SJPM POLO (Parents Of Little Ones) Halloween Gathering

(POLO) SJPM Parents Of Little Ones

POLO aims at bringing together to bring together our many families with young children (six years and under) to create more of a community within the larger family of our parish. We realize everyone has busy lives, so our goal is to hold several fun events throughout the year to give our children (and their parents) even more friendly faces to see at church each week.

To kick-off the start of POLO, please come to a Halloween gathering on Sunday, October 26th from 5-7pm Dan and Katie’s House. There will be pizza and a some games for the kids - and costumes are welcome of course (though not required)! We'll also talk about any ideas for future events and activities. We know everyone has busy lives, so even 3 or 4 events a year would be a great start, beginning with the Halloween party on the 26th!

The event will take place at 22 Burnett Terrace in Maplewood (off Prospect Street between Oakview and Madison Streets), phone (973) 762-2493.

Please RSVP to Katie and Dan by Monday, 10/20 if you're able to attend. In your response, please include the names and ages of your child(ren), as well as any dietary restrictions. Although POLO is geared mainly towards children 6 and under, we certainly welcome any older siblings who may have passed the 6-year mark - this is very informal :). We look forward to meeting you!p.s. Please feel free to forward this invitation along to anyone you think may be interested!

MASS OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK

SATURDAY, October 18, 2008 at 11 am
Feast of St. Luke, the Evangelist
Patron Saint of Physicians
St. Joseph Church
767 Prospect St., Maplewood, NJ 07040
973-761-5933


If anyone is sick, let him call on the elders of the Church. They shall pray for him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer said in faith will save the sick man; the Lord will raise him up and if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven." James 5:13-15

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is for:

· Those of the faithful whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age
· A person facing surgery
· Elderly people who have become notably weakened even though no serious illness is present
· Sick children or people of any age in need of healing
· Those suffering mental or spiritual illness in search of healing in a time of crisis or pain.
·
A light luncheon will be served for participants after Mass. If transportation assistance is needed, please call Kathy at the Parish Office, 973-761-5933, on or before Monday, October 13.

· Why does the Church now call this sacrament the Anointing of the Sick and not Extreme Unction?

This sacrament was revised to lead to a wider availability of the Sacrament and to extend it beyond cases of moral illness.

One of the most important documents issued by the Second Vatican Council is the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, also known by its Latin name, Sacrosanctum Concilium (Dec. 4, 1963.) The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy called for the renewal of many of the liturgical rites of the church, including the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. Over time this sacrament had become entwined with preparation of the dying, but Liturgy encouraged the church to return to its more ancient roots and decreed that, “Extreme Unction,” which may…more fittingly be called “Anointing of the Sick,” is not a sacrament intended only for those who are at the point of death.” (Liturgy, #73)

· Who may receive the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick?

Those of the faithful whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age; a person facing surgery; elderly people if they have become notably weakened even though no serious illness is present; sick children; those suffering mental or spiritual illness in search of healing in a time of crisis or pain may receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

The National Conference of Catholic Bishops answers this question in Pastoral Care of the Sick: Rites of Anointing and Viaticum, by stating that, “Great care and concern should be taken to see that those of the faithful whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age receive this sacrament.”(#8) It is not necessary that one be dying or at the point of death to receive the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, indeed the Church encourages reception of the sacrament well before this point. “Elderly people may be anointed if they have become notably weakened even though no serious illness is present.”(#11)

· Can a person receive this sacrament more than one time?

Yes. The Apostolic Constitution revising the rite for the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick states that, “The sacrament may be repeated if the sick person recovers after being anointed and then falls ill or if during the same illness the person’s condition becomes more serious.” (#9)

· Will receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick heal someone who is ill?

In short, will this sacrament necessarily cure the recipient of their illness? No. But will it heal them? Yes.

As Christians we believe that we are more than just our physical bodies, we believe that we are also spiritual beings who are made in the image of God as a unity of both body and soul. Illness and frailty of the human body may also manifest themselves in the human spirit. Those who are seriously ill may struggle with despair or depression; anxiety about their own welfare or that of their loved ones. Serious or chronic illness may even lead some to feel abandoned by God and to struggle in their faith. Many who receive this sacrament are in need of healing both in their bodies and their spirit. During the Rite of Anointing, the priest blesses the oil to be used, saying, “Make this oil a remedy for all who are anointed with it, heal them in body, in soul, and in spirit, and deliver them from every affliction.” (Rite of Anointing, #123) Catholic Christians believe that the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick offers God’s healing power to those who receive it. When it is God’s will, some will experience a bodily healing, but all who are open to the grace of the sacrament will experience the spiritually healing power of God’s love for us.

· What is the purpose of celebrating the Anointing of the Sick at Mass?

Our mission as a Church is to do what Jesus did. On nearly every page of the Gospels we read of Jesus’ concern for the sick.

Sacraments are one of the means by which God Makes manifest the grace of Christ in the life of the community of the church. They bind us together and strengthen us for our common mission of living out the gospel. At some sacramental celebrations, like the Eucharist, the entire community participates in the sacrament. Other times, like Confirmation and Anointing of the Sick, only part of the congregation receives the sacrament, but the rest of the congregation is present to bear witness to our common faith, to affirm and support those receiving the sacrament, and to pray that all may be open to the grace of God.

• If I’m not sick, why should I attend the Mass of the Anointing of the Sick?

As Christians, we believe that even in the most difficult moments of human life, even in sickness and suffering, despair and struggle, the Lord will not abandon us. The communal celebration of the Anointing of the Sick presents the congregation with a means of witnessing to these faith claims.

An Anointing of the Sick Mass offers a parish an opportunity to publicly proclaim our faith in the promise of Christ to remain with us always. “By the sacred Anointing of the Sick, and the prayer of the priests, the whole church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord that he may give them relief and save them (see Jas 5:14-16.)” Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium,) #11.
As we come together to pray for and with our sick and frail members, we show both to them and to their caregivers the value of their lives and their struggles for the whole community. Participation in a Healing Mass is an act of solidarity with those among us who are sick; it is recognition of the value and challenge of illness in human life, and an act of faith in the power of the sacrament and the presence of Christ in even the most difficult of times.

ST. JOSEPH PARISH PARENTS OF LITTLE ONES - POLO -

ST. JOSEPH PARENTS OF LITTLE ONES GROUP“POLO”

Are you a parent of a child six years and under? Would you like to meet new faces and friends at St. Joseph Church? We're excited to announce the first ever St. Joseph Parents of Little Ones group! Our goal is to bring together our many families with young children to create more of a community within the larger family of our parish. We realize everyone has busy lives, so our goal is to hold several fun events throughout the year to give our children (and their parents) even more friendly faces to see at church each week. Our first event will be a Halloween party in late October. If you're interested in hearing more, please contact Katie Volz at kvolz@stern.nyu.edu or (973) 762-2493.

PARISH FAMILY PICNIC - THANK YOU

Hello everyone,

It is very obvious that everyone at the Parish Family Picnic had a wonderful time. It is nice to see everybody there in a different setting other that church pews. Parents had a good time letting their kids go and had fun rather than restraining them and keeping them quiet as the usual challenge during Masses. Children had a blast running around and playing with other kids during games. Added to the green shirts were the colorful artistic artworks of the face painters using kids’ and adults’ faces as fresh canvases. Food was abundant from burgers, hotdogs to various dishes and deserts that you brought. The weather was just perfect.

This success of this event was made possible because of the many volunteers who came forward to help. In particular, special thanks go to those who lent their precious time and talent and even resources months before this event. They are the Committee Chairs and members. They are the busy hands behind the scene. Once again, I salute all of you. You did a very good job.

Here is the collection of photos I have taken yesterday. I would like to ask all those who took photos yesterday to please give me a copy of what you have in a CD so that I could include them in our photo gallery and eventually in our parish photo archive. Meanwhile: click this link and presto: you are in the photo section of the blog.

http://picasaweb.google.com/stjosephinformationservice/PARISHFAMILYPICNIC2008#

Thank you once again.

We’re getting geared up for this FUN PARISH FAMILY EVENT: Our PARISH FAMILY PICNIC 2008.

OVER 400 PARISHIONERS HAVE ALREADY SIGNED-UP!!!

We have been running about as hard as we can for some time now. This is because we want to thank you for all that you do for St. Joseph Church. You deserve the best.

It is time to enjoy this life with which God has so graciously blest us and not allow it to all be work. It is time to step back from our busyness and to spend quality time with our parish family and friends. This is what our parish picnic is all about.

We will have a Sunday afternoon in which we can all come together, the kids can jump and play. Adults can visit, eat and exchange pleasantries. Hangout and chat with old pals and meet new friends! We have a treat for everyone; the young and the mature, the young families and the “goldenage” couples.

There will be plenty of food to share. Get a freshly grilled hamburger or a hot dog, other favorite dishes and desserts; and something cool to drink.

Tables and chairs will be provided for seniors and the infirmed. For those who are able, bring lawn chairs or picnic mats.

Add to your collection and proudly wear our GREEN Picnic T-Shirts which you can order for $10. Deadline for orders will be on Sunday, September 14. By the way, if you already have signed-up and forgot to order your shirt, you may call Kathy at 973-761-5933.

Cost of admission is ENTRÉE for those whose last name begins with letters A to I; SIDE DISH for those whose last name begins with letters J to R; and DESSERT for those whose last name begins with letters S to Z.

Donate TIME and TALENT by volunteering before, during and after the event.

SIGN-UP NOW and JOIN THE FUN!

Our Parish Celebrates the Year of St. Paul

Pope Benedict XVI has declared June 2008-June 2009 the Year of St. Paul in celebration of he 2,000th anniversary of the saint's birth.

This Pauline Year presents us with many opportunities to work for evangelization here at St. Joseph Parish and beyond. You are all invited in the beginning of the Pauline Year to discern how best to study, pray and celebrate the life, inspired writing, spirituality and missionary spirit of St. Paul. We can never underestimate the power of a Catholic life lived with integrity and radiant vitality. How many potential “St. Pauls” might we influence by radiating the power of Christ from deep within.

The Cross influences everything about Paul. He states, “I preach Christ and Him Crucified.” The Cross transformed his teaching and allowed him to evangelize others by helping them to interpret the meanings of their own sufferings. He also uses a curious phrase, “I boast in the Cross of Christ.” (Galatians 6:14) He puts the Cross of Christ above any temptation to egoism or pride. The Cross is the true source of his apostolic effectiveness.

One of the classic Pauline images is that of the Body of Christ as a communion of individuals with specific charisms and talents which build up of the Body. Paul shows that the Eucharist is the source of unity, harmony and communion in the Body. Our reverent reception of the Eucharist is the great spark of missionary activity that leads us, like St. Paul, to the ends of the earth.

May the fire that the Holy Spirit cast down into the heart of St. Paul, which in turn lit up the earth, inflame our hearts to be vibrant and effective missionaries in the Year of St. Paul and throughout our lives.

Online Resources

· The Official Site for the Holy Year, http://www.annopaolino.org
· Archdiocesan information on the celebration, http://www.rcan.org/index.cfm

Parish Family Picnic 2008

Have fun and enjoy the day with our parish family; hang-out and chat with old pals and meet new friends! We have a treat for everyone: the young and the mature, the young families and the “golden-age” couples. There will be plenty of food to share: burgers and hotdogs, other favorite dishes and desserts; soda and water. Tables and chairs will be provided for the seniors and the infirmed. For those who are able, please bring lawn chairs or picnic mats.