"We, the members of St. Joseph Parish, as followers of Jesus Christ, are committed to serving the church, recognizing that our Church is a community of the people of God"
From the Pastor's Desk
Dear Parishioners and friends of St. Joseph,
This weekend we celebrate the feast of Christ the King! Jesus is the King of heaven, of earth and of our hearts. May we truly worship Him and place Him as number one in our lives. In the Gospel, the thief asks Jesus... "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." May that be our prayer too.
Let us proclaim - "Christ Jesus Victor! Christ Jesus Ruler! Christ Jesus Lord and Redeemer!"
Due to the snow storm in Buffalo, I no longer will be celebrating the weekend with my friends in Western NY. I will be with you this weekend at all Masses. I look forward to celebrating this great feast together as a Church family.
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As we continue our month of November, we pray for our deceased brothers and sisters in Christ. We also prepare for the 2nd coming of Jesus and our own call home to the Lord in this last weekend before our new Church year (1st Sunday of Advent). May the Lord continue to bless us.
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We continue to lift Fr. Steve in our prayers.
Thank you to all those parishioners who have already dropped off their GET WELL cards. For those who have not yet done so, please drop them in the box in the vestibule of the church or bring it to the parish office. Don't forget to add your spiritual bouquet of prayers in the card and let Fr. Steve know how you are praying for him!
Thank you for continuing to pray for our beloved Fr. Steve!
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In the Church foyer beginning this weekend, you will see the GIVING TREE, put up by the members of our St. Vincent de Paul society. Feel free to take an ornament from the tree which represents a young person who is in need and a gift can be purchased for them. Thank you for your consideration of caring for those most in need in our community and making Christmas special for them as well.
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Back by popular demand, my mother Carmelina Passero will once again hold her Jewelry Showcase here at St. Joseph in the Gathering Room Dec 1-4th. This is a great opportunity to purchase gifts for Baptism, 1st Communion, Confirmation, birthday or Christmas gifts.
Open House - St. Joseph Church Gathering Room
Thursday Dec 1 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Friday Dec 2 - 1:00pm to 9:00 pm
Saturday Dec 3 - 10:00am to 4:00pm and 7:00 pm to 9:00pm
Sunday Dec 4 - following the 9:00, 10:30 and 12:00pm Masses
Any questions or orders, contact carmelinapassero@gmail.com.
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GOD's PLAYBOOK podcast continues to launch DAILY.
I pray that each of you will use this podcast to enhance your faith and especially recommend it to your family and friends to bring them back to faith, especially the weekly attendance at Mass. This podcast will answer tough questions about faith, give the reasons why we believe what we believe and also broaden our prospective on God and His daily will for our lives.
Subscribe here on the podcast Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/GodsPlaybook and click on this link to begin listening to the podcasts - https://godsplaybook.buzzsprout.com/
Andrew Natale and I continue to promote World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. Our pilgrimage will be from July 27- August 6th, 2023. I will be leading our Diocesan group and encourage ALL young people of the parish, aged 18-35 to consider joining us. We will be staying with families in the Diocese of Fatima, visit the shrine and also experience the many youth activities and faith programs. This is a great way to deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ and experience the Church on a global level. Join Pope Francis along with young people from all over the world in this amazing experience of God.
If interested, contact the parish office and speak to Andrew or myself.
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The Knights of Columbus wine sale form is attached to this update. Consider purchasing wine as Christmas gifts for your family and help support the charitable arm of the Knights of Columbus.
Good luck to all those who purchased a GREY CUP square to support the Knights of Columbus. The big game is tomorrow. Go Argos! (sorry Winnipeg fans).....
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Let us continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. They deserve and rely on our prayers and support. Let us ask the Lord of peace to bring peace to the people of Ukraine, Russia and throughout the world. Once again, I include this Prayer for Ukraine.
PRAYER FOR UKRAINE
Almighty God, through Jesus' divine name and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we humbly ask for your mercy to obtain peace in the land of Ukraine. May all the people of that country, especially children and the elderly, remain safe from danger. Please do not let chaos and war reign in the land of Ukraine, but only a forever peace that comes from You. Amen.
Be assured of my prayers and I humbly ask for yours.
God loves you and so do I.
Mary, Mother of the Church - pray for us
St. Joseph - pray for us
God bless,
Fr. Rico
November is dedicated to All Souls in Purgatory
Click the image to learn more!
Hello everyone!
This week's bulletin/newsletter is attached below. Click on it to download and view.
Here are the highlights this week:
- Letter from the pastor
- Church BBQ coming up on Thursday!
- Vacation Bible School is starting soon
- Jerry's mom passed away. Please pray for her!
- (NOTE: be sure to update these bullet points to reflect the highlights in each weekly bulletin)
1. Our GOD TALK Parish Bible study will continue praying over John Chapter 8/9 on Tuesday December 6th @ 7:00pm via Zoom. All are welcome and encouraged to join so as to come to know God's Word more clearly.
2. Baptisms continue to take place. If you are looking to have your son / daughter baptized, please contact the parish office. We are booking dates into January.
3. Our updated campaign for our HVAC system is $94,275. Please continue to remember the parish through your regular giving and consider giving in addition for this campaign. Funds can be left in the parish collection box or sent via etransfer to myparishgift@gmail.com with "HVAC" on the memo line.
4. Below, you will see the teaser for the 2023 Faith & Flavours of Italy Pilgrimage that I will be leading from August 27 - Sept 10, 2023. Join me as we journey to enjoy the experience of a lifetime as we walk in the footsteps of St. Peter, St. Anthony of Padua and St. Francis of Assisi. Highlights will include Rome, Assisi, Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast, Pisa, Padua, San Gimignano and other beautiful places! Save the date and reserve your spot now, spaces will be limited! More details to follow in the coming weeks.
Weekly Mass Schedule
Monday 9:00 am*
Tuesday 9:00 am*
Wednesday 9:00 am*
Thursday 9:00 am*
Friday 9:00 am*
Saturday 9:00 am*
* denotes Live-streamed
Holy Hour:
Saturday 9:30am to 10:30am.
Saturday 9:30am to 10:30am.
Please keep these brothers and sisters in Christ in your prayers as we mourn their passing into the Lord's hands
Annie Rebek
Florence Rallon
Jadwiga Chmielewski
Jeffrey Lovegrove
Edward Klimuszko
Those who have died in Ukraine
Those in our Book of Life
Eternal rest, grant unto them O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
And let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Mass Intentions
Monday, November 21st
The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
9:00 a.m. † Ann Eppich
-and- † Jean Chmielewski
Tuesday, November 22ndSt. Cecilia
9:00 a.m. † Frank Marchelewicz
-and- † Michael & Teresa Commisso
Wednesday, November 23rdSt. Clement I and St. Columban
9:00 a.m. † Ivanka Covaceuszach
-and- † Faustina Rico
Thursday, November 24thSt. Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions
9:00 a.m. † Cleusa Cruz
-and- Special Intention for Nevelle Crasto
Friday, November 25th
St. Catherine of Alexandria
9:00 a.m. † Antonio Centritto
-and- † Ilyn De Leon
Saturday, November 26th
9:00 a.m. † Fr. Berardo Ferri
-and- † Luigi Ferri
5:00 p.m. † Fr. Douglas Brown
-and- † Fr. Emericus Toth
Sunday, November 27thFirst Sunday of Advent
9:00 a.m. † Antonio Colalillo
-and- † Irena & Zbigniew Drag
-and- † Krzyshtof Feliksiak
10:30 a.m. † Anamarja Siladi
-and- Special Intention for Fr. Stephen
12 noon † Fr. Edward Canning
-and- Parishioners of St. Joseph, Living & Deceased
We will once again be clothing warm winter clothing (Adults) for the Out of the Cold Program. A box will be located in the foyer and will be checked regularly. If you have any questions, speak with Bill Slattery.
Poinsettia Sale - Saturday November 26th and Sunday November 27th in the Gathering Room. No pre-sales required!
Our next Perogi run will take place on Wednesday November 30th in time for Christmas. Contact the office no later than November 21st to place your order. Pierogi's are $10/dozen.
We are still taking any volunteers as well that would be willing to "pinch" as well as looking for someone who might be willing to make lunch for the volunteers. Contact the office or speak with Bruce and Lee Crampton.
Grey Cup squares are all filled! Thanks for your participation, the board can be found in the church lobby!
Ministries and Groups
In Honduras, many are criminalized for daring to defend their human, territorial or environmental rights. Such was the case of Sonia Pérez, a Radio Progreso correspondent who was arrested while reporting on the violent eviction of an Indigenous Lenca community from its land by a powerful local businessman.
“All I have done is cover the truth…. But I now feel impotent, threatened and slandered for my work.” ― Sonia Pérez
Let's stand in solidarity with Sonia and others who defend human rights and the Earth. Sign our petition to get Canada to adopt strong corporate due diligence laws (devp.org/act).
Together, we have the power to make a difference! Visit devp.org/joinus to join the movement.
The Society of St Vincent de Paul are initiating a “Christmas Angel Giving Tree” this year. Members of our Saint Joseph Conference will be in the foyer of the Church starting Saturday November 19th/Sunday November 20th to distribute envelopes. Each envelope on the tree represents a child or family in need within our greater community. We invite parishioners to take one of these envelopes and use it to make a donation to support our neighbours in need.
The envelopes are to be returned to the church on or before the weekend of December 3rd/4th to enable gift distribution to the families before Christmas.
(You can also e-transfer your donation to myparishgift@gmail.com with the notation “Angel Giving Tree” in the memo box)
Please consider a suggested donation of
- $25 (1 child/adult),
- $50 (2 child/adult) or,
- $100+ (family).
Your donation is greatly appreciated and will be used to purchase “gift cards” that will go along way to ensure a joyful Christmas to our neighbours in need.
The Knights of Columbus will once again be hosting their Wine Fundraiser with the parish. Order forms are attached to the email.
Next Meetings
Executive November 29th 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Gathering Room.
General Tuesday, December 6th 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Gathering Room
The next meeting will take place in November to kick off Advent from 6-7:30 pm in the St. Ann Room. We will be making Advent Wreaths! For more information, email Moms. We look forward to seeing you!
Next Meetings
General Mon. November 21 @7:00 pm
in the Gathering Room
in the Gathering Room
Advent Retreat - Thursday November 24th@ Mount Carmel
CWL Christmas Dinner at JJ's on the Docks
Mon. November 28 @5:30pm $35, choice of turkey or salmon
Tickets will be sold in the church foyer
after all Masses Nov. 12/13 and Nov. 19/20
Tickets will be sold in the church foyer
after all Masses Nov. 12/13 and Nov. 19/20
Little Spirits Aged 3-6 & Children's Liturgy Aged 7-10. Join us during the 10:30 am mass on Sunday!
Life Teen will be hosting an Alpha Youth for those who are curious and want to learn more about their faith and is open to all students in High School. We will be meeting after school in the Youth Room. Our next meeting is on Tuesday November 22nd in the Youth Room. We will have a light meal, a short video and discussion. Contact Andrew to register!
EDGE will take place from 6:30 - 8 on Tuesdays this year. It is open for all students in grades 5-8 in the Youth Room.
We had 20 people out at our last Youth Ministry night and a ton of fun was had by all! Our next meeting will take place November 29th, contact Andrew for details!
Young Adult(19-39)
Stay tuned for our next meeting!
Get those deposits in for World Youth Day, the deadline has been extended and we continue to accept new applicants.
Please continue to remember the Parish in your financial giving.
May God bless you abundantly for the gifts of your time, talents and treasures.
Reply to this email and let us know how we can pray for you! It is so important during this pandemic that we are there for each other so if we haven't seen you in a while let us know what's going on! We continue to pray for you, please continue to pray for all of us.
Fr. Rico, Fr. Bill and the Pastoral Team
