St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners of SJW:

Good last week of June.  Didn’t this month pass by quickly?  Summer is the best time—why does this season seem only several weeks long? 

This week we have more SAINTS on our liturgical calendar for us to consider.  Some are Optional Memorials, meaning they may or may not be celebrated.  And some are Obligatory Memorials, meaning they must be celebrated.  One is a Solemnity, the highest celebration possible. 

On Tuesday, we have ST. CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA, a Bishop and Doctor of the Church, an Optional Memorial.  He lived in the 5^th century, dying in 444.  At the Council of Ephesus in 431, he defended Mary as the God-bearer.  Known for his adherence to orthodoxy.

On Wednesday, we have the Obligatory Memorial of ST. IRENAEUS, Bishop and Martyr.  He died in 202.  For 25 years he was Bishop of Lyons.  He wrote against Gnosticism. 

On Thursday we have a Solemnity, the highest rank of liturgical days, as we celebrate STS. PETER AND PAUL, Apostles.  These two men formed our early Church, with St. Peter being the Apostle to the Jews and St. Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles (non-Jews).  Peter was martyred in the year 64, while Paul gave his life in the year 67. 

On Friday is the Optional Memorial of the FIRST MARTYRS OF THE HOLY ROMAN CHURCH.  These many Christians gave their lives for the defense of the Faith, being buried alive, crucified, and tortured.  They show us the first beginnings of the Church, the presence of Christ in the world.

On Saturday we honor ST. JUNIPERO SERRA, a Franciscan Priest Missionary, who died in 1784.  He built nine Catholic missions in California, baptizing over 6,000 people.  He was an early evangelizer in our country.  This is an Optional Memorial.

We owe much to those Saints mentioned above.  Their selfless work in our Church and for our Church enabled the Church to survive and thrive.  They challenge us to do what they did for the Church today!

Your Pastor, Father Joe