Youth Group News 6/7/2012

YOUTH GROUP NEWS We will be meeting this evening June 10th from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the youth room in Bernard Hall. We are planning our annual summer trips, so be sure to stop by. For more information about our youth ministry activities please email our youth minister Tom Berrios at tomberrios@hotmail.com

New to the Community????

NEW TO THE COMMUNITY? Welcome! We are a parish which believes in lifelong faith formation. Watch this bulletin for details of adult opportunities to grow in faith as well as prepare for sacraments. It’s never too late. If you have children in an elementary school that is not a Catholic school, we invite you to enroll your children, grades K to 8, in our Sunday morning Religious Education program. Classes resume in September, but registration is underway now. Please call 973-761-5933 or email faith@stjosephmaplewood.org and someone will be in touch.

Wherever you Go...

WHEREVER YOU GO… … The Lord is with you. To locate the nearest church try 1-800 MASSTIMES or search online at www.masstimes.org. Find a Catholic Church anywhere in the world.

Open Arms Barbeque

Open Arms is a spirituality group for gay and lesbian Catholics and our families and friends. Are you a gay or lesbian Catholic who is looking for a parish family? A parent of a gay son or daughter looking for the warm embrace of fellow Catholics? A friend or sibling who just wants to be supportive? If any of these situations sound even a little bit like you, we hope you will plan to join us for a barbeque on Saturday, June 9th following the 5:30 p.m. Mass in the rectory. If you would like more information please contact Dugan McGinley at dmcginley@stj osephmaplewood.org.

Congratulations on Success of Rummage Sale

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RUMMAGE SALE COMMITTEE Last weekend’s, 5th Annual Rummage Sale generated over $5,000 for the parish programs! Congratulations to Ernie D’Amato, Rosa Aiello and their entire committee, who worked so hard, literally day and night, to bring the sale to such a success! Thanks also to John and Eileen, the owners of our local business Bee and Thistle Antiques for their donations of new items for sale every year!

ST. JOSEPH FOOD PANTRY DATES

If you are interested in helping at the St. Joseph Food Pantry, the next sort night is Monday, June 11, and pack night is Thursday, June 13. Our volunteers meet both evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the house at 241 Hilton Ave. Your help in delivering to seniors at Nora Gardens is always welcome on the third Saturday of the month. The next delivery date is Saturday, June 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Faith Formation for all Ages

FAITH FORMATION FOR ALL AGES How can we help you? Our Parish offers you a variety of opportunities to grow in faith and prepare for sacraments. This is a good time to inquire about your own needs as an adult or on behalf of your children. Sessions are forming for this fall. The RCIA process will prepare adults for Baptism, Confirmation and/or Communion. Inquiries are also welcome from baptized Christians who would like to join the Catholic Church. The Religious Education Program will hold classes for those in grades K to 8 who do not attend a Catholic school (and these are a pre-requisite for children’s First Communion or Confirmation.) This program is open to children with special needs. Enrollment for sacramental preparation (First Reconciliation and First Communion) will begin in the fall for eligible children in grade 2 or above. Faith updates are encouraged for adults of all ages: watch the bulletin for upcoming opportunities. Please contact the office of Faith Formation at 973-761-5933 or email faith@stjosephmaplewood.org. Leave a message and someone will get back to you.

Memorial Day Schedule

MEMORIAL DAY SCHEDULE As we gather with family and friends on Memorial Day, we celebrate the blessings of our hard-won freedom and remember those who made it possible. In observance of Memorial Day, the Parish offices will be closed and Rainbow Seniors will not meet. We will have only one Mass at 9:00 a.m.

Interfaith Hospitality Network

INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK St. Joseph's is once again participating in the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN). We will be hosting four to five families from July 8 through July 22. St. Joseph's is part of the IHN Essex County Network, a group of thirty faith congregations in Essex County, who host families who are in need of shelter. We will give these families a place to stay and three meals a day while families work to secure permanent housing. We will once again be asking for your support by volunteering in a variety of ways. We will need many volunteers to make this a success! We'll need help in setting up and taking down the "apartments" we construct for our guests. We'll need overnight hosts, meals to be prepared, laundry to be washed, grocery items to be purchased,  and volunteers to work with children in the evenings. We will also be setting up an  IHN "Giving Tree" whereby parishioners can purchase items to help us in our hosting. Please look for our "Giving Tree" and our IHN Table  this weekend! If you have any questions, please call Suzanne Ryan at 973-761-7083

SUMMER MUSIC CAMP for K,PreK and Babies

There will be story, song, dancing, instruments and more! Only $5.00 a day per family for children and their parent or caregiver. Take home music CD available. Dates/Days to be determined— let us know your preference. Enrollment will be limited so please email: jleitner@stjosephmaplewood.org or call 973-761-5933 ext. 24 for more details!

OPEN ARMS MINISTRY TO MEET

OPEN ARMS Open Arms is a welcoming spirituality group for gay and lesbian Catholics and our families and friends. Our next meeting is on Wednesday, May 16, at 7:30 p.m.in the rectory. We also hope you will plan to join us for a barbecue on June 9th... so save the date...details will follow! If you would like more information, please contact Dugan McGinley at dmcginley@stjosephmaplewood.org.

Knights of Columbus

REGINA PACIS COUNCIL #4066 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS The NEXT meeting of the Regina Pacis Council will be on Monday, May 14, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. in the council home. We will be nominating members to be elected to office. Please come and show your support for these members.

St. Joseph Prayer Shawl Ministry

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY GATHER WITH US ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 23 AT 12:30 IN THE MEETING ROOM Join us for the last gathering before summer! Can you knit or crochet a simple shawl? Are you interested in knitting and praying for someone in need of solace? Shawls made with compassionate hands and prayerful hearts can be symbolic of the embrace of our God, who loves unconditionally. They encircle, shelter and warm those who receive them. Imagine the uplift to someone in need of comfort and support when they are offered a prayer shawl, a gift of your talent and prayers; a hug from Christ! A dedicated group of people are busily knitting shawls and praying for those who are suffering. If you would like to join our ministry, or make a donation of yarn, call the rectory 973-761-5933.

M.E.N.D. Collection

M.E.N.D. COLLECTION May 19-20 (Meeting Emergency Needs with Dignity). St Joseph’s along with other Food Pantries in Essex County is part of the support group M.E.N.D. Volunteers from St. Joseph Food Pantry will be collecting money to support M.E.N.D next weekend. The organization gathers money and food to distribute to pantries in need. To date, St. Joseph has received over $2000 in food donations from M.E.N.D. when our supplies were low. Part of our commitment to M.E.N.D. is to help with fundraising whenever possible. Please give generously to help support M.E.N.D. and the St Joseph Food Pantry. For information, volunteer opportunities or additional donations, please contact Lynne Blaesser at 908- 686- 1436.

MAYFEST MAY 20

MAYFEST NEXT SUNDAY MAY 20 Please note that due to MayFest on Springfield Avenue, some streets surrounding St. Joseph Church will be subject to re-routing of traffic and parking restrictions, so allow a little more time to get to Mass, (especially if you attend the 11:30 a.m. Liturgy.) The rain date will be May 27. Come for Mass~ Stay for the Festival! Visit the St. Joseph Table, and other highlights, including a petting zoo and pony rides, a kiddie train and inflatable rides, balloon animals, other kids’ activities and a Classic Car Show. More than 100 vendors, artists, crafters, live music and great food will be available. Something for Everyone!

May 13 info

Spring Raffle

WILL YOU BE ONE OF THE LUCKY WINNERS? Try your luck with our parish spring raffle. Please try to buy or sell at least one ticket, but if you are not able to buy all of the tickets sent to you, please return the unsold tickets together with the ones you are buying. Please place in the collection basket or bring to the rectory. Any questions: Call Ron Murphy at 201-463-8962

St. Joseph Church Tour Our Stained Glass Windows

Sunday, May 20, 2012 For children: 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! Meet after the 9:00 a.m. Mass. The 30-minute program is free. Come with your little ones and see the church through their eyes. Please contact :Candice Davenport at candice.davenport@gmail.com For adults and families: Join parishioner, Bernie Flanagan for a tour of the windows and sacred art of our church as part of our parish outreach during the Maplewood Mayfest at 2:00 pm (This program is also free.)

Youth Group News 05/03/2012

YOUTH GROUP NEWS St. Joseph's Youth Group will meet thisSunday, May 6th from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the youth room located in Bernard Hall. We will be planning our day of service on Saturday, May 12th as we take part in the Hand in Hand Festival. This festival concerns youth group members helping to put on a carnival for developmentally delayed adults. If you are interested in helping please come to our meeting this Sunday for more information. On Sunday, May 20th we will be attending the annual NJ Catholic State Youth Rally at Great Adventure. The cost of ticket will be $45 and includes admission to the park, a four hour food voucher, and a free return trip ticket. We hope you will join us as we meet hundreds of other Catholic teens across the state for workshops, Mass, and a great day of fun at the park. For more information about any of our youth ministry activities please email our youth minister Tom Berrios at tomberrios@hotmail.com

CELEBRATE NATIONAL “WOMEN BUILD” WEEK

CELEBRATE NATIONAL “WOMEN BUILD” WEEK Volunteer with Newark Habitat for Humanity Build Day: Saturday, May 12, 2012 This year we plan to build at sites in Newark's Ironbound. Sign up and help Women Build provide homes for deserving families. Non-builders can help with the Potluck Lunch. Planned construction activities include framing and running wiring in one or two multi-family buildings. Time: 8:00 a.m. until cleanup is finished (approximately 3:30 p.m.) Volunteers will be notified of worksite location 2-3 days before May 12th. To volunteer to build or to help with the potluck lunch, RSVP: to Carol Manning by email cdminsan@msn.com

Religious Ed. Closing Prayer Service

The 221 Children of our Parish Religious Education Program cordially invite you to attend our Closing Prayer Service Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 10:15am in the Church. All children should report to the cafeteria at 10 am as usual.

MUSIC CLASS FOR PRESCHOOLERS AND BABIES

Interested in a weekly music and movement program for your infant and/or preschooler? ‘Making Music Praying Twice’ is available here! Find out more about the classes beginning this Thursday at 10:00 a.m. in the rectory. A Wednesday morning option may be added soon. For information and to register please Email faith@stjosephmaplewood.org
or call Jennifer at 973-761-5933 ext. 24.

Grade 8 Religious Ed. Seeks Your Help!

GRADE 8 RELIGIOUS ED SEEKS YOUR HELP!

Almost within sight of the Statue of Liberty, there are 326 immigrants languishing in “detention”. They are confined to dormitories inside a windowless, converted warehouse. The detainees never leave the building, never breathe fresh air, and are never called by their name. A major concern for the detainees is to be in contact with family and friends. For many of the detainees even this simple pleasure is denied, since they do not have money to purchase stationery, stamped envelopes or phone cards.
The 8th graders of our Religious Education Program will be collecting the following items until Sunday, April 29th:

Blank two-pocket folders ~1st class "forever" stamps and 98 cent stamps for international mail ~ and stationery

Items can be left in the back of church in the donation box.

First Eucharist at St. Joseph Church

ON THE JOURNEY TO EASTER SACRAMENTS:
Parish Children Celebrate First Eucharist
Next Sunday, the third Sunday of this Easter season, thirty six parish children will join us at the Table of the Lord. Ready now to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time, they, their families and guests will join us at the 11:30 Mass on April 22nd. Many of the center pews will be reserved for their families to sit together. Do take time to admire the banners they have made to mark their pews. As always, welcoming the children at their first Holy Communion will make this a special day for our parish

Santa Cruzan and May Crowning

PARISH MAY CROWNING
AND SANTA CRUZAN FESTIVAL
Sunday, May 6 at 2PM
 
One of the defining aspects of being Catholic is devotion to Mary. Many of us favor no Marian celebration more highly than May Crowning, the feast that recognizes Mary as queen of heaven and earth. To a person of any age, this is a mighty big title, but to a child of five or six or seven, it expands to enchanting, magical proportions. How many queens does one get a chance to meet in a lifetime, much less crown?
 
May Crowning marked a new spiritual season. Our Mary, queen of heaven and earth, lifted us right out of the last long, cold days of winter and firmly planted our hearts in the warm and promising soil of spring.
 
During the Month of May -- a month both named for and dedicated to Mary -- Catholics have long honored her by placing a crown on her image. The tradition in the United States and many other countries has been for children to have a "May Crowning" ceremony, with a procession, pretty dresses and a wreath of fresh flowers that one child gets to place on the statue.
 
We encourage families to bring your children and we extend our special invitation to this year’s First Communicants (wearing their First Communion outfits) to join our Parish May Crowning on Sunday, May 6 beginning at 2:00 p.m. You may bring a small bunch of flowers to offer to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The SANTACRUZAN Procession follows after Mass covering few block around the church. Reception follows in Bernard Hall.
 

Life in the Spirit Seminars

All are invited to deepen our faith in the Holy Spirit by attending the Life in the Spirit Seminars over 6 Tuesdays beginning April 17 through May 22. The seminar begins at 7:30 pm. at St. Joseph Church 767 Prospect St. Maplewood, NJ. Topics are as follows:
God's Love
Salvation
New Life
Receiving God's Gifts
Prayer for Release of Holy Spirit
Growth and Transformation in Christ.

The series is designed to help people realize the power of the Holy Spirit that is available for every aspect of their lives.

Religious Ed. Walk a Thon

Please support our Fourth graders on April 15th as they hold a walk-a-thon to benefit the HK Community Fund which assists local people in need. The children's efforts will help a Maplewood 11 year old boy who is seriously ill. The walk will take place after the 9:00 a.m. Mass and will circle around our block (Prospect, Franklin, Indiana, Hilton Avenues.) during religious ed class time. Please cheer them on and if possible, donate to this worthy cause!

POLO (Parents of Little Ones) Easter Egg Hunt

Come join us for the annual POLO Easter Egg Hunt after the 9 am Mass on Easter Sunday. Meet on the side lawn of the church. This event is for all children ages 6 and under.

Adults who can provide assistance please contact Amy McGlinn at amy_mcglinn@hotmail.com

Parish Office Schedule for Holy Week

Please make note that the office will be closed from April 5-April 8th in observance of the Triduum and Easter Sunday.