Happy New Year!
Halloween is finished, Thanksgiving is over, and Advent has begun! Happy (liturgical) New Year! A lot happened in November, and December is (as always) busy too! Catchup on the latest from St. Joseph Parish in this Advent edition of The Journey!
St. Joseph Parish Life
Chair TBD
BINGO!
Join us for bingo at Elkader Care Center on Fridays! The residents (and volunteers) have a lot of fun!
Seminarian Corner
Our very own seminarian, Steven Kessler, was recently installed as a lector, one of the stepping stones on the way to deaconate and priestly ordination. 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 - 182 hats & mittens were collected!
- November - Giving Tree presents are being collected through December 7
- December - toilet paper, tissues, tooth paste, shampoo, laundry detergent, dish soap, and hand soap
Heritage Days
Thank you to everyone who helped make our Heritage Days food stand a success! A total of $2,846.70 was raised for St. Joseph Parish, a portion of which has been sent to Clayton County Food Shelf!
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."
Each individual parish in the Emmaus Pastorate is on a journey know, love, and serve Christ in our five communities. Together we must embrace Christ’s vision for missionary discipleship so our parish can thrive and be a place for others to grow
together in faith.
The very first step in this process involves assessing our greatest strengths and opportunities, and that is where the Disciple Maker Index (DMI) comes in! The DMI is an important survey tool that invites you to reflect on your discipleship journey here in the Emmaus Pastorate. The Disciple Maker Index is designed to:
- Invite parishioners to reflect on their journey of discipleship,
- Enable parish leadership to make data-driven decisions, and
- Help parishioners grow in their faith.
The 10–15-minute survey will be available from December 5–January 9 and will ask you to reflect on your own spiritual growth and enable you to provide your perspective on our parish’s efforts to help you grow in relationship with Christ. All responses will be confidential, and the parish will only receive information about the community as a whole.
The survey can be accessed on December 5 on our website, www.vibrantcatholic.com/survey. Paper surveys will also be available for those who do not have the ability to complete the survey online.
Together we must embrace Christ’s vision for missionary discipleship so our parishes can thrive and be a place for others to grow together in faith.
Thank you for helping with this important project, and please continue to pray for this intention and for the growth and protection of our parishes.
New Flooring in the Hall
Have you seen the new flooring in the Parish Hall?! In October, laminate flooring was installed under the serving table. In November, the carpet was finally replaced due to water damage this summer. It's looks so great in there now!!
Church Improvements
Our church continues to receive improvements! Last month a new chiller was delivered and installed. When warmer weather returns next summer, it'll be A LOT more comfortable at Mass!
Town Hall 2024
Thanks to all who attended the town hall meeting last month. We only 37 people present, which was a little disappointing. There were good discussions and helpful suggestions though, and those will help the Pastoral Council write St. Joseph's goals for 2025-2026.
Let Us Know!
The next Pastoral Council meeting is January 23, 2025. Let us know of anything you wanted on the agenda. We hope everyone has a safe holiday season. Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season!
Bathroom Progress
Thanks to the volunteers who helped lay the flooring in our new bathroom in November! We're just waiting on a door to complete the project!
Faith Formation
Danielle Becwar
St. Joseph Coordinator of Faith Formation
Christ Is King of Young and Old!
Almost every grade of our faith formation program was represented at Mass on November 23 when we marked the Global Celebration of Youth and Young Adults! Thanks to all parents who make it a priority to bring their children to worship, and thanks to all the students who lectored, served, sang, and provided hospitality!
A New Liturgical Year!
What is the Catholic Liturgical Calendar, and when does it start? What are liturgical seasons? Learn more about the Church year and the many joyful seasons we celebrate as Catholics!
Advent Activities: Preparing the Way
Help your family to prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ and anticipate his coming each day of the Advent season with fun and simple suggestions for an action, prayer, or reflection found on this Advent calendar. Have a Blessing of the Advent Wreath and gather together for an Advent Prayer Service. Decorate a Christmas tree, and pray a Christmas Tree Blessing. Create a journey to Bethlehem using the family Nativity figures: Set up the stable in a special prayer space. Each day of the Advent season, move the figures closer to their final destination on Christmas Day (when Jesus also appears). The Wise Men will arrive on the Feast of the Epiphany! Have a Blessing of the Christmas Manger or Nativity Scene.
Schedule Family Time during This Busy Season!
Winter is coming, it's cold outside, and electronic devices seem to be glued to your kids' hands! How can you gently coax your family away from their phones and devices, and help them to discover the fun of just being together while focusing on this holy season? Plan a family Advent activity to prepare your hearts for Jesus, or a schedule a fun family night so everyone can join in! Check out Hallow.com for Advent activities, customs and traditions for all ages, and click HERE for activities and resources to prepare your family for the Christmas season!
Little Flowers & the Virtue of Humility
In November, we focused on the beautiful virtue of Humility — the foundation of prayer and key to our salvation. Humility is one of the four cardinal virtues that helps us balance our desires and live a life of service to God and others. As C.S. Lewis said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” We want our girls to understand their true worth is in God's eyes, not based on the world's standards. Through this lesson, we taught them to see themselves as God's gift to the world.
Our meeting also featured the inspiring example of Saint Catherine Laboure, who humbly served God despite the great graces she received. The girls learned about her life and created their own Miraculous Medal necklaces as a reminder of her faith and humility.
In the spirit of humility, they also worked together to pack Blessing Bags for the Opening Doors Homeless Shelter, providing practical help to those in need. They created a cozy tie blanket for a medal project, to be donated alongside the bags.
We are so proud of the girls for embodying the virtue of humility and making a tangible difference in the world!
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
Jubilee Year of Hope 2025
As the Universal Church begins 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!
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
Please keep in prayer the three adults who are discerning their way closer to Christ and the Catholic Church. Hopefully they will join the full communion of the Church next spring!
If you know someone interested in becoming Catholic, please contact Fran Zichal. Her contact information is below.
GRIDSHOCK
Thanks to the 70 people who came to learn about sex trafficking in Iowa on November 10! Many students and adults from around Clayton County joined Team Iowa, a State Representative, and Elkader's Chief of Police to learn about this despicable, widespread problem. Watch this newsletter and other outlets for another showing in the future!
Baptism Class
The third baptism class of 2024-2025 will be on Wednesday, February 5 at 6:00pm in the St. Mary Faith Formation Center. 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. One more class will be scheduled before the summer months, likely in May.
Liturgy & Worship
John Uhal, Emmaus Pastorate
Director of Liturgy & Worship and Webmaster
For all who have died,
especially Vernelda Miehe and Roger Koster who died in November, we hope they now enjoy their eternal reward in heaven. Please join us in praying for the response of their souls and all those of the faithful departed.
Basilica Choir Visits St. Mark Parish
Join us for a Christmas concert featuring the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier choir at 6:30pm on December 11 at St. Mark Parish! What a great way to prepare our hearts for Christmas!
December Daily Worship Changes
Fr. John is currently recovering from a heart attack he suffered on November 20. He is in good spirits, but will not be presiding at daily or Sunday Masses for the time being. He'd definitely appreciate your prayers for a full and speedy recovery!
Thanks to retired, nearby priests, our Sunday Masses will be celebrated as usual for now! Daily Masses, however, will not. Instead, one parish will pray Word & Communion once/week on a rotating basis while other parishes pray a holy hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Although Communion will not be distributed during exposition, the centuries-old practice of adoring the Eucharist is a beautiful way to honor our Lord and prepare our hearts for Christmas!
The bulletin dated December 1, submitted before these changes took effect, now lists an incorrect worship schedule. Going forward it should be accurate though. The daily worship schedule for the first week of December is thus:
- December 3: Word & Communion @ 8:00am @ Sacred Heart & St. Patrick Parishes
- December 4: Exposition and adoration @ 7:00am @ St. Mark Parish
- December 5: Exposition and adoration @ 8:00am @ St. Mary Parish
- December 6: Exposition and adoration @ 8:00am @ St. Joseph Parish
Communal Confessions This Advent
The Sacrament of Reconciliation brings us right into the heart of our discipleship. As disciples of Jesus, we strive to imitate him and root our sin in our lives. But we always come up short and experience our own weaknesses and our inability to change. This is precisely where God wants to meet us with his love: in the truth of who we are, in the valley of humility. And there is no more profound encounter with God’s mercy than in the Sacrament of Reconciliation! Join us for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and dinner on December 18 in Edgewood.
Please also keep in mind these important feasts through Christmastide and join us for worship!
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
December 28 | 4:00pm | St. Joseph Parish
December 29 | 10:00am | St. Mark Parish
December 29 | 4:00pm | St. Mary Parish
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (holy day of obligation)
December 31 | 5:30pm | St. Joseph Parish
January 1 | 12:15pm | St. Mary Parish
January 1 | 6:30pm | St. Mark Parish
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord - January 4-5
Regular weekend Mass schedule
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord - January 11-12
Regular weekend Mass schedule
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!
- December 8: Emmaus Pastorate
- December 15: Diana Helle
- December 22: Phyllis Lentz
- December 29: Anthony & Diane Uhlencamp
December Mass Intentions
- December 7: Julie Keleher
- December 14: Linda Stowe
- December 21: for the people of St. Joseph Parish
- December 24: Jim Hosch
- December 28: Dan Collins
- December 31: Michael Bergan
Social Justice Committee
Colleen Moore, Chair
Clayton County Food Shelf
On November 2, 84lbs of food were donated to the food shelf along with $180. In addition, the Heritage Days food stand collected $111 in free will donations. PLUS a portion of the proceeds from Heritage Days was earmarked for the food shelf, a grand $318.44. So in November, a total of $609.44 was donated to Clayton County Food Shelf in addition to the food collected. Thank you for your generosity!!
Our next collection will be Saturday night, December 7. The food shelf especially needs cereal, canned fruits and juices, tuna, and shampoo.
Giving Tree
This is the final week to add your gift to the Giving Tree! Placed at the back of church, you'll see a few more ornaments hanging on the tree. When you stop by, take an ornament, purchase the gift, and return it to the tree unwrapped before December 8. Thank you!
More Things to Know
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
- December 3, 10, 17: Book study on Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist @ 8:30am @ St. Patrick Parish
- December 7, 14, 21, 28: That Man Is You @ 7:00am @ St. Mary Apartment
- December 7: Confirmation sponsor meeting @ 5:00pm @ St. Joseph Parish Hall
- December 11: Basilica Choir Christmas Program @ 6:30pm @ St. Mark Parish
- December 18: Advent communal confessions from 5:00am-8:00pm @ St. Mark Parish
- December 24/25: Christmas
- December 30: Disability Inclusion Ministry monthly birthday party from 11:00am-1:00pm @ St. Mary Upper Room
- December 31: Blood drive from 8:00am-3:00pm @ St. Joseph Parish Hall
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.