Spring-like greetings, St. Joseph!
Does the warm weather have you thinking of spring break, summer vacation, or just a nice walk down the block? It's a great time to sit on the porch and catch up with the latest edition of The Journey!
St. Joseph Parish Life
Chair TBD
Seminarian Corner
Don’t forget to keep our seminarian, Steven Kessler, in your prayers. He would love to hear from parishioners in the Pastorate, so feel free to send notes, letters, and of course prayers his way. Steven is currently participating in an internship in at St. Ludmilla Parish in Cedar Rapids. His address until May 16th is:
Steven Kessler
c/o St. Ludmila Parish
211 21st Avenue SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404
BINGO!
Hold your cards every first Friday! Join us for bingo at Elkader Care Center and have a fun time!
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
Donations Needed for New Trees
The Pastoral Council approved a proposal to replace the four trees along the highway that were removed last summer. If you'd like to donate to this project, please put an envelope in the collection basket marked "trees" or drop it off at the Parish Center. It would be great to have this project completely funded by donations!
We appreciate everyone who took the time to complete the DMI survey in January! Fr. John and a committee of priests and staff from the Archdiocese are now examining the results of the Archdiocesan-wide survey, and their conclusions should be presented in the coming months. Stay tuned to our bulletin, Facebook pages, end of Mass announcements, and this newsletter for those updates!
Faith Formation
Danielle Becwar
St. Joseph Coordinator of Faith Formation
March is the Month of St. Joseph
The Church traditionally dedicates the month of March to St. Joseph, whose feast day is March 19. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, helped Mary to teach and raise Jesus, and protected the Holy Family during the rest of his life. While St. Joseph does not speak a single word in the Bible, he is described as a righteous man (Mt 1:19). St. Joseph has been declared the protector and patron of the universal Catholic Church. Celebrate the life and example of St. Joseph with a fun activities pack or coloring page, set a St. Joseph's Table, pray a novena or a Litany of St. Joseph.
March 8-14 - Catholic Sisters Week
Catholic Sisters Week shines a light on the spirituality, mission, and community building of women religious. Women religious stand with the poor and immigrants, teach children, fight injustice, heal the sick, share spirituality, empower women, defend the planet, promote peace, create community, offer hope, and so much more! Pray for Catholic Sisters around the world with these intercessions. To learn about congregations of women religious in the Archdiocese of Dubuque, click here. Might you, your daughter, or some woman you know be called to the religious life??
Iowa Catholic Youth Conference
The 4th Annual Iowa Catholic Youth Conference (ICYC) targets those in grades 6-8 and their parents and is set for Sunday, March 30, 2025. Mark your calendars! The event, which is co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Dubuque and the Diocese of Davenport, will take place at St. Ludmila Parish in Cedar Rapids (where Steven Kessler is serving) and will feature the energetic Catholic artist and witness of faith, Connor Flanagan. More information and registration can be found HERE.
Adult Faith Formation
Fran Zichal, Emmaus Pastorate
Adult Faith Formation Coordinator
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
Three people are in the process of joining the church, and at least one will be taking the next step by going to the Cathedral of St. Raphael in Dubuque for the Rite of Election. We also have five team members helping Fran Zichal with that process. Please keep Justin Dillion from Sacred Heart, Jamie Venteicher from St. Mark, Deacon Paul, and Dani Becwar in your prayers as they guide our catechumens! And if you know someone interested in becoming Catholic, please contact Fran Zichal. Her contact information is below.
WHAT is IMPACT? IMPACT is a two-year formation program for Catholic adults, coordinated by the Archdiocese of Dubuque. It provides the opportunity to grow in your faith by hearing from dynamic presenters, reading spiritual books, engaging in discussions, and receiving guidance from a spiritual mentor. Through study, prayer, reflection, and conversation, participants are challenged to respond more fully to Jesus’ call to mission—to IMPACT our world!
WHO is IMPACT for? IMPACT is open to any Catholic adult who desires a deeper relationship with Jesus and a greater understanding of the Catholic faith in order to better serve others.
WHY participate in IMPACT?
Join IMPACT to:
- Enrich and deepen your faith
- Learn more about Catholic teachings
- Respond further to the call of discipleship
- Enhance involvement in parish life
- Share more deeply in the mission of Jesus
WHEN does IMPACT take place? The next IMPACT cohort will begin meeting in September of 2025 and the program will end in May of 2027. Each year begins with a two-day retreat followed by monthly sessions on one Saturday each month from October through May (no sessions during the summer months).
WHERE will the 2025-2027 IMPACT cohort take place? Monthly IMPACT sessions will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Vinton, IA. The opening retreats for each year will be held at: Shalom Spirituality Center in Dubuque, IA.
HOW to participate?
The application for the 2025-2027 IMPACT cohort is available HERE and is due August 15, 2025. For a full list of participant expectations, click here.
Cost: The total cost for participating in the two-year program is $1,000 ($500 for each year) plus the cost of books (estimated to be approximately $100 per year). Many parishes partially sponsor their parishioners, and an archdiocesan grant may be available too.
Book Studies Coming
Two book studies are coming to St. Joseph! Kim Warpinski will lead a discussion on "Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist." Also, Carla Clark is working with high schoolers and adults on "The Beautiful Eucharist." If you're reading either book or have already, be sure to join the conversations! You will learn so much! Watch the bulletin for dates, times, and locations.
Our Lady of Fatima
We had a great group come to learn about Fran Zichal's recent trip to Fatima, Portugal, home to the shine of Our Lady of Fatima. If you'd like to hear more about it and the miracles that occurred there, contact Fran. Her information is below.
2025 Archdiocesan Men's Conference
Saturday, March 29, 2025
St. Pius X Parish, Cedar Rapids
This year’s Men's Conference will feature Michael Gormley as the keynote speaker. The day will also include Mass with Archbishop Thomas Zinkula, breakout sessions, lunch, and more. Additional information and registration are available at https://archmensconference.org/. Contact Matt Selby with any questions. This event is sponsored by Catholic Foundation of the Archdiocese of Dubuque and the Knights of Columbus.
For carpooling opportunities, call John Uhal the St. Joseph Parish Center. His information is below.
Jubilee Year of Hope Continues
The Jubilee Year provides Catholics with an opportunity to obtain a special plenary indulgence. Click HERE to learn more about the decree explaining the plenary indulgence. Visit these websites to learn more:
Vatican resources and news about the Jubilee
USCCB - News and resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Do you have an idea for a class or discussion? Springtime faith formation opportunities are taking shape now. Call Fran Zichal or Kim Warpinski with your input. Their info is below.
Our parish has renewed our subscription to Formed.org. If you're unsure of what Formed is, just think of it like a Catholic Netflix. It's full of great Catholic content from movies, to kids shows, to audiobooks, to Bible Studies and everything in between. It's free and easy to use for everyone at St. Joseph Parish!
Baptism Class
The third baptism class of 2024-2025 has been rescheduled (twice!) due to weather. It will now be on Wednesday, March 12 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
February Wedding Bells
Congratulations to Benjamin Saloga and Jaelynn Hauschild who married on February 22 at St. Joseph! We pray that their love may be a reflection of God's divine love in the world!
Pray for Pope Francis
The Holy Father has been ill with double pneumonia with complications over the last couple weeks. Let us pray for his recovery and continued leadership.
Let us join together to begin the holy season of Lent. Ash Wednesday Masses will be celebrated at
7:00am @ St. Mark Parish
12:15pm @ St. Mary Parish
5:30pm @ St. Joseph Parish
7:30pm @ St. Mark Parish
The centuries-old practice of praying the Stations of the Cross will again be practiced in the Emmaus Pastorate this Lent. Please join us in prayer!
Tuesdays @ 6:00pm @ Sacred Heart Parish
Wednesdays @ 6:00pm @ St. Mark Parish
Wednesdays @ 6:05pm @ St. Patrick Parish
Wednesdays @ 6:30pm @ Sts. Joseph and Mary Parishes
One beautiful Lenten practice is to receive the sacrament of reconciliation! Join us for communal or individual confessions this Lent!
Individual Stations and Confessions on Fridays from 4:00pm-5:00pm
March 14 @ St. Joseph Parish
March 21 @ St. Patrick Parish
March 28 @ St. Mary Parish
April 4 @ Sacred Heart Parish
April 11 @ St. Patrick Parish
Communal Confessions
April 9 @ St. Mark Parish
Meal 5:30pm-7:30pm | Confessions 6:00pm-8:00pm
Join us as we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, our patron saint, on his feast day, March 19. Mass will be held at 5:30pm. Be sure to wear red!
Loving Legacy Workshop
Death and taxes: the two certainties of life! We can't help much with the taxes part, but we can definitely help you start thinking about and planning your funeral and all of your end-of-life care decisions! There's no better gift to leave your surviving loved ones than fully decided end-of-life and funeral plans. Join us on March 16 at 2:00pm at St. Mary Upper Room as Fr. John enlightens us on the Catholic Church's teachings on the dying process and things to think about when planning your funeral. Reservations are appreciated; please call the Emmaus Pastorate Office at 563-928-7200.
New to The Journey
The monthly ministry schedule is now included! Click the button to view and download it. Remember, if you can't fill your date, please find a substitute. Thanks!
KMCH Sponsors
- March 2: Mary Willenbring
- March 9: Jens Sogaard & Mary Ungs-Sogaard
- March 16: Harry & Kathy Wulfekuhle
- March 23: Dr. Judy & Mary Ellen Beckman
- March 30: Diana Helle
Mass Intentions
- March 1: Robert White
- March 5: Msgr. Francis Freidl
- March 7: Alberta Wagner
- March 8: for the people of St. Joseph Parish
- March 14: Vernelda Miehe
- March 15: Margie O'Brien
- March 21: Doug Dittmer
- March 22: Fr. John Moser
- March 28: Gary Carlson
- March 29: Carroll & Rita Hurley-Geraghty Family
Social Justice Committee
Colleen Moore, Chair
176 Years Collections
Since we were so successful in collecting +1827 items for the Clayton County Food Shelf and Shepherd of the Hills last year, we've decided to keep it going in our 176th year!!
- January - 264 boxes of cereal collected!
- February - 212 soups & crackers collected!
- March - pancake mix and syrup
- April - canned vegetables (corn, creamed corn, pork 'n' beans, peas, mixed, green beans, tomatoes, etc.)
- May - peanut butter and jelly
- June - canned and boxed dinners
- July - school supplies, socks, and underwear
- August - canned fruit and shelf-stable fruit juice
- September - hats, mittens, and coats
- October - sugar (white, brown, and powdered), flour, baking soda, and vanilla
- November - Giving Tree presents
- December - toiletries, soap, paper products (toothpaste, shampoo, body soap, laundry soap, dish soap, toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, etc.)
Clayton County Food Shelf
In February, $348 along with 192lbs of food were donated to the Clayton County Food Shelf. In addition to that, a separate $297 was raised during our Souper Bowl Collection on Superbowl Weekend. Thank you so much! Our next collection for the Clayton County Food Shelf will be on March 1. The Food Shelf especially needs chicken noodle, tomato, vegetable beef, and cream of mushroom soups; saltine crackers; shelf stable 100% fruit juice; and canned dinners.
Knights of Columbus
John Uhal, Grand Knight
Knight and Family of the Month
At its February meeting, the St. Joseph Knights of Columbus nominated Brother Knight Tom Wilwert as the February Knight of the Month. Tom is a regular at our breakfasts and fundraisers, but he's especially helpful in organizing our annual Free Throw Contest. Thanks for all your volunteer hours, Tom!
Also, the Knights have nominated the family of Travis and Janine Berns as the February Family of the Month. Almost without fail, you can you see them, their three children, and two of their children's significant others celebrating Mass every Saturday night! We appreciate their faithful witness to our parish and the many ways they serve St. Joseph and Elkader!
Coming Soon!
The St. Joseph Knights of Columbus is planning to honor several of our longtime members, including those who have 25 and 50+ years of service to our Order. Stay tuned for a spring celebration in their honor!
See Yourself as a Knight?
There's no shining armor (on the outside anyway), but the Knights of Columbus is always looking for new members to carry on our virtues of unity, charity, fraternity, and patriotism. If you might be interested in joining our council, contact any member or Grand Knight John Uhal. His info is below.
Free Throw Contest Update
On February 2, eight winners from our Council Level Free Throw Contest competed at the District Level at North Fayette Valley High School in West Union. Congratulations to Madison Deutmeyer (left), Reagan Perkins (right), and Samuel Belser (not pictured) for winning their age brackets! They are eligible to compete at the District Level competition on March 9 at North Fayette Valley Middle School in Elgin.
More Things to Know
Are you grieving the loss of someone close to you? Find comfort and support with the Emmaus Pastorate and its GriefShare program. Join us on Tuesdays from 5:30pm-7:00pm from February 25 thru May 20 at the St. Joseph Parish Center in Elkader. Please call the Parish Center at 563-245-2548 to register.
These are special opportunities to find a warm, caring environment, and you will come to see your group as help on a long path toward healing. There is no charge for the class, it's not too late to register, and you do not need to be Catholic to join.
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
- March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: That Man Is You @ 7:00am @ St. Mary Apartment
- March 4, 11, 18, 25: Euchre @ 12:00pm @ St. Mark Parish Center
- March 5: Ash Wednesday (see above for Mass schedule)
- March 6, 13, 20, 27: She Shall Be Called Woman @ 6:00pm @ St. Mary Upper Room
- March 7: Fish Fry @ 4:30pm @ St. Mary Parish
- March 8: St. Mark Gala @ 5:00pm @ Edgewood Event Center
- March 9: OCIA Send Off @ 8:00am @ Sacred Heart Parish
- March 12: Baptism Class @ 6:00pm @ St. Mary Education Center
- March 12, 19, 26: Stations of the Cross @ 6:30pm @ St. Joseph
- March 14: Individual stations of the cross and confessions @ 4:00pm @ St. Joseph Parish
- March 14: Fish Fry @ 4:00pm @ St. Patrick Parish
- March 16: Loving Legacy Workshop @ 2:00pm @ St. Mary Upper Room
- March 19: Solemnity of St. Joseph - Parish Feast Day!
- March 29: Archdiocesan Men's Conference
- March 31: Disability Inclusion monthly birthday party @ 11:00am-1:00pm @ St. Mary Upper Room
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.