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

Parish Staff School Phone: 610-269-8999 Mr. Allan Anderson Business Manager Fax: 610-269-2252 www.stjosephrc.org/school Mr. Allen Austin Director of Youth Sister Catherine Irene, I.H.M. Principal Ministry Sister Diane Licordare, I.H.M. Vice Principal Mrs. Roe DeRitis Parish Secretary Mrs. Mary Jane McGeehan Administrative Ms. Anna Kozlowska Elder Care Program Assistant Manager Mr. Dennis Luminella Maintenance Supervisor/ Parish Religious Education Program St. Joseph Cemetery Phone: 610-873-8798 Supervisor Fax: 610-873-5466 Mrs. Becky Matakas Parish Ministries www.stjosephrc.org/prep

Coordinator Mrs. Kathy Thomas Director of Religious Mrs. Dodie Milano Receptionist Education

Mrs. Mary Beth Mostyn Administrative Assistant Convent Mrs. Carol Orphanos Bookkeeper 484 -593-4352 Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary BAPTISMS TODAY’S READINGS Parents of babies to be baptized are asked to please register for Pre-Jordan, a baptism The readings for the 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 Third Sunday of Easter 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 can be found at #906 (C) Office at 610-269-8294. Congratulations to the following children who were baptized last weekend: SATURDAY, MAY 4 5:00 PM Gretchen Metz MASON DANIEL BAILER BROOKS MATTHEW HEINRICH ARABELLA MAE CHARLTON SUNDAY, MAY 5 ARIA CHIMAMANDA ONUCHUKU ADAM JOSEPH KERSHNER 6:00 AM For Our Parishioners MAX ALEXANDER POWELL JAYDEN MALLALIE PHAM 7:30 AM Edie Bartone 9:00 AM Deceased Members of MARRIAGE St. Joseph Prime Timers Couples planning to marry are asked to meet with their parish priest as soon as possible after 10:30 AM Members of the their engagement and to enroll in a marriage-prep program (Pre-Cana) at least six months St. Joseph Memorial prior to the wedding. Registration forms can be found on our website at www.stjosephrc.org. Society For more information, contact the Parish Office at 610-269-8294.

Anne C. Petrella, Dr. Michael Leddy, PLEASE PRAY FOR: Celebration of the Frances Banbrick, Joan L. Gray, Blessed Eucharist Every three months we will remove names from Saturday: 5pm Vigil Francis Wedge and Mary Ellen Hartmann the military and sick list. This is to help ensure that our lists are always up to date. Please call Sunday: 6:00 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 12:00 PM Ruth and Dunlap Wingo the parish office to add/remove/re-add names. 10:30 a.m., 12 noon, 4:00 p.m. 4:00 PM Guiseppe and Philomena Thank you for your patience. Feola ...those who are serving our country: Mon-Fri: 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m. MONDAY, MAY 6 Brandon W. A’Hara, SSGT Steve Anderson, Petty Saturday: 8:00 a.m. 7:00 AM Bonnie Calvey (5th Officer Katesiree Cannon Boson, Caytie Castells, Anniv) Ensign Morgan S. Dankanich, Capt. Joseph S. Holy Days of Obligation As Announced 9:00 AM John Werning DiBerardinis, Nicole Doyle, Sean Doyle, Capt. Mark Edwards, Sargent Ian Fay, Daniel J. Heil, TUESDAY, MAY 7 Victoria Jones, Zachary Kish, Peter Kurtz, Lt. Reconciliation 7:00 AM Patricia Scalia Col. Paul Lang, Krzysztof Malarz, Major J. Saturday: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. 9:00 AM Sadie Keane Kevin McKittrick, Capt. Andrew C. Oddo, PFC Wednesdays: 6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 6:30 WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 Nicholas Odgers, 2nd Lt. Joseph W. Rule, 1st Lt. p.m. 7:00 AM Alfred A. Tomarchio Eric F. Satterthwaite, Pvt. 1st Class Matthew 9:00 AM Joseph Ryan Roch Scalia, Cmdr. Christopher Schwarz, Jr., Pvt. Nick Anointing of the Sick Scott, Corporal Jeremy Solnosky, Benjamin Any sick or hospitalized parishioner who THURSDAY, MAY 9 Starcheski, LT Sean Sweeney and Aaron Thieroff is in need of the Sacrament of the Sick 7:00 AM Anthony & Mary Irene should contact the Parish Office. Masino …those who are sick: 9:00 AM Maria Vincenzo & La Rayne Anderson, Sylvia Anderson, Frank Perpetual Adoration of the Guido Napoleone Baker, Be Bonner, Faber Botero, Cindy Bower, Blessed Sacrament Catherine Bowman, Ashlyn Brown, Marica Bukay, FRIDAY, MAY 10 Holy Family Chapel in the Holy Family Connie Bull, Ellen Cassidy, Mike Cesario, Dolly Center. 7:00 AM Domenic & Rose Ulissi Colella, Anita Suleski Conant, Baby Michael 9:00 AM Carol & Edward Halbert Morning Prayer Corrigan, Steve Dakuginow, Amelia D’Ginto, Bill Monday—Friday at 6:30 a.m. in Church. SATURDAY, MAY 11 Dunn, Frank Elko, Jack Falkner, George Forczek, 8:00 AM Barry Newsome Brooke Gabster, Dave Goldstein, Karen Goldstein, Devotions ANNOUNCED MASSES Carrie Grosso, Shelly Guiseppe, Michele Halis, The Holy Rosary: Liam Hawk, George Hershey, Ryan Hieb, Sr. NEXT WEEKEND Recited before the 9:00 a.m. Mass daily. Marion Hicks, Rhys Hopson, Danielle Horack, Miraculous Medal Devotions: SATURDAY, MAY 11 David Horack, Judy Kaplan, Lucy Perkinson Every Tuesday after the 9 a.m. Mass. 5:00 PM Daniel DiFrancesco Karvois, Michelle Larkin, Delores Leifholt, Crystal Novena to Saint Joseph: SUNDAY, MAY 12 Leff, Ellen Lis, Sylvia L. Mango, Wendy Martini, McBeth Family, Justin McCarthy, Jim McGowan, Every Wednesday after the 9 a.m. Mass. 6:00 AM For Our Parishioners Divine Mercy Chaplet: 7:30 AM Theresa DiBerardinis Pat Melcher, Anna Moschitta, David Mulder, Gerald Murphy, Wilma Murphy, Katie Nejman, Every Thursday after the 9 a.m. Mass. 9:00 AM Mary Viscusi & Bernice Litany to the Sacred Heart: Ciesielka Judy Nelson, Sr. Mary O’Connor, Marie O’Donnell, Jeannie Panik, Sue Rizzo, Chris First Friday of the month after the 9 a.m. 10:30 AM Bernice and Clyde Mass. Pearson Samuelson, Msgr. Francis Schmidt, Margaret Schmidt, John Schreiber, Mike Smith, Dot First Saturday Devotions: 12:00 PM Bonnie Calvey Swisher, Agatha Szafran, Agnes Timothy, The First Saturday of each month at 8:30 4:00 PM Lucy Stefanelli Elizabeth Van Voorhees, Bobby Voldish, Lily a.m. The Sanctuary Candle burns Walker and Margaret Weaver. in memory of: Please remember in your prayers all those who have died, including: Joseph Ryan Roch William F. Frey, Sr. WEEKLY LETTER

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

Collection for Notre Dame Next Weekend, May 11-12th

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 Abigail Hogan Raphael Paul Paul Arpa Dylan Horwath Dylan Pellegrini Kyle Baran Brianna Howell Carter Perry Ryan Baran Taryn Huber Mason Pitz Addison Bowden Kienan Humphries Brooklyn Popek Ronan Brazunas Lily Hungerford Robert Poterjoy Elizabeth Breton Gregory Isaacs Garrett Primanti Ryan Bretz Ryan Johnson Sophia Psyrris Brandon Bromfield Nicholas Junod Margaret Rafalowski Jackson Brunetta Ava King Giovanni Ramos- Kayley Burgess Dylan Knaak Brennan John Burke Alaina Kobylarz Zachary Reddy Nathaniel Bush Maxwell Kruse Aiden Redlinger Collin Byrne Raegan Lamperez Thomas Roberts Nicholas Caccavo Madison Langdale Aidan Rodgers Sasha Calvey Jackson Lesko Alyssa Rodia Katherine Campi John Lesko Kai Rogenmuser Alexandra Carmella Emmelia Levis Audrey Rosenzweig Madelyn Casey Cameron Lombardi- Alexander Rowlinson Gianna Castiglione Nunez Juan Rubio Isabelle Catanese Patrick Lutz Charles Rudolph Bryan Ceron Ramos Jamil Madanat Daniel Ryan Alice Chadwick Renee Madanat Tesla Santos Keegan Chidester Bridget Maher Aidan Scelzi Ryann Cicero Mallory Martin Sarah Schnering Jason Clark Angel Martinez Madison Schriver Congratulations to all those Patrick Cleary Santos Kacey Schumann Sydney Conklin Daniled Martinez Leighton Shattuck who received their Liam Criger Santos William Shook Noah Cuna Ava Martini Quentin Silva First Holy Communion Nicholas Megan Maxwell David Stackhouse on Saturday, May 4th (left). D'Alessandro Gianna Mazzone Christopher Staffieri Yeuzeth Davalos- Leah McCarry Olivia Stare Marquez Joseph McCauley Quinn Staszowski Congratulations also to Elise DeFrank Amanda McConney Charlie Steffy Hannah Donnelly Harper McCormick Conner Stevenson those who received the Jacob Donnelly Lily McFadden Harlow Stover Serena Drake Conner McGeehan Cooper Stutzman Sacrament of Confirmation Benjamin Dulemba Margaret McGready Jacob Tanabe Ava Dunham Giada McKeever Joseph Tanabe and Communion on May 4th Emilia Ehmann Kellan McKeon Justin Tanabe at the 5:00 P.M. Mass with Derrick Ensor Charles McLaughlin Anna Tarpley Ethan Fabris Jason Mock Mason Todd Bishop Senior (below). Olivia Farry Julia Moloney Kyle Tode Brooke Ferguson Leah Mooney Nicholas Tode Juliana Ferrara Kate Moore Sofia Tramontano May God continue Hannah Friedman Keegan Moore Logan Verlinghieri Emma Fromm Madelyn Murphy Teagan Voghel to bless you! Avery Fulton Gunner Murray Anna Waddell Arianna Gaasche Hayden Myers Molly Warner Adults: Teens: Kaden Gatt Lucia Myrter James Watson Ana Adorno Quinlan Gracz Chiodo Lola Gentile Kyle Nangle Jake Wetzel Lindsay Angstadt Grace Day Tristen Gharadaghian Nathan Neba Michael White Shawn Killinger- Teresa Englehardt Juliana Gigliotti Jack Newhard Ashley Whitman Carretta David Gomez Jason Goehl Henry Nguyen Daniel Wieczorek Mariesly Nathali Febles Gunther Holenstein Elizabeth Goodby Addison O'Brien Reagan Winkler Noell Lemmen Tyler Muzi Brayden Graef Chimaliya Okafor Owen Witkowski Luke Mastrorilli John Randzo Robin Graham Ava O'Neil Preston Yannelli Giulia Montivero Sophia Setlock Madeleine Gross Dennis O'Rourke Hayden Yodis Todd McKay Samantha Simon Jacob Hasaka Louis Oswald Christian Zahner Kyle Rheiner Ethan Wait Emma Heake Joseph Ota Charles Zobian Stephanie Salvatore Macy Hinds Cole Ott Edward Zobian Aaron White Owen Hoerz Lolah Patel Marsha Wickes PARISH NEWS 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 St. Joseph Parish Directory come to the help of these Photography for a new Parish Directory will be oppressed people.

held this July 8-27th. More information to come! 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, Vacation Bible surrounded by golden beams of Adventure light. The girl appeared to be about sixteen years of age. This June 24-27, 9:00 am-12:15 pm took place on Tepeyac, a hill in Entering Kindergarten through Mexico City. The girl was our Grade 6 in September 2019 Blessed Mother Mary. Mary told Juan Diego that she wanted “a More information and registration church built.” When Juan Diego went to the Bishop to tell him, forms at: the Bishop did not believe him and told Juan to ask Mary for a https://stjosephrc.org/prep/ sign. vacation-bible-adventure/ 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 St. Joseph School News season – the month of December – and the place – a rocky hill. Registration for the 2019-2020 School Year But Juan Diego found roses and filled his cloak (tilma). When he Registration is now open for the 2019-2020 school year. There unrolled his cloak to show the Bishop, the image of Mary was are still openings in most grades. Registration materials can be imprinted on the cloak (tilma). found on our school website, https://stjosephrc.org/school/ admissions/registration/. The Statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe We invite parishioners, relatives, and friends to come for a The Statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe which will grace our SHADOW DAY at St. Joseph School to experience a typical narthex throughout the month of May has been borrowed from school day. The student will spend a day in his/her current grade Saint Richard Parish in South Philadelphia. May Our Lady of and meet the students and teachers. To schedule a shadow day or Guadalupe who has been a source of grace and inspiration for the tour, please call our school office at 610-269-8999. people there be the same for us.

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 Parish May Procession St. Joseph’s for grades 2 to 7. Each student will receive a two- Tuesday, May 7th @ 7 P.M. year grant totaling $1,500 ($1,000 in the first year – 2019-2020 On Tuesday, May 7, please join us for our Annual May and $500 in the second year – 2020-2021). If you receive a Crowning at 7 p.m. in the church. Students who received transfer grant, you may also still qualify for additional, need- their First Holy Communion or Confirmation this year are based financial aid. For more information, please call Sister Catherine Irene, IHM, our principal, at 610-269-8999. invited to wear their dresses, suits, and gowns. PARISH GROUPS

Aid for Friends Legion of Mary Help fill the fridge! Is Our Blessed Mother calling you? Meals are needed for Everyone is welcome. The Legion of elderly, isolated local Mary meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the neighbors. Packets of pans Church’s Saint John Neumann Room. For are available in the church more information, please call Jim office or in the St. McGowan at 610-812-4160. Katharine Drexel room in church. Please pick up a packet, make some meals, freeze and place in the Aid Youth Group News For Friends freezer in the Our parish will again be attending a Youth Conference this Holy Family Center as summer. Instead of attending at Franciscan Univ. of Steubenville soon as possible. A visitor in Ohio, we will be attending a Life Teen Conference at Saint will deliver them. For John University in Queens, NY. The dates this summer will be more information contact July 19 -21, 2019. We will depart Friday morning after the Debby at celebration of Mass, and return Sunday evening. The cost is [email protected]. 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 [email protected]

Flame of Love Prayer Group

All are invited to learn more about the Flame of Love and to join The King’s Men (18 & over) offers a time with other men to us in prayer every Thursday from 1:00-2:00 p.m. in St. Joseph's engage, discuss and challenge you into living a full Christian life. Chapel. Meetings consist of a brief teaching followed by Every meeting starts with a rosary, a 15- minute spiritual prayer and recitation of the rosary. To learn more about the exercise, 30 minutes for discussion and 15- minutes of challenges Flame of Love, visit www.flameoflove.us. For more information among your peers. King’s Men meetings take place each or questions regarding The Flame of Love Prayer Cenacle Thursday evening in the Parish Meeting Center at 7:30 PM. meetings, contact Cathy Moser at [email protected].

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 [email protected].

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 Shopping on Amazon? on a home of someone in need. Bring along your teenage Use the St. Joseph AmazonSmiles charity link and a portion of children, no experience is required. Email your total purchase will be donated to St. Joseph Parish. [email protected] to sign up. https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-1365111 PARISH GROUPS 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. Walking with Purpose is a Catholic women’s bible study program that aims to bring women of all ages to a deeper relationship with Rides require a minimum of 48 hours notice and can be Christ through scripture. We have over 140 participants and requested a week in advance. growing! Share in dynamic discussions of spiritual truths and connect with other women to build meaningful friendships as we To request rides the week of May 6 Please contact Janine Lill at 610-269-3055 learn, pray, and serve together. To register, go to https:// Or Janet Schramm at 484-631-8875 campscui.active.com/orgs/StJoeWWP?season=2480608. Childcare is available during the Tuesday & Wednesday Sessions. To request rides the week of May 13 For more information, go to www.walkingwithpurpose.com or Please contact Meredith DiPietro at 267-481-3873 email [email protected]. Or Diane Sweeney at 610-269-3438

For more info or to volunteer, please contact Senior Life - The Next Chapter Debbie Hastings at 610-304-0631. May 7th @ 1:00 in the St. John Neumann Room in church This month's topic: Senior Living Communities You Are Worthy Bring your questions or concerns such as:  What are the different kinds of senior living facilities? … to Sit in the Presence of Jesus St. Joseph’s Perpetual Adoration Chapel is open for you 24/7. Yes,  What is the difference between independent, assisted and you! Still your mind and your heart for a time in our beautiful chapel skilled living facilities? located in the Parish Offices.  What options do I have if I want to move into a facility? “Be still and know that I am God.” ~ Psalm 46  How do I decide what is the best option for me? Jesus asks you to sit with Him. He loves when you spend time with  What is the cost of these facilities? Him. Adoration is your private time to talk to the Lord. To rest in the The meeting will last approximately one hour. Refreshments are Lord. A time to hear God’s message for you. Prayer, reading, served. Be sure to put June 9th on your calendar for our last meditation, listening to music (with headphones), and connecting to meeting before the summer break. A representative from the the Holy Spirit; all of these can be done in the time you spend with Veterans Administration will be on hand to discuss Veterans Jesus in Adoration. Sign up for a regular weekly hour of devotion to benefits and guide you on the process of applying for these be sure our Lord is never alone. Or stop in any time for a quiet respite benefits. If you have any questions please contact Kate Somers at from your busy day. You are always welcome. You are always 610-639-3547 or Ceil Harkness at 610-420-6943. worthy. Contact Peg Cassidy at [email protected] for more information.

May Mercy Hospice Schedule Volunteer with Project Linus Group 1 - Chicken Supreme Project Linus mission is to provide Group 2 - Deep Dish Turkey Pot Pie love, a sense of security, warmth Please call Gail for more info at 610-269-9574. and comfort to children who are Besides meals, the Women of HOPE are in need of the seriously ill, traumatized, or following to meet the needs of the homeless and poor: otherwise in need through the gifts The following items would be very appreciated of new, handmade blankets and in both full-size and travel-size packaging: afghans, lovingly created by * Toothbrush * Toothpaste * Deodorant * Body Wash volunteer “blanketeers.” * Shampoo * Lotions Joann Fabrics in Downingtown is now accepting Project * Cream Rinse (Conditioner) Linus blankets. Please do not bring the blankets to the

The following items are also much-needed: parish office or church. * Feminine hygiene products * Underwear (sizes small — 5X) * Sheets and blankets for twin beds (light colors) Charismatic Prayer Group

We will be collecting items to be taken down each month with Charismatic prayer group meets on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. the casseroles. Please leave items in the Fish and Loaves closet Please join us in the chapel as we deepen our prayer life, deepen in the bin marked “Mercy Hospice”. The closet is located on the our relationship with the Lord, and worship as a community. For right as your enter the church from the parking lot. more information, call Joe McCahon at 610-716-3084. STEWARDSHIP Easter Collection: Additional April 28: $7,812 Easter Sunday Total (to date): $99,022

Save the Date! June 18 - June 22 Regular Collections: 6:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M. Sunday, Apr. 28: $23,557 $25 Ride-All-Night Wrist Bands www.StJoesFestival.com Fiscal Year July 1 2018-19 2017-18 Come enjoy! Year to Date $1,731,956 $1,906,809 Amusements, Rides, Games, Cheer Wheel, Big Sixx Wheel, Beer Garden, Tiki Bar, Bingo, Parish Food Booth, Poor Box Collection Funnel Cake, Live Music each night, Delicious homemade April 28 Total: $526 baked goods, a 50/50 raffle, and Fireworks! April Total: $2,027 Come volunteer! The Poor Box for April will benefit There are many volunteer opportunities remaining! Birthright of Coatesville. Look for the Sign-up Genius link on our website.

50/50 Raffle Tickets! Thank You! Purchase your Raffle tickets in the parish office. In March, the Poor Box collections were donated to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Donate! We are looking for unopened adult beverage donations for The St. Vincent de Paul conference of St. Joseph's Church the Cheer Wheel booth. Drop off your bottles at the parish is very thankful for the generous donation from our March office. Also, donations for our Raffle Baskets: crafts, Poor Box in the amount of $3,337.52. This will go a long services, gift certificates. Email: [email protected]. 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 The Loaves & Fishes Project With the Loaves and Fishes with generous fellow parishioners. Project, giving is as easy as 1-2-3: 1. Grab a can of soup, a box of pasta, or any non-perishable item St. Joseph from your cupboard as you dash out the door to Mass. Parish Library 2. Drop off your donation in the Located in the Parish Office. Open during office hours. “Loaves and Fishes” closet on your right as you come into Listed below are titles of church. books that have been recently 3. Enter the church with the warm added to our Library. You feeling of a nourished soul! will find them in the “New The Loaves and Fishes team delivers the items to the Lord’s Pantry Books” display. in Downingtown. As a church family, we can make a much appreciated contribution and a significant impact to a charity that The Case for Jesus: The Biblical and Historical Evidence for helps over 700 families every week. Please contact Nancy Christ by Brant Pitre (#232 Pit) Farrington at [email protected] or 610-620-3619 for more The Eight Doors of the Kingdom: Meditations on the info. Beatitudes by Jacques Philippe (#226.9) Symbol or Substance?: A Dialogue on the Eucharist by Peter Kreeft (#234.163) Safe Environment Our Lady, Undoer of Knots: A Guided Meditation from the When: May 11, 2019 Holy Land by Marge Fenelon (#233.7) Where: Parish Meeting Center Spiritual Childhood: The Spirituality of St. Therese of Lisieux Registration: www.virtus.org by Vernon Johnson (#921 The) L O C A L N E W S Saints Simon & Jude Music Ministry UNBOUND: presents Freedom in Christ Conference A Sacred Concert May 10 & 11 at St. Mary Magdalen School Sunday, May 5, 2019 2430 N. Providence Road, Media, PA 19063 3:00 PM UNBOUND Ministry is an approach to deliverance and healing prayer developed by Neal Lozano. The focus of the UNBOUND featuring: model is on an individual as you deeply listen to their story and Saints Simon & Jude Adult Choir heart. UNBOUND is a safe, loving, effective prayer model that Mrs. Margaret Campbell, Director helps people to respond to the good news of the gospel. UNBOUND applies the truth to our lives by using five basic Villanova University Pastoral Musicians responses called the Five Keys. The Five Keys are: Mr. Sean McElwee, Director  Repentance and Faith

Saint Joseph’s Schola Cantorum  Forgiveness Mrs. Jane Hall, Director  Renunciation  Authority Bishop Shanahan Brass Ensemble  The Father’s Blessing Saints Simon & Jude Church For more information and to register, please call 610-952-3019 (ext. 1), or email [email protected]. 8 Cavanaugh Court West Chester, PA 19382 Now Hiring! A free will offering will be accepted. 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 End of Life Issues Presentation who likes to cook, has culinary experience, or is a cooking Tuesday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m. professional interested in some additional hours. This position Ss. Peter and Paul Church, has a flexible schedule, approximately 15 hours per week. For 1325 East Boot Rd., West Chester, PA more information, email Allan Anderson, Business Manager, at Deacon Alfred Mauriello II, M.D., will give a special presentation [email protected]. 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 Bereavement Group Summer Series training in Catholic Health Care Ethics under the sponsorship of Ss. Philip & James, Exton the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Representatives from Surrey Services, Compassionate Care Hospice, elder law services and 7:00—8:30 P.M. caregiver/ bereavement support programs will also be present. If Dates: you are a senior or are caring for an elderly parent, you won’t want to miss this opportunity! For more information, contact Monday June 17th –Rectory Meeting Room Judy Magee, 484-473-8205. 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 St. Joseph much time has passed, please know that you are not alone. Our Bereavement Group Summer Series is open for all Memorial Society Masses those who are grieving. To register please call or email These Masses are offered Theresa Ferrari at [email protected] or 484-459-1564 on the first Sunday of each month at the 10:30 a.m. Thank you from St. Agnes Mass. The Memorial Thank you to all who assisted with the Saint Agnes Easter Food Mass cards are large Distribution Program! It is only through the kindness of good padded folders with a people like you, that we were able to provide Easter hams, choice of three colors & chickens, produce and other good food to over 300 families in pictures. Names of those need in our community. Extra food was shared with needy to be remembered at these families at Saint Rocco's Parish in Avondale. Thank you for Masses are printed in the bulletin the week prior to that allowing us to be the stewards of your gifts to the poor. May month’s Mass. These Mass cards are $10. God continue to bless you with His love and His grace and may beauty blossom forth for you this Easter-tide!