Greetings St. Joseph Parish!
The snow is melting, Valentine's Day is fast approaching (oh and Lent too!), and the latest edition of The Journey is in your hands! Let's see what's been happening around the parish and what we can expect in the next few weeks!
St. Joseph Parish Life
Ann Gibney, Chair
Four Days Left!!
We wish Fr. John a full and speedy recovery from his shoulder surgery on January 29!
Join Us in March!
- Who: YOU! And every parishioner you know!
- What: Parish Life Meeting
- Where: St. Joseph Parish Hall
- When: Thursday, March 7 @ 6:00pm
- Why: Plan activities for the 175th Anniversary!
175 Years Collections
To celebrate 175 years, let's collect 175+ items/month to donate to the Clayton County Food Shelf! Here's what we'll collect and when!
- January - Peanut butter & Jelly
- February - Soup & Crackers
- March - Cereal
- April - Canned Meats
- May - Canned Vegetables (especially peas)
- June - Socks and Underwear
- July - School Supplies
- August - Canned fruit and 100% fruit juice
- September - Jackets and Coats
- October- Hats & Mittens
- November - Giving Tree presents
- December - toilet paper, tissues, tooth paste, shampoo, and laundry detergent, dish soap, and hand soap
St. Joseph Pastoral Council
Claudia McCalley, Chair
A Joyful and Promising
Year Ahead!
"Built on History. Growing by Faith."
Have an Idea??
Have feedback for your Pastoral Council? Contact any member any time!
St. Joseph Day
& Town Hall
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 19! We'll celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary and Foster Father of Jesus! We'll have...
Mass at 5:30pm
Chili supper in the Parish Hall
Town Hall after supper
What a great way to celebrate the 175th anniversary of our parish!!
More Fun Is Coming!
Other activities are being planned, so watch the bulletin, your email, and weekend announcements over the coming weeks!
Faith Formation
Danielle Becwar
St. Joseph Coordinator of Faith Formation
Confirmation Preparation
On January 27, St. Joseph's Confirmation students met with their sponsors as part of their ongoing preparation to receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. At Mass that evening, these students also filled some of the liturgical ministries, including Maci Kepper who cantored with their catechist, Carla Clark. Well done ladies!!
Be sure to join us on the Wednesdays of Lent (except February 28) for Stations of the Cross at 6:30pm!
Remember that Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting between meals for Catholics. One large meal is permitted on these days and two smaller meals which together are smaller than the large. Catholics are also obliged to abstain from all meat on these days and all Fridays of Lent.
Happy
Valentine's
Day!
Adult Faith Formation
Fran Zichal, Emmaus Pastorate
Adult Faith Formation Coordinator
The Chosen
This groundbreaking streaming television series about the life of Jesus continues at St. Mary Parish from 6:15pm-7:30pm on 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 can't come one night, come another!
Beauty in Christ Archdiocesan Women’s Conference
Thanks to all the women from around the Emmaus Pastorate who gathered on Saturday morning for the annual Beauty in Christ Conference sponsored by the Archdiocese of Dubuque! Hopefully your "hearts were revived!"
Baptism Class
The third Baptism class of this academic year in the Emmaus Pastorate is scheduled for February 21 at 6:30pm at St. Mary's Education Center (Luke Room) in Strawberry Point. 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.
Covenant of Love Marriage Mentors
Do you desire a deeper understanding of God’s plan for your marriage? Are you experiencing a time of difficulty in your relationship? Are you seeking a more intimate relationship with God and each other?
Trained Covenant of Love marriage mentor couples are available throughout the Archdiocese of Dubuque to help equip married couples with practical tools for everyday life. If you are looking for help to strengthen your marriage, you can sign up to meet with a marriage mentor couple to receive support and guidance for you as a couple. To learn more, visit: www.dbqarch.org/marriage-mentors.
2024 Archdiocese of Dubuque Men’s Conference
You’re invited to the 28th Annual Archdiocese of Dubuque Men’s Conference on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids! The keynote speaker will be John Edwards, the founder and director of Pew Ministries, a Catholic apostolate with the mission of bringing the person of Jesus Christ to the person in the pew. John is also the host of the popular “Just A Guy in the Pew” podcast. The day will also include Mass celebrated by Archbishop Thomas Zinkula and breakout sessions presented by local speakers. If you're unable to attend in-person, the conference will also be livestreamed.
Contact Deacon Paul Dolan at the St. Mark Parish Office at 563-928-7200 to arrange carpooling.
Disability Inclusion Ministry
Christmas has come and gone, but we finally hosted residents of RISE for their annual Christmas party! Thanks to Julie Dengler and crew for the awesome meal, the Clark family for arranging the tables and chairs, and Danielle Becwar for coordinating some Christmas music! The gift exchange was great, and over 50 people attended the event on January 17! Watch for it again next year!
Bereavement Ministry
The next set of classes for our Grief Share Journey program will begin on Tuesday, February 27! Kandi DeShaw will lead each class, which will meet on Tuesdays thru May 28 from 5:30pm-7:00pm in the St. Joseph Parish Center. Please register by calling the St. Joseph Parish Center at 563-245-2548.
Do you or someone you know want to become Catholic?
The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the process for adults who are not Catholic to join the Catholic Church. The process involves formation to help you understand and live the Catholic faith and prepare for receiving the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation). If you or someone you know would like to explore becoming Catholic, contact Fr. John Haugen, 563-543-5873 or Fran Zichal at 563-880-0873 to learn more about the RCIA process in the Emmaus Pastorate.
Liturgy & Worship
John Uhal, Emmaus Pastorate
Director of Liturgy & Worship and Webmaster
Lenten Musician Workshop
All musicians - past, present, and new - are welcome to come learn and review the music that will be used during the season of Lent. The workshop will be
at 11:15am (following the 10:00am
Sunday Mass) on February 4 at St. Mark. Contact John Uhal at the St. Joseph Parish Center at 563-245-2548 with questions. All singers and instrumentalists are encouraged to come!
at 11:15am (following the 10:00am
Sunday Mass) on February 4 at St. Mark. Contact John Uhal at the St. Joseph Parish Center at 563-245-2548 with questions. All singers and instrumentalists are encouraged to come!
Get Your Ash On!
Wednesday, February 14
- 10:00am | Word & Communion | Edgewood Convalescent Home & Elkader Care Center
- 12:15pm | Mass | St. Mary Parish
- 5:30pm | Mass | St. Joseph Parish
- 7:30pm | Mass | St. Mark Parish
Communal Confessions
There's no better way to prepare for Easter than the Sacrament of Penance! Join us on Wednesday, February 28 at St. Mark Parish!
Meal 5:30pm-7:30pm
Confessions 6:00pm-8:00pm
Got Palm?
Do you have old palms around your house? Bring them to any Emmaus Pastorate church soon, drop them in the box labeled "palm," and we'll burn them in the Easter Vigil fire on March 30 for use on Ash Wednesday 2025.
KMCH Sponsors
- February 4: Michael & Brenda Landwehr of Guttenberg, IA
- February 11: Robert & Anette Myers of Dunkerton, IA
- February 18: Michael & Brenda Landwehr of Guttenberg, IA
- February 25: Mary Sue Quinlan of Lewisville, TX
February Mass Intentions
- February 2: N/A
- February 3: Rachel Engelhardt
- February 9: N/A
- February 10: Don Grove
- February 14: Therin Rentschler
- February 16: Mike Hayford
- February 17: Pat Keleher
- February 23: Corby Gundacker
- February 24: for the people of St. Joseph Parish
Social Justice Committee
Colleen Moore, Chair
Clayton County Food Shelf
In January, St. Joseph collected 100lbs of food and $320! Thank you!! Our next collection will be Saturday night, February 3. The Food Shelf really needs soup, crackers, eggs if someone raises them, tuna, canned fruit, and toiletries (i.e. toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.). Thank you so much for your generosity!
Pay-It-Forward Update
The Pay-It-Forward fund recently helped someone acquire boots, gloves, warm socks, and a hat. Thanks for your generosity! Please remember that loose change from the 3rd Sunday's collection adds to this very needed fund!
Souper Bowl Sunday Collection
How many touchdowns will the Chiefs and 49ers score?? Bring that many dollars to Mass on Saturday, February 10, and we'll fill up the food shelves!
Knights of Columbus
John Uhal, Grand Knight
Free Throw Championship
Thanks to the 17 boys and girls who came to play in this year's Free Throw Championship! Everyone had a lot of fun, and we had some GREAT shooters! The winners will compete in the district level contest at North Fayette Valley High School on February 4, and those winners will advance to the regional level.
More Things to Know
Donate to the Treasure Sale!
Cleaning out your house and/or garage for the new year? If you have items that you are planning on donating or pitching, donate them to the St. Joseph Treasure Sale! Arrangements can be made for furniture pickup. For more information, contact Mike Rentschler at 563-245-2219. Large exercise equipment, clothing and electronics (anything with a chord) will not be accepted.
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!
Calling All Crafters!
St. Joseph Crafters will be meeting for the first time this year on Wednesday, February 7 at 8:30 am in the St. Joseph Parish Hall in Elkader. Everyone is welcome to join the fun and fellowship! We will once again be making beautiful handmade items for our craft sale in October. If you have any questions, call Becky Gundacker at 563-245-1676. The Crafters meet every Wednesday at 8:30am in the St. Joseph Parish Hall; feel free to drop in when you can!
February 16 4:00pm @ St. Mary Parish
Upcoming Events
- February 3, 10, 17, 24: That Man Is You; 7:00am-8:30am @ St. Mary Apartment
- February 4: Lenten Musician Workshop; 11:15am @ St. Mark Parish
- February 5: deadline for St. Valentine Project
- February 10/11: Souper Bowl Collection @ all Masses
- February 11: card party 1:00pm-4:00pm @ Parish Hall
- February 11: watch The Chosen; 6:15pm @ St. Mary Parish
- February 14: Ash Wednesday (see Mass schedule above)
- February 16: Fish Fry 4:00pm-7:00pm @ St. Mary Parish
- February 21: baptism class; 6:30pm @ St. Mary Apartment
- February 21: Stations of the Cross; 6:30pm @ St. Joseph Parish
- February 23: Fish Fry 4:00pm-7:00pm @ St. Patrick Parish
- February 25: Disability Inclusion Monthly Birthday Party 4:00pm-6:00pm @ St. Mark Parish Center
- February 25: watch The Chosen; 6:15pm @ St. Mary Parish
- February 27: Bereavement Class begins; 5:30pm @ St. Joseph Parish Center
- February 28: Emmaus Pastorate Communal Confessions; meal 5:30pm-7:30pm; confessions 6:00pm-8:00pm @ St. Mark Parish
- March 9: Archdiocesan Men's Conference
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.