Weekly Info

Last Updated on  05/04/2008

NEW ALTAR SERVER TRAINING       The next training session for new altar servers is Saturday, May 10 from 9 – 10 a.m. in Church.  If you are interested in becoming an altar server but can not make Saturday morning training please talk to Father Nick.   FATHER MARCELLO HELPING OUT AT ST. CATHERINE’S       For the next couple of months, Father Joseph Marcello will be helping out on Sundays at our neighboring parish, St. Catherine of Siena in Trumbull, as their own parochial vicar was recently transferred.  Until his new priest associate arrives at St. Catherine’s this June, the pastor, Msgr. Richard Shea, is grateful to have Father Marcello’s assistance, and we are pleased to “share” our fine, hard-working resident priest with his parish in their need.   IN-PEW COLLECTION       Next weekend will be the “In Pew” collection for the Annual Bishop’s Appeal.  If you have not already made your pledge to this year’s Appeal, you may do so next week at any of the Masses.  You can use the form sent to your home; additional forms will also be available in church.  If you have already made your gift or pledge, thank you sincerely for your support of the many programs and services made possible by the annual Bishop’s Appeal!   OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE TALK       Father Eduardo Chavez Sanchez will deliver a talk entitled “Our Lady of Guadalupe:  The Woman Who Changed the Face of the Hemisphere” on Wednesday, May 14 at St. Joseph Parish, Brookfield (in English and Spanish) and Thursday, May 15 at St. Peter Parish, Bridgeport (in Spanish).  Each evening will begin at 6 p.m., with Eucharistic exposition and Benediction (confession available), and the talk will start at 7 p.m.   PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO QUEBEC THIS SUMMER       Father Chris hopes to lead a group from our parish to join Bishop William Lori and pilgrims from our diocese at the 49th International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec, Canada, June 14-23.  The pilgrimage will include 9 nights in resort accommodations, 5 breakfasts and 5 dinners, round-trip transportation via motor coach plus admission to all Eucharistic Congress events.  Cost is $1,199 per adult/$749 per teen/child.  For more info, brochures are available at all the doors of the church and a link is posted on the diocesan website www.bridgeportdiocese.com. If you are interested in joining Father Chris and other parishioners on this pilgrimage, please send your $400 deposit, payable to the Diocese of Bridgeport, to the Parish Office by April 13.  Please note that you definitely will be contacted by the Parish Office before your deposit is actually mailed in.   2009 MASS INTENTIONS AVAILABLE       The 2009 Mass book is now available in the Parish Office for anyone wishing to schedule a Mass.  Mass offerings are $10; up to four Masses may be scheduled until April 7.  Up to four Masses can be requested by mail and must include the Mass offering.  Mass bookings cannot be taken over the phone.  Thank you for your cooperation!! ALTAR SERVER SCHEDULES       New altar server schedules were sent out in the mail this week.  If you did not receive a schedule or would like to receive the schedule by e-mail in the future, please send your request to stjoseph.census@sbcglobal.net. 2008 ANNUAL BISHOP’S APPEAL “Living Our Faith”     Thank you to the 121 families who pledged $12,271 during last weekend’s in-pew collection for the Annual Bishop’s Appeal.  The total amount pledged by our parish is $72,107 (by 375 families), which is 80% of our goal of $90,000. If you have not already made your pledge to this year’s Appeal, you may do so this week.  Please use the envelopes and pencils in the pews and place your pledge in the collection basket.  Thank you sincerely for your support of the many programs and services made possible by the Annual Bishop’s Appeal! SPANISH CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP       A Spanish Charismatic Prayer Group will be meeting every Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Upper Room.  All are welcome to come and sing and pray.  Please contact Cesar Galicia (732-5319) for more information.   FRIDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION       St. Joseph Parish offers Eucharistic Adoration every Friday from 12 noon until 7 p.m. in our chapel.  Volunteers are especially needed (for teams of two) for an hour between 2 - 5 p.m.  If you would like to volunteer on a regular basis or as a back-up, please call Cecile (924-4005) or Sheila (924-9269).  Eucharistic Adoration is a wonderful, spiritual opportunity to spend some quiet time in prayer before Our Lord!   LITTLE BETHLEHEM CHRISTIANS       Little Bethlehem Christians is a group that represents 170 Christian families who live in Bethlehem the Holy Land and make their living as wood carvers.  There will be a collection of hand-carved olive wood religious items for sale next weekend after all Masses.  The profit goes to support Christianity in the land of Christ.  Please visit www.little-bethlehem.org for more information.   MOTHER’S CIRCLE       The Mother’s Circle meets the second Friday of the month in the Upper Room at 10 a.m.  Mothers with their young children are invited for the opportunity for socializing and playtime.  For more info, please call Mary (888-4790) or Carrie (925-0437).     LECTIO DIVINA – “SACRED WORD”         Come and find out what Lectio Divina is all about and how to grow into a deeper and more intimate relationship in union with our God.  Meetings are every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel.  Anyone interested may call Sister Carolyn (924-1449) for more information.   FOOD BANK SUPPLIES NEEDED       Spooner House’s food bank needs replenishing and donations of the following will be greatly appreciated:  tuna, soups, pasta, sauce, beans, rice, instant/evaporated milk, instant/canned potatoes, canned fruits, cereals, oatmeal, peanut butter, jelly and canned vegetables.  Bring donations directly to the Spooner House (119 Caroline Street, Derby) or leave in the “Spooner House” box in the back of our Church.   ADULT SACRAMENT PROGRAM INFORMATION     Are you an adult in the Catholic Church who needs to receive the sacraments of baptism, communion and/or confirmation?  Or do you know someone who has not received any of these sacraments?  If so, contact Deacon Jeffrey Kingsley (922-8220) to receive more information about the process of receiving these sacraments through the Catholic Church’s program known as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).   PASTORAL PLAN FOR EVANGELIZATION Year II         The Pastoral Plan for Evangelization is entering Year II of its five year plan.  There are flyers and prayer cards available at the exits of the church which give the details for the coming year. Prayer for the Pastoral Plan Heavenly Father, in Your love You made Your Risen Son the foundation of Your Church.  In Your goodness You have anchored us in the truth of Your Word, rooted us in the love you offer us in the Sacraments, and called us to share Your truth and love with everyone.  With Your grace, enable us to build up the Church on these solid foundations to the glory of Your name.  Loving Father, help us to follow closely in the footsteps of Your Son; and may the Mother of Your Son, Mary, Star of Evangelization, intercede for us.  We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen. WWW.Footstepsofchrist.org   SPOONER HOUSE/FOOD BANK SUPPLIES NEEDED     Spooner House’s food bank needs replenishing and donations of the following will be greatly appreciated:  tuna, soups, pasta, sauce, beans, rice, instant/evaporated milk, instant/canned potatoes, canned fruits, cereals, oatmeal, peanut butter, jelly and canned vegetables.  Bring donations directly to the Spooner House (119 Caroline Street, Derby) or leave in the “Spooner House” box in the back of our Church.   COUNSELING SERVICES AVAILABLE   Counseling is the most requested service on the United Way’s INFOLINE, yet many people cannot afford the cost of counseling or have difficult finding an agency to help.  If you or someone you know is struggling with serious issues, please contact Catholic Family Services (372-4301, ext 351), or email www.ccfc.ct.org.