A Welcoming Faith Community Serving Warren County and the Lake Gaston Area
Well are you ready for Christmas? Are you finished your Christmas shopping? You realize Christmas is just six months away from today June 24th.
Can always tell it is six months away by today’s feast of John the Baptist. John the Baptist will always show up on the church’s liturgical calendar this time of the year ... six months before Christmas. And that is not by accident.
You see John the Baptist, who is viewed in the gospel as preparing the way of the Lord, comes on the scene about June 24th ... six months before December 25th. He comes around at the start of summer. In front of the altar is a depiction of a scene which is rich in Lenten symbolic meaning. The violet in the scene and throughout the sanctuary, is a somber color which symbolizes mourning, suffering, humility, regret and the willingness to do penance. The scene itself is arid, dry and barren depicting the desert where Jesus lived for 40 days in preparation for his crucifixion. The empty water jugs and containers convey the dryness and heat of the desert and the thirst which Jesus must have experienced. The dead branches and sticks connote the absence of life of any kind in the desert and the lack of food for Jesus to eat. The sand and stones mimic the floor of the dessert – which was probably mostly stone with some sand. The stones are a symbol of austerity and rigor, desolation and misery as well as severity and sadness. The devil used stones to tempt Jesus – "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread" (Mt 4:3). The whip, crown of thorns, nails and hammer vividly convey the suffering which Jesus endured along his journey to Calvary and as he was nailed to the cross.
May our reflection on this scene help us understand the depth of the love Jesus has for each of us and his commandment to show that same love to each other.
Church Bulletin - Dec. 15, 2019
Scrip Retailers
...See the list of participating Scrip Retailers
Stations of the Cross (Via Dolorosa; Via Crucis) March 2019
...Find out more about Stations of the CrossAs members of St. Joseph the Worker all parishioners are called to be the visible presence of Christ and the Catholic Church as we strive to be true disciples of Jesus in all that we do. There are numerous opportunities to be engaged through the many ministries and committees at St. Joseph. The currently active ministries and groups are listed below. Please call the church secretary at (252) 257-5605 if you would like to serve in any of the ministries.
Books, Websites & Spiritual Resources
Youth Faith Formation
Children ages 4-15 who have not made their Communion or Confirmation will meet each Sunday after the 8:00 a.m. Mass from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Parish House.
Adult
It begins June 12th through November 9th at the Parish House. Pot Luck dinner at 5:30 and faith formation at 6:00. This event is open to all in the community.
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
For adults interested in becoming catholic RCIA is an opportunity to inquire about our faith and to become a full member of the Catholic Church.
Please call the church secretary at (252) 257-5605 if you have any questions about participating in Faith Formation opportunities.
Please call the church secretary at (252) 257-5605 if you have any questions about participating in any of these services.
Please call the church secretary at (252) 257-5605 if you would like to serve in any of these ministries.
