St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

 Welcome to another week of August.  Sure hope you are taking advantage of the last days of summer vacation time.  They are quickly coming to an end.

I wish all those young people returning to the classroom soon a year of learning, fun, growth, fellowship, and faith.  Our parish is so blessed with GREAT youth.  How proud I am of them!  They inspire me and fill me with hope for the future of our Catholic Church and of our country. 

The opening of another school year is an opportunity for us “oldsters” to reflect upon our lives in relation to these young people.

How will we grow in our faith over the next months?  As we expect students to “crack the books” in their classes, how about the rest of us “cracking open the greatest book, the Bible” each day?   Maybe even having a goal of doing “Bible homework” each day so that    we can mature in our understanding of God’s Word. 

As students are called to exercise in their P.E. classes, how about each of us doing “spiritual exercises” daily?  This could include the Rosary, Adoration, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Stations of the Cross, meditation, daily Mass readings, silent prayer, etc.  We need to keep spiritually fit!

Students are expected to be in class.  Truancy is frowned upon, and for good reason.  They need to be in class to learn and grow.  So---that means the rest of us can learn from this.  We need to be PRESENT at Mass each weekend, at least.  We need to NEVER be truant from the Eucharist.  If we are not “in the pews,” then our learning and growth in our faith is lacking. 

Let us pray for our young people beginning another year of formation.  Let us pray for their teachers who give of themselves in so many ways for the formation of their students.  Let us pray for all parents to be excellent examples for their children.

May the school year, 2024-2025, be an “A+” one for all of us!!

Your “still learning” Pastor, Father Joe

 P.S.  This Thursday, August 15^th, is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven, a Holy Day in our Catholic Church.  That means we are to celebrate Mass that day---if not, it is a sin in the eyes of God.  Masses at SJW will be at 8:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.  Mark your calendars now to come and pray together as a faith community!

P.P.S.  Special thanks to Dave & Gina Caban for spearheading the Mass in the Grass.  Gratitude also to those who volunteered to work before & after, those who came to worship and dine, and all those who brought food.  It was a blessed time together as a parish family.