CYO BASKETBALL FOOD DRIVE

The players and coaches from the St. Joseph CYO Basketball teams are once again doing their annual service project to help re-stock the food pantries at both St. Joseph and Our Lady of Sorrows.  Parishioners and friends can help their cause by making a donation online at www.yougivegoods.com/CYOBasketall

A GREAT WAY TO PREPARE FOR CHRISTMAS

The Friday morning sharing group has been praying for the success of our parish and our people for a number of years.  We open at 6:30 a.m. in Bernard Hall (Enter through the first door in the Courtyard)  We pray and share from 6:45 a.m. for 30 minutes, when everyone goes on their way, to start a new day.

Come down and take part in a great way to support our parish community through prayer.  We pray for the needs of our parish, each other and the community at large.  We invite you to take part on any Friday, especially during Advent.  As is the case for most of us, you may find that you get far more out of it than you put in!

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY TO MEET


Thursday, December 6th

12:30 p.m. in rectory meeting room

Bring your shawls, bring a friend!

SAVE THE DATE

VOLUNTEER WORK DAY

Our next volunteer parish build day is Saturday, December 15th. All volunteers are asked to register online at http://www.habitatnewark.org/volunteer_construction.html It’s easy and more convenient! If you would like to carpool or have any questions, contact Gail Laughlin at 973-313-0055 or by email at glaughlin1@gmail.com .

St. Joseph Giving Tree

OUR GIVING TREE

The Giving Tree is in church beginning this weekend. To donate a gift:

 please select a tag from the tree

purchase your gift

securely tape the tag to the outside of the gift

bring in gift unwrapped or just in a bag.



You may return gifts at any time before Sunday, December 16th, after which they will be distributed to families in need, including those served by the Food Pantry at our sister parish of St Mary, Newark. Let’s not disappoint those who have requested gifts. Advent is a wonderful time to be thinking of others as Jesus taught us:

“Whatsoever you do for others, you do unto me.”







Compassionate Sharing

Compassionate Sharing


Coffee Conversation and Support

For those who have lost a loved one

Come and share an hour with others who are on the journey toward healing



Members of the Ministry of Compassion cordially invite you to come

Sunday, December 2nd at 10:00 a.m.

in the rectory meeting room.
St. Joseph Church
767 Prospect St.
Maplewood. NJ 07040

OPEN ARMS TO MEET

OPEN ARMS


Open Arms is a welcoming spirituality group for gay and lesbian Catholics and their families and friends. We will have a special meeting for Advent on Sunday, December 9, at 5:00 pm, with scripture discussion and fellowship to help us all prepare for Christmas. For more information, please contact Dugan McGinley at dmcginley@stjosephmaplewood.org.

OLD CHRISTMAS TREES

OLD CHRISTMAS TREES


If you plan to discard your gently used artificial Christmas Tree, please donate it to St. Joseph Church. We will have a good use of it during this Christmas season. We will appreciate if you can deliver it to the church beginning today until the second week of December. Please call Fr. Manolo at 973-761-5933 or email at tomasino401@yahoo.com.

Christmas Music for the littlest ones!

CHRISTMAS MUSIC FOR LITTLE ONES


SING, DANCE, PLAY INSTRUMENTS and MORE
while we explore the story of Baby Jesus’ birth!

St. Joseph Parish is pleased to offer a music experience for our youngest parishioners from birth through five years of age and their parent or caregiver. Unlike other music education programs, this class is faith inclusive as it explores music of the seasons in an age-appropriate way. We use instruments, toys, and scarves to dance, chant, sing, play games, and pray together. Two CDs and a songbook are included in the tuition. Please email faith@stjosephmaplewood.org to receive more information about our schedule.

For information about music for little ones, see website:

www.makingmusicprayingtwice.com Type in your zip code!

Youth Choir Christmas Eve Mass

FOR 6:30 P.M. CHRISTMAS EVE MASS



YOUTH MUSICIANS (Ages 13 and up)

Music is an integral part of liturgical worship and a prayerful response to the worship experience. Serving in music ministry is a special way of praising God.

We are organizing an opportunity for PARISH YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS to participate in the 6:30 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve. with members of “Trinity” We are looking for singers and instrumentalists, and all levels are welcome.

Rehearsals will be starting soon, so please contact Leslie Frost at

973- 761- 5933 Ext. 17 or lfrost@stjosephmaplewood.org.

FOR 4:00 P.M. CHRISTMAS EVE MASS


The Children’s Choir of St. Joseph Parish welcomes all interested children of ages approx. 6-12. Our Children’s Choir is a wonderful way for children to participate in Mass and contribute to the parish.  Choir members will not only be actively participating in the development and expression of their faith, they will also be introduced to the world of music.  

Rehearsals: Our first rehearsal will be Saturday, December 8th , 10:00– 11:00 a.m. Remaining rehearsals will be Saturday, December 15th and 22nd, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the church. For further information, please contact Leslie Frost by email at lfrost@stjosephmaplewood.org or 973-761-5933 Ext. 17.

ST. JOSEPH EVENTS AFFECTED BY STORM

Year of Faith Session 3 will be held this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in Bernard Hall.



Religious Education and Youth Group will resume this Sunday at their regular times and locations.



Bereavement Group will meet next on Sunday, December 2.



Women’s Cornerstone will meet on next Tuesday, November 13.



Our Thanksgiving Food Drive is still underway.



ALL OTHER EVENTS CANCELLED BY THE STORM HAVE NOT BE RE-SCHEDULED.

RESPECT LIFE HOLY HOUR

FIRST FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

and every First Friday of each month

We will offer a Holy Hour of Prayer for Life.  It will take place in St. Joseph Church, 767 Prospect St. Maplewood, NJ 07040, from 7:30-9:30 p.m..  All are invited!