CYO BASKETBALL FOOD DRIVE

The players and coaches from the St. Joseph CYO Basketball teams are once again doing their annual service project to help re-stock the food pantries at both St. Joseph and Our Lady of Sorrows.  Parishioners and friends can help their cause by making a donation online at www.yougivegoods.com/CYOBasketall

A GREAT WAY TO PREPARE FOR CHRISTMAS

The Friday morning sharing group has been praying for the success of our parish and our people for a number of years.  We open at 6:30 a.m. in Bernard Hall (Enter through the first door in the Courtyard)  We pray and share from 6:45 a.m. for 30 minutes, when everyone goes on their way, to start a new day.

Come down and take part in a great way to support our parish community through prayer.  We pray for the needs of our parish, each other and the community at large.  We invite you to take part on any Friday, especially during Advent.  As is the case for most of us, you may find that you get far more out of it than you put in!

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY TO MEET


Thursday, December 6th

12:30 p.m. in rectory meeting room

Bring your shawls, bring a friend!

SAVE THE DATE

VOLUNTEER WORK DAY

Our next volunteer parish build day is Saturday, December 15th. All volunteers are asked to register online at http://www.habitatnewark.org/volunteer_construction.html It’s easy and more convenient! If you would like to carpool or have any questions, contact Gail Laughlin at 973-313-0055 or by email at glaughlin1@gmail.com .

St. Joseph Giving Tree

OUR GIVING TREE

The Giving Tree is in church beginning this weekend. To donate a gift:

 please select a tag from the tree

purchase your gift

securely tape the tag to the outside of the gift

bring in gift unwrapped or just in a bag.



You may return gifts at any time before Sunday, December 16th, after which they will be distributed to families in need, including those served by the Food Pantry at our sister parish of St Mary, Newark. Let’s not disappoint those who have requested gifts. Advent is a wonderful time to be thinking of others as Jesus taught us:

“Whatsoever you do for others, you do unto me.”







Compassionate Sharing

Compassionate Sharing


Coffee Conversation and Support

For those who have lost a loved one

Come and share an hour with others who are on the journey toward healing



Members of the Ministry of Compassion cordially invite you to come

Sunday, December 2nd at 10:00 a.m.

in the rectory meeting room.
St. Joseph Church
767 Prospect St.
Maplewood. NJ 07040

OPEN ARMS TO MEET

OPEN ARMS


Open Arms is a welcoming spirituality group for gay and lesbian Catholics and their families and friends. We will have a special meeting for Advent on Sunday, December 9, at 5:00 pm, with scripture discussion and fellowship to help us all prepare for Christmas. For more information, please contact Dugan McGinley at dmcginley@stjosephmaplewood.org.

OLD CHRISTMAS TREES

OLD CHRISTMAS TREES


If you plan to discard your gently used artificial Christmas Tree, please donate it to St. Joseph Church. We will have a good use of it during this Christmas season. We will appreciate if you can deliver it to the church beginning today until the second week of December. Please call Fr. Manolo at 973-761-5933 or email at tomasino401@yahoo.com.

Christmas Music for the littlest ones!

CHRISTMAS MUSIC FOR LITTLE ONES


SING, DANCE, PLAY INSTRUMENTS and MORE
while we explore the story of Baby Jesus’ birth!

St. Joseph Parish is pleased to offer a music experience for our youngest parishioners from birth through five years of age and their parent or caregiver. Unlike other music education programs, this class is faith inclusive as it explores music of the seasons in an age-appropriate way. We use instruments, toys, and scarves to dance, chant, sing, play games, and pray together. Two CDs and a songbook are included in the tuition. Please email faith@stjosephmaplewood.org to receive more information about our schedule.

For information about music for little ones, see website:

www.makingmusicprayingtwice.com Type in your zip code!

Youth Choir Christmas Eve Mass

FOR 6:30 P.M. CHRISTMAS EVE MASS



YOUTH MUSICIANS (Ages 13 and up)

Music is an integral part of liturgical worship and a prayerful response to the worship experience. Serving in music ministry is a special way of praising God.

We are organizing an opportunity for PARISH YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS to participate in the 6:30 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve. with members of “Trinity” We are looking for singers and instrumentalists, and all levels are welcome.

Rehearsals will be starting soon, so please contact Leslie Frost at

973- 761- 5933 Ext. 17 or lfrost@stjosephmaplewood.org.

FOR 4:00 P.M. CHRISTMAS EVE MASS


The Children’s Choir of St. Joseph Parish welcomes all interested children of ages approx. 6-12. Our Children’s Choir is a wonderful way for children to participate in Mass and contribute to the parish.  Choir members will not only be actively participating in the development and expression of their faith, they will also be introduced to the world of music.  

Rehearsals: Our first rehearsal will be Saturday, December 8th , 10:00– 11:00 a.m. Remaining rehearsals will be Saturday, December 15th and 22nd, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the church. For further information, please contact Leslie Frost by email at lfrost@stjosephmaplewood.org or 973-761-5933 Ext. 17.

ST. JOSEPH EVENTS AFFECTED BY STORM

Year of Faith Session 3 will be held this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in Bernard Hall.



Religious Education and Youth Group will resume this Sunday at their regular times and locations.



Bereavement Group will meet next on Sunday, December 2.



Women’s Cornerstone will meet on next Tuesday, November 13.



Our Thanksgiving Food Drive is still underway.



ALL OTHER EVENTS CANCELLED BY THE STORM HAVE NOT BE RE-SCHEDULED.

RESPECT LIFE HOLY HOUR

FIRST FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012

and every First Friday of each month

We will offer a Holy Hour of Prayer for Life.  It will take place in St. Joseph Church, 767 Prospect St. Maplewood, NJ 07040, from 7:30-9:30 p.m..  All are invited!

You're Invited

The Children of Grade 3

  cordially invite you

to attend an

  All Saints Prayer Service Sunday, October 28

  at 10:45 a.m. in the Church

All children [except for third grade] report to the school cafeteria at 10:00 a.m. as usual to meet with their class and will go to church for the prayer service with their catechists.

Dismissal next Sunday will be from Bernard Hall.

Women Save the Date!

Advent By Candlelight Evening for Women

Sunday, November 25
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Bernard Hall (St. Joseph Church 767 Prospect St. Maplewood, NJ)

To reserve a table please contact Liz Petroccia at 973-763-4053 or lpetroccia@msn.com

OUR PARISH FOOD PANTRY SHELVES ARE BARE!

Please help restock them! We almost ran short last Saturday. Like other local pantries, we are struggling to help families and seniors in need. You may borrow a St. Joseph Church Reusable Bag for your donation shopping, or pack it in a supermarket bag, but bring in what you can. Jesus tells us to help his people who are hungry or thirsty. (Matthew 25:35) So, would you be able to raid your own shelves or make a family field trip to the supermarket and help us reach out to people in need?

Always needed are: canned vegetables, soups, stews, tuna, beans, rice, pasta, sauce, juice, cereals, peanut butter, jelly... Special requests for Thanksgiving include Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Gravy, Boxed Potatoes, Canned Yams, etc.

We need these on or before November 11th.

Return bag and donated items to the church this week any day the church is open. Donations may be left in the church vestibule. THANK YOU for your ongoing generosity!

Donate a turkey to our Thanksgiving Food Pantry



Thursday, Nov 15th

Turkey Drop-off 5:00-7:00p.m.


Volunteer your time:

Monday, November 12th Sort Night 7-8 p.m.

Thursday, November 15th Pack Night 7-8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov 17th Food Pantry Saturday 10-11 a.m.



If you would like to donate a complete family dinner, please call Lynne at 908 656-1436 or, better still, email her at mlblaesser@aol.com.

TRIPLE BENEFIT...CHECK THIS OUT!

Here is a great way to save on your grocery bills, fill ups at the pump and help your parish! Now Stop & Shop turns every dollar you spend into gas reward points. And you can make your purchases with a Stop & Shop Gift Card that you get from one of our volunteers. Check out Stop & Shop’s website for more information: www.stopandshop.com/savings/shell_program. Supermarket Gift Cards are also available for Shop-Rite, Pathmark, Kings, Whole Foods and Stop & Shop at our sales table in back of church. As always, thank you for your ongoing support for this important fundraiser for our parish.

Join Fr. Manolo on Trip to Holyland

WHERE JESUS WALKED




A Holy Land Pilgrimage / Retreat

...making the Bible a living experience

as we trace the footsteps of God!



with

Rev. JM Manolo A. Punzalan, STL

November 18-26, 2013

RESERVE A SPACE NOW! BOOK EARLY & SAVE!

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SAVE THE DATES!

SAVE THE DATES!!


Our next volunteer parish build days are Saturday, November 17th, and Saturday, December 15th. Watch the bulletin and listen for announcements from the pulpit for more information.

COME TO FIND OUT WHERE THE CHURCH IS GOING

50 YEARS SINCE VATICAN II




Some of us lived through these years. For others, the Second Vatican Council is an historical event. Either way, there is a great story to be told about what this Council was and how it changed the Church.



The person to tell this story is Msgr. Robert J Wister who teaches at Immaculate Conception Seminary. Generations of students for the priesthood and lay ministry will testify that he is a great teacher who conveys knowledge and analyses of Church matters local and global with a witty sense of humor. He has boldly agreed to try and predict where the Church may be heading over the next 50 years… So, come and find out what he sees in our future: this is a presentation you will not want to miss!



Sunday, October 14th

10:15 – 11:15 in Bernard Hall

Breakfast included Everyone is welcome!



This Year of Faith event is sponsored by the joint Holy Name Society of St. Joseph Parish and Our Lady of Sorrows and co-sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 4066.

INVITATION FOR LITURGICAL MINISTERS

If you are a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Leader of Liturgy of the Word with children, Music Minster, or an Usher, mark your calendars for a special opportunity to renew your ministry.



On Saturday, October 27, we will gather for Mass at 9:00 a.m; with a special blessing and re-commissioning of all those who assist in making our liturgies come alive. This will be followed by refreshments, with a brief presentation and a chance for fellowship with one another. The morning will conclude with training for new ministers and updates for everyone. Please come if you are part of these ministries. If you are not already a liturgical minister, please think about becoming one. Contact Dugan McGinley at the rectory for more information

COMPASSIONATE SHARING GROUP

Compassionate Sharing

Coffee, Conversation and Support For those who have lost a loved one.

Come and share an hour with others who are on the journey toward healing.

Members of the Ministry of Compassion cordially invite you to come

Sunday, October 7th at 10:00 a.m.

in the Rectory Meeting Room, 767 Prospect Street, Maplewood

PICNIC 2012 THANK YOU!

We thank God for wonderful weather last Sunday. We commend the wonderful job of our volunteers especially the chairpersons of the various committees. Thank God for wonderful and supportive parishioners. Your dedication to St. Joseph Parish is very much appreciated! Every detail of the picnic was organized and flowed smoothly! Our parish picnic was a huge success! The event brought together different groups of parishioners. There was plenty of food, fun and joy for all! It was really a day to be happy about! You made it happen and we are so profoundly grateful!



Photos of the ST. JOSEPH PARISH FAMILY PICNIC 2012



https:picasaweb.google.com/103869731435397300466/2012STJOSEPHPARISHFAMILYPICNICTHEGRAYPICNIC

ST. JOSEPH ROSARY SOCIETY TO MEET

The St. Joseph Rosary Society will meet Monday evening, October 1st at 7:30 p.m. in the Rectory Meeting Room. Hostesses for the meeting are Margaret Coughlin and Grace McGrath.

WOMEN'S CORNERSTONE REUNION

Wednesday, October 17, 2012


7:00 p.m. , Bernard Hall

If you have attended Women’s Cornerstone Retreat 1, 2 or 3 you are invited to attend this gathering. Keep the light burning! Refreshments will be served. Call Judy Cronin 973-763-5070 or email judymcronin@gmail.com for more information.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Please note that in observance of Columbus Day, October 8th the parish office will be closed.  There will only be one Mass celebrated that day at 9:00 a.m.  The Rainbow Seniors will not meet that day

WHAT IS LITURGICAL MINISTRY?

The word liturgy literally means “work of the people.” Here at St. Joseph Parish, we put a lot of effort into making our liturgies the best worship experiences they can be. The Mass could not “happen” without various roles being filled by Parishioners like you!

The Church calls all of us to full, active and conscious participation in the liturgy and so at this time we are looking for you to join one of the many liturgical ministries. Training will be provided, be watching the bulletin for details.

Some of the ministries are:

Eucharistic Ministers: assist in distributing Communion at Mass and also in bringing Communion to the sick and homebound.

Lectors: Proclaim the word of God by reading from the scriptures at Mass.

Liturgy of the Word with Children: Proclaim the word of God to our youngest parishioners.

Music: Singers and Musicians of all levels are welcome.

Ushers: Provide welcoming hospitality to all. Assist in taking up the weekly collection.



If you would like to explore how you can help, please contact Dugan McGinley at the rectory.

PREPARING CHILDREN FOR FIRST EUCHARIST AND FIRST RECONCILIATION

We invite children of the parish to prepare for and celebrate these two sacraments once they have reached at least the age of seven and have completed one year or more of religious instruction (in a Catholic school or our parish Religious Education program.) The program begins with a meeting for parents of eligible children on Wednesday, October 3rd by invitation only.



Children attending our K-8 Sunday Program will automatically receive an invitation letter if eligible.



If your child attends a Catholic school outside this parish, please call the rectory early this week for information about preparing for First Communion here.

NEW HOLY HOUR FOR LIFE

Beginning this fall, we will offer a Holy Hour of prayer for life on the first Friday of every month. Led by Deacon John Florio, it will take place in the church from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Our first night will be on this Friday, October 5, 2012.

Holy Name Society Fall Speakers Series

HOLY NAME SOCIETY FALL SPEAKERS SERIES


Beginning Sunday, September 16

at Our Lady of Sorrows Church South Orange



The national election is drawing ever so close. In keeping with that theme, Terry Golway, author, journalist, professor and OLS parishioner will present a non-partisan look at the state of our political dialogue. Please join us for this most timely presentation and discussion. The September presentation will take place at Our Lady of Sorrows lower church immediately after the 8:00 a.m. Mass. A light breakfast will be served.

The next session will be at St. Joseph Church.  Watch for details.