the catholic community of st....
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THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF ST. JOSEPH 120 HOBOKEN ROAD, EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ 07073
CHRIST IS RISEN. ALLELUIA!
Pastoral Staff
Fr. Joe Astarita, Pastor
Fr. Arokiadoss Raji, Vicar [email protected]
Fr. Doss, Director of Faith Formation
201-939-3441
Marc Lamparello, Music Director
201-939-0457- ext. 311 [email protected]
Parish Office Hours Monday thru Thursday: 8:30am - 6:00pm
Friday: 8:30 am- 3:00pm (Our office is closed 1:00-2:o0pm for lunch.)
If you cannot make our office hours, please call and we will do our best to accommodate you.
We are closed Saturday and Sunday.
Parish Directory Parish Office: 201.939.0457
Emergency Line: 201.939.0391 Parish Fax: 201.939.4196
Faith Formation: 201.939.3441 Parish website: www.stjosepher.com Parish email: [email protected]
[email protected] is the e-mail address to use if you wish to place an article in the bulletin. Articles are due
the Monday before the published date.
Parish Registration Registration Forms are available at the Parish
office and at the Parish web site.
Pastoral Care of the Sick Please contact Parish Office for pastoral visits in the hospital or at home. Pastoral ministers are
available to visit the sick and homebound. We offer a warm welcome to all our guests &
newcomers! We at the Catholic Community of St. Joseph are pleased to have celebrated liturgy with you and we hope you will join us again.
Mass Schedule Saturday: 5:00pm Vigil Mass
8:00pm to 10pm Neo-Catechumenal Mass Sunday: 8:00am 10:00am 12:00noon
Monday thru Friday 7:30am and 12:05pm
Civic Holidays—8:30 am
Sacrament of Penance Saturday — 11:00am - 12:00 Noon
Other times by appointment please.
Sacrament of Baptism Fourth Sunday of the month — 1:30pm
For information regarding baptisms please contact the parish office.
Sacrament of Marriage Plans are usually made one year in advance to
prepare for marriage. Please call the Parish Office to schedule an appointment.
Devotions to follow the 12:05 pm Mass St. Anthony Novena—Every Tuesday
St. Joseph Novena—Every Wednesday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament—
Every Thursdays after noon mass.
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SATURDAY, March 30 Holy Saturday 8:00 pm + Easter Vigil
SUNDAY, March 31 Easter Sunday 8:00 am + 10:00 am + 12:00 pm +
MONDAY, April 1 12:05pm + Dominick Presto
TUESDAY, April 2 12:05pm + WEDNESDAY, April 3 12:05 pm + Paolina Boccia THURSDAY, April 4 12:05 pm + FRIDAY, April 5 7:30 am + Jemlich Kopacz 12:05 pm + Rose Moore SATURDAY, April 6 5:00 pm + Adolph & John Trause
SUNDAY, April 7 Second Sunday of Easter 8:00 am + Pasquale, Luigi & Rosa Carusone 10:00 am + Jerry Parise 12:00 pm + Patricia Anne McGuire
Dear Brothers and Sisters: The Sabbath was changed after t h e R e s u r r e c t i o n t o commemorate this event that Jesus returned from the grave after suffering a very cruel
death. How little thought we give to this in our daily lives.
The holy women in Luke’s Gospel were on their way to the tomb in order to carry out a duty of charity: to embalm the body of Jesus with their spices and oils. This is fitting especially since Christ means the ‘anointed one.’ In the East, the tombs were often carved out of caves in the rock and a circular stone was rolled in front of it. When these women came they found that the stone had already been moved, and they were greatly relieved.
When we read all of the accounts of the gospels we find small discrepancies among them; however, there is a central fact that never varies: the tomb is empty. No two people ever describe the same event in the same way and as it is told and retold some embroidery happens. However, at the heart of this event is the fact of an empty tomb. Those who knew him the best did not expect this.
The women returned to tell their story to the rest of the disciples and the men did not believe. Peter was the only one who went out to verify what happened. This is an important question that is asked of Peter, and of us. Why are looking for Jesus among the dead? Jesus is alive today and often we approach him as if he were dead, and only someone to be studied. He is not merely a hero of the past, but a living reality of today.
Let us together celebrate this life changing event: Christ died and rose again, for us! He has overcome death, all kinds of death that we also experience today. Let us not get used to this fact.
Dear Friends, may God grant you and your family a blessed Easter!
Great Mission - Year of Faith Join us starting on Sunday, April 7th at 4 PM for an
outdoor street Mission at Sesselman Park at 282 Carlton Avenue, East Rutherford. There will be
music, singing and preaching for five Sundays of Easter!
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PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS Michael Brockway (Afghanistan) Lt. Patrick Stevens (Iraq 2nd tour)
Lance Corp. Kevin Murphy (Afghanistan)
WEEKLY COLLECTION
Last Sunday 864 people attended Mass. Total: $9,915.00
1st Collection $6,640.00 Number of Envelopes 293 $4,198.00 Cash Received $2,442.00 2nd Collection $3,275.00 Number of Envelopes 262 $2,643.00 Cash received $632.00
WINTER HEATING
The Lord will bless you for your generosity!
ST. FRANCIS INN
During the month of APRIL we are collecting
SUGAR Your donations may be left at the Giving Tree. (For information please visit www.stfrancisinn.org)
PRAYER LIST... As a community of faith, we offer the support of our prayers for one another.
Anyone who asks to be on this prayer list will be listed for six weeks. After that time, his or her name will be placed in our Intention Book, which is in the church on the altar rail in front of the tabernacle.
These people are in acute need of our prayers:
Hasan Mahmud, Patrick Chapman, Philip Smith, Stanley Sudol, Laura Izzo,
Gianna Dilemme, Lenore Papale, Daniel Leach, Claire Palmieri, Joe DiGradina, Kathy Szedlacik, Linda
Judge, Bryan Consulmagno, Carol Gonda, Lourdes Taveras, Marianne Clancy, Geraldine Litter, Angie
Rasmus, Rich Hirch, Nancy Skwiat and Eleanor Surowiec.
(Please call the Parish Office @ 201-939-0457 if you ould like to add a name to our prayer list.)
ST. JOSEPH FOOD PANTRY The pantry is short of many of the foods
and supplies that are needed during the winter months. Our inventory has run extremely low. We
are in urgent need of Cereal, Soups, Tuna, Peanut Butter, Beans, Jam, Rice, Mac & Cheese, Tomato Sauce, Canned Fruit, Chili, Condensed Milk, Coffee, Stew, Soap, Shampoo and Toothpaste. If you would like to support
the parish food pantry, please consider volunteering at the pantry during the week or purchasing a gift card in the name of “Food Pantry.” We thank you for your generosity and continued support of this ministry. May God Bless you and your family for your caring and kindness.
NEW MISSALETTES PLEASE leave Missalettes in Church.
DO NOT take them home for any reason at all. New Missalettes are
now here! Please Enjoy!!
Rosary Altar Society Communion Sunday for Rosarians will be next Sunday, April 7th at 10am mass.
The regular monthly meeting will be Monday, April 8 at 7:30pm in the cafeteria. Co-hostesses will be Angela Cantatore, Carol Fay and Norma Gray. The winner of the lottery raffle and lamb cake at Palm Sunday cake sale is Emily Krisko of Carlstadt. Rosarians wish everyone a Happy and Blessed Easter!
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MASS BOOK
The 2013 Mass Book is open. There are numerous ways in which we can remember and pray for the deceased and/or a special intention for a family member or friend. Please contact the Parish Office.
Mass $9.99 Wine $24.99
Hosts $24.99 Acolyte Candles $9.99 Sanctuary Candles $14.99
TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — Peter is an eyewitness: The Lord is risen (Acts 10:34a, 37-43). Psalm — This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad (Psalm 118). (1) Second Reading — All who are baptized, set your hearts on heaven (Colossians 3:1-4) or (2) Second Reading — Christ our Passover is sacri-ficed; therefore let us celebrate (1 Corinthians 5:6b-8). Gospel — Three witnesses, Mary, Peter, and John; each responds to the empty tomb (John 20:1-9) or Luke 24:1-12 (or, at an afternoon or evening Mass, Luke 24:13-35).
The Sanctuary Candle will burn this week in Memory of Family
and Friends, as requested by Roseann Barnes.
_____________________ The Acolyte Candles will burn
this week in Memory of Family and Friends, as requested by
Roseann Barnes. ______________________ The Wine and Host will be
offered this week in Memory of Family and Friends, as requested
by Roseann Barnes.
ARCHBISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL 2013 AAA
Our Goal is $28,000.00 How We Are Doing:
Total pledged to date- $20,045.00 Number of Donors– 91
Many thanks to the Parishioners who gave so generously to the AAA. Don’t delay in
giving anything that you can to the Archbishop’s appeal. We would like
everyone to do something! May the Lord bless you.
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PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE Physician-Assisted Suicide…What is at Stake?
When we grow old or sick and we are tempted to lose heart, we should be surrounded by people
who ask “How can we help?” We deserve to grow old in a society that views our cares and needs
with a compassion grounded in respect, offering genuine support in our final days. The choices we make together now will decide whether this is the
kind of caring society we will leave to future generations. We can help build a world in which
love is stronger than death. (Excerpt from USCCB, To Live Each Day With Dignity p. 6) Oppose the NJ
Death with Dignity Act (A3328/S2259) Visit: www.capwiz.com/njcathconf/home
For more information on this subject, please visit:
http://www.capwiz.com/njcathconf/home/ http://diometuchen.org/offices-and-ministries/pastoral-life/respect-for-life/physician-assisted-
suicide/
Faith Formation-Sunday Connection Last Saturday our parish celebrated First Penance. There were about 78 children and their families. The term we use for Confession or Penance now is RECONCILIATION, making things better, making up or being in a good relationship again. When we sin we hurt our relationship with God and one another. Celebrating the sacrament makes our relationship with God closer.
The season of Lent is a special time to grow closer to Jesus in prayer and sacrifices. We move through the 40 days following Jesus, his mission and life on earth. He leads us through the path of the Paschal Mystery, his life, death and resurrection. Easter Sunday, the church celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of everlasting life. The love of God the Father is manifested in his son Jesus and shared through the action and guidance of the Holy Spirit. What more could we want.
Happy Easter! PASS IT ON…
TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Over the centuries, the Church has demonstrated a wonderful ability to adopt a culture’s favorite symbols and customs and assign
them new meaning. Easter eggs have a very ancient pedigree: n a t u r e ’ s p e r f e ct package, emblem of new life, dyed and decorated and given as gifts in ancient Egypt, Rome, China, and Persia. Just as the long hard winter is over, the egg bursts with promise of life and nourishment. Long ago, Christians came to see
the egg not as a symbol of spring’s rebirth, but of ours, and as a sign of Christ’s tomb. A Polish legend says that Mary, in compassion for the soldiers at the cross, gave them eggs, but that her tears stained their shells with brilliant color. Legends have their origin in tales told around a hearth, but they often contain a profound truth. The idea of Mary, the first Christian, engaged in a merciful act of forgiveness and tenderness even in the shadow of the cross, describes the age‑old wish that Christ “Easter in us.”
EASTER ENERGY On Easter morning when the disciples saw the evidence of the Resurrection, they did not at first grasp it. John reports that “they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.” We, on the other hand, have both
scripture and church tradition to teach us. J e s u s C h r i s t ’ s resurrection is at the core of our Christian faith. All of today’s readings tell us how compelling this event was for the first Christians. There is great energy in all the r e a d i n g s . P e t e r preaches with authority and conviction. Paul
calls for Christians to change their lives. In the Gospel reading we see Peter and John in a footrace to reach Jesus’ tomb and see with their own eyes the evidence that they still could not understand or completely believe. How can some of this Easter energy be restored to us today? Do we let the astonishing news of the Resurrection touch us now? Does it call us to action? To deeper faith? To conversion? What new life will be reborn in us and our parish community this Easter morning?
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Spring Fun and Philanthropy at St. Joseph’s Church April 2013 Sign up for Boiling Springs Community Alliance Program after all masses or at your local branch. The Community Alliance Program from Boiling Springs Savings Banks affords community organizations like St. Joseph’s Church to earn extra money entirely through the participation of its members. Boiling Springs Bank will make a quarterly donation to St. Joseph’s Church based upon the average daily balance of the members’ designated accounts at Boiling Springs. There is no minimum account, no fee to the participant, no funds withdrawn from the participants’ account(s) and all participants’ and organization’s account information is kept strictly confidential. If you already have an account(s) at Boiling Springs, you can contact Boiling Springs and let them know that you would like to participate in the program. For more information please contact Debbie Cannariato (Boiling Springs Bank) at 201-507-2137. St. Joseph Church is #0242. Enrollment forms can also be found on the parish website under “Parish Life/Fundraising”. April 2013 Sign up for TD Bank’s Affinity Membership Program after all masses or at your local branch. The Affinity Membership Program from TD Bank offers another very easy way for St. Joseph’s Church to earn extra income entirely through the participation of its members. TD Bank will make an annual donation to St. Joseph’s Church based upon the average balance of the members’ designated accounts. There is no minimum account balance, no fee to the participant, no funds withdrawn from the participants’ account(s) and all participants’ and organization’s account information is kept strictly confidential. Just let them know that you would like to assign all of your accounts to code A3343. Enrollment forms can also be found on the parish website under “Parish Life/Fundraising”. April 12-21, 2013 Gift cards are the perfect gift for the upcoming spring occasions! Place your gift
card orders after all masses or in the rectory office for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Graduations and Teacher Appreciation Gifts. Gift cards will be available for pick up April 27-28, 2013.
April 14, 2013 “Family Pasta Bowl” 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the school auditorium Entertainment, lunch and dessert included Raffle chances and prizes available $15 adults, $10 children 12 and under Bring your “Pennies for the Parking Lot” Tickets available after all masses, in the rectory office June 2, 2013 Fr. Joe’s 10th Anniversary Celebration and Parish 50/50 “Vacation Raffle” drawing in
the school cafeteria at 1:30 p.m.. Light lunch, desert and refreshments will be served.
September 2013 St. Joseph’s Carnival – date to follow Fall 2013 T.G.I. Friday’s Proceeds Night to Benefit St. Joseph’s Church
Dine all day at T.G.I. Friday’s on Route 17 South in Wood-Ridge and 20% of all pre-tax sales are donated back to our church. Remember to bring the flyer to make it count!
For more information on any of the programs listed above, please contact
Eugenia Roman at 201-893-4897.
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EASTER FLOWERS IN MEMORY OF A LOVED ONE
Beautiful Easter flowers fill the sanctuary in the church during this holy season. The flowering plants are donated by the parishioners who contribute an offering in memory of a loved one. If you would like to make such an offering, please fill in the form below and return it to the parish office or place it in the collection basket with your contribution. The names of those remembered will appear in a Book of Remembrance during the Easter season. In memory of: _____________________________________________________________________ Your name: ______________________________________________ Telephone number: ________________________________________ Donation: $10 ____ $20 ____ $30 ____ Other _____ Please print clearly
‘DIGNITY’ BILL: A SLIPPERY SLOPE TO SUICIDE
By Fr. W. Jerome Bracken From - The Catholic Advocate
On Feb. 7, the “New Jersey Death with Dignity Act” was presented for its second reading in the New Jersey Assembly, having passed the Health Committee. The bill’s prime sponsor is Assemblyman John Burzichelli. Its noble title and intent, however, is far from noble. Shamefully, the bill speaks of a person making a healthcare decision, but the decision is not about health; rather, it’s about a person’s death. As for the person’s “dignity” of making his own decisions, the bill gives the minimum condition. He or she can do this, as long as the attending and consulting physicians have the opinion that the person’s judgment is not impaired by some psychological disorder or depression. The only thing preventing the patient from going headlong into his death would be that one of them thinks he is depressed or psychologically incapable. Then the doctor is to refer the patient for counseling, and the counselor with or without certification decides. Surely, this is a slippery slope to suicide. But what of the word “care” in the patient’s healthcare decision? Why is it that the person does not care to live? Is the pain too much? The doctor should have the knowledge of how to lessen it if not eliminate it. Like Simon of Cyrene, he can help the patient carry his cross. If the suffering of a terminal illness is not painful but is unbearable, then what is being offered to help him to bear it?