PARISH RUMMAGE SALE

The St. Joseph Rummage Sale will be held this year on Saturday and Sunday, June 2-3 in the school gym. Please prepare to bring your valuables for sale! We will be collecting donations in the school gym, starting May 25th. Please join us. If you have any questions, contact Ernie D’Amato at 973-763-2002 or John Otchy at 973-762-4185

Our annual rummage sale event is not only fund raiser but it is also a community building activity. People of all ages work together to put on our parish Rummage sale, and work for the good of our parish community, the wider community and the many charities we support. The income that we generate at the rummage sale is used to fund a variety of parish life and outreach activities. Participating in the Rummage Sale is a great way to make friends in the community while helping to serve the needy.

OPEN ARMS MINISTRY TO MEET

OPEN ARMS is a welcoming spirituality group for gay and lesbian Catholics and our families and friends. For our next meeting, we will join the Faith Sharing group at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in South Plainfield, on Wednesday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m.

For more information and directions, please contact Dugan Mcginley at dmcginley@stjosephmaplewood.org.

CYO BASKETBALL

CYO BASKETBALL
Congratulations to the JV Boys 6th Grade team who won the Union County CYO championship beating All Saints Academy of Bayonne 28-17. The 3rd Grade boys and the 4th Grade boys also reached the CYO finals only to finish in 2nd place in their respective divisions. The Parish CYO program completed its 5th season with 135 boys and girls playing on 12 different teams from Grades 1 to 8.
Thank you! to all the coaches who generously volunteered their time and talents to teach the fundamentals of the game and good sportsmanship.

Spring Cleaning Help Wanted

Once again its time for spring cleaning in the house of the Lord. Parishioners are invited to lend a little elbow grease to spruce up St. Joseph Church for the Sacred Triduum. We will meet at 1:00 p.m. on April 1st (Palm Sunday) to wash, dust, polish and vacuum. Bring your buckets, rags and murphy’s soap and join us in this act of love and faith

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 5th, 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, sign up in the back of Church.

FREE DEMONSTRATION MUSIC CLASS

If you have a baby or child under the age of six, we invite you to try out the Making Music experience. Come with even the littlest babies to explore the wonder of music. There will be story, song, dancing, instruments and more!

Learn about the low pressure music education classes for little children and caregivers offered here at St. Joseph Parish. Unlike other programs, this one is a unique mix of global music with faith based selections appropriate to the season.

A one hour free trial session will take place on
Thursday, March 22nd at 10 a.m.

Space is limited so please reserve your place now by calling the parish office at 973.761.5933 or by email to faith@stjosephmaplewood.org, indicating the number and ages of your children.

Our next season of classes begins after Easter and participating families will receive an illustrated songbook with two CDs, one for home and one for the car [or Grandma.] Find more information on this music program at www.makingmusicprayingtwice.com

Training is available for anyone interested in becoming a Making Music teacher. Please call the parish office for details.

YOUTH GROUP NEWS 03/08/2012

The St. Joseph High School Youth Group and Confirmation group will meet this Sunday, March 11th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the church for Living Stations of the Cross Practice.

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events:
 
April 20-22 Members of our Youth Group will be participating in a weekend retreat called "Rejoice" at the Archdiocesan Center in Kearney. The cost is $60 per student and applications can be picked up from our youth minister Tom Berrios.
 
May 12th We will be participating in the Hand in Hand Festival,which is a day of fun for developmentally delayed adults.  Our group will be setting up a game booth so join us for this day of meaningful service.   
 
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 decide to join us as we meet hundreds of other Catholic teens from across the state for workshops, mass, and a great day of fun at the park. 

REGINA PACIS COUNCIL # 4066 K OF C

The next meeting of Regina Pacis Council of the Knights of Columbus will be on Monday, March 12th, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. at the Council Home.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SAVE THE DATE

Our next volunteer build day for St. Joseph Parish is Saturday, March 24th. Please put your name, phone number and email address on the sign-up sheet in back of church on the board outside of the Children’s Chapel. Be a part of the Habitat Mission… call Gail Laughlin (973-313-0055) for more information

JOIN US FOR CROP WALK FOR HUNGER

Gather with others in our community to fight hunger both here and around the world. We need walkers and sponsors for the Maplewood/South Orange/Millburn CROP Hunger Walk on April 22, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. in Memorial Park, Maplewood.
Please go to www.churchworldservice.org/crop to sign up for the St. Joseph Maplewood team. If you don’t have internet access please call the rectory 973 761 5933 to register to walk, or to sponsor our team. Thank you for helping feed the hungry

YOUTH GROUP NEWS 3/2/12

The St. Joseph Youth Group and Confirmation group will begin practice for the Living Stations of the Cross this Sunday, March 4th from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Church.

For questions or more information please email our youth minister, Tom Berrios at tomberrios@hotmail.com.

RUMMAGE SALE KICK OFF COMMITTEE MEETING

The 5th Annual St. Joseph Rummage Sale will be held this year on Saturday and Sunday, June 2nd and 3rd in the school gym. Please prepare to bring your valuables for sale starting on May 25th.

Volunteers will be needed to help with various aspects of the project in order to hold a successful sale. Please consider helping in some capacity by attending the kick-off rummage committee meeting that will be held on Monday, March 12th at 7:oo p.m. in the rectory. No experience is necessary to help out!!!

Please join us. Contact John Otchy at 973-762-4185 or Ernie D'Amato at 973-763-2002.

ROSARY SOCIETY TO MEET

The St. Joseph Rosary Society will meet this Monday, March 5th at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory.

Hostesses for the evening are: Margaret Coughlin, Grace McGrath and Angela Bukwich.

CHILDREN'S CHOIR

When it's Lent, we know that Easter is coming soon. That means it's time to start rehearsals for the Children's Choir, which will sing along with "Trinity" at the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Easter Sunday. Rehearsals will be three Saturday mornings, March 24,31,and April 7 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the church. Children approximately 6-12 (grades 1-6) are eligible to join. Just show up and meet in the church vestibule ready to sing!

Contact Dugan McGinley at the rectory for more information.

FRIDAY MORNING PRAYER GROUP

ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO OBSERVE LENT!
OPEN TO ALL!!!!

The St. Joseph Parish Friday Morning Prayer Group is an ongoing service of prayer for our community.

We meet each Friday in Bernard Hall at 6:30 a.m. for coffee, sharing and prayer for the needs of the parish, and any intentions presented. The meeting ends strictly at 7:15 a.m. so that all may get started with their day.

For more information, please call John Otchy at 973-762-4185.

St. Joseph Food Pantry Info

FOOD PANTRY
Put your Lenten intentions into action and join us in helping with the Food Pantry. The next sort night will be on Monday, March 12 and the pack night will be Thursday, March 15th both at 7 p.m. in the house next to the school parking lot. Distribution of the food will be on Saturday, March 17 at 10 a.m. New volunteers are always welcome!

Used Book Drive

USED BOOK DRIVE– A WORK OF MERCY
Spearheaded 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

Please place donations in the decorated Book Drive Drop Boxes located at the main entrances to St. Joseph Church on Sundays after Mass, or in St. Joseph School cafeteria during February and March

They who oppress the poor show contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. Proverbs 14:31

All You Can Eat Breakfast!

ALL YOU CAN EAT BREAKFAST
 On the second Sunday of each month, the South Orange Elks holds an all-you-can-eat breakfast, which is open to the public. The price is $7.00 per person. The money is donated to charity. The Elks are located at 220 Prospect Street in South Orange. The next breakfast will be on Sunday, March 11th. From 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Stations of the Cross

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Every Friday of Lent at 7:30 P.M .

The Stations of the Cross is a popular devotion used by individual Catholics who wish through prayer and reflection to follow Jesus Christ on His way to Calvary. Many Christians practice the devotion, but the Stations hold a special significance among Roman Catholics. It is one of the most important devotions honoring the passion of Jesus.

What matters most in the Stations of the Cross is to follow Jesus Christ in His passion and to see ourselves mirrored in Him. To face life's dark side in ourselves and in our world, we need images of hope, and Jesus offers images of hope in His passion. By accompanying Him on the Way of the Cross, we gain His courageous patience and learn to trust in God who delivers us from evil.

Handicraft Sale

HANDICRAFT SALE

March 24th and 25th, 2012
This fair trade economic justice project of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd will be selling fair trade handcrafts made by women throughout the developing world. Your support of HCJ’s partners makes a tremendous difference in their lives, supporting their efforts to live a dignified life and provide food, education and shelter to their families. Please join us in promoting fair trade at this sale, following all masses.

HandCrafting Justice Inc. is a fair trade project partnering with women in 20 developing countries. The mission of HandCrafting Justice is to market women’s handcrafts and raise awareness about the root causes of poverty, gender inequality, and social issues. To learn more and to shop online, please visit www.handcraftingjustice.org.

Youth Group News 02/20/12

St. Joseph Youth Group will meet this Sunday, February 26th in the youth room located in Bernard Hall.  All high school students are welcome to attend, we will be discussing our participation in Living Stations of the Cross, the upcoming parish youth retreat on March 24th and much more.  For more information please email our youth minister Tom Berrios at tomberrios@hotmail.com..
Confirmation Candidates: Living Stations of the Cross practice will begin in March with practices starting at 7:00 p.m. in the church on March 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th.  For questions: Tom Berrios at tomberrios@hotmail.com.

OPEN ARMS MINISTRY TO MEET

NOTE NEW DAY AND TIME FOR THIS MEETING!
Open Arms is a welcoming spirituality group for gay and lesbian Catholics and our families and friends. Join us for a special gathering on Tuesday, March 6, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., in the rectory. We will look at Lent readings and share ways of making Lent more meaningful. If you would like more information, please contact Dugan McGinley at
dmcginley@stjosephmaplewood.org.

Parish Community Day! Save the date!!!

CELEBRATING THE FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH

A parish festival celebrating the Cultural Heritage and Diversity of our Parish Family

SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 2012
4-7 P.M. BERNARD HALL

POT LUCK DINNER
featuring
INTERNATIONAL CUISINE FROM OUR PARISH FAMILY!

Pancake Breakfast

PARISH
PANCAKE BREAKFAST
in the spirit of Mardi Gras
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19th
AFTER ALL MASSES
in Bernard Hall

Boy Scout Troop #21 is once again offering this event as a gift to our parish. They will be serving a delicious menu of sausage, pancakes, juice and coffee to all parishioners. Join as we observe the ancient pre-Lent tradition of feasting before we begin our season of fasting on Ash Wednesday (February 22nd.) Whether you call it Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, or Carnivale, it is time to gather, celebrate community and enjoy God’s gift of food and fun.

Knights of Columbus to meet

REGINA PACIS COUNCIL #4066 K of C

The next meeting of Regina Pacis Council of the Knights of Columbus will be on Monday, February 13, 2012 at 8:00 p.m., at the Council Home. Men of the parish are invited.
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Youth Group News 02/07/12

YOUTH GROUP NEWS
St. Joseph Youth Group will meet this week on Sunday, February 12th from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the house that hosts the food pantry which is the building next to the gym.  Permission slips for the snow tubing trip to Mountain Creek for Sunday February 19th are due at this meeting.
Confirmation Candidates Living Stations of the Cross practice will begin in March with practices starting at 7:00 p.m. in the church on the following dates; March 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th.  If you have any questions or would like more information, please email our youth minister Tom Berrios at tomberros@hotmail.com



Confirmation Candidates Living Stations of the Cross practice will begin in March with practices starting at 7:00 p.m. in the church on the following dates; March 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th.  If you have any questions or would like more information, please email the parish youth minister Tom Berrios at tomberrios@hotmail.com

Food Pantry Information

If you are interested in helping at the Food Pantry, volunteers are meeting to sort Monday, February 13th and pack on Thursday, February 16th. Volunteers meet both nights at 7:00 p.m. in the house at 241 Hilton Ave. (between the school parking lot and the church). Distribution and delivery to seniors is Saturday, February 18th, at 10:00 a.m. Give someone in need the gift of your time!

Youth Group News 2/6/12

YOUTH GROUP NEWS
St. Joseph Youth Group will not meet this week, Sunday, February 5th.  Our next meeting will take place on Sunday, February 12th from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the house that hosts the food pantry which is the building next to the gym.  We will be finalizing our plans for the snow tubing trip to Mountain Creek for Sunday February 19th.
Confirmation Candidates Living Stations of the Cross practice will begin in March with practices starting at 7:00 p.m. in the church on the following dates; March 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th.  If you have any questions or would like more information, please email the parish youth minister Tom Berrios at tomberrios@hotmail.com

Intergenerational Valentines Gathering

POLO (Parent’s of Little Ones)
INTERGENERATIONAL VALENTINE EVENT
On Sunday, February 12th, POLO will have our Intergenerational Valentine get together. Come join us in creating Valentine’s Day cards for our homebound parishioners. We will be meeting immediately after the 9 a.m. Mass. You can plan on it lasting for about 1-1 1/2 hours, but feel free to stay for as long as you can. We’d love to see you for some fellowship and outreach. Since Bernard Hall is under repair, please check with our organizer Mary Riesett at 973-313-9670 or call the parish office later in the week to find out if the location needs to be changed.

Men's Cornerstone Alumni

MEN’S CORNERSTONE ALUMNI
PRE-LENTEN RETREAT
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Beginning with a Mass at 9 AM and concluding at 3 PM
Organized, facilitated and presented by the
CORNERSTONE 3 TEAM
Come and continue to be held in the grace of brotherhood. Experience the joy of being seen, heard and honored for the deep man you are. During our time together we will rediscover the strength of our vulnerability and the wonder of our gifts. The freedom we seek requires only that we accept ourselves. And yet this is a journey that, when taken in solidarity with other men, brings us very quickly to the prize.
A light lunch will be served for a free will donation.