ST. JOSEPH PARISH
EMAIL NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2010


FUNERAL. Edith Vatrano, mother of Paul Vatrano of our parish, died Thursday, November 4th. Paul is the man who painted the interior of our church this past spring, and his wife Tina is very involved in our church. The wake is Sunday, November 7th from 3-5 pm at the DeLuccia –Lozito funeral home, 265 Belmont Ave, Haledon NJ. The funeral is Monday, November 8th, at 9:30 am at St.Mary’s Church, 410 Union Ave, Paterson.


ALLSAINTS AND ALL SOULS DAYS. This past week we had two important feast days: All Saints Day and All Souls Day. On All Saints Day, we remember all those who have gone before us and are in eternal life. We remember these people because it gives us hope and encouragement. We look at their lives to see what they did, and we try to imitate them. There are many canonized saints, but many of them are not from our time period, they are ‘cleaned up’ by biographers so we don’t get the real picture, and many of them did great things for humanity and for the church, none of which we will do. I tend to look more in my own era for people to imitate. I think we can safely assume that Mother Theresa and John Paul II are saints, and we can look at their virtues and try to imitate them, but we can also look at the fact that Mother Theresa struggled with doubt and John Paul II felt it necessary to go to confession twice a month. This gives me the encouragement to, knowing that God can transform my life just as He did theirs. More importantly to me, I look at people I have known in my own life who have lived (or are currently living) a saintly life. We’ve all known people whom we think are saintly. They have as many struggles as anyone, but the difference is that they are trying to live the Christian life as well as they can. A saint is just a forgiven sinner who tries hard to be Christian. All Souls Day is a little different. On this day we include everyone who has died in our prayers. Paragraph 1032 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.” Prayers for the dead are for their purification and attainment of eternal life. It’s important to keep praying for those who have died.


VETERANS DAY. Thursday, November 11th is Veterans Day. Let us remember in thanksgiving and prayer all those who served to defend our freedom. Let us pray for those who died and for those who were wounded, especially those in veteran’s hospitals. Let us also remember those who are currently serving our country wherever they may be, that they may come home to us safe and sound. I once saw a bumper sticker I liked, which said, “If you like your freedom, thank a veteran.”



LIKE ALL THE OTHERS


Many of you know Charles de Gaulle as the famous French WWII soldier, statesman, author. What you probably did not know was that Charles and Evonne deGaulle were the parents of a very mentally handicapped child. She was a treasure and a great concern to them both. No matter how bad things were in France, Charles would always make time for he and his Evonne to have time with their daughter. Almost every night after they had put her to bed, Evonne would ask, "Charles, why couldn't she have been like the others?"


As predicted, the little girl died in her youth. There was a private graveside service. After the priest had pronounced the benediction, everyone began to leave, everyone except Evonne. Charles went back to her and said, "Come, Evonne. Did you not hear the blessing of the priest? Now she is like all the others."


That is the promise and the power of resurrection!


Brett Blair, www.eSermons.com, adapted from unknown source.


PRAY FOR OUR NATION. I received an email a few weeks ago asking everyone to pray for our nation. I couldn’t agree more. We need to pray every day for the welfare of our nation. When we pray, I think the most important prayer we can make is for our country to turn back to our origins and roots, and become again a nation based on religious values. People fleeing from religious persecution and seeking religious freedom originally settled the New World. The Founding Father’s based the new country on religious principles. Freedom of religion in our Constitution meant that every one was free to worship as each person saw fit. I think we have lost our way. Freedom of religion has, in recent decades, been reinterpreted as freedom from religion. We may be a country founded on religious values, but how often do we live by these values? Let us pray that our God and our faith play a prominent role in our society as well as in our lives.


HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!


I was in the barbershop the other day, waiting my turn, when the guy in the chair said he had gotten a cheap fare on his airline for vacation, and then complained about a $25 bag fee. I told him he should be thankful and grateful that he can afford to take his family on vacation. Many people can’t do that nowadays. Thanksgiving reminds us to be thankful and grateful for the ways God has blessed us in our lives. While we have problems (well, who doesn’t?), we are also blessed in many ways. If you spend time counting your blessings, you won’t have time to dwell on your problems. Wherever you go for Thanksgiving, I hope it is a time of grace and peace. Here is a prayer service you can use at Thanksgiving dinner, followed by a little fun poem for you about thanksgiving.


THANKSGIVING TABLE BLESSING
(From Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, revised edition, pp. 178-179)


Leader: God has filled us with every good thing.
Response: Blessed be the name of the Lord.


Have someone read Colossians 3:12-17


After a time of silence, the leader prays:


Lord, we thank you
for the goodness of our people
and for the spirit of justice
that fills this nation.
We thank you for the beauty and fullness of the land
and the challenge of the cities.
We thank you for our work and our rest,
for one another, and for our homes.
We thank you Lord:


(Have those gathered at table offer a prayer of thanksgiving.)


(The leader continues):


For all that we have spoken
and for all that we keep in our hearts,
accept our thanksgiving today.
Keep us ever mindful of those who lack the necessities of life
and make us generous in sharing all that we have.
We pray and give thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.


(All make the sign of the cross as the leader concludes):


May God bless the food and friendship that we share
and fill our hearts with gratitude and generous love.
Response: Amen.



TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING,
BUT I JUST COULDN'T SLEEP.
I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS,
I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP.


THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED -
THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE,
BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION
WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT.


TOSSING AND TURNING WITH ANTICIPATION,
THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK BECAME INFATUATION.
SO, I RACED TO THE KITCHEN, FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR,
AND GAZED AT THE FRIDGE, FULL OF GOODIES GALORE.


GOBBLED UP TURKEY AND BUTTERED POTATOES,
PICKLES AND CARROTS, BEANS AND TOMATOES.
I FELT MYSELF SWELLING SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND,
'TIL ALL OF A SUDDEN, I ROSE OFF THE GROUND.



I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING, FLOATING INTO THE SKY,
WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING AND A HANDFUL OF PIE.
BUT, I MANAGED TO YELL AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES.....
HAPPY EATING TO ALL - PASS THE CRANBERRIES, PLEASE.


MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY,
MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP.
MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP.
MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS.
MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE,
MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS!!


HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL



LINCOLN PARK FOOD BANK. As you know by now, the Lincoln Park Food Pantry is looking for a new director. Pat Gray, who has been directing the program for over 25 years, is stepping down at the end of the year. This job would be coordinating the program to assist over 60 families in town and would necessitate the person to have free time during working hours. I had a set up a meeting with the mayor for anyone who was interested but I had to cancel it due to a funeral and it has not been rescheduled. Since I am going to be away on vacation shortly, I would ask that anyone interested should contact the mayors office at (973) 694-6100, X 2020 or 2021. Pat Gray has volunteered to train her replacement. It is a great ministry and I encourage someone from our church to step up and fill this role.




KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS HAPPENINGS



The Knights of Columbus will be holding their annual Frankie Canta and the Dreamakers oldies dance on Saturday, November 20 in Halloran Hall from 7-11 pm. The cost is $10 per person and includes beer, soda, coffee, cookies and great music. Come join us for a fun night! For tickets call Rich Williams @ 973.696.7090



“PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN”



The Paterson Diocesan sponsored program “Protecting God’s Children” was created to create a safe environment for children and young people through education and accountability. Here at SJP we will be holding a “Protecting God’s Children’s” seminar for anyone who has regular contact with children (i.e. CCD teachers). The program will be held on Wednesday, November 17 at 7 pm in Halloran Hall. For more information or to register please call Sr. Ellen at 973.696.4411, x17. Everyone is welcome.



THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE



As we prepare to give thanks to God for all the blessings in our own lives, let us remember those in need, especially this year when times are so difficult for so many. The parish Thanksgiving Food Collection will begin on Sunday, November 7. Turkeys may be brought to Halloran Hall and put in the freezer in the kitchen. Canned hams would also be appreciated. Other food items needed are: stuffing, instant mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, canned juices, cereals, dinner rolls, canned fruit, canned vegetables, tuna, peanut butter, jelly and soup. Non-perishable items may be left in the back of church anytime. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Halloran Hall will be open November 7th to November 21st between 9 am and 4 pm for drop offs



RALLY FOR MIKE”: Mike Hoskins, a parishioner, is suffering from cancer and a fundraising event has been organized to help offset medical expenses. This event will take place on November 21 from 2-6 pm at the LP American Legion. Fun activities for all: dance the afternoon away with DJ and Zumba instructors, food, drink and good time! Cost: $40/pp, $75/couple, $25/young adult 16 & over. To purchase advance tickets or to make a donation, please contact Angela Marino at 973.696.1861 or salvo10679@hotmail.com. Tickets are limited to the first 200 people. Let’s all come together and “rally for Mike!”



MASS INTENTION BOOK


The 2011 Mass Intention book is now open. If you’d like to reserve an intention for next year, please call or stop by the office. The suggested stipend for the Mass intentions will remain $10. A word of warning, 5:30 pm Mass on Saturdays is the most popular mass so if you’d like to reserve a date on a Saturday, please allow at least 4 months notice.



Confirmation class. Welcome back to another year! We have a small snag in our November schedule and will be postponing our first class until November 14,2010. Class for next Sunday, 11/7 has been postponed until the following Sunday 11/14. We will still meet at 7pm until 9pm. Thank you for your cooperation and see you then! Ken and Jen Shirkey.




GOD THE DIVER


C.S. Lewis has this really helpful illustration. He says that in the incarnation, Jesus was like a diver. He is God in heaven looking down into this dark, slimy, murky water. That's our sinful, polluted world. God dives in, He gets himself wet. And then God came up again, dripping, but holding the precious thing he went down to recover. That precious thing was Zacchaeus, and you and me. All those sinners who have trusted in Christ. That's how we get out of the slime of tax collecting, or cheating, or lusting, or hating, or whatever other self-destructive sin we are buried in. God in Christ descended down into the slime and rescued us. Resolutions and vows to be better won't help by themselves. We don't have the power to keep them. We are stuck on the sea bottom. We have no power of our own to get up or out. All we can do is cry out for God's grace to lift us up, to rescue us.



Raymond Cannata, A Surprising Resolution




May God bless all of you abundantly.






Fr. Phil