Please join us for the Saint Joseph Novena Prayer beginning Friday, March 11 in preparation for our parish’s patron feast day on Saturday, March 19.
The novena prayer will be prayed together at Saint Joseph Church on:
Friday, March 11 at 9am
Sunday, March 13 at 9:30am
Monday, March 14 at 9am
Wednesday, March 16 at 9am
Friday, March 18 at 9am
You are invited to pray the novena prayer privately at home during the other nine days. Click here for the novena prayer.
Saint Joseph and Presentation B.V.M. Parishes are invited to our Easter Season Retreat to be held at Saint Joseph Manor, 1600 Huntingdon Pike, on Sunday, April 10 from 2pm-6pm. The afternoon will include a spiritual presentation, the Rosary and Mass, followed by a hoagie dinner.
The cost will be a free-will offering collected at the Retreat which will help the Sisters of the Holy Redeemer install an elevator in their Province Center.
If attending, please fill out the form shown below by Sunday, April 3.
PARISH RETREAT SIGN-UP
This Sunday, March 6, we will show Part 1 of the Joseph of Nazareth video in the Parish Community Room immediately following the 10am Mass. Please join us for this inspiring film on the life of our parish patron, Saint Joseph, as we approach his feast day on March 19. Part 2 of the video will be shown on March 13.
The first feature film ever on the story of St. Joseph – carpenter, husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus Christ. Scripture tells us that St. Joseph was a “just man”, and that God gave him the most daunting task ever asked of a man – to be the husband of the woman who would give birth to the Messiah, and the father and protector of this Holy Family, the man closest to Christ.
Starring Tobias Moretti in a manly, appealing performance, we are shown the human, noble and the deeply spiritual aspects of Joseph the carpenter, son of David, servant of God and loving husband of Mary. He is presented as a man of faith who has to grapple greatly with the profound mysteries of the divine conception, virgin birth and the Incarnation of the Son of God, and the incredible challenges of protecting and raising Jesus amidst the threats on his life from the moment of His birth and beyond.
As Joseph is informed by God’s messengers about trusting and following God’s plan for the mysterious divine conception and humble birth of Christ, the dangerous flight into Egypt to save his child, and finally returning to Nazareth to raise Jesus, teach him carpentry and guide his family, this lovely film presents beautiful vignettes of these and other powerful scenes in the life of the young Christ and the Holy Family that are authentic and inspiring. Also stars Stefania Rivi as Mary, and Franco Interlenghi and Andrea Prodan.
Thank you to everyone who attended the Poor Man’s Supper last week. We also thank those who made the soup that was enjoyed by those who were in attendance.
The amount raised was $170 which will be given to Catholic Relief Services
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Bishop Robert Barron’s The Mystery of God: Who God Is and Why He Matters video series continues this Sunday, February 28 in the Parish Community Room immediately following the 10am Mass.
WHAT DO WE REALLY MEAN BY “GOD”?
Atheism is on the rise. Skeptical thinkers like Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris vigorously attack belief in God as irrational or, even worse, dangerous. The so-called New Atheism has attracted millions of young people thanks to bestselling books such as The God Delusion and God Is Not Great.
How should Christians respond? How can we turn the tide of secularism and draw people back to God?
In this new six-part film series and study program, Bishop Robert Barron reaches into our rich intellectual tradition to teach us how. Using the insights of St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, Pope Benedict XVI, he uncovers a clear yet sophisticated understanding of what we mean by “God”.
Who is God? And why does he matter? Watch this series and you’ll not only learn the answers yourself, but you’ll discover how to share them with others – especially those who no longer believe.
PART 3 – THE DIVINE ATTRIBUTES
Once we understand who God is, we naturally wonder, “What is he like? How does he act?” We can never fully answer those questions. Yet we can know that God is self-sufficient—he doesn’t need the world but creates it out of love. God is omniscient, knowing all things. God is omnipresent, everywhere in existence. Through these attributes we discover a God who presses upon the world, always and everywhere, not aggressively but only with love.
We are excited to announce that our parish has subscribed to a dynamic new online platform called FORMED. Every parishioner will have 24/7 access to the best Catholic content on any device, including your computer, smartphone and tablet with internet access. With FORMED you’ll find video programs that explain the Catholic faith, explore the deepest meaning of marriage, receive Bible studies on a variety of topics and includes inspiring audio talks.
And you’ll find presenters like Dr. Tim Gray, Dr. Edward Sri, Dr. Mary Healey, Chris Stefanick, Dr. Scott Hahn, Bishop Robert Barron and a lot more. They’re all part of our parish subscription. It truly is the Catholic faith – on demand.
Here’s how easy it is to get FORMED: Go to www.FORMED.org. You should see the registration box for parishioners. Type in the parish code: Z4YNTN (case sensitive). Now set up a username and a password. Now you are all set to use all the great programs on FORMED.org anytime by simply logging in.
Stations of the Cross are prayed at Saint Joseph Church during Lent on:
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.
Bishop Robert Barron’s The Mystery of God: Who God Is and Why He Matters video series continues this Sunday, February 21 in the Parish Community Room immediately following the 10am Mass.
WHAT DO WE REALLY MEAN BY “GOD”?
Atheism is on the rise. Skeptical thinkers like Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris vigorously attack belief in God as irrational or, even worse, dangerous. The so-called New Atheism has attracted millions of young people thanks to bestselling books such as The God Delusion and God Is Not Great.
How should Christians respond? How can we turn the tide of secularism and draw people back to God?
In this new six-part film series and study program, Bishop Robert Barron reaches into our rich intellectual tradition to teach us how. Using the insights of St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, Pope Benedict XVI, he uncovers a clear yet sophisticated understanding of what we mean by “God”.
Who is God? And why does he matter? Watch this series and you’ll not only learn the answers yourself, but you’ll discover how to share them with others – especially those who no longer believe.
PART 2 – ST. THOMAS AQUINAS AND THE PATHS TO GOD
In the thirteenth century, St. Thomas Aquinas composed his famous five paths to God. His proofs don’t depend on the Bible or divine revelation. They simply start from the world around us—trees, birds, buildings, and even ourselves. Thomas noticed that none of these things have to exist. But if that’s the case, there must be some cause behind them, something grounding their existence. For Thomas and all Christians since, we know this source of all being by its ancient name—God.
The Catholic Charities Appeal is the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s single most important annual fundraising initiative. For 2016 there is a new vision guiding the Catholic Charities Appeal. In addition to its traditional and vital work supporting the poorest and most disadvantaged, this year Catholic Charities is targeting virtually every aspect of Catholic life for enrichment and improvement. They are taking on a bigger challenge than ever before. The expanded case increases the goal by 50% from $10,000,000 to $15,000,000. Gifts to the Appeal help to fund a base of nearly 180 wide-ranging ministries, programs and supporting offices, from childcare to retirement living, from homelessness to growing the Church on college campuses.
Our Sunday Videos return with the latest series from Bishop Robert Barron, The Mystery of God: Who God Is and Why He Matters. This six part series will be shown in the Parish Community Room on three Sundays in February and three Sundays in April, immediately following the 10am Mass.
WHAT DO WE REALLY MEAN BY “GOD”?
Atheism is on the rise. Skeptical thinkers like Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris vigorously attack belief in God as irrational or, even worse, dangerous. The so-called New Atheism has attracted millions of young people thanks to bestselling books such as The God Delusion and God Is Not Great.
How should Christians respond? How can we turn the tide of secularism and draw people back to God?
In this new six-part film series and study program, Bishop Robert Barron reaches into our rich intellectual tradition to teach us how. Using the insights of St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, Pope Benedict XVI, he uncovers a clear yet sophisticated understanding of what we mean by “God”.
Who is God? And why does he matter? Watch this series and you’ll not only learn the answers yourself, but you’ll discover how to share them with others – especially those who no longer believe.
PART 1 – ATHEISM AND WHAT WE MEAN BY “GOD” – FEBRUARY 14
There are lots of views about God. Some see him as a mythical fairy in the sky, others as the Supreme Being. Some consider him a threat to our freedom. But for Christians, God is not one being among many. He’s not a competitor to our flourishing. God is that than which nothing greater can be thought, the strange and unique source of being itself. Before discussing anything about God we must become clear about one question: who is God?
We will have a Poor Man’s Supper in our Parish Community Room on Wednesday, February 17 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 Operation 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, February 14:
The penitential season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 10 and lasts until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, March 24.
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 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 Operation Rice Bowl, which has aided countless hungry persons here in our Archdiocese and throughout the world.
What are you doing for Lent this year? What if we told you: Don’t give up chocolate. Do something life-changing instead.
Let’s do something life-changing together!
This year our parish is participating in Dynamic Catholic’s FREE email program Best Lent Ever®Rediscover Jesus. Beginning Ash Wednesday (February 10), you will receive daily inspirational emails with short videos from Matthew Kelly and a member of the Dynamic Catholic team. During the 40 days of Lent, they will guide you through each of the 40 chapters in Matthew’s new bestseller Rediscover Jesus – the book we gave away at Christmas (we have a few copies left at the entrance of the Church) – and share simple ways to bring Jesus into your everyday life.
Take a 40-day spiritual journey to encounter Jesus—and yourself—in a deeply personal way. Let’s make this your best Lent ever!
Sign up today for free at DynamicCatholic.com/BestLentEver
Report cards for CCD grades 1-8 will be distributed this Sunday, February 7 after the 10am Mass. Our distribution process is a little different this year so that we can insure that the report cards are being seen by the parents. On Sunday, our CCD Coordinator, Bill Boyce, will be handing the report cards directly to parents after Mass, so please see him before leaving on Sunday.
Some of the catechists would like to meet with some parents when they receive the report cards. Bill will let parents know on Sunday if their child’s catechist would like to meet with them. This meeting should not be interpreted as a bad thing – in some cases, it is just that the catechist has not yet met the parent this year and would like to introduce himself or herself.
And don’t forget to visit our new website – www.stjoescheltenham.org – we have our own page at www.stjoescheltenham.org/ccd
Our Prayer and Worship Committee will host an Open House for the Stewardship Library as well as the Parish Library immediately following the 10am Mass on Sunday, February 7. What a perfect time to stock up on some reading materials before Lent begins.
The Stewardship Library, which is a product of Lighthouse Catholic Media, and our Parish Library are located in the hallway outside of our Parish Community Room where refreshments will be served during the Open House.
Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church 