Category: From the Pastor’s Desk (Page 1 of 38)

…and grateful are the receivers
Thanks so Much!

We are ever grateful to generous and monthly visitors, KM and CM, who wish to remain anonymous, for their thoughtful donation of our two new kneelers.  After noticing that the lectors at Holy Mass were kneeling on the floor, wooden steps, or a make-shift kneeler, they made a sizable donation to correct the problem.  The new kneelers will be used also for brides and grooms when celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

KM and CM, thank you and God bless you!

St. Joseph Parish Community

  The Lord Bless you and keep you The Lord make his face shine upon you, And be gracious to you …The Lord look upon you kindly,
And give you peace!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

May our Lord Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem, bless you, your families, and your loved ones, at this holy time of hope and peace, and may Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother, watch over you throughout the Year of Grace 2023.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Fr. John Mahoney

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

With deep joy and gratitude, I extend to you – parishioners and visitors alike – my prayerful best wishes for a holy and blessed Christmas Season and New Year!

Several years ago, I received a Christmas card with this message: “This Christmas, I wish you Jesus.” On the inside it read: “Isn’t it nice to have everything!” Miracles come to us in all shapes and sizes during the Advent Season, but the perfect gift is always the miracle found in the manger on that first Christmas morning – a perfect gift because it keeps on giving and giving and giving.

The Christmas Season has a way of bringing back to church individuals and families who, for various reasons, have not been to Mass for a while. What a wonderful and grace-filled opportunity to put aside past differences and old habits and to begin anew into 2023 that prayerful relationship with the Lord.  Over the year to come – and amid all our current challenges and concerns – may we grow together in strength and grace to know and celebrate God’s presence in our lives.

May our Lord Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem, bless you, your families and loved ones at this holy time of hope and grace, and may Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother, watch over you always.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Fr. John Mahoney

From the Staff of St. Joseph Parish
Wishing you a joy-filled Christmas and many blessings in the new year.

Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

It was a blessing for me to restore two years ago the time-honored tradition at St. Joseph Parish of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, which had been abated during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am grateful, also, to Susan Whitman for scheduling the Adorers, who provide a prayerful and protective environment while the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar is exposed in the monstrance.

Over recent years, however, the number of Adorers available to pray and safeguard the Blessed Sacrament here has declined. It has been reported to me that many of the former participants are “at Riverside Cemetery,” have discontinued due to natural attrition, or have moved away, and that the winter months constitute a particular difficulty in obtaining enough Adorers to cover each holy hour.

The Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship published, “The Rites for Holy Communion and Worship of the Holy Eucharist Outside of Mass,” which regulates Adoration. This document and subsequent policy statements, envision that at least two Adorers are always present in the church while the Blessed Sacrament is exposed. The rationale for this norm is two-fold: 1) to safeguard the Most Holy Eucharist while outside the tabernacle, and 2) for the safety and security of the Adorers. Both matters have been of concern over the past year.

At least for the winter months – and following my consultation with members of the Parish Pastoral Council and the Parish Finance Council – the Wednesday hours of Adoration will be changed to 8:30 A.M. until Reposition at 12:30 P.M. beginning on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.

Please give some consideration to your availability for joining the Lord in this important, prayerful endeavor in the parish community. In addition to having the requisite two Adorers assigned to each hour, it is my hope to have at least one alternate Adorer for each hour who may be contacted to cover in cases of unexpected absences.

With prayer best wishes,

Fr. John Mahoney

I hope that your time with family and friends over the Thanksgiving holiday was blessed and enjoyable.  Now, as the seasons of Advent and the Nativity of the Lord approach, we prepare our hearts to emulate God’s sharing with us the gift of His Son.

Sharing resources was the theme of the Parish Outreach Committee’s recent meetings.  This year, again, the Committee, acting on behalf of the parish community, is partnering with the Rotary Club’s Community Chest Program to help meet needs within our community.  In addition to helping provide food and prepared meals during Thanksgiving and Christmas,  “The Giving Tree” will be erected once again in the narthex of the church, adorned with ornaments designating with-list items such as clothing, footwear, toys, books, arts and crafts, and other hoped-for items for children in the Lincoln, Woodstock, and Thornton area.  Please stop by the tree to see how you can help meet the needs of these children and families during this Advent/Christmas Season.  (Shopping-free options are available for those who wish to avoid crowded stores.)  To adopt and provide gifts and dinner for an entire family at Christmas, please contact Stuart Anderson (sanderson@albaarchitects.com), a member of both the Community Chest program and the St. Joseph Parish Outreach Committee, to make arrangements for delivery of gifts, clothing, and Christmas dinner.  

In addition to be a very spiritual and charitable way of celebrating Advent, loving one’s neighbor reflects the love of God in the community.  To that end, the Committee has provided donations to the Knights of Columbus’ “Tootsie Roll Drive” to help individuals with intellectual challenges, Haven Pregnancy Center, Pathways Pregnancy Center, New England Disabled Sports, and Vets Rest Stop.

Amid the hustle and bustle of the Advent and Christmas seasons, praying daily with Scripture is a meaningful way to focus on the holy and miraculous events being celebrated.  Please enjoy a complimentary copy of “Waiting in Joyful Hope 2022-2023,” available at the doors of the church.

With prayerful best wishes,

Fr. John Mahoney