We will miss Sylvia Gleason, friend and parishioner in St Joseph’s Parish, who passed away this week.  The funeral Mass will be on November 12^th with a Rosary and Vigil on the 11^th.   Sylvia was an active Altar Society member and weekly attended the Wednesday morning bible study before the pandemic.  She always sat in the front pew at Mass and volunteered in the community in various ways.   May she rest in peace. 

Thanks to the Knights of Columbus Councils #4621 and Santo Toribio for their generous gift to a family in need.  Many parishioners were also very generous.  This is a wonderful example of why we have not just one, but two councils at St Joseph’s Parish.   In this case the two councils united their efforts to serve.   

Thanks be to God, we also initiated ten new members to the Santo Toribio Council this past Sunday.   This blessing was the result of active recruitment at Mass by our Council leadership and others who were motivated by the public display of charity toward a family in need.  

May God continue to bless these men who give so much in service to humanity.  Our founder, Fr. McGivney will be beatified Saturday, October 31^st at 10:00 a.m. May Blessed Fr. McGivney pray for us.  

First discernment meeting for our new Parish Pastoral Council, this Sunday November 1st.  The meeting will take place at 3 pm in Our Lady of Sorrow room in the School.  We will wear masks and social distance.  We invite anyone who is interested in serving or who wants to become more familiar with the ministry of the pastoral council to please join us.  No commitment will be required f you at this first meeting other than to keep listening to God’s call.  

Last opportunity to apply for the Bookkeeping/Business manager job at St Joseph’s is this Friday, October 30th.  This is a part-time, average 25-hour, position.  The work schedule is flexible but does require at least one day in the office weekly.    Pandemic fatigue is real; I am feeling it. Do not let your guard down; that is extremely dangerous.  The frustration of wanting to return to the old way of doing things is causing what is being called a “COVID storm”.  We feel the stress of adhering to new “norms,” with restlessness, anxiety, and much uncertainty.  If you are feeling this fatigue, please take time each day to pray and to relax and do things that you enjoy so you can relieve the stress.  

We will celebrate All Saints’ Day Sunday.  A pumpkin story: “What is it like to be a Christian saint?” “It is like being a Halloween pumpkin. God picks you from the field, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off you by inviting you to confess your sins and seek reconciliation. Then he cuts off the top and scoops out the yucky stuff. He removes the pulp of impurity and injustice and seeds of doubt, hate, and greed from you. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light of holiness or Holy Spirit inside you to shine for the entire world to see by your serving and sharing love, mercy and forgiveness.” This is the Christian idea behind the carved pumpkins during the Halloween season. Fr. Tony Kadavil http://frtonyshomilies.com/

Remember to vote and pray for our country.  In 2013, Pope Francis reminded us:  "We need to participate for the common good. Sometimes we hear: a good Catholic is not interested in politics. This is not true: good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves so that the leader can govern."