St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

Can you believe we begin a New Year this weekend?  Time sure has a way of flying by, almost so quickly that it is easy to miss the beauty of each day given to us.

I pray that 2022 will be a better year for all of us.  May the COVID pandemic be lessened in our area, country, and world; may the hatred, crime, evil, dissension, division, racism, intolerance and all the other things that plague our society be dealt with individually and collectively.  May the hope of the Christmas event fill our hearts and souls so much that we share that hope and love with all we meet.

This weekend is the Feast of the Epiphany.  This is when the Magi came to our Savior and offered gifts.  They were foreigners.  They were not Jewish.  They were considered outsiders by the Jews.  Their recognition of Jesus as the true Savior of the world should call us to several things. 

One, how  do we treat others who are considered “outsiders?”  Do we try to include them in our neighborhoods, classrooms, parish?  Do we judge others and put them in a box and never let them change in our eyes?

Two, do we have the same insight as to the Savior born at Bethlehem as did the Magi?  Do we see Jesus as our Lord and Savior?  Do we come to adore Him each weekend at Mass?  Do we gift others with Jesus through our stewardship of time, talent, and treasure? 

Epiphany.  A feast of adoration.  A feast of gifting.  A feast of recognizing Jesus as who He truly is – PRIEST, PROPHET and KING!

Your Pastor,

Father Joe

PS

THANK YOU for all the remembrances at Christmas – cards, prayers, goodies, gifts and notes.  I sure do appreciate your generosity and kindness.  You helped make the season bright for me!  And I am grateful to all at SJW for all you have done to make my first six months so enjoyable.  Your support and outreach have touched my heart.  How fortunate I am to be graced by the Lord to be your pastor.  My prayers for each of you continue.  Happy 2022!