Memorial Day Schedule

MEMORIAL DAY SCHEDULE As we gather with family and friends on Memorial Day, we celebrate the blessings of our hard-won freedom and remember those who made it possible. In observance of Memorial Day, the Parish offices will be closed and Rainbow Seniors will not meet. We will have only one Mass at 9:00 a.m.

Interfaith Hospitality Network

INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK St. Joseph's is once again participating in the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN). We will be hosting four to five families from July 8 through July 22. St. Joseph's is part of the IHN Essex County Network, a group of thirty faith congregations in Essex County, who host families who are in need of shelter. We will give these families a place to stay and three meals a day while families work to secure permanent housing. We will once again be asking for your support by volunteering in a variety of ways. We will need many volunteers to make this a success! We'll need help in setting up and taking down the "apartments" we construct for our guests. We'll need overnight hosts, meals to be prepared, laundry to be washed, grocery items to be purchased,  and volunteers to work with children in the evenings. We will also be setting up an  IHN "Giving Tree" whereby parishioners can purchase items to help us in our hosting. Please look for our "Giving Tree" and our IHN Table  this weekend! If you have any questions, please call Suzanne Ryan at 973-761-7083

SUMMER MUSIC CAMP for K,PreK and Babies

There will be story, song, dancing, instruments and more! Only $5.00 a day per family for children and their parent or caregiver. Take home music CD available. Dates/Days to be determined— let us know your preference. Enrollment will be limited so please email: jleitner@stjosephmaplewood.org or call 973-761-5933 ext. 24 for more details!

OPEN ARMS MINISTRY TO MEET

OPEN ARMS Open Arms is a welcoming spirituality group for gay and lesbian Catholics and our families and friends. Our next meeting is on Wednesday, May 16, at 7:30 p.m.in the rectory. We also hope you will plan to join us for a barbecue on June 9th... so save the date...details will follow! If you would like more information, please contact Dugan McGinley at dmcginley@stjosephmaplewood.org.

Knights of Columbus

REGINA PACIS COUNCIL #4066 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS The NEXT meeting of the Regina Pacis Council will be on Monday, May 14, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. in the council home. We will be nominating members to be elected to office. Please come and show your support for these members.

St. Joseph Prayer Shawl Ministry

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY GATHER WITH US ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 23 AT 12:30 IN THE MEETING ROOM Join us for the last gathering before summer! Can you knit or crochet a simple shawl? Are you interested in knitting and praying for someone in need of solace? Shawls made with compassionate hands and prayerful hearts can be symbolic of the embrace of our God, who loves unconditionally. They encircle, shelter and warm those who receive them. Imagine the uplift to someone in need of comfort and support when they are offered a prayer shawl, a gift of your talent and prayers; a hug from Christ! A dedicated group of people are busily knitting shawls and praying for those who are suffering. If you would like to join our ministry, or make a donation of yarn, call the rectory 973-761-5933.

M.E.N.D. Collection

M.E.N.D. COLLECTION May 19-20 (Meeting Emergency Needs with Dignity). St Joseph’s along with other Food Pantries in Essex County is part of the support group M.E.N.D. Volunteers from St. Joseph Food Pantry will be collecting money to support M.E.N.D next weekend. The organization gathers money and food to distribute to pantries in need. To date, St. Joseph has received over $2000 in food donations from M.E.N.D. when our supplies were low. Part of our commitment to M.E.N.D. is to help with fundraising whenever possible. Please give generously to help support M.E.N.D. and the St Joseph Food Pantry. For information, volunteer opportunities or additional donations, please contact Lynne Blaesser at 908- 686- 1436.

MAYFEST MAY 20

MAYFEST NEXT SUNDAY MAY 20 Please note that due to MayFest on Springfield Avenue, some streets surrounding St. Joseph Church will be subject to re-routing of traffic and parking restrictions, so allow a little more time to get to Mass, (especially if you attend the 11:30 a.m. Liturgy.) The rain date will be May 27. Come for Mass~ Stay for the Festival! Visit the St. Joseph Table, and other highlights, including a petting zoo and pony rides, a kiddie train and inflatable rides, balloon animals, other kids’ activities and a Classic Car Show. More than 100 vendors, artists, crafters, live music and great food will be available. Something for Everyone!

May 13 info

Spring Raffle

WILL YOU BE ONE OF THE LUCKY WINNERS? Try your luck with our parish spring raffle. Please try to buy or sell at least one ticket, but if you are not able to buy all of the tickets sent to you, please return the unsold tickets together with the ones you are buying. Please place in the collection basket or bring to the rectory. Any questions: Call Ron Murphy at 201-463-8962

St. Joseph Church Tour Our Stained Glass Windows

Sunday, May 20, 2012 For children: Join P.O.L.O. families (Parents of Little Ones) for a special morning as we explore the stained glass windows of our beautiful church! Meet after the 9:00 a.m. Mass. The 30-minute program is free. Come with your little ones and see the church through their eyes. Please contact :Candice Davenport at candice.davenport@gmail.com For adults and families: Join parishioner, Bernie Flanagan for a tour of the windows and sacred art of our church as part of our parish outreach during the Maplewood Mayfest at 2:00 pm (This program is also free.)

Youth Group News 05/03/2012

YOUTH GROUP NEWS St. Joseph's Youth Group will meet thisSunday, May 6th from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the youth room located in Bernard Hall. We will be planning our day of service on Saturday, May 12th as we take part in the Hand in Hand Festival. This festival concerns youth group members helping to put on a carnival for developmentally delayed adults. If you are interested in helping please come to our meeting this Sunday for more information. On Sunday, 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 will join us as we meet hundreds of other Catholic teens across the state for workshops, Mass, and a great day of fun at the park. For more information about any of our youth ministry activities please email our youth minister Tom Berrios at tomberrios@hotmail.com

CELEBRATE NATIONAL “WOMEN BUILD” WEEK

CELEBRATE NATIONAL “WOMEN BUILD” WEEK Volunteer with Newark Habitat for Humanity Build Day: Saturday, May 12, 2012 This year we plan to build at sites in Newark's Ironbound. Sign up and help Women Build provide homes for deserving families. Non-builders can help with the Potluck Lunch. Planned construction activities include framing and running wiring in one or two multi-family buildings. Time: 8:00 a.m. until cleanup is finished (approximately 3:30 p.m.) Volunteers will be notified of worksite location 2-3 days before May 12th. To volunteer to build or to help with the potluck lunch, RSVP: to Carol Manning by email cdminsan@msn.com

Religious Ed. Closing Prayer Service

The 221 Children of our Parish Religious Education Program cordially invite you to attend our Closing Prayer Service Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 10:15am in the Church. All children should report to the cafeteria at 10 am as usual.