St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

January is passing by, with the shortest month almost here.  In just several weeks, Lent will begin.  This week, let us once again look at our liturgical calendar for Saints and special celebrations.

JANUARY 31^ST—SAINT JOHN BOSCO, PRIEST

John Bosco was the founder of the Salesian Order in Turin, Italy, in 1859.  Their numbers currently reach almost 15,000 worldwide.  The education of youth is their primary work.  He, interestingly enough, was the first saint to ever agree to have a press interview.  He is known as the “Apostle of Youth.”  Over 40,00 people paid their respects when he died.

Reflection----What type of example are we for our young people?

FEBRUARY 1^ST—THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD

This feast has its origins sometime in the 300’s in Jerusalem.  And, it began to be celebrated 100 years later or so in Rome.  It commemorates when the baby Jesus was presented in the Temple.  It is also a day when candles may be blessed for use throughout the liturgical celebrations in that year.  Some may know this day as Candlemas Day.

Reflection---How do we reflect the light of Jesus as we daily live?

FEBRUARY 3^RD—ST. BLAISE, BISHOP & MARTYR

In the early 4^th century, St. Blaise gave his life for his faith.   He was the Bishop of Sebaste, Armenia.  He is believed to have saved a man who was choking on a fishbone.  To remember him in a special way, the Blessing of Throats is given on his Feast Day.  The Blessing is---Through the intercession of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other type of illness: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Reflection---What words (speech) do we use with our family, coworkers, friends?

May this week bring us closer to our Lord and to all the Saints in heaven!

Your Pastor, Father Joe

RESTORED ORDER

This Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at the Cathedral in Springfield, 37 of our young people will receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and 1^st Eucharist.  How proud we are of them!  Please continue to pray for them as they approach this faith-filled evening.  May the Holy Spirit enliven them in their Catholic faith.  May Jesus, the Bread of Life, nourish them with His love and joy.  We are very thankful to their catechists from SJW, their parents and sponsors, and all others who have prepared them for this wonderful celebration.  Our parish will be enriched with their witness to the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ.