Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
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:
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.
CHRISTMAS MASSES AT SAINT JOSEPH CHURCH
December 24 – 5pm (Carols begin at 4:30pm) (Mass will also be livestreamed on our website and Facebook page)
December 25 – 10am (Mass will also be livestreamed on our website and Facebook page)
CHRISTMAS MASSES AT PRESENTATION B.V.M. CHURCH
December 24 – 7:30pm (Carols begin at 7pm)
December 25 – 8:30am and 11:30am
No 5:15pm Vigil Mass on December 25
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD – Holy Day of Obligation
December 31 – 5pm Mass at Saint Joseph Church (Mass will also be livestreamed on our website and Facebook page)
January 1 – 10am Mass at Presentation B.V.M. Church
No 5:15pm Vigil Mass on January 1
Please pray for the soul of Dawn Jackson Wichner, St. Joseph School Class of 1988, who died on December 5, 2021. Click here for the obituary.Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Please pray for the soul of Irene Davis, mother of Lynne ’77, Donna ’79, Lisa ’82 and Connie ’84. Irene died on November 18, 2021. She was the beloved secretary of St. Joseph School from 1986 until it closed in June 2004. In recent years, she served our parish as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Lector Coordinator and CCD Catechist. She was a faithful member of our Senior Friends group.
Irene’s Funeral Mass will take place at Saint Joseph Church on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at 10am with a viewing preceding from 9am until 10am. Click here for the full obituary.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Please pray for the soul of David Givens, husband of our sacristan, Marcie Givens, who died on November 17, 2021.
A service for David will take place at Saint Joseph Church on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at 10am with a viewing preceding from 9am until 10am.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Please pray for the soul of Marie Carmel Georges, sister of Marie Yves Duroseau.
Marie Carmel’s Funeral Mass will take place at Saint Joseph Church on Friday, November 12, 2021 at 10am with a viewing preceding from 8:30am until 10am. Click here for the full obituary.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
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.
The penitential season of Lent begins this Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2021 and lasts until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 1, 2021.
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 10am Mass at St. Joseph Church and at the 6:30am and 7:30pm Mass and 1:30pm Scripture Service at Presentation BVM Church.
We will pray the Stations of the Cross at St. Joseph Church on Sundays at 9:15am and Fridays at 10:30am.
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.
You can sign up for daily Lenten reflections at the following sites:
FORMED Daily Lenten Reflections
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.
Please pray for the soul of Terry McDonnell, an active member of our music ministries and a graduate of St. Joseph School, Class of 1970. Terry died on December 20, 2020. A celebration of Terry’s life will be held in the spring. Click here for the obituary.Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church 