all persons over 14 years of age are gravely obliged to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent. All persons over 18 years of age and up to the beginning of their 60th year are gravely obliged to fast by limiting themselves to a single full meal on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, while the other two meals are to be light.
All the faithful are encouraged at attend Mass and to receive the Most Holy Eucharist daily, to use frequently the Sacrament of Penance, to undertake spiritual reading, especially the study of the Sacred Scriptures, and to attend parish Lenten devotions and Lenten educational programs.
Ashes will be distributed on Ash Wednesday at the 10am Mass at St. Joseph Church and at the 6:30am and 7:30pm Mass and 1:30pm Scripture Service at Presentation BVM Church.
On Sundays and Fridays during Lent, we will pray the Stations of the Cross at 9:30am at St. Joseph Church. A video will be shown in the Parish Community Room following the 10am Mass each Sunday.
All are encouraged to participate in the annual CRS Rice Bowl, which has aided countless hungry persons here in our Archdiocese and throughout the world.
Please pray for the soul of parishioner Claire Fiandra. Claire’s funeral will take place at Saint Joseph Church on Monday, March 4, 2019 at 10am with a viewing from 9am to 9:45am. Click here for the obituary.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Jalia Harris received the St. Pius X Award.
Congratulations to our CCD catechists, Jalia Harris and Kevin Dinh!
Jalia received the St. Pius X Award at the Mass for Catechists at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul on Saturday, January 12, 2019. The St. Pius X Award is a national catechetical award presented to those who have given ten years of service to parish religious education.
Kevin Dinh will receive the St. John Neumann Award later this Spring. The St. John Neumann Award is an Archdiocesan catechetical award presented to those who have given five years of service to parish religious education.
Thank you, Jalia and Kevin, for your dedicated service to the children of our parish!
The relic of St. John Vianney’s incorrupt heart is coming to the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia on February 2 and 3, 2019. All are welcome to come to the Cathedral for a time of prayer before the incorrupt heart of this saintliest of priests, patron saint of diocesan priests. It is a unique time to intercede for the healing of the Church, the healing of the priesthood, the sanctity of priests and holy vocations to the priesthood. For the schedule and more details, visit cathedralphila.org/sjv
Join thousands of Catholics nationwide in the annual pro-life novena, 9 Days for Life, Monday, January 14 – Tuesday, January 22, 2019. Pray for the respect of all human life with daily intentions, brief reflections, and more. Download a free mobile app, or sign up to receive the novena through daily emails or text message. (A printable version is also available online.) Sign up at www.9daysforlife.com!
This is an ancient blessing in the Catholic tradition that transcends cultures and continents. Legend holds that the letters correspond to the initials for the names of the Three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. More importantly, these letters abbreviate the Latin phrase “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” – “May Christ bless this house”.
The year “2019” is divided by this phrase as a reminder to keep Jesus at the center of our lives and our relationships, wherever we go. The four crosses signify the four corners of the world to which we the Baptized are commissioned to proclaim the Gospel. The crosses also remind us that in the Year of Faith that we are called to:
Traditionally this blessing is done on Epiphany but it can be done at any time. The chalking ritual below is as a way to encourage every household of faith to begin the New Year in faith. This is a simple and versatile way to include family members of varied Christian denominations. The short prayer that follows can be shared at the main entrance of the home.
Chalking Entranceway Prayer
Begin by singing a refrain of familiar a Christmas song (e.g. “What Child is This?”)
Leader: The Lord be with you;
ALL: And with your spirit.
Leader: May Christ dwell in this house and bestow peace to all its inhabitants!
ALL: And all who enter it!
Leader: Let us pray. O God, you once used a star to lead wise ones and all people of good will to your Son. May the light of Christ guide us to recognize him in the epiphanies of our lives, each and every day. As we cross this threshold each day for work, study or play remind us of our true purpose – to love your people, do your will and lead others to you just as did the wise men of old. May all who enter here find your gracious hospitality in our company and may all who dwell here seek you in the face of every guest.
ALL: Christ bless this house.
Invite each person present to chalk the door way with the phrase: 20 + C + M + B + 19. Provide a step ladder and assistance so that younger family members can participate. If possible, conclude by singing another song (“O Come All Ye Faithful” or “We Three Kings”)
Leader: May Christ dwell with us, keep us from harm and make us one in mind and heart, now and forever We pray for this and all good things in the name of your son, Jesus Christ.
ALL: Come, Lord Jesus, into our homes and our hearts and remain with us now and always.
There will be a viewing at Saint Joseph Church, Cheltenham, on Friday, January 4 at 9am, followed by the Funeral Mass at 10am.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Please note that the schedule for Sunday Masses on the weekends of December 22/23 and 29/30 will be the regular schedule in both parishes.
CONFESSIONS
Saturdays, December 29: 4pm – 4:45pm at Presentation B.V.M. Church.
There will be no confessions Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.
CHRISTMAS MASSES AT SAINT JOSEPH CHURCH
December 24 – 5pm (Carols begin at 4:30pm)
December 25 – 10am (Carols begin at 9:45am)
CHRISTMAS MASSES AT PRESENTATION B.V.M. CHURCH
December 24 – 7:30pm (Carols begin at 7pm)
December 25 – 8:30am and 11:30am
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
December 31 – 5pm Mass at Saint Joseph Church
January 1 – 10am Mass at Presentation B.V.M. Church
This Saturday, December 8, 2018 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation.
The Mass schedule at Saint Joseph Church will be as follows:
Friday (Vigil) – 7:30pm.
The Mass schedule at our twin parish, Presentation BVM Church, will be as follows:
Saturday – 8am.
“The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.” (Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus, 1854)
We set aside Thanksgiving Day to thank God for all the blessings that He has bestowed on us, our family and our country. Mass will be celebrated on Thanksgiving Day at Presentation BVM Church, Cheltenham, at 8:30am.
GEORGE WASHINGTON’S THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION
City of New York, October 3, 1789
WHEREAS it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and
WHEREAS both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me: “to recommend to people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many single favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”
NOW THEREFORE I do recommend and assign Thursday, the twenty-sixth day of November next, to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.
Please pray for the soul of Rita Stack, the daughter of Josephine Stack. A visitation will be held on Friday, November 16, 2018 at 9:30am at St. Joseph Church, Cheltenham. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph on the same morning at 10am. Click here for the obituary.Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
All Saints Day at Saint Joseph, Cheltenham, 1998
Thursday, November 1, 2018 is All Saints Day, a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses at Saint Joseph Church will be Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 5pm and Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 10am.
Masses at Presentation BVM Church will be 6:30am and 7:30pm on Thursday, November 1, 2018.
Please pray for the soul of Dr. Laureano Garcia, Sr. Larry’s funeral will take place at Saint Joseph Church on Thursday, August 16, 2018 – viewing at 9am and Mass at 11am.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
This Wednesday, August 15, is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation.
The Mass schedule at Saint Joseph Church will be as follows:
Tuesday (Vigil) – 7:30pm
Wednesday – 10am.
The Mass schedule at our twin parish, Presentation BVM Church, will be as follows:
Wednesday – 6:30am and 7:30pm.
“Preserved free from all guilt of original sin, the Immaculate Virgin was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory upon the completion of her earthly sojourn. She was exalted by the Lord as Queen of all, in order that she might be more thoroughly conformed to her Son, the Lord of Lords and the conqueror of sin and death.” (Dogmatic Constitution of the Church, 59)
“The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 966)
