Happy Anniversary!
There's been a lot happening here at St. Joseph Parish, not least of which was our 175th anniversary celebration! And October is shaping up to be pretty active too! Kick back, and take a peek at the latest edition of The Journey!
St. Joseph Parish Life
Chair TBD
Seminarian Corner
Steven Kessler is back at seminary for another year of learning and growing closer to Christ as he continues to prepare for the priesthood. He would love to hear from parishioners in the Pastorate, so feel free to send notes, letters, and of course prayers his way. Steven’s address is: Steven Kessler 1000 E Maple Ave Bldg 900P Mundelein, IL 60060.
175 Years Collections
To celebrate 175 years, let's collect 175+ items/month to donate to the Clayton County Food Shelf and Shepherd of the Hills! 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 - 80 canned fruit and 100% fruit juice collected
- September - 19 jackets and coats collected
- October - hats & mittens
- November - Giving Tree presents
- December - toilet paper, tissues, tooth paste, shampoo, and laundry detergent, dish soap, and hand soap
St. Joseph Crafters Sale
Mark your calendar for the annual St. Joseph Crafters Sale on Sunday, October 27. Quilt raffle tickets are now on sale for $1/ticket or 6 tickets for $5. The sale will run from 7:00am-1:00pm. Come early to grab your first Christmas presents!
St. Joseph is need of a new Parish Life Coordinator. Please contact Fr. John Haugen or the Parish Center for more information on this volunteer position. Mostly in the background and organizing, this position is vital to the life of our vibrant parish!
St. Joseph Pastoral Council
Bill Erickson, Chair
"Built on History. Growing by Faith."
Thank You!
A huge shout out to all those who made St. Joseph’s 175th Anniversary Celebration such a huge success! A special thank you to the committee (Becky Gundacker, Ellen Collins, Nancy Schmelzer, Jeanice Reimer, and Marlene Olinger) for doing so much planning over the past many months. Thank you to Erika Moyna and Magdalena Hayford for the table flower arrangements, Julie Dengler for refurbishing the history cabinet display, and for Joan Wangen and Ron Piorkowski for the beautiful environment in church. Thank you to everyone who came, members, and staff from past and present who have helped to shape the wonderful church community that is St. Joseph.
Although our local historian, David Beck, wasn't able to join us, he will be giving a presentation on the history of our parish on November 2 following the 4:00pm Mass. Mark your calendars!!
175th Anniversary Silent Auction
A total of $4675 was raised at the silent auction as part of the 175th anniversary of St. Joseph Parish. Thanks to everyone who donated items or services or bid on them, and congratulations to the winners!
Did You Notice?
In the last four years, we've had some significant upkeep on our buildings and grounds!
- Fixed the air conditioner in the hall
- Replaced the water heaters in the hall kitchen and church sacristy
- Removed three ash trees from the grounds
- Replace flooring in the hall due to on-demand water heater leak (some already finished, some yet to be done)
- Replacing the church's chillers and a noisy ceiling fan
- Installing a bathroom in the church
All of this upkeep is expensive! Insurance will cover some of these costs, but we still had high deductibles to pay. We have beautiful places to worship and socialize, and we need to keep with their maintenance. If you'd like to help finance any of these projects, please drop a marked envelope in the collection basket. Thank you!
Faith Formation
Danielle Becwar
St. Joseph Coordinator of Faith Formation
Little Flowers Girls Club
The Little Flowers had their first meeting last week and learned about St. Therese of Lisieux. As a child, St. Therese used a small string of beads in her pocket to help her count the good deeds she did to offer to God. In this way, she was able to advance in her daily perfection. You too, can grow in holiness by following the example of the Little Flower.
October Is Respect Life Month
Every October, we consider more deeply why every human life is valuable, and we reflect on how to build a culture that protects life from conception to natural death. The USCCB offers resources to help your parish celebrate Respect Life Month and to educate and engage parents and families in acts of kindness and charity based on Catholic Social Teaching. The Archdiocese of Dubuque also provides family resources for Respect Life Month.
October: Month of the Rosary
The rosary helps us to meditate on the great mysteries of our salvation as we honor Mary, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. Through the mysteries of the rosary, we focus on Jesus - his birth, life, death, and resurrection. Mary invites us to join her in pondering these mysteries. Pray a single decade or the entire rosary with your family each evening this month, enjoy a rosary activity, or pray along with videos for the Glorious, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. Or pray a Rosary for Parenting Littles! Check out the Archdiocesan Pinterest boards for more ideas!
Iowa Catholic Youth Conference
The 4th annual Iowa Catholic Youth Conference (ICYC) targets those in grades 6-8 and their parents. It's set for Sunday, March 30, 2025, so mark your calendars! The event, co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Dubuque and the Diocese of Davenport, will take place at St. Ludmila Parish in Cedar Rapids and will feature the energetic Catholic artist and witness of faith Connor Flanagan. More information will be available later this fall.
Adult Faith Formation
Fran Zichal, Emmaus Pastorate
Adult Faith Formation Coordinator
Grief Share Journey
Bereavement Classes have begun again this fall. They are held at St. Joseph Parish Center on Tuesdays from until November 26 from 5:30pm-7:00pm. Kandi DeShaw is teaching the class. Register by calling the St. Joseph Parish Center at 563-245-2548 with your name and phone number. It's not too late to join!
Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist
This fall, three Emmaus Pastorate parishes will host discussions on the book "Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist" by Brant Pitre, a study that unlocks the secrets of the Last Supper. If you would like to suggest a time for St. Joseph's discussion, contact Fran Zichal. Her contact info is below.
Disability Inclusion Workshop
Four parishioners attended a workshop last week on how to include people with disabilities into our current ministries and how we can adjust to suit their needs. Watch for further changes and details in the coming weeks, and if you have something to offer, please contact Fran Zichal. Her contact info is below.
She Shall Be Called Woman
This new class exclusively for women is becoming a hit! It's not too late to join either! Classes meet on Thursdays at 6:30pm in St. Mary's Upper Room. For more information on this new women's group, please contact Fran Zichal. Her contact info is below.
Jubilee Year of Hope 2025
As the Universal Church looks toward the Jubilee Year 2025 (the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation of our Lord), Pope Francis has announced 2025 as the Year of Hope! In his announcement, he said "we must fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart, and far-sighted vision." As we approach the end of 2024, let us think of ways to renew our hope in Christ!
Faithful Citizenship
As Catholics, it's important to keep cool heads and remember our faith as we prepare to head to the ballot boxes! Check out our website for this year's Faithful Citizenship articles as you get ready to vote.
Baptism Class
The second baptism class of 2024-2025 will be on 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. Additional classes will be scheduled in 2025, likely in March and May.
Liturgy & Worship
John Uhal, Emmaus Pastorate
Director of Liturgy & Worship and Webmaster
For all who have died...
We fondly remembered Margie O'Brien in September. May her memory be a blessing, her soul rest in the peace of Christ, and her family receive his consolation.
175 Years Strong!
Our beautiful church looked stunning on the occasion of our 175th anniversary! Thanks to everyone who help arrange all the appointments, especially Joan Wangen and Rom Piorkowski!
Anointing of the Sick
Join us at all Masses on October 26-27 for the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. Everyone who suffers physical, mental, emotional, acute, or chronic pain or illness is welcome to receive this Sacrament, through which we remember that Jesus, the Divine Physician, heals all our ills.
Join us for worship on the Solemnity of All Saints and acclaim all the holy men and women who show us the way to heaven! In 2024, this is a holy day of obligation.
Thursday, October 31 @ 7:00pm | St. Mark Parish
(Halloween costumes are totally OK to wear to church too!)
Friday, November 1 @ 8:00am | St. Joseph Parish
Friday, November 1 @ 12:15pm | St. Mary Parish
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!
- October 6: Leo Monaghan
- October 13: James & Elaine Funke
- October 20: Anthony & Diane Uhlenkamp
- October 27: Dr. Judy & Mary Ellen Beckman
October Mass Intentions
- October 4: Word & Communion
- October 5: infants who have died before or after birth
- October 11: Anna Mae Powers
- October 12: Francis Whittle
- October 18: Patrick Keleher
- October 19: Bruce Kuehl
- October 25: Alan Wagner
- October 26: for the people of St. Joseph Parish
Social Justice Committee
Colleen Moore, Chair
Clayton County Food Shelf
On September 7, 84lbs of food was donated to the food shelf along with $190.00. Thank you for your generosity!! Our next collection will be Saturday night, October 5. The food shelf especially needs cereal, canned fruits and juices, peanut butter, and tuna.
Knights of Columbus
John Uhal, Grand Knight
Dad's Belgian Waffles
Thanks to the 300+ people who came to enjoy waffles on Labor Day weekend! We raised $2,363 that day, and those funds will be used to support our graduating seniors, people with intellectual disabilities, new moms and young families, and projects around our parish and community.
Get a Tootsie??
Our annual Campaign for People with Intellectual Disabilities raised over $1600 last month! Thanks to everyone who donated a dollar or two (or more)! These funds help support Central Schools, our local child care center, RISE, Special Olympics of Iowa, and other organizations that serve people with intellectual disabilities.
Pancake Breakfast
Mark your calendars for the KC's annual pancake breakfast on Sunday, October 27 from 7:00am-12:00pm. The menu includes pancakes, Edgewood Locker sausage, applesauce, and (new this year!) scrambled eggs. Advance tickets are now on sale from any Knight and at the Parish Center during the day and after Saturday night Mass. Adults are $9, kids ages 6-12 are $5, and kids 5> are free.
More Things to Know
Lasagna Time!!
Do you have tomatoes?? We still need them!
Do you have lasagna?? If not, there's still time to order! Over 400 orders have been placed so far, and the goal is 500. Help us get there this week!
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
- October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Grief Share Journey classes @ St. Joseph Parish Center @ 5:30pm
- October 3, 10, 17, 24: She Shall Be Called Woman @ 6:30pm @ St. Mary Parish
- October 5, 12, 19, 26: Than Man Is You @ 7:00am @ St. Mary Parish
- October 6: St. Mary Parish Fall Fun Days
- October 12-13: Heritage Days @ Osborne Nature Center
- October 15: Infant Loss Remembrance Service and Fellowship @ 6:00pm @ St. Joseph Parish
- October 19: Disability Inclusion Monthly Birthday Party @ 11:00am @ St. Joseph Parish Hall
- October 27: Sacred Heart Parish Trunk or Treat @ 9:00am @ Sacred Heart
- October 29: Archdiocesan Pastoral Leadership Study Day; all Pastorate offices closed
- October 31/November 1: All Saints Day (holy day of obligation)
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.