Greetings St. Joseph Parish!
Happy Independence Day! Hopefully your festivities are safe and celebratory! Here's the July edition of The Journey, full of updates on what's happening around St. Joseph and the Emmaus Pastorate!
Parish Life
Ann Gibney, St. Joseph Parish Life Coordinator
Midsummer Fun!
The Parish Council and Parish Life Committee are hosting a picnic potluck and pool party in appreciation for everyone who makes St. Joseph a living community. Every parishioner contributes to the strength and vitality of our parish, and we want to say, “Thank you!” to everyone! After Mass on July 15, head to the Parish Hall for hot dogs and hamburgers. Please bring a dish to share. After supper, head over to the Elkader Swimming Pool from 7:00pm-9:00pm. And if you aren’t a swimmer, come over, and watch the fun!
St. Joseph Pastoral Council
Claudia McCalley, Chair
Parish Vitality Goals
Since the March Town Hall meeting, the Parish Council has been working to develop three vitality goals the parish which will be submitted to the Archdiocese. The council has developed goals to address liturgy, outreach, and faith formation. During the next three months, each goal and its action steps will be described.
The first goal is “St. Joseph Parish will encourage liturgical experiences that will deepen the sacramental life of parishioners.” Key action steps will include increasing the number of liturgical ministers and providing training for them. Hospitality ministers will be trained to welcome all, and Masses will be inclusive for all participants. Special celebrations of the Sacraments will be promoted. Parishioners will be encouraged to arrive at Mass early for quiet reflection and prayer. More action steps will be added, and please contact any council member with comments, questions, or ideas.
Faith Formation
Taking Your Little Ones to Mass
"As parents, and leaders of our domestic church, we are responsible for forming our children in our Catholic faith...it is crucial to help children understand and participate in liturgy as much as they are able." Click HERE to read helpful suggestions and strategies from Josh and Stacey Noem (from For Your Marriage) for taking young children to Mass. Francine Pirola shares the results of a parents’ survey (by Cathfamily.org). Check out their Mass Survival Guide, and enjoy these comical videos, Part 1 and Part 2 from Fr. Jacob Rouse, dedicated "to the brave women and men who sacrifice so much of themselves to bring their children to Jesus and to bring Jesus to their children."
NFP Awareness Week
The theme for this year's Natural Family Planning Awareness Week is "Marriage: One Flesh, Given and Received." The dates of NFP Awareness Week highlight the anniversary of the papal encyclical Humanae Vitae (July 25) which articulates Catholic beliefs about human sexuality, conjugal love, and responsible parenthood. The week also marks the feasts of Sts. Joachim and Anne (July 26), the parents of the Blessed Mother and grandparents of Jesus.
- Visit the Archdiocese of Dubuque NFP Website
- Celebrate with some NFP Resources from Pinterest.
For additional marriage enrichment resources, check out the Archdiocese of Dubuque Pinterest page!
2023 Archdiocesan Catholic Parenting Conference
Mark your calendars and plan to attend the Catholic Parenting Conference to be held in Cedar Rapids (location TBD). Keynote speakers will be Mike and Alicia Hernon (from The Messy Family Project), and Jonathan and Amanda Teixeira (from Wallet Win: Your Catholic Money Mentors). This conference will be a fun-filled day for parents to connect, hear dynamic speakers, discuss the joys and challenges of parenting, and receive resources, insights, and information to help you strengthen your domestic church! Find more information HERE!
Adult Faith Formation
Fran Zichal, Emmaus Pastorate
Adult Faith Formation Coordinator
Have you tried FORMED yet?? It's free, easy, and a great resource of learning and prayer!
Looking for a new movie? Want to binge a new series? Searching for a new podcast? FORMED is a Catholic media streaming service full of both entertainment and learning opportunities for you and your family! Perfect for individuals or groups, there is something on every subject imaginable! If you like Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and other services, try FORMED today! It's free for everyone, even your extended family and friends! All you need is an email address.
How to start using FORMED:
- Visit formed.org/signup.
- Enter "Emmaus Pastorate" in the search bar.
- Select the option with an Edgewood, IA address.
- Enter your name and email address.
- Start using FORMED!
A Biblical Walk with Mary
Two sessions of this workshop were completed recently with great participation. Thanks to all who came and to Fran Zichal and Jennifer Fuller for leading them!
Fall Retreat
A retreat titled Reviving Our Hearts will be led by Mary Pederson at St. Joseph Parish on November 4. Mark your calendars and watch for more details!
Impact
Impact is a two-year formation program for adults who desire a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith and relationship with Christ. The next cohort begins in September and will be at Resurrection Parish in Dubuque one Saturday each month from September thru May. Contact Fr. John or Fran Zichal for more information.
Baptism Class
The first Baptism class of this academic year in the Emmaus Pastorate is scheduled for Wednesday, August 16 at 6:00pm in the St. Joseph Parish Center in Elkader. It is our practice that parents of the Emmaus Pastorate participate in a Baptism class prior to each child's Baptism. 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.
Liturgy & Worship
John Uhal, Pastoral Associate
Thanks to everyone who helped celebrate the 5th anniversary of the creation of the Emmaus Pastorate! It was a great event, and SO MANY attended! Thanks also to Startmont Schools for hosting us!
Let us pray...
Please hold all of those who have died and their loved ones in your prayers, especially James Torson, and their families.
May Mass Intentions
- July 1: John Miehe
- July 7: John Kozak
- July 8: Mia Erickson
- July 15: Mary Jo Moore
- July 22: for the people of St. Joseph Parish
- July 29: for the people of St. Joseph Parish
KMCH Sponsors
- July 2: Rob & Anette Myers of Dunkerton, IA
- July 9: Nancy Smith
- July 16: Samuel Schurman of Carlsbad, CA
- July 23: Michael & Brenda Landwehr of Guttenberg, IA
- July 30: Rob & Anette Myers of Dunkerton, IA
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!
Social Justice Committee
Colleen Moore, Chair
Back-to-School
Now thru August 1, St. Joseph will collect school supplies ahead of the next school year. In 2022, 238 backpacks were given to children in need through the annual Back-to-School Event hosted by Shepherd of the Hills. Saint Joseph has proudly supported this wonderful event! Items from the list below, monetary donations, and also underwear and socks are all needed. Monetary donations will be used to purchase any items still needed after August 1. To donate money, please make checks out to St. Joseph Church and note “Back-to-School” in the memo line and on the envelope. Thank you so much for your past and continued support to the education of our youth!!!
Needed items:
Backpacks, dry erase markers, washable markers, glue, glue sticks, pocket folders (lots!), crayons, scissors, wide-ruled notebooks, narrow/college ruled notebooks, Kleenex, pencil boxes, highlighters (lots!), thin markers, pink erasers (big ones!), colored pencils, red and black pens, pencils, mechanical pencils, composition books (wide- and narrow-ruled), loose leaf paper (wide- and narrow-ruled), scientific calculators, index cards, 1” binders
More Things to Know
Clayton County Food Shelf
In June, St. Joseph collected 83lbs of food and $400! Thank you!! Our next collection will be Saturday night, July 1. Thanks for your generosity!!
St. Joseph Treasure Sale
Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 12! The annual Treasure Sale will run from 8:00am until 2:00pm. As you clean out the house, don’t forget to donate used items to St. Joseph (except clothes). One person’s junk is another person’s treasure! We guarantee something for everyone. Prices are right, and we’ll wheel and deal! Coffee and cinnamon rolls will be available again too. In addition to the sale, we will also be holding a silent auction of the cupola from the building in St. Joseph Cemetery.
ArchdioceseOne Update
To date, $15,805,765 has been raised for the four beneficiaries of this special appeal (legal immigration services, repair of St. Raphael Cathedral, care of retired priests, and seminarian formation). New donors are still giving daily, and there’s still time to donate if you haven’t already. Please contact Jeff Schneider at jeff.schneider@dbqarch.org or at 563-556-2580 x219 or Cassie Bird at 563-556-2580 x211 or c.bird@dbqarch.org for information on how to give or with any other questions you might have. Thank you for your support!
Begin Your Journey to Improved Mental Health Today
If you are struggling with your mental health, early intervention with a licensed professional helps to prevent long-term problems. Catholic Charities provides confidential counseling in a safe setting to anyone, regardless of faith or background. Clients seek counseling with us for a variety of reasons, including anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, & grief. Our licensed professionals help individuals, couples, and families maintain emotional health and strengthen relationships. Counseling is available in-person or via telehealth in English & Spanish. Visit catholiccharitiesdubuque.org/counseling to schedule your first appointment or call 563-588-0588 for more information on how to connect with a counselor in your area.
Upcoming Events
- July 8: Marriage of Riley Brockway & Haley Bergan @ St. Mark Parish
- July 12: Fr. John’s surgery; expected return is August 1; pray for him!
- July 15: Parish Appreciation Picnic following the 5:00pm Mass, then Pool Party at Elkader Swimming Pool
- July 23: Sacred Heart Parish Breakfast, Picnic, & Auction following 8:00am Mass
- July 30: St. Mary Parish & Knights of Columbus Golf Outing at Backbone Golf & Country Club; tee off @ 11:00am
- August 12: St. Joseph Parish Treasure Sale and Lasagna Take ‘n’ Bake orders start
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.