Greetings St. Joseph Parish!
It's beginning to look a lot like...well you know the rest! It's December, it's cold, and Christmas is just around the corner! Welcome to the latest edition of The Journey!
St. Joseph Pastoral Council
Claudia McCalley, Chair
125th Anniversary of St. Joseph Church
175th Anniversary of St. Joseph Parish
On Thanksgiving morning, St. Joseph began a year of celebration! Mass was celebrated to commemorate the 125th anniversary of current church's dedication and the 175th anniversary of the founding of the parish.
Events and activities to mark these great occasions will be held throughout the next year, culminating in a final celebration on September 15, 2024. We hope you will bring your ideas, gifts, and talents at one of two planning meetings on Saturday, December 9. One will be held before Mass at 3:15pm, and another will be held immediately after Mass. Both will be in the Parish Hall. Please come!
Faith Formation
Danielle Becwar
St. Joseph Coordinator of Faith Formation
Happy New Year! As we begin the season of Advent, we also begin a new liturgical year. Click or tap here to learn more about our church's calendar!
Come, Lord Jesus!
One way your family can prepare for Christmas is to pray the ancient O Antiphons. They contain special titles of Christ, and are usually prayed during the last seven days of Advent beginning on December 17. You already know a great song to help you get started!
1. O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear.
2. O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, Who ord’rest all things mightily; To us the path of knowledge show, And teach us in her ways to go.
3. O come, O come, Thou Lord of might, Who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height In ancient times didst give the law, In cloud and majesty and awe.
4. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse’s stem, From ev’ry foe deliver them That trust thy mighty pow’r to save, And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
5. O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heav’nly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery.
6. O come, Thou Dayspring from on high And cheer us by thy drawing nigh; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadow put to flight.
7. O come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all humankind; Bid thou our sad divisions cease, And be thyself our Prince of Peace.
2. O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, Who ord’rest all things mightily; To us the path of knowledge show, And teach us in her ways to go.
3. O come, O come, Thou Lord of might, Who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height In ancient times didst give the law, In cloud and majesty and awe.
4. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse’s stem, From ev’ry foe deliver them That trust thy mighty pow’r to save, And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
5. O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heav’nly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery.
6. O come, Thou Dayspring from on high And cheer us by thy drawing nigh; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadow put to flight.
7. O come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all humankind; Bid thou our sad divisions cease, And be thyself our Prince of Peace.
Adult Faith Formation
Fran Zichal, Emmaus Pastorate
Adult Faith Formation Coordinator
Christmas Party w/ RISE
St. Joseph will host the second annual Christmas party for RISE clients in our area on Wednesday, December 6 at St. Joseph Parish Hall beginning at 3:30pm. The Parish Life Committee is preparing the meal, and Fr. Peters is playing Christmas carols! John Uhal and Faith Formation students will help the sing-a-long, so come join us!
The Chosen
Due to the Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations, we are delaying the start of The Chosen. This groundbreaking streaming television series about the life of Jesus will be offered at St. Mary Parish in Strawberry Point from 6:15pm-7:30pm beginning January 14, 2024 and continuing on January 28, February 11, February 25, March 10, March 24, April 7, April 28, May 12, May 19, and May 26. Please register by calling the St. Joseph Parish Center at 563-245-2548. Handouts will be available on the date. If you're unable to come to one or more dates, just come when you can!
Our Hearts Revived!
The women’s Retreat, “Reviving Our Hearts” was held on November 4 at St. Joseph. 38 women from inside and outside the Emmaus Pastorate gathered to learn more about reviving our hearts. A heartfelt blessing to all of you!! Thanks to everyone who helped make it a success, including Andrew Clark and his sons, Janine Berns, Diane Formo, Alice White, Kim Warpinski, and especially our presenter, Mary Pederson! Mary helped us gain a new understanding of the Eucharistic Revival and challenged us to reflect on 12 discussion questions. Here are a few of them:
- What brokenness have you experienced?
- How can you breathe life into your parish?
- How can you intentionally make a sacrifice to the Lord?
Baptism Class
The third Baptism class of this academic year in the Emmaus Pastorate is scheduled for February on a TBD date 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 St. Joseph 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
Please hold in prayer the family and friends of Rachel Englehardt and Francis Whittle.
Happy Veteran's Day!
St. Joseph marked the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month with a special patriotic rosary. Every year at that time, people around the world gather to recall the end to World War I, and St. Joseph Parish was no different. Thanks to Joanne Keleher, John Uhal, Fran Zichal, and our prayer leaders who helped organize this prayer for our country and those who fight for it. Thanks also to Frank Phippen of American Legion Post 106 who played taps at the end of our service!
Be sure to join us to celebrate Mary's Immaculate Conception!
In 2023, this day is a holy day of obligation.
December 7 | 5:30pm | St. Joseph Parish
December 8 | 12:15pm | St. Mary Parish
December 8 | 5:30pm | St. Mark Parish
Thursday Night Evening Prayer
During Advent, all parishes will hold Evening Prayer on Thursday nights at 6:30pm. Come prepare the way of the Lord together in prayer! Each night will last about 30 minutes.
(Please note St. Joseph will have a vigil Mass on December 7 at 5:30pm instead of Evening Prayer.)
Memorial of St. Nicholas
Does St. Nicholas come to your house? Mark your calendars for December 6, and click or tap here to learn more about good ol' St. Nick!
Please Note...
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is not a holy day of obligation in 2024, so no Mass will be held on January 1.
November Mass Intentions
- December 1: Keith & Billie Kobliska
- December 2: for the people of St. Joseph Parish
- December 7: Dennis & Mary Anne Keppler
- December 8: Joe, Madonna, & Dan Collins
- December 9: Julie Keleher
- December 15: LaVonne Sandor
- December 16: Bob White
- December 22: Josh Collins
- December 23: Collins & White Families
- December 24: Pat Fitzgerald
- December 30: for the people of St. Joseph Parish
KMCH Sponsors
- December 3: Judy & Mary Ellen Beckman of Cedar Falls, IA
- December 10: Michael & Brenda Landwehr of Guttenberg, IA
- December 17: Robert & Anette Myers of Dunkerton, IA
- December 24: Michael & Brenda Landwehr of Guttenberg, IA
- December 31: Robert & Anette Myers of Dunkerton, IA
Social Justice Committee
Colleen Moore, Chair
Clayton County Food Shelf
In November, St. Joseph collected 106lbs of food and $209! Thank you!! Our next collection will be Saturday night, December 2. The Food Shelf especially needs flour, sugar, stuffing mix, cereal, canned fruit, peanut butter, soup, tuna, and hamburger helper this month. Thanks for your generosity!!
Pay-It-Forward
In recent weeks, the Pay-It-Forward fund assisted three families. Two $100 gift cards for food and gas were given to families coping with medical appointments in Iowa City, and $100 was given to a family recovering from a recent house fire. Thanks for supporting this fund to help needy households by leaving loose change in the collection basket every third Sunday of the month!
Knights of Columbus
John Uhal, Grand Knight
Free Throw Championship
St. Joseph's Knights of Columbus will host their annual Free Throw Championship on Monday, January 15 during Central Community's basketball games. Any boy or girl age 9-14 can compete; need not be a parishioner or a member's child! Registration will begin at 5:30pm in Central's small gym, and winners advance to the regional level.
More Things to Know
Time to Cleanup the Church!
Join us on December 9 from 9:00am-12:00pm as we clean St. Joseph Church in preparation for Christmas. All are invited to help! Many hands will make light work!
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!
Upcoming Events
- December 2: That Man Is You meets 7:00am-8:30am @ St. Mary Apartment
- December 3: First Sunday of Advent
- December 6: Christmas party for RISE residents 3:30pm @ St. Joseph Parish Hall
- December 7: Evening Prayer 6:30pm @ all parishes
- December 8: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (Mass schedule is above)
- December 9: That Man Is You meets 7:00am-8:30am @ St. Mary Apartment
- December 9: First Reconciliation Retreat @ St. Joseph Parish Hall
- December 9: St. Joseph Church Cleaning 9:00am - everyone is needed!
- December 13: Advent Reconciliation (see schedule above)
- December 14: Evening Prayer 6:30pm @ all parishes
- December 16: That Man Is You meets 7:00am-8:30am @ St. Mary Apartment
- December 21: Evening Prayer 6:30pm @ all parishes
- December 23: That Man Is You meets 7:00am-8:30am @ St. Mary Apartment
- December 25: CHRISTMAS (see schedule above)
- December 30: That Man Is You meets 7:00am-8:30am @ St. Mary Apartment
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.