"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,
In the scriptures this weekend, Jesus calls us to reconcile with one another and make peace with each other before bringing our offering to the altar. While a very difficult teaching, it is imperative that we follow God's expectation.
Especially as we prepare to begin Lent, may this be our focus as we strive to reconcile, make peace and ask forgiveness for the times we have wronged another. Truly then can we strive to live holiness and work towards being called righteous in the sight of God.
May we lift each other in prayer and we strive to live this expectation.
Blessed are they who follow the Law of the Lord!
We continue to lift Fr. Steve in our prayers.
Thank you for continuing to pray for our beloved Fr. Steve!
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Masses for Ash Wednesday - Wednesday February 22 will be 9:30am and 7:00pm in the Church.
Please make Mass a priority as we move into the Season of Lent.
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This weekend, Feb 18/19 - I will be handing out the Lenten Resource I have purchased for each family by Bishop Barron - entitled THE PASCHAL MYSTERY. This will be our Lenten Mission this year and our study will begin on Ash Wednesday Feb 22nd. I encourage each of you to make this a big part of your Lenten Journey this Lent. We will be having special mention in the Sunday sermons, daily reflections on my podcast and also a weekly in person faith sharing opportunity each week to enhance your spirituality as we journey with the Lord this Lent.
I pray this Lent that each of us will grow in holiness and spend much time thanking God for the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus - which has brought salvation to the world and hope for each of us.
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I encourage each of you to buy tickets for our Parish Shrove Tuesday pancake supper that we are holding at the Blessed Trinity School cafeteria. Tickets can be purchased in the parish office. There will be 3 sittings - 4:30/5:30/6:30pm on Tuesday February 21st. Tickets are $5.
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Through Lent, we will be offering a Communal celebration of the Stations of the Cross on Friday evenings at 6:30pm followed by Mass at 7:00pm. As Lent calls us to prayer, fasting and almsgiving, this is a wonderful way to focus on the suffering of Jesus for our salvation. Join us on Fridays as we grow in God's grace.
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I am pleased to continue to present the Pilgrimage Itinerary that I will be leading to Italy this coming fall - which I call "The Faith and Flavours of Italy." This pilgrimage promises to be one filled with God's grace and much fun too! We will be visiting Venice, Padua, Florence, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Assisi, some of the Tuscany regions, Rome, and have an optional extension to the Amalfi Coast for those interested in seeing the Isle of Capri and the Blue Grotto.
We will be journeying from August 27th to September 8, 2023**
Extension trip - Sept 8-10, 2023.
The itinerary attachment is included in this email.
For those who would like to join me, please fill out the registration form and contact the parish office. Spaces will be limited and will be saved on a first come - first serve basis.
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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/
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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
February is dedicated to the Holy Family
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 14/15 on Tuesday February 28th @ 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 March.
3. Our updated campaign for our HVAC system is $100,270. 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. The 2023 Faith & Flavours of Italy Pilgrimage that I will be leading from August 27 - Sept 10, 2023 itinerary has been finalized. 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, Pisa, Padua, San Gimignano and an optional trip to the Amalfi Coast (see extra cost)! Reserve your spot now as spaces will be limited! The price for the experience is $5,490 for double occupancy, please see the attached PDF for the full itinerary and registration form.
Weekly Mass Schedule
February 20-26
Monday 9:00 am*
Tuesday 9:00 am*
Ash Wednesday 9:30 am* & 7:00pm
Thursday 9:00 am*
Friday 9:00 am* & 7:00pm
Saturday 9:00 am*
* denotes Live-streamed
Stations of the Cross through Lent
Fridays 6:30pm
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
Those who have died in Ukraine
Those who have died in Turkey and Syria due to the Earthquake
Jeremy Prieur
Nancy Sawchuk
Stephanie Kushko
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.
Click here to see our upcoming events
CWL Pizza Fund Raiser
In support of Relief Efforts in Ukraine & Right to Life, the CWL is one again hosting their Uncle Dad's Pizza Fundraiser. Order 1 package of 4 pizzas for $35 and try one of the 5 tasty bundles.
Orders must be received by Friday, Feb. 24th,2023 and Forms can be found in the Church Foyer or attached above.
Contact: Mary Hendriks 905-945-9111/ maryhendriks123@gmail....
Pizza Pick up will take place Sunday March 5th 2:00 – 4:00 pm.
Ticket sales have begun for our upcoming Pancake Supper on February 21.
Tickets are $5 per person or $20 for families of 4 or more. Tickets are limited at each sitting (4:30/5:30/6:30) so let us know which seating you would like to attend and the tickets are different per seating. Cost includes pancakes and sausages with tea, coffee and juice to drink. Come out and kick off Lent with a time of fellowship.
SAVE THE DATE
The BLD (OSG) Covenant Community of St. Catharines, would like to invite you to their 22nd Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS), every Friday night (8 PM) from April 14 to May 19, 2023 at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria. See the attached poster or watch the video from Bishop Bergie below to learn more!
Ministries and Groups
This year, Development and Peace — CaritasT Canada’s Create Hope: Stand for the land campaign calls you to support our sisters and brothers in the Global South in defending their land and territory. Do this by:
- Donating online at devp.org/give or during the Solidarity Sunday collection on March 26, the fifth Sunday of Lent. Your generosity helps support over 86 projects in 40 countries around the world!
- Learning more by reading the Mini-magazine and other resources available at devp.org/lent/resources.
- Meet our solidarity visitors and participate in the campaign launch webinar on February 25 at 1:30 p.m. ET.
For more information, contact Bernadette Walsh at bhwalsh13@gmail.com
The last week of fundraising for Dave McClung and his team walking to end homelessness is upon us.
His personal 'link' is found here and he is walking on behalf of the "St. Joseph Servers" Team.
He is honored to once again be allowed to represent St. Joseph Church and parishioners on this Coldest Night 2023.
If you are interested in learning more or sponsoring, please contact Dave at 905 928 7290.
*Note* Moving forward, all knights of Columbus meetings will be on Tuesdays
Fourth Degree Meeting – Tuesday February 21 Gathering Room 7:30 pm
Executive Meeting – February 28 Gathering Room 7:30 pm
General Meeting – March 7 Gathering Room 7:30 pm
Communion Breakfast
Sunday, Feb. 19 after the 10:30 Mass
Children Ministries need teachers and student volunteers for Little Spirits and Children Liturgy. Please contact the office if you are interested in these important and very rewarding ministries!
The Passion of Jesus Christ!
Good Friday evening, April 7, 2023.
Calling BT students and grade 5-8 students, we need actors (no words just actions), readers, singers, piano or other instrument players, play support staff and 2 adults who would like to help put on this new version of The Passion of our Messiah! Please contact the office before Friday Feb 24,2023 to be a volunteer in this amazing event.
In partnership with the Diocese of St. Catharines Family and Youth Office, we will be hosting a bus trip to the Lift Jesus Higher Rally (LJHR) on March 4th. We will have two pickups for the bus at St. Joseph Church as well as at the Catholic Centre in Thorold. Tickets for youth are $35 and Adults are $40 which includes the transportation and admission ticket. Contact the office to register.
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. We started a new session on
February 8th for those who were interested. We will have a light meal, a short video and discussion. Contact Andrew to register!
Our next session is March 7th.
We look forward to seeing everyone and welcoming the new faces.
EDGE takes place from 6:30 - 8 pm on Tuesdays.
It is open for all students in grades 5-8 and takes place in the Youth Room.
Contact Andrew for details!
EDGE ministry at St. Joseph Church is going to camp this summer! From August 19-23, we will be going to Camp White Pine in Haliburton for 4 nights. If you are interested in learning more about it, please attend our information session on Tuesday February 28th in the Youth Room. Parents and children are all invited.
Young Adult(19-39)
We are saddened to announce that we have had to cancel our World Youth Day trip due to a lack of interest. Thank you for those who have supported the funding for World Youth Day up until this point and those that expressed interest. We will be looking to host a Youth Festival to coincide with that weekend so that those interested can start to have that experience of World Youth Day. Stay tuned for more details on that.
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. Stephen, Fr. Bill and the Pastoral Team
