Category: From the Pastor’s Desk (Page 2 of 67)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As Jan Wolowski carries the processional cross, leading me through the Stations of the Cross on Lenten  Friday evenings, I am always struck by the beauty of the stations here at St. Joseph’s.  Some years ago, when they showed signs of wear and tear, Marianne Keating volunteered her time and talent to restore each station.  The vibrant colors  bring “The Way of the Cross” to life and lead us to prayer. Thank you to Marianne and to Jan!

Palm Sunday is the final Sunday of Lent, the beginning   of Holy Week, and commemorates the triumphant arrival of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, days before he was crucified. The use of a colt instead of a horse is highly symbolic, representing the humble arrival of someone who comes   in the name of peace, as opposed to a warrior mounted   on a military steed. Palm branches are recognized widely as symbols of peace and victory, hence their use on Palm Sunday. The palms enjoy one of the longest sacramental blessings of any blessed item and are one of the few     sacred items blessed in the context of the Mass itself.      In church, the faithful hold their palm branches high for the rite of sprinkling and blessing, then bring their palms home and place them with devotion behind a crucifix or holy picture – a yearlong reminder that Christ “reigns from the wood,” suffered and died out of love for us,    and is with us in our own times of suffering, peace, and victory.

With prayerful best wishes for a blessed Palm Sunday and Holy Week,

Fr. John Mahoney

Please pray for the repose of the souls of:

Thelma Branscombe , Claire Mulleavey and“Betty” Dauphine,
who died last week. 

            Monday, April 14

         A Diocesan Day of Penance
Confessions will be heard in the church
11:00am-12:00pm and 5:00pm-6:00pm

Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

“I pulled the cat’s tail” is a sin that a youngster might bring into the confessional on a Saturday afternoon, but as our spirituality matures, we recognize the need to examine our lives with a more serious sense of purpose. Lent is a season of prayer and penitence when we engage in some self-reflection about our relationship with God and His Church.

While venial sins are minor offenses against God’s commandments that impede our relationship with God and His Church, mortal sins significantly rupture our relationship with God and others. For a sin to be mortal in nature, the sin committed (or omitted) must be 1) a serious violation of God’s law, 2) must have been done with sufficient knowledge of its seriousness, and 3) must have been done deliberately and with sufficient freedom of the will – i.e., “on purpose.”

 As followers of Christ, we need to examine our lives and recognize any sinful thoughts, words, and behaviors that impede the life-giving connection we share with God through His son, Jesus Christ. Such an examination of conscience should be done regularly, always with trust in God’s mercy and love, and then be brought, with true contrition, to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

With prayerful best wishes,

Fr. John Mahoney

Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

Rejoice! Easter is coming! With childlike joy, Holy Mother Church begins on  Laetare Sunday to count the days. She is ringingly jubilant. “Laetare” means “rejoice,” and the term is taken from the entrance  antiphon of the day, “Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all  who love her!”

Here at St. Joseph’s, though, there is more reason for rejoicing. Over the past three years, both Mass attendance and parish registrations have increased. Welcome to the parish to all newcomers from near and far! And a special word of thanks to all who offer words of encouragement and support about our weekend liturgies here at St. Joe’s! Your positive comments mean a lot to the many individuals who work behind the scenes to make this parish a special place in which to worship God in the White Mountains!

Another cause for rejoicing is the notable increase in generosity from our parishioners and visitors. Over the past four years, our revenue has increased from $117,278 in 2021, to $174,917 in 2022, to $209,466 in 2023, to $219,691in 2024! There is more work to be done, for sure, but with the grace of God and the continued support of those who worship here, we’ll keep moving in the right direction, both spiritually and fiscally!

With prayerful best wishes,

Fr. John Mahoney