Once again, the food pantries of Pittsfield are collaborating as the Thanksgiving Angels to help those in need with their turkey and all the fixings. St. Joseph Parish, with the Salvation Army, are collecting packets of turkey gravy from McCormick, Knorr, or the store brand (not Bouillion) so that the weight of the packages is reduced. Last year, 1300 families were supplied with food for the holiday and the baskets will be distributed on November 20, 2017. We will need approximately 1200 packets from our parish which may be placed in the baskets at the doors of the church. You may also make a monetary donation for turkeys and other items throughout the holiday season. Place these donations in an envelope marked "St. Joseph Food Pantry" as either cash or check and place in the collection basket or mail to the office at 414 North St. Our clients appreciate your generosity. May your Thanksgiving be as blessed as you are making others as grateful.

HAITI PLUNGE - Priority for Berkshire County students to sign up for the 2018 Haiti Plunge teams ends on Sept. 15th. After that date available team spots will be made available to non-Berkshire students. Because Haiti Plunge Inc. was founded by Berkshire youth a priority for teams has always been given to county students first. Applications are on the website: www.thehaitiplunge.org or by emailing: [email protected]. High school trips are during school vacations in Feb., April, June and Aug. College trips are in late Dec.- Jan., March, June and Aug.

Altar Servers needed! Any child who is above the third grade and interested in serving, please call the rectory. Training will be provided.

The St. Joseph MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM is in need of drivers to deliver meals on the first Sunday of the month. If you think you could help with this Ministry please call the Rectory.

Please join us on Saturday, September 23, for wine and cheese in the North Chapel immediately following the 4 PM Mass at St. Joseph Church. Hope to see you there!

Volunteers Needed! St. Joseph parish is looking for volunteers to clean the altars in the main church and South Chapel as well as the sacristy. This would involve dusting and washing these areas. More details are available from Michele in the main office during the week. Call her between 10-3 weekdays and she will take your name and provide more info as needed.

THE SETON FAMILY OF ST. JOSEPH CHURCH - The Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill will be conducting a Day of Retreat on October 3 at St. Joseph Parish Center in Pittsfield. All women of the parish and their friends are welcome to come and enjoy the day of prayer, reflection and community led by Sr. Colette Hanlon, S.C. who will speak on “Welcoming the Stranger” and “Living out the Charism of Charity.” Sr. will reflect on how we encounter the stranger in ourselves, our families, friends, and all those that God sends into our lives.The donation for the day is $10 and includes lunch. Please call Carolyn Rousseau at 443-5401 to RSVP by September 29, 2017. The day begins with Registration from 8:00 – 8:45 a.m. and coffee and breakfast pastries and will run through 3 p.m. Sister’s talk will begin promptly at 9 a.m. This is a day you don’t want to miss.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD -- CLOW Sunday, September 10, we will begin the Children’s Liturgy of the Word each CCD Sunday at the 9 a.m. Mass. Kids from grade Kindergarten through 6 are invited and encouraged to come each week to gain a better understanding of the Mass and the Word of God. The readings that adults hear are the same ones that the children hear except that the language is simplified for children. Our older youngsters are welcome to attend and offer their services as readers and mentors for their younger brothers and sisters in faith. We urge parents to attend this mass with their family, encourage their children to attend the CLOW session, and then continue at home by asking their kids what they heard in the “little church.”