Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Hopefully your Advent was full of joyful anticipation! It was a busy time preparing for Christmas, and it's now here! (And don't forget it lasts until Jesus' baptism on January 12!) Catchup on the latest from St. Joseph Parish in this New Year's 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, has been home for Christmas the last couple of weeks. It's been great to see him, but he leaves for school again soon. His spring semester will be spent ministering at St. Ludmila Parish in Cedar Rapids. He would love to hear from parishioners in the Pastorate, so for now, 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.
Welcome Samantha!
In December, the Welcoming Committee paid an official visit to longtime parishioner, Samantha White. Although she grew up at St. Joseph, Samantha is now officially registered under her own name and household. Thanks for taking this important step, Samantha!
Once graduated from high school or college, each young adult should register in his/her own name so the parish can communicate and serve that individual in new and different ways moving forward. If you or someone you know has grown up at St. Joseph, is now an adult, but is still living under a parent's household membership, give us a call or complete the online parishioner registration form today!
175 Years Collections
To celebrate 175 years, we've collected 175+ items/month to donate to the Clayton County Food Shelf and Shepherd of the Hills! Here's what we've collected 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 collected!
- November - Giving Tree presents collected
- December - toilet paper, tissues, tooth paste, shampoo, laundry detergent, dish soap, and hand soap
1827+
Over 1,827 items were donated to Clayton County Food Shelf and Shepherd of the Hills in 2024 as part of our 175 Years Collections! What a huge show of generosity for our area communities! Thank you for celebrating the history of our parish and supporting those around us in need!
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
The Disciple Maker Index survey is still available! Be sure to complete yours before January 9! It only takes about 10-15 minutes of your time. The information gathered is completely anonymous and is vital for the future planning and growth of our parish and the whole Archdiocese of Dubuque!
Each parish has its own survey, so please visit our website (just click the button below), and select St. Joseph. The survey closes on January 9, so take yours today!
Paper surveys are available for those who do not have the ability to complete the survey online. Just stop at the Parish Center any weekday from January 2-9 between 9:00am-2:00pm to complete it.
Faith Formation
Danielle Becwar
St. Joseph Coordinator of Faith Formation
The Christmas Season
In the Catholic liturgical year, Christmas begins on Christmas Eve and ends with the Baptism of the Lord. Celebrate Christmas long after December 25! Celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (December 29) with a prayer and a family baking day (with this Christmas cookbook from Loyola Press). Remember to also celebrate the coming of the wise men on Epiphany (January 5) and Jesus’ Baptism (January 12).
January 22 - Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
This day of prayer recognizes the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. To help your family in praying for the unborn, start a conversation about the importance of life with this pro-life coloring page. Join in the nation-wide Prayer Vigil for Life on January 23, the evening before the March for Life 2025 in Washington D.C. on Friday, January 24.
January 18-25 - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Every year, Christian communities and churches join together to pray for the visible unity of the Church. This year's theme, "Do you believe?" (John 11:26), comes from the passage where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. The theme was chosen in recognition of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea, at which the words "I believe" were chosen to anchor the Creed as an instrument of universal Christian unity. Read more here.
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Why is Mary called the Mother of God? Why do we honor Mary and call her Blessed? Mary is the Mother of God because of who JESUS is! And all generations will call Mary blessed. Every time we pray the Hail Mary in the coming year, we will proclaim Mary as the Blessed Mother of God! Make a resolution to pray the rosary as a family more often this year.
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!
Little Flowers Club Spreads Love and Kindness!
Last month, the Little Flowers learned about Saint Jane Frances de Chantal and the beautiful virtue of Love of Neighbor. This virtue teaches us that by loving and treating others well, we show our love for God. After all, to love God is to love what He loves - His children.
The girls put this lesson into action by:
- Making Christmas cards to be delivered to Scenic Acres
- Assembling and dropping off Blessing Bags at Opening Doors shelter for women and children in Dubuque
- Delivering cookies to the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and enjoying a lovely visit at Mount Carmel Bluffs in Dubuque
It was a week full of love, service, and making a difference in the lives of others. May we all be inspired by these young hearts to spread kindness and love!
Thank you to everyone who donated to the Little Flowers last month. We can't wait to continue to spread kindness and love while learning new virtues each month!
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
On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis opened the holy doors of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome to begin the Jubilee Year of Hope. Throughout 2025, we'll remember the 2,025th anniversary of the birth of Christ. As we do, we'll heed the Holy Father's plea to "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." What ways can you spread the virtue of hope this year?
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.
Beauty in Christ Women's Conference
Mark your calendar for the Archdiocese of Dubuque's annual women's conference. Watch our media outlets or contact Fran Zichal (info below) for more information about a local watch party!
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. The final class for the academic year will be on May 7, 2025 at 6:00pm at St. Joseph Parish Center in Elkader.
Liturgy & Worship
John Uhal, Emmaus Pastorate
Director of Liturgy & Worship and Webmaster
Remembering Fr. Peters
This month, we fondly remember the life, friendship, and ministry of Rev. Paul Peters. His leadership and teachings will not soon be forgotten, and we are very grateful for the many years he spent as a priest of Jesus Christ. May he and all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Merry Christmas!
We hope you and yours are having a wonderful Christmas so far! Remember, the Christmas season lasts until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which is January 12 this year. Thanks to everyone, especially these kids, who helped present baby Jesus, the sheep and other animals, and the gifts of bread and wine at Christmas Eve Mass!
Missing Our Christmas Music?
Check out The Emmaus Pastorate's Podcast wherever you find your podcasts or on our website to hear recordings of the St. Joseph Choir and other Pastorate musicians sing Christmas tunes for your prayer and enjoyment! See the link below, and checkout over 250 other episodes too!
Daily Worship Changes Continue in January
Fr. John is slowly getting back into a regular routine and is celebrating some Masses around the Emmaus Pastorate, mostly weddings and a Sunday Mass or two. It's great to have him back, even if on a limited basis!
He won't be back to daily Masses for a few more weeks though, so our current practice of praying a holy hour, including Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Morning Prayer, will continue for awhile. Once each week, a parish will pray Word & Communion instead, and we'll still hold Word & Communion at Edgewood Convalescent Home and Elkader Care Center on the 2nd Thursday and Friday of the month, respectively, as usual. Watch the bulletin for each week's schedule, and always feel free to call the office if you have questions. (Did you know the week's worship schedule is always available on our office's voicemail too?)
We also thank the many retired priests for their help in celebrating Masses in Fr. John's absence!
Please also keep in mind these important feasts through Christmastide and join us for worship!
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (holy day of obligation)
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!
- January 5: Robert & Teresa Shaffer
- January 12: Mary Quinlan
- January 19: Harry & Kathy Wulfekuhle
- January 26: Robert & Teresa Shaffer
January Mass Intentions
- January 3: Donald Walz
- January 11: for the people of St. Joseph Parish
- January 18: Jane Griffith
- January 24: Roger Koster
- January 25 Glen Noonan
Social Justice Committee
Colleen Moore, Chair
Clayton County Food Shelf
On December 7, 33lbs of food were donated to the food shelf along with $241. In addition, after paying all invoices for the Thanksgiving meal, the Shea and Scherf families requested excess donations be divided equally to Mary & Martha and the Clayton County Food Shelf. So, an additional $553.69 is going to the Clayton County Food Shelf this month, and $553.68 is being designated to the Mary & Martha program. Thank you for your generosity!!
A special thank you to the Shea and Scherf families for their dedication and generosity in serving the Thanksgiving meal for so many years! Here are some pictures of this year's meal.
Our next collection for the Clayton County Food Shelf will be on January 4. The Food Shelf especially needs cereal, mac & cheese, pork & beans, canned dinners, canned fruit, and shelf stable fruit juice.
Pay It Forward
The Social Justice Committee also recently gave out four gas cards to help families traveling for medical purposes. Please remember that loose change from the collection on the third Sunday of the month fund this ministry. Again, thank you for your generosity!!
Toy Distribution
It's hard to tell from the big room, but all of the presents from our Giving Tree collection in November-December were brought to Shepherd of the Hills in St. Olaf, and we needed a crew of volunteers to sort it all! Thanks to them and to everyone who donated a toy (or two or three!) to brighten someone else's Christmas!
More Things to Know
Lasagna Party
Missing from our November edition was a spotlight on the hardworking ladies and gentlemen who handcrafted every lasagna made this fall. They enjoyed a nice dinner among themselves in celebration of having made over 500 lasagnas for parishioners and friends near and far! Thanks for all the hard work these folks invested, to everyone who donated ingredients, and to everyone who ordered!
Tying Knots!
Thanks to the ladies of St. Joseph who helped Peace Church tie some quilts for donation in November!
Church Cleaning Day
Thanks to all the volunteers to came to help clean our beautiful worship space before Christmas! Didn't it look wonderful for Christmas Eve??!!
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
- January 1: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (see Mass schedule above); holy day of obligation in 2025
- January 9: Disciple Maker Index Closes (see above for more details)
- January 18, 25: That Man Is You @ 7:00am @ St. Mary Apartment
- January 25: Archdiocesan Beauty in Christ Women'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.