St. Joseph the Worker

Dear St. Joseph the Worker Parishioners:

We celebrate the 20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time this weekend on August 16/17.  Summer is going quickly.  Please be careful while driving, taking extra precautions around school areas, as the school year has begun.  We wish all those returning to school the best, and know of our prayers for you and all our young people.  May the Lord protect the students, inspire their teachers, and fill their parents with love and patience.

Let us once again look at the liturgical calendar for this coming week:

Wednesday, August 20—Obligatory Memorial - St. Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church

St. Bernard was a member of the Cistercian Order and abbot of the community at Clairvaux.  He was a reformer throughout his life.  He was a spiritual author, with “On Loving God” one of his most famous.  He preached against the Albingensian heresy.  He died in 1153. 

Thursday, August 21—Obligatory Memorial - St. Pius X, Pope

St. Pius, as Pope, undertook many liturgical reforms, as well as reforming canon law.  He was an advocate of frequent Communion for adults and children.  He was known for wishing “to renew all things in Christ.”  He died in 1914.

Friday, August 22—Obligatory Memorial - The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This Memorial was originally started by Pope Pius XII in 1954.  Prescribed for May 31, it is now celebrated on the last day of the Octave of the Assumption of Mary.

Saturday, August 23—Obligatory Memorial - St. Rose of Lima, Virgin

Born Isabel de Olivia, her name was changed to “Rosa” because of her beauty.  She was a mystic in the South American country of Peru.  She lived very simply and in solitude, often practicing works of penance.  She reached out in love to the poor, homeless, sick, and elderly.  She died at 31 years of age in 1617.  St. Rose is the patron saint of florists and gardeners.

May the Saints above inspire us this week to reform our life where needed (St. Bernard); to receive Holy Communion regularly and with reverence (St. Pius X); to deepen our devotion to the Blessed Virgin (Queenship of Mary); and to reach out to those in need (St. Rose of Lima).

Your Pastor, Father Joe