The final video session of 33 Days to Morning Glory will be shown in the Parish Community Room immediately following the 10am Mass on Sunday, January 3.
Reminder: Youth Choir this Sunday, December 13
Just a quick reminder that our Youth Choir will be singing at the 10am Mass this Sunday, December 13. Hope to see you then!
Immaculate Conception Mass Schedule
This Tuesday, December 8, 2015 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation.
The Mass schedule at Saint Joseph Church will be as follows:
Monday (Vigil) – 7:30pm
Tuesday – 9:30am.
The Mass schedule at our twin parish, Presentation BVM Church, will be as follows:
Tuesday – 6:30am and 7:30pm.
“The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.” (Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus, 1854)
Reminder: No Class (Gr. 1-8) This Sunday, Dec. 6
Just a quick reminder that we will not have CCD class for grades 1-8 this Sunday, December 6 so that our CCD families can attend the Family Mass at Presentation BVM Church that morning at 8:30am.
Jubilee Year of Mercy
Celebrate the Jubilee Year of Mercy: December 8, 2015 – November 20, 2016.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia invites everyone to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Mercy through a special commitment to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy each day of the Holy Year.
Along with praying for your personal, family and parish intentions, please consider including in your prayer the following intentions:
- For a renewal of the regular reception of the Sacrament of Confession for all Catholics of the Archdiocese.
- For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and the sanctity of all priests.
- For the conversion of those who do not yet know the love of Jesus Christ.
The Giving Tree
Because of the popular response last year, Saint Joseph Parish will once again have the Giving Tree as part of our Advent observance. The tree will be located in the front of Church on the Blessed Mother side and will be decorated with cards containing modestly priced gift suggestions. Before or after Mass, you are invited to come and pick a card from the Giving Tree.
Please bring your unwrapped gifts to the Giving Tree by Sunday, December 27.
If you like, please place one of your own ornaments on the tree. In this way, your ornament will serve as a symbol of your sharing in this beautiful expression of the true Spirit of Christmas.
All gifts collected will be donated to the Pro-Life Union organization who is turn distributes the gifts to crisis pregnancy homes and families with small children in our area.
Thank you for your participation in this special tradition at Saint Joseph Parish!
No CCD Class on Nov. 29 or Dec. 6
As usual, we will not have class this Sunday because of the Thanksgiving weekend. Also, we will not have class for grades 1-8 on Sunday, Dec, 6 so that families can attend the Family Mass at Presentation B.V.M. Church that morning at 8:30am.
Wishing you safe travels this weekend…
Family Mass
The Family Life Ministry invites you to the Saint Joseph/Presentation B.V.M. Family Mass!
It will be held on Sunday, December 6 at 8:30am at Presentation B.V.M. Church.
Coffee, juice and baked goods will be provided after Mass in the church hall! We look forward to seeing you all!!
Please let us know if you are able to attend.
Family Name: ___________________________
Number of People Attending: __________________
_______ YES! I will bring a baked good for the gathering after Mass.
Please return the above to Presentation B.V.M. Rectory (100 Old Soldiers Rd., Cheltenham, PA 19012) or place in the collection basket.
Called by Name
The Archdiocese had instituted a new archdiocese-wide program to search out and influence men in parishes who might be thinking about a vocation to the priesthood. As everyone knows, the number of priests available to serve in parish life is decreasing due to the aging process and the lack of interest on the part of eligible men.
This new program, Called by Name, starts with the parish. If you know of a good Catholic man whom you think might make a good priest, write his name down and send it to the Parish Center or give it to Father Harrison. The next step will be for Father Harrison to contact that individual and have a conversation with him. Confidence will be maintained in the whole course of the effort, unless you have indicated that your name should be revealed. This, hopefully, will be the first step in guiding that man toward ordination.
In the meantime, please pray that our young men and women will seek out the gift of discernment so that they will be able to determine for themselves the vocation in which God wants them to grow. God willing, there will be more sisters, brothers, priests, married couples and single people who have discovered the great happiness of following the will of God for themselves and so many other people.
33 Days to Morning Glory
On Sunday, November 15 in the Parish Community Room after the 10am Mass, we will begin the 33 Days to Morning Glory program. 33 Days to Morning Glory is an extraordinary 33-day journey to Marian Consecration by Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC. It can be done simply by reading 2 pages a day of the book and meeting weekly for DVD teaching by Fr. Gaitley and group discussion.
The book takes you to the heart of Jesus through Mary by learning about four spiritual giants: St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Pope St. John Paul II.
Fr. Gaitley masterfully summarizes the teachings of these four saints, making it easy to grasp and simple enough to put into practice. He weaves their thought into a user-friendly, do-it-yourself retreat that will bless the busiest of people.
Over 2 million copies of the book have been distributed. Get your copy, at a discounted rate of $2, at our first meeting on Sunday, November 15. The schedule of DVD teachings will be as follows: (all in the Parish Community Room following the 10am Mass)
Sunday, November 15: Introduction
Sunday, November 22: Week 1 – St. Louis de Montfort
Sunday, November 29: Week 2 – St. Maximilian Kolbe
Sunday, December 6: Week 3 – Blessed Mother Teresa
Sunday, December 13: Week 4 – St. John Paul II
Sunday, January 3: Conclusion
Thank You, Adult Choir!
Dear Choir Members of Saint Joseph and Presentation B.V.M. Parishes:
On behalf of the Office for Persons with Disabilities and the Deaf Apostolate, please accept our expression of gratitude.
Your beautiful liturgical music added so much to the Mass honoring the lives of persons with disabilities on Thursday, September 24, 2015.
The theme of the World Meeting of Families, Love is Our Mission, was so beautifully exhibited through your music.
Sincerely,
Sister Kathleen Schipani, IHM
Director, Office for Persons with Disabilities and the Deaf Apostolate
Remember to Set Clock Back One Hour
Just a quick reminder that clocks fall back one hour this evening before going to bed. Hope you enjoy the extra hour of sleep! Have a fun and safe evening!
New Resource Center!
Our new Resource Center, a ministry of Lighthouse Catholic Media, is located opposite the Parish Community Room. It is filled with material that is free of charge. Gift donations are accepted from parishioners to help cover the cost to replenish items in our display.
A variety of CDs with talks from the greatest Catholic speakers of our time are available on various topics along with other resources such as books, booklets and pamphlets.
Please take full advantage of the above resources and happy reading!
Funeral Notice: Mercedes Monet
Please pray for the soul of Mercedes Monet, mother of parishioner Neida Perez.
Mercedes’ Funeral Mass will take place at Saint Joseph Church on Friday, October 23 at 9:30am. 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.
Sunday Videos Are Back!
The following videos will be shown in the Parish Community Room after the 10am Mass:
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18
“Why Be Catholic? 10 Answers to a Very Important Question” by Patrick Madrid
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25
“Living the Faith to the Full” by Father Michael Gaitley, MIC
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1
“How We Win the Prize through the Passion of Christ” by Dr. Scott Hahn
These videos are from the 2015 Summer Conferences at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio.
Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church 