St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners of SJW:

 Welcome to the first full week of August!  Where has the summer gone?  It won’t be long until we see school buses and children with backpacks. 

This coming Thursday, August 8^th, is a very special day in the Catholic Church.  It is the Memorial of St. Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers, commonly known as the Dominicans.  He died in the year 1221 in Spain.  He centered his life and that of his community on contemplation, study, and preaching.  St. Dominic was canonized in 1234.

Also, it is a special day for us at St. Joseph the Worker.  Sister Judy Pfile, O.P. is our Pastoral Associate.  She is a religious sister in the Order of Preachers, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, IL.  Sister has been at SJW for many years.  She has reached out to the sick and needy, assisted with liturgical ministers, and helped to plan funerals, to name just a few of her duties.  She has done much behind the scenes.  And we congratulate her on taking vows as a Dominican Sister 61 years ago. 

St. Dominic’s Feast Day is a time to contemplate how we “preach” to others.  What do we say verbally and in action to others?  As they say: “Actions speak louder than words.”  Take a moment and reflect on your life over the past two weeks.  What actions come to mind?  What words are you able to remember that you said and used in the presence of others or by yourself?  What would they speak to others and to the Lord?  Would you want to take back anything you said?  What actions would you change immediately?

May St. Dominic be an example to us to preach the Lord daily. Whether we are at work, or school, or at home, or at the grocery store—let us tell others, by the kind and gentle words we use, and through our compassionate and caring actions, that we are disciples of Jesus Christ.

   ST. DOMINIC, PRAY FOR US.

 Your Pastor, Father Joe