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Dear members and Friends of St. Joseph Church,
“Through the resurrection of God’s Son, we are granted salvation. May God fulfill the divine promise and bless you with eternal life.” This Easter Blessing reminds us of the goal of the season of Lent – to recall our baptismal dignity and to prepare us for the never-ending Easter with the saints in God’s kingdom. I am confident you have been prayerful, disciplined and generous in your observance of Lent. By accepting God’s blessings with gratitude, we are called to act as brothers and sisters in the Lord. As Disciples of Christ, we are called to be good stewards of all that is entrusted to us. I also remind you of the Annual Diocesan Appeal, please make a pledge if you have not yet done so. We are called to pray for peace and work in service of those who are suffering.
Here are a few highlights before Holy Week:
I will hear confessions on Saturday, April 2 at 3:30pm.
April 10, Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, the Scouts are sponsoring a take-out spaghetti dinner. More information will follow.
Also on April 10, the Candidates for Confirmation will have their Retreat at IHM from noon-2:30pm.
Bishop Bonner will preside at the Celebration of Confirmation at IHM at 7:00pm on Tuesday, May 3.
I invite and encourage all of you to take advantage of the worship opportunities during Holy Week.
·The Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 14, will be celebrated at 6 pm at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Please join our neighboring parish in this beautiful liturgy.
·The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, April 15, will be at noon at Immaculate Heart of Mary and at 6:00 pm at St. Joseph Church.
·The Good Friday Stations of the Cross, April 15, will be prayed at 3:00 pm at both churches.
·The Easter Vigil, April 16, will be celebrated beginning at 8:00 pm. Members of IHM will be joining us for the Vigil Mass.
·Easter Sunday Mass, April 17, is 9:30 am. “He is risen, He is truly risen!”
Remember that Easter lasts for 50 days! We need to focus during this Easter season on the gifts of salvation and healing that may not be immediately apparent but are real and present in our midst. Our parishioners are reaching out and trying to help one another. God is good and present through your love for one another. All of us are brothers and sisters in Christ.
