St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

This Sunday, June 9^th, is the annual Fr. Franzen Golf Outing in Auburn.  This event enables local “duffers” to show their talent on the greens.  After golf, a nice meal is served, plus prizes are given out.

Special thanks to Dave Kennedy and his crew for all their hard work in coordinating this day.  Thanks to the sponsors who have given of their treasure to enable the Outing to be profitable.  Thanks to all those from the parish who assist throughout the afternoon and evening.  Gratitude to those who donated gifts and money.  We couldn’t do it without the dedicated and drive of these wonderful volunteers.

Half of the proceeds go to support our youth who attend the Catholic Heart Work Camp and the other half goes to the Priest Retirement Fund.  This is special to me, as I am the Associate Vicar for the Retired Priests in our diocese.  We have such wonderful priests who have given decades of priestly service to the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, and who are now retired.  We owe them so much.  Please say a prayer for our Retired priests and their health.  Ask Jesus, the great High Priest, to shower His love down upon each and every one of them.

As of this moment, our diocese is blessed with 26 diocesan priests retired, with another one joining the ranks in August.  Those who are able fill in at parishes when and where they can.  What a special help this is to those active priests who want coverage due to vacation, sickness, meetings, etc.  I hope to be one of these retired priests one day.

What priest do you remember from growing up?  What priest influenced you the most as you matured? 

What priest inspired you to deepen your faith?  What priest showed you the compassion of Jesus Christ?

What priest mirrored the holiness of God to you?

May the Lord God be with our older, retired priests.  May He bless them in abundance.  May He give them the good health and energy and perseverance they need.  May our prayers be with our 26 priests who have served our diocese and the People of God so very well.

Your “not retired yet” pastor, Father Joe