Rev. Stephen F. Leva……………………………………..….Pastor Rev. Alexander W. Pancoast ……………………...Parochial Vicar Rev. John E. Donia………………………………………..Resident Rev. Francis J. Mulranen……………………………..…...Resident Jim Bogdan……………………………Permanent Deacon Deacon Matt Coyne……………………………Permanent Deacon Deacon Ed Schiappa…………………………...Permanent Deacon

Phone: 610-269-8294 Fax: 610-269-2487 www.stjosephrc.org 332 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335 May 2, 2021 | Fifth Sunday of Easter

Parish Staff School

Mr. Allan Anderson Business Manager Phone: 610-269-8999 Fax: 610-269-2252 Mrs. Joyce Castaldi Secretary www.stjosephrc.org/school Ms. Kelly Ennis Elder Care Manager Sister Lisa Ann Golden, I.H.M. Principal Mrs. Dodie Milano Receptionist Sister Diane Licordare, I.H.M. Vice Principal Mrs. Mary Beth Mostyn Administrative Assistant Mrs. Mary Jane McGeehan Administrative Assistant Mrs. Carol Orphanos Bookkeeper Parish Religious Education Program Mr. Darrin Preston Facilities Manager Phone: 610-873-8798 Mr. Matthew Riggio Parish Ministries Fax: 610-873-5466 Coordinator www.stjosephrc.org/prep Mrs. Kathy Thomas Director of Religious Parish Office Hours Education Mon-Tues: 8 A.M.-7 P.M.* Weds-Fri: 8 A.M.-4 P.M.* Convent *The parish office is currently closed to visitors. 484-593-4352 Please call 610-269-8294 during office hours for assistance. Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parents of babies to be baptized are asked to please register for Pre-Jordan, a preparation program at Joseph Parish, recommended by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. You can find the class dates and register either online via our website. For more information, please visit www.stjosephrc.org/sacraments/baptism, or contact the Parish Office at 610-269-8294.

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 to the wedding. Registration forms can be found on our website at www.stjosephrc.org/sacraments/marriage. For more information, contact the Parish Office at 610-269-8294. PLEASE PRAY FOR: Celebration of the M a s s Every three months we will remove names from the Blessed military and sick list. This is to help ensure that Saturday: 5pm Vigil Intentions our lists are always up to date. Please call the Sunday: 6:00 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 9:00 parish office to add/remove/re-add names. Thank a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12 noon, 4:00 p.m. you for your patience. Saturday, May 1 Mon-Fri: 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m. ...those who are serving our country: 5pm: Todd McNeil Saturday: 8:00 a.m. Brandon W. A’Hara, SSGT Steve Anderson, Petty Sunday, May 2 Officer Katesiree Cannon Boson, Caytie Castells, Holy Days of Obligation 6am: For Our Parishioners PV2 Francesca Chindemi, Ensign Morgan S. 7:30am: Members of the DiSante As announced Dankanich, Capt. Joseph S. DiBerardinis, Nicole Family Doyle, Pvt. Corinne Riley Estrella, Sargent Ian Fay, 9am: Deceased Members of the Reconciliation James Heisler, Nathan J. Horton, USN Victoria Saturday: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Prime Timers Jones, Zachary Kish, Peter Kurtz, Lt. Col. Paul 10:30am: Members of the St. Joseph Lang,1st Lt. Sean Maddux, Krzysztof Malarz, Capt. Wednesdays: 6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 6:30 Memorial Society Andrew C. Oddo, PFC Nicholas Odgers, Pvt. p.m. Vincent Romano, 1st Lt. Joseph W. Rule, 1st Lt. Eric Annette Hall, Mary Mattioni Anointing of the Sick and Viscichini Crawford F. Satterthwaite, Pvt. 1st Class Matthew Scalia, Cmdr. Christopher Schwarz, Jr., Corporal Jeremy Any sick or hospitalized parishioner Solnosky, LT Sean Sweeney and Aaron Thieroff and who is in need of the Sacrament of the 12pm: Anthony & Yolanda Sick should contact the Parish Office. DiBerardinis Sgt. Stephen Yori 4pm: Cole Steidler …those who are sick: Sylvia Anderson, Gloria and Delane Anderson, Perpetual Adoration of the Monday, May 3 Roseann Barnes, Gerard Boland, Be Bonner, Ashlyn Blessed Sacrament 7am: Daniel J. Logue Chapel in the Holy 9am: Teresa Francella Brown, Baby Botero, Donna Buckalew, Marica Bukay, Kim Buttner, Connie Bull, Amy Burke, Family Center. Tuesday, May 4 th Everett Burkhart, Joseph Cahill, Ellen Cassidy, Joseph 7am: Andrew A. Cozzone, 9 Anniv. Carter, Mike Cesario, Jim Conway, Frances Crawford, Morning Prayer 9am: Gretchen Metz, also in Honor of Bill Anita Conant, Catherine Cutting, Baby Michael Monday—Friday at 6:30 a.m. in & Ann Metz Wedding Anniversary Corrigan, Matthew Dawson, Amelia D’Ginto, Lucy Church. Wednesday, May 5 DeSacntis, Frank Elko, Cesar Estrella, Jack Falkner, 7am: Sabatino “Satch” Talucci Brooke Gabster, Marilyn Gallagher, Joan Garber, Devotions 9am: Francis & Dorothy Lyons William Gilland, David Grassey, Carrie Grosso, The Holy : Recited before the 9:00 a.m. Mass Thursday, May 6 Michele Halis, Scott Hastings, John Hatcher, George 7am: Dino Taraschi Hershey, Ryan Hieb, Matthew Holzgrafe, Rhys daily. 9am: Peter & Mary Short Hopson, Danielle Horack, David Horack, Ryan Miraculous Medal Devotions: Jennings, Kathy Johnson, Lucy Perkinson Karvois, Every Tuesday after the 9 a.m. Mass. Friday, May 7 Terry Kapilla, Anita Kelly, Michelle Larkin, Delores Novena to : 7am: Alberta Nilan Leifholt, Crystal Leff, Ellen Lis, Chris Litwinko, Sue Every Wednesday after the 9 a.m. 9am: Sadie Keane Loch, Veronique Lopinski, Jeffrey Lloyd, Anne Mace, Mass. Saturday, May 8 Michael Manley, Michael Martin, Kellie Martin, Divine Mercy Chaplet: 8am: Alfred A. Tomarchio Wendy Martini, Justin Matthews, Mary McDonald, Every Thursday after the 9 a.m. Mass. 5pm: Joseph Ryan Roch Jim McGrath, Jim McGowan, Rose McKenna, Pat Litany to the Sacred Heart: Sunday, May 9 Melcher, Lori Mergen, Rob Mersereau, David Mulder, First Friday of the month after the 9 6am: For Our Parishioners John Mullen, Deborah Nejman, Katie Nejman, a.m. Mass. 7:30am: Tom Woodward Meredith Olseski, Kathleen Ott, Julian Quiroz, First Saturday Devotions: 9am: Hannelore Hernandez Jeanette Randall, Mary Raysor, Joanne Regester, Sue The First Saturday of each month at 10:30am: Mary Viscusi & Bernice Ciesielka Rizzo, Dave Robey, Chris Samuelson, Joan Scalia, 8:30 a.m. 12pm: Bonnie Calvey Msgr. Francis Schmidt, Margaret Schmidt, John 4pm: Teresa Francella Schreiber, Erin Selcher, Mary Setzer, Tyson Sirlopte, Justin Smith, Mike Smith, Carmen Spadaro, Agnes The Sanctuary Candle burns Timothy, Neil Thomas, Jwn Tomalavaje, Lucia Vacchiano, Bobby Voldish, Lily Walker, Kyle Webb, in loving memory of: Frani (Viscichini) Crawford Daria Talucci-Weeks, Pat Wood and Thomas Zech

The Chapel Sanctuary Candle burns in loving memory of: Please remember in your prayers all those who have died, especially Andrew A. Cozzone Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may Perpetual Light shine upon them!

View this bulletin online at www.DiscoverMass.com WEEKLY LETTER

May 2, 2021 Dear Friends,

Welcome to the month of May when we traditionally celebrate Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our Mother. May brings with it so much hope and many beautiful signs of God’s enduring love for all of us. We hear in the for this weekend how Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.” That image of Jesus as the vine and the Father as the vine grower has special significance, I believe, as we watch the world around us bloom and come to life again after a long, cold winter. These signs of hope and of God’s goodness and love for us are also found in the image and person of our Blessed Mother.

Celebrating Mary during the entire month of May gives us yet another chance to reflect deeply on our relationship with Mary and her place in our lives as our Mother and our intercessor with Jesus. Mary provides so many examples of complete faithfulness and a desire to always do God’s will in our lives. As we live this “month of Mary” may we turn to the Blessed Mother and find in her steadfast presence a sure sign of hope and love in our own lives. Please join us on Tuesday, May 4th at 7:00 pm for our parish May Procession as we honor the Blessed Mary.

Congratulations to our young parishioners who celebrated their First Holy Communion last Saturday. We are very proud of you and very excited for you and pray that you will always know the love and joy of Jesus in your lives. God bless you all and thank you to your parents and guardians, your teachers and catechists and all who teach you by word and example about Jesus each and every day.

Recently we have been fortunate to have, as always, talented and giving parishioners who have helped us address an on-going problem with our facilities. If you ever worked the yearly Festival or if you have been over at the front of our school after it rains, you know that we had a flooding problem and a drainage problem. Through the goodness of selfless members of our community and our own facilities team as well as our Facilities Committee, we have gone a long way in fixing those problems and I am very grateful for all of their hard work. Once again, I am reminded how generous this parish family is with time and talent as well as treasure. God bless you all. Now we just have to pray that next year we can have our parish festival again. Here’s hoping!

Peace, Fr. Steve Leva

Change For Life Storm Heaven with the Baby Bottle Campaign Rosary in May The are sponsoring our The Holy Father, through the Pontifical annual parish “Change for Life” program. On Council for Promoting the New Mother’s Day weekend May 8/9 after each Mass Evangelization, has asked the universal the Knights will be handing out empty baby Church to take up the Rosary during the bottles. Take one home, fill it with spare change month of May and to pray it daily for an and bring it back on the Father's Day weekend end to the coronavirus pandemic. The Masses of June 19/20. Money collected will go Archdiocese of Philadelphia continues to towards parish buses going to the 2022 "March pray the Rosary on Zoom Monday for Life" in Washington DC next January. Any through Thursday at 8 PM for an end to extra will go directly to local pro-life causes. the pandemic. During the month of May, join us anew as we If you have any questions, email Rick Carcella at storm Heaven with Mother Mary, St. Joseph and all the [email protected]. ! For details about how to log-in to the Rosary, visit phillyevang.org/rosary.

View this bulletin online at www.DiscoverMass.com P A R I S H N E W S

Reflections on T oday’ s Re adings Celebrating the Year of Saint Joseph

To mark the 150th anniversary of naming St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church, Francis has declared Dec. 8, 2020-Dec.8, 2021 to be “The Year of Saint Joseph.”

St. Joseph parish will celebrate with the entire Church as we dive deeper to explore the life of our home patron. Follow along each week in the bulletin, Facebook, and our parish website at st.josephrc.org/resources/year-of-st-joseph

First Reading (Acts 9:26-31): In what ways do I speak “boldly in the name of the Lord?”

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 22:26-28, 30-32): Do I praise the Lord only at Mass? Am I able to proclaim Him to my family?

Second Reading (1 Jn 3:18-24): How often during the day do I think, “I will do what pleases God?”

Gospel (Jn 15:1-8): “Remain in me, as I remain in you.” What do these words of St. Joseph was a just man, a tireless Jesus mean to me? Is it more than just a feeling? worker, the upright guardian of those entrusted to his care. May he always guard, protect and enlighten families. St. Pope John Paul II

A Prayer to Saint JOSEph Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Blessed Joseph, to us too, Spouse of the show yourself a father Blessed Virgin Mary. and guide us in the path of life. To you God entrusted Obtain for us grace, his only Son; mercy, and courage, in you Mary placed her trust; and defend us from every evil. with you Christ became man. Amen.

View this bulletin online at www.DiscoverMass.com Congratulations Congratulations to all the parish children of St. Joseph who received the Blessed Sacrament of First Holy Communion this weekend. Your parish family is proud of you!

May you continue to grow in Christ and always know His love.

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St. Joseph Parish Annual May Procession Tuesday, May 4th | 7 PM

PREP News Coming Soon: Registration information for children entering grades K-7 in the 2021-2022 school year! In person classes are being planned. Adult volunteers are needed and wanted. Teen volunteers are welcome. Contact us at [email protected] GreenDrop event will take place in the or 610-873-8798. St. Joseph Parish parking lot on 9am to 2pm Your Help Is Needed! Volunteer as an Usher Today

We are in need to friendly faces and helping hands to assist with welcoming your neighbors to Mass each week! Contact [email protected] to learn more. View this bulletin online at www.DiscoverMass.com PARISHNEWS STEWARDSHIP REPORT Helping Other People Everyday Easter Donations to Date: $79,691 HOPE is a transportation ministry which provides rides to doctor’s appointments, the grocery store, the pharmacy, April 25, 2021 and other necessary errands. Weekly/Monthly Cash & Check: $15,625 Rides require a minimum of 48 hours notice and can be Weekly/Monthly eGive: $7,801 requested a week in advance. $23,426 To request rides the week of May 3 FISCAL YEAR JULY 1 2020-21 2019-20 Please contact Helen Lyons at 484-402-8407 $1,597,343 $1,624,012 Or John DiEugenio at 484-364-4445 POOR BOX: To request rides the week of May 10 Please contact Michele DiGiantomasso at 267-312-2269 April 25: $675 Or Mary Sweeney at 610-269-0604 Current Total: $3,156 The Poor Box total for April will benefit: For more info contact Debbie Hastings at 610-304-0631. Birthright of Coatesville SPECIAL COLLECTIONS The next scheduled Special Collection will be May 1st and 2nd and will benefit Home Missions. Donations will be accepted through May 30. Please note, any Special Collections received after submission to the Archdiocese will be applied to the next Archdiocesan special collection.

May Mercy Hospice Schedule Part-Time Rectory Cook Group 1—Chicken Supreme St. Joseph Parish is looking for a part time cook to prepare Group 2—Deep Dish Turkey Pot Pie dinners for the 4 resident priests at the rectory. We are looking Please call Gail for more info at 610-269-9574. for someone who likes to cook, has culinary experience, or is a cooking professional interested in some additional hours. The Besides meals, the Women of HOPE are in need of the following to meet the needs of the homeless and poor. Please leave items in the Fish chef works independently in the rectory kitchen and would also and Loaves closet in the bin marked “Mercy Hospice”. purchase groceries as needed (using business credit card). Position would occasionally need to cook for large groups / Feminine hygiene products They need a table and chairs that is not wood and folds so they can events hosted at the rectory. This position is part-time, Underwear (womens sizes 8, 9, 10) give out food outside when the approximately three hours on Monday to Thursday evenings Twin-size sheets and blankets weather gets warmer. Right now (during dinner hours), and approximately 3 hours on Monday Canned soup, veggies, tuna and they handout bags of food and boxed pasta items on the street since only the afternoon for shopping. Pay is $15-19 per hour, depending on women in the house program can experience. come in because of Covid. Email Allan Anderson, Business Manager, at [email protected] if interested.

St. Joseph Parish Youth Group News High School Youth Group Grades 9-12 Next Meeting: May 23 Gospel Talk Drop off @ church: 5:15pm (Grades 7-12) Pick up @ Youth Room: 7:30pm Next Meeting: May 2 5:15-6:30pm Middle School Youth Group (Grades 5-8) in Youth Room Next Meeting: May 29 Drop off @ church: 7:50am Pick up @ school: 11 am

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Fundraiser for St. Mary of Providence Center 227 Isabella Rd. Elverson, PA 19520 610-942-4166 A Final Blessing Rev. Gary Mensinger Providence Pies “When they approached us at the hospital For Mother’s Day about the organ donation, we knew that that’s what h e definitely would have You may order home-made 9” pies in one of the wanted; to help people that way.” following three ways: > Send a text message to 610-942-4166 with your name, number and type of pie desired. > Drop off the form below at St. Mary of Providence office with your check. > Use the QR Code below to order your 9” pies. DONORS1.ORG

Pick up your pies May 7th or 8th between 10 AM to 5PM. Pay at time of pick-up with cash or check.

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Pick Up Date (circle one): May 7 May 8 Youth Skills Camp at AM/PM

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# Frozen Piled High Apple Pie ($15) (bake it in your home for the home-baked aroma)

View this bulletin online at www.DiscoverMass.com P A R I S H N E W S Extraordinary Ministers and Communion Services

The Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are looking for additional members of the Homebound Ministry to service Simpson Meadows Nursing Home in Downingtown. For questions please contact Tracy Hoffman a

Homebound and in Need of the Eucharist? Are you facing a short-term or long term situation of being physically unable to attend Mass and would like to have Holy Communion delivered to you? For questions and to coordinate, contact Tracy Hoffman a

Safe Environment Deacon Jim hosts monthly Zoom sessions for Grief When: Saturday, May 8th Support on the first Tuesday of each month at 7pm. All Where: Parish Meeting Center, located at the who have lost a loved one are welcome to attend. Please back of the school contact Deacon Jim for more information at Time: 9:00-11:30 a.m. [email protected]. Registration: www.virtus.org Wonderfully Made: A of the Body Retreat for High School Girls

RETREAT LEADER: Samantha Kelley of FIERCEAthlete.org SPEAKER: Marie DiCecco, author “Women’s Health in conformity with Theology of the Body” Congratulations and Welcome! PRIESTS: Meetings Continued... Fr. Timothy Danaher, O.P. We will continue to meet over the next several weeks to Fr. Reuben Nuxoll, discuss everyone’s experience of welcome and Sacrament will be speaking and leading small groups. reception, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, types and forms of prayer, and what’s next after RCIA. WHEN: Ready to Learn More? Friday, June 4 – Arrive 7:00 pm to RCIA is for those who have never been baptized, baptized in Sunday, June 6 – Depart 11:30 AM another denomination, or completing reception of the Sacraments of Initiation if already baptized Catholic. Contact Kathy Thomas WHERE: St. Mary Of Providence Center, Elverson for more information ([email protected] or 610-873-8798). 227 Isabella Road, Elverson, PA 19520 COST: $125 per person (scholarships available) Now Hirin Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner served Saturday & Breakfast served Sunday. We will talk about what it means to be a young, Part-Time Cleaner dynamic, Catholic woman in today’s world. The retreat will St Joseph School introduce you to John Paul II's Theology of the Body and what it 16-18 hrs. per week | Evening Hours Only means for your life! Retreat will include talks, small groups, (after 3pm) Mass, adoration and time for confession. For more information please contact: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wonderfully-made-a- Allan Anderson at 610-269-8294 x207 theolo -of-the-body-retreat-for-high-school- irls- or [email protected] tickets-148927503171

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© 2021 DIOCESAN View Our Parish Supporters at www.DiscoverMass.com WINE V NDY ALL RA E B Y

Hudson L. Voltz, PC. Janet J. Satterthwaite, Esq.* The Laird Professional Bldg. 110 Hopewell Rd. 610-518-9500 (3 miles W. of Downingtown off Rt. 322) www.voltzpc.com 2013 MainLine Today’s “Top Lawyers” for Elder Law & Family Law Probate, Estate Administration, Elder Law, Family Law, Small Business, Real Estate, etc. *Parishioner

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Cosmetic Family In Memory of MEMORIALIZE A LOVED ONE ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS and Dentistry • Accepting new patients • For All Your Insurance Needs, • Emergencies welcome • Msgr. Walter Shaull In Loving Personal & Business Curtis J. Leciejewski, D.D.S. Memory Of Michael D. Keller, D.M.D. 11 Ballston Ave Vandy L. Jamison Sr. Saratoga Springs • 302-226-7960 • Cyprian H. Colbert Sr. NY, 12866 www.RehobothBeachDental.com 19643 Blue Bird Lane, Suite 1 Cornella & William B Simmons Sr. 518-581-1111 Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 William (Billy) B. Located behind Timothy’s restaurant Simmons Jr. Help us reach and inform our parishioners with our weekly communication efforts. Please contact Lisa Sparkman at 717-507-3766 or [email protected] © 2021 DIOCESAN For Advertising Information CALL 1-800-233-8200 Online at Diocesan.com/Business View Our Parish Supporters at www.DiscoverMass.com Supporters Parish Our View © 2021 DIOCESAN