Greetings St. Joseph Parish!
It might be summer, but there's been loads of fun happening around our parish! Time to kick back, catch up, and get ready!
St. Joseph Parish Life
Ann Gibney, Chair
Sweet Corn Days
Thanks to everyone to rode on our two Sweet Corn Days parade floats! Pictured here is the 175th anniversary float, and another carried the annual Treasure Sale banner. Thanks also to Bodensteiner Implements for the use of the tractor!
We had a tasty dinner and a fun pool party on July 20! Thanks to everyone for bringing dishes to pass and for spending a warm Saturday night in the water!
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 - 110 peanut butters & jellies collected!
- February - 235 soups & crackers collected!
- March - 175+ boxes of cereal collected!
- April - 176 canned meats collected!
- May - 168 canned vegetables collected!
- June - 350+ socks and underwear collected!
- July - 332 school supplies collected!
- 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
Hold Your Cards!
St. Joseph Parish currently hosts bingo on the first Friday of every month at the Elkader Care Center. Can you volunteer 2 hours every 3 or 4 months? Or could you donate a dessert or pan of bars? Please contact Linda Gardner at 563-880-5011 to help or for more information.
St. Joseph Pastoral Council
Bill Erickson, Chair
"Built on History. Growing by Faith."
New Officers Elected
As of July 1, the Pastoral Council has new officers. Bill Erickson is our new chairman, Carla Clark is the new vice chairwoman, and Nancy Schmelzer is now the secretary. Thanks to them and all council members for their time and leadership!
Faith Formation
Danielle Becwar
St. Joseph Coordinator of Faith Formation
Catechists and non-catechist volunteers are still needed for the next year of faith formation. No experience or special knowledge is needed, just a desire to share our faith with children in 1st-12th grades. Contact Danielle Becwar at the St. Joseph Parish Center at 563-245-2548 if you could spare some time.
Got Questions?
"Why do we get dressed up every Sunday for Mass?" "Why do we stand and sit and kneel so much?" "Why do I need to pay attention at Mass?" These are just a few of the questions kids ask their parents about the Mass. This video will answer some important questions and help your children to learn how we can give Jesus all of our love at Mass!
Adult Faith Formation
Fran Zichal, Emmaus Pastorate
Adult Faith Formation Coordinator
Faithful Citizenship and Your Family
The next time your child says, "I'm bored!" have them put down their phone. Then hand them a newspaper or magazine, (or search on the web) to find stories of real people who are impacted by current real-life issues of poverty, abortion, environment, war, immigration, etc. Maybe your family knows someone who is personally impacted by these issues. Have a conversation about this, and discuss how your family might help to respond. Take time to pray for all who experience these issues in our country and around the world. Learn more about the USCCB's document Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship HERE.
Baptism Class
The first two baptism classes of 2024-2025 will be on Wednesday, August 7 at 6:00pm at St. Joseph Parish Center in Elkader and Sunday, November 24 following the 10:00am Mass at St. Mark Parish in Edgewood. All parents requesting baptism for their child are asked to first attend a class. Please call John Uhal at the St. Joseph Parish Center (563-245-2548) or email him at j.uhal@dbqarch.org to register. Preregistration is recommended but not required.
Liturgy & Worship
John Uhal, Emmaus Pastorate
Director of Liturgy & Worship and Webmaster
Sympathies and Prayers
We fondly remembered Catherine "Cookie" (Bergan) Thornton in July. May she and all the faithful departed rest in the loving arms of Christ. Our sympathies go out to the entire Bergan and Thornton families.
Wedding Bells!
Congratulations to these two couples who married at St. Joseph in July! May the love they share be a reflection of God's divine love in the world!
Gabe & Jenna (Jansen) Varney married on July 5.
John & Eliza (Steckel) Hayes married on July 27.
Be sure to bring your backpack to Mass on August 17-18 for a special back-to-school blessing!
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates Mary's bodily assumption into heaven, signifying her purity and close relationship with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is a holy day of obligation in 2024, so plan now to attend Mass on this beautiful feast day! Two Masses will be celebrated:
Wednesday, August 14 @ at 7:00pm | St. Joseph Parish - Elkader
Thursday, August 15 @ 8:00am | St. Mary Parish - Strawberry Point
Please note there will be no 7:00am Mass on Wednesday, August 14 at St. Mark Parish - Edgewood.
KMCH Sponsors
Thank you to our new sponsors! The Emmaus Pastorate Finance Committee has made it a priority to continue our Sunday livestream and radio broadcasts, and we appreciate the directed donations!
- August 4: Leo Monaghan
- August 11: Mary Quinlan
- August 18: James & Elaine Funke
- August 25: Ambrose & Audrey Loecke
August Mass Intentions
- August 3: for the people of St. Joseph Parish
- August 10: The Hurley Family
- August 14: Marilyn Ryan
- August 16: Don & Rita Gardner
- August 17: Julie Keleher
- August 23: James C. Owen
- August 24: Michael & Zach Collins
- August 30: Catherine Thornton
- August 31: Bob McDevitt
Social Justice Committee
Colleen Moore, Chair
Clayton County Food Shelf
On July 6, 49lbs of food were donated to the food shelf along with $163. Thank you for your generosity!! Our next collection will be Saturday night, August 3. The food shelf especially needs cereal, canned and dry dinners, canned fruit, 100% juice, and tuna.
The Social Justice Committee also helped a family secure temporary shelter and some food in July. Your contributions to our Pay-It-Forward fund helps so many people in need!!
Knights of Columbus
John Uhal, Grand Knight
Supporting Vocations
One priority of the Knights of Columbus is supporting and praying for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Annually, our council gives $1000 to a seminarian in support of his studies. The last few years that seminarian has been our very own Brother Knight Steven Kessler! We also donated $100 again to Divine Word College in Epworth to support their mission in forming tomorrow's missionary priests and brothers. Grand Knight John Uhal and several other Knights from around NE Iowa played in their annual golf outing at Timberline Golf Couse in Peosta on July 26. Most of the college's students are on full scholarship, so every bit counts! These donations are made possible thanks to your support of our annual pancake, waffle, and 4th of July breakfasts - THANK YOU!
Happy Fourth of July!
Garnavillo's annual Fourth of July celebration was another success! Did you get a Tootsie Roll in the parade?? Thanks to everyone who came to eat breakfast and celebrate our nation's independence! The ~$1400 raised will help support vocations, new parents, people with intellectual disabilities, and our parish.
Waffles Are Coming!
Mark your calendars for our annual Dad's Belgian Waffle Breakfast on Sunday, September 1. Waffles and sausage will be served from 8:00am-12:00pm in the St. Joseph Parish Center. Tickets are now on sale: adults in advance are $9, children 6-12 are $5, and children 5> are free. See any Knight or the Parish Center to get yours today!
*Silent Auction*
In honor of St. Joseph's 175th Anniversary, there will be a silent auction to raise funds to maintain the building and grounds into the future. Donations will be accepted at the Parish Center or by contacting Jen Wilwert (563-419-7997) or Angel Keppler (563-880-3723). Online bidding will begin Saturday, August 24 and end at 4:00pm on Saturday, August 31. In-person bidding will begin August 31 after the 5:00pm Mass and end at 12:00pm at the Knights of Columbus Waffle Breakfast on Sunday, September 1.
More Things to Know
Disability Inclusion Ministry's Monthly Party
We had a great birthday party for seniors and people with disabilities on July 22! There's a monthly party for these folks, and it rotates among our Emmaus Pastorate parishes. The next party will be on August 25 from 4:00pm-6:00pm at St. Mark Parish with live music from parishioners Paul & Colleen Glaza. Everyone is welcome to attend! If you'd like to come, bring a dish, or need a ride, please call Jane Sparrgrove at 563-933-6235.
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!
Now more than 250!
The Emmaus Pastorate's Podcast has published its 250th episode! Listen to Sunday homilies and other special music episodes anytime, anywhere. Click here and start listening today!
Upcoming Events
- August 3: St. Joseph Treasure Sale; 8:00am-12:00pm
- August 7: Baptism Class; 6:00pm @ St. Joseph Parish Center
- August 7: Alanon/AA Meeting; 7:00pm @ St. Mary Apartment
- August 10: Wedding of Alex Fettkether & Katelyn Keuhner; 1:30pm @ St. Joseph Parish
- August 14-15: Assumption of Mary, holy day of obligation, see Mass schedule above
- August 14: Alanon/AA Meeting; 7:00pm @ St. Mary Apartment
- August 16: Line Dancing fun; 6:00pm-8:00pm @ St. Joseph Parish Hall
- August 17: St. Mark's Famous Rodeo Chicken Supper; 4:00pm-8:00pm @ St. Mark Parish Hall
- August 17: Backpack Blessing @ All Masses
- August 21: Alanon/AA Meeting; 7:00pm @ St. Mary Apartment
- August 24: That Man Is You; 7:00am-8:30am @ St. Mary Apartment
- August 25: Disability Inclusion Ministry monthly birthday party; 4:00pm-6:00pm @ St. Mark Parish
- August 28: Fall Catechist Inservice; 6:00pm @ St. Mary Upper Room
- August 31: That Man Is You; 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.