St. Joseph's Church

HOMELESS NEEDS IN PITTSFIELD - St. Joseph Parish is conducting a winter clothing drive to help the homeless in need in the Pittsfield area. We are requesting NEW items of – winter boots, clothing, socks, underwear, gloves, hats, hoodies, etc. Mostly for men and some women. Kindly bring donations to St. Joseph Rectory from 9:30 to 2:30 Monday through Friday. We will deliver these donations to Berkshire County Sheriff Dept. for delivery to the homeless. May God bless you for helping human beings in need.

Advent is here again! Beginning Sunday, Dec. 1st and on each of the 4 Sundays of Advent we will celebrate evening prayer | Vespers in the South Chapel of St. Joseph Church at 6:00 p.m. followed by a video program featuring Bishop Robert Barrons "Catholicism, Pivotal Prayer” series. Everyone is invited to share this special time in preparation for the coming Christmas Feast.

TWELFTH NIGHT FESTIVAL ANNOUNCEMENT - The Twelfth Night Committee is happy to announce that the 59th Twelfth Night Festival will be held at St. Joseph Church on Saturday, January 11, 2020 with Mass at 4:00 p.m. followed by a dinner reception and dancing in the Parish Center. This beautiful celebration of the coming of the Three Kings began at Mount Carmel Church and now continues for all people of the Central Berkshire Catholic Community. The Youth Ensemble of St. Ann Church will sing prelude music beginning at 3:40 p.m. as well as several selections during the liturgy. Tickets are $35 and can be obtained at the St. Joseph Rectory beginning December 1 through January 8. Tickets for the dinner reception are limited, and special seating arrangements can be accommodated at the time of purchase.

We need help! Please come join us in decorating the Church for Christmas. This is a big task and we need everyone who can help. Sunday, December 22nd after the 11:30 a.m. Mass. Thank you!

ST. ANNE CHRISTMAS TEA - The St Anne Society will have its annual Christmas Tea on Saturday, December 7 beginning at 2 p.m. in the Parish Center. There will be delightful desserts, tea, and musical entertainment. Following the tea the members will attend the 4 p.m. Mass and proceed into the church with the entrance procession following their Banner of St. Anne. Any women who would like to attend are most welcome. Members are reminded to attend the 11 am Holy Hour and Rosary on Wednesday, December 11th to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and lay ministry. Any women interested are welcome to attend as guests.

We are looking for volunteers to help clean the church. This takes place every 6 weeks or so on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. Please contact the rectory if you are interested.

CCD will be held on Sunday, December 8 for grades K through 9. On Sunday, December 15, class will be held for grades K-9. All grade 10 students, please meet in Parish Center from 6:00-8:00 p.m. December 22nd – Pageant at 9:00 AM Mass. In lieu of class, all students and their families are asked to attend. A Christmas Party following in the parish center.

THANKSGIVING ANGELS - Our gravy quota of 1200 packets for the Thanksgiving Angels has been reached!!! We are most grateful to you, the members of St. Joseph Parish and friends, who helped us reached this goal. Because of you and our friends at St. Charles, we will be able to give those coming for a turkey and the fixings the gravy to complement their meal. Again, you are an example of good people who, seeing a need, do what you can to help those who are in need. May your Thanksgiving be blessed with much goodness from God to you and your family for your generosity. Any additional packets will be distributed in the future to complement a meal option some week. Thanks to all who once again made this a success.

As is customary, there is no Parish Council Meeting in December. The next meeting will be on January 19, 2020 after the 9 AM Mass in the North Chapel.

Anyone interested in singing with the Choir for Christmas Eve Mass at 4 p.m. — meet in the choir loft for rehearsals on Thursday at 6 p.m.

ST ANNE SOCIETY MEETING - Wednesday, November 20, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Center. This will be our Annual Soup and Bread Supper. Five ladies have volunteered to make a different homemade soup recipe and fresh bread will be served. The meal is a reminder of this season of remembering our loved ones who are no longer with us. While it started out as a sacrificial meal it has turned out to be a very delicious sacrifice.

HELP FOR OUR HOLIDAY BAZAAR We are making pies for the bake table on Friday, November 22, starting at 9 a.m. in the Parish Center. Many hands make light work. We also will be setting up the hall for the bazaar. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!