Greetings in the Lord!  Becoming part of the body of Christ means that we are united in Christ–in spirit and flesh–with the People of God, and together we offer ourselves as “holy and living sacrifices” and are sent forth to do God’s will.  Our daily actions, our work, and our relationships must now incorporate Christ.  Along those lines, and through the generosity of our parishioners and visitors, the Parish Outreach Committee was able to donate $500 to help purchase backpacks and school supplies for families in the Lincoln-Woodstock Community.  Thank you!

Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

One of the most significant and reassuring signs of any parish community is a healthy Faith Formation program. As we hear Jesus saying repeatedly in the
Sunday gospel readings these days, “I am the Bread of Life.” The Bread of Life Discourse in St. John’s Gospel serves as a good reminder that “Faith formation is
nothing other than the process of transmitting the gospel, as the Christian community has received it, understands it, celebrates it, lives it, and communicates it in many ways” (General Directory for Catechesis). Each
of us has this role by virtue of being Christian, and it means not only proclaiming the gospel with our lives but also taking care to immerse ourselves in God’s
word and the Catholic tradition. As the academic year approaches, please lend your prayerful support to St. Joseph’s Faith Formation leaders – Paula King and
Annie Anderson – and to the wonderful children under their guidance. Ours is a family-centered catechetical and sacramental process designed to engage the spiritual development of all those within a family and community context. Along with the children, we are all learning to appreciate the love of God and to transmit it in our daily lives.

With prayerful best wishes,
Fr. John Mahoney

Dear Parishioners and Visitors:

“I Am the Bread of Life” 

Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist in his body and blood, humanity and divinity, under the forms of bread and wine. The church teaches that this presence is not a metaphor, it’s a reality.  But how do we arrive at this idea?  Jesus himself promises to be with us “always, to the end of time.”  He promises to be present when two or more gather in his name, in the forgiveness of sins, and in the suffering world: “Whatever you did for one of these least . . . you did for me.”  Jesus promises to be really present in many ways throughout the gospel.  He’s most explicit about being with us, however, in one profound way: “Take it; this is my body … I am the bread of life … whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life”.

“O Come, Let Us Adore Him”

Beginning with lowly shepherds tending their flocks, to a multitude of singing angels, to Magi from the East, followers of Christ have been taking time to visit and adore Jesus. You are most welcome to visit the church between 8:30 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.  Just come by.  We would love to see you there … as would Jesus in the True Presence of the Eucharist.

With prayerful best wishes,

Fr. John Mahoney