St. Joseph Bulletin

ST. JOSEPH CHURCH FREDONIA, NY

Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 4, 2008

After any crisis, milestone celebration or big event, we usually wonder, "Now what?" Today's liturgy has that tone. The disciples have seen Jesus die, rise from the dead, promise he'd always be with them and then disappear into the sky. Today's first reading reveals a subdued group of men and women regrouping back in Jerusalem.

Catholic Charities
Appeal 2008
Hope for All Seasons

To date, our parish contribution total is $25,290 with 204 cards returned. We need to raise $1,210 more to meet our parish goal of $26,500.
"Catholic Charities Weekend" will be held on May 17/18. This will provide parishioners one more opportunity to contribute to Appeal 2008. Please help us to realize of $11.2 million goal!

Since we know what comes next, we may think we know the answer to their "now what?" The Holy Spirit will descend on them at Pentecost and their mission will begin. But the second reading and the Gospel remind us that we don't know that answer for ourselves. Not yet. Peter promises that we will suffer, but we don't know the details yet. Jesus prays all those centuries ago, not only for the disciples there with him at the time, but for all of us, for everything that will befall us and become of us. All three readings raise questions and portend danger. Only the responsorial psalm offers an answer: "The Lord is my life's refuge; of whom should I be afraid?"

First Communion
Sunday, May 4, 2008
11:00 am Mass

The Parish Community of St. Joseph rejoices to welcome the following young members of our Parish family who begin today to share in a fuller and richer life with Jesus: Matthew Burr, Emily Cherico, Shelby Clark, Ciara Healy, James Lyon, Christopher Miller, Liam Pickreign, and Allison Price. Please pray for them and their families. Our sincere thanks to their teacher, Mrs. Cindy Johnson.

May Crowning and Recitation of the Rosary
Monday, May 5 at 7 pm in Church
All parishioners are welcome
Refreshments to follow

Jim Fugle's First Mass on Saturday, May 17

Jim will be celebrating his first Mass on Saturday, May 17 at 6:30 pm at St. Joseph's. Please note that there will be NO 4:30 pm Mass on that day. Please come and help us celebrate his ordination.
There will be a reception to follow Jim's first Mass in the Gym. If you would like to help bake cookies for the reception, please sign up on the sheets in the Gathering Room. Also, if you can help in any way with the reception, please call Judy Bradley at 672-2647 or Judy Dankert at 672-6211.

Guests of the Friendly Kitchen Need You!!!

Would you be able to give one afternoon a month to prepare a meal at the Friendly Kitchen? St. Joseph Parish needs help preparing meals to be able to continue serving the less fortunate of our neighborhood on the third Tuesday of the month. The supplies are purchased with donations earmarked for the Friendly Kitchen. Meals are simple and easy to prepare. If you, or you and a friend are interested in participating in this service by preparing the meal at the Friendly Kitchen, call Patty Marshall (672-7448).

St. Joseph Spaghetti and Meatball Dinner
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
4 pm - Sold Out

Cash giveaways and theme baskets. Tickets: $6 for Adults and $4 for children 12 and under. Take-outs available. Your help is need to help work, bake cakes for dessert, and contribute a Theme Basket. Please sign up at the entrances of Church if you can help!

Spring Clothing Drive

The first St. Vincent de Paul Clothing Drive of 2008 will be held the weekend of June 7/8. An organization truck will be in the St. Anthony parking lot to receive donated clothing. The need is especially great at this difficult financial time. There is need for infant's, children's, women's and men's clothing.

St. Vincent de Paul Membership Drive

The organization is dedicated to assisting those in need and visiting the hospital, St. Vincent Home and the Chautauqua County Home. Parishioners of St. Joseph and St. Anthony Parishes, both men and women, are eligible to become a member. If interested, please contact Jim Dillon at 679-7868 or Matt Ludes at 679-1618.

St. Francis High School Spring Concert

Thursday, May 8 at 7 pm in Ormsby Alumni Hall Theatre. All instrumental and choral groups will perform. Admission is free.

Day of Reflection

The 16th Annual Day of Reflection sponsored by the Catholic Biblical Studies Program has been rescheduled for Sunday, May 18. Father Lawrence Boadt, CSP, President of Paulist Press and author of Reading the Old Testament, will present his topic "Isaiah: From Jerusalem to Exile." This event will take place at Millennium Airport Hotel, 2040 Walden Avenue, Cheektowaga from 8:30 am-3 pm. Father Boadt will celebrate Holy Eucharist at the conclusion of the program. The $45 registration fee includes morning pastry and lunch. Please contact us at 871-9180 or www.cbstudies.org to register.

Chicken Barbeque

At St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish Hall, 4th and Washington Ave on Sunday, May 18 from Noon to 3 pm. Tickets are $7 and meals include 1/2 BBQ chicken with Chiavetta Marinate, mashed potatoes and gravy, tossed salad, roll and butter, cake and beverage. Takes outs available at our Curb side pickup.