MUSIC CLASS FOR PRESCHOOLERS AND BABIES

Interested in a weekly music and movement program for your infant and/or preschooler? ‘Making Music Praying Twice’ is available here! Find out more about the classes beginning this Thursday at 10:00 a.m. in the rectory. A Wednesday morning option may be added soon. For information and to register please Email faith@stjosephmaplewood.org
or call Jennifer at 973-761-5933 ext. 24.

Grade 8 Religious Ed. Seeks Your Help!

GRADE 8 RELIGIOUS ED SEEKS YOUR HELP!

Almost within sight of the Statue of Liberty, there are 326 immigrants languishing in “detention”. They are confined to dormitories inside a windowless, converted warehouse. The detainees never leave the building, never breathe fresh air, and are never called by their name. A major concern for the detainees is to be in contact with family and friends. For many of the detainees even this simple pleasure is denied, since they do not have money to purchase stationery, stamped envelopes or phone cards.
The 8th graders of our Religious Education Program will be collecting the following items until Sunday, April 29th:

Blank two-pocket folders ~1st class "forever" stamps and 98 cent stamps for international mail ~ and stationery

Items can be left in the back of church in the donation box.

First Eucharist at St. Joseph Church

ON THE JOURNEY TO EASTER SACRAMENTS:
Parish Children Celebrate First Eucharist
Next Sunday, the third Sunday of this Easter season, thirty six parish children will join us at the Table of the Lord. Ready now to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time, they, their families and guests will join us at the 11:30 Mass on April 22nd. Many of the center pews will be reserved for their families to sit together. Do take time to admire the banners they have made to mark their pews. As always, welcoming the children at their first Holy Communion will make this a special day for our parish

Santa Cruzan and May Crowning

PARISH MAY CROWNING
AND SANTA CRUZAN FESTIVAL
Sunday, May 6 at 2PM
 
One of the defining aspects of being Catholic is devotion to Mary. Many of us favor no Marian celebration more highly than May Crowning, the feast that recognizes Mary as queen of heaven and earth. To a person of any age, this is a mighty big title, but to a child of five or six or seven, it expands to enchanting, magical proportions. How many queens does one get a chance to meet in a lifetime, much less crown?
 
May Crowning marked a new spiritual season. Our Mary, queen of heaven and earth, lifted us right out of the last long, cold days of winter and firmly planted our hearts in the warm and promising soil of spring.
 
During the Month of May -- a month both named for and dedicated to Mary -- Catholics have long honored her by placing a crown on her image. The tradition in the United States and many other countries has been for children to have a "May Crowning" ceremony, with a procession, pretty dresses and a wreath of fresh flowers that one child gets to place on the statue.
 
We encourage families to bring your children and we extend our special invitation to this year’s First Communicants (wearing their First Communion outfits) to join our Parish May Crowning on Sunday, May 6 beginning at 2:00 p.m. You may bring a small bunch of flowers to offer to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The SANTACRUZAN Procession follows after Mass covering few block around the church. Reception follows in Bernard Hall.
 

Life in the Spirit Seminars

All are invited to deepen our faith in the Holy Spirit by attending the Life in the Spirit Seminars over 6 Tuesdays beginning April 17 through May 22. The seminar begins at 7:30 pm. at St. Joseph Church 767 Prospect St. Maplewood, NJ. Topics are as follows:
God's Love
Salvation
New Life
Receiving God's Gifts
Prayer for Release of Holy Spirit
Growth and Transformation in Christ.

The series is designed to help people realize the power of the Holy Spirit that is available for every aspect of their lives.

Religious Ed. Walk a Thon

Please support our Fourth graders on April 15th as they hold a walk-a-thon to benefit the HK Community Fund which assists local people in need. The children's efforts will help a Maplewood 11 year old boy who is seriously ill. The walk will take place after the 9:00 a.m. Mass and will circle around our block (Prospect, Franklin, Indiana, Hilton Avenues.) during religious ed class time. Please cheer them on and if possible, donate to this worthy cause!

POLO (Parents of Little Ones) Easter Egg Hunt

Come join us for the annual POLO Easter Egg Hunt after the 9 am Mass on Easter Sunday. Meet on the side lawn of the church. This event is for all children ages 6 and under.

Adults who can provide assistance please contact Amy McGlinn at amy_mcglinn@hotmail.com

Parish Office Schedule for Holy Week

Please make note that the office will be closed from April 5-April 8th in observance of the Triduum and Easter Sunday.