St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners of SJW:

We are still those “Alleluia” people, entering now our 6^th week of the Easter season.  The 50 days of Easter are passing quickly.

This Sunday, May 5^th, is the Chicken Dinner Fundraiser for the Catholic Heart Work Camp youth.  The proceeds from this event assist our young people in making the Camp trip a reality.  Please be generous in supporting them in any way you are able. 

In my almost three years here at SJW, I have been so impressed with the quality of our youth.  They are such breaths of fresh air for our Catholic Church and our faith community.  They help us “oldsters” to know that the Church is in good hands for the future.  Their faith, service, energy, joy, and commitment are great to see, wouldn’t you agree?  God has blessed us with their presence. We can learn a lot from them.

CHWC is about service and being the example of Christ to those in need.   How is service part of our daily/weekly faith life?  Where do we go “out of our way” to assist the needy, lonely, and sad in our midst?  Jesus said about Himself:  “I have come to serve, not to be served.”  May those challenging words permeate each breath we take.

CHWC is about working together.  How do we work together in our parish?  Is our life at home one of unity?  How united are we to the Risen Lord?

CHWC is about faith sharing and celebration.  When is the last time we shared with someone our faith vision and/or experience?  Do we truly celebrate our Catholic faith, being thankful for it each day?

CHWC is about appreciation.  Our young people, hopefully, see the beauty of God in those they serve and those other young people with them.  And for the days together, the faith services offered, the fun of seeing others enjoy life, how can their hearts not be appreciative?  So---how thankful are we for all the blessings bestowed on us by our loving Lord?

May we pray for our youth, that they continue to grow closer to Jesus Christ.  May we tell them, the next time we see one of them, of our appreciation for their presence in our faith community. 

They enrich us all, wouldn’t you agree?

          Your Pastor, Father Joe