St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

 How is your Lenten journey going these days?  We begin our 5^th week of Lent, soon to be into Holy Week.  This is a good time to check our progress since Ash Wednesday.  Have we grown in our faith?  Have we “been on the sidelines” these past weeks and just watched others reforming and renewing their faith?  Let us reflect on the following.

PRAYER

 Has prayer been part of our daily “routine” since Ash Wednesday in a deeper way?

• Have we attended daily Masses during Lent?
• Have we prayed meal prayers, Morning and Evening Prayer?
• Has the Rosary been prayed by us individually or as a family?
• Have we prayed over any Scripture passages?

ALMSGIVING

 Do we give to St. Joseph the Worker each week or month or during the year?

• Have we become part of the Capital Campaign here?
• Do we bring food for the Food Pantries?
• Do we donate to a charity locally or nationally?
• Do we give of our time, talent, and treasure to those in need?

FASTING

• Have we observed the “no meat” Fridays during Lent?
• Did we fast on Ash Wednesday and will do so also this coming Good Friday?
• Do we fast from prejudice, cynicism, hatred, bullying, impatience?
• Have we been true to our Lenten promises of “giving up something” for the Lord?
• Will we continue to shed whatever is keeping us from Jesus Christ?

May this 5^th week of our Lenten season draw you closer to the Lord of the Passion.

 Your Pastor, Father Joe