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.

We wish all the dads in our Saint Joseph Parish family a very happy Father’s Day.

God our Father, in your wisdom and love you made all things. Bless these men, that they may be strengthened as Christian fathers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Book of Blessings
Prepared by International Commission on English in the Liturgy
A Joint Commission of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences,
The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota, 1989

We wish all the moms in our Saint Joseph Parish family a very happy Mother’s Day!

Loving God, as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children, so You watch over Your Church. Bless these women, that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect.

 

Book of Blessings
Prepared by International Commission on English in the Liturgy
A Joint Commission of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences,
The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota, 1989

Prayerful best wishes are extended to the families of Katie and Xavier who received their First Holy Communion at our Church on Sunday, April 29, 2018.  May the joy and peace of Jesus present in the Holy Eucharist be with you always!

 

We wish everyone a safe and happy Independence Day!  God bless America!

Father of all nations and ages,
we recall the day when our country
claimed its place among the family of nations;
for what has been achieved, we give You thanks,
for the work that still remains, we ask Your help,
and as You have called us from many peoples
to be one nation,
grant that, under Your providence,
our country may share Your blessings
with all the peoples of the earth.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Collect of the Mass for Independence Day

We wish all the dads in our Saint Joseph Parish family a very happy Father’s Day.

If you forgot to make plans to celebrate with your dad, it is not too late – our International Buffet takes place on Father’s Day at Presentation B.V.M. Hall from 3pm to 6pm.  Tickets may be purchased at the door.

God our Father, in your wisdom and love you made all things. Bless these men, that they may be strengthened as Christian fathers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Book of Blessings
Prepared by International Commission on English in the Liturgy
A Joint Commission of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences,
The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota, 1989

We wish all the Mothers, Grandmothers, Godmothers and Spiritual Mothers in our
Saint Joseph Parish family a very happy Mother’s Day!

Loving God, as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children, so You watch over Your Church. Bless these women, that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect.

 

Book of Blessings
by Prepared by International Commission on English in the Liturgy
A Joint Commission of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences,
The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota, 1989

Our parish May Crowning will take place this Sunday, May 14, 2017 at 9:30am with the recitation of the Rosary followed by the crowning and the 10am Mass.  All parishioners are invited to participate in this special, time-honored religious tradition.

The rosary and crowning will take place in the Church.  Each family is encouraged to bring a small bouquet of flowers for Mary’s altar.  Vases will be provided.

Children from our parish who made their First Holy Communion this year are asked to wear their special outfits.

We are having a BAKE SALE after Mass this Sunday, May 14, 2017 to benefit our parish project:

HELP US HELP HAITI

Donations of baked goods for the sale would be greatly appreciated.

As you know, our parish is working with Food for the Poor to raise money to provide essential resources for a family in Haiti.  In addition to this Sunday’s Bake Sale, we are asking our parishioners and friends to make a donation (payable to St. Joseph Church), place it in an envelope marked “Food for the Poor” and drop it in the collection basket by June 4.  We will send one check to Food for the Poor.

If you would prefer to donate via credit card, please visit our campaign page on the Food for the Poor website: www.foodforthepoor.org/stjoescheltenham
Please share the above-noted website with your family and friends on social media and ask for their assistance in our parish project.  Thank you!

Prayerful best wishes are extended to the families of Astrid, Jonathan, Juliette and Travis who received their First Holy Communion at our Church on Sunday, April 23, 2017.  May the joy and peace of Jesus present in the Holy Eucharist be with you always!

 

Since March 19, 2017 is the Third Sunday of Lent, the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and our parish patron, is transferred to the following Monday, March 20.

“Saint Joseph is a man of great spirit. He is great in faith, not because he speaks his own words, but above all because he listens to the words of the Living God. He listens in silence. And his heart ceaselessly perseveres in the readiness to accept the Truth contained in the word of the Living God.” (St. John Paul II)

“I have great love for Saint Joseph, because he is a man of silence and strength. On my table I have an image of Saint Joseph sleeping. Even when he is asleep, he is taking care of the Church!” (Pope Francis)

St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church and our parish patron, pray for us.

 

Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend.  Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour this Saturday night, March 11, 2017.  We wouldn’t want anyone to be late for church!

Gifts made to the 2017 Catholic Charities Appeal will provide support needed to tens of thousands of people through countless organizations, programs and ministries throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The beneficiaries are grouped into five key areas:

• Education
• Social Services
• Evangelization, Parish and Spiritual Life
• Clergy
• Local Mission Activities

Last year, our parish raised 92% of its assigned goal.  With your help, we could get to 100% of this year’s assigned goal!  To donate, or for further information, visit the Catholic Charities website.

We continue to collect nonperishable goods for the Food Bank at St. Helena Parish.  This coming Sunday, February 5, 2017 is Souper Bowl Sunday.  We are asking everyone to bring one can of soup to church this Sunday.  There will be a table in the gym where you can drop off your donation.  Thank you for your love of neighbor!