Greetings St. Joseph Parish!
It was a beautiful October outside, but now it's time for some winter! As you cozy up for the night, catch up on the latest parish news right here in November's edition of The Journey!
Parish Life
Ann Gibney, St. Joseph Parish Life Coordinator
Hope Crest Partnerships raised $421 for Hope Chest, and four children were sponsored. Thanks to everyone who came and donated, and special thanks to Jamie Wingert for her time and sharing!
Heritage Days
A huge thanks to everyone who helped prepare and serve meals at Osborn's annual Heritage Days! A total of $3,023.68 was raised, over 50 volunteers were needed, and over 150 hours were volunteered, not to mention 27 sliced pork loins and 475 hot dogs served!
St. Joseph Crafters
Annual Sale
St. Joseph Pastoral Council
Claudia McCalley, Chair
Faith Formation
Danielle Becwar
St. Joseph Coordinator of Faith Formation
Did you see the pumpkins?! Faith Formation students in grades 1-7 got to paint and decorate pumpkins last week, and grades 8-11 were busy carving in the hall. Thanks to the 12th graders for leading games with the 3rd and 4th graders! And thank you to everyone who brought pumpkins and squashes for the fun!
Adult Faith Formation
Fran Zichal, Emmaus Pastorate
Adult Faith Formation Coordinator
Calling All Men!
That Man Is You is a new men's group in the Emmaus Pastorate aimed at helping men be chasers after God's own heart. Come to discover...
- the scriptural vision of man and the overwhelming scientific evidence
that supports this vision, - the four leadership roles that have been entrusted to men, and
the five personal traits necessary for fulfilling these leadership roles, - how and why Satan always attacks the union of man and woman,
- the three main obstacles to living as authentic men and the means for overcoming them, and
- the wonderful renewal God is offering to men and their
families through the Church!
Every Saturday from 7:00am-8:30am at St. Mary's Apartment in Strawberry Point. Can't come this week? Come next week! Breakfast is included!
Something New?!
Have an idea for a class or activity? Want to teach a class or lead an activity? Contact Fran Zichal (info below), and she'll get you started!
Grief Share Wraps Up
We offered two classes of Grief Share this fall, and they were very successful! Steven Billhorn of Manchester has joined our staff; it is very helpful having a male perspective. A spring course is being planned now, so watch for details. We're also helping to expand this program in a parish in Belvidere which is very appreciative of our help and experience!
The Chosen
Join us to watch The Chosen, an acclaimed series depicting the life and ministry of Christ and his disciples. It will be shown during St. Mary's Faith Formation classes on Sundays from 6:15pm-7:30pm. Season one will be shown on November 12, December 10, January 14, January 29, February 11, February 25, March 10, and March 24. Can't come each week? Come when you can!
Women's Retreat
St. Joseph invites all women of the Emmaus Pastorate to join them for the “Reviving Our Hearts” Retreat on November 4 from 9:00am-12:00pm in the St. Joseph Parish Hall. Mary Pederson will lead the retreat, and breakfast and lunch will be served. The retreat will end with 30 minutes of adoration in the church. To register for the event, call the St. Joseph Office at 563-245-2548. There is no charge to attend.
2023 Embracing lnclusion Award
Congratulations to the Emmaus Pastorate on receiving the Archdiocese of Dubuque's 2023 Embracing Inclusion Award! Lynn Chapman, Adult Program and Disability Inclusion Manager at the Archdiocese, was on hand to award the Pastorate the honor. She said in part, "This award is presented annually to a parish/cluster or pastorate, Catholic school, or organization in the Archdiocese of Dubuque that offers the Best Program or Project for fuller inclusive participation in the life of the faithful." Thank you to our committee and all those around the Pastorate who serve the needs to people with disabilities! If you would like to become involved, please contact Fran Zichal (info below).
Baptism Class
The second Baptism class of this academic year in the Emmaus Pastorate is scheduled for Sunday, November 19 following the 10:00am Mass at St. Mark Parish in Edgewood. 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 John Uhal at the Parish Center at 563-245-2548. Classes are open to all parents of the Emmaus Pastorate.
Liturgy & Worship
John Uhal, Emmaus Pastorate
Director of Liturgy & Worship and Webmaster
Respect Life Month
Did you catch Fr. John's series of homilies on 5 aspects of Respect Life? Within the consistent ethic of life...
- Life is active, not passive; it must be lived in the service of others and in harmony with creation.
- Life is a gift from God, therefore not for us to take; violence in our world and the death penalty are contrary to this belief.
- Life is all inclusive, especially of people different from us.
- Life is not Ceaser's but God's; no legislation or right can trump this.
- Life issues only start with protecting the unborn; loving thy neighbor includes ending all oppression and injustice - from conception until natural death.
Join us after all Masses on November 4-5 and after the 8:00am Mass on November 12 for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Anyone suffering chronic or acute pain - regardless of age - is encouraged to be anointed!
November Mass Intentions
- November 3: Bob White
- November 4: Keith & Valene Lau
- November 10: Connie Thornton
- November 11: for the people of St. Joseph Parish
- November 17: Word & Communion
- November 18: Donald Hamilton
- November 23: Thanksgiving
- November 24: No Mass
- November 25: Maureen Bergan
KMCH Sponsors
- November 5: Robert & Anette Myers of Dunkerton, IA
- November 12: Samuel Schurman of Carlsbad, CA
- November 19: Michael & Brenda Landwehr of Guttenberg, IA
- November 25: Robert & Anette Myers of Dunkerton, IA
Be sure to join us yet tonight for the holy day! Mass is at 5:30pm at St. Mary Parish and 7:00pm at St. Mark Parish.
Let's gather on November 2 to remember all the dead. Each parish will pray Evening Prayer at 6:30pm. Bring photos of deceased loves ones to display, and let us pray for their happy repose!
Change in Daily Mass
At 10:00am on the 2nd Thursday and Friday of each month, Mass is held at the Edgewood Convalescent Home and Elkader Care Center respectively. On these days, no daily Mass will be celebrated at either St. Mary or St. Joseph Parish.
Congratulations to Audrey Ellen Orr who was baptized on Saturday, October 21 at St. Joseph! May you grow in age, wisdom, and grace in the years to come. And congrats to her parents, Luke & Miranda!
Social Justice Committee
Colleen Moore, Chair
Clayton County Food Shelf
In October, St. Joseph collected 41lbs of food and $366! Thank you!! Our next collection will be Saturday night, November 4. Cereal, peanut butter, soup, canned fruit, tuna, and especially flour, sugar, and stuffing mix are most needed! Thanks for your generosity!!
Knights of Columbus
John Uhal, Grand Knight
Pancakes!!
Thanks to everyone who came to enjoy some pancakes and Edgewood Locker sausage! Over 330 people were served, and we had lots of help from our Confirmation students, too!
More Things to Know
Happy birthday,
Fr. Peters! Here's to many more!!
Never miss an issue of our Sunday bulletin! Catch it on our website as early as Thursday or in one of our five churches on Sundays!
Do You Listen?
Did you know the Emmaus Pastorate has a podcast where you can listen to over 200 Sunday homilies and special musical episodes? Click here and start listening today!
Lasagnas Are Done!
Thanks to everyone who donated ingredients, prepared food, made deliveries, and temporarily opened their freezers! Over 475 lasagnas were made, and the final dollars are now being tallied! YEY!!!
Election Night Soup Supper
Join Sacred Heart Parish in Volga for their annual Election Night Soup Supper! Dinner will be served from 4:00pm-7:00pm and will include potato soup, chicken noodle soup, chili, maidrites, ham sandwiches, salads, desserts, and drinks. Carry-out meals will be available, and dinner costs a free-will donation. A bake sale will be held, as well as a raffle featuring a beef bundle, kids winter basket, pork bundle, and holiday dinner for 8 made by Sacred Heart's Parish Life Committee. Be sure to vote, and be sure to join us for dinner after!
Upcoming Events
- November 1: All Saints Day - be sure to come to Mass!
- November 2, 9, 16: Grief Share Support Group at St. Mark Parish Hall @ 1:00pm
- November 2: All Souls Day - be sure to come to Evening Prayer @ 6:30pm, and bring pictures!
- November 4, 11, 18, 25: That Man Is You at St. Mary Apartment @ 7:00am
- November 4: Reviving Our Hearts women's retreat (see above)
- November 4-5: Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick after all Masses
- November 7: Election Night Soup Supper at Sacred Heart Parish Hall @ 4:00pm-7:00pm (see above)
- November 7, 14, 21, 28: Grief Share Support Group at St. Joseph Parish Center @ 5:30pm
- November 8: Advent Catechist Inservice at St. Joseph Parish Hall @ 6:30pm
- November 12: Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick after Sacred Heart's Mass
- November 14: Grief Share Support Group at St. Joseph Parish Center @ 5:30pm
- November 16-19: National Catholic Youth Conference - pray for the 1,000s in attendance, including those from the Emmaus Pastorate!
- November 19: Baptism Class after St. Mark's 10:00am Mass
- November 27: Disability Inclusion Monthly Birthday Party at St. Mary Upper Room @ 11:00am
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.