Category: From the Pastor’s Desk (Page 1 of 78)

For the week of February 2 – 6, 2026, we welcome the “Skiing Priests” to St. Joseph Parish.  Daily Holy Masses will be celebrated that week as follows:

                Monday, February 2 4:00 P.M.

                Tuesday, February 3 4:00 P.M.

                Wednesday, February 4 4:00 P.M.  -No Adoration-

Thursday, February 5 4:00 P.M.

Friday, February 6 4:00 P.M.

This annual celebration,  established by Pope Francis in 2019 through the apostolic   letter Aperuit illis, is observed on the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time and is dedicated to the “celebration, study, and dissemination of Sacred Scripture.”  The theme for 2026 is “The word of Christ dwells among you” (Colossians 3:16).  This emphasizes that Scripture is not merely a historical text, but a living, active presence within the Christian community. The day highlights the essential relationship between the Risen Lord, the Church, and the Bible, reminding believers that “ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ” (St. Jerome). We are called to listen attentively to God’s Word at     Holy Mass and, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, engage in daily prayer and study of the words and faith provided to us through Sacred Scripture.

FOR THE LEGAL PROTECTION OF UNBORN CHILDREN

JANUARY 22, 2026

As done in years past, St. Joseph’s Parish    Community will observe the “Day of Prayer    for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children” with morning Mass at 8:00 A.M., followed by   the praying of a Pro-life Rosary and Holy Hour.  The Parish Outreach Committee has   authorized a disbursement of $500 to be sent, on behalf of our parishioners, to Haven Pregnancy Center in Plymouth to support,  educate, and equip men and women to make life-affirming choices relative to pregnancy, parenting, relationships, and God.

Thank you to everyone for your generous support of furnishing the church with Christmas flowers!
Among the many donations were these poinsettias memorializing and honoring loved ones:

Herman & Helen Cadorette, Claire Ward, Aline Stocker, by Janet Peltier.
Deceased members of of Albert Family, by David Albert
Rosemary Mehrmann, Margaret Caron, by Peggy & Fred Mehrmann
Jeremiah T. McCarthy, All souls in Purgatory, by JoAnn McCarthy
Charles Harrington, Marie & Leonard Bossie, by Pauline Harrington
Wolowski Family, Golik Family, Janina Wolowski, Rafal Wolowski, Kay LaBrecque, by Jan and Gracie Wolowski
F. Hamdan, M.D., Holy Mother Mary, by Patricia Hamdan
Eric Johnson, Barbara Eiserlo, Clough Family, Macedo Family, The Perron Family, by Rae Perron.
Joseph Carneglio, Betty Zeto, Ester Carneglio, Catherine Montesanto, by Rosemarie Henderson.
James & Marion Whitlock, Harry & Ann Lent, Barry Bagnati, by Ed & Elaine Whitlock
Sam Boyle, Laura Boyle, Quentin W. Boyle. by Quentin & Judy Boyle.
Erving & Helena Haynes, Joseph & Mabel Lahoullier, Patty Papio, by Nina & Nathan Haynes.
Dale Whitman, Randolph & Blanche Boyle, Sandra & Randy Borgnis, Robert, Shirley, Michael Leclerc, Cameron Morrisette, Mary Boyle, by Susan Whitman
Mary & Michael Iarocci, Sr., Celia & Albert Pieroni, Eugenio & Nicolena Muscatelli, Luigi & Lena Iarocci, Angelo Pezzo,
Amato & Emma Iadicola, Octavio & Pauline Pieroni, Michelina Muscatelli, Marguerite Lemieux, Isabelle Rafferty, by Mary Pieroni.
Joseph W. Laufenberg Jr., by Laura Laufenberg.
Gade family & Doherty family, by Thomas and Carol Doherty
Julie Gilligon, by Karen Bartlett
Saiza and Petty Families by Don and Joanna Petty
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph, All the holy souls in Purgatory, A ll the people on earth, by Patrick and Christine Walsh
Marqarite and Millard Young, Marshall Young, Roger Libby, Michael Vitale, Gloria Vitale, by Barbara Vitale
Lance and Kimberly Shaw by Lori Smith
Andre, by Donald Dostie
Plante and Tzitzouris Family, by Maria Plante
Nena Garza Sexton, by Norman Franklin
Father John Mahoney, Grace Duggan, Sandy Crisp, Anne and Charles McCullough, Cadorette and Peltier Families,
Patricia Guitelli, Michael, By Anonymous Donor

Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

Being sinless himself, it may seem strange that Jesus received baptism in the Jordan River by his cousin, St. John the Baptist. Although the baptism St. John offered to the people of Israel was not the same as the true, sacramental baptism that   Jesus would bring, it was a symbolic forerunner of it. In submitting to baptism in the Jordan River, Jesus is identifying himself with sinners – though he was sinless – but would later take our sins upon himself and submerge himself in our place, into the waters of    purification, and then rise up from the waters to show the new life that he will gain for us. In fact, Jesus    refers to his passion, death, and resurrection as his “baptism,” just as he would rise from the tomb glorified and victorious over death on Easter morning.   Because of Christ’s actions, the heavens are opened, and we—through our own baptism in living water and “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” – are cleansed from original sin and incorporated into the holy household of God.

Wishing you a blessed and healthy new year,

Fr. John Mahoney