Parish Staff

Mr. Allan Anderson Business Manager

Mr. Allen Austin Director of Youth

Ministry

Mrs. Roe DeRitis Parish Secretary

Ms. Anna Kozlowska Elder Care Program

Manager

Mr. Dennis Luminella Maintenance Supervisor/

St. Joseph Cemetery

Supervisor

Mrs. Becky Matakas Parish Ministries

Coordinator

Mrs. Dodie Milano Receptionist

Mrs. Mary Beth Mostyn Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Carol Orphanos Bookkeeper

Rev. Stephen F. Leva……………………………………..….Pastor Rev. Anthony T. Rossi…………………………….Parochial Vicar Rev. John E. Donia………………………………………..Resident Rev. Francis J. Mulranen……………………………..…...Resident Deacon Jim Bogdan……………………………Permanent Deacon Deacon Edward R. Schiappa…………………...Permanent Deacon

Phone: 610-269-8294 Fax: 610-269-2487 www.stjosephrc.org

332 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335

May 5, 2019 | Third Sunday of Easter

School Phone: 610-269-8999

Fax: 610-269-2252

www.stjosephrc.org/school

Sister Catherine Irene, I.H.M. Principal

Sister Diane Licordare, I.H.M. Vice Principal

Mrs. Mary Jane McGeehan Administrative

Assistant

Parish Religious Education Program Phone: 610-873-8798

Fax: 610-873-5466

www.stjosephrc.org/prep

Mrs. Kathy Thomas Director of Religious

Education

Convent 484-593-4352

Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

BAPTISMS Parents of babies to be baptized are asked to please register for Pre-Jordan, a baptism preparation program at Saint Joseph Parish, recommended by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. You can find the class dates and register either online via our website or by filling out a form in the parish office or the Saint Katharine Drexel Room in church. For more information, please visit www.stjosephrc.org/sacraments/baptism, or contact the Parish Office at 610-269-8294. Congratulations to the following children who were baptized last weekend:

MARRIAGE

Couples planning to marry are asked to meet with their parish priest as soon as possible after their engagement and to enroll in a marriage-prep program (Pre-Cana) at least six months prior to the wedding. Registration forms can be found on our website at www.stjosephrc.org. For more information, contact the Parish Office at 610-269-8294.

Celebration of the

Blessed Eucharist

Saturday: 5pm Vigil

Sunday: 6:00 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m.,

10:30 a.m., 12 noon, 4:00 p.m. Mon-Fri: 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m.

Saturday: 8:00 a.m.

Holy Days of Obligation

As Announced

Reconciliation

Saturday: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Wednesdays: 6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 6:30

p.m.

Anointing of the Sick

Any sick or hospitalized parishioner who

is in need of the Sacrament of the Sick

should contact the Parish Office.

Perpetual Adoration of the

Blessed Sacrament

Holy Family Chapel in the Holy Family

Center.

Morning Prayer

Monday—Friday at 6:30 a.m. in Church.

Devotions

The Holy Rosary:

Recited before the 9:00 a.m. Mass daily.

Miraculous Medal Devotions:

Every Tuesday after the 9 a.m. Mass.

Novena to Saint Joseph:

Every Wednesday after the 9 a.m. Mass.

Divine Mercy Chaplet:

Every Thursday after the 9 a.m. Mass. Litany to the Sacred Heart:

First Friday of the month after the 9 a.m.

Mass.

First Saturday Devotions:

The First Saturday of each month at 8:30

a.m.

PLEASE PRAY FOR: Every three months we will remove names from the military and sick list. This is to help ensure that our lists are always up to date. Please call the parish office to add/remove/re-add names. Thank you for your patience.

...those who are serving our country:

Brandon W. A’Hara, SSGT Steve Anderson, Petty

Officer Katesiree Cannon Boson, Caytie Castells,

Ensign Morgan S. Dankanich, Capt. Joseph S.

DiBerardinis, Nicole Doyle, Sean Doyle, Capt.

Mark Edwards, Sargent Ian Fay, Daniel J. Heil,

Victoria Jones, Zachary Kish, Peter Kurtz, Lt.

Col. Paul Lang, Krzysztof Malarz, Major J.

Kevin McKittrick, Capt. Andrew C. Oddo, PFC

Nicholas Odgers, 2nd Lt. Joseph W. Rule, 1st Lt.

Eric F. Satterthwaite, Pvt. 1st Class Matthew

Scalia, Cmdr. Christopher Schwarz, Jr., Pvt. Nick

Scott, Corporal Jeremy Solnosky, Benjamin

Starcheski, LT Sean Sweeney and Aaron Thieroff

…those who are sick:

La Rayne Anderson, Sylvia Anderson, Frank

Baker, Be Bonner, Faber Botero, Cindy Bower,

Catherine Bowman, Ashlyn Brown, Marica Bukay,

Connie Bull, Ellen Cassidy, Mike Cesario, Dolly

Colella, Anita Suleski Conant, Baby Michael

Corrigan, Steve Dakuginow, Amelia D’Ginto, Bill

Dunn, Frank Elko, Jack Falkner, George Forczek,

Brooke Gabster, Dave Goldstein, Karen Goldstein,

Carrie Grosso, Shelly Guiseppe, Michele Halis,

Liam Hawk, George Hershey, Ryan Hieb, Sr.

Marion Hicks, Rhys Hopson, Danielle Horack,

David Horack, Judy Kaplan, Lucy Perkinson

Karvois, Michelle Larkin, Delores Leifholt, Crystal

Leff, Ellen Lis, Sylvia L. Mango, Wendy Martini,

McBeth Family, Justin McCarthy, Jim McGowan,

Pat Melcher, Anna Moschitta, David Mulder,

Gerald Murphy, Wilma Murphy, Katie Nejman,

Judy Nelson, Sr. Mary O’Connor, Marie

O’Donnell, Jeannie Panik, Sue Rizzo, Chris

Samuelson, Msgr. Francis Schmidt, Margaret

Schmidt, John Schreiber, Mike Smith, Dot

Swisher, Agatha Szafran, Agnes Timothy,

Elizabeth Van Voorhees, Bobby Voldish, Lily

Walker and Margaret Weaver. The Sanctuary Candle burns

in memory of:

Joseph Ryan Roch Please remember in your prayers all those who have died, including:

William F. Frey, Sr.

SATURDAY, MAY 4

5:00 PM Gretchen Metz

SUNDAY, MAY 5

6:00 AM For Our Parishioners

7:30 AM Edie Bartone

9:00 AM Deceased Members of

St. Joseph Prime Timers

10:30 AM Members of the

St. Joseph Memorial

Society

12:00 PM Ruth and Dunlap Wingo

4:00 PM Guiseppe and Philomena

Feola

MONDAY, MAY 6

7:00 AM Bonnie Calvey (5th

Anniv)

9:00 AM John Werning

TUESDAY, MAY 7

7:00 AM Patricia Scalia

9:00 AM Sadie Keane

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8

7:00 AM Alfred A. Tomarchio

9:00 AM Joseph Ryan Roch

THURSDAY, MAY 9

7:00 AM Anthony & Mary Irene

Masino

9:00 AM Maria Vincenzo &

Guido Napoleone

FRIDAY, MAY 10

7:00 AM Domenic & Rose Ulissi

9:00 AM Carol & Edward Halbert

SATURDAY, MAY 11

8:00 AM Barry Newsome

ANNOUNCED MASSES

NEXT WEEKEND

SATURDAY, MAY 11

5:00 PM Daniel DiFrancesco

SUNDAY, MAY 12

6:00 AM For Our Parishioners

7:30 AM Theresa DiBerardinis

9:00 AM Mary Viscusi & Bernice

Ciesielka

10:30 AM Bernice and Clyde

Pearson

12:00 PM Bonnie Calvey

4:00 PM Lucy Stefanelli

TODAY’S READINGS The readings for the

Third Sunday of Easter

can be found at #906 (C)

Anne C. Petrella, Dr. Michael Leddy,

Frances Banbrick, Joan L. Gray,

Francis Wedge and Mary Ellen Hartmann

MASON DANIEL BAILER

BROOKS MATTHEW HEINRICH

ARIA CHIMAMANDA ONUCHUKU

MAX ALEXANDER POWELL

ARABELLA MAE CHARLTON

ADAM JOSEPH KERSHNER

JAYDEN MALLALIE PHAM

May 5, 2019

Dear Parishioners,

Some years ago in one of the parishes where I was stationed a priest friend of mine came to

celebrate First Holy Communion with us and at the end of the celebration, he said to me, “You are

undeniably Italian, aren’t you?” My answer to that question was (and still is), “Yes, and proud of it.” I

love that celebration, I love the day and the excitement and the blessing for our children that is First Holy

Communion. I love seeing them dressed up and hands folded, and their bright, shiny faces. I love it all.

This weekend in our community, we had the great joy of celebrating First Holy Communion

with our precious children. I honestly wish we could bottle that moment and give it as a gift to these

children so that they will never forget the beauty and special blessing of knowing Jesus in the Most Holy

Sacrament. To our children, to their parents and guardians, to our teachers and catechists and all who

helped to prepare them for this day, I say thank you. Thank you for helping them to come to know Jesus

and to love Him. I pray that our children will feel that closeness and joy each and every time they receive

Holy Communion throughout their lives.

As we continue to celebrate the Easter season, in our readings today we hear of a moment when Jesus appears to His

disciples as they are working the only other thing they knew, fishing. Things hadn’t, it would seem, gone the way they had hoped

and so they go back to their “old life” - that is until Jesus shows up on the scene. Within the context of the exchange Jesus has with

the disciples, He elicits the three-fold profession of faith from Peter who, not too long ago, three times denied even knowing Jesus.

While that denial was clearly not Peter’s finest moment, in today’s Gospel Jesus helps Peter, and all of us to recognize that his faith

is not dependent on being perfect, but rather it hinges on giving Jesus our hearts day after day.

Sometimes in life we choose other than Jesus, even for a brief moment and we call those choices sin. Sin is not the last

word my friends, it never was and it never will be. Jesus suffered, died and rose from the dead so that sin and sadness, suffering and

death would lose its grip on us. We are a people formed in the image and likeness of God who have been redeemed by the only Son

of God. While we many not always feel worthy of so much love, it is always ours because of Jesus. Let us try to live our lives each

day as His people who know for certain that Jesus lives!

Peace,

Fr. Steve Leva

W E E K L Y L E T T E R

Collection for Notre Dame Next Weekend, May 11-12

th

Archbishop Chaput has asked that our parishes be invited to take up a voluntary collection to help the Archdiocese of Paris repair the Cathedral of Notre Dame.

While the building itself belongs to the French government, the day to day upkeep of the building is the responsibility of the local Catholic Church. This means that the replacement of fixtures, furniture, vestments, linens, sacred vessels, etc., will be the responsibility of the Archdiocese of Paris.

Archbishop Chaput intends to send the donations directly to the Archbishop of Paris.

Solomon Ambrose Paul Arpa Kyle Baran Ryan Baran

Addison Bowden Ronan Brazunas Elizabeth Breton

Ryan Bretz Brandon Bromfield Jackson Brunetta

Kayley Burgess John Burke

Nathaniel Bush Collin Byrne

Nicholas Caccavo Sasha Calvey

Katherine Campi Alexandra Carmella

Madelyn Casey Gianna Castiglione Isabelle Catanese

Bryan Ceron Ramos Alice Chadwick

Keegan Chidester Ryann Cicero Jason Clark

Patrick Cleary Sydney Conklin

Liam Criger Noah Cuna

Nicholas D'Alessandro

Yeuzeth Davalos-Marquez

Elise DeFrank Hannah Donnelly

Jacob Donnelly Serena Drake

Benjamin Dulemba Ava Dunham

Emilia Ehmann Derrick Ensor Ethan Fabris Olivia Farry

Brooke Ferguson Juliana Ferrara

Hannah Friedman Emma Fromm Avery Fulton

Arianna Gaasche Kaden Gatt Lola Gentile

Tristen Gharadaghian Juliana Gigliotti

Jason Goehl Elizabeth Goodby

Brayden Graef Robin Graham

Madeleine Gross Jacob Hasaka Emma Heake Macy Hinds Owen Hoerz

Abigail Hogan Dylan Horwath Brianna Howell

Taryn Huber Kienan Humphries

Lily Hungerford Gregory Isaacs Ryan Johnson

Nicholas Junod Ava King

Dylan Knaak Alaina Kobylarz Maxwell Kruse

Raegan Lamperez Madison Langdale

Jackson Lesko John Lesko

Emmelia Levis Cameron Lombardi-

Nunez Patrick Lutz

Jamil Madanat Renee Madanat Bridget Maher Mallory Martin Angel Martinez

Santos Daniled Martinez

Santos Ava Martini

Megan Maxwell Gianna Mazzone

Leah McCarry Joseph McCauley

Amanda McConney Harper McCormick

Lily McFadden Conner McGeehan

Margaret McGready Giada McKeever Kellan McKeon

Charles McLaughlin Jason Mock

Julia Moloney Leah Mooney Kate Moore

Keegan Moore Madelyn Murphy Gunner Murray Hayden Myers Lucia Myrter Kyle Nangle

Nathan Neba Jack Newhard Henry Nguyen

Addison O'Brien Chimaliya Okafor

Ava O'Neil Dennis O'Rourke

Louis Oswald Joseph Ota

Cole Ott Lolah Patel

Raphael Paul Dylan Pellegrini

Carter Perry Mason Pitz

Brooklyn Popek Robert Poterjoy Garrett Primanti

Sophia Psyrris Margaret Rafalowski

Giovanni Ramos-Brennan

Zachary Reddy Aiden Redlinger Thomas Roberts Aidan Rodgers Alyssa Rodia

Kai Rogenmuser Audrey Rosenzweig

Alexander Rowlinson Juan Rubio

Charles Rudolph Daniel Ryan Tesla Santos Aidan Scelzi

Sarah Schnering Madison Schriver Kacey Schumann Leighton Shattuck

William Shook Quentin Silva

David Stackhouse Christopher Staffieri

Olivia Stare Quinn Staszowski

Charlie Steffy Conner Stevenson

Harlow Stover Cooper Stutzman

Jacob Tanabe Joseph Tanabe Justin Tanabe Anna Tarpley Mason Todd

Kyle Tode Nicholas Tode

Sofia Tramontano Logan Verlinghieri

Teagan Voghel Anna Waddell Molly Warner James Watson

Jake Wetzel Michael White

Ashley Whitman Daniel Wieczorek Reagan Winkler Owen Witkowski Preston Yannelli

Hayden Yodis Christian Zahner Charles Zobian Edward Zobian

Congratulations to all those who received their

First Holy Communion on Saturday, May 4th (left).

Congratulations also to those who received the

Sacrament of Confirmation and Communion on May 4th at the 5:00 P.M. Mass with

Bishop Senior (below).

May God continue to bless you!

Adults: Ana Adorno

Lindsay Angstadt Shawn Killinger-

Carretta Mariesly Nathali Febles

Noell Lemmen Luke Mastrorilli Giulia Montivero

Todd McKay Kyle Rheiner

Stephanie Salvatore Aaron White

Marsha Wickes

Teens: Quinlan Gracz Chiodo

Grace Day Teresa Englehardt

David Gomez Gunther Holenstein

Tyler Muzi John Randzo

Sophia Setlock Samantha Simon

Ethan Wait

St. Joseph School News Registration for the 2019-2020 School Year

Registration is now open for the 2019-2020 school year. There

are still openings in most grades. Registration materials can be

found on our school website, https://stjosephrc.org/school/

admissions/registration/.

We invite parishioners, relatives, and friends to come for a

SHADOW DAY at St. Joseph School to experience a typical

school day. The student will spend a day in his/her current grade

and meet the students and teachers. To schedule a shadow day or

tour, please call our school office at 610-269-8999.

We are pleased to announce that St. Joseph School will offer the

Bishop’s Tuition Transfer Grant Program. This grant is available

to any public, private or charter school student who transfers to

St. Joseph’s for grades 2 to 7. Each student will receive a two-

year grant totaling $1,500 ($1,000 in the first year – 2019-2020

and $500 in the second year – 2020-2021). If you receive a

transfer grant, you may also still qualify for additional, need-

based financial aid. For more information, please call Sister

Catherine Irene, IHM, our principal, at 610-269-8999.

Vacation Bible Adventure

June 24-27, 9:00 am-12:15 pm

Entering Kindergarten through

Grade 6 in September 2019

More information and registration

forms at:

https://stjosephrc.org/prep/

vacation-bible-adventure/

P A R I S H N E W S

St. Joseph Parish Directory Photography for a new Parish Directory will be

held this July 8-27th. More information to come!

Parish May Procession Tuesday, May 7th @ 7 P.M.

On Tuesday, May 7, please join us for our Annual May

Crowning at 7 p.m. in the church. Students who received

their First Holy Communion or Confirmation this year are

invited to wear their dresses, suits, and gowns.

Honoring the Mother of God Our Lady of Guadalupe

The Apparition of Mary at Guadalupe The Spanish conquest of Mexico

by Cortez began in 1521. The

Indians were easily defeated.

They were brutally mistreated.

Their homes and temples were

plundered and destroyed. Many

Mexican Indians were slain. The

local Bishop prayed to Mary that

she would intercede to God to

help his people. Within ten years

of the conquest, Mary would

come to the help of these

oppressed people.

On December 9, 1531, Juan

Diego, a 57 year old Aztec, was

on his way to Church when he

saw a beautiful Indian girl,

dressed in a colorful cape,

surrounded by golden beams of

light. The girl appeared to be

about sixteen years of age. This

took place on Tepeyac, a hill in

Mexico City. The girl was our

Blessed Mother Mary. Mary told Juan Diego that she wanted “a

church built.” When Juan Diego went to the Bishop to tell him,

the Bishop did not believe him and told Juan to ask Mary for a

sign.

Three days later, on December 12, 1531, Mary appeared again to

Juan Diego. Juan Diego asked the Blessed Mother for a sign that

he might tell the Bishop. Mary asked Juan to pick some roses at

the place of the apparition. This seemed impossible given the

season – the month of December – and the place – a rocky hill.

But Juan Diego found roses and filled his cloak (tilma). When he

unrolled his cloak to show the Bishop, the image of Mary was

imprinted on the cloak (tilma).

The Statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe The Statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe which will grace our

narthex throughout the month of May has been borrowed from

Saint Richard Parish in South Philadelphia. May Our Lady of

Guadalupe who has been a source of grace and inspiration for the

people there be the same for us.

Youth Group News Our parish will again be attending a Youth Conference this

summer. Instead of attending at Franciscan Univ. of Steubenville

in Ohio, we will be attending a Life Teen Conference at Saint

John University in Queens, NY. The dates this summer will be

July 19 -21, 2019. We will depart Friday morning after the

celebration of Mass, and return Sunday evening. The cost is

forthcoming. Any teenager who currently is of high school age, a

freshman through senior year may attend. Graduating 8th graders

may be eligible if room is available. Please speak to Allen Austin

or Father Rossi if you are interested. If you have questions email

Father at frrossi@stjosephrc.org

Shopping on Amazon? Use the St. Joseph AmazonSmiles charity link and a portion of

your total purchase will be donated to St. Joseph Parish.

https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-1365111

Aid for Friends

Help fill the fridge! Meals are needed for elderly, isolated local neighbors. Packets of pans are available in the church office or in the St. Katharine Drexel room in church. Please pick up a packet, make some meals, freeze and place in the Aid For Friends freezer in the Holy Family Center as soon as possible. A visitor will deliver them. For more information contact Debby at dokeefe19@hotmail.com.

P A R I S H G R O U P S

Flame of Love Prayer Group

All are invited to learn more about the Flame of Love and to join

us in prayer every Thursday from 1:00-2:00 p.m. in St. Joseph's

Chapel. Meetings consist of a br ief teaching followed by

prayer and recitation of the rosary. To learn more about the

Flame of Love, visit www.flameoflove.us. For more information

or questions regarding The Flame of Love Prayer Cenacle

meetings, contact Cathy Moser at mosercathy375@gmail.com.

Saint Gerard Circle of Love

If you have suffered the loss of a child, before or after birth,

please join us in the Saint Gerard Circle of Love for prayer, and

support from those who understand your experiences, and hope

for the future. Meetings are held in the Parish Meeting Center on

the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM. If you would like to

reach out to a member of the Saint Gerard Circle, please contact

us at saintgerardcircleoflove@gmail.com.

The King’s Men (18 & over) offers a time with other men to

engage, discuss and challenge you into living a full Christian life.

Every meeting starts with a rosary, a 15- minute spiritual

exercise, 30 minutes for discussion and 15- minutes of challenges

among your peers. King’s Men meetings take place each

Thursday evening in the Parish Meeting Center at 7:30 PM.

Good Works, Partner Church

Join us as we partner with Good Works, on the third Saturday of

the month (volunteer one month or every month) to make repairs

on a home of someone in need. Bring along your teenage

children, no experience is required. Email

gwpartnerchuch@gmail.com to sign up.

Legion of Mary Is Our Blessed Mother calling you?

Everyone is welcome. The Legion of

Mary meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the

Church’s Saint John Neumann Room. For

more information, please call Jim

McGowan at 610-812-4160.

P A R I S H G R O U P S Helping Other

People Everyday

HOPE is a transportation ministry which

provides rides to doctor’s appointments,

the grocery store, the pharmacy, and

other necessary errands.

Rides require a minimum of 48 hours notice and can be

requested a week in advance.

To request rides the week of May 6

Please contact Janine Lill at 610-269-3055

Or Janet Schramm at 484-631-8875

To request rides the week of May 13

Please contact Meredith DiPietro at 267-481-3873

Or Diane Sweeney at 610-269-3438

For more info or to volunteer, please contact Debbie Hastings at 610-304-0631.

You Are Worthy … to Sit in the Presence of Jesus

St. Joseph’s Perpetual Adoration Chapel is open for you 24/7. Yes,

you! Still your mind and your heart for a time in our beautiful chapel

located in the Parish Offices.

“Be still and know that I am God.” ~ Psalm 46

Jesus asks you to sit with Him. He loves when you spend time with

Him. Adoration is your private time to talk to the Lord. To rest in the

Lord. A time to hear God’s message for you. Prayer, reading,

meditation, listening to music (with headphones), and connecting to

the Holy Spirit; all of these can be done in the time you spend with

Jesus in Adoration. Sign up for a regular weekly hour of devotion to

be sure our Lord is never alone. Or stop in any time for a quiet respite

from your busy day. You are always welcome. You are always

worthy. Contact Peg Cassidy at ptcassidy1980@gmail.com for

more information.

May Mercy Hospice Schedule Group 1 - Chicken Supreme

Group 2 - Deep Dish Turkey Pot Pie Please call Gail for more info at 610-269-9574.

Besides meals, the Women of HOPE are in need of the following to meet the needs of the homeless and poor:

The following items would be very appreciated in both full-size and travel-size packaging:

* Toothbrush * Toothpaste * Deodorant * Body Wash * Shampoo * Lotions * Cream Rinse (Conditioner)

The following items are also much-needed: * Feminine hygiene products * Underwear (sizes small — 5X) * Sheets and blankets for twin beds (light colors)

We will be collecting items to be taken down each month with the casseroles. Please leave items in the Fish and Loaves closet in the bin marked “Mercy Hospice”. The closet is located on the right as your enter the church from the parking lot.

Walking with Purpose is a Catholic women’s bible study program

that aims to bring women of all ages to a deeper relationship with

Christ through scripture. We have over 140 participants and

growing! Share in dynamic discussions of spiritual truths and

connect with other women to build meaningful friendships as we

learn, pray, and serve together. To register, go to https://

campscui.active.com/orgs/StJoeWWP?season=2480608.

Childcare is available during the Tuesday & Wednesday Sessions.

For more information, go to www.walkingwithpurpose.com or

email frannieota@gmail.com.

Charismatic Prayer Group Charismatic prayer group meets on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.

Please join us in the chapel as we deepen our prayer life, deepen

our relationship with the Lord, and worship as a community. For

more information, call Joe McCahon at 610-716-3084.

Volunteer with Project Linus

Project Linus mission is to provide

love, a sense of security, warmth

and comfort to children who are

seriously ill, traumatized, or

otherwise in need through the gifts

of new, handmade blankets and

afghans, lovingly created by

volunteer “blanketeers.”

Joann Fabrics in Downingtown is now accepting Project

Linus blankets. Please do not bring the blankets to the

parish office or church.

Senior Life - The Next Chapter May 7th @ 1:00 in the St. John Neumann Room in church

This month's topic: Senior Living Communities

Bring your questions or concerns such as:

What are the different kinds of senior living facilities?

What is the difference between independent, assisted and

skilled living facilities?

What options do I have if I want to move into a facility?

How do I decide what is the best option for me?

What is the cost of these facilities?

The meeting will last approximately one hour. Refreshments are

served. Be sure to put June 9th on your calendar for our last

meeting before the summer break. A representative from the

Veterans Administration will be on hand to discuss Veterans

benefits and guide you on the process of applying for these

benefits. If you have any questions please contact Kate Somers at

610-639-3547 or Ceil Harkness at 610-420-6943.

Easter Collection: Additional April 28: $7,812

Easter Sunday Total (to date): $99,022

Regular Collections: Sunday, Apr. 28: $23,557

Fiscal Year July 1 2018-19 2017-18

Year to Date $1,731,956 $1,906,809

Poor Box Collection April 28 Total: $526

April Total: $2,027

The Poor Box for April will benefit

Birthright of Coatesville.

S T E W A R D S H I P

Save the Date!

June 18 - June 22 6:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M.

$25 Ride-All-Night Wrist Bands

www.StJoesFestival.com

Come enjoy! Amusements, Rides, Games, Cheer Wheel, Big Sixx

Wheel, Beer Garden, Tiki Bar, Bingo, Parish Food Booth,

Funnel Cake, Live Music each night, Delicious homemade

baked goods, a 50/50 raffle, and Fireworks!

Come volunteer! There are many volunteer opportunities remaining!

Look for the Sign-up Genius link on our website.

50/50 Raffle Tickets! Purchase your Raffle tickets in the parish office.

Donate! We are looking for unopened adult beverage donations for

the Cheer Wheel booth. Drop off your bottles at the parish

office. Also, donations for our Raffle Baskets: crafts,

services, gift certificates. Email: jcangiulo@verizon.net.

Safe Environment When: May 11, 2019

Where: Parish Meeting Center

Registration: www.virtus.org

The Loaves & Fishes Project

With the Loaves and Fishes

Project, giving is as easy as 1-2-3: 1. Grab a can of soup, a box of

pasta, or any non-perishable item from your cupboard as you dash out the door to Mass.

2. Drop off your donation in the “Loaves and Fishes” closet on your right as you come into church.

3. Enter the church with the warm feeling of a nourished soul!

The Loaves and Fishes team delivers the items to the Lord’s Pantry in Downingtown. As a church family, we can make a much

appreciated contribution and a significant impact to a charity that

helps over 700 families every week. Please contact Nancy

Farrington at nmfarrington@gmail.com or 610-620-3619 for more

info.

Thank You! In March, the Poor Box collections were donated to

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul

The St. Vincent de Paul conference of St. Joseph's Church

is very thankful for the generous donation from our March

Poor Box in the amount of $3,337.52. This will go a long

way in helping our neighbors in need. In 2018, we were

able to assist about 140 adults and children in our own

parish and neighboring parishes with partial rental

payments, utility bills and food. God has truly blessed us

with generous fellow parishioners.

St. Joseph Parish Library

Located in the Parish Office. Open during office hours.

Listed below are titles of

books that have been recently

added to our Library. You

will find them in the “New

Books” display.

The Case for Jesus: The Biblical and Historical Evidence for

Christ by Brant Pitre (#232 Pit)

The Eight Doors of the Kingdom: Meditations on the

Beatitudes by Jacques Philippe (#226.9)

Symbol or Substance?: A Dialogue on the Eucharist by Peter

Kreeft (#234.163)

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots: A Guided Meditation from the

Holy Land by Marge Fenelon (#233.7)

Spiritual Childhood: The Spirituality of St. Therese of Lisieux

by Vernon Johnson (#921 The)

L O C A L N E W S

Now Hiring! Rectory Cook, Part-Time

St. Joseph Parish is looking for a part time cook to prepare

dinners for the priests at the rectory. We are looking for someone

who likes to cook, has culinary experience, or is a cooking

professional interested in some additional hours. This position

has a flexible schedule, approximately 15 hours per week. For

more information, email Allan Anderson, Business Manager, at

aanderson@stjosephrc.org.

Saints Simon & Jude Music Ministry presents

A Sacred Concert Sunday, May 5, 2019

3:00 PM

featuring: Saints Simon & Jude Adult Choir

Mrs. Margaret Campbell, Director

Villanova University Pastoral Musicians

Mr. Sean McElwee, Director

Saint Joseph’s Schola Cantorum

Mrs. Jane Hall, Director

Bishop Shanahan Brass Ensemble

Saints Simon & Jude Church 8 Cavanaugh Court

West Chester, PA 19382 A free will offering will be accepted.

St. Joseph Memorial Society Masses

These Masses are offered

on the first Sunday of each

month at the 10:30 a.m.

Mass. The Memorial

Mass cards are large

padded folders with a

choice of three colors &

pictures. Names of those

to be remembered at these

Masses are printed in the bulletin the week prior to that

month’s Mass. These Mass cards are $10.

End of Life Issues Presentation Tuesday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m.

Ss. Peter and Paul Church,

1325 East Boot Rd., West Chester, PA Deacon Alfred Mauriello II, M.D., will give a special presentation

on End of Life Issues including assisted suicide, living wills, pain

management, hospice care and more. Dr. Mauriello has served on

hospital-based medical ethics committees and has completed

training in Catholic Health Care Ethics under the sponsorship of

the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Representatives from Surrey

Services, Compassionate Care Hospice, elder law services and

caregiver/ bereavement support programs will also be present. If

you are a senior or are caring for an elderly parent, you won’t

want to miss this opportunity! For more information, contact

Judy Magee, 484-473-8205.

Bereavement Group Summer Series Ss. Philip & James, Exton

7:00—8:30 P.M.

Dates:

Monday June 17th –Rectory Meeting Room

Monday July 15th – Rectory Meeting Room

Tuesday August 20th – Rectory Meeting Room

If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, no matter how

much time has passed, please know that you are not alone.

Our Bereavement Group Summer Series is open for all

those who are grieving. To register please call or email

Theresa Ferrari at dtpcmt@aol.com or 484-459-1564

Thank you from St. Agnes Thank you to all who assisted with the Saint Agnes Easter Food

Distribution Program! It is only through the kindness of good

people like you, that we were able to provide Easter hams,

chickens, produce and other good food to over 300 families in

need in our community. Extra food was shared with needy

families at Saint Rocco's Parish in Avondale. Thank you for

allowing us to be the stewards of your gifts to the poor. May

God continue to bless you with His love and His grace and may

beauty blossom forth for you this Easter-tide!

UNBOUND: Freedom in Christ Conference

May 10 & 11 at St. Mary Magdalen School 2430 N. Providence Road, Media, PA 19063

UNBOUND Ministry is an approach to deliverance and healing

prayer developed by Neal Lozano. The focus of the UNBOUND

model is on an individual as you deeply listen to their story and

heart. UNBOUND is a safe, loving, effective prayer model that

helps people to respond to the good news of the gospel.

UNBOUND applies the truth to our lives by using five basic

responses called the Five Keys. The Five Keys are:

Repentance and Faith

Forgiveness

Renunciation

Authority

The Father’s Blessing

For more information and to register, please call 610-952-3019

(ext. 1), or email info@heartofthefather.com.