When collecting each week the donations from the poor box in the church, I am always moved by the generosity of both our year-round and visiting parish family who remember those who need extra financial help in these challenging times. On top of that, over recent days a few people have quietly handed me substantial sums of cash, insisting on anonymity, and instructing that the proceeds be forwarded to families in our community who need food or other essentials of life. These charitable overtures mean more than you will ever know (this side of Heaven) to the families who benefit from them!
A note of gratitude should be extended, too, to a group of dedicated and trustworthy women who donate their time by counting the weekly parish contributions. To Millie Berry, Colette Crowley, Nina Haynes, Eileen Latham, Mary Pieroni, and Susan Whitman, a heartfelt thanks for all you do behind the scenes to keep the parish fiscally operational.
Finally, many thanks to everyone who made the Christmas Season a time of holiness and happiness at St. Joseph’s Parish – from Colette Crowley, Delia Sullivan, and Mike Iarocci, who decorated the church, to Margaret Sweeney and the music minsters who supported the liturgies so prayerfully and beautifully, to the liturgical ministers, to the Eventbrite team who helped with crowd management, to our terrific ushers who welcomed the faithful, maintained good order, and sanitized the church building after each celebration. And of course, thanks to all the wonderful parishioners and visitors who heeded the call, “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”
With prayerful thanks and best wishes,
Fr. John Mahoney