YOUTH ENCOUNTER AT ST. JOSEPH CHURCH

MARCH 23, 9-5:30 p.m.

This encounter is an opportunity for a special time in the life of the youth. They will experience that they are not alone in their journey into adult life. They will experience being part of a vibrant, loving, and supportive parish community in which the friendship of Jesus Christ becomes a real possibility that makes sense. We look forward to providing our young parishioners a welcoming place of safety and support, where faith is deepened and spiritual lives awaken. For more information, please email Darlene Wade: dwade@stjosephmaplewood.org or call at 973-761-5933

SOME LENTEN ACTIVITIES FOR YOU!

MEND AND RENT PARTIES TEAM UP

THIS WILL ALSO BENEFIT ST. JOSEPH AND OLS FOOD PANTRIES!

USED BOOK DRIVE

Spear-Headed 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

Decorated Book Drive Drop Boxes located at:

the main entrances to St. Joseph Church on Sundays after Masses and in the St. Joseph School cafeteria during February and March

MINISTRY OF COMPASSION

St. Joseph Parish offers


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, March 3rd at 10:00 a.m.in the Rectory Meeting Room

CALLING ALL MUSIC MINDED YOUTH

CALLING ALL MUSIC MINDED YOUTH
Parish Youth (Grade 6 and up) are invited to help lead the music for Saturday 5:30 p.m. Masses on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each Month. Upcoming dates are March 2nd and 16th. Rehearsal is 4:45 p.m. in the church. We welcome singers and instrumentalists.


CHILDREN'S CHOIR for EASTER.

Parish children aged 6-12 are invited to participate in the children's choir for Easter. This choir will lead the music for the 9:00 a.m. Mass, Easter Sunday, March 31st. Rehearsals will be held on Saturdays in March, watch the bulletin for specific dates and times.

If interested in either group please contact our Music Director, Leslie Frost at lfrost@stjosephmaplewood.org or 973 761 5933.

TEENS COME JOIN THE LIVING STATIONS

There will be a Living Stations Meeting and Rehearsal in the church at 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on February 23, 2013. Additional practices will also be held on Saturday March 9th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday March 23, 2013 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. The Living Stations of the Cross will be held on Good Friday March 29, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. This reverent portrayal will require extra hands so all teens are welcome to share their time and talent. Readers, singers, actors, and behind-the-scenes help is needed. Please contact Darlene Wade at dwade@stjosephmaplewood.org for more information.

THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU!

CELEBRATE THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION


On all of the Wednesdays of Lent from 7:00-8:00 p.m. beginning February 20, our church will be open for individual confession. The Church encourages all Catholics to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation each Lent. It is a celebration of forgiveness, of reunion, and of completion in Jesus Christ. The mercy of God is available to all of us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Jesus Christ wants each of us to experience the forgiving love of God the Father.

Food Pantry Outreach Information

FOOD PANTRY OUTREACH INFORMATION


If you want to volunteer, February dates and times are as follow:

Monday, February 11th 7:00 p.m. Sort Night

Thursday, February 14th 7:00 p.m. Pack Night

Saturday, February 16th 9:45 a.m. Distribution and Delivery

Needs for February: Canned Fruit/Applesauce, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Mac-n-Cheese. PLEASE NO PASTA OR RAMEN NOODLES THIS MONTH THANK YOU!

Prayer Shawl Ministry

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

The Prayer Shawl Ministry will be gathering on Thursday, February 7th at 12:30 p.m. in the Rectory Meeting Room. We will share prayer, patterns and stories of witness as we continue to pray for all of our recipients. If you cannot come to our meeting, but wish to knit and pray or make a donation of yarn, please call the office for more information (973-761-5933). Our needles, hands and handiwork offer comfort to those in need of solace.

From PALMS to ASHES

-the Rite of Burning of Palms for Ash Wednesday

Collection of old palms begins today until Tuesday, February 8.

To reinforce the origin and symbolism of the ashes used on Ash Wednesday, we invite all of our parishioners to gather their old palm from Palm Sunday 2012 and we will burn them together to remind us that “dust we are and to dust we shall return” on Sunday, February 9, 2013 after 5:30 pm Mass. The resulting ashes will be used on Ash Wednesday, February 13, on which Lent begins.

Basketball Free Throw Contest for Youth

BASKETBALL FREE THROW CONTEST


SPONSORED BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

January 26, 2013

At Union Catholic High School Gymnasium (Door 12)

1600 Martine Ave., Scotch Plains, NJ

Open to boys and girls ages 10 to 14, come early and register that day, competition will begin at 10 a.m. For more information contact John Becht at jbecht@unioncatholic.org or Dave Luciano at dluciano@unioncatholic.org

CURIOUS ABOUT VOCATIONS?

HOLY NAME SOCIETY SPONSORS VOCATION INFORMATION



Sunday, January 20

after 9:00 a.m. Mass in Bernard Hall

A continental breakfast will be served.



Are you curious about:

* Why men become priests?

* How priests are formed for service in the 21st Century?

* What is a “Permanent Deacon’?

* What can a Permanent Deacon do?

* How does a man become a Permanent Deacon?



Find out the answers to these questions on January 20th!

POLO NEWS (PARENTS OF LITTLE ONES)

COME TO “POLO”(Parents of Little Ones) MOVIE NIGHT

Saturday, January 19

beginning at 5:30 p.m.

in Bernard Hall



We invite families with little ones under age 6 to join us. We will be watching short films from Pixar, so while we expect to finish around 7:00or 7:30 pm, feel free to leave at any point. Older siblings are welcome to join the fun. Come dressed in your pj's and feel free to bring a blanket or something else to snuggle on. We will have popcorn.  Also, we are asking that everyone kindly bring a donation for the Food Pantry.



“POLO” VALENTINE CARDS FOR THE SENIORS



Each year, POLO Families create “Valentines from our Hearts to Seniors and the Homebound Program” and send these cards to seniors in our area. We request families with “little ones” to create Valentine's Cards with your kids at home and bring them to any Mass the weekend of February 9th and 10th to be collected. We'll have a basket at the back of church for this purpose.



“POLO” BREAKING BREAD MINISTRY

We need volunteers to bake for the following dates 2/3, 3/3, 4/7, 5/5, 6/2. Contact Candice Davenport or Mary Riesett if interested.

RETIREMENT PARTY FOR JENNIFER LEITNER

RETIREMENT PARTY FOR JENNIFER LEITNER




A retirement celebration is being planned to thank Jennifer for all her years of service and to wish her well as she enters a new chapter in her life! If you would like to attend please call Suzanne Ryan at 973-761-7083 to make your reservation.



SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2

Bella Italia Restaurant

Orange, NJ; 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.

$35.00 dinner and cash bar will be available

CATHOLIC WOMEN'S COMMISSION

WOMEN’S COMMISSION DAY OF REFLECTION


Rediscover the Joy of Believing


Saturday, March 9, 2013

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ



featuring two keynote speakers:
Mrs. Kelly Wahlquist and Ms. Holly Wright

Continental Breakfast and Lunch Included
Opportunity for Confession



Join the Archdiocesan-wide Women’s Commission. of the Archdiocese of Newark, recognizing our duty as Catholic women and following the example and instruction of Jesus Christ and His mother Mary, strives to bring the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church, especially regarding women, to the attention of the people of our archdiocese, and to support them in their mission to lead Christian lives. To register please call Laura Otchy, 973-762-4185.

CATHOLIC MEN'S CONFERENCE

We Walk By Faith


A CATHOLIC MEN’S CONFERENCE

Saturday, March 2, 2013

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ

-Opportunity for Confession-



The Annual Archdiocese Catholic Men’s Conference will be held at Seton Hall University, on March 2, 2013. The Conference brings together all men of the Archdiocese (aged 14 to senior) to a day of reflection, prayer, inspiration and reconciliation.



It is in the middle of Lent, and is a great opportunity for men of our parish to gather with friends and neighbors from other parishes in an inspiring and enjoyable day. It is good for men to pray together. We recommend that any men that are not attending the Cornerstone retreat here at St Joseph that weekend attend this day of recollection!



The day starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends with mass at 3:00 p.m.. There is a flyer with information at the back door of the church. Or call 973-497-4545, or John Otchy at 973-762-4185. We will have a group of men from our parish attending together. Call today!

St. Joseph Giving Tree Update

OUR GIVING TREE


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

Even if you don't have a gift tag, you may bring in gift unwrapped or just in a bag. We especially need toys such as dolls, baby toys, basketballs, soccer balls, as well as items for teens.

Return gifts Sunday, December 16th by 12 noon.

Immaculate Conception and Advent Reconciliation

Children and Youth Choirs Last Chance!!

CHILDREN’S CHOIR AND YOUTH CHOIR


LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP!



The Children’s Choir is for ages approximately 6-12 and will sing at the 4:00 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve December 24th.

Rehearsals: Saturdays December 15 & 22  9:30 to 11:30 a.m.



The Youth Choir (for singers and instrumentalists) is for ages 13 and up. They will be joining members of “Trinity” for the 6:30 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve December 24th.

Rehearsals: December 9 and December 23rd

10:15 to 11:15 a.m.

Wednesday December 19th

7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Please contact Leslie Frost at 973-761-5933 Ext. 17

or email her at lfrost@stjosephmaplewood.org

50/50 Raffle Coming Soon!!!

SUPPORT OUR PARISH FUND RAISER


Who wouldn’t like some extra cash for Christmas? Time is running out to purchase your 50/50 tickets where your chance of winning is even better than with a Powerball Ticket!   This fundraiser helps to generate the necessary funds which are needed to cover our operating expenses. 
Please help to support all of our parish fundraisers!

Drawing Date:

NEXT Sunday, December 16 at 12:30 p.m.

Please return tickets to the Parish Office; or drop them off in the collection basket on Sunday;

or to any of the Fundraiser Committee Members at the SCRIP Table.

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!