SUNDAY, MAY 1 EVENTS - DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY , May 1
2:30 - Recitation of the Luminous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary
honoring Blessed John Paul II on the day of his beatification
- Crowning of the Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Chaplet of the Divine Mercy in Chant with Family Consecration
- Holy Mass
- Divine Mercy Procession and SANTACRUZAN
- Fellowship with Food, Music and Dance

The Nature of the Event:

The SANTACRUZAN FESTIVAL is an annual celebration which has been done for six (8) consecutive years here at St. Joseph Church. It is a religious event honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary which includes the celebration of the Holy Mass, the Ceremonial Crowning of the statue of Mary and the Marian procession which covers some blocks around the church. This event is co-sponsored by the the St. Joseph Rosary Society, Catholic Daughters of America, the Lord of Pardon Prayer Group, the Bayanihan Club of Union, the Filipino Community of St. Joseph Parish, the Filipino Communities of Essex and Union Counties and the Various Filipino Religious Movements and Prayer Groups

What is this Filipino Tradition about:

Filipinos love fiestas. They are celebrated all-year round. In the Philippines, especially in the summer months, May is the merriest and the most beautiful month of the year. It is the season of colorful festivals and Flores de Mayo or Santacruzan is one such festival.

Santacruzan is held annually in the warm month of May and is considered to be the "Queen of Filipino Festivals". Beautiful town belles are selected to participate in this colorful pageant parade honoring beautiful Philippine maidens and their handsome escorts under the hand-carried bamboo archs adorned by fragrant native flowers.

May is also the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of Christ. Filipinos turn each of the 31 days in May into a charming tribute to the virginal virtues in Flores de Mayo - the flowers of May fiesta. Spiritual virtue seeks to reach even the young. Every day in May, children, with cut flowers and baskets of petals in hand, march down the church center aisle. As the children march down the aisle they sprinkle the fragrant petals for Mary. This custom is called alay sa Birhen. In Filipino, because it is an offering (alay) to the virgin (birhen), at the main altar, the youngsters sing hymns to Lady Immaculate, and leave their bouquet of flowers loose and bethroned.

Among the millions of Filipinos living in America today, many have likely missed the experience and 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 native games, or visiting Disneyland instead of exotic beaches and mountains back in the Philippines, 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. One of these is our SANTACRUZAN FESTIVAL which aside from being a religious activity is also cultural in nature. For eight (8) years now that the Filipino community of St. Joseph has successfully celebrated this event. This year, we would like to continue reliving this colorful and unique Filipino tradition.

SUNDAY - MAY 1 EVENTS - SANTACRUZAN FESTIVAL

SANTACRUZAN, May 1
2:30 - Recitation of the Luminous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary
honoring Blessed John Paul II on the day of his beatification
- Crowning of the Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Chaplet of the Divine Mercy in Chant with Family Consecration
- Holy Mass
- Divine Mercy Procession and SANTACRUZAN
- Fellowship with Food, Music and Dance

The Nature of the Event:

The SANTACRUZAN FESTIVAL is an annual celebration which has been done for six (8) consecutive years here at St. Joseph Church. It is a religious event honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary which includes the celebration of the Holy Mass, the Ceremonial Crowning of the statue of Mary and the Marian procession which covers some blocks around the church. This event is co-sponsored by the the St. Joseph Rosary Society, Catholic Daughters of America, the Lord of Pardon Prayer Group, the Bayanihan Club of Union, the Filipino Community of St. Joseph Parish, the Filipino Communities of Essex and Union Counties and the Various Filipino Religious Movements and Prayer Groups

What is this Filipino Tradition about:

Filipinos love fiestas. They are celebrated all-year round. In the Philippines, especially in the summer months, May is the merriest and the most beautiful month of the year. It is the season of colorful festivals and Flores de Mayo or Santacruzan is one such festival.

Santacruzan is held annually in the warm month of May and is considered to be the "Queen of Filipino Festivals". Beautiful town belles are selected to participate in this colorful pageant parade honoring beautiful Philippine maidens and their handsome escorts under the hand-carried bamboo archs adorned by fragrant native flowers.

May is also the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of Christ. Filipinos turn each of the 31 days in May into a charming tribute to the virginal virtues in Flores de Mayo - the flowers of May fiesta. Spiritual virtue seeks to reach even the young. Every day in May, children, with cut flowers and baskets of petals in hand, march down the church center aisle. As the children march down the aisle they sprinkle the fragrant petals for Mary. This custom is called alay sa Birhen. In Filipino, because it is an offering (alay) to the virgin (birhen), at the main altar, the youngsters sing hymns to Lady Immaculate, and leave their bouquet of flowers loose and bethroned.

Among the millions of Filipinos living in America today, many have likely missed the experience and 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 native games, or visiting Disneyland instead of exotic beaches and mountains back in the Philippines, 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. One of these is our SANTACRUZAN FESTIVAL which aside from being a religious activity is also cultural in nature. For eight (8) years now that the Filipino community of St. Joseph has successfully celebrated this event. This year, we would like to continue reliving this colorful and unique Filipino tradition.

SUNDAY, MAY 1 EVENTS - honoring BLESSED JOHNPAUL II on the day of his BEATIFICATION

POPE JOHN PAUL , May 1
We will remember Pope John Paul II on the day that he is raised to the altar of God as the new BLESSED.

The sentiment of the faithful "Santo Subito" echoed as the Church discerned the cause of his canonization. Now, he will be raised to the Altar on the Feast of Divine Mercy and the faithful will call him "Blessed John Paul II." We will soon affirm what miracles effected by his intercession confirm, John Paul II is a Saint.

On April 2, 2005 at 9:37 p.m. the Venerable Pope John Paul II died. In April of 2009 his beloved successor, Pope Benedict XVI, told Pilgrims gathered in Rome "With you, I pray for the gift of beatification". That prayer has been answered. Friday, January 14, 2011 the Holy See released the "Decree for the Beatification of the Servant of God John Paul II." The full decree is found here on the Vatican Radio site.

The choice of the Feast of Divine Mercy, May 1, 2011 is not accidental. He had a deep devotion to his fellow Pole Sr. Faustina Kowalska and to the Divine Mercy devotion identified with her. In August 2002, in Lagiewniki, Poland where Sr. Faustina lived and died, John Paul II entrusted the entire world "to Divine Mercy, to the unlimited trust in God the Merciful."
The Decree of his Beatification notes, "Since the beginning of his pontificate, in 1978, John Paul II often spoke in his homilies of the mercy of God. This became the theme of his second encyclical, Dives in Misericordia, in 1980. He was aware that modern culture and its language do not have a place for mercy, treating it as something strange; they try to inscribe everything in the categories of justice and law. But this does not suffice, for it is not what the reality of God is about."

With millions of the faithful I prayed throughout those final days of his life before he entered the eternal communion of love. What a gift he was - and still is. He showed us how to live and how to love as Jesus, poured out for others. He showed us that suffering joined to the Savior is a sign and vehicle of God's mercy and an occasion of grace. Then, he showed us how to die, not with fear, but with faith.

This Polish Pope was so filled with the love of God it was contagious. A talented and gifted "man of letters", a playwright, a philosopher, an intellectual giant, a poet, and a genuine human being , he had a heart that embraced the whole world like the Heart of the One whom he represented on earth.

He traversed the globe, proclaiming freedom to the captives and truth to the victims of failed false ideologies that had ravaged the people of the twentieth century, the bloodiest in all of human history. He proclaimed the unchanging, Christian message with a prophetic urgency, profound clarity and contemporary relevance.

Many tried to label him but he demonstrated how shallow the labels can be. He was simply a Christian who stood on the shoulders of giants, rooted in the ancient rich tradition of the Church while proclaiming Jesus Christ as "forever young."

Communism, atheism, secularism, and false humanisms, were exposed because he had the courage to stand up to tyrants with the bold message of the God who came among us to make us all new! He taught that Jesus Christ is the path to authentic personal, social and universal freedom!

He authored more encyclical letters, apostolic exhortations, constitutions and letters than any Pope in the two thousand year history of the Christian Church. Once I started reading his writings as a young man I could not stop. I wanted to consume them, and I have done so, over and over.I also hoped to become them and offer them to others. On that front, I have a long way to go.

It was the writings of this great Pope which prompted a later call in life for this lawyer to the Diaconate and then to the pursuit of a Masters Degree at his Institute and later studies for the PhD in Moral Theology at Catholic University, focusing on his contributions. I knew I was to be a part of the "New Evangelization" and "New Springtime" of world missions which he proclaimed. His successor, Pope Benedict the Builder, is now leading the work.
Over many years I have come to understand more deeply the meaning of living in the communion of the Church because Pope John Paul II taught about it and lived it with such beauty. I have tried to practice his version of authentic ecumenism. I have tried to pass on to others his message of authentic freedom. However, the older I get, the more I realize how little I have accomplished.

This giant whose voice changed history was barely able to speak during those final hours. The once physically robust Pope presided over the Church from a wheelchair as a prophetic sign of the dignity of every human life; the message he carried throughout his pontificate. Just before he died he spoke to a friend at his bedside "I am happy. You should be too. Let us pray together with joy." Then, on April 2, 2005 at 9:37 p.m. after asking, "Let me go to my Father's House", he died in peace. The world wept.

I remember his death like it was yesterday. Along with millions, my heart sunk as he was placed in the earth after such a long period of suffering. When the "transitus" (passing to eternal life) of this holy man was completed it seemed as though that earth stood still. History was changed by the witness of one man singularly conformed to the One whom he served, Jesus Christ.

Pope John Paul II became in both life and death a "living letter", as St Paul wrote to the Corinthians. (2 Cor.3) Also, like the master he loved he became a "grain of wheat" fallen to the ground in order to bear much fruit. (John 12: 24-26) Like countless others my life was forever changed by this prophet who occupied Peters' chair for such a brief time. I must admit, my heart still hurts when I think of him. I miss him.

Like millions, I am convinced that history will record him as "John Paul the Great." However, I am also convinced that his message still needs to be unpacked in order to be used as material for the work to be done in this new missionary age.

There is no doubt that we had a saint in our midst. A man so filled with Jesus Christ that, like the Apostle Paul, he no longer lived but "Christ lived in him." (Galatians 2) The sentiment of the faithful expressed on the day on which his body was processed through the streets of Rome, "Santo Subito" has echoed as the Church has discerned the cause of his canonization.
Now, he will be raised to the Altar on the Feast of Divine Mercy and the faithful will call him "Blessed John Paul II." There is little doubt that soon, we will also affirm what the miracles effected by his continued intercession confirm, John Paul II is a Saint.

Knight of Columbus to meet

The regular meeting of Regina Pacis Council 4066 of the Knights of Columbus will meet on Monday, April 11 at 8:00 pm in the council home. Please attend!

ST JOSEPH YOUTH GROUP MEETING

The St. Joseph Youth group and Confirmation group will meet this Sunday, April 10th at 7:00 pm for Living Stations of the Cross practice in the church.

Teens Do you need volunteer hours???

Parish Teens

Building volunteer hours for College Applications, Confirmation and Scholarships that are awarded to students who volunteer time to their communities are only a few of the many reasons to participate in St. Joseph Parish outreach.

Volunteering changes our way of thinking from looking inward to outward toward meeting the needs of others. Volunteering with our parish gives us a sense of belonging to a group who are like minded, faithful and non-judgmental.
Unselfish and giving people are cited to be happier, more content people.

We welcome your presence, your ideas and your energy!
Contact Liz lpetroccia@stjosephmaplewood.org

Children's Choir for Easter (LAST CHANCE!!!)

This is your last chance!
to join the
CHILDREN’S CHOIR
for the
9 a.m. Mass on Easter



Rehearsals: Saturday mornings
April 9, 16 and 23
9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the church.
Ages: Approximately 6-12 years old

If you would like further information, please contact Dugan McGinley at the rectory 973-761-5933.

OPEN ARMS MINISTRY TO MEET

Open Arms is a welcoming spirituality group for gay and lesbian Catholics and their families and friends. Our next meeting will be this Sunday, April 10, at 5:00 pm in the rectory. Come and share scripture and fellowship with us. If you have any questions or would like further information, contact Dugan McGinley.

Holy Thursday Foot washing information

On Holy Thursday, the Church asks us to concretely enact the loving example of Jesus during his Last Supper, when he washed the feet of his disciples and asked them to do likewise. During the Mass on Thursday evening, April 21, we will invite anyone in the assembly who wishes, to come forward and have their feet washed. After that, you may also have the opportunity to wash another’s feet. We want to have the initial group arranged beforehand. If you are interested in participating, please sign up on the list in the back of the Church.

Santacruzan and May Crowning

SUNDAY, MAY 1 at 2PM
DIVINE MERCY CELEBRATION
and PARISH MAY CROWNING

The Second Sunday of Easter is DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY. This Sunday coincides with our PARISH MAY CROWNING, the SANTACRUZAN Festival and the BEATIFICATION of the Servant of God POPE JOHN PAULL II in Rome.

Our parish celebration will be divided into three parts. The first part will be the recitation of the Luminous Mystery of the Rosary, which were introduced by John Paul II to honor the new blessed on the day of his beatification. The chanting of the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy follows which will be concluded with the Crowning of the Statue of Our Lady dedicating the whole month of May in her honor.

The Second part is the Mass. The Third part is the procession of the Divine Mercy icon, The Statue of our Lady and the SANTACRUZAN covering few blocks around the church. The day will be concluded with a fellowship in Bernard Hall. Please plan to attend this wonderful devotion in our parish. Please call the parish office for more information.

Stained Glass Window's for the little ones

St. Joseph Church
Stained Glass Window Exploration for Children

All Are Welcome!

Come and 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!

April 17th, Palm Sunday
After 9 am mass

The 30-minute program is free

Come with your little ones and see the church through their eyes



Any questions please contact Liz Petroccia at 973.761.5933
Program provided through the POLO Ministry of St. Joseph Church

Mass for children who have died

A Mass for Those Whose Children have Died will be offered at Notre Dame R.C. Church, 359 Central Avenue, North Caldwell, NJ, on Friday, May 6, 2011 at 7:30 PM. All who grieve the death of a child are invited to attend. This Eucharistic Liturgy can provide another step in the ongoing process of healing after the death of a child. A personal witness will also be offered as the name of each child is read during the liturgy. Pre-registration is requested. Please call the Office of Family Life Ministries at 973-497-4327 for information and registration.

5th Sunday in Lent Bulletin Flap

St. Joseph's Parishioners in the Spotlight

This past weekend, the Maplewood Civic Association recognized our own Mark Mucci for “bringing a spirit of volunteer service” and making “a better community with his commitment.” Mark had previously received the 2009 “Outstanding Catholic Layman Award” from the OLS-St. Joseph Holy Name Society. Last Sunday, that Holy Name award for 2011 went to Gerry O’Connor, director of our CYO basketball program. Ken Pamiloza received recognition as the “Outstanding Young Catholic Layman” for his service in liturgical and youth ministries. Also honored was Walter Wiggins, an OLS parishioner who was co-chair this year of our men’s Cornerstone retreat team. We thank and congratulate everyone recognized for their sense of discipleship!
CYO teams were also recognized this past Saturday for their sportsmanship and success. What a busy and inspiring weekend!

Fourth Sunday of Lent Bulletin Flap

St. Joseph Rosary Society Meeting

There will be a meeting of the Rosary Society on Monday, April 4th at 7:30 pm in the Rectory Meeting Room. Hostesses for the evening are Jean Souza and Joan McBride.

All are welcome!

Spring Cleaning Help Wanted

The days are longer now, the grass is greener, and teh trees are budding. Spring is here! A time of renewal and re-birth. It is also time to clean the House of the Lord. Volunteers are needed to dust and polish, vacuum and sweep to prepare St. Joseph Church for the holiest days of the year-- the sacred Triduum and the glory of the Easter Resurrection.

So.....

Bring your pails,dust cloths, Murphy's Oil Soap, vacuums and brooms, but most of all bring yourself and a little "elbow grease" on Palm Sunday, April 17th at 1:00 pm in the Church.

Many hands make light work!

LATEST YOUTH GROUP NEWS

The St. Joseph Youth Group and Confirmation candidates will meet this Sunday, April 3rd from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the Church for Living Stations of the Cross practice. If you have any questions, please email our youth minister, Tom Berrios at tomberrios@hotmail.com

Lenten Reminders

Novena Prayers
Monday, Wednesday and Friday after 8:00 am mass

Prayer Groups
Friday Morning @ 6:30 am in Bernard Hall
Friday Evening @ 7:00 pm in rectory meeting room

Stations of the Cross
Fridays at 12:30 pm in the Church

Reconcilliation
Confessions heard on Saturdays from 4:30 to 5:15 pm

Lenten Penance Service
Wednesday, April 13th at 7:30 pm at Our Lady of Sorrows Church
217 Prospect Street, South Orange, NJ 07079

Holy Thursday Foot washing information

HOLY THURSDAY FOOT WASHING
On Holy Thursday, the Church asks us to concretely enact the loving example of Jesus during his Last Supper, when he washed the feet of his disciples and asked them to do likewise. During the Mass on Thursday evening, April 21, we will invite anyone in the assembly who wishes, to come forward and have their feet washed. After that, you may also have the opportunity to wash another’s feet. We want to have the initial group arranged beforehand. If you are interested in participating, please sign up in the back of the Church beginning next weekend.

Collection for Food Pantry

Canvas Food Pantry Shopping Bags
Are available today after Masses
Return bags and donated items next weekend
April 9 & 10 before Masses.

If you are interested in helping at the Food Pantry, sort night is Monday, April 11th and Thursday, April 14th. Volunteers meet both nights at 7:00 pm in the house at 241 Hilton Ave. Distribution and deliveries to Nora Gardens residents is Saturday, April 16th at 10:00 am. New volunteers needed and welcome!

Get your blood pressure checked

BLOOD PRESSURE SUNDAY
Next Sunday, April 10th, our parish nurse volunteers will be available to take and record your blood pressure at tables in back of church.

Last in Series Growing Faith for Lent

Growing Closer to Christ
How does God heal us?

HINT: the answer is a sacrament that should be welcomed. Come find out how Vatican II changed our view of this sacrament. Discover adult answers that you didn't learn in school.

Tuesday, April 5 7:30 pm in Bernard Hall presentations and discussions
Light supper served at 7 pm.

Even if you did not come to the previous sessions, you can still attend this one!

St. Joseph offers Music Camp for Babies and Pre-school

Here at St. Joseph Parish ~ a one week camp for children with a parent/caregiver. M – F, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Late July or early August. $35 per family. Limited enrollment so please call 973-761-5933 ext. 24 for more details or email jleitner@stjosephmaplewood.org

St. Joseph Youth Group News as of 3/24/2011

The St. Joseph Youth Group will meet this Sunday, March 27th from 7:30 to 9 pm in the youth room located in Bernard Hall.

Living Stations of the Cross practice for all Confirmation Candidates will begin on Sunday, April 3rd from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the church.

All are welcome...for more information contact our youth minister, Tom Berrios at
tomberrios@hotmail.com

Archdiocese offers Catholic Secondary Schools Information Session

Is your child currently in grades 6 or 7? Is your child currently in high school and looking for a change? If so, now is the time to start learning about our Catholic secondary schools, and what they have to offer you and your family. The Catholic secondary schools of the Archdiocese of Newark are sponsoring High School Expo 2011. This event is conducted in a college fair style. Staff and student representatives from the schools will be on hand to share information with your family, answer your questions and engage in lively discussion with you and your children. With so many schools to choose from, this evening affords your family an excellent opportunity to see many schools at once.

Catholic High Schools from the Archdiocese of Newark will be present in two convenient locations.

Visitation Academy
222 Farview Ave.; Paramus,
March 29, 2010 7:00-8:30 pm

Seton Hall University Field House
400 South Orange Ave., South Orange
March 30, 2010 7:00-8:30 pm

No pre-registration or fee is required, and younger siblings are welcome. For directions and further information visit our website at www.rcan.org/schools or call (973) 497-4258.

ARCHDIOCESAN CENTER
171 Clifton Avenue • Post Office Box 9500 • Newark • New Jersey 07104-0500 • (973)-497-4260

Growing Faith Session 3

COME TO ‘GROWING FAITH’ THIS LENT
GROWING CLOSER TO CHRIST
Where can we find forgiveness, peace and growth?
Hint: the answer is a sacrament that is known by three names.
Come find out how much this sacrament has changed over time. Discover adult answers that you didn’t learn in school.
Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in Bernard Hall
Light supper served at 7 p.m.

Bereavement Group Meeting

COMPASSIONATE SHARING
Coffee, Conversation and Support
for those who have lost a loved one

Let us not lose sight of Jesus who leads us in faith
and brings it to perfection.
For the sake of joy which was still in the future
he endured the cross.
~ Heb 12:2

Gather with us and share an hour with others
who are uniting with Christ on this Lenten journey
toward the promise of resurrection

Members of the Ministry of Compassion cordially invite you to join us
Sunday, April 3rd at 10:00 am
in the St. Joseph Parish Rectory Meeting Room

ST. JOSEPH MINISTRY NEWS

Blood Pressure Screening will resume next month after Masses on Sunday, April 10, 2010. We apologize for any inconvenience experienced this month due to the cancelled BP screening on March 13th. Any questions or concerns please contact Liz Petroccia lpetroccia@stjosephmaplewood.org 973-761-5933 X 17


St. Joseph Lenten Soup Supper
Experience a moment of homelessness at our St. Joseph Lenten Soup Supper. This Wednesday a canvas sleeping pod will be assembled in Bernard Hall for families and individuals to familiarize themselves with the accommodations we offer to our Interfaith Hospitality Network guests currently experiencing homelessness. Our guest families will be with us this summer for two weeks July 10-24.

Prayer Shawl Ministry
Help heal someone’s heart with your talented hands
Please join us for our next gathering!
Bring your shawls [completed or in process] to show & share.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
12:30 in The Rectory Meeting Room

Bridges Outreach Breakfasts
Thanks to everyone who donated to the Bridges Outreach Breakfasts.
72 Breakfast bags were assembled by our St. Joseph Youth Group and our 1st Grade Religious Ed. Class. The breakfasts will be distributed to our sisters and brothers in need from neighboring towns.

OPEN ARMS MINISTRY TO MEET

Open Arms is a welcoming spirituality group for gay and lesbian Catholics and their families and friends. Our next meeting will be Sunday, April 10, at 5:00 pm in the rectory. Come and share scripture and fellowship with us. If you have any questions or would like further information, contact Dugan McGinley.