Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph and Corpus Christi:

This weekend, 50 of our College Students will be in Anniston, Alabama for their Fall Retreat. I am able to go with them this year. I am very grateful to Fr. Jeffrey Waldrep Pastor of Annunciation in Columbus, who will be covering Mass in Macon at Corpus Christi, and to Fr. Justin George, Associate Pastor from St. Patrick and St. Joseph in Meridian, who will be with us this weekend for the 9 AM and 11:30 AM Masses at St. Joseph. I hope to be back by 5:30 PM. Fr. Justin is from the state of Kerala in India and has graciously come here to serve as a priest in the Diocese of Jackson. He is from the Heralds of Good News, a religious order. Please join me in welcoming him.

Becoming Catholic (RCIA) -- The next Becoming Catholic (RCIA) session will be on Wed., Sept. 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Center. The topic will be Prayer and Devotion. It is not too late to join. All are welcome!  

Food Pantry  -- Food pantry set-up will begin at 10:30 am with bagging immediately following from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm in the parish hall Friday, September 9th. Please make sure to bring and wear a mask. Food Pantry distribution will be tomorrow, Saturday, September 10th from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall.   

Blood Drive - Tomorrow is the Blood Drive. This is such a great way to give and hospitals are in great need of blood donations. Please help save lives. You can schedule an appointment by following this link.

Quilt Raffle -- The LouAnders Quilting group will be selling raffle tickets for one of their quilts in the back of the Church this weekend after the morning Masses. The proceeds will be given to the Food Pantry.

Religious Education/Catechesis of the Good Shepherd -- September 18 is the first day of classes. Deacon Jeff announced to parents this past week that 30 children have enrolled in CGS this year. We are very excited. Thanks to all of you have helped and donated and built and made room for this to happen. Thanks to Laura Damm who has helped coordinate this very time intensive project. Thanks to the catechists also who have given a great deal of their time training for this. Dcn. Jeff also announced that the group will have to be split, so the catechists will have two offerings every weekend. Please see his email.

Grief Support Group  -- The Grief Support Group is meeting on the 2nd & 4th Monday of each month at 5:30 pm in the Parish Center Lounge.   Our next meeting will be Monday, September 12th.

Palmer Home Gift Cards -- Did you know that St. Joseph receives gift cards from the Palmer Home every time you donate items to them?  We give these gift cards to people who come in and are in need of clothing or household items. Please mention St. Joseph next time you drop off  items to donate and know that your donation has a double benefit to those in need.  

Annunciation Catholic School is Hiring! ACS is looking for an After Hours Director in Starkville Wednesdays from 2:15 until 5:30 and other times if needed. Please send resumes to jhouse@annunciationcatholicschool.org

Diaper Drive -- There is a cardboard box in the back of the Church that will be there until October 6. The Mississippi State Pro-Life Club is looking for Size 1 and 2 diapers and baby wipes.

Peace,

Fr. Jason