ST. JOSEPH PARISH SUPPORTS AUTISM AWARENESS

APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

Why should you be interested in this? The Catholic Church acknowledges that all people are made in the image of God, and further that all baptized people share in the life and mission of the Church. In affirming this, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops issued the Pastoral Statement on People with Disabilities, which calls for the integration and fuller participation of people with disabilities into parish life. The department for Pastoral Ministry with Persons with Disabilities for the Newark Archdiocese exists to support this call for inclusion.

At all times we should live the example Jesus gave to reach out in particular to people who are excluded and to recognize the gifts that all have to share. During the month of April in particular, please pray the following for families and people living with an autism spectrum disorder. Throughout the year other special intentions will be shared with you also.

Loving Creator God,
May the full splendor of your grace abide

with all Families touched by autism spectrum disorders.
Give your children with autism the strength

they need to learn something new today.

Give their parents the wisdom to see

and nurture their potential.

Bless their teachers, supporters and friends

whose commitment echoes your own faithfulness.
Encourage all people who gather in your name

to reach out and embrace those with autism.

Help us all to see your image reflected in those

who struggle with neurological disabilities.

We ask this in the name of your Son,

who loved those on the margins as his very own.

Mary Beth Walsh, Ph.D.


For more information contact:
Anne Masters
Director, Pastoral Ministry with Persons with Disabilities
Newark Archdiocese
masteran@rcan.org 973-497-4309 www.rcan.org/disabilities

EASTER SUNDAY FILIPINO MASS - April 12

HAKBANG NI KRISTO - GOOD FRIDAY

There is no doubt that Holy Week is one of the most revered Catholic celebration in the Philippines. Holy Week is locally called Mahal na Araw, Cuaresma or Semana Santa. In contrast to other Christian countries, Filipino Catholics give emphasis on the suffering of Christ, rather than on His resurrection, on the belief that salvation comes at the end.

Religious piety is passionately displayed in different parts of the Philippines, particularly in the provinces where communities go on pilgrimage to as many churches and devotees re-enacting Christ's ordeal through real-life crucifixion under the scorching heat of the sun.

Our annual HAKBANG NI KRISTO, a Good Friday Morning of Prayer, Devotion and Reflection on the Stations of the Cross is on April 10, 2009 beginning with Morning Prayer at 9am at St. Joseph Church. This event is spearheaded by the BAYANIHAN CLUB OF UNION, in partnership with the FILIPINO MINISTRY of St. Joseph Church, the LORD OF PARDON PRAYER GROUP and the Filipino Religious Movements and Prayer Groups.

Weather permitting, the event will be done outside as last year. Temporary Stations of the Cross will be set up around the block of St. Joseph Church for the event. Everyone present will have the chance to carry the huge cross prepared solely for the event.

Please take note of the following assignment for Cross Bearers:

First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death

Bayanihan Club of Union Officers and members

SECOND STATION: Jesus takes up his Cross

Lord of Pardon Prayer Group Members

THIRD STATION: Jesus falls for the first time

Faithful from Elizabeth

FOURTH STATION: Jesus meets his Mother

Faithful from Maplewood/South Orange

FIFTH STATION: The Cyrenian helps Jesus carry the Cross

Faithful from Irvington/Hillside

SIXTH STATION: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

Faithful from Union/St. Michael

SEVENTH STATION: Jesus falls for the second time

Faithful from Union/Holy Spirit

EIGHTH STATION: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

Young Filipinos (Youths and Kids)

NINTH STATION: Jesus falls for the third time

Faithful from

Region I: Ilocos Norte, llocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan

Region II: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino

Region III: Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales

TENTH STATION: Jesus is stripped of his garments

Faithful from

Region IV: Aurora, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Quezon,

Rizal and Romblon

Region V: Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon

Region VI: Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental

ELEVENTH STATION: Jesus is nailed to the Cross

Faithful from

Region VII: Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor

Region VIII: Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar,

Samar and Southern Leyte

Region IX: Basilan, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur,

Sibugay

TWELFTH STATION: Jesus dies on the Cross

Faithful from

Region X: Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental

Region XI: Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental,

Compostela Valley, Sarangani, South Cotabato

Region XII: Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat

THIRTEENTH STATION: Jesus is taken down from the Cross

Faithful from

Cordillera Autonomous Region: Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM): Lanao del

Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Sur

CARAGA: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur

FOURTEENTH STATION: Jesus is laid in the tomb

The Procession of Candles

FOR PHOTOS OF PAST HAKBANGNI KRISTO, please visit

http://picasaweb.google.com/stjosephinformationservice

http://open-doors-at-st-joseph-maplewood.blogspot.com