LENT BEGINS THIS WEDNESDAY!

This Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of our observance of Lent. Ashes will be distributed at these times:

• At the 6:30 AM Communion Service
• At the 8:30 AM Mass
• At the 4:00 PM Scripture Service
• At the 7:00 PM Mass.

This Lent’s theme is

I’VE GOT A CROWN UP IN THE HEAVENS!

For Lent is a time to prepare for our own rising to share life with Jesus forever. The three foundation stones of Lent — prayer, fasting, and almsgiving — help us to turn away from selfishness and sin and open our hearts to the Lord’s love. The ashes we receive are a sign of our commitment to continuing Christian conversion, to die to self to rise more fully in the Lord.

One of the Lenten methods of identifying with the Lord is the Stations of the Cross. Jesus’ road to his crown of glory led through his suffering and death. By praying the Stations we prepare for our own crown of glory. And so this year’s Lenten handout is a fob for your key ring containing all the Stations of the Cross. You can pray these Stations anywhere or anytime to prepare for that crown up in the heavens!

May the Lord guide us more closely towards himself during this holy season of Lent.

ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL

At the time this was written, we did not have results from the Annual Catholic Appeal pledges. If you did not have a chance to make your pledge last weekend there is still time. Pledge envelopes are located in the rear of the Church. As you know, proceeds from the Appeal not only benefit our Archdiocese but our own Parish as well. As has been mentioned, Saint Joseph’s rebate from the 2009 Appeal was over $15,000.00. This money has been placed in our Building Fund to pay for a portion of the foundation work that must be done for our School. As ever, thank you so very much for your great generosity.

CAN YOU HELP?

We are still in need of several persons to help with counting the weekend collections. This would enable us to schedule a counting team once every four or five weeks. Counting is done at the rectory on Sunday mornings from after the 7:30 Mass till about 1:00 PM. Some banking experience would be helpful, but is not strictly necessary. Training can be done on the job, which is easy to learn. For more information or to volunteer, please contact the rectory.

Saint Joseph, pray for us, and let us pray for one another!