Blessing of the Animals and the End of Online Broadcasted Masses

Next Monday, October 4th 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 3rd 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.

I am very grateful to Mr. Carter Junod, a student at St. Joseph / St. Robert School, and to his parents Mr. and Mrs. Joe and Kim Junod, for all their assistance throughout the pandemic. Carter is the young man who volunteered to video our Saturday Masses and then edit them and publish them on our parish website. It was a great assistance to parishioners especially while the obligation to attend Mass was  lifted.  Many   told   me  that  they  appreciated  the opportunity  to  still  feel  connected  to  our  church. The archbishop reinstituted the obligation to attend Sunday and Holy Day Masses for those who are healthy and not required to remain at home caring for someone ill starting on August 15, 2021. Parishes are to encourage the faithful to come back to church to worship God in person. In addition the number of “hits” or views of our Mass dropped off significantly from where they were earlier. So this is the final weekend that we will broadcast our weekend Mass on our website. Thank you once again to Cater and his parents.

If you know someone who is considering joining the Catholic Faith, or someone who simply needs to be invited, now is the time. We are holding our special Night of Inquiry Wednesday, September 29th at 7:00 p.m. in classroom 18. Anyone interested in finding out more about the faith is invited to join us. Please call the rectory if interested, 215-672-3020.

As part of our 100th Anniversary celebration, we are looking to publish a new parish pictorial directory.  It is a powerful tool in our church to help each of us know each other better. Our last directory is now out-dated and it is time for a new one. Please make an appointment to have your picture taken by following the link on our church website, www.saintjosephchurch.us. If you do not have access to our website, you can contact the rectory Monday thru Thursday between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm and Mary Beth will schedule your session. Your participation will help the church and yourself. Every family photographed for the directory will receive a copy of the 100th anniversary directory and an 8×10 portrait at no cost. So please, sign-up today! The two days chosen for photography sessions are Friday and Saturday, November 19th and 20th. Portraits will be photographed here at St. Joseph. Additional portraits can be purchased and will be available in time to give as Christmas gifts.

I am also very pleased to announce that St. Joseph Parish will soon be registering with The Augustine Institute for the FORMED Program. With this enrollment, each member of the parish will have access to the many spiritual programs offered over the internet. Please keep an eye on the bulletin for more information. Our access should begin in the month of October.  More details will follow.

God Bless you,
Fr. Bordonaro