ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH MOTHER CHURCH OF THE BERKSHIRES ESTABLISHED 1849 Pittsfield, Massachusetts Liturgical Celebrations Saturday 4:00 PM Sunday 9:00 AM 11:30 AM Daily Mass 12:10 PM RCIA Tuesdays, 6:30 PM Holy Hour Monday-Friday, 11:00 AM Daily Rosary Monday-Friday, 11:30 AM Prayer Group 1 st & 3 rd Wednesday, 6:45 PM The Staff Msgr. Michael Shershanovich, Pastor Rev. Geoffrey Deeker, CSS, Priest in Residence Rev. Mr. Pasqual Baldasaro, Deacon John Arasimowicz, Coordinator of Youth Religious Education e-Mail: [email protected]Michele Madden, Secretary e-Mail: [email protected]Mrs. Patricia Momnie, Pastoral Minister St. Joseph’s Parish Office 414 North Street. Pittsfield, MA 01201 Tel: (413) 445-5789 Fax: (413) 443-5466 Hours: Mon.-Fri.: 9:00 AM-1:00 PM e-Mail: [email protected]Web site: www.stjoepittsfield.com St. Joseph’s Cemetery Mr. Paul Guillou, Superintendent Nancy Nolan, Secretary Tel: (413) 499-1317 Sacrament of Baptism: All new parents are expected to complete a course of instruction. Please consult the parish office for classes. Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturdays, 3:00-3:45PM Sacrament of Matrimony: Couples should contact the parish office at least one year prior to the wedding. New Parishioners should register at the parish office. We look forward to welcoming you to the parish family and hope you will become involved with your time, talent and treasure. Ministry to the Sick and Parishioners confined to home have visitations that are scheduled on a regular basis. Please notify the parish office to make arrangements. Religious Education Classes are held at St. Joseph’s High School following the 9:00 AM Mass for all public school students, grades K-11, and parochial students preparing for Sacraments.
Web site: www.stjoepittsfield.com St. Joseph’s Cemetery
Mr. Paul Guillou, Superintendent
Nancy Nolan, Secretary
Tel: (413) 499-1317
Sacrament of Baptism:
All new parents are expected to complete a course of instruction.
Please consult the parish office for classes.
Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Saturdays, 3:00-3:45PM
Sacrament of Matrimony:
Couples should contact the parish office at least one year prior to the wedding.
New Parishioners should register at the parish office. We look forward to welcoming you to the
parish family and hope you will become involved with your time, talent and treasure.
Ministry to the Sick and Parishioners confined to home have visitations that are scheduled on a
regular basis. Please notify the parish office to make arrangements.
Religious Education Classes are held at St. Joseph’s High School following the 9:00 AM Mass
for all public school students, grades K-11, and parochial students preparing for Sacraments.
LECTORS & EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Saturday 4 PM EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: Marie Kotowiccz, Mary Sukiennik, Joe Tournier, Kay Tournier,
February 7th Cheryl Furtek & Michael Collins
LECTORS: Jim Armstrong & Sr. Jean Bostley
Sunday, 9 AM EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: Pat Keegan, Betty Kirby, Jack Laviolette, Nancy Nolan,
February 8th Donna Quallen & Carolyn Rousseau
LECTORS: Nancy Prezenik & Al Najimy
Sunday, 11:30 AM EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: J. Weatherwax, Michael Wood, P. McDonough, Ron Pelletier, and
February 8th Mary Huska
LECTORS: Robert Bouquet & Anne Dunham
J esus created much excitement in His day through His preaching, teaching, and healing. Today, the Church communicates that same wonder and grace by those active in priesthood, religious life, and lay
ministries. If you think God is calling you to a Church vocation, call Fr. Gary Daily at 413-452-0816 or email: [email protected]. website: www.myvocation.com
F rom today’s 2nd Reading, Corinthians 9: “To the weak, I became weak, to win over the weak.” Walk a mile in the other’s shoes and you will become a better advocate for life.
St. Joseph Religious Education News
Regular classes held February 8 and February 22.
“SOUPER BOWL” Sunday— Thank you for your generous donations!
Confirmation Candidates – Today, February 8, is Commitment Sunday. Candidates will
be showing their commitment for confirmation, as well as doing our readings at Mass.
NO CLASS next Sunday, February 15th due to school vacation.
K I N D L Y S I L E N C E A L L P A G E R S & C E L L P H O N E S - T H A N K Y O U !
Lenten Vespers begin again each Sunday evening at 6 p.m. in the South Chapel
starting February 22. This is a lovely prayerful way to end the Lord’s Day during
these days of Lent. Following Vespers, a video presentation will take place in the
North Chapel with discussion period led by Fr. Geoffrey Deeker.
Refreshments will be served.
There is a fundraiser planned for the Sisters of St. Joseph Sunday, February 22, from 2 PM—
6 PM, at the Castle of the Knights, 1599 Memorial Drive, Chicopee. There will be corned beef
sandwiches, Irish soda bread, beer, wine, etc. The cost of the ticket is $25. for tickets please
call Bridget Howe 443-9066, or Marie Gormalley 442-8924. Car pooling will be available.
Fundraiser for the Sisters of St. Joseph
F E B R U A R Y 8 , 2 0 1 5
This past weekend was not just a win for the New
England Patriots, but also for the St. Joseph Food
Bank! Our 9th and 10th grade volunteers collected
$754.00! With donations from our parish, we can
all call this recent drive a "win!" Thank you to
our parish community members who continue to
support St. Joseph and our outreach programs!
Valentine’s Day at St. Joseph’s - Please remember our elderly and our loved ones
in nursing homes and at home by sending them a Valentine card. There will be
mailboxes at the door of the church after the Masses on the weekend of February
7th & 8th. These folks love to receive mail from their parish family.
Fish Fry - St. Joseph’s Knights of Columbus is sponsoring a FISH FRY on Friday,
February 27th. All proceeds to benefit St. Joseph Church. Enjoy great dining with
fellow parishioners, family and friends in our Parish Center. “Take Out” is avail-
able! Time: 5 PM - 6:30 PM. Tickets: Adults $12; Children 5yrs to 12yrs $6; un-
der 5yrs free. Contact the Rectory: 445-5789 or Jack Laviolette: 464-6009. Lim-
ited tickets at the door if available.
St. Anne’s Society of St. Joseph Church - Feast of St. Anne - Bus trip to Canada July 25th through July 27th.
7/26/15—1 night hotel accommodations at Mont Sainte-Anne Resort. St. Anne De Beaupre spend part of day and return at night for Mass and Candlelight procession. Dinner and Breakfast included. 7/27/15—return in the evening to St. Joseph’s Church parking lot. Possible sightseeing tour of
Montreal/Quebec (TBD) COST AT THIS TIME based on double occupancy $395.00 per person / Single Occu-pancy room $558.00 per person / Triple Occupancy room $345.00. We will be using TRAVEL KUZ bus compa-ny. Passports are an absolute must! If interested, contact Barbara Dalo 413-443-3217. There will be places to have lunch at the Shrine. Cost is based on 40 people; bus capacity is 56. If we fill the bus, cost will go down.
Next Sunday: Lv 13:1-2, 44-46/1 Cor 10:31--11:1/Mk 1:40-45
"Then the fever left her and she waited on them." What a day for this woman! She had been confined to bed, burning with a fever, too sick to move around. Then, her son-in-law showed up with his broth-
er, two friends, and a man with a growing reputation for working miracles. With no ceremony, this man came straight over to her, took her hand and helped her to her feet. There was no time to question Jesus' bold action because in an instant, the woman was healed. Whatever he had done had worked! We can imagine that the appearance of this group of guests at her house caused Simon's mother-in-law some distress; in her illness, she had been unable to offer them the hospitality so important in that culture. But as soon as the fever disappeared, she regained the freedom to properly welcome her visitors. No longer sick, she was able to serve. And that was exactly what she wanted to do. Without hesitation, she began to use her restored health to care for others. And soon enough, her hospitali-ty was extended to new levels because "the whole town was gathered at the door" to see Jesus in action. How do we use our health? Do we think of it as a gift from God to be put at the service of others? Or do we think of good health as simply our own right? Today's virtuous woman teaches us about a kind of physical gen-erosity. Recognizing that her health had been given to her as a gift, she in turn offered her strength, her ability to stand and walk and work, as a gift to others. What a beautiful way to understand the human body. Instead of focusing on how our bodies can serve us, may we follow the example of this woman who was so quick to attend to the needs of her family, her friends, and her neigh-bors.
