ISSUE 373 MARCH 2018

Newsletter ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH

SHANNON MORGAN ~ EDITOR

Dear Parishioners,

This month we’ll have our communal reconciliation service. I along

with a couple of my brother priests will be here to offer our Lord’s

pardon for your sins on March 15th. What a wonderful act of love

by our merciful God demonstrated through the Church which he

established. I hope many of you can take advantage of this if you

haven’t already participated in the sacrament during Lent.

I recall the merciful words of our Lord as he spoke to the woman

with the alabaster jar. In the Gospel of Luke Jesus looks at the

woman and says, “Because of this, I tell you: many sins are forgiven

her, because she has loved much. But he who is forgiven less, loves

less. Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven you.’ Later Jesus

tells the woman, ‘Your faith has brought you salvation. Go in peace.’

Forgiveness and love do go hand in hand. Forgiveness is more than feeling contrite about the

wrong we have committed in the past. Forgiveness is intimately associated with one’s act of

conversion. As Jesus pointed out those who forgive less, love less. We can’t change what people

have done or what we have done but we can change how we look at it.

Forgiving people can be difficult because of the pain one feels and the lack of trust one has

toward others repeated offense. Thank God we have a Church where our Lord resides. The

practice of the faith will one day perfect the faith. Our Lord forgave us from the cross with

complete forgetfulness and love. It is difficult for us to forgive and forget. Reconciliation

perfects the heart and moves it towards the love that the woman experienced with our Lord.

May your faith bring you salvation so you can walk in peace.

ALTAR SOCIETY MINUTES

St. Joseph Altar Society met in Gallagher Hall on Thursday,

February 1st at 5:30 p.m. We started with a blessing of the food

and then enjoyed the chili supper provided by the Knights of

Columbus gentlemen. The meeting was called to order by

President Stephanie Frase. She thanked the men who cooked for

us.

Secretary Pam Thornton read the November minutes. There was

no correspondence. Pam also gave the card report. A total of 5

sympathy, 2 get well and 2 encouragement cards were sent in

December & January.

Treasurer, Angelique Ford, gave her report

Old Business:

The Rose Vestments were purchased in Honor of Helen

Pascale

We discussed the upcoming Bingo fundraiser on April 7th.

New Business:

The condition/availability of Albs and/or surplices need

to be looked into. They may need repair or cleaning and

we may need some new ones. We may need new

vestments for incoming deacons.

We are losing Francisco. He is moving back to Mexico in

March. We discussed what payment we wanted to make

to him for his cleaning of the church before Christmas at

the Altar Society’s request.

The meeting was chaired by the Knights of Columbus. The 50/50

was won by Carol Hastings. There were about 22 present.

Respectfully submitted,

Pam Thornton, Secretary

St. Joseph Parish Council Meeting Minutes

February 21, 2018

President Tim Boutwell called the meeting to order. Father Joe

opened with a prayer. Angelique Ford and Gordon Reese

were absent. President Boutwell welcomed the two new

members, Lisa Boccarossa and Sandra Taylor. Minutes from the previous meeting were read and one

correction was noted by Father in the minutes concerning extra collections; should be read donation

instead of collection. They were approved as corrected.

Committee/Department Reports:

Religious Education/PRE: The classes have sent cards to the seminarians. Pack the Pantry is drawing

to a close. Foods collected will be given to Neighbor to Neighbor.

Building and Grounds:

No news concerning the north sidewalk damage.

The hot water tank under the church has been replaced.

Mildred Bowen of Restoration Plus contacted Jimmy Rinchuso regarding the structural

concerns of the church altar and gave a bid to repair the marble sections on the back of the altar

and re-grout all three altars of $6,000-$11,000, and accommodations for three workers with

expenses of $150 per day, per person for 3-5 days. The Building and Grounds committee will

discuss this at their meeting.

The land surveyor, Steve Brown, has been working on other projects and has not been able to

complete a survey on the land by St. Joseph Cemetery. Deacon Bud has contacted Chris Roper

of the Quapaw Tribe, who is the tribe’s construction foreman, and he has offered to lend us the

Quapaw’s land surveyor who lives in Arkansas. The information was emailed and passed on

to their surveyor.

Unfinished Business: Mary Ann Kizer reported that she and Trudy Pascale have met and began

listing changes to be made to the foyer including painting, rugs, etc.

New Business:

Father Joe stated that Jimmy Rinchuso would provide a job description, pay scale, etc. for

Francisco Beruman’s replacement and it would be printed in the bulletin to allow parishioners

to apply before it is offered to the public.

St. Joseph Day potluck will be held Sunday, March 18th. Judy Erstine will chair the dinner. This

will also be our farewell party for Francisco.

Father Joe stated that for the foreseeable future, there will no longer be a Midnight Mass at

Christmas. The attendance has been very low for the last several years.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned with a prayer. Next meeting is scheduled

for March 14th at 6:15 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Elizabeth Rinchuso for Angelique Ford, Secretary

MARCH

02 Marilyn Carter 18 Danny Costello 28 Mary Allyson Ernst

03 Deborah Pyland 20 Shawn Noriega 30 Trudy Pascale

04 Pat Anderson 21 Brady Dean 30 Adam Smith

05 Anthony Sanders 21 Corina Jones

05 Joe Strode 21 Kyle Koenig

09 Mary Ellen Miskell 21 Wayne LaFrance

09 Luis Sanchez 22 Stacey Browning

09 Ronald Stahara 22 Regina Bunting

10 Leslie Bryant 22 Kristopher Kline

10 Bridget Noriega 22 Therese Poposky

12 Mark Ives 24 Billie Gene Miller

13 Jackie Lain 24 Tristen Saffold

14 Eleanor Caan 25 Mary Shannon Fikes

14 Robin Campbell 25 Mary Miskell

14 Melissa Raymundo 26 Bailey Sutliff

15 Lynn Castleberry 26 Catherine Wynn

15 Jodi Raines Dennis 27 Deborah Cochran

17 Brenda Costello 27 Amber Dedman

05 Ronny & Angelique Ford

13 Lyle & Pam Blake

30 Emil & Lani Doloroso

31 James & Wendy Ruggeri

Catholic Daughters of the Americas

Court Our Lady of Victory #564

February 25, 2018

Meeting was called to order by Regent, Kathryn Brickey followed by the Hail Mary and pledge to our Flag.

Mary Ann Kizer sat in as Vice Regent for Brenda Costello. Minutes of previous meeting were read and

approved.

Mary Ann Kizer read a couple of letters from National, one from National Regent, Helene Shepard, regarding

the pocket calendars and another from Olga Samaniego regarding a monetary donation for outgoing National

Regent Helene Shepard. Connie Boutwell moved we send $25 as a gift. Motion carried. A memorial book is

also being made and pictures are welcome.

Circle of Love Reports

Youth: Easter Egg Hunt will be Saturday, March 24th at 10:00 a.m. Wendi will put an announcement in

bulletin asking for wrapped candies to be put in the eggs. The older PRE students will stuff the eggs. She will

also ask for volunteers to make cookies and cupcakes. Treat bags will be given to each child.

Education: No entries were received for the Education Contest this year.

Spiritual: There will be a Sacrament of Reconciliation service at St. Joseph Church with three priests on

Thursday, March 15th at 6:00. An examination of conscience pamphlet was handed out for preparation of this

sacrament. She also gave a handout about the Three Pillars of Lent.

New Business:

We will host the 5th Sunday Potluck on April 29th. We will serve at the Stations of the Cross on Friday

March 23rd.

Awards Banquet date change. Will see what dates are open.

St. Joseph Day potluck is Sunday March 18th. Judy Erstine will chair the festivities.

Announcements:

Remember National Convention is July 18-22 in Sioux Falls, SD.

Tutwiler Community Calendar is available for a donation.

There being no other business meeting closed with a prayer for Vocations.

Next meeting will be March 25th at 12:30 in Gallagher Hall.

All Catholic women 18 and older are invited to join.

Angelique Ford,

Recording Secretary

Welcome to our newest member of the Knights of Columbus, Raymond Pascale! As Lent continues we ask

our Father for his presence during these 40 days to increase the love in our hearts and ask for his healing,

comfort, and love during this time of Lent.

The Knights of Columbus would like to help place a "stork bus" (a mobile ultrasound unit) and an additional

ultrasound machine in our community. The Hope Pregnancy Resource Center in Pine Bluff is chosen to the

recipient. Jefferson County has the 2nd highest rate of abortion in the state. This is not something to be proud

of. Please help us fund this crucial need to provide for the health of the mothers and the lives of their unborn

children. All donations are tax deductible - please see any Knight of Columbus to donate to this very worthy

cause. A receipt for your donation can be provided through the Knights of Columbus.

March 3rd

- Saint Katherine Drexel

March 5th

- Knights of Columbus Assembly 26, 4th Degree meeting, at 6:30 pm followed by the Knights of

Columbus, Council 1153, business meeting

March 10th

- 4th Degree Exemplification at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hot Springs, AR

March 10th

- Second Saturday Holy hour for men in the Adoration Chapel from 8am to 9am

March 10th

- Saint Damien de Veuster

March 15th

- Saint Isidore

March 17th

- Saint Patrick (wear your green, we are all Irish on St. Paddy's Day)

March 19th

- Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

March 23rd

- Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo

March 23rd

- Your last chance to enjoy the Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry!

March 25th

- Palm Sunday, Holy Week begins

March 30th

- Good Friday

April 1st - Easter Sunday - He is Risen!!!!

Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry continues through March 23, 2018. Come enjoy great fellowship and

even better food. This is a wonderful time to spend with family and friends. Dine in or carry out.

Why should you become a Knight? Becoming a Knight of Columbus can transform your life. As a Knight,

you have the opportunity to support our parish, give back to our community, grow in your faith, and gain

exclusive access to our top-rated insurance program to protect your family. These are just some of the reasons

to become a Knight. We are a band of brothers, a network of men in communities around the world dedicated

to doing good in the service of God and our neighbor.

Excerpt from LENT, a poem by George Herbert:

It's true, we cannot reach Christ's forti'eth day;

Yet to go part of that religious way,

Is better than to rest:

We cannot reach our Saviour's purity;

Yet we are bid, 'Be holy ev'n as he,'

In both let's do our best.

Who goeth in the way which Christ hath gone,

Is much more sure to meet with him, than one

That travelleth by-ways;

Perhaps my God, though he be far before,

May turn and take me by the hand, and more;

May strengthen my decays.

Mass THIS

MONTH IN

March 04

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

Ex 20:1-17

1 Cor 1:22-25

John 2:13-25

March 11

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23

Eph 2:4-10

John 3:14-21

March 18

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Jer 31:31-34

Heb 5:7-9

John 12:20-33

March 25

PALM SUNDAY

Procession with Palms – Mark 11:1-10

Is 50 4-7

Phil 2:6-11

Mark 14:1-15:47

412 WEST 6TH AVENUE P. O. BOX 7434 PINE BLUFF, AR 71611-7434

St. Joseph Catholic Church