St. Joseph s. c a t h o l i c c h u r c h. Gratitude, Discipleship, Hospitality. August 24, 2008 Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time

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1 St. Joseph s Gratitude, Discipleship, Hospitality c a t h o l i c c h u r c h August 24, 2008 Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time Reflection on the Word Readings for the week of August 25, 2008 Monday 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5,11-12 Matthew 23:13-22 Tuesday 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3a,14-17 Matthew 23:23-26 Wednesday 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10,16-18 Matthew 23:27-32 Thursday 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Matthew 24:42-51 Friday 1 Corinthians 1:17-25 Mark 6:17-29 Saturday 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 Matthew 25:14-30 Sunday Jeremiah 20:7-9 Romans 12:1-2 Matthew 16:21-27 At Home with the Word (pg 116) Preaching next weekend: Father Robert Kreckel Reflection Question: The costs of discipleship are great. When have you felt as Jeremiah did? When have you felt comfortable with what Paul and Jesus describe? SUMMER PASTORALCOUNCIL RETREAT Last Tuesday evening, our parish council gathered at St Bernard s School of Theology and Ministry for an evening of prayer and visioning of ourselves as a mission-driven parish. Our parish mission: Gratitude, Discipleship, Hospitality We witness to the love of Jesus Christ in the world. We prayed for and discussed our role as servant leaders of our faith community. How does the council exercise leadership? Leadership is an opportunity to serve. It is an opportunity to use our God-given giftedness in the service of our faith community. In our visioning of the life and ministry of St Joseph s, we named five major ministry areas and have envisioned a leadership team for each area of ministry: WORSHIP Kathy Best, chair; Louise Panning, co-chair; Nancy Veronesi and Matt Curlee, staff liaisons. FAITH FORMATION Fran Cardella, chair; Pat Fox, Eva Mascadri, & Christina Schmidt, staff liaisons. PASTORAL CARE/SOCIAL OUTREACH Mary Serio, chair; Lynda Robinson, co-chair; Michelle Castelli, staff liaison. COMMUNITY BUILDING/EVANGELIZATION Paul Groschadl, chair; Cathy Kamp, staff liaison. OPERATIONS Dave Reynolds, chair; Brian Waldmiller, staff liaison. The officers of the pastoral council this year are: Tom Glisson, chair; Dave Frezza, co-chair; and Ann Anthony, secretary. Our goal for the pastoral council is not to create a structure for the sake of a structure, but we want to ground the workings of the parish council in the life and the ministry of the parish. Our parish council members have made the commitment to be actively involved in the life of the parish. Our invitation is for you too to find a way to use your giftedness in the service of our parish community. Feel free to contact any of us to help you identify ways to share your giftedness. Schwartz@stjosephspenfield.org As a Catholic Community, we witness to the love of Jesus Christ in the world.

2 Parish Directory Office Phone: PASTORAL MINISTRY... Phone/Ext. Stephen Ministry (confidential line)... ext. 130 Fr. James Schwartz, Pastor... ext. 112 Fr. Bob Kreckel, In Residence Fr. Jim Boyle, In Residence Deacon Don Germano... * Germano@stjosephspenfield.org Deacon Duncan Harris... * Harris@stjosephspenfield.org Michelle Castelli, Pastoral Associate... ext. 113 Castelli@stjosephspenfield.org Cathy Kamp, Parish Life Coordinator... ext. 115 Kamp@stjosephspenfield.org Nancy Veronesi, Director of Worship... ext. 124 Veronesi@stjosephspenfield.org Matt Curlee, Director of Music... ext. 125 Curlee@stjosephspenfield.org FAITH FORMATION & YOUTH MINISTRY Patrick Fox, Director of Faith Formation... ext. 114 Fox@stjosephspenfield.org Eva Mascadri, Administrator... ext. 116 Mascadri@stjosephspenfield.org Christina Schmidt, Youth Minister... ext. 119 Schmidt@stjosephspenfield.org OFFICE MANAGEMENT Brian Waldmiller, Director of Operations... ext. 111 Waldmiller@stjosephspenfield.org Mary Beth Ransom, Secretary... ext. 110 Ransom@stjosephspenfield.org Eleanor Czarnecki, Receptionist... ext. 120 Czarnecki@stjosephspenfield.org Bud Gurnow, Maintenance... ext. 123 Gurnow@stjosephspenfield.org OTHER Tom Glisson, Pastoral Council Chair PastoralCouncil@stjosephspenfield.org Liz Barry, Finance Council Chair FinanceCouncil@stjosephspenfield.org Sr. Christina Luczynski, Principal principal@sjspenfield.com * please leave a message with the receptionist Membership Info St. Joseph s Catholic Church 43 Gebhardt Road, Penfield New York Office: Fax: Parish Membership: We welcome you to worship regularly with us. If you wish to join our parish community formally offering your time, talents, and financial support please call the Parish Office to begin the registration process. You may pick up a registration packet at any of the entrances or by asking one of our Ushers or Greeters. Sacrament of Baptism: Parents anticipating the arrival of their child are asked to call Eleanor at the Parish Office to begin the process of baptismal preparation. Sacrament of Reconciliation: Individual celebrations are 3:30-4:30pm Saturday in the church Reconciliation Room. Communal Celebrations are as announced in the bulletin. Sacrament of Marriage: Engaged couples are asked to contact Fr. Jim at least six months before the wedding. Sacrament of Ministerial Priesthood (Holy Orders): Men interested in serving God s people as priests proclaiming the Gospel, preside at Liturgy and minister the Sacraments can call the Parish Office or the Director of Vocations, Fr. Mike Conboy, at Becket Hall, Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick: Available for those who are seriously sick, the elderly, or those who face surgery. Please contact the Parish Office. Hospital Visits: We are pleased to visit any of our parishioners who are patients in any of our local hospitals. Please call the Parish Office to tell us when your stay will begin. Hearing Loop in Church - induction loop, set the T switch on the hearing aid. Works especially well in the west main section of the church. Liturgy of the Word for Children: 5:00pm Saturday, and 9:00 & 11:00am Sunday. Nursery: Available for children ages infant to 4-year-olds during the 11am Mass. Open 10:45am until 12:15pm. Located in the Parish Resource Center, Room 2. During other Masses, parents are welcome to use either the room located in the church loft or the Chapel as needed for their children. 2

3 Mass Schedule and Intentions Day/Time Offered for Mon, Aug 25 St. Louis of France 8:00 am David Emrich by Lloyd & Lisa LeBlanc Tues, Aug 26 8:00 am Emma Miller by Leonard & James Hendrickson Wed, Aug 27 St. Monica 8:00 am Ann Nientimp by Ellen Jensen Thu, Aug 28 St. Augustine 8:00 am Dorothy Glanton by her family Fri, Aug 29 Martyrdom of John the Baptist 8:00 am Marion & Charles Bayer, Anniv.Remembr. by Ann & Gary Ras William Flack by Marleen Riley Sat, Aug 30 8:00 am Peter M. DeJonge by Debra Reisdorf & Bonita DeJonge Julia Chinelly, Anniversary Remembrance by Joe & Charity Chinelly 2:00 pm Wedding: Barbara Olmstead & Tom Long 5:00 pm Margie Falk by Tim & Judy Scanlon Sun, Aug 31 Twenty-Second Sunday of Ord. Time 7:30 am Virginia Ginny Urckfitz by Mark & Maureen Lutomski 9:00 am Dorothy Bubacz by Bob & Laurie Bubacz Anthony DiPrima by the Cammarata Family 11:00 am Theresa Mullen, Birthday Remembrance by daughter, Judy Raspante & family Angelo Cavallaro by the Tambe & Harris Families 5:00 pm Special Intention of Mercy High School Students, Past, Present & Future by Circle of Mercy Prayer and Intentions We Hold in Prayer This Week Those who are sick Warren Aldoretta Anne Allenza George Altman Susan Arena Agnes Bauman Korleen Bush Paul Callozzo Vincenza Capozzi Peter Cardamone Vince Cavuoto Tiffany Russo Centi Shirley Charbonneau Bill Cherry Adeline & Peter Cimino Ray & Helene Cleary Kathleen Cole Mary Dalassandro John Davis William Daylor Eleanor Dillon Rosemarie DiMartino Mary Discavage Emma Falk Gerry Fly Arlene Gioto Jean Glanton Tony Grimaldi Kathy H. Mary Ann Harper Dorothy Hefner Mary Kay Hintenach Helen Holowka Harvey Jennings Darwin Johannes Kirk Johnston Lois Jordan Jewel Kelly Jerry Kenny Roland Kent Cathy Killackey Elinor Kreckel Davalene Layng Kathleen Lynch George Maier Michael Malachowski Bob Maley Michael Mandrick Virginia McCarten Margaret McClellan Bill McMaster Ida Mitrano Josephine Mongiello Flo Mooney Rev. Jim Moynihan Ryan Moynihan Stephy N. Those who are serving in the military Jonathan Barber Michael Bartell Aaron Bush David Carley Andrew Cegla Evan Davies David Dougherty Michael Dougherty Lauren Foley Edward Gerlach Michael Giannetti Chris Hornig Eric Horton A.J. Lopez Zachary Milne Daniel Murphy Samuel Nasso Brian O Connor Those who are preparing for marriage Kayla Nicholas Charles Oesterly Rose Opipari Rosemary Parnell Onni Peck Patti Pinckney Barbara Redick Clif Rice Stacy Robinson Melissa Rossi Alan Rupp Kate S. Bobbie Schloff Tracy Schuhmacher Kathleen Sherman Helen Sherbinski Marianne Spanos Fran Swift Helen Talarczyk Joseph Tansey Jacqueline Stukas- Tennenbaum Amy Thorne Michael Paul Trahan Dorothy Tubinis Michael Verno Ed Wandtke Thomas Weinhart Craig Wilson Thomas O Toole Eric Plant Kellen Rowley D.J. Scully Adam Servatius Shaun Story Michael Stout Brett &Evan Wilby Christopher Wilson September 6, 2008 Migdalia Burgos & Doug Caswell September 13, 2008 Michelle Tartaglia & Phillip Caccamise September 20, 2008 Chelsea Howard & Brian Palmisano The Sanctuary Candle will burn this week...in loving memory of Michael Blane, by Ed & Karen Meyers Blessed Sacrament Chapel open 24-hours every day Located on the west side of the church. Rosary is said every day after the 8:00 am Mass. 3 Those who have died in the Peace of Christ Chad Coleman Richard Gerber

4 Meetings, Gatherings & Events News & Updates YOUTH MINISTRY Sunday, August 24 Monday, August 25 No Events Scheduled 6:30 pm SJS - Family Socials Field Tuesday, August 26 6:30 pm SJS - Family Socials Field 7:30 pm St. Joseph s Prayer Group Lounge Wednesday, August 27 No Events Scheduled Thursday, August 28 7:00 pm Stephen Ministry Supervision Rm 3 Friday, August 29 Saturday, August 30 Sunday, August 31 No Events Scheduled No Events Scheduled No Events Scheduled Lauren Prinzing Shares Steubenville Experience Last month I spent a weekend in Steubenville, Ohio at a Franciscan Youth Conference. It was the most spiritually powerful time I have ever experienced in my life. I was not even sure that I was going to like the trip, but I decided to go because a friend had invited me, and I was willing to give it a try. I am now so grateful that I went, as I feel that during my stay there I truly experienced the presence of God... Read more of her story at under Faith Formation. NIGHT DESK PERSON WANTED The parish is looking for a dependable individual to work as an additional PRC night desk person. The right person would be someone who can provide good hospitality and good stewardship of our parish facility. Duties include opening the facility after office hours, helping visitors find their meeting rooms, resolving scheduling difficulties or last-minute changes, responding to accidents, monitoring activity in the building, and locking the facility after the last meeting. This new position will work primarily weekends during CYO season (Oct thru Mar) and provide back-up coverage for our other night desk person during the week as needed. Those interested in applying for this position, which does receive a small stipend based on number of hours worked, should submit a letter of interest to the Parish Office, Attn: Brian Waldmiller, Director of Operations. PARISH NURSERY Located in the Parish Resource Center Room 2. Open 10:45 AM until 12:15 PM. VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE: Aug 31: Nursery Closed Labor Day Weekend Sept 7: Lori Kocher, Natalie Zaccardo, Lisa Chidsey Sept 14: Sarah Cochran, Lori Joensen, Kim Taft 4

5 PARISH LIFE New Parish Directory Coming Soon. We are creating a new comprehensive directory this fall It will combine all the information about our parish, its ministries and services, and ways to become more involved in the parish. It will also serve to update to the picture directory by providing a current list of our current parish members (names, address, phone). We will of course honor those wishing to keep their phone number unlisted. If you want to confirm that we have your phone number coded correctly, please contact the parish office by August 31. New Moms & Tots Group Forming this Fall. Save the date: Informational Meeting, 1:00-2:00pm, September 9 in St. Joe s Nursery. Join parents and caregivers of young children in an informal exploration of the Catholic faith. Children welcome! RSVP: Cathy Kamp (at Parish Office) or Angela Hanson ( , angelahanson10@yahoo.com) Parish Picnic Come join the fun Sunday, September 21. Sign up Form on Page 8 of this Bulletin. We could still use the time, talent and effort of several new volunteers. To join the committee and help put on this wonderful afternoon of fun and socializing, please contact Mary Beth (Ext. 110 or ransom@stjosephspenfield.org). Bridge League. Meetings begin again 7:15pm Saturday, September 13 in PRC Room 1. We play on second Saturday of each month. Couples interested in joining our group, please call Rosemary Pautz ( ). FAITH FORMATION Faith Formation for School-age Students: PLEASE! If you have not yet re-registered for the coming year please do so as soon as possible. We still need to hear from 60 families who were registered last year. If you are new to the parish please call and setup an appointment to register for sessions beginning in September. Call Patrick (Ext. 114). Faith Formation Catechists. We re looking for those who want to learn more about faith by teaching our faith to others, especially our young people Please call us if you are interested in this wonderful and fulfilling opportunity. Those interested in Primary grades K-5 or sacramental preparation, contact Eva Mascadri (Ext. 116); those interested in middle or high school call Christina Schmidt (Ext. 119) Liturgy of the Word with Children. Another way to support this effort is for teens to volunteer as aides. This can be useful as service for Confirmation for those who intend to celebrate this year. Call Eva Mascadri (Ext 116) for more information. Adult Education. If anyone has thoughts on programs they would like to see for adults, please give Patrick Fox (Ext. 114 or fox@stjosephspenfield.org) a call and discuss your ideas for ways that adults might continue to learn about faith and their spiritual growth. YOUTH MINISTRY Announcements Jr. High Adventure Day 10am to 3pm September 14 at Camp Stella Maris. Enjoy small group games and problem solving, outdoors, music, prizes, lunch, and a lively liturgy all for just $25! Chaperones are also needed and can come for free! Registration deadline is August 31. Please contact Christina to sign up. CYO Basketball Registration Two days only! Open registrations scheduled for 6-8pm Sept 4 and 9-11am Sept 6 in the Resource Center foyer. No registrations will be accepted after Sept 6. If you are unable to attend either registration time, please contact Christina or Pat before Sept 6 to register. Jason Everett A youth speaker coming to St. John of Rochester, 7:30-9:00pm September 28. His talk, Romance Without Regrets gives meaning to the value of chastity as a teenager today. To read more about it and hear clips from his talk, visit COMMUNITY Shepherd Home Presents an evening of song, dance and comedy on Saturday, September 13 at St. Joseph s Church featuring Traveling Cabaret. 7 PM Cash Bar starting at 7:00 PM in the lounge; 8:00 PM Performance. Tickets are $25/per couple, $13/singles and may be purchased at Shepherd Home through Betsy or Tracy, 8am 3pm Mon Fri. 5

6 Stewardship ACTS OF DISCIPLESHIP Or who has given the Lord anything that he may be repaid? Romans 11:35 St. Paul reminds us of a central fact of stewardship. We cannot give the Lord anything, because God already owns it all. God made everything. All that we can do is return a portion of God s many gifts back to Him. The good steward does this with gratitude. STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE August 17 Offerings: Envelopes: $14, Plate (loose): $ Assumption Holy Day: $ 1, Youth Envelopes: $ 0.50 Other: $ Capital Improvements: $ Poor Boxes/Mt. Carmel: $ St. Joseph s tithes on its weekly offerings, a portion of which went to Heart s Cry for scholarships for educating needy children in Mattampally, India. SUMMER ENVELOPES We sincerely thank our parishioners who mail or deliver their weekly envelopes to the parish office while out-oftown on vacations this summer. As many of you understand, our parish expenses and obligations do not take a vacation when you do, so it is very helpful to be able to rely on your continued support even when you cannot personally attend Mass here. PLANNED GIVING Please remember St. Joseph s Church in your Will Masses Preferred Is Not a Gift to the Parish Many Catholics may not understand that saying Masses Preferred in an obituary is not the same as asking for a memorial gift to the parish. When donations are made for Masses, the gift actually goes to the priest saying the Mass. If a parish cannot say all the Masses that its parishioners request, the stipends must be forwarded to retired or mission priests. While this is an admirable practice, parishioners should be fully informed of the difference when they are planning their own will or memorial gifts. Tithing Thanks MERCY OUTREACH CENTER On behalf of Mercy Outreach Center, I would like to thank you for your generous donations towards our health care ministry. Your gifts in the second half of 2007 enabled Mercy Outreach Center to: 1. Serve a gentleman in need of three medications (for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart regulation). He did not read or speak English, was recently laid off. He does not have insurance, and he has a pacemaker. 2. Provide for a man waiting for his health insurance coverage to go into effect, and has run out of high blood pressure medication. 3. Screen 34 patients for colorectal cancer 4. Screen 99 patients for cervical and breast cancer 5. Provide a physical that a man needed to start a job that week 6. Provide for a woman in need of a $7 prescription (after she was rejected from three other places) at an area pharmacy. Mercy Outreach Center is also a refuge where people can stop by for assistance when: 1. A woman was scammed by a law firm to switch her Child Support Enforcement case to their company for a $400 fee 2. Poor working mothers who get no child support and are financially short can come for baby formula, baby diapers and personal hygiene items 3. They need to fax important forms (WIC, Food Stamps, SSI), legal correspondence, etc. ~ Mercy Outreach Center As part of our commitment to Outreach ministry, St. Joseph s tithes on its weekly offerings. These funds are distributed quarterly by our Tithing Committee to various organizations locally, nationally, and internationally serving the needy beyond those reached by our own parish ministries. Your gifts and donations to the parish make this outreach possible. 6

7 Eleven years ago, Don Germano applied to the Diaconate Formation Program at St. Bernard s School of Theology and Ministry. On one particular day, which was coincidentally the day Bishop Clark was to select the candidates into the diaconate program, Don and his son happened upon a woman looking for her lost dog. Together they scouted the neighborhoods, eventually returning without success to the woman s home. There on the front porch was the lost dog. After a happy reunion between pet and owner, she introduced Don and his son to the dog. Upon hearing the dog s name, Don remembers his body feeling like a big goose bump. Don smiled and thought he had just received a wink from God. The dog s name was Deacon. Three days later, Don received his letter of acceptance into the Diaconate Formation Program. Today there are approximately 13,000 deacons in the United States alone, and though their role is not usually well known by parishioners, they have several obligations to the parishes they serve. At St. Joseph s, we are very fortunate to have three deacons who felt a call to serve God and others in a particular way and responded: Don Germano, Duncan Harris and Bill Coffey. Ray Garbach is also studying in preparation for ordination as a Deacon. Members of the Permanent Diaconate perform very specific roles within the Catholic Church and can be traced back to the earliest times of church history. There were already deacons around the time of St. Paul whose mission was to continue the ministry of Jesus Christ. Later, with the passing of several centuries and many turf wars with priests and bishops, the diaconate experienced a death of sorts. The numbers of deacons dropped dramatically, and the role became a transitional, rather than permanent one a temporary assignment and title for men who would ultimately enter the priesthood. But the diaconate experienced a resurrection in the unlikeliest of places the middle of a Nazi death camp. A group of priests imprisoned in Dachau told of being inspired by the Holy Spirit during their prayer. This group of men claimed that the Holy Spirit had encouraged them to petition the Pope for the restoration of a permanent diaconate. Upon liberation of the camp, the surviving priests carried the message they had received from the Holy Spirit back to the Pope. A ground swell of support by the rest of the Catholic community followed. And in 1967, Pope Paul VI restored the Permanent Diaconate. Locally, St. Bernard s Institute of Theology and Ministry continues the Diaconate Formation Program that was first established in The easiest way to understand a deacon s role is to think of him as the icon of Jesus the Servant. The Greek word Living Stewardship: Our Deacons 7 diakonos means servant. Deacons are called to serve at liturgy, at the Word, and in service to others. You may notice that the deacons liturgical role is as Minister of the Cup, and the deacon will always take this position during liturgy. Deacons are also able to preside at baptisms and weddings. As a servant to the Word, the deacons proclaim the Gospel at Sunday Mass and also periodically give the homily periodically. Lastly, deacons are called in service to others. Though our deacons share responsibilities at our liturgies, each of these men possesses unique gifts and follow their own path towards carrying out their service to others. Don Germano enjoys working with couples and families preparing for marriage and baptism. He is also a liaison to Bishop Clark for the Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church. Duncan Harris ministers to terminally ill patients and their families at Isaiah House. Duncan also serves others through his volunteer work with Delta Labs, which promotes clean water legislation within New York State. Bill Coffey has found a way to respond to the violence plaguing the city of Rochester. For every homicide that occurs in the Rochester area, Bill organizes prayer vigils for its victims and their families. His prayer circles include anywhere from 20 to 250 people who join him as a response to violent death. When all is said and done, their responsibilities as deacon involve about 20 hours of ministry and stewardship each week. Though Bill is now retired from Kodak, both Duncan and Don hold full-time jobs, and all of our deacons have spouses and families. All the deacons are quick to answer that the only way they balance everything is through the grace of God. It s a bit counter-intuitive: You wouldn t think that adding this form of stewardship to one s life is helpful or peaceful; yet each man finds a way to fulfill their calling and their obligations to career and family. Each is enriched and fulfilled by his chosen path. Perhaps their call to the diaconate is similar to the call to stewardship in our own lives. Don describes his calling to the diaconate as a tug that starts and never goes away. Whether we are a man or a woman, there is a spirit of diakonos in each of us. Like our deacons, we must also discern: How is it we are called to serve? Where is God constantly tugging at us? And like Don s experience with the lost dog, Deacon, God wants us to know that He is a constant presence in our lives eager to walk with us on our own journey. ~ Marie Cinti, parishioner If you would like more information about the prayer vigils organized by Bill Coffey, or would like to be notified of the vigils, please Bill (coffey2@rochester.rr.com)

8 Social Justice EngagingSPIRITUALITY Are YOU concerned about how to live an authentic life in a world where suffering and injustice are so pervasive? Are YOU open to opportunities for spiritual growth? YOU, as a parishioner of St. Joseph, are cordially invited to an informational meeting on Engaging Spirituality. Join us 7pm Wednesday, September 10 for refreshments in the Parish Lounge. We will introduce you to the EngagingSPIRITUALITY program. Contact Michelle Castelli (Castelli@stjosephspenfield.org, ), or Mary Serio (hogbob35@hotmail.com, ) JUSTICE/SERVICE The Public Policy Committee of the Diocese is focusing on Access to Health Care as one of the issues for Here are two events that explore the issue: Film and discussion on the Health Care System 3-5pm Tuesday, September 4 at the MCC Damon City Campus, Sibley Bldg, 228 East Main Street, Room 4151 (garage at Clinton and Pleasant has a walkway to bldg) Come and see the film SICKO a straight-from-the-heart portrait of the crazy and sometimes cruel health care system, told from the vantage of everyday people faced with extraordinary challenges in their quest for basic health coverage. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments served. Rally with speaker Donna Smith from the film SICKO and Dr. Leon Zoghlin 11am Friday, September 5 in the parking lot across from St.. Joe s Center at 417 South Avenue Join this rally to let the invited local, state and federal representatives and candidates know the need for comprehensive reform of our health care system. Questions? Contact Betsy Frarey ( or lfrarey@rochester.rr.com). Spirituality FOR PARENTS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS Like so many in our parish community, this week my husband Greg and I have the bittersweet experience of sending not one or two, but three daughters off to college: Sarah to Nazareth College, Caroline to SUNY Brockport, and Laura to Niagara University. At Laura s Niagara orientation in July, I was touched by a prayer offered by the Campus Ministry and wanted to share it with other parents who might be experiencing their own separation anxiety. O Loving God and Source of Life, For many years you have blessed us and challenged our family with a child. With your grace, we have seen our child grow in heart and mind, in body and spirit. In order to seek higher learning, own grown child is away from home, and we are anxious about the future. But we call upon your grace once again, to surrender the one that we love to the guidance of your Spirit. May this child hear your gentle call, and follow it to the destiny that you have always had in mind. Grant this in your name, O Lord, Who are Father and Mother to all. Amen.* And know that the prayers of the St. Joseph s community go with your child always. ~ Cathy Kamp * With gratitude to the N U Campus Ministry Pastoral Care STEPHEN MINISTRY providing a variety of care for those in need. College orientation is already beginning that first semester away from home be far away? Your daughter or son is planning on the big step of going off to college! The day will soon be here. It is an exciting time, but do you feel it will be difficult for you to see them go? Do you wish you had someone to share with during this transition? A Stephen Minister is here to listen and to walk with you. This confidential one on one ministry can help you during this time in your life. Take a moment today and call our Stephen Ministry Line ( ext. 130). Just leave your name and number and a Stephen Leader will call you back. 8

9 A Very Catholic Conversation Volume 2 Number 50 Last week I wrote about the call to live more spiritual lives and how that is sometimes seen as apart from organized religion. I d like to continue with that theme again this week. So many times the approaches to life and religion seem like a zero-sum game. It is all or nothing, this way or the highway attitude. The Gospel this weekend asks the question of who people say Jesus is. Many answers are offered until Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God. Matthew tells us that Jesus response is to call Peter a rock and declare that on that rock the church will be built. I would just remind you that this is the same Peter who tried to walk on water, had little faith, and denies Jesus three times when Jesus is arrested later. The point is we all make a journey of faith and there are questions and doubts along the way. We have our moments like Peter today when faith is strong and we also have other Peter moments when we look away and faith is at best a puzzle. The key is not seeing a zero-sum game, but seeing the sum of the game. Each of us is all of that doubts, hopes, wonder and conviction. We are all called at baptism to follow the Lord and to bring others to Christ. We don t do this solely out of conviction nor do we get to take a pass because of total doubt. Like Peter, we are called to bring all of ourselves to the table and to search for God and develop a sense of spirituality. We accomplish that not by figuring it all out, coming to unflagging faith and then testifying to others. Rather we come as Peter, Paul, Mary, Mary Magdalene and all of the saints and sinners before us with all our hope, faith, doubts and sins to an awareness that there is a God and that we are trying to follow our God. Lately I have heard a lot a song with lyrics that talk about being strong when we stand on someone else s shoulders. Faith is like that, I think. We need to live faith in community because left to ourselves it seems foolish on so many accounts. We are all less then we can be some days. We all can see the flaws of others and of the institutional church. We all can feel like we are so small and everything else is so big. We find ourselves with an inner urge to follow and to seek something greater or beyond ourselves and we need a platform from which to see. Church, other people, are that platform and those people are always greater than the systems and organizations of which they are members. So I think we can grow in faith and share faith and support one another and hear a voice say to us, you are rock and upon this rock. Let s continue the conversation fox@stjosephspenfield.org Peace, Patrick Parish / School Annual Picnic Join us for the parish/school picnic Sunday, September 21, 2008 Begins after the 11am Mass, with food and games in the area behind the school. Feel free to bring a blanket or chairs to sit on. Bocce Ball, Badminton, Frisbee Golf this year plus many Kid s Games and Face Painting Reservations are needed for planning purposes. Please return this reservation form by September 7. Donation of $10 per family or $3 per individual. Families with last name A through S : please bring a side dish or salad. Families with last name T through Z : please bring a dessert PICNIC RESERVATION FORM Family Last Name: Phone: First Names (for nametags): Adult or Child (Please circle A for adult C for child & add an age for children) 1) A/C 2) A/C 3) A/C 4) A/C 5) A/C 6) A/C 7) A/C 8) A/C 9) A/C 10) A/C We are looking for volunteers to help Needed: Help with set-up, grilling, serving and clean up. Call Mary Beth at the Parish Office (Ext. 110) to add your name to the list. Hope to see you there! 9

10 Community Announcements ST JOSEPHS SCHOOL Magazine Fundraiser in September The Magazine Fundraiser in September raises money for programs and activities to benefit St Josephs School students. You can help by SAVING your RENEWALS for this fund-raiser and/or plan to give magazine subscriptions as gifts this year. Ask your friends and relatives to do the same. Renewal orders will simply extend current subscriptions, unless the renewal has expired. Thank you in advance for your support! Please do what you can to help our school. Contact the school office ( ) for more information. SEEKING TENORS We are CARITAS, a four-part, volunteer music ministry group singing old-time favorites, plus seasonal and religious selections, in nursing homes. Our fun, spirited group is seeking tenors for our Broadway musical revue performances this Fall. Ministry includes socializing with residents after our performance. Commitment is for two performances/month. Call John McCrank ( ) or Catherine Badger ( ). 10