I am happy to announce that Margaret Sweeney, our parish’s Director of Music, has joined the office staff!  Now – even though Nancy Sweeney (no relation) is away for the wintertime – the parish office will be open from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. on Mondays and Tuesdays, when Maria Schirduan is at the front desk, and additionally on Fridays, when Margaret is on duty.

As with everything else, this pandemic is altering even the most time-honored traditions, including some of Christianity’s devotions and sacramental signs.

For centuries, the Memorial of Saint Blaise has been celebrated with crossed candles held under the throat of the Christian faithful and the invocation pronounced, “Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, Bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness.”  The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued guidance this year, suggesting for sufficient pastoral reason that “a priest or deacon may give the blessing to all assembled by extending hands, without the crossed candles, over the people while saying the prayer of blessing.”  As such, a communal blessing will be extended to the entire assembly following each of the Masses on the weekend of January 30 and 31, this instead of blessing of throats on the actual Memorial of Saint Blaise on Wednesday, February 3.

Additionally, the Holy See has issued a provisional norm in this time of pandemic for the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday.  The Congregation for Divine Worship directs that the formula, “Repent, and believe in the Gospel,” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” is addressed to all present and said only once, then “the priest takes the ashes and sprinkles them on the head of each one without saying anything.”  This practice has been an option in the Church since the twelfth century.  (Another option is provided that consists of imposing ashes on the forehead of each person by using a ball of cotton.)

Finally, I hope you will welcome again Fr. Gerry Bertin, who will be covering at St. Joseph’s during the week of February 1 while I attend a conference and subsequently gather with my family to celebrate Christmas!  

With prayers for your good health and happiness,

Fr. John Mahoney 

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

I am happy to announce that the following Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion have been approved and reappointed by Bishop Libasci to administer the Body and Blood of the Lord: Jay Bartlett, Jane Maki, Barbara Vitale, Xena Bartlett, Janet Peltier, Susan Whitman, Peter Eisenhauer, Mary Pieroni, Jan Wolowski, Frederick Germain, Nancy Sweeney.

Limited in scope to the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass at St. Joseph’s Church, and with permission to those institutions immediately served by the Parish, these dedicated Catholics are deputed to faithfully distribute the Eucharist to the People of God under my guidance and direction.  May they be strengthened and comforted by the Blessed Sacrament they distribute.  These appointments are for a three-year term, expiring on December 31, 2023. 

Fr. John Mahoney