St. Joseph the Worker

Dear “Easter” People of SJW:

Yes, we continue our faith journey through this season of ALLELUIAS!  We continue our celebration of the Resurrection!  We continue to be amazed by what our Lord Jesus Christ did for each of us and our salvation!

How appropriate then, during this time of new life, grace, joy, peace, and hope, that we have two important happenings in our faith community.  What are they, you ask?  Well….

The first one is this weekend on Saturday, April 29^th.  That will be the First Reconciliation of our 2^nd graders.  For the very first time, they will experience the sacramental forgiveness and mercy of our Risen Lord.  Our young parishioners will be able to feel Jesus enfolding them in His loving and forgiving arms, assuring them of His love always.  The smiles that will appear on the faces of our young penitents after they have been forgiven will say it all!  Jesus, the one who freed us of all sin, gave His very life on the Cross for each of us, the guilty.  We thank Him for allowing us to come to Him still and seek His merciful love.

How will each of us at St. Joseph the Worker parish be a source of compassion, mercy, forgiveness, and love?

The second delightful event occurs on Sunday afternoon/evening, April 30^th.  Members of the National Evangelization Team will be here to guide our teens in a retreat.  This opportunity for them is priceless!  Young adults from the NET are among us to deepen the faith of our wonderful youth and to lead them closer to Jesus Christ, the Risen Savior.   This time of prayer, reflection, growth, community, and fun will enable these future leaders of our parish and Church to come more into contact with the God who created them.  Such a great example of our teens continuing to celebrate their Roman Catholic faith!  As a parish, we pledge our prayers and support for all giving and attending this spiritual opportunity!

How will each of us at St. Joseph the Worker parish continue our growth in our Catholic faith---through prayer, reflection, the Mass, etc.?

Let us be amazed, thankful, and challenged by our young people.  How blessed we are to have them in our midst.

Your Pastor, Father Joe

P.S.  AND, this Monday is our parish’s FEAST DAY!  May 1^st is the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker.  This is a day to celebrate who we are as a faith community, a day to accept the challenge to continue the work of our patron saint as faithful, dedicated, sacrificing, and loving disciples of Jesus Christ.  Join us for 6:00pm Mass and reception.