PARISH RUMMAGE SALE

The St. Joseph Rummage Sale will be held this year on Saturday and Sunday, June 2-3 in the school gym. Please prepare to bring your valuables for sale! We will be collecting donations in the school gym, starting May 25th. Please join us. If you have any questions, contact Ernie D’Amato at 973-763-2002 or John Otchy at 973-762-4185

Our annual rummage sale event is not only fund raiser but it is also a community building activity. People of all ages work together to put on our parish Rummage sale, and work for the good of our parish community, the wider community and the many charities we support. The income that we generate at the rummage sale is used to fund a variety of parish life and outreach activities. Participating in the Rummage Sale is a great way to make friends in the community while helping to serve the needy.

OPEN ARMS MINISTRY TO MEET

OPEN ARMS is a welcoming spirituality group for gay and lesbian Catholics and our families and friends. For our next meeting, we will join the Faith Sharing group at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in South Plainfield, on Wednesday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m.

For more information and directions, please contact Dugan Mcginley at dmcginley@stjosephmaplewood.org.

CYO BASKETBALL

CYO BASKETBALL
Congratulations to the JV Boys 6th Grade team who won the Union County CYO championship beating All Saints Academy of Bayonne 28-17. The 3rd Grade boys and the 4th Grade boys also reached the CYO finals only to finish in 2nd place in their respective divisions. The Parish CYO program completed its 5th season with 135 boys and girls playing on 12 different teams from Grades 1 to 8.
Thank you! to all the coaches who generously volunteered their time and talents to teach the fundamentals of the game and good sportsmanship.

Spring Cleaning Help Wanted

Once again its time for spring cleaning in the house of the Lord. Parishioners are invited to lend a little elbow grease to spruce up St. Joseph Church for the Sacred Triduum. We will meet at 1:00 p.m. on April 1st (Palm Sunday) to wash, dust, polish and vacuum. Bring your buckets, rags and murphy’s soap and join us in this act of love and faith

Holy Thursday Foot washing information

HOLY THURSDAY FOOT WASHING
On Holy Thursday, the Church asks us to concretely enact the loving example of Jesus during His Last Supper, when He washed the feet of His disciples and asked them to do likewise. During the Mass on Thursday evening, April 5th, we will invite anyone in the assembly who wishes to come forward and have their feet washed. After that, you may also have the opportunity to wash another’s feet. We want to have the initial group arranged beforehand. If you are interested in participating, sign up in the back of Church.

FREE DEMONSTRATION MUSIC CLASS

If you have a baby or child under the age of six, we invite you to try out the Making Music experience. Come with even the littlest babies to explore the wonder of music. There will be story, song, dancing, instruments and more!

Learn about the low pressure music education classes for little children and caregivers offered here at St. Joseph Parish. Unlike other programs, this one is a unique mix of global music with faith based selections appropriate to the season.

A one hour free trial session will take place on
Thursday, March 22nd at 10 a.m.

Space is limited so please reserve your place now by calling the parish office at 973.761.5933 or by email to faith@stjosephmaplewood.org, indicating the number and ages of your children.

Our next season of classes begins after Easter and participating families will receive an illustrated songbook with two CDs, one for home and one for the car [or Grandma.] Find more information on this music program at www.makingmusicprayingtwice.com

Training is available for anyone interested in becoming a Making Music teacher. Please call the parish office for details.

YOUTH GROUP NEWS 03/08/2012

The St. Joseph High School Youth Group and Confirmation group will meet this Sunday, March 11th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the church for Living Stations of the Cross Practice.

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events:
 
April 20-22 Members of our Youth Group will be participating in a weekend retreat called "Rejoice" at the Archdiocesan Center in Kearney. The cost is $60 per student and applications can be picked up from our youth minister Tom Berrios.
 
May 12th We will be participating in the Hand in Hand Festival,which is a day of fun for developmentally delayed adults.  Our group will be setting up a game booth so join us for this day of meaningful service.   
 
May 20th We will be attending the annual NJ Catholic State Youth Rally at Great Adventure.  The cost of ticket will be $45 and includes admission to the park, a four hour food voucher, and a free return trip ticket.  We hope you decide to join us as we meet hundreds of other Catholic teens from across the state for workshops, mass, and a great day of fun at the park. 

REGINA PACIS COUNCIL # 4066 K OF C

The next meeting of Regina Pacis Council of the Knights of Columbus will be on Monday, March 12th, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. at the Council Home.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SAVE THE DATE

Our next volunteer build day for St. Joseph Parish is Saturday, March 24th. Please put your name, phone number and email address on the sign-up sheet in back of church on the board outside of the Children’s Chapel. Be a part of the Habitat Mission… call Gail Laughlin (973-313-0055) for more information

JOIN US FOR CROP WALK FOR HUNGER

Gather with others in our community to fight hunger both here and around the world. We need walkers and sponsors for the Maplewood/South Orange/Millburn CROP Hunger Walk on April 22, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. in Memorial Park, Maplewood.
Please go to www.churchworldservice.org/crop to sign up for the St. Joseph Maplewood team. If you don’t have internet access please call the rectory 973 761 5933 to register to walk, or to sponsor our team. Thank you for helping feed the hungry

YOUTH GROUP NEWS 3/2/12

The St. Joseph Youth Group and Confirmation group will begin practice for the Living Stations of the Cross this Sunday, March 4th from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Church.

For questions or more information please email our youth minister, Tom Berrios at tomberrios@hotmail.com.

RUMMAGE SALE KICK OFF COMMITTEE MEETING

The 5th Annual St. Joseph Rummage Sale will be held this year on Saturday and Sunday, June 2nd and 3rd in the school gym. Please prepare to bring your valuables for sale starting on May 25th.

Volunteers will be needed to help with various aspects of the project in order to hold a successful sale. Please consider helping in some capacity by attending the kick-off rummage committee meeting that will be held on Monday, March 12th at 7:oo p.m. in the rectory. No experience is necessary to help out!!!

Please join us. Contact John Otchy at 973-762-4185 or Ernie D'Amato at 973-763-2002.

ROSARY SOCIETY TO MEET

The St. Joseph Rosary Society will meet this Monday, March 5th at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory.

Hostesses for the evening are: Margaret Coughlin, Grace McGrath and Angela Bukwich.

CHILDREN'S CHOIR

When it's Lent, we know that Easter is coming soon. That means it's time to start rehearsals for the Children's Choir, which will sing along with "Trinity" at the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Easter Sunday. Rehearsals will be three Saturday mornings, March 24,31,and April 7 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the church. Children approximately 6-12 (grades 1-6) are eligible to join. Just show up and meet in the church vestibule ready to sing!

Contact Dugan McGinley at the rectory for more information.

FRIDAY MORNING PRAYER GROUP

ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO OBSERVE LENT!
OPEN TO ALL!!!!

The St. Joseph Parish Friday Morning Prayer Group is an ongoing service of prayer for our community.

We meet each Friday in Bernard Hall at 6:30 a.m. for coffee, sharing and prayer for the needs of the parish, and any intentions presented. The meeting ends strictly at 7:15 a.m. so that all may get started with their day.

For more information, please call John Otchy at 973-762-4185.