St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners of SJW:

September is flying by, isn’t it?  We are in the fall season already.  Just three months until Christmas!

Another week of Saints to celebrate in our liturgies.  So, let’s see who they are….

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27^TH—ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

Saint Vincent lived in France, dying in Paris in 1660.  He is known for his renewal of the clergy and his outreach to the poor and afflicted.  He began a religious order, the Congregation of the Missions, also known as the Vincentians.  Along with St. Louise de Marillac, he founded the Daughters of Charity.  He is the patron of hospitals, charities, and prisoners.  (FYI—I was taught by the Vincentians during my seminary years at Cardinal Glennon College Seminary and Kenrick Theological Seminary in St. Louis.)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29^TH—STS. MICHAEL, GABRIEL, & RAPHAEL

These three great Saints are the Archangels.  Each of them had special messages to deliver from God. Michael, “Who is Like God?”, cast Satan from heaven into the realms of hell.  Gabriel, “God’s Strength”, announced to Mary that she was to be the Mother of God; Raphael, “God’s Remedy”, sent to Tobit to heal him from his blindness.  St. Michael is the patron saint of the sick and police officers.  St. Gabriel is the patron saint of the postal service.  St. Raphael is the patron saint of the blind and travelers.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30^TH—ST. JEROME

St. Jerome was a Priest and Doctor of the Church, dying in 420 in Bethlehem.  He is one of the four great doctors of the Church.  He wrote commentaries on the Bible, as well as translating the Bible into Latin.  He is the patron saint of scripture scholars.  A famous quote from St. Jerome:  “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”

I hope you learned more about the Saints mentioned above.  May each of them intercede for our parish and our families.

Have a SAINTLY week!

Your Pastor, Father Joe