Image: Daniel Irmler, churchhacks.com
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!
Clocks Spring Forward this Saturday
Saint Joseph Novena Prayer
Please join us for the Saint Joseph Novena Prayer beginning Saturday, March 11 in preparation for our parish’s patron feast day on Sunday, March 19.
The novena prayer will be prayed together at Saint Joseph Church on Sunday, March 19 at 9:40am, prior to the 10am Mass.
You are invited to pray the novena prayer privately at home during the other eight days. Click here for the novena prayer.
Sunday Video: Powers and Dominions
Sundays, March 5 and 12 after the 10am Mass
in the Parish Community Room
In all of God’s creation we see such splendor and beauty, mystery and wonder. Within this creation there are beings with intellect and free will: humans and angels.
From the creation of the world, the realm of the angels and the world of men have interacted. This interaction is not always a positive one.
Powers and Dominions: Angels, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare explores the spiritual world, that very real but unseen realm: God, the human soul, angels, demons (fallen angels), spiritual warfare, the reality of demonic possession and exorcism, the dangers of the new age movement and the occult, and much more.
Featuring well-known speakers and authors Steve Ray, Fr. Andrew Pinsent, Fr. Marcus Holden, Joanna Bogle, Fr. Jeremy Davies and Fr. Behruz Rafat, this film offers an insightful and sobering presentation about the reality of the powers and dominions of the spiritual world. Inspirational music, beautiful artwork and imagery are used throughout the film.
Poor Man’s Supper
We will have a Poor Man’s Supper in our Parish Community Room on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 6pm. A simple meal of soup and bread will be served. There is no cost – however, all those attending will be asked to make a donation to CRS Rice Bowl for the poor.
Everyone is invited to partake in this symbolic meal! If you plan to attend, please put your name on the sign-up board in the gym or use the form below to sign-up by Sunday, March 5:
Lent Begins Wednesday!
The penitential season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 1, 2017 and lasts until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 13, 2017.
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 9:30am Mass at St. Joseph Church and at the 6:30am and 7:30pm Mass at 1:30pm Scripture Service at Presentation BVM Church.
On Sundays 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.
Sunday Video: The Wild Goose, Part 3
The Wild Goose
After Sunday Mass on February 26, 2017
in the Parish Community Room
Unleash the Holy Spirit in Your Life
In this professionally filmed and cinematographically stunning series, Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR will lead you on an unforgettable journey around the world and into the very heart of God. Discover the immense power and beauty of the unconditional Love of God that is the Holy Spirit.
Why the Name: “The Wild Goose”
The “Wild Goose” was a term that the ancient Celts had for the Holy Spirit. Yes, there is a wildness to the Holy Spirit. The dominant images of the Holy Spirit are a meek dove or a flickering flame of a candle, both of which are in one way accurate. But the Holy Spirit is far more than that.
About the Presenter
Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR, is a nationally known author and speaker dedicated to helping others come to know God’s love for them through preaching and writing. Fr. Dave has held several ministry positions at Franciscan University of Steubenville and is actively involved in the highly successful summer conferences program. He is the author of the new book Breath of God – Living a life led by the Holy Spirit.
About the Series
The Wild Goose series is fourteen independent segments dealing with different experiences of the Holy Spirit. For the most part, each segment stands on its own so you do not have to watch them in any particular order. However, the first three segments give a type of foundation to the others, so it is suggested that you start with these. After that, ask the Spirit to lead you in what to watch next and go with that.
40 Days for Life
This important campaign will begin on Wednesday March 1, 2017 and continue through Sunday, April 9, 2017. “40 Days for Life” is an international, community-based campaign that draws attention to the evil of abortion through the use of a three-point program: Prayer and Fasting – Constant Vigil – Community Outreach. We have the opportunity to participate at three local locations:
- Center City Philadelphia – Philadelphia Planned Parenthood (12th and Locust Streets). Vigil hours: Monday – Friday from 8am to 5pm, Saturday from 8am to 3pm. Please contact Mary Schott (215-635-3172) or Monique Rubero (469-231-9084 or e-mail) for additional information and to sign up. Thank you for your support.
- Center City Philadelphia – Philadelphia Women’s Center (777 Appletree Street – just off 8th Street between Arch and Cherry Streets. Vigil hours: Tuesday – Saturday from 8am to 5pm. Please contact Mary Schott (215-635-3172) or Bob Reynolds (267-733-2737 or e-mail) for additional information and to sign up. Thank you for your support.
- Northeast Philadelphia – Northeast Medical Center (2751 Comly Road). Vigil hours: Monday – Saturday from 7am to 3pm. Please contact Anita Flynn (267-456-4582 or e-mail) for additional information and to sign up. Thank you for your support.
You can also sign up directly on the Forty Days for Life web site. Follow the prompts. Eventually you will be asked to set up a login account. Just make sure you input your correct e-mail and remember your password. If you are not able to participate in the vigil, please pray and fast.
2017 Catholic Charities Appeal
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.
Sunday Video: Finding Saint Anthony
Sunday, February 12 and 19, 2017
after the 10am Mass
in the Parish Community Room
Over the centuries, Saint Anthony of Padua has been acclaimed as a great example of holiness through countless works of art, sculpture and books. Many Catholics, and even non-Catholics, think of Saint Anthony as the first one to turn to when something is lost. Yet amid this widespread veneration and devotion, we may miss the story of a man who began his life like all of us.
This film reveals the journey of Fernando Martins de Bulhões, a 13th century Christian whom we know today as Saint Anthony. Here, we discover a young man who was often “lost” and searching for direction in his life. He wanted to make a difference in the world of his time. As we encounter his humanity, we find someone we can relate to, someone who struggled in life, someone we could have easily called a friend.
Shot on historic locations in Portugal and Italy, Finding St. Anthony: A Story of Loss & Light is a documentary film that focuses on the experiences of Fernando (Anthony) in his search for the life God is calling him to lead. And as we look closely at the journey of St. Anthony, what we find may surprise us: a reflection of ourselves. His story gives us insight and inspiration for our own spiritual journey.
This Sunday: Souper Bowl of Caring
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!
In Loving Memory: Msgr. Richard J. Skelly
Please pray for the soul of Rev. Msgr. Richard J. Skelly, the third pastor of Saint Joseph Church, Cheltenham (1981-1987). Msgr. Skelly passed away on Thursday, January 25, 2017.
The Reception of the Body will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Morton, on Thursday, February 2, 2017 at 4pm followed by a viewing. A parish Mass will be held at 7pm.
Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will celebrate a Funeral Mass for Msgr. Skelly at Saint Joseph Church, Aston (Delaware County), on Friday, February 3, 2017 at 11am. A viewing will be held beginning at 9am.
Msgr. Skelly will always be remembered for his great love for the people of Saint Joseph Parish and his great love of sports (he had been Athletics Director at Bishop McDevitt High School for 23 years prior to his assignment at our parish). Many parishioners fondly remember Msgr. (then Father) Skelly behind the wheel of the tractor cutting the parish field or behind the wheel of the parish school bus transporting students to various extracurricular activities.
Eternal rest grant to Msgr. Skelly, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. My his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
Last Call: Collection for Homeless Veterans
This Sunday, January 29, 2017 is the final Sunday that Eagle Scout candidate Justin Convery will be collecting clothing and toiletries for six shelters for Homeless Veterans. We are looking for any new or gently used men’s clothing and toiletries. Sizes can range from medium to 2XL.
If you have any questions, please call him at (484) 362-9733. Thank you!
Archbishop Chaput’s New Book – pre-order today
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is proud to announce that Archbishop Chaput’s latest book, Strangers in a Strange Land: Living the Catholic Faith in a Post-Christian World, will be released by Henry Holt and Co. on February 17, 2017.Throughout his text, the Archbishop offers guidance on how Christians, and particularly Catholics, can live their life vigorously within the challenging context of today’s public square. You can learn more about the book, see endorsements, and pre-order your copy here: http://us.macmillan.com/static/holt/strangersinastrangeland/.
Missionaries of Mercy – A Gift That Will Continue
In his Apostolic letter Misericordia et misera, Pope Francis extended the faculties of the specially-appointed priests, known as Missionaries of Mercy, beyond the Jubilee Year of Mercy as “a concrete sign that the grace of the Jubilee remains alive and effective the world over” (MM 9).
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia rejoices to have one of her own priests appointed to this ministry, Msgr. George Majoros, Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo in Drexel Hill and Sacred Heart in Clifton Heights. To learn more about Msgr. Majoros’ extended Missionary of Mercy ministry, click here.
Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
Approximately 60 million abortions since the 1973 decisions of Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton reflect with heartbreaking magnitude what Pope Francis means by a “throwaway culture.” However, we have great trust in God’s providence. We are reminded time and again in Scripture to seek the Lord’s help, and as people of faith, we believe that our prayers are heard.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), no. 373, designates January 22 as a particular day of prayer and penance, called the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children: “In all the Dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion.”
As individuals, we are called to observe this day through the penitential practices of prayer, fasting and/or giving alms. Another way to take part is through participating in special events to observe the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
For further resources, visit the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church 