Weekly Info

Last Updated on  07/19/2008

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS       Knights of Columbus, Bernardo Council 1350, will meet Thursday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Upper Room.  For more info, please call Grand Knight Frank Gilligan (944-9638).   AN EVENING IN HONOR OF THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF HUMANAE VITAE       On Friday, July 25 at Saint Mary Parish, Norwalk the 40th Anniversary of Pope Paul VI’s encyclical, Humanae Vitae, will be observed with the celebration of High Mass at 6:30 p.m.  A reception will follow in the Church Hall, where Msgr. William Smith, Moral Theology professor at St. Joseph Seminary, Yonkers, New York, will speak on “Humanae Vitae: 40 Years Later.”  Babysitting available. For more info, please call 203/866-5546.   NURSE NEEDED       The Sisters of St. Joseph, West Hartford are seeking a Connecticut-licensed registered nurse for the position of full-time Primary Care Nurse/Home Health Aide Supervisor.  The supervisor will primarily serve the retired Sisters who reside at the Provincial House and offers a Monday to Friday schedule.  Please call Patricia Pannone at 860/231-8709 for more information.   CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST SALE       Our parish’s Christmas in August sale is Saturday, August 2, 12 noon – 7 p.m. and Sunday, August 3, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the garage.  Come see our ornaments, decorations, containers, and unique jewelry priced at 25¢ and up and get a jump start on your holiday shopping!   “GUARDIAN ANGELS” NEEDED       The “Guardian Angels” fund is a financial aid scholarship program launched in 2005 by parishioners and friends who wished to help deserving students attend St. Joseph School.  Last year, the program benefited 15 students who otherwise might not have been able to afford a Catholic education.  Administered directly by the parish, funds collected by the “Guardian Angels” program subsidize a significant part of the tuition cost for active parish families who demonstrate some financial need.  If you would like to sponsor a child in our school next year for any amount from $250 to $4,000, please contact Msgr. Chris directly.  Monthly payments can be made for as little as $25 a month.   RELIGIOUS EDUCATION REGISTRATION INFORMATION     If your child is entering First Grade this September, it is time to register him or her for Religious Education classes.  Children must attend classes in both First and Second Grades to be eligible to receive First Holy Communion at the end of Second Grade.  To register or for more info, please call the Religious Education Office (924-9677).   BRET NICHOLS’ “YOU GOTTA BELIEVE” BASKETBALL CAMP       Bret Nichols, author, motivational speaker and professional basketball player, is offering the “You Gotta Believe” Basketball Camp 2008 for boys and girls entering 3rd – 9th grades during June 23 – 27 and August 4 – 8.  Campers will be competitively split up into age, gender and ability groups to challenge their potential.  For more information, please call 203/758-1333 or visit www.yougottabelieve.info.   SUMMER BIBLE STUDY       The Women’s Devotional Group is hosting a six-week Summer Bible study entitled “Celebrating the Mass”. Please contact Angela Mantero (924-2472 or angela@mantero.us) if you are interested as Bible study starts on Tuesday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Upper Room and books need to be ordered.   VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL       The “Kingdom Safari” is coming to St. Joseph Parish during July 28 – August 1.  Vacation Bible School is for children from Pre-K to 5th grade and runs each day from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.  Registration is June 14/15 after all Masses in the Religious Education meeting room.  Cost is $25 for the first child and $10 for each additional child with a maximum of $40 per family.  For additional information, please call Pat Heller (924-9677) or Arlene Clancy (924-4669).   ALTAR SERVERS       Altar servers in training:  the best way to learn if you cannot attend practices is to observe very carefully those serving Mass.  And to those of you who feel confident enough, you can “suit up” in an altar server robe and assist/observe during Mass.  Contact Father Nick for more information, either in the Parish Office (924-8611) or by e-mail to padrepavia@sbcglobal.net. Needed – Altar servers to serve the 7:30 a.m. Sunday Mass!  Please sign up and, after serving Mass, plan to have breakfast with Father Nick.  (Nothing wrong with a nice spiritual bribe!)   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.