Father Joe's Letters

Sunday, May 3, 2026

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

Welcome to the month of May! This month in our Catholic Church is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. We have several weeks to honor the Mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

May this month find us praying to Mary to intercede for us to her Son. Possibly using one of the following to do so----

Hail, Holy Queen: Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Hail Mary: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Regina Coeli: O Queen of heaven, rejoice! Alleluia! For He whom you did merit to bear, Alleluia. Has risen, as He said, Alleluia. Pray for us to God, Alleluia.

 V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, Alleluia.

 R. For the Lord has risen indeed, Alleluia.

Let us pray. O God, who by the resurrection of Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, has given joy to the whole world, grant, we beseech You, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may attain the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Memorare: Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come; before you I stand sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate! Despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

The Angelus: V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.

 R. And she conceived by the Holy Spirit.            Hail Mary……

 V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.

 R. Be it done unto me according to Your Word.   Hail Mary…….

 V. And the Word was made flesh.

 R. And dwelt among us.                                   Hail Mary…….

Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech You, O Lord, Your grace into our hearts: that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ Your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.



Happy praying to the Blessed Virgin each day of this week and month. And don’t forget to pray the Rosary, too!

Your Pastor,

Father Joe

Sunday, April 26, 2026

Dear Parishioners of SJW Parish:

Welcome to the 4th Sunday/Week of Easter! We continue to celebrate the Resurrection in these 50 days of our Easter season. May the joy and peace of the Risen Lord be with you each day. Let the Lord deepen your faith throughout these remaining days of this glorious time in our Church.

This weekend, April 25/26, I will not be present at the Masses. Fr. Rick Weltin will preside at the three liturgies. He sure does enjoy coming here to take my place. I sure do appreciate your kindness to him. AND ONLY BELIEVE THE GOOD THINGS HE SAYS ABOUT ME, IF HE SAYS ANYTHING AT ALL---ha!!! You will be in good hands.

I will be at my annual Midwest Miniature Bottle Club Show in St. Louis. I definitely have to be there as I am the President of the Club. (See what happens when no one else will take it?)

I do have a great time seeing the other collectors and catching up with them. And, who knows? I may buy some bottles!!! 2 or 20 or 50—only God knows how many at this point! HA!

This coming Friday is a big day for us. It is our Feast Day. May 1st is the Feast Day of St. Joseph the Worker. As it falls on a first Friday, we will have Adoration from 7:15 to 8:15 a.m., followed by Mass, with Adoration again after Morning Prayer until 11:30 a.m., closing with Benediction. May we celebrate this special day in our parish by using the hours for prayer. What better way to honor St. Joseph than by being ministers of prayer during the day. Pray a Rosary, read the Scriptures, sit in silence and reflect, pray the Stations of the Cross or the Divine Mercy chaplet. There are many ways we can give glory to God on May 1st for the presence of that special saint—Joseph the Worker---who took care of Mary and Jesus, protecting and loving them fully.

How fortunate we are to bear the name of the husband of the Blessed Virgin and the foster father of the Savior of the world. Let us challenge ourselves to bear witness to the Lord as did St. Joseph. Let us continue his love and care of Christ in our world today by caring for the Lord’s Presence in those around us. Let us be honored to gather in worship of God under his name. Let us ask his intercession daily.

Your Pastor who tries to be a worker in St. Joseph’s name,

Father Joe

Sunday, April 19, 2026

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

Welcome to the 4^th Sunday/Week of Easter! We continue to celebrate the Resurrection in these 50 days of our Easter season. May the joy and peace of the Risen Lord be with you each day. Let the Lord deepen your faith throughout these remaining days of this glorious time in our Church.

This weekend, April 25/26, I will not be present at the Masses. Fr. Rick Weltin will preside at the three liturgies. He sure does enjoy coming here to take my place. I sure do appreciate your kindness to him. AND ONLY BELIEVE THE GOOD THINGS HE SAYS ABOUT ME, IF HE SAYS ANYTHING AT ALL---ha!!! You will be in good hands.

I will be at my annual Midwest Miniature Bottle Club Show in St. Louis. I definitely have to be there as I am the President of the Club. (See what happens when no one else will take it?)

I do have a great time seeing the other collectors and catching up with them. And who knows? I may buy some bottles!!! 2 or 20 or 50—only God knows how many at this point! HA!

This coming Friday is a big day for us. It is our Feast Day. May 1^st is the Feast Day of St. Joseph the Worker. As it falls on a first Friday, we will have Adoration from 7:15 to 8:15 a.m., followed by Mass, with Adoration again after Morning Prayer until 11:30 a.m., closing with Benediction. May we celebrate this special day in our parish by using the hours for prayer. What better way to honor St. Joseph than by being ministers of prayer during the day. Pray a Rosary, read the Scriptures, sit in silence and reflect, pray the Stations of the Cross or the Divine Mercy chaplet. There are many ways we can give glory to God on May 1^st for the presence of that special saint—Joseph the Worker---who took care of Mary and Jesus, protecting and loving them fully.

How fortunate we are to bear the name of the husband of the Blessed Virgin and the foster father of the Savior of the world. Let us challenge ourselves to bear witness to the Lord as did St. Joseph. Let us continue his love and care of Christ in our world today by caring for the Lord’s Presence in those around us. Let us be honored to gather in worship of God under his name. Let us ask his intercession daily.

Your Pastor who tries to be a worker in St. Joseph’s name,

Father Joe

Sunday, April 19, 2026

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

Welcome to the 4^th Sunday/Week of Easter! We continue to celebrate the Resurrection in these 50 days of our Easter season. May the joy and peace of the Risen Lord be with you each day. Let the Lord deepen your faith throughout these remaining days of this glorious time in our Church.

This weekend, April 25/26, I will not be present at the Masses. Fr. Rick Weltin will preside at the three liturgies. He sure does enjoy coming here to take my place. I sure do appreciate your kindness to him. AND ONLY BELIEVE THE GOOD THINGS HE SAYS ABOUT ME, IF HE SAYS ANYTHING AT ALL---ha!!! You will be in good hands.

I will be at my annual Midwest Miniature Bottle Club Show in St. Louis. I definitely have to be there as I am the President of the Club. (See what happens when no one else will take it?)

I do have a great time seeing the other collectors and catching up with them. And who knows? I may buy some bottles!!! 2 or 20 or 50—only God knows how many at this point! HA!

This coming Friday is a big day for us. It is our Feast Day. May 1^st is the Feast Day of St. Joseph the Worker. As it falls on a first Friday, we will have Adoration from 7:15 to 8:15 a.m., followed by Mass, with Adoration again after Morning Prayer until 11:30 a.m., closing with Benediction. May we celebrate this special day in our parish by using the hours for prayer. What better way to honor St. Joseph than by being ministers of prayer during the day. Pray a Rosary, read the Scriptures, sit in silence and reflect, pray the Stations of the Cross or the Divine Mercy chaplet. There are many ways we can give glory to God on May 1^st for the presence of that special saint—Joseph the Worker---who took care of Mary and Jesus, protecting and loving them fully.

How fortunate we are to bear the name of the husband of the Blessed Virgin and the foster father of the Savior of the world. Let us challenge ourselves to bear witness to the Lord as did St. Joseph. Let us continue his love and care of Christ in our world today by caring for the Lord’s Presence in those around us. Let us be honored to gather in worship of God under his name. Let us ask his intercession daily.

Your Pastor who tries to be a worker in St. Joseph’s name,

Father Joe

Sunday, April 12, 2026

Dear “Easter” Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

Welcome to the 2^nd Week of Easter! We continue to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord, the single greatest event ever in the history of our world. This miracle enabled creation to be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. And we have 50 days to celebrate the “Empty Tomb” and the gift it was for our life here and especially our eternal life.

It is interesting that Catholics give up things, do extra things, pray more, donate money and time, etc. during Lent. But what do we do during the Easter season. What? Do you mean we are to do more, other, etc. during the days of Easter? Yep!!!

How will we spend this glorious season new life? How about----

PRAYING MORE? What about  coming to Adoration, Daily Mass, reading Scripture, Meditating, and many other ways.

MORE STEWARDSHIP? What about giving more of our time to the Lord through giving time to the Church? Like volunteering for a liturgical ministry, helping out at a parish event? What about giving more of our talent? Can we play an instrument of sing at our Masses? Can we bake wonderful sweets, signing up for the next parish event? What about giving more of our treasure? Have we given to the Capital Campaign? Do we give to the parish on the weekend at Mass or through the mail during the month? What charity do we support?

MORE PERSONAL GROWTH? Do we work at growing in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ? How have we deepened our faith since Ash Wednesday? How is the condition of our soul?

Let us use each day of this Easter week to be those EASTER DISCIPLES of our Risen Lord.

Your Easter Season Celebrating Pastor,

Father Joe

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

The unthinkable has happened---JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD! The same Jesus Christ that was dead on the Cross on Good Friday is now the RISEN CHRIST on Easter Sunday. The sadness, despair, and tears of the Crucifixion scene are gone, replaced by joy, hope, and smiles. And that is what countless millions of Catholics and other Christians will celebrate this Sunday and for weeks after during the Easter season. 

Our “job” now is to make sure we announce the Easter message through our actions with one another. And what is this message we are to share? That Jesus is alive. That Jesus wants to be part of our world in a renewed way. That Jesus continues to reach out to us through the sacraments, especially, and through prayer. That Jesus loves us more than we can ever imagine. Just look at what he did over the past three days. He suffered and died for our salvation, and He was innocent through it all. His focus? Our being forgiven and able to enjoy eternal life.

As your pastor, I wish all of you a very blessed Easter and Easter season. I pray you enjoy time with family and friends. Let the promise of these days fill you over and over. May the smile in your heart be seen in the smile on your face.

Thank you for all that you do for me and for the parish. It is my honor to be the pastor of St. Joseph the Worker parish. You all enable me to enjoy my priestly vocation so very much. Your kindness, outreach, support, prayers, care and so much more touch me to my core. May the Lord draw us closer to Him and each other daily, especially during the 50 days of this season of Resurrection.

Special thanks to all who have volunteered to minister during our Holy Week and Triduum liturgies; to our choir and musicians for leading us in prayerful music; to those responsible for the décor; to all those who have given so that our parish is able to grow in our faith.

Congratulations to Grant Sondgeroth on his full initiation into the Catholic Church. He was baptized, confirmed, and received 1^st Communion at the Easter Vigil. And Grant is only 9 years old. What is really neat about this is that the Lord calls people at any age. Way to go, Grant, on answering the Lord’s call to become for Him a “special child of God.” And thanks to Grace Stenke, his godparent, and to MC Garriott, our OCIA Coordinator.

As we journey through these weeks of Easter, let us proclaim ALLELUIA in each breath. That is the least we can do for our Resurrected Lord!

Your Easter Pastor,

Father Joe

Sunday, March 29, 2026

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

The unthinkable has happened---JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD! The same Jesus Christ that was dead on the Cross on Good Friday is now the RISEN CHRIST on Easter Sunday. The sadness, despair, and tears of the Crucifixion scene are gone, replaced by joy, hope, and smiles. And that is what countless millions of Catholics and other Christians will celebrate this Sunday and for weeks after during the Easter season. 

Our “job” now is to make sure we announce the Easter message through our actions with one another. And what is this message we are to share? That Jesus is alive. That Jesus wants to be part of our world in a renewed way. That Jesus continues to reach out to us through the sacraments, especially, and through prayer. That Jesus loves us more than we can ever imagine. Just look at what he did over the past three days. He suffered and died for our salvation, and He was innocent through it all. His focus? Our being forgiven and able to enjoy eternal life.

As your pastor, I wish all of you a very blessed Easter and Easter season. I pray you enjoy time with family and friends. Let the promise of these days fill you over and over. May the smile in your heart be seen in the smile on your face.

Thank you for all that you do for me and for the parish. It is my honor to be the pastor of St. Joseph the Worker parish. You all enable me to enjoy my priestly vocation so very much. Your kindness, outreach, support, prayers, care and so much more touch me to my core. May the Lord draw us closer to Him and each other daily, especially during the 50 days of this season of Resurrection.

Special thanks to all who have volunteered to minister during our Holy Week and Triduum liturgies; to our choir and musicians for leading us in prayerful music; to those responsible for the décor; to all those who have given so that our parish is able to grow in our faith.

Congratulations to Grant Sondgeroth on his full initiation into the Catholic Church. He was baptized, confirmed, and received 1^st Communion at the Easter Vigil. And Grant is only 9 years old. What is really neat about this is that the Lord calls people at any age. Way to go, Grant, on answering the Lord’s call to become for Him a “special child of God.” And thanks to Grace Stenke, his godparent, and to MC Garriott, our OCIA Coordinator.

As we journey through these weeks of Easter, let us proclaim ALLELUIA in each breath. That is the least we can do for our Resurrected Lord!

Your Easter Pastor,

Father Joe

Sunday, March 29, 2026

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

Welcome to Holy Week! This is the most special week of the liturgical year. These solemn days commemorate the Passion of our Lord, Jesus Christ. This next week will hopefully bring us into a deeper relationship with our Savior. Please make sure your schedules are free to come and worship with Jesus and one another.

PALM (PASSION) SUNDAY: MASSES AT 8:00 A.M. & 10:30 A.M.

This day Jesus enters Jerusalem to die. His mission has led Him there to fulfill what His Heavenly Father intended for Him and for our salvation. The people want to crown Him an earthly king, but Jesus enters on a donkey to give His very life for us as our spiritual King.

As we journey along with Jesus over the next days, let us enter them with holiness and grace.

THE EASTER TRIDUUM

HOLY THURSDAY: MASS AT 6:30 P.M.

This Thursday we call to mind the Last Supper that Jesus had with his apostles. During that meal, He instituted the Eucharist and Holy Orders. Christ gave us HIS Body and HIS Blood as a holy remembrance of His love for His people. Also, he ordained His first priests. Let us gather to be refreshed with Holy Communion and to pray for all priests.

GOOD FRIDAY: SERVICE AT 3:00 P.M.

This Friday is the only day in the liturgical year that Mass is not celebrated, since we remember the death of Jesus only and not His Resurrection. He gave all He had for our salvation, His very life-breath. This most holy day is one for us to reflect, give thanks, and pledge our undying love for our Savior.

HOLY SATURDAY (EASTER VIGIL): MASS/INITIATION AT 7:00 P.M.

The most important celebration during the year for the Catholic Church is the evening of Holy Saturday, when catechumens (those unbaptized) are baptized, confirmed, and receive 1^st Communion. The Church universal sings “ALLELUIA” that Christ is now risen. May our lives ring out with ALLELUIAS daily!

EASTER SUNDAY: MASSES AT 8:00 A.M. & 10:30 A.M.

This Sunday of Holy Week celebrates the triumphant Resurrection of the Lord! He has conquered sin and death. The eternal life lost in the Garden of Eden is now restored. The empty tomb is the sign of God’s power over death and evil, as heaven is now opened for all ages. Let us say THANK YOU to the Lord for this day!

I will see you, hopefully, at each of our special liturgies over the next days. Nothing on our calendars could be more important than our Holy Week worship services.

Your “Passionate Pastor about SJW,”

Father Joe

Sunday, March 22, 2026

Dear SJW Parishioners:

Welcome to the 5^th week of Lent! These days of reform and renewal are sure passing by quickly. Let us continue to use this season to be better disciples for our Lord, who gave of Himself for each of us.

This coming Tuesday, March 24^th, is a very important day for all of us. Why is that, you may ask? That evening is the Restored Order celebration at the Cathedral in Springfield. That is when our Faith Formation 3^rd graders and others who need to complete there initiation into the Catholic Church will be confirmed and receive 1^st Holy Communion. What a glorious time for all of them. Please pray for each of them as they continue to journey in faith. May our Lord draw them closer to Him each day.

Their celebration should inspire each of us to reflect on our faith journey. Where are we as to our relationship with Jesus Christ? Are we growing as Catholic Christians in the faith into which we were baptized? How would we assess our commitment to living out the Gospel in our neighborhood, school, workplace? 

Confirmation. When we experience this sacrament, the Holy Spirit comes into our lives in a special way. Our faith is confirmed, made stronger. We are infused with the gifts of the Holy Spirit---Wisdom, Knowledge, Fortitude, Understanding, Piety, Fear of the Lord, and Counsel. These gifts enable us to go forth and bear witness to the values of our Savior.

Eucharist. The source and summit of our Catholic faith is the Eucharist. When we receive the Lord in His Body and Blood, we are the closest we can be to Him this side of heaven. Our Lord gave us this very special sacrament to remember Him and to celebrate our faith in Him. As Catholics, we are privileged to be nourished with the Savior of the world.

This Tuesday is a time for all at SJW parish to renew ourselves in the sacramental life of the Church. It is a time for us to confirm our love for Jesus and to rededicate ourselves to Him.

This Tuesday is a time for all at SJW parish to make sure that we hunger and thirst more and more each day for the Body and Blood of Jesus. It is a time for us to appreciate the very special opportunity we have in partaking of the Eucharist.

May all of us be renewed in our Catholic faith. May all those who are confirmed and receive Communion for the first time this Tuesday evening appreciate their faith and their Lord.

Lastly, a special thanks to all those who prepared our young people for the Restored Order celebration---Anna Barham, our Restored Order Coordinator; the FF catechists; MC Garriott, our OCIA Coordinator; the youths’ parents and sponsors; and all others who have brought them to this wonderful evening at the Mother Church of our diocese.

Your Pastor,

 Father Joe

Sunday, March 15, 2026

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

This Sunday is the Ides of March. We are halfway through this month already. We are beginning the 4^th week of our Lenten season. These are precious days to be reforming ourselves, getting rid of any sin that impedes us from being the best disciples of Jesus that we are called to be. How are we doing? Are we closer to the Lord this day than we were when Lent began? Jesus sure hopes so!

This coming Thursday is the Solemnity of St. Joseph, the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus. This is one of the great Solemnities celebrated during Lent; the other one is the Annunciation of the Lord, March 25^th. During these Lenten days of sacrifice, reform, and renewal, we pause on these two days to give honor to St. Joseph and to remember that great call of Mary to be the Mother of God. Let’s look at these two Solemnities:

ST. JOSEPH, MARCH 19

1)     How do we continue to live the faith that our patron saint had?

2)     When we are called by God, as was St. Joseph, do we respond favorably as he did?

3)     Where do we need to open our hearts more to be obedient followers of God, as was

St. Joseph?

THE ANNUNCIATION, MARCH 25

1)     Mary said “yes” to God always. Do we?

2)     Mary had total trust in God. Do we?

3)     Mary never wavered in her faith. Same for us?

May we live this next week of Lent as St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary would. 

Your Lenten Pastor,

Father Joe

Sunday, March 8, 2026

Dear Parishioners of SJW:

Welcome to the 3^rd Sunday/Week of Lent! How did this past week go for you as to reforming and renewing your spiritual life? These glorious days of Lent are given to us so that we can emerge come Holy Week and Easter as new creations in the sight of our Lord. Let us keep trying to be faithful to our Lenten resolutions that we made weeks ago on Ash Wednesday.

In the Gospel for the 3^rd Sunday of Lent, we have Jesus meeting the woman of Samaria at the well. Their interchange is the highlight of the scene. Jesus calls her to thirst for God, for faith, for refreshment. He is asking her to drink of His Presence, His salvation, His invitation to eternal life.

As we journey this week, let us thirst more and more for Jesus Christ. Let us drink in His Presence day after day. Let us find our relief in following Him, so that one day we can immerse ourselves in the freshness of eternal life.

T   Do we give ourselves TOTALLY to the Lord?

H  Do we open our HEART to change?

I    How do we IMITATE the love of Jesus?

R  How much REVERENCE do we have in our life?

S  Do we SAVOR the Eucharist more and more?

T  Do we take TIME to be with Jesus in the silence of our hearts?

May we have always a thirsting to be the best Catholics. May we continue to feel those

life-giving waters of our baptism. May we wash away all that stains our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Your Lenten Pastor,

Father Joe

Sunday, March 1, 2026

Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker:

Welcome to another week of Lent! How fortunate we are to have this special season during which we have the opportunity to change more into the Lord of our faith. These days of reform and renewal call us to work on the condition of our souls. Have we thought about that lately? How do our souls look to Jesus Christ, who gave His very life so that our souls could go to heaven and be with Him forever? Something to reflect upon these days of our 2^nd week of Lent.

S     How does my speech SOUND to others around me?

O    How OFTEN do I pray during the day?

U    How will I USE my time before Mass to focus on the Eucharist?

L     Do I LOVE being a Catholic?

S     Do I spend SACRED moments in Adoration during the year?

Please don’t forget our Parish Mission which will be this Sunday, March 1^st and Monday, March 2^nd, both evenings beginning at 6:00 pm. Please come and have your souls enriched. 

Please make these evenings a priority in your schedules. Your SOULS will be deepened in the ways of the Lord!

May the Lord of the Passion bless you and all of us as we continue our journey of change this Lent.

Your Lenten Pastor,

Father Joe

pastor

Very Reverend Joseph Molloy

pastor@stjoschatham.org