Calling all Parish Parents!

CALLING ALL PARISH PARENTS It’s time to make plans for the fall! Our parish offers a K-8 program of Religious Education on Sunday mornings for all children not enrolled in a Catholic school. This formal instruction is designed to support parents in raising their children in the practice of the faith we share. Kindergarten is optional but children are expected to participate from first grade through grade 8, at which point they will be invited to prepare for Confirmation. This ongoing formation in faith offers a variety of Christ-centered experiences and a rich curriculum. We invite families to contact the rectory for more information, including special needs options and individualized catch up plans. Please call 973-761-5933. Registration for September should be arranged now. Please note that preparation for First Communion begins only after completing at least one year of religious education background. We extend an invitation to parents of enrolled children who are eligible and this sacramental preparation also begins in early fall.

Car Needed

Fr. Eustace is looking to buy a used Toyota Camry to be sent to a needy priest in Africa, for missionary work of evangelization. Please call the Parish Office if you have one or know of someone who does. Call 973 761 5933 and let us know. Thank you!

Habitat for Humanity New Information

Our next volunteer parish build day is Saturday, August 4th. A sign-up sheet is in back of church on the bulletin board outside the Children's Chapel. The tentative work site is 359 Lafayette St. in Newark. You will receive a follow up call the week of the build. For more information, email or call Gail Laughlin at glaughlin1@gmail.com or 973-313-0055.

Interfaith Hospitality Network Update

SHELTERING FAMILIES, BUILDING COMMUNITY Our IHN guests are midway through the two weeks of their stay with us and we thank everyone who has worked so hard to prepare and to provide for the four families in need of shelter who have come to us for a temporary place to stay. The Interfaith Hospitality Network unites across Essex County to give these and other parents a place to stay while working to secure permanent housing for themselves and their children. We were delighted that one of our anticipated families did not need our shelter because they found a home of their own just last weekend! Instead, we have welcomed a mother and her daughters into a safe, home-like place in Bernard Hall. Our wonderful volunteers and donors make it possible for us to offer three meals a day, help with laundry and arrange activities for the children. Yet, there is ‘no place like home,’ so we pray that all of our guests will soon secure permanent housing and leave the network with good memories of the support they received in a difficult time of their lives. If you would like to help during this second week or with clean up next Sunday, please call Suzanne Ryan at 973-761-7083.

REACHING OUT MAKING A DIFFERENCE

REACHING OUT ~ MAKING A DIFFERENCE! What difference can two cents make? It can have a huge impact when we put our money together as a parish and create a Tithing Fund for Others. Look below at the amount donated last week! Two percent of our Sunday offering is set aside each week: two cents out of every dollar you give. Our individual contributions joined together have helped local efforts to feed the hungry, give shelter to people who are homeless, facilitate contact with immigrants held in detention, and provide emergency relief. Our parish community has also reached out across the oceans to help the poor and vulnerable in Haiti, Nigeria and the Philippines. Thank you for your generous hearts! We began the Tithing Fund for Others two years ago this week. A committee of parishioners actively engaged in social justice ministries has worked with the pastor to select ways of using this fund to make a difference in Jesus’ name. The resulting donations by our community are reported to you as they occur, and we have received touching letters of appreciation from the recipient groups. For the month of July, 2% of your Sunday offering will be given to BACKPACK PALS to feed children who go hungry on weekends when school nutrition programs are closed. Let’s think of them as we make our offering at Mass this month and let’s keep this organization in our prayers, remembering all those who volunteer time for the cause we are supporting through our Tithing Fund .

FOOD PANTRY HELP WANTED

FOOD PANTRY HELP WANTED Make A Difference! There are many ways to make a difference in the fight against hunger. Volunteer opportunities range from sorting and packing food in our distribution center to lending a hand delivering to seniors. The St. Joseph Food Pantry is an outreach program to our needy families around the parish. Our mission is to help a caring community share its food resources. We act as a as a food warehouse and a front-line agency assisting those struggling to make ends meet and work with other agencies that assist people in need. Your assistance is always welcome. The next sort night is Monday, July 16, and packing night Thursday, July 19 at 7:00p.m. Delivery day is Saturday, July 21 at 10:00 a.m. Meet at the Food Pantry house located at 241 Hilton Ave. Maplewood. 

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Our next volunteer parish build day is Saturday, August 4th. Be a part of the Habitat Mission…watch the bulletin and listen to the weekly announcements after Mass for more sign-up information or call Gail Laughlin (973-313-0055).

Children's Liturgy of the Word

IT IS SUMMER HIATUS TIME for our parish LITURGY OF THE WORD WITH CHILDREN and PRE-SCHOOL PRAY & PLAY But we will be back in early September! WOULD YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER HELPING TO LEAD A FEW OF THESE SESSIONS? We would like to add to our group of leaders when we resume Liturgy of the Word with Children in September. Aides and Team Leaders are also needed for our tots in Pre-School Pray & Play. This is a wonderful way to share a faith experience with the youngest members of our parish. Sessions are based on materials designed for volunteer leaders. We encourage you to think about offering your talent! Please call 973 761 5933 to let us know you are interested. Please call the rectory 973-761-5933 to let us know if you are interested.