Happy New Year

My Dear Parishioners,

I hope that all of you had an enjoyable and peace filled celebration of the Lord’s birth. God, in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, is with us in a way that did not exist before the incarnation. From “the Word made Flesh” of Christmas to the “I will not leave you orphans” of Pentecost, we are constantly assured that the God who loved us into being continues to walk with us. As we celebrate the season of Christmas, it is good for us to rekindle the awareness of God with us. That gift coming from the stable in Bethlehem sustains and strengthens us each day. I hope and pray that whatever blessings and challenges you are presented with in the New Year, you will have the confidence of knowing that you are supported and consoled by God who wants to be one with us.

At this time of year I like to take the opportunity to thank some people who made this year’s celebration such a wonderful expression of faith. In particular I would like to recognize all of our musicians and cantors. Their talents made the entire church full with joyful praise. Thank you to Mrs. Maria Lennon for all her time and effort in coordinating our worship with the adult choir, children’s choir and various cantors, and our Contemporary Mass group who all consistently do an excellent job! I also thank the priests who have helped us out throughout the year including Msgr. Richard Bolger, Msgr. Jim McCoy, and Fr. Rich Connors.

Special thanks to all the other Ministers of the Mass including our altar servers (both Student and Adult), Lectors, Ushers, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Thank you also to those who help to count the collection and do other supportive things behind the scenes. Thank you also to Mrs. Carla Venditti, Mrs. Karen Baranowski and their team of helpers for taking our beautiful church and making it look special for the Christmas season. Please remember to pray for all those names listed on our “Christmas Flowers” envelopes. Your memorial envelopes will be placed in the manger for the duration of the Christmas Season. Finally, I thank all who sent cards, gifts, and/or food to the rectory; your expressions of care, love and concern are sincerely appreciated.  In addition I want to recognize and thank those who continue to make financial sacrifices for St. Joseph parish, your generosity at Christmas and throughout the year is a true testament to your faith and witness of God’s blessings.

Because it falls on a Monday this year, January 1st is not a Holy Day of Obligation. To celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, we will have two Masses: 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. While it is not an obligation this year, it is still a good way to start the New Year. We turn to Our Blessed Mother at the start of our year and ask her to be with us and keep us close to her Son, Jesus. Please consider coming to either the 8:00 or the 10:00 on the First of the New Year. Please note that there is no Vigil Mass on Dec. 31st.

May God Bless You and Happy 2024!
Fr. Bordonaro