Greetings St. Joseph Parish!
Happy Holy Week!! This weekend begins the most important time of year for Catholics! Let's begin it with a celebration of the Mass and this month's edition of The Journey!
Parish Life
Ann Gibney, St. Joseph Parish Life Coordinator
Steven is coming home for the Paschal Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday)! Be sure to say, "Hi!" and wish him well as he finishes his final year of minor seminary!
Thanks to everyone who helped clean the church this month!!
It looks beautiful just in time for Easter!!
St. Joseph Pastoral Council
Claudia McCalley, Chair
St. Joseph held its annual town hall meeting on February 25. Here are some results of that annual event.
- 50 parishioners attended and heard an overview about the state of the Emmaus Pastorate from Fr. John.
- Deacon Paul provided statistical and demographic information about St. Joseph Parish.
- Bob Hauber gave an update on the financial status of St. Joseph.
- Claudia McCalley reviewed existing goals of the parish and then opened the floor for input regarding what is going well in the parish. Many things were shared including discussion of hospitality and welcoming, worship aids at Mass and funerals, music and choir, as examples.
- The group then discussed challenges we are facing and some items included population and aging volunteers, fear of leadership, and confidence.
During the next few months, the Council will use this input to establish goals to grow the vitality of the Parish and Pastorate.
Faith Formation
Hazel Martin, St. Joseph Parish
Director of Faith Formation
A Journey through Holy Week
On Wednesday, March 29, a reflection on each day of Holy Week was held during class time for all high school students. The 75-minute class was a great way to quickly examine the events and meanings of Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.
Pop Quiz!
Do you recognize these images of Holy Week? Think, reflect, and read over the readings of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter to find the answers! (Or you can look at the end of this newsletter!)
First Communion Retreat
Second graders from St. Joseph and St. Mary Parishes, along with their family member(s), had a spiritual and fun-filled morning on March 25 in the St. Joseph Parish Hall. The retreat began with prayer, then the children learned to make bread from scratch. They also made several crafts, practiced receiving Communion, and shared a meal of bread and grape juice with their family. A closing prayer and blessing completed the day. Please continue to pray for these second graders who receive their First Communion on April 22 and 23!
Adult Faith Formation
Fran Zichal, Emmaus Pastorate
Adult Faith Formation Coordinator
Men's Conference
Five men from St. Mary and St. Mark attended the 2023 Archdiocesan Men’s Conference at St. Mark Parish Center. Thanks to Denise Rubner, Diane Formo, Deacon Paul Dolan, and Fr. John for making it a great day!
Continuing to Say "Yes" to God
Ten women from the Emmaus Pastorate attended a special program at Mount Mercy University on March 24. Dr. Edward Sri presented a program on the Solemnity of the Annunciation, and we learned new facts about Mary and the rosary. Some of us took a picture with Dr. Sri afterward. Plans are being made to share this experience with you in May, the month of Mary, so stay tuned! And special thanks to Paul & Lori Keppler for offering Savannah, their coach bus, to get us all down to Mount Mercy!
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Baptism Class
The final Baptism class of this academic year in the Emmaus Pastorate is scheduled for Wednesday, May 31 at 6:00pm in the St. Joseph Parish Center. It is our practice that parents of the Emmaus Pastorate desiring baptism participate in a Baptism class. If you wish to have your child baptized, please contact the Pastorate Office at 563-928-7200. Classes are open to all parents of the Emmaus Pastorate.
Grief Share Support Group
Our latest class started at St. Joseph Parish Center, but it's not too late to join! We meet every Tuesday from 5:30pm- 7:00pm until May 30. Call Kandi DeShaw 608-306-2558 or Fran Zichal 563-880-0873 for further information.
Liturgy & Worship
John Uhal, Pastoral Associate
Welcome greetings to
Huxton Gene Bond, son of Jesse & Meghan, who was baptized on March 4! Also, congratulations to Warren Raymond Becwar, son of Dustin & Danielle, who was baptized on March 25! May you both grow in age, wisdom, and grace before God!
April Mass Intentions
- April 1: Joshua Collins
- April 6: Patricia Roach
- April 9: Stacey Kessler
- April 15: John Nikolai
- April 21: Glynn Noonan
- April 22: Jim Hosch
- April 28: Kenny Hurley
- April 29: Mya Erickson
KMCH Sponsors
- April 2 - Judy Reilly of Dubuque, IA
- April 9 - Shirley Ruan
- April 16 - Nancy Smith
- April 23 - Kyle & Sarah Kumpf and Family of Peosta, IA
- April 30 - Michael & Brenda Landwehr of Guttenberg, IA
St. Joseph Day
Thanks to everyone who joined us to celebrate our patron saint, St. Joseph, on March 20! The church was beautiful, and the meal was delicious!
Watch & Pray Vigil
Prepare yourself for Holy Week! On Palm Sunday at 2:00pm, the Watch & Pray Vigil will be held at St. Joseph. This 30-45-minute prayerful reflection focuses on Jesus' agony in the garden following the Last Supper. Can you stay awake and watch one hour? Thanks in advance to Tim Engelhardt, Janice Reimer, John Uhal, and Fran Zichal for their preparations.
Let us pray...
Please hold all of those who have died and their loved ones in your prayers, especially Al Kruse and Rick Petsche, and their families.
On the go a lot??
Do you wish you could hear Fr. John's or Deacon Paul's homilies in the car or on the go? Well now you can! Visit our website, click on Homilies & Podcast in the top menu or under the Worship tab, and you'll be able to listen to any of their Sunday homilies! Special episodes from holy days, visits from Archbishop Jackels, and the occasional recording of our musicians are also posted. Try it!
If you subscribe to podcasts, search for The Emmaus Pastorate's Podcast wherever you find them!
With over 170 episodes and over 5,000 downloads, there's an episode we all need!
Adoration and Stations
St. Mark Faith Formation invites you to their Shadow Stations of the Cross on Wednesday, April 5 at 7:15pm.
Adoration and Stations of the Cross will still be held on Monday, April 3 at St. Patrick Parish and Tuesday, April 4 at Sacred Heart Parish. Both begin at 5:00pm.
Chrism Mass
Have you ever been anointed? Chances are very likely that you have, even if only at your Baptism and Confirmation! Join the rest of the Archdiocese, our priests, and Archbishop Jackels at this year's Chrism Mass at 2:00pm at the Cathedral of St. Raphael in Dubuque. The Chrism Mass takes place every year during Holy Week and features the blessing and consecration of new oil for anointing the sick, baptized, and confirmed. Each priest also renews his vows before the Archbishop. This is a great way to prepare for Easter!
Pay-It-Forward Fund
Colleen Moore, Chair
St. Joseph Parish Social Justice Committee
Do you know of someone (maybe yourself) who could use a financial hand up? St. Joseph Parish has a Pay-It-Forward fund that could help. The loose change (bills and coins not in envelopes) from the third weekend collection each month helps fund this program. Our committee reviews the requests, allocates the funds, and also lets people know if there are other services available that could help them. All requests and distributions are confidential. If you know of someone in need, please refer them to the St. Joseph Parish Center. This fund is not just for our parishioners but is available to any community member in need!
More Things to Know
Clayton County Food Shelf
In April, the food shelf needs unsweetened cereal, soup, dry dinners, peanut butter, and tuna. Cash to help pay for Easter dinner can also be sent directly to the Clayton County Food Shelf at PO Box 48 St. Olaf, IA 52072. Our next collection will be Saturday night, April 1. Thanks for your generosity!!
Disability Inclusion Ministry
We had our second monthly birthday on February 28, and everyone enjoyed the music and fellowship while they ate their lunch! We had 21 people attend, and we took a meal to a man with disabilities and his wife. She is his caregiver and just had hip surgery. In attendance, we had two or three with disabilities and about 10-12 seniors.
Mary/Martha Meals
A total of 21 meals were donated to individuals and families on March 16. Thank you, ladies, for your tireless work and service! Donations are always welcome, especially meat and cash for supplies!
Upcoming Events
- April 1/2: Palm Sunday (schedule above)
- April 2: Watch & Pray Vigil @2:00pm - St. Joseph Parish
- April 4: Chrism Mass @ 2:00pm - St. Raphael Cathedral, Dubuque
- April 5: Shadow Stations @ 7:15pm - St. Mark Parish
- April 6: Holy Thursday @ 7:00pm - St. Joseph Parish
- April 7: Good Friday @ 7:00pm - St. Mary Parish
- April 8: Easter Vigil @ 8:00pm - St. Mark Parish
- April 9: Easter Sunday (schedule above)
- April 13: St. Joseph Pastoral Council Meeting @ 6:00pm
- April 17: St. Joseph Finance Committee Meeting @ 5:30pm
- April 20: Pastoral Leadership Study Day in Cedar Falls; all staff gone; both Emmaus Pastorate offices closed
- April 22: First Communion @ 5:00pm Mass
- April 24: Disability Inclusion Ministry monthly birthday party @ 11:00am - St. Mary Upper Room
- April 25: Pastorate Pastoral Council Meeting @ 6:30pm - St. Joseph Parish Hall
- April 26: Final Faith Formation Class for St. Joseph
Pop Quiz Answers
- Thirty pieces of silver: price Judas received for betraying Jesus
- Judas' kiss: an outward act of friendship, but a secret act of betrayal
- Crowing rooster: Peter's denial; the weakness of humans
- Purple garment: royalty, kingship
- Dice: the part fate plays in our lives
- Three crosses: the two criminals and Jesus; the three crosses of sin/rebellion, sorrow/repentance, and redemption/salvation
Do you have something to add to this newsletter? Please send any articles and/or pictures to John Uhal at the Parish Center, by calling 563-245-2548, or by email at j.uhal@dbqarch.org.