St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

Usually the 17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time is a regular Sunday to come and worship the Lord.  That is reason enough to be filled with joy.  Any time we gather as a faith community is special time for us.  We grow in our faith, especially by receiving Jesus Christ in His Word and in Holy Communion. 

But, this Sunday, July 30^th, has a special significance for us.  We celebrate 100 years of service to the Lord—60 years of Religious Profession and 40 years of Ordination.  Yes, our Pastoral Associate and yours truly have journeyed those years as a Dominican Sister of Springfield, IL and as a Diocesan Priest of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.  And what great years they have been!  And I know Sister Judy would agree.

Our anniversaries show that religious life and priesthood are definitely possible in this day and age.  Our anniversaries proclaim that a vocation as a Sister or Priest is relevant in 2023.  Our anniversaries say that commitment to our Lord, even a celibate or chaste one, and living in obedience to a Prioress General or Bishop, is a commitment we would never change.  Happiness can flow from being “other-worldly.”  

I congratulate Sister Judy on six decades of Profession.  She has taught in schools, been a principal, a Pastoral Associate, and ministered in many other ways during those years in the Dominican Congregation.  She has lived out the charism of St. Dominic, being a Preacher of God’s Word.  How grateful SJW parish is, as well as all the other parishes and institutions in her history, for her commitment to the Catholic faith and to God’s People.  Happy 60^th, Sister!!

And I want to say that my forty years have been ones of seeing God’s Presence in countless ways, especially through the Eucharist and the other Sacraments.  Liturgy has given me the strength and hope I have needed to minister over these four decades.  The people of the various parishes in which I have served have touched my heart and soul deeply with their support, prayers, outreach, and kindness.  The joy that I have and continue to have from my priesthood enables me to smile and give thanks.  And the last two years have been WONDERFUL!  Thank you for enriching my priestly vocation.

Now, it is on to #61 for Sister Judy and #41 for me!

Thanks to all who have been a part of our reception this Sunday, especially Mike & Jinny Sachenmaier, JoAnn Hefer, Ruth and Ron Wright, and Patti Lang.  Bravo to you for your labor, thoughtfulness, attendance, planning, etc.  It is much appreciated.

Your Celebrating Pastor, Father Joe