Your contribution combines with those of other faith-filled Catholics in Western Massachusetts to support services to the family & elderly, services to those in need, services to young people, and pastoral and spiritual support services. It is simple to give. Send in your one time contribution, or make a pledge using the donation card you received in the mail, or donate online through Iobserve.org.

ST. JOSEPH'S CEMETERY-The date for removal of all Cemetery decorations is changed to Sunday, April 15th. New decorations are not allowed until Mother's Day, May 13th. Two containers of live flowers are allowed per lot. Any other type of decoration is not allowed.

The Knights of Columbus, Msgr. Eugene F. Marshall Council #103, Pittsfield, invites you and request your presence at our 4th Annual Blue Mass to honor Police, Firefighters and First Responders, Emergency Personnel & Law Enforcement including Retirees from Berkshire County and beyond on Sunday April 22, 2018 at te 11:30 AM Mass at St. Joseph Church. The Celebrant will be Msgr. Michael Shershanovich concelebrated by Fr. Peter Gregory and area Clergy. Honor Guard, Personnel and Retirees will gather and stage at the NorthChapel at 11 AM then march into the Church. After Mass at the Parish Center we will have speakers, a "Fallen Officer's Table Ceremony" will be read, then we will present Fr. Peter Gregory an plaque for being our Knights of Columbus Chaplain for many years, also he is the former Chaplain of the Pittsfield Fire Department, followed by a light reception. We look forward to you joining us to show appreciation and thanks for those who serve our communities everyday. Kindly RSVP by April 12, 2018 at [email protected]

Presented by: Fr. Carlos Martins of the Companions of the Cross, Monday April 16, 7pm at St. Mark's Church, Pittsfield MA St. Mark Parish welcomes you to a teaching and exposition of Sacred Relics. Over 150 relics will be shown, some believed to be as old as 2000 years. Among the treasures will be relics of St. Andre Bessette, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Maria Goretti, St. Thérèse of Lisieux (the “Little Flower”), St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Faustina Kowalska. In addition, there will also be present a piece of a veil which is believed to have belonged to Our Lady and one of the largest remaining pieces of the True Cross in the world. For more information: www.treasuresofthechurch.com

The next Parish Council meeting is scheduled for March 18 after the 9 AM Mass. All are invited to attend.

A Polish Easter Dinner will be held on Saturday, April 7, in the Parish Center. Cocktails and appetizers will be offered from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. All are welcome. There will be door prizes too! Tickets are available at the Rectory. Cost: $15.00 per person. Advance tickets only. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Hope you can join us!

ST. JOSEPH PARISH VISITATION REPORT Bishop Rozanski visited our parish and did a review. Below are his recommendations. Recommendations It is clear that St. Joseph’s, the Mother Church of the Berkshires is a unique community trying to be faithful to its mission. In light of the learning from the visit, the following recommendations are offered to the parish leadership. I suggest you continue to dialogue with your pastor as you consider these areas for thought and action. Of course, my office and all the Diocesan offices continue to be available to the parish for support and cooperation in your ministry. 1. Parish Council/Staff– I recommend the Parish Council and Staff continue their wonderful work reaching out to the people of both the parish and the city of Pittsfield. 2. Finance Committee-I recommend the finance team post the weekly collection in the bulletin along with the amount budgeted for expenses. 3. Faith Formation-I recommend the parish provide for and encourage catechists to participate in ongoing catechetical formation opportunities offered by the diocese. Gina Czerwinski is available to offer and arrange formation and enrichment opportunities. I recommend the parish continue conversations with the other local parishes on collaboration in ministry with young people through preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. I recommend the parish work to create opportunities for youth and young adults to gather and be involved in the life of the parish after Confirmation through a vibrant ministry/young adult ministry. Gina Czerwinski is available to offer support, guidance and formation opportunities for developing youth/youth adult ministry leaders in the parish. 4. Child and Youth Protection-I recommend that the parish continue to provide and encourage further participation in safe environment training, that the parish consider collaboration with the other Pittsfield Parishes on abuse prevention for youth. 5. Pastoral Ministry-I recommend that Patricia Momnie and Msgr. Shershanovich meet with the staff from other parishes who participate in the RCIA process to consider ways they might better incorporate the Rites into the process. 6. Youth Ministry-I recommend the staff continue looking for ways to reach out to the young people of the parish. 7. Pastor-I recommend Msgr. Shershanovich continue to work with the Pastoral Council in brainstorming about ways to reach out to the unchurched/alienated in the community. I recommend the pastors of neighboring parishes work with Msgr. Shershanovich in caring for St. Joseph Cemetery since parishioners of all parishes make use of this sacred space for burials of loved ones. Finally, I thank all who have cooperated in this visitation process. I feel very encouraged by the faith and energy I discovered at St. Joseph’s Parish and I look forward to working with you for the glory of God and the benefit of all the people of your area. Be assured of my prayers for all involved in your parish as you work together into the future on your faith mission.

ST. ANTHONY DEVOTIONS begin Tuesday, March 13, at 6PM in church. These devotions continue for 13 weeks. Please join us.

Our annual BAKE SALE will be held on Saturday, March 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Joseph Parish Center. It's time to pull out your favorite recipe and start baking! All baked goods are appreciated! We would love to have cookies, cupcakes, brownies, and breads! YOUR CHOICE! Thank you in advance! We are also seeking volunteers to work the day of the event. Do you have a few hours to spare? We would LOVE your help at the Bake Sale. Please consider lending a hand. Thank you for your support.

Bishop Rozanski visited our parish and did a review. We wanted to share his report with you. The first half of the report will be in the bulletin [3/41] with his commendations. His recommendations will be in next week’s bulletin. Introduction St. Joseph Parish was founded In 1849 in downtown Pittsfield, the first Catholic Church in Berkshire County. As the number of Catholic immigrants increased, the parish grew and larger facilities were needed. In 1864, for $10,000, the parish purchased a piece of the historic Maplewood property that has been a military cantonment facility during the Revolutionary Wary. Construction started on the present church in 1864 and was completed in late 1866, with the first Mass celebrated Christmas day that year. St. Joseph is the largest church in Berkshire County and is known as the Mother Church of the Berkshires. Today it proudly claims parishioners from a number of area churches. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, All Souls, Holy Family, Notre Dame, St. Francis Xavier, St. Mary Morning Star and St. Theresa’s. Given the energy and activity I observed, I make the following commendations and recommendations to guide and support the pastor and staff of St. Joseph’s Parish in your efforts to work together to extend the presence and power of God’s love in Pittsfield. I recognize the good work done here and invite you to reflect with me as I review with you my observations and learning’s from this recent pastoral visit. Commendations Finance Committee—I commend the finance committee for their regular meetings and reports, and for their concern about the parish finances. Parish Council—I commend the Parish council for their support and cooperation with the many activities of the parish, and for their election process which continually brings new people onto the council. Pastoral Ministry—I commend Patricia Momnie for her care and concern for the homebound of the Parish, for working with volunteers to assure that all 105 of the Parish homebound are visited on a regular basis, and for all the effort she puts into coordinating the city wide RCIA program. Faith Information—I commend the Parish for collaborating in ministry with St. Mark’s for the Confirmation Program this year, and for initiating conversations with the other two Parishes about combining their programs into one, and having a well organized Faith Formation Program. Child and Youth Protection—I commend the Parish for the organized and committed work of John, Lou Ann, and Patricia, and the support of Msgr. Shershanovich. I commend the Parish for having security measures in place as the students use different buildings and rooms for their Faith Formation activities. Maintenance and Cemetery Staff— I commend Msgr. Shershanovich and the staff of the cemetery for taking the turn around that has taken place in the cemetery in the last few years. I commend Jack Laviolette, Chairman and Jay Meehan, Superintendent on the positive changes seen in the last two years. Parish Staff— I commend Michele Madden for her dedication as secretary. Her professionalism and welcome spirit makes ones first connection with the Parish a positive experience. I commend her willingness to act in whatever capacity needed. I commend Sharon McClusky for the beautiful bulletin she puts together every week. I commend the Parish community for the amazing number of activities they offer to enrich the lives of the parishioners and the people of Pittsfield. I commend the staff and parishioners for the work they have done in incorporating the communities of Notre Dame, Mt. Carmel, All Souls, St. Theresa’s, St. Mary’s, St. Francis, and Holy Family into one Parish. Pastor—I commend Msgr. Shershanovich for his leadership of the Parish over the past 23 years, and for his service to the wider Berkshire County community, for his pastoral concerns for the members of the Parish. I commend him for his encouragement of the food pantry and Cathedral of the Beloved, his outreach to the elderly and the struggling of the Pittsfield Community, for his leadership during the process of merging parishes in Pittsfield, particularly for his welcome to the people of Notre Dame and Holy Family. I commend Msgr. for his encouragement of the celebration of the various ethnic groups that are present in his parish, for his reaching out to the younger families and members of the community, for his leadership in the planning and care of and repairs at St. Joseph Cemetery, the only Catholic cemetery in the region. I commend Msgr. and those who work with him on the Finance Council, for their careful oversight of stewardship of the parish resources, and the maintenance staff for how well they keep up the property with a limited budget. They maintain a list of items and keep close eye on them repairing in a systematic order.

PARISH COUNCIL will have at least 4 vacancies this year. The meetings are monthly (except December) from September to May on the third Sunday of the month after the 9 AM Mass. In addition to attending the meetings, you would hopefully serve as an active participant in some of the activities at our parish like fundraisers, parish improvement projects, various ministries, or work within the church or CCD program as well. Please submit your name and a phone number to Father Mike as soon as possible. Become involved with our parish, the Mother Church of the Berkshires. It is okay to nominate yourself. Elections will be in April, so we need to advertise early. Pray and consider being a member.

Everyone is invited to join in the third annual Mass remembering all deceased alumni of St. Joseph Central High School. The Mass for the Feast of St. Joseph will be celebrated on Monday, March 19th at 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Church, Pittsfield. The 55 alumni who died during calendar year 2017 will be especially remembered.

PIZZA PLAYOFF Sixth annual Boy Scout Troop 8 Pizza Playoff. Come help decide the winners. Sat., March 10th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church at 74 First Street, Pittsfield. You can sample pizza from the best local pizza houses vying to be chosen #1. There will be fresh salad, beverages and dessert. Tickets are $8 adults, $6 seniors and kids under 12. Kids under 5 are free. Some of this year’s competitors are Berkshire Mt. Bakery, Papa Joe’s, Papa John’s, Pizza Hut, Tyler Street Pizza, Zucco’s, South St Pizza, East Side Pizza.

Butter lambs will be made in the Parish Center on Saturday, March 17 at 10 o'clock. Please bring a pound of butter. Even if you've never made them before this is the time to learn.

Pregnancy Support Services of Berkshire County, Inc., has need of the following: baby gates, car seats with base, booster seats, strollers, double strollers, potties, non drop side cribs, and diaper disposal buckets. Also requested is a professional licensed counselor. Please call the office at 443-7351 for information. The agency is so grateful to all who donate items to aid in the support of all human life. Volunteers to greet and assist clients or to help in other ways are always needed.

Thank you to all the participants of our St. Joseph Lenten Fish Fry, for your patience while we cooked the fresh cod fish to order. The Knights of Columbus Msgr. Eugene F. Marshall Council #103 sponsored the successful annual Fish Fry. Thank you to Nina Mastrangelo and to Carolyn Rousseau for the delicious cakes & brownies. Many thanks to our Chef Phil Janchuk and all our volunteers & participants who enjoyed a great meal, great fellowship, family and friends enjoying each others good company. God Bless you and Thank you all!

ST. JOSEPH MID LENT HAM & BEAN DINNER Saturday, March 17, 2018 from 5 PM to 6:30 PM. Menu includes Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Pea Soup, Roll, Coffee and Desert. Takeout is available after 5:30 PM. Donation: Adults $12.00, Children 5 to 12 years old $6.00. Tickets available at St. Joseph Rectory or contact Jack Laviolette, 464-6009. All proceeds go to St. Joseph Church.

This week St. Joseph will launch our own app for iPhone and Android smart phones. This will allow us to better communicate with you throughout the week and keep you updated with relevant parish news and updates. The app is very well designed and very intuitive. It will be a great resource for parishioners by providing daily Mass readings, Catholic news and prayers, convenient prayer and confession reminders, our bulletins and more. We hope for our new app to be a tool for fostering stronger parish life at St. Joseph and better engaging the new evangelization. Download the app here: https://mypari.sh/7pf