Concert with David Haas

CONCERT: DECEMBER 9, 7:30 PM 
A CONCERT OF UPLIFTING SPIRITUAL MUSIC
Grammy nominated composer and musician
DAVID HAAS
and recording artist
LORI TRUE
  Workshop: December 10, 8:30 am - 2:30 pm* 
The Ministry and Vocation of Liturgical Music:
A Call to Prayer Leadership and Gospel Living!

Concert ticket: $15
Workshop ticket: $30
Attend both events for only $40
 Sts. Peter and Paul Church
404 Hudson Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030
www.spphoboken.com
201-659-2276.

Youth Group News 11/22/2011

YOUTH GROUP NEWS

St. Joseph Youth Group will have will not meet this Sunday, November 27th. Our next meeting will take place on Sunday, December 4th from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the youth room located in Bernard Hall.

ANNULMENT INFORMATION SESSION

ANNULMENT INFORMATION EVENING
An Annulment Information Evening is scheduled for Wednesday, December 14, 2011, Saint John the Apostle Church, 1805 Penbrook Terrace, Linden, NJ, at 7:30 p.m. A staff member of the Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Newark will provide basic information about annulments, the requirements for annulments, and how to begin the process of petitioning for an annulment. There will be an opportunity for questions at the end of the session. Pre-registration is not necessary, but for directions, please call the parish at 908-486-6363.

COMPASSIONATE SHARING GROUP

COMPASSIONATE SHARING
Coffee, Conversation and Support
for those who have lost a loved one

The ransomed of the Lord shall return,
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Isaiah 35:10

Gather with us and share an hour with others
who are reflecting on the mystery of Advent
and the ambiguity of sadness and joy
in this season of darkness and light

Sunday, December 4th at 10:00 am
in the St. Joseph Parish Rectory Meeting

Support Group for Fathers

The needs of fathers who have suffered the loss of a son or daughter are unique. The Office of Family Life Ministries of the Archdiocese of Newark invites all grieving fathers to a special place of understanding and healing.
The Support Group for Fathers Whose Children Have Died will meet on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at Notre Dame RC Church (Parish Center), 359 Central Avenue, North Caldwell, at 10:00 a.m. Pre-registration is requested. Please call the Office of Family Life Ministries at 973-497-4327, or email mccormja@rcan.org for information, directions and registration

Children Prepare for First Reconciliation

THE JOURNEY TOWARDS
FIRST RECONCILIATION

Please keep in your prayers the families who are preparing their children to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. We look forward to welcoming these candidates at our Family Reconciliation Service next Saturday, December 3rd. The children will then continue on their faith journey and begin their preparation for First Communion next April.

Parents with elementary age children who have previously celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation are welcome to join us for next Saturday’s prayer service during which there will be an opportunity for them to see a priest for individual confession

Advent Reconciliation Service

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14TH
7:30 PM

John the Baptist described as “a voice in the wilderness crying out, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord.  Make straight his paths.’”  Preparing ourselves to welcome Christ is the central purpose of the Advent Season, and one of the most important ways in which we do this is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Through the Sacrament, we clear out the sinfulness and guilt that prevent us from knowing his loving presence and from serving him with all our hearts. 

Take advantage of this opportunity. Several priests will be available for individual confession.

Parish Giving Tree Sharing the Joy of Christmas

Parish Giving Tree is an annual event to make Christmas happier for others in need. Some of our young parishioners who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and adult volunteers help make the tags. These were hung on the Christmas Giving Tree  - with care - hoping wonderful parishioners would be there.  And YOU were.   Gifts from our Christmas Giving Tree will once again be given to the needy families of our parish and St. Mary’s Parish in Newark. This is truly a ministry that EVERYONE can take part in. This is a wonderful Christian endeavor, knowing that YOU are making Christmas brighter for someone.

DO NOT WRAP your gifts but instead use the STORE SHOPPING BAGS or NO BAG AT ALL with the label (which you select from the Giving Tree) securely attached.
RETURN GIFTS on the weekend of December 17/18

St. JOSEPH CYO BASKETBALL

The St. Joseph CYO Basketball teams will begin their regular season home games on Sunday, November 27th, starting at 1:00 pm in the St. Joseph Gym. All parishioners are invited to come down and cheer our teams. Admission is FREE!

LET'S GO CELTICS!!!!

Youth Group News 11/17/11

St. Joseph Youth Group will have an open gym this week from 7:30 to 9:00pm. We will be playing volleyball so make sure that you come by, have some fun and bring a friend. Remember that you don't have to be a member of the youth group to come to our open gym. If you have any questions, please email our youth minister, Tom Berrios at tomberrios@hotmail.com.

Advent Evening for Women

Sunday, November 27th at 5:00 pm St. Joseph Church and Bernard Hall



An evening of faith, fellowship and fun for women.



If you are interested in hosting, volunteering or just attending, please contact Judy Erlandsen at erlandsens@aol.com or Shirley Meyer at sh.salemy.meyer@gmail.com.



All women are welcome. Sign up today to host a table. Last year our tables filled up quickly, do not miss this opportunity to meet new friends and share in the peace before the storm of the Christmas season.



"Admission" will be a donatino of open and eat food: mac and cheese, Chef Boyardee, apple juice boxes etc. for the Backpack Pals program which assists local school children who receive free or otherwise reduced meals during the week, but who might otherwise be lacking food for the weekends.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

We invite anyone who is interested in joining whis ministry of compassion to our gathering on Thursday, December 1st at 12:30 pm in the Rectory Meeting Room. We will share prayer, patterns and stories of witness. Color yarn donations are welcome year round.

Thank You Young Saints!

Last Sunday, the third grade students in our Religious Education Program led a beautiful reflection on saints throughout the ages. They profiled the lives represented in our parish icons and led a litany of saints based on saints of their own choosing. We thank them, their catechists and their parents for taking time to prepare this Prayer Service as a reminder to us all of our call to be holy. As Fr. Manolo told them, sainthood is the ultimate goal for all the baptized!

Open Arms news

Open Arms is a welcoming spirituality group for gay and lesbian Catholics and their families and friends. Join us for our next gathering on Sunday, December 4, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., in the rectory. We will discuss Advent scripture readings and share some seasonal desserts!

If you would like more information, please contact Dugan McGinley at dmcginley@stjosephmaplewood.org

Youth Group News 11/10/11

St. Joseph Youth Group will meet this Sunday, November 13th from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the youth room located in Bernard Hall. Come by and get information about our next day of service at Community Food Bank in Hillside and our first overnight retreat that will take place in January. For more information, please email our youth minister Tom Berrios at tomberrios@hotmail.com.

Boy Scout Wreath Sale

BOY SCOUT WREATH SALE

Boy Scout Troop 21 is holding its annual Christmas holiday wreath sale over the next two weekends. Scouts and parent volunteers will be in front of the church before and after Masses on Sunday, November 13th, and Sunday, November 20th.

Besides wreaths and garlands, the troop also offers cider and doughnuts. Wreaths will be delivered locally on November 26th. Grave blankets will be available on November 19th to 20th and November 26th to 27th in front of church. This is the troop's only fundraiser of the year. Proceeds are used to fund various troop activities, especially outdoors programs. The troop thanks the parish for its continuing support of our scouting program.

Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule

On Thursday, November 24th (Thanksgiving Day) and Friday, November 25th, there will be only one Mass at 9:00 A.M. The Parish Office will be closed both days.

Children's Choir for Christmas

Your children are welcome to join the St. Joseph's Children's Choir, who will be leading the music at the 4:00 pm mass on Christmas Eve, December 24th.



Rehearsals will be Saturday mornings December 3rd, 10th, and 17th form 9:30 am to a0:30 am in the church.

AGES: Aproximately 6-12 years old.



All you need to do is show up for rehearsals eager to praise God and celebrate the birth of Jesus in song. If you would like further information, please contact Dugan McGinley at the rectory 973 761 5933.

Rosary Society to Meet

The Rosary Society will have their meeting on Monday, November 7th, at 7:30 pm in the rectory meeting room. The hostesses for the evening are Cleofe Martin and Jeannine Hario.

Save the date in Advent

This year, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception falls on Thursday, December 8. Join us that evening at 7:30 pm, for a special Mass with reflective music and inspirational prayers. Take a moment out of your busy holiday schedule to contemplate the spiritual meaning of the season. Stop in the middle of Advent to remember and prepare for the miraculous events of Christmas. More details to come!