St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

WE MADE IT!  This weekend is the official close to the Easter season.  On Sunday, June 5^th, we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost which marks the end of our 50-day Easter journey.  Pentecost is when the Holy Spirit came down upon Mary and the apostles in the upper room, strengthening them in faith.  They were moved from being afraid and timid into being bold and courageous followers and proclaimers of the Risen Lord. 

What about us?  How do we conduct ourselves as we live out our baptismal call?  Are we timid and shy in sharing our faith and proclaiming it through what we say and do?  Do we stand up for our faith in today’s world, or do we stay silent when we should not?  Is the Holy Spirit seen and experienced through each of us living as committed Catholic Christians? 

Taking a look at the last 50 days, what do we see?  Have we grown in our faith?  Have we deepened our relationship with the Lord Jesus?  Has the season of hope and joy touched our souls, moving them away from all that hinders us from being the Easter people we are called to be?

As we move into Ordinary Time once again, let us resolve to carry on the Easter message of life, love, peace, joy, and hope.  May we gather at the Lord’s Table each weekend, thereby celebrating the death and resurrection of the Lord. 

This Sunday, June 5, at the Cathedral in Springfield, Bishop Paprocki will confirm those Catholics who wish to complete their initiation into the Catholic Church through the Sacrament of Confirmation.  We have four parishioners who will be confirmed.  We congratulate them and pray that the Holy Spirit will deepen their faith and their love for the Catholic Church.  Those to be confirmed are:  KASON CHRISTIAN, VINCENT GRECO, PATRICK PATTERSON, and MICHELLE HERRON.  All at SJW are proud of you four!!!!!

Your Pastor, Father Joe