St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners of SJW:

Welcome to another new month!  This will be a Leap Year, having 29 days in February.  Those who have a Feb. 29^th birthday will actually be able to celebrate ON their birthday this year. 

Let’s reflect on the Saints we honor during this week:

FEBRUARY 5^TH, OBLIGATORY MEMORIAL OF ST. AGATHA, VIRGIN & MARTYR

Not much is known about this Saint.  She was born in in 231 in Catania, Sicily.  Her name means “good, honorable.”  She is the patron Saint of Sicily.  She was martyred in 251.  Agatha is the patroness of rape victims and breast cancer patients.

**Reflecting on the life of St. Agatha, how do we live GOOD and HONORABLE lives in the eyes of Jesus Christ?

FEBRUARY 6^TH, OBLIGATORY MEMORIAL OF ST. PAUL MIKI & COMPANIONS, MARTYRS

Paul Miki was a Japanese Jesuit who was born in 1562 in Japan.  He and 25 of his companions preached and taught there.  The Japanese Emperor, wanting to make an example of them and how they were acting, forced them to walk 600 miles.  Along that trek, villagers abused them terribly.  In February of 1597, Paul and companions were crucified.  St. Paul Miki is the patron of missions and writers.

**Reflecting on the life of St. Paul Miki, do we stand up for our Catholic faith despite any criticism, fall out, setback, etc.?

FEBRUARY 10^TH, OBLIGATORY MEMORIAL OF ST. SCHOLASTICA, VIRGIN

Again, not much information on Scholastica, who was born in February of 480 in Italy.  She was the twin sister of St. Benedict.  She founded the Benedictine nuns, and is the patroness of them.  When she died in 543, she was interred with her brother.  She is invoked to help when bad storms occur.

**Reflecting on the life of St. Scholastica, are we OK with just being known as a disciple of Christ, with that being enough in this life for us and our legacy?

I hope you have a wonderful week.  Enjoy these last days of Ordinary Time until the beginning of Lent on Wednesday, February 14^th! 

Your Pastor, Father Joe