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, November 28, 2024 at Presentation BVM Church, Cheltenham, at 8am.

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.

March 24 – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
9:15am Stations of the Cross at St. Joseph Church
10am Mass* and Blessing of Palms at St. Joseph Church

March 25 – Monday of Holy Week
10am Mass at St. Joseph Church

March 27– Wednesday of Holy Week
10am Mass at St. Joseph Church
10:30am Stations of the Cross at St. Joseph Church

March 28 – Holy Thursday
5pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Joseph Church
St. Joseph Church will remain open until 9pm
(7:30pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper at Presentation BVM Church)

March 29 – Good Friday
St. Joseph Church will be open 12 noon until 4pm for private prayer.
7:30pm Solemn Service of the Lord’s Passion at St. Joseph Church
(3pm Solemn Service of the Lord’s Passion at Presentation BVM)

March 30 – Holy Saturday
4pm-5pm Sacrament of Reconciliation at Presentation BVM
5pm Blessing of Easter Foods at Presentation BVM
8pm Solemn Easter Vigil at Presentation BVM

March 31 – Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection
10am Mass* at St. Joseph Church
(8:30am & 11:30am Mass at Presentation BVM)

*Please note: the Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday Masses from St. Joseph will be livestreamed on the parish’s website and Facebook page. 

There is a sign-up sheet available on a table in the Church Hall for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday evening and Good Friday afternoon.  Please consider signing up for a time slot (or two) so that the Blessed Sacrament will not be left alone during this solemn time. The Blessed Sacrament will be reposed in the side room near the organ.

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 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 Good Friday, while the other two meals are to be light.

Due to the snow forecasted for Friday morning, the 10am Mass on Friday, January 19, 2024 at St. Joseph, Cheltenham has been canceled.

Stay safe!

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, November 23, 2023 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.

April 2 – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
9:15am Stations of the Cross at St. Joseph Church
10am Mass* and Blessing of Palms at St. Joseph Church

April 3 – Monday of Holy Week
10am Mass at St. Joseph Church

April 5– Wednesday of Holy Week
10am Mass at St. Joseph Church
10:30am Stations of the Cross at St. Joseph Church

April 6 – Holy Thursday
5pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Joseph Church
St. Joseph Church will remain open until 9pm
(7:30pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper at Presentation BVM Church)

April 7 – Good Friday
St. Joseph Church will be open 12 noon until 4pm for private prayer.
7:30pm Solemn Service of the Lord’s Passion at St. Joseph Church
(3pm Solemn Service of the Lord’s Passion at Presentation BVM)

April 8 – Holy Saturday
4pm-5pm Sacrament of Reconciliation at Presentation BVM
5pm Blessing of Easter Foods at Presentation BVM
8pm Solemn Easter Vigil at Presentation BVM

April 9 – Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection
10am Mass* at St. Joseph Church
(8:30am & 11:30am Mass at Presentation BVM)

*Please note: the Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday Masses from St. Joseph will be livestreamed on the parish’s website and Facebook page. 

There is a sign-up sheet available on a table in the Church Hall for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday evening and Good Friday afternoon.  Please consider signing up for a time slot (or two) so that the Blessed Sacrament will not be left alone during this solemn time. The Blessed Sacrament will be reposed in the s side room near the organ.

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 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 Good Friday, while the other two meals are to be light.

Our pastor, Father Harrison, will offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the happy repose of the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 12 noon at our twinned parish, Presentation BVM, Cheltenham. Depending on the number of worshippers, the Mass will be celebrated in the main church or in the adjoining chapel.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died on Saturday, December 31, 2022 at the age of 95.

Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Benoit-XVI.jpg
Medialpj, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

April 10 – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
9:15am Stations of the Cross at St. Joseph Church
10am Mass* and Blessing of Palms at St. Joseph Church

April 11 – Monday of Holy Week
10am Mass at St. Joseph Church

April 13– Wednesday of Holy Week
10am Mass at St. Joseph Church
10:30am Stations of the Cross at St. Joseph Church

April 14 – Holy Thursday
5pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Joseph Church
St. Joseph Church will remain open until 9pm
(7:30pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper at Presentation BVM Church)

April 15 – Good Friday
St. Joseph Church will be open 12 noon until 4pm for private prayer.
7:30pm Solemn Service of the Lord’s Passion at St. Joseph Church
(3pm Solemn Service of the Lord’s Passion at Presentation BVM)

April 16 – Holy Saturday
4pm-5pm Sacrament of Reconciliation at Presentation BVM
5pm Blessing of Easter Foods at Presentation BVM
8pm Solemn Easter Vigil at Presentation BVM

April 17 – Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection
10am Mass* at St. Joseph Church
(8:30am & 11:30am Mass at Presentation BVM)

*Please note: the Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday Masses from St. Joseph will be livestreamed on the parish’s website and Facebook page.  Those who are unable to attend the Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday services in person are encouraged to participate in the livestreams from the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.  Click here for the schedule of services from the Cathedral.

The Washing of Feet will take place on Holy Thursday.  The Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday should take place with a genuflection or a bow.  Please do not touch or kiss the Cross .

There is a sign-up sheet available on the bulletin board for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday evening and Good Friday afternoon.  Please consider signing up for a time slot (or two) so that the Blessed Sacrament will not be left alone during this solemn time. Please note that due to Covid, the Blessed Sacrament will be reposed in the sanctuary of the Church rather than in the small side room near the organ.

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 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 Good Friday, while the other two meals are to be light.

Due to the ice forecasted for Sunday morning, the 10am Mass on Sunday, January 9, 2022 at St. Joseph, Cheltenham has been canceled. CCD classes are also canceled for that morning.

Click here for the livestream of the 11am Mass at the Cathedral.

Click here for this week’s bulletin.

The Epiphany Home Blessing 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 “2022” 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:

• grow in faith
• witness to our faith
• share our faith
• be transformed in faith

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 Entrance Way 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 +  22.  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.

This Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 2pm, Jalia Harris and Terrance Davis will be married at our Church! The wedding will be livestreamed on our parish Facebook page as well as on our website at : https://stjoescheltenham.org/jaliaandterrance/

We thank Msgr. David Benz for sharing with us last Sunday the important work that Cross Catholic Outreach is providing to the poorest of the poor in more than 30 countries around the world.  To make a donation, visit crosscatholic.org  or use one of the brochures available in the church vestibule.

During his homily, Msgr. Benz mentioned a video concerning wells and the collection of water.  Here are a couple of videos produced by Cross Catholic Outreach:

You can watch more videos produced by Cross Catholic Outreach by visiting their YouTube channel.

March 28 – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
9:15am Stations of the Cross at St. Joseph Church
10am Mass* and Blessing of Palms at St. Joseph Church

March 29 – Monday of Holy Week
10am Mass at St. Joseph Church

March 31 – Wednesday of Holy Week
10am Mass at St. Joseph Church
10:30am Stations of the Cross at St. Joseph Church

April 1 – Holy Thursday
5pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Joseph Church
St. Joseph Church will remain open until 9pm
(7:30pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper at Presentation BVM Church)

April 2 – Good Friday
St. Joseph Church will be open 12 noon until 4pm for private prayer.
7:30pm Solemn Service of the Lord’s Passion at St. Joseph Church
(3pm Solemn Service of the Lord’s Passion at Presentation BVM)

April 3 – Holy Saturday
4pm-5pm Sacrament of Reconciliation at Presentation BVM
5pm Blessing of Easter Foods at Presentation BVM
8pm Solemn Easter Vigil at Presentation BVM

April 4 – Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection
10am* Mass at St. Joseph Church
(8:30am & 11:30am Mass at Presentation BVM)

*Please note: the Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday Masses from St. Joseph will be livestreamed on the parish’s website and Facebook page.  Those who are unable to attend the Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday services in person are encouraged to participate in the livestreams from the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.  Click here for the schedule of services from the Cathedral.

Due to Covid, the Washing of Feet, which is always optional, will not take place on Holy Thursday.  The Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday should take place with a genuflection or a bow.  Please do not touch or kiss the Cross this year.

There is a sign-up sheet available on the bulletin board for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday evening and Good Friday afternoon.  Please consider signing up for a time slot (or two) so that the Blessed Sacrament will not be left alone during this solemn time. Please note that due to Covid, the Blessed Sacrament will be reposed in the sanctuary of the Church rather than in the small side room near the organ.

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 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 Good Friday, while the other two meals are to be light.

Due to the icy roads and the icy conditions in the parking lots and sidewalks, the 10am Mass on Sunday, February 14, 2021 at St. Joseph, Cheltenham has been cancelled. Online CCD classes will be held as usual.

Click here for the livestream of the 11am Mass at the Cathedral.

Click here for this week’s bulletin.

Due to the snow forecasted for Sunday morning, the 10am Mass on Sunday, February 7, 2021 at St. Joseph, Cheltenham has been cancelled. Online CCD classes will be held on Sunday morning as usual.

Click here for the livestream of the 11am Mass at the Cathedral.

Click here for this week’s bulletin.

The 2020-2021 St. Charles Borromeo Seminary Appeal has now begun. A donation to the Appeal supports our seminarians, candidates for the Permanent Diaconate and lay church leaders in their formation. Most importantly, your gift provides for the future of our faith. Please prayerfully consider a gift to the Appeal to provide for the future generations of the Church.

For more information or to donate, click here.