Annual Stewardship Appeal

My Dear Parishioners,

It’s that time of year again when you will soon be receiving our Annual Stewardship Appeal letter. I ask you to give your donation serious thought and prayer. This is an important appeal for the running of your parish. All of the money raised as part of this appeal stays here at St. Joseph parish and helps to keep the parish operating. I am sorry to report that our collections have never recovered since COVID hit, we have not returned to full participation. There is no way that St. Joseph Parish could survive simply on the weekly contributions collected. We depend on your generosity throughout the year, but especially during this important outreach. Please believe me that your generosity is sincerely appreciated. If you are not able to make the requested contribution, please make whatever donation you feel is appropriate and supportive of your parish and know that it does make a difference. I also want to remind you that the Family Update and Information form is included with this appeal. Please take the time to fill out the form so that our records can be as current as possible. If a child is away at college, but he/she still resides at home, please be sure to include them. If they have moved out of the house, please let us know that too.

This past week we invited all the parents of our children attending CCD along with the rest of the parish to attend a presentation of the 4 part video series Presence: The Mystery of the Eucharist. Please consider joining us for the remaining 3 Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the lower Church Hall. It will be a great way to prepare for and to celebrate our 40 Hours October 15-17. I am very happy that my Spiritual Director, Fr. Jerome Bracken, C.P., will be preaching 40 Hours. Fr. Bracken is a Passionist priest who taught at St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia for 4 years, and then at Seton Hall’s Immaculate Conception Seminary for over 30 years.

Next Wednesday, October 4^th is the Church’s feast of St. Francis of Assisi. In honor of St. Francis, St. Joseph Church will be hosting our annual Blessing of the Animals next week, Sunday, October 1^st at 1:00 p.m. Please bring your leashed animals to the grassy area between the two back parking lots for a brief prayer service and blessing.

God Bless you,
Fr. Bordonaro