Jesse Dean is a recently discharged soldier who had a rough upbringing, but because of his wife, found God and now is totally devoted to his faith.

He and wife move to Philadelphia so he can take a new job as an outreach leader at an old church whose membership has been declining. As everything is going well and as he starts connecting to the community, he discovers there’s an abortion clinic directly across the street from the church.

He goes to the pastor and to several others in the church and tries to get their help to no avail. One day something tragic and personal happens to him while he’s going about his everyday routine. He comes to the point that he begins to take action himself. He gets involved but the more involved he gets, the more resistance he gets from those in church and community. His wife, who thinks his actions will get him fired or land him in jail, also comes against him.

Finally, it comes down to him having to make a choice: is he going to take the easy way out and back off, which is what everyone wants him to do, or will he face a major confrontation which will require him to put everything on the line…not just his job, but his freedom and marriage as well.

This film encourages people to stand up for what they know is right, particularly as it pertains to taking God’s truths into society to address social issues. It addresses the spirit of retreat as it pertains to engaging the culture that has developed within the Church.

Rated PG-13.  See it at the Riverview Plaza, 1400 S Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19147

The Catholic bishops of the United States are pleased to offer once again to the Catholic faithful Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (en Español), their  teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics. This statement represents the bishops’  guidance for Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy. The bishops’ urge our pastors, lay and religious faithful, and all people of good will to use this statement to help form their consciences; to teach those entrusted to their care; to contribute to civil and respectful public dialogue; and to shape political choices in the coming election in light of Catholic teaching. The statement lifts up our dual heritage as both faithful Catholics and American citizens with rights and duties as participants in the civil order.

Just a reminder that during the month of October, the Month of the Holy Rosary, we will be praying the Rosary before Sunday Mass at 9:40am.

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Pray for Us.

O God of love, compassion, and healing,
look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions,
who gather today at this site,
the scene of incredible violence and pain.

Jesus said “Blessed are the merciful, for mercy shall be theirs” (Mt 5:7), which makes the practice of the spiritual works of mercy a win-win for everyone!

When we instruct the ignorant and counsel the doubtful, we’re forced to brush up on our own faith in order to properly inform others. How many misunderstandings about Church teaching could be prevented if we understood not just what She teaches, but why!

Admonishing sinners isn’t about judging someone’s heart; it’s about those everyday moral decisions about right and wrong that we make whenever we decide not to steal, gossip, lie, etc. When we admonish sinners with love, we reaffirm our own convictions and make this world more civil and loving.

To bear wrongs patiently not only impresses those who offend us, it makes us stronger in body, mind and spirit. Paybacks might feel good, but they also introduce discord and division into our world. When we bear wrongs patiently, we become channels of peace.

Scripture and science agree that forgiving offenses willingly, letting go of grudges and bitterness, makes people happier, healthier, and better able to meet the challenges of everyday life.

Comforting the afflicted brings the merciful touch of God to those most in need. Our own faith is reinforced when we see how God’s presence can strengthen a soul in the midst of suffering.

Praying for the living and the dead unites us to the full Body of Christ – both in heaven and on earth – and invites the power of God into the lives of our living and deceased loved ones.  When we give God’s mercy to others, it becomes a blessing to us all!

-Susan Brinkmann, O.C.D.S., Catholic Life Institutes, Bedminster, PA

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 Quote from Catholic Tradition:

“I can’t stop praying for poor sinners who are on the road to hell. If they come to die in that state, they will be lost for all eternity. What a pity! We have to pray for sinners!  Praying for sinners is the most beautiful and useful of prayers because the just are on the way to heaven, the souls of purgatory are sure to enter there, but the poor sinners will be lost forever. All devotions are good but there is no better one than such prayer for sinners.“ –St. John Vianney

“Jesus came for two reasons: he came to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” –Dorothy Day

To continue reflecting on this theme, consider one of these resources!

• Recommended Book for the Month: Introduction to the Devout Life, Francis de Sales
• Lighthouse Catholic Media CD: Seven Deadly Sins – Seven Lively Virtues by Bishop Robert Barron

Kevin and Father Harrison

We welcome Mr. Kevin Hollinshead as our new parish Maintenance Man effective July 5, 2016.

Kevin succeeds Mr. John Lauer who retired last week after 18 years of service to our parish.

Happy Independence Day!  Mass will be celebrated today at Saint Joseph Church at 9:30am.

We pray, Thee O Almighty and Eternal God! Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of Thy Name.

We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, Pope Francis, the Vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, Charles, all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.

We pray Thee O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.

We pray for his excellency, the governor of this state, for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

Finally, we pray to Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relatives, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Archbishop John Carroll’s Prayer for Government, November 10, 1791

John, Father Harrison and Vera

Our Parish Secretary, Miss Vera Halper, and our Parish Maintenance Man, Mr. John Lauer, are retiring on June 30, 2016.

We thank them for their many decades of faithful service to our parish and we pray that God will bless Vera and John and their families with good health and lots of relaxation during their well-earned retirement years.

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 today at Presentation B.V.M. Hall from 3pm to 6pm.

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

In April 2016, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill 1947. If this bill passes in the Senate, civil claims that are currently time-barred would be revived until the victim reaches age 50, but only if that abuse occurred in a non-profit setting.  Public schools and agencies would still be protected by sovereign immunity. Nonprofit and private organizations like Catholic parishes and schools could be sued for past cases, but not public schools.  The bill is scheduled to go to the Senate the week of June 13.

For information about the bill, click here.

To contact your state senator and governor,  click here.  The time to act is now!

Congratulations and prayerful best wishes are extended to Msgr. Edward M. Deliman who has been named an Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia by Pope Francis.

Then-Father Deliman was Parochial Vicar (Assistant Pastor) of Saint Joseph Church, Cheltenham from June 1973 through June 1977 – his first assignment as a priest!

Archbishop Chaput will ordain Bishop-elect Deliman to the episcopacy on August 18, 2016 in the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.  Please pray for Bishop-elect Deliman as he prepares for his new responsibilities.

All great things, moments, and events have a source. Teams who win have a strong coach, fast cars have a powerful engine, and those who give have a big heart. The same holds true for us as disciples of Jesus Christ. We have a source, which is the Eucharist.

“The Eucharist is ‘the source and summit of the Christian life.’ The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.” (CCC 1324)

In this Year of Mercy, Pope Francis is inviting us to rekindle our relationship with the source of mercy. The Eucharist is what fuels our parishes, feeds our families, and comforts our hearts. This gift is the source and strength of our love and mercy to the poor, needy, and abandoned.

“Anyone who wishes to give love must also receive love as a gift. Certainly, as the Lord tells us, one can become a source from which rivers of living water flow (cf. Jn 7:37‐38). Yet to become such a source, one must constantly drink anew from the original source, which is Jesus Christ, from whose pierced heart flows the love of God (cf. Jn 19:34).” (Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est)

‐Fr. Jason Buck, Parochial Vicar, St. Andrew Parish, Newtown

How to Live It

• Consider committing to 1 hour a week or 1 hour a month before the Blessed Sacrament.
• Consider receiving the Eucharist more than once a week.
• Bring a friend, relative, or coworker to adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Make a quick visit to the Blessed Sacrament during the week.

Quote from Catholic Tradition

“Do you allow yourselves to be gazed upon by the Lord? But how do you do this? You look at the tabernacle and you let yourselves be looked at . . . it is simple! ‘It is a bit boring; I fall asleep.’ Fall asleep then, sleep! He is still looking at you. But know for sure that he is looking at you!” ‐Pope Francis

“In the heart of Jesus, which was pierced, the kingdom of heaven and the land of earth are bound together. Here is for us the source of life. This heart is the heart of the Triune Divinity, and the center of all human hearts… It draws us to itself with secret power, it conceals us in itself in the Father’s bosom and floods us with the Holy Spirit. This heart, it beats for us in a small tabernacle where it remains mysteriously hidden in that still, white host.” ‐St. Edith Stein

Today, May 30, 2016, is Memorial Day.  We remember the many brave men and women who have given their lives throughout the history of our great nation – those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect us from harm and to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day.

Mass will be celebrated at Saint Joseph Church today at 9:30am.

Heavenly Father,
On this Memorial Day,
we pray for those who courageously laid down
their lives for the cause of freedom.
May the example of their sacrifice
inspire in us the selfless love of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Bless the families of our fallen troops,
and fill their homes and their lives with your strength and peace.
In union with people of goodwill of every nation,
embolden us to answer the call to work for peace and justice,
and thus, seek an end to violence and conflict around the globe.
We pray through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Today, Sunday, May 29, 2016, is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus (Corpus Christi).

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

1407 The Eucharist is the heart and the summit of the Church’s life, for in it Christ associates his Church and all her members with his sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving offered once for all on the cross to his Father; by this sacrifice he pours out the graces of salvation on his Body which is the Church.