St. Joseph the Worker

Dear SJW Parishioners:

 Well, half of the year is over. Can you believe it?  2025 is passing by quickly.  Let us use the remaining months/days to the best of our abilities.

This weekend we continue to celebrate Independence Day.  Many Americans will use this holiday weekend to call to mind the freedoms we enjoy in our country.  People will gather at parks, backyards, and on the water for hours of fun and relaxation.  May we never take our freedoms for granted.  May we pray for all those who gave their lives, sweat, and self-interest so that we can enjoy peace and security.

This Sunday, July 6^th, is the sendoff for our parish youth going on Catholic Heart Work Camp in Kansas City.  How proud we are of them!  They have been working over the past months so that they are able to embark on these days of service, faith, and fun.  They will help others in various ways each day.  They will pray daily and attend Mass.  They will have fun activities at night to bond together.  It will be a wonderful experience for these wonderful young people who grace our parish.

I personally thank their chaperones who will accompany them and all those who have contributed financially and prayerfully so that CHWC in KC could be a reality this year.  Bravo for a job well done!

If we think about CHWC, we should challenge ourselves to make sure that we are of service to our brothers and sisters.  Do we reach out to those in need?  Do we offer our talents to ensure that a much-needed project is able to be accomplished?  Do we bond well with others at SJW parish?  Are we good examples to our young people of service, assistance, compassion, and mercy?

Let us pray each day this week for our CHWC youth and chaperones, as well as their bus driver, those at the site in KC, and the people who will be helped.  May all of them feel our prayerful and loving support.  May we ask the intercession of St. Joseph the Worker for those workers we are sending to KC, that they will be just like him---hardworking and faith-filled!

Your Pastor, Father Joe