St. Joseph the Worker

Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

This Sunday, Feb. 6, is the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life which was begun in 1997 by Pope St. John Paul II.  The day is to honor and pray for all those men and women religious who have given their lives to Christ and the Catholic Church.  And how special this celebration is for us at SJW, as we have one of those consecrated religious in Sr. Judith Pfile, O.P., our Pastoral Associate.

Sister Judith, or Judy, made solemn vows decades ago in the Dominican Congregation of Springfield, IL.  She followed in the footsteps of her blood sister, Sr. Janet Pfile.  How fortunate I have been to be stationed in two of the parishes they have served.  Sr. Janet is now singing in the choir of angels in heaven, and I find myself asking her guidance and prayers throughout the day, having served 14 years with her at my previous assignment.

I thank Sr. Judy for all that she does for the SJW faith community and for me.  She has helped me learn a lot about the parish and its members.  She has been a source of comfort to those in the hospitals and nursing homes; to those experiencing a loss; to those needing a helping hand or a listening ear.  In this day and age, our parish is fortunate to have a consecrated religious.  May the Lord bless Sr. Judy with good health, deep faith, and a renewed spirit of service.

Also, Feb. 6^th is Boy Scout Sunday.  At the 10:30am Mass that day, we will recognize several of our young men who have achieved the Catholic Religious Emblem for Cub Scouts.  I have interviewed each one of them and can attest to their being ready for this achievement.  I thank them and the adults who have helped them to this point---their parents and especially Wes Cattoor, their Scout Master.

Have a good week of living as stewards for God in His creation!

Your Pastor,

Father Joe