CHRISM MASS, MONDAY, APRIL 6, 8PM

HOLY THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 7:30 PM

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 3-M

EASTER VIGIL, APRIL 11, 8PM

ST. JOSEPH PARISH SUPPORTS AUTISM AWARENESS

APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

Why should you be interested in this? The Catholic Church acknowledges that all people are made in the image of God, and further that all baptized people share in the life and mission of the Church. In affirming this, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops issued the Pastoral Statement on People with Disabilities, which calls for the integration and fuller participation of people with disabilities into parish life. The department for Pastoral Ministry with Persons with Disabilities for the Newark Archdiocese exists to support this call for inclusion.

At all times we should live the example Jesus gave to reach out in particular to people who are excluded and to recognize the gifts that all have to share. During the month of April in particular, please pray the following for families and people living with an autism spectrum disorder. Throughout the year other special intentions will be shared with you also.

Loving Creator God,
May the full splendor of your grace abide

with all Families touched by autism spectrum disorders.
Give your children with autism the strength

they need to learn something new today.

Give their parents the wisdom to see

and nurture their potential.

Bless their teachers, supporters and friends

whose commitment echoes your own faithfulness.
Encourage all people who gather in your name

to reach out and embrace those with autism.

Help us all to see your image reflected in those

who struggle with neurological disabilities.

We ask this in the name of your Son,

who loved those on the margins as his very own.

Mary Beth Walsh, Ph.D.


For more information contact:
Anne Masters
Director, Pastoral Ministry with Persons with Disabilities
Newark Archdiocese
masteran@rcan.org 973-497-4309 www.rcan.org/disabilities

EASTER SUNDAY FILIPINO MASS - April 12

HAKBANG NI KRISTO - GOOD FRIDAY

There is no doubt that Holy Week is one of the most revered Catholic celebration in the Philippines. Holy Week is locally called Mahal na Araw, Cuaresma or Semana Santa. In contrast to other Christian countries, Filipino Catholics give emphasis on the suffering of Christ, rather than on His resurrection, on the belief that salvation comes at the end.

Religious piety is passionately displayed in different parts of the Philippines, particularly in the provinces where communities go on pilgrimage to as many churches and devotees re-enacting Christ's ordeal through real-life crucifixion under the scorching heat of the sun.

Our annual HAKBANG NI KRISTO, a Good Friday Morning of Prayer, Devotion and Reflection on the Stations of the Cross is on April 10, 2009 beginning with Morning Prayer at 9am at St. Joseph Church. This event is spearheaded by the BAYANIHAN CLUB OF UNION, in partnership with the FILIPINO MINISTRY of St. Joseph Church, the LORD OF PARDON PRAYER GROUP and the Filipino Religious Movements and Prayer Groups.

Weather permitting, the event will be done outside as last year. Temporary Stations of the Cross will be set up around the block of St. Joseph Church for the event. Everyone present will have the chance to carry the huge cross prepared solely for the event.

Please take note of the following assignment for Cross Bearers:

First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death

Bayanihan Club of Union Officers and members

SECOND STATION: Jesus takes up his Cross

Lord of Pardon Prayer Group Members

THIRD STATION: Jesus falls for the first time

Faithful from Elizabeth

FOURTH STATION: Jesus meets his Mother

Faithful from Maplewood/South Orange

FIFTH STATION: The Cyrenian helps Jesus carry the Cross

Faithful from Irvington/Hillside

SIXTH STATION: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

Faithful from Union/St. Michael

SEVENTH STATION: Jesus falls for the second time

Faithful from Union/Holy Spirit

EIGHTH STATION: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

Young Filipinos (Youths and Kids)

NINTH STATION: Jesus falls for the third time

Faithful from

Region I: Ilocos Norte, llocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan

Region II: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino

Region III: Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales

TENTH STATION: Jesus is stripped of his garments

Faithful from

Region IV: Aurora, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Quezon,

Rizal and Romblon

Region V: Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon

Region VI: Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental

ELEVENTH STATION: Jesus is nailed to the Cross

Faithful from

Region VII: Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor

Region VIII: Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar,

Samar and Southern Leyte

Region IX: Basilan, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur,

Sibugay

TWELFTH STATION: Jesus dies on the Cross

Faithful from

Region X: Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental

Region XI: Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental,

Compostela Valley, Sarangani, South Cotabato

Region XII: Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat

THIRTEENTH STATION: Jesus is taken down from the Cross

Faithful from

Cordillera Autonomous Region: Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM): Lanao del

Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Sur

CARAGA: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur

FOURTEENTH STATION: Jesus is laid in the tomb

The Procession of Candles

FOR PHOTOS OF PAST HAKBANGNI KRISTO, please visit

http://picasaweb.google.com/stjosephinformationservice

http://open-doors-at-st-joseph-maplewood.blogspot.com

FAITH JOURNEY - STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Come and have a chance to actually carry the cross or to join the procession during each station. This act would enable each of us to relive the experience of Simon of Cyrene, who walked beside Jesus and shared the burden of the cross.

walking beside Jesus and sharing the burden of the Cross, came to see that it was a grace to be able to accompany him to his crucifixion and to help him. On the way to Calvary, Jesus carried that cross for us, and, amazingly, He wants us, like Simon of Cyrene, to join Him in carrying His Cross; He wants us to walk at His side and place ourselves with Him at the service of the world's redemption. May this Evening of Devotion, Prayer and Reflections on the Way of the Cross not be just a moment of passing piety. We ask the Lord Jesus to help all of us to accompany Him not only with noble thoughts, but with all our hearts and in every step we take each day of our lives. May Jesus help us resolutely to set out on the Way of the Cross and to persevere on our path. May this experience free us from the fear of the Cross, from the fear of mockery, from the fear that our life may escape our grasp unless we cling possessively to everything it has to offer. May this experience help us to unmask all those temptations that promise life, but whose enticements in the end leave us only empty and deluded and help us not to take life, but to give it.

FAITH JOURNEY - AWAKENING FAITH

ST. JOSEPH FEAST DAY CELEBRATION

If there is just one self-evident fact that presents itself to us time and time gain, it is this – that we belong to this beautiful faith community of St. Joseph Parish- which is filled with diversity!

We are Living Stones; We are we are an outward looking people of faith who reach out into the community; We are a community which puts a high value on our Catholic Faith expressed in many different traditions and practices - such as we looked at from the Letter to the Hebrews. “Let us come near to God; Let us persevere; Let us be concerned for one another to show love and to do good; and Let us not give up the habit of meeting together for worship. All of these things emphasize the importance of our working together. We are a community of believers, who desire to Know Christ personally, and also in our commitment to Make Christ known to others. We are a family, in Christ – not a bunch of solo individualists each doing their own thing, concerned only for one’s self.

But an extremely important principle of being a family in Christ, being a community of faith – is that there is, and will always be many languages, many faces, various cultures, different traditions, CELEBRATING ONE FAITH!

COME TO OUR

FAITH COMMUNITY DAY
A celebration of the cultural heritage and diversity of our Parish Family
IN HONOR OUR PARISH PATRON SAINT
ST. JOSEPH
Sunday, March 22, 2009 4 - 7 pm in Bernard Hall.

This is the occasion that no one should miss.

Beginning with a brief prayer service in honor of St. Joseph, our patron saint,
followed by
POT-LUCK DINNER
featuring
INTERNATIONAL CUISINE
from our parish family.
Admission is a dish to share that reflects your family heritage
(main course or casserole to serve 5 or a vegetable dish to serve 10 - large families,

bring more).
Please bring food in a disposable aluminum serving pan to be placed on warmers. You can also bring your own wine or beer if you wish. We will provide soda, juice, water, coffee and tea.

FAITH JOURNEY - LENT SERIES ON PRAYER

If you want to deepen your prayer life…
If you are ready to explore new ways to pray…
If you realize there is always more to learn about God and faith…
you may try GROWING FAITH PROJECT: A LENTEN SERIES ON PRAYER

FAITH JOURNEY - PANCAKE BREAKFAST

FAITH JOURNEY - FROM PALMS TO ASHES

From PALMS to ASHES
-the Rite of Burning of Palms for Ash Wednesday

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 2008 and we will burn them together to remind us that “dust we are and to dust we shall return” on Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 7:00 PM. The resulting ashes will be used on Ash Wednesday, February 25, on which Lent begins. It means so much to all of us Christians if we can burn our own piece of palm as an expression and confirmation of a Lenten resolution we have made.

FAITH JOURNEY - ASH WEDNESDAY

FAITH JOURNEY - SOUP SUPPER

FAITH JOURNEY - LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE

PARISH MISSION 2009
FEBRUARY 22-24, 2009; 7:30 pm

Everyday Holiness:
Finding Time To Live Happy And Grateful Lives.

Saturday, February 21
5:30 pm - Vigil Mass

Sunday, February 22
7:30, 9:00 & 11:30 am Masses
(Fr. Anthony Ciorra preach at all Masses)

From Palms to Ashes
(Rite of Burning of Palms at 7:00 pm)

7:30 - 8:30 pm
Learning to Live Simply in a Complex World

Monday, February 23, 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Reconciliation: God Forgives and He Really Forgets!

Tuesday, February 24, 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Living the Mission: One Day at a Time
(with Eucharist and social afterward)

St. Joseph Parish
767 Prospect St.
Maplewood, NJ 07040
973-761-5933
www.stjosephmaplewood.org

ALTAR SERVERS TRAINING DAY - FEBRUARY 21; 3:30-4:30 PM

ALTAR SERVERS TRAINING DAY: FEBRUARY 21

Altar Servers also perform a great deed of service; they have the important role of assisting the priest at most liturgical celebrations of the parish especially at the Celebration of the Eucharist every Sunday.

This ministry helps to develop a sense of participation in parish life and a love for the Church’s liturgical life, while growing closer to God in one’s own life. It also offers an opportunity to understand the rewards of service toward others and their community.

Being an Altar Server means serving God and his people at Mass. Serving at Mass is worth doing, and worth doing well.

We would like to invite all current Altar Servers for a Training Day on Saturday, February 21, 2:30-4:30 PM at the church.

SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY
Confirmation Candidates to Collect Dollars for our Parish Food Pantry

The Pittsburgh Steelers know all about the Super Bowl, having made six previous appearances and won five titles. The Arizona Cardinals are new to the big stage, but they've won three playoff games in decisive fashion to reach Tampa.

As these football teams play each other in Tampa Bay, Florida, our candidates for Confirmation will try to score a touchdown for our Parish Food Pantry on Super Bowl XLIII, February 1, 2009.

"The Souper Bowl of Caring" is an annual parish event and is a great opportunity to help the needy. Our young parishioners will use that weekend, transforming the days of parties and celebrations into a day of caring for the hungry and hurting.

Armed with soup pots, they will be at the doors of the church, collecting $1 from each person walking by in all Masses next Sunday.

From PALMS to ASHES - Rite of Burning of Palms for Ash Wednesday - February 22, 7PM

Palms to Ashes
-the Rite of Burning of Palms for Ash Wednesday

To reinforce the origin and symbolism of the ashes used on Ash Wednesday we would like to invite all of our parishioners to bring their palm fronds from Palm Sunday 2008 on Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 7:00 PM, the Sunday before Lent starts so we can burn them prior to Ash Wednesday.

Palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday are burned and the resulting ashes imposed on the foreheads of worshippers on Ash Wednesday, February 25, on which Lent begins.

We encourage all of you to gather the old palm from pictures and crucifixes. Carefully — because it is a sacramental — we burn it as a lesson on the "dust" we are and to which we must return. It means so much to all of us Christians if we can burn our own piece of palm as an expression and confirmation of a Lenten resolution we made. However let us take care that these resolutions are not just negative "give-ups," and "do-aways," but positive "build-ups," overflowing from a new abundant charity and love requiring outward expression. So is fasting only one factor of Lent, needing the compensation of prayer and good deeds.

Our Candidates for the Reception of Confirmation will lead the Rites of Burning of Palms.

PARISH PHOTO DIRECTORY NOW READY FOR PICK UP

Our Parish Photo Directory is now ready for pick-up for those who had their photos taken. Pick up days and times are as follows:

Sunday, December 21, 10:00-11:30 am

Monday, December 22 & Tuesday, December 23, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Pick up dates resume on January 5 onwards (Monday to Friday) from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

TRADITIONAL CRECHE and PHILIPPINE “PAROL” HIGHLIGHT ST. JOSEPH CHURCH’S OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS IN MAPLEWOOD

TRADITIONAL CRECHE and PHILIPPINE “PAROL” HIGHLIGHT ST. JOSEPH CHURCH’S OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS IN MAPLEWOOD.

St. Joseph in Maplewood has always been a sight to behold every Christmas Season. Last year, The Maplewood Civic Association has awarded St. Joseph Church with a Certificate of Recognition for a wonderful and unique Christmas display.

The center of attraction is the traditional Crèche. This is not only intended for an artistic display but this manger helps us to contemplate the mystery of God’s love who revealed himself in the poverty and simplicity of the Bethlehem cave. The crib can help us, in fact, to understand the secret of the true Christmas, because it speaks of humility and the merciful goodness of Christ, who “though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor”. (II Corinthians 8:9) His poverty enriches those who embrace it and Christmas brings joy and peace to those who, as the shepherds, accept in Bethlehem the words of the angel: “And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger". (Luke 2:12)

It continues to be a sign also for us, men and women of the 21st century. There is no other Christmas.
During the whole season of Advent, a big Advent Wreath is prominently displayed in front of the Church.

Last year, 15 (fifteen) beautiful Christmas Lanterns were flown from the Philippines. This type of lanterns were featured in many expositions all over the world. It continues to amaze people because of its ingenuity and beautiful blend of colors and play of lights. This is popularly known among Filipinos as “Parol.”

Parol represents the Filipino innovation, creativity and it is the greatest expression of Christmas spirit. Parol making is a traditional folk craft. School children are taught how to make parol and they usually have a lantern parade to showcase their work.

Parol has become the most recognizable Christmas ornament for Filipinos not just in the Philippines, but in any country where there is a Filipino community. Parol are usually made from “Capiz”, a type of shells and are intricately designed, these last long and can be used every year. These 15 parols were specially and individually handcrafted by children from the poverty stricken and slum areas in the Philippines.

The parol uplifts the spirit, instills a sense of pride and hope, it not only brightens Filipino Christmas, but it serves as an inspiration for Filipino ingenuity.

The parol symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem; it is a fount of light, a sign of hope amid the “darkness in the world. In the “darkness” that hovers in our homeland and in the Diaspora, the parol emerges as a Filipino emblem that fosters unity and bayanihan (community spirit). The parol uplifts the spirit, instills a sense of pride and hope. Hanging the parol on front windows during the holiday season encourages other people to feel that they are not alone.

The parol is becoming the Filipinos’ bridging symbol between the homeland and the Diaspora, and it has become our gift to the world. Many expatriates and immigrant families buy and display these lanterns not only to rekindle the nostalgic Pasko (Christmas), but also to let their neighbors see “we have our own Christmas symbol that we are proud of.

The best time to see this display is at night time as the colors and shapes are more distinct against the evening backdrop. Come and be dazzled with this unique St. Joseph Parish Christmas display.

CHRISTMAS MASSES SCHEDULE

CHRISTMAS MASSES SCHEDULE

Christmas Eve
Wednesday, December 24
4:00 pm Family Mass with Children’s Choir

6:30 pm Mass with Contemporary Music
Prelude Music at 6:00 pm

Midnight Mass
12:00 am Mass with Choir & Trumpet
Prelude Music at 11:30 pm

Christmas Morning
December 25
9:30 am Mass
with Carols for Christmas Morning

11:30 am Mass
with Choir and Trumpet
Music begins at 11:15

CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE - A THANK YOU

LOVE TO THE NEEDY KIDS.

St. Joseph Parishioners generously participated in the Annual Giving Tree Project. This Christmas outreach project is in partnership with St. Mary’s Parish in Newark who is in-charge in distributing the gifts to the needy child. Many of our parishioners donated time and talent to make the project a real success. Young parishioners who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and some adult volunteers help prepare the tree and the tags. Volunteers from the St. Joseph Food Pantry will help sort the gifts and deliver them to St. Mary’s Parish.

This year, we have over 400 gifts to distribute and make Christmas for a lot of children a joyful one.

(from our Giving Tree Tag)
Christmas is a time for Love; a time for Joy and Peace;
To give a gift of Hope to one who otherwise has none;

To be a friend to somebody whom everyone else has shun.
It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in giving
Thank you for giving a gift to a needy child this Christmas.

In addition to the gifts given by the parishioners, hundreds of our Religious Education children have put together their efforts to prepare beautiful gifts (Christmas Cookies) for all of the families who receive our food assistances from St. Joseph Food Pantry. This is part of their Christ-Centered Celebration. Thank you kids. (see photos in the Photo Gallery Section of this blog)

ADVENT RECONCILIATION SERVICE

ADVENT RECONCILIATION SERVICE
Wednesday, December 17
7:30 PM

Advent has a two-fold character: as a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ’s first coming to us is remembered, and as a season when that remembrance directs our minds and heart to await Christ’s second coming at the end of time. Advent thus is a period of devout and joyful expectation.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation gives us a chance to take time out to think and to experience Christ’s presence in this sacrament.

Priests will be available for individual confession.

PASKUHAN SA MAPLEWOOD - What's in it?

PASKUHAN SA MAPLEWOOD
St. Joseph Church
767 Prospect St., Maplewood, NJ 07040

Sunday, December 7, 2008 at 2PM

Featuring:

MISA NG BAYANG FILIPINO (FILIPINO COMMUNITY MASS) - This is a monthly Filipino Community Mass held here at St. Joseph Church. For years, it has attracted a lot of Filipinos both in St. Joseph Parish and the nearby parishes.

MGA AWITING PAMASKO - Philippine Christmas is not complete without music, and the season is celebrated by Filipinos through caroling. An added highlight in our PASKUHAN sa MAPLEWOOD is the KAROLING - Lights and Sound Style featuring Filipino Christmas Songs and Traditional Christmas Carols. We will be singing together these Carols by Candlelight. I believe you will love this.

PAROL - Up again this year are, 15 (fifteen) beautiful PHILIPPINE PAROLS which were flown from the Philippines. Parol represents the Filipino innovation, creativity and it is the greatest expression of Christmas spirit. Parol has become the most recognizable Christmas ornament for Filipinos not just in the Philippines, but in any country where there is a Filipino community. Parol are usually made from “Capiz”, a type of shells and are intricately designed, these last long and can be used every year. The parol uplifts the spirit, instills a sense of pride and hope, it not only brightens Filipino Christmas, but it serves as an inspiration for Filipino ingenuity.

St. Joseph in Maplewood has always been a sight to behold every Christmas Season. Philippine Parols are only part of the CHRISTMAS DIPLAY which received recognition from Maplewood Civic Association as the Best Christmas Display for 2007.

MEDIA NOCHE - Filipino gathering is always associated with food. In the Philippines the much-anticipated MEDIA NOCHE (MIDNIGHT) - a traditional Christmas Eve feast is eaten after the midnight mass, usually Filipinos attend the Midnight Mass and then return home for a family feast called Media Noche. This is a very special occasion for Filipinos. Food that are usually serve depends on the specialty of the family but there is always something special serve. The most popular are Queso de Bola, Arroz-Caldo, pansit, hamon and for those who can afford the, the LECHON. This Sunday, we will have all these.

Filipino Parishioners and Friends of St. Joseph Parish

This is a special invitation to all the Filipino Parishioners and Friends of St. Joseph Parish in Maplewood to come to our Filipino Community Mass and Paskuhan (Christmas Party) on sunday, Decemebr 7, 2008 at St. Joseph Church, 767 Prospect St. Maplewood, NJ. Filipino food and Beverages will be available. Food Donations will be very much appreciated.

The Filipino Community is a fast growing ethnic group at St. Joseph Parish. We also attract a lot of our friends and relatives from our nearby parishes and sometimes from all over the state. Everyone who had the chance to worship and socialize with us simply find themselves to be among friends.

Being here for over six years, I have seen for myself how the parish has evolved. I belileve it is now time for us to be familiar with each other and since you all attend different Mass times.

Result of our Parish Survey is now available in our parish website ( http://stjosephmaplewood.org/ ) and it is quite amazing that parishioners rated the parish as a whole in a very positive way. One notable fact is the high ratings coming from the Asians/Pacific Islanders (majority the Filipino community).

Thank you very much and I hope to see you there.

Fr. Manolo

ST. JOSEPH PARISH offers MIDNIGHT MASS on Christmas Eve. During my younger days in the province where i gew up, I always look forward for the Midnight Mass because I know, for kids lilke me, the better portion of that follows after mass, which is the Media Noche. (Media Noche - "Midnight" for Christmas and Noceh Buena - New Night for New Year).

For Filipinos living near St. Joseph Church in Maplewood who still want to relive the Midnight Mass Filipino Tradition, you are most celebrate Christmas Eve Mass with us at Midnight of December 24. (What time? of course, 12:00 Midnight. funny, right?) Invite your friends and families. Last Year, Midnight Mass of 2007, there is quite a good number of Filipinos who came to our Midnight Mass. Let's continue the tradition.

GERRY O'CONNOR, a St. Joseph Parishioner to direct Scholarship effort of SFIC

ST. JOSEPH PARISH CYO BASKETBALL COACHES

A member of St. Joseph Parish inMaplewood, Gerard T. O'Connor, a career executive with some 20 years of experience in the fields of fundraising and development, has been named Executive Director of The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children, which is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.

O'Connor will guide the daily operations of a 25 year-old organization committed to providing educational opportunities and choice for economically disadvantaged children residing in communities afflicted by failing public schools.

He also will create sound development initiatives for the organization as the Fund strives both to meet current requests for tuition assistance and prepare a strong foundation to address the ever-growing demand for financial aid for attendance at private and parochial elementary and secondary schools.

In commenting on the new appointment, Joseph J. Oakes, III, Board Chairman of the Scholarship Fund, said: "Gerry O'Connor's experience not only in fundraising, but also in creating key programs to enhance organizational development, make him a natural choice for Executive Director of the Fund His wide ranging development experience in public television and Catholic institutions will enable him to establish a greater profile and awareness of the goals of the Fund among many potential donor groups. Further, we believe he will be able to translate that awareness into wider participation by donors in our vision to provide young men and women in struggling communities with a quality education that blends strong character development and quality academics - key tools for a successful future."

Speaking about his new role as Executive Director, O'Connor said: "I am looking forward to this opportunity to help make available to all children the opportunity for the best education possible. Throughout my career, I have seen clearly that people involved in Catholic school education are committed to their mission, and that inner-city children who attend Catholic schools acquire the skills, character and determination required to be successful not only in school, but also in life.

"I'm proud that last year the Fund was able to make the dream of a Catholic school education a reality for some 2,000 children in Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties. At the same time, however, we were not able to help more than 1,500 others who applied for scholarship assistance. My immediate goal is to enlist the support and commitment of new donors to the Fund so that we can say 'yes' to even more children and parents." Prior to joining The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children, O'Connor served as Senior Vice President for Development of New Jersey Network Foundation (NJN), and was responsible for implementing the first major gift program for NJN members and viewers. He also developed an annual fundraising strategy to solicit significant contributions from a wide range of possible sources of income for the organization, and created and managed events and programs designed to acknowledge the critical role that members play in the success of the network. From 2001 through 2004, he served as Executive Vice President of Trinity Fund Raising Consultants, an organization that designs and manages capital campaigns and programs for Catholic institutions nationwide. Between 1989 and 2001, O'Connor served in a similar capacity with The Martin J. Moran Company, another nationally-recognized development consulting company specializing in assisting Catholic institutions in meeting capital and other development needs.

He holds a BS in Business Management from SUNY College at Old Westbury, NY, serves as a member of the Development Committee and Co-Chair of the Opportunity of a Lifetime capital campaign at Mt. St. Dominic Academy, Caldwell, and is the CYO Athletic Director of St. Joseph Parish, Maplewood, NJ, his home parish.

O'Connor, his wife, Jackie, and their four children, Ashley, Sarah, Emily and Thomas, live in Maplewood.

The mission of The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (SFIC) is to provide economically disadvantaged children with the opportunity for a quality, values based education in a safe environment by providing partial tuition scholarships to private and parochial schools located within the Archdiocese of Newark. Scholarships are need- based and are awarded without regard to race, religion or ethnicity to children of low-income families living in the urban communities.

Since 1983, the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children has helped make the dream of a Catholic education, and a brighter future, possible for some 40,000 children. In the past four years, the Fund has made available more than $8 million in scholarship awards.

December 7 -Filipino Mass and Paskuhan

ANG MISA NG BAYANG FILIPINO AT PASKUHAN
ST. JOSEPH CHURCH
767 PROSPECT ST., MAPLEWOOD, NJ 07040
973-7615933 ext. 13

SUNDAY, 7 DECEMBER, 2008, 2:00 PM

KULTURA SA PAGSIMBA

Among the millions of Filipinos living in America today, many have likely missed the experience of riding a jeepney, eating fishballs from the passing street vendor, sitting at side walk chatting with friends or feasting on balut and litson. More so, Filipinos are likely to become emotional when it comes to culture and tradition. Thus, we celebrate the Santo Nino Festival, the festival of Filipino Folkloric Dances and kundimans during Independence Day celebrations, the colorful Santacruzan in May, the festive Simbang Gabi in December and a lot more.

Many Filipino families here in America strive to introduce to their children the richness of Filipino culture and these kids, despite growing up with video games instead of patintero or piko, or visiting Disneyland instead of Baguio or Boracay, many of them strive to define for themselves what being a "Filipino" is all about.

Responding to this felt need, programs are developed that aim to reconnect young Filipino-Americans with the land of their heritage, giving them a chance to be introduced to Filipino culture and tradition as well as the social issues that confront their homeland. In order to meet this deep desire, Catholic Filipino families in and around St. Joseph Parish with the leadership of the Lord of Pardon Prayer Group have thus banded together to create the Filipino Catholic of St. Joseph Parish and hold monthly Misa ng Bayang Filipino every first Sunday of the Month at 2:00 pm with a Filipino Fellowship, the SANTACRUZAN FESTIVAL during the month of May and the HAKBANG NI KRISTO, a Good Friday Stations of the Cross with the reading the the PASYON NI KRISTO. All of these continue to be stable institutions, an indispensable medium for enhancing Catholic spiritual wellbeing within the local Filipino community, with its constituents committed to its perpetuation for as long as they live in beautiful St. Joseph Faith Community.

Our latest addition to the ministry is the MARRIAGE CONVALIDATION PROGRAM for couples whose marriage is somehow not fully recognized by the Catholic Church which ordinarily requires baptized Roman Catholics to marry before a priest. Catholics who exchange marriage vows in the presence of ministers from other religious traditions or authorized civic officials are not considered validly married in the eyes of the Catholic Church. Those couples may seek to have their union officially recognized by the Church.

Our mission is to enhance our Catholic spirituality by recreating the authentic Filipino Catholic community experience among Filipino families.

Share this information to your family, friends and relatives and invite them to come with you.

December 3 - Carols by Candlelight

Come sing familiar Christmas carols during the
Parish Evening of Reflection
and look at them through the lens of Advent.
Carols by Candlelight
is a wonderful way for families and friends
to get together and celebrate
with joyful anticipation the coming of the Lord.

Wednesday, December 3 at 8:00 p.m.
St. Joseph Church, Maplewood, NJ

Optional offering of food or donation
to feed neighbors in need