St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

October is the month of the Rosary.  It is dedicated to this most wonderful, traditional, powerful sacramental in our Catholic Church.  What a treasure we have been given in the gift of the Holy Rosary.  What a powerful tool in our “prayer belt” to help us get through the rough times. 

Do you remember the Dominican Sisters having a rosary dangling from their belts as part of their habits? That was a wonderful image of prayer and dedication to the Blessed Mother.

I remember my paternal grandmother having a rosary in her hand most of the time.  She would pray a rosary several times a day.  And I do recall my dad having to fix grandma’s rosary time and time again, since hers had broken from so much use.

I have not forgotten those images, ones that helped me to be dedicated to this powerful prayer type.  It focuses us on our Lord and His various Mysteries---Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous.  We utter those beautiful words of St. Elizabeth in the Hail Mary.  The prayers recited draw us closer to Jesus Christ and his Blessed Mother.

During this month, will we dedicate/rededicate ourselves to praying the Holy Rosary? 

During this month, will we pray the rosary as a family at least once a week?

During this month, will we ask the intercession of the Virgin Mary for the good of our parish families, our parish as a whole, our diocese and universal Church, and any other intentions.

We have been blessed with the Holy Rosary.  Let us not forget to have those beads right near us at all times!

Your Pastor, Father Joe