St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

 Welcome to the month of August!  The year is over half over.  How did that happen so quickly?  Summer break is coming to a close soon.  Again, how did that happen so quickly?

This Monday the Catholic Church celebrates the Obligatory Memorial of St. John Vianney, a French priest born in 1786 in Dardilly, France.  He was baptized the same day of his birth and ordained a Catholic priest on August 12^th, 1815.  St. John was known as the Cure of Ars, as he spent 11 hours a day in the confessional.  People came from miles away to experience the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness through this holy and pastoral priest.  St. John Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.

I bring up this Saint to let you know more about this amazing priest in the history of our Church.  I remember in the seminary being taught about his selfless pastoral ministry.  He is such an example of what a parish priest should be.  He showed that the people in the parish should be the number one focus and reason for a pastor. 

If we think of St. John Vianney, we should be led to praying for all parish priests.  These men give of themselves for the good of the people.  Hopefully, a pastor is there first and foremost for his parishioners.  His mission is to bring the Lord’s Presence to the people he is called to serve.  I pray that I am doing that.  You all are my first priority.  It is my honor and privilege to serve you each and every day.

St. John Vianney, if he were alive today, would want us to pray for vocations to the priesthood.  Many years ago, parishes had 2-3 priests at each parish.  Nowadays, a parish is fortunate to have a resident priest, with only few having two there.  So, our mission is to pray that more young men, especially, will listen to God’s call to serve Him in the priestly ministry.  Please make part of your daily prayer for more priestly vocations to the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. 

There are so many wonderful men who would make wonderful priests.   At times, all it takes is an invitation by you to have them consider the seminary.  Many priests will tell you that they first thought about being a priest because someone asked to think about it.  So, if you know of someone you think would make a good priest, ask that person to consider the priesthood and why you think he would make a good one.

Let us pray:  God our Father, from eternity You appointed Your only begotten Son to be the High Priest of the human race.  Pour forth, we beseech You, Your Holy Spirit upon our families, that vocations to the priesthood may be multiplied.  Lord Jesus, give us holy priests:  to offer up the sacrifice of the Mass; to strengthen the faith of believers; to preach the Gospel to all peoples; to bring forgiveness to sinners; to feed souls the Bread of Life; to comfort the suffering and dying, and to spread Your Kingdom in our midst.  Mary, Mother of our High Priest, pray for us and obtain for us an increase of holy priests.  AMEN.

Your “Happy to be a Priest” Pastor, Father Joe