From the Pastor's Desk
Dear Parishioners and friends of St. Joseph,
Friends as we begin our new liturgical year with the holy season of Advent, I pray that the Lord will come anew in our hearts as we cry out - COME LORD JESUS!
-----
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.
-----
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!
-------
In the Church foyer 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.
-----
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
-----
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.
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.
-----
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).....
-----
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