2014 MASS BOOK OPENS

If you want to remember your loved ones with a Mass our 2014 book is now open. We still have some weekday and Saturday mornings available in 2013 as well so please help to fill these days.








Those wishing to honor a loved one during the celebration of Mass at St. Joseph Church may also pick up Mass cards in the parish office. Mass cards are available for the living and deceased and provide opportunities for prayerful remembrance of anniversaries, birthdays, and other special intentions. Masses are usually booked at least several months in advance, so, if you have a particular date or time at which you want the Mass, it is very important that you reserve your dates as soon as possible.

CONFIRMATION FOR ADULTS

CONFIRMATION FOR ADULTS



Last chance to enroll!



à If you or an adult you know, has not received First Communion or Confirmation…



à If you or someone you know, wants to become a Catholic…







Please contact the rectory this week for more information. Classes are beginning now.







We will be happy to answer your questions and will welcome you to an informal conversation about your options. It is never too late to take the next step and grow closer to the Lord. Do call (973)-761-5933 or email jleitner@stjosephmaplewood.org.

Religious Education begins Catechetical Sunday Sept. 22

For those who already registered, Religious Education classes resume today. The day begins together at the 9:00 a.m. Mass , next we will proceed to Bernard hall for class. Parents are invited to stay for refreshments and learn more about the upcoming year.



If your child is not registered for Religious Education class yet please contact the faith formation office on Monday September 23rd for late registration information.



The staff at St. Joseph Parish looks forward to a wonderful year ahead. We also ask God to guide the Catechists, parents, volunteers, and children. We ask that together they may learn from each other so they can grow in faith and become a beacon of hope and love for others.

Volunteer Now!

MISSION APPEAL NEXT WEEKEND!

MISSION APPEAL NEXT WEEKEND!


Please join us August 10-11 as we welcome, Rev. Stephen Baker, O.S.A. from the Augustinian Friars. He will speak to us about the mission work of the Augustinians. Please extend our St. Joseph hospitality and generosity to him and assist in this appeal.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE AN ALTAR SERVER???

I take this opportunity to invite you to consider helping our parish in its Liturgical Celebrations as an Altar Server. Altar Serving is a vital element to the Liturgy being celebrated with respect, reverence and dignity. Being an Altar Server allows you the privilege of close proximity to God’s Altar where Jesus’ Body and Blood are shared with the people. This requires of you responsibility and a willingness to always be of help to the Priests and Deacons, and thus to the People of God here in St. Joseph Parish.




I would ask that you consider our invitation carefully. Namely, that you look at all of the things you are involved with already (sports, dance lessons, etc.), and ask the mature question, with your parent’s help, can I do this and be committed to serving faithfully? Will I be able to serve when I am needed?



I am very happy to invite you to serve in our Parish. However, I need commitment and a willingness on your part to be available when needed. If you or your parents have any questions, please call my office at 973-761-5933 ext. 13 or by email at: tomasino401@yahoo.com. Please come to our TRAINING SESSION on Saturday, August 17 at 3 P.M. in the church.



Thank you for your consideration of this invitation into service. May God, who loves us unconditionally, always bless you and protect you. I am,



Fr. Manolo Punzalan

Volunteer Help Needed for Bernard Hall

MAKEOVER TIME FOR BERNARD HALL!



DID YOU KNOW ?

We have the largest hall in Maplewood, but sadly,

after 43 years, it is showing its age.



Please help us give it a new look this summer. Before events start up again in September, we are hoping to brighten it with a fresh coat of paint, but it is a HUGE space and we’ll need a large crew of volunteers to prep the walls, do a little light carpentry and carefully apply the paint. Some experienced folk will be on hand to show us what to do, but we can’t begin unless we have enough commitments from people like YOU.



There’s a way for everyone to help.

Can you use a tape measure or a level? Then we need YOU.

Can you wash the walls? Need YOU, too.

Can you apply painters’ tape? Come on down!

Would you help fetch and carry supplies? Great!

Can you bring cold drinks for thirsty workers? Yea!

Could you donate money for paint etc? We’ll use a lot of that.

Are you a careful painter? Then join our crew.





Let’s make this a parish wide Centennial effort! We hope to start on August 1st and finish the job before Labor Day weekend. So, please choose the time(s), dates and tasks that work for you.

 Tuesday or Thursday evenings, between 7pm and 9:30pm

 Saturday mornings, between 8:30am and 11:00 am

You may sign up in the back of church, call the rectory, or email Pastoral Council Chair Mike Aaron, maaron@greensender.com, or Finance Council Chair, Tony Leitner, leitnaj@msn.com



EVERY BIT OF HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED

WORLD YOUTH DAY 2013

CATHOLIC PERSEPCTIVE: ADVANCE DIRECTIVES DIRECTIVES ON HEALTH CARE

THE CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE:


ADVANCE DIRECTIVES FOR HEALTH CARE FORM

Documents which provide guidance when a person is no longer able to make health care decisions are called “advance directives.” It is recommended that those completing an advance directive also appoint a health care representative who is someone who is trusted and authorized to evaluate what the patient would want and to make those health care decisions. The Catechism of the Catholic Church provides clear guidance on end of life issues. The NJCC of Bishops has an Advance Directives for Health Care Form which reflects the Catholic perspective. Copies are available by contacting the Respect Life Office at 732-388-8211. A copy can also be downloaded from the NJCC website www.njcathconf.com. These forms are also available in Spanish.



A Catholic Guide to End-of-Life Decisions is a resource made available by the National Catholic Bioethics Center. This document provides a clear explanation of the Church’s teaching on en-of-life care, including advance directives and physician assisted suicide. Individual copies of this guide can be ordered online at www.ncbcenter.org.

MASS INTENTIONS ETC.

Those wishing to honor a loved one during the celebration of Mass at St. Joseph Church may pick up Mass cards in the parish office. Mass cards are available for the living and deceased and provide opportunities for prayerful remembrance of anniversaries, birthdays, and other special intentions. Masses are usually booked at least several months in advance, so, if you have a particular date or time at which you want the Mass, it is very important that you call the parish office well ahead of time.


Please consider reserving a Mass for loved one now...we still have dates available for this year.

Also you may donate the Bread and Wine for a week, Light Sanctuary Candle, St. Joseph Icon, Blessed Virgin Icon in honor of or in memory of someone. Call the rectory to set this up. 973 761 5933

Sing Along

As the choirs take a hiatus for the summer, we will be dedicating three Sundays in August to inviting folks to participate in the Music Ministry. Please join us in singing for the 9:00 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. Masses on any or all of 3 Sundays in August. August 11, 18 and 25th. Anyone is welcome including families with children and no prior musical experience is necessary. We will meet 30 minutes prior to each Mass. Instrumentalists are also welcome!


QUESTIONS??? Contact Leslie Frost, 973-761-5933 EXT 12 or lfrost@stjosephmaplewood.org, or come talk to Leslie in person at one of the Masses this summer.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CEAL FARLEY!

We congratulate parishioner Cecilia Farley on her 100th Birthday June 23rd!!! May the blessings of the Lord be upon you !!

ST. JOSEPH FOOD PANTRY NEEDS YOU!

Please mark your calendars and come to help…

July 15 7:00 p.m. Sort night

July 18 7:00 p.m. Pack night

July 20 10:00 a.m. Distribution

Our pantry is located on Hilton Ave. next to the parking lot.



Now that the renovations to the Food Pantry site are complete, we can use lots of items to restock our shelves...most needed are fruit, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, prepared pasta sauce and other non- perishable items. Thanks for all that you do!

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION REGISTRATION

Did you register your child/children for

Religious Education yet?



If not, no worries! There is still time!



Registration for St. Joseph’s Religious Education Program is currently being accepted for children in Kindergarten thru 8th Grade. The program is aided by faithful volunteers who lead the children on their faith journey. During the child’s faith formation he/she will learn what it truly means to be a Disciple of Christ. Special service and spiritual enrichment activities are also incorporated into the program. This enables the child to not only learn about his/her faith but to live it out as well. Classes meet on Sunday mornings from September until May. If you require additional information or if you are in need of a registration form please contact Darlene Wade at faith@stjosephmaplewood.org.

Night of Prayer

St. Joseph's Friday night prayer group/Amazing Grace invites you for a new experience with the Lord.



A whole night to Praise the Lord!!!!



FRIDAY JUNE 14TH 10:00 P.M. UNTIL SATURDAY JUNE 15TH AT 6:30 A.M.



ST. JOSEPH CHURCH



767 PROSPECT STREET



MAPLEWOOD, NJ



973 761 5933



Come join us in the Church, use the Front door.



"Come Holy Spirit Come."



Yes you can! God's voice can be heard only in the silence!!!



.

St. Joseph Parish Confirmation Registration

Peace to you!

As the Father has sent me, I also send you”

And when He had said this,

He breathed on them and said to them,

“Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:21,22)

All 9th and 10th grade students who have completed their Religious Education requirements and are ready to move forward in their faith journey are invited to begin preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. This journey will allow the candidate to reflect on how he/she can use the gifts of the Holy Spirit in everyday life. It will also provide the candidate with the ability to see the face of God in all people. This journey is one that will include a section on the importance of prayer, the essence of the liturgy, and the answer to why we as Christians are called to love and serve one another.

If you are interested in finding out more information or you are interested in registration information please contact Darlene Wade at dwade@faith@stjosephmaplewood.org .

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY MEETING

If you can knit or crochet (or would like to learn!) Please join us for our next meeting on Thursday, June 13 at 12:30 pm in the Rectory. We create shawls of love and support for those who are ill or going through hard times. If you can’t join us at the meeting but would still like to knit or crochet shawls, you may call the rectory and we can supply you with yarn and directions.

Centennial News: Welcome Back Rev. Philip Waters

Father Philip Waters, O.S.B

We are pleased to welcome Father Philip Waters, O.S.B, as our first visiting priest to celebrate Mass during the Centennial Year at St. Joseph Church.

Saturday, June 15, at 5:30 p.m.

A resident of Newark Abbey, Fr. Waters was a frequent visitor at St Joseph for many years when we were a Benedictine Parish. He was also involved in the Bingo events through St. Mary’s which were held at our parish. Please take a moment to chat with Father Waters at a gathering after Mass!



CENTENNIAL SONG “ST. JOSEPH IS ALIVE!”

Did you know our parish has a new Centennial Year song? Sean Hack, a longtime parishioner and student of composition/trumpet has composed the piece, “St Joseph is Alive”, with text by parishioner Angela Bukwich. The song was sung at the opening Mass for the Centennial Year and will be sung at every special Centennial Event, including visiting priest Masses. Come sing along and celebrate our wonderful parish.

IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network) Giving Tree

THE IHN GIVING TREE IS BACK!


Every year, generous parishioners have helped us shelter families who are homeless and we thank in advance everyone who will do so again this July. In addition to volunteering time, people can assist by donating needed basic items like mops and brooms or paper towels. Please stop by the Giving Tree in back of church today and take a tag and, if you can, sign up to offer a little of your time – to set up, host or clean. The parents and children who are temporarily without a permanent home are always extremely grateful and inspired by the care and hospitality we extend to them at St. Joseph Parish.

St. Joseph's Annual Rummage Sale

St. Joseph's Helps the Homeless with YOUR help!

SUNDAY MAY 5

VOLUNTEER CATECHISTS NEEDED

Is God calling you to become a Catechist? Are you willing to share your faith with the children of our parish? If so, the Religious Education Program needs you! The Religious Education Program is starting to prepare for next year, and is looking for faithful people to share their faith knowledge with the youth of our parish. The program will begin in September and run until the first Sunday in May. The classes meet at 10:00 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. on Sunday morning in the school. The program is designed to meet the diocesan requirements of faith formation for children in Kindergarten thru Grade 8..



Jesus calls upon us to be his Disciples, answer his call by sharing your time and talent with our children. For more information please contact Darlene Wade at dwade@stjosephmaplewood.org

M.E.N.D. WALK FOR HUNGER

M.E.N.D. WALK FOR HUNGER




St. Joseph’s food pantry is part of a coalition of 18 food pantries in Essex County. This organization is entitled Meeting Emergency Needs with Dignity (MEND). St. Joseph’s pantry with the help of MEND serves over 150 families each month with touches about 400 people in all.



Each year MEND coordinates a WALK FOR HUNGER in Downtown Newark. This walk is a combination of making Hunger awareness in Essex County and the only fund raiser that MEND will have all year.



This year’s walk will be Friday May 3rd rain or shine at 12 noon. Walkers will be meeting at Washington Park, Newark. If anyone is interested in walking there is a sign up sheet in the back of the church. For more details please contact Don Blaesser at

973-986-3521 or dblaesser@gmail.com

YOUTH GROUP MOTHER'S DAY FUNDRAISER

FLOWER FUNDRAISER



The Youth Group in collaboration with Zayiya’s Way Floral Design will be hosting a Mother’s Day Flower Sale. The florist has agreed to donate a percentage of the proceeds to the Youth Group to help fund future events. On Saturday May 4th and Sunday May 5th the Youth Group will hold a pre-sale. There will be 3 arrangements for you to select from. Look for the Youth Group members in the vestibule of the church. On the following week you can pick-up your flowers after any mass. These flowers will make the perfect Mother’s Day gift! Please contact Darlene Wade at dwade@stjosephmaplewood.org if you have any questions. Thank you for your consideration and support of the Youth Group!

Santa Cruzan and May Crowning

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY MEETING

Join us on Thursday, March 14 at 12:30 p.m. in the rectory meeting room.  Bring your shawls completed or in progress and invite a friend!

Church Clean Up

CHURCH CLEANING WORK DAY

Sunday, March 24th



Our lovely church is in dire need of a sprucing up for Holy Week! If you have a couple of hours to spare next Sunday afternoon, please join ladies and maybe even some men to help make our church shine for our holiest of weeks. This is a wonderful parish community service project for all! Bring your pails, dust rags, mops and most important…your elbow grease! If you can’t help clean but want to donate a bottle Murphy’s Oil Soap or Windex or a few new dust cloths…call Gail Laughlin (973-313-0055) or email her glaughlin1@gmail.com and let her know how you can help.



Join our RCIA Team and candidates for a short service at 12:30 p.m. right after the last Mass, or see you in back of church on at 1:15 p.m. with your sleeves rolled up and ready to start!

Soup supper re-scheduled!!!!

IMPORTANT!!!




PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE EXPECTED INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE SOUP SUPPER HAS BEEN RE-SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, MARCH 11 FROM 4-7PM.

...

St. Joseph outreach for March

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and so BIANJ is increasing its efforts to speak out and enhance lives. Since 1981, the Alliance has supported those affected by brain injury, and their families, as a primary source of information, education, advocacy and hope. To learn more, check out www.BIANJ.org

Brain injuries are not always visible like a broken leg or bandaged wound, but they are there all the same, affecting people in our parish, in our family and in our neighborhood, easily overlooked or forgotten. By donating 2% of your March weekly donations to BIANJ, a 501©(3) organization, we will help them reach out to children, veterans and adults who must live with a life-changing affliction.

YOUTH ENCOUNTER AT ST. JOSEPH CHURCH

MARCH 23, 9-5:30 p.m.

This encounter is an opportunity for a special time in the life of the youth. They will experience that they are not alone in their journey into adult life. They will experience being part of a vibrant, loving, and supportive parish community in which the friendship of Jesus Christ becomes a real possibility that makes sense. We look forward to providing our young parishioners a welcoming place of safety and support, where faith is deepened and spiritual lives awaken. For more information, please email Darlene Wade: dwade@stjosephmaplewood.org or call at 973-761-5933

SOME LENTEN ACTIVITIES FOR YOU!

MEND AND RENT PARTIES TEAM UP

THIS WILL ALSO BENEFIT ST. JOSEPH AND OLS FOOD PANTRIES!

USED BOOK DRIVE

Spear-Headed by the 2nd and 3rd Grade Religious Education Classes in continuation of St. Joseph Parish tradition of social justice and community outreach. Please donate your gently-used children’s books and adult novels to the needy.



Most welcome are: lightly used picture/chapter books, unused activity/coloring books, adult fiction and child-rearing books

Decorated Book Drive Drop Boxes located at:

the main entrances to St. Joseph Church on Sundays after Masses and in the St. Joseph School cafeteria during February and March

MINISTRY OF COMPASSION

St. Joseph Parish offers


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, March 3rd at 10:00 a.m.in the Rectory Meeting Room

CALLING ALL MUSIC MINDED YOUTH

CALLING ALL MUSIC MINDED YOUTH
Parish Youth (Grade 6 and up) are invited to help lead the music for Saturday 5:30 p.m. Masses on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each Month. Upcoming dates are March 2nd and 16th. Rehearsal is 4:45 p.m. in the church. We welcome singers and instrumentalists.


CHILDREN'S CHOIR for EASTER.

Parish children aged 6-12 are invited to participate in the children's choir for Easter. This choir will lead the music for the 9:00 a.m. Mass, Easter Sunday, March 31st. Rehearsals will be held on Saturdays in March, watch the bulletin for specific dates and times.

If interested in either group please contact our Music Director, Leslie Frost at lfrost@stjosephmaplewood.org or 973 761 5933.

TEENS COME JOIN THE LIVING STATIONS

There will be a Living Stations Meeting and Rehearsal in the church at 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on February 23, 2013. Additional practices will also be held on Saturday March 9th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday March 23, 2013 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. The Living Stations of the Cross will be held on Good Friday March 29, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. This reverent portrayal will require extra hands so all teens are welcome to share their time and talent. Readers, singers, actors, and behind-the-scenes help is needed. Please contact Darlene Wade at dwade@stjosephmaplewood.org for more information.

THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU!

CELEBRATE THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION


On all of the Wednesdays of Lent from 7:00-8:00 p.m. beginning February 20, our church will be open for individual confession. The Church encourages all Catholics to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation each Lent. It is a celebration of forgiveness, of reunion, and of completion in Jesus Christ. The mercy of God is available to all of us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Jesus Christ wants each of us to experience the forgiving love of God the Father.

Food Pantry Outreach Information

FOOD PANTRY OUTREACH INFORMATION


If you want to volunteer, February dates and times are as follow:

Monday, February 11th 7:00 p.m. Sort Night

Thursday, February 14th 7:00 p.m. Pack Night

Saturday, February 16th 9:45 a.m. Distribution and Delivery

Needs for February: Canned Fruit/Applesauce, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Mac-n-Cheese. PLEASE NO PASTA OR RAMEN NOODLES THIS MONTH THANK YOU!

Prayer Shawl Ministry

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

The Prayer Shawl Ministry will be gathering on Thursday, February 7th at 12:30 p.m. in the Rectory Meeting Room. We will share prayer, patterns and stories of witness as we continue to pray for all of our recipients. If you cannot come to our meeting, but wish to knit and pray or make a donation of yarn, please call the office for more information (973-761-5933). Our needles, hands and handiwork offer comfort to those in need of solace.

From PALMS to ASHES

-the Rite of Burning of Palms for Ash Wednesday

Collection of old palms begins today until Tuesday, February 8.

To reinforce the origin and symbolism of the ashes used on Ash Wednesday, we invite all of our parishioners to gather their old palm from Palm Sunday 2012 and we will burn them together to remind us that “dust we are and to dust we shall return” on Sunday, February 9, 2013 after 5:30 pm Mass. The resulting ashes will be used on Ash Wednesday, February 13, on which Lent begins.

Basketball Free Throw Contest for Youth

BASKETBALL FREE THROW CONTEST


SPONSORED BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

January 26, 2013

At Union Catholic High School Gymnasium (Door 12)

1600 Martine Ave., Scotch Plains, NJ

Open to boys and girls ages 10 to 14, come early and register that day, competition will begin at 10 a.m. For more information contact John Becht at jbecht@unioncatholic.org or Dave Luciano at dluciano@unioncatholic.org

CURIOUS ABOUT VOCATIONS?

HOLY NAME SOCIETY SPONSORS VOCATION INFORMATION



Sunday, January 20

after 9:00 a.m. Mass in Bernard Hall

A continental breakfast will be served.



Are you curious about:

* Why men become priests?

* How priests are formed for service in the 21st Century?

* What is a “Permanent Deacon’?

* What can a Permanent Deacon do?

* How does a man become a Permanent Deacon?



Find out the answers to these questions on January 20th!

POLO NEWS (PARENTS OF LITTLE ONES)

COME TO “POLO”(Parents of Little Ones) MOVIE NIGHT

Saturday, January 19

beginning at 5:30 p.m.

in Bernard Hall



We invite families with little ones under age 6 to join us. We will be watching short films from Pixar, so while we expect to finish around 7:00or 7:30 pm, feel free to leave at any point. Older siblings are welcome to join the fun. Come dressed in your pj's and feel free to bring a blanket or something else to snuggle on. We will have popcorn.  Also, we are asking that everyone kindly bring a donation for the Food Pantry.



“POLO” VALENTINE CARDS FOR THE SENIORS



Each year, POLO Families create “Valentines from our Hearts to Seniors and the Homebound Program” and send these cards to seniors in our area. We request families with “little ones” to create Valentine's Cards with your kids at home and bring them to any Mass the weekend of February 9th and 10th to be collected. We'll have a basket at the back of church for this purpose.



“POLO” BREAKING BREAD MINISTRY

We need volunteers to bake for the following dates 2/3, 3/3, 4/7, 5/5, 6/2. Contact Candice Davenport or Mary Riesett if interested.

RETIREMENT PARTY FOR JENNIFER LEITNER

RETIREMENT PARTY FOR JENNIFER LEITNER




A retirement celebration is being planned to thank Jennifer for all her years of service and to wish her well as she enters a new chapter in her life! If you would like to attend please call Suzanne Ryan at 973-761-7083 to make your reservation.



SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2

Bella Italia Restaurant

Orange, NJ; 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.

$35.00 dinner and cash bar will be available

CATHOLIC WOMEN'S COMMISSION

WOMEN’S COMMISSION DAY OF REFLECTION


Rediscover the Joy of Believing


Saturday, March 9, 2013

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ



featuring two keynote speakers:
Mrs. Kelly Wahlquist and Ms. Holly Wright

Continental Breakfast and Lunch Included
Opportunity for Confession



Join the Archdiocesan-wide Women’s Commission. of the Archdiocese of Newark, recognizing our duty as Catholic women and following the example and instruction of Jesus Christ and His mother Mary, strives to bring the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church, especially regarding women, to the attention of the people of our archdiocese, and to support them in their mission to lead Christian lives. To register please call Laura Otchy, 973-762-4185.

CATHOLIC MEN'S CONFERENCE

We Walk By Faith


A CATHOLIC MEN’S CONFERENCE

Saturday, March 2, 2013

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ

-Opportunity for Confession-



The Annual Archdiocese Catholic Men’s Conference will be held at Seton Hall University, on March 2, 2013. The Conference brings together all men of the Archdiocese (aged 14 to senior) to a day of reflection, prayer, inspiration and reconciliation.



It is in the middle of Lent, and is a great opportunity for men of our parish to gather with friends and neighbors from other parishes in an inspiring and enjoyable day. It is good for men to pray together. We recommend that any men that are not attending the Cornerstone retreat here at St Joseph that weekend attend this day of recollection!



The day starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends with mass at 3:00 p.m.. There is a flyer with information at the back door of the church. Or call 973-497-4545, or John Otchy at 973-762-4185. We will have a group of men from our parish attending together. Call today!