ST. JOSEPH’S CEMETERY The Cemetery is in good condition overall, but over the years the presence of underground springs and a hard glacial till soil, especially in the upper section of the Cemetery, has caused extensive water runoff and led to deteriorated roads and flooded grounds. While the Cemetery Staff patches the roads each year, there have not been enough funds available in the annual operating budget to correct the underlying problem: the need to install new underground drainage lines to direct the water properly. This would keep the water off the roads, stopping the flooding, icing and deterioration. A Capital Campaign will be kicked off this fall to raise $1,200,000 to help correct the drainage and fix the roads that are subject to flooding and icing during burials and visits in the winter and spring. While this is not enough to carry out all of the work outlined below, it will address the most serious problems. Any remaining work will be done as funds become available. Work will consist of 3 phases: Phase 1 - Install underground drainage pipes in grass areas along many of the roads in the upper cemetery. These pipes will direct the water to existing large drain lines and eliminate the water runoff that now floods and deteriorates the roads. Phase 2 - Regrade and install new drainage lines and swales along the east and west sides of the main road leading to the upper section of the Cemetery. This work will eliminate the flooding that now occurs at the bottom of that road which in turn floods the nearby side roads and gravesites. Phase 3 - Rebuild and repave the existing deteriorated paved roads. This work will be done as funds are available through the Campaign or other sources. The main roads will be paved first followed by the smaller side roads. Existing gravel roads will be re-graded as needed. Please pray for the success of this Campaign. You will soon be invited to help support these important efforts to restore and repair St. Joseph’s Cemetery!
THEME: “I stand at the door and knock.” (God Speaks) “Which door, God?” (We reply) SUMMARY: We will ponder the words of Revelation: I’m the God who is. The God who was, and the God about to arrive.” “I stand at the door and knock.” How do we listen to “God’s knocks?” Which “doors” should we be especially attentive to daily? What if we miss the invitations? How might we be “doors” to others? Are we open or closed to God knocking through others? Sr. Colette Hanlon, S.C. Presenter Colette Hanlon is a Sister of Charity of Seton Hill whose past ministries include being a teacher of the deaf and the blind, formation ministry, General Councilor, and hospital Chaplain. She is presently a member of the Provincial Council for the Sisters of Charity in Greensburg, PA. Reservation Donation: $15.00 (Continental breakfast & lunch included) RSVP to Carolyn Rousseau, (413) 443-5401 on or before Oct. 1, 2018 SPONSORED BY THE PITTSFIELD SETON FAMILY GROUP
HELP NEEDED: The Food Pantry is in need of at least one driver to replace one who is scheduled for some surgery in the immediate future. This individual needs to have a half ton pickup truck in good shape to pick up our weekly order, usually on Tuesdays, and be available from 11:45 pickup and then deliver to our pantry and finish up by 2 PM. You must be able to pick up 50 lbs. and would work with another driver to deliver our weekly order. If you are able and available, contact Michele at the Rectory office at 413 4455789 and we will contact you to discuss further details and answer questions. The schedule rotates, so you are not on every week. This is a wonderful way to help those in need. God bless you for considering this.
Anyone who has been a victim of child sexual abuse by an employee of the Roman Catholic Church come forward by contacting Patricia Finn McManamy, LICSW, director of the Office of Child and Youth Protection at 413-452-0624, by confidential toll free number at 800-842-9055 or by email at [email protected].
It is that time of year when we think of those in need from our community with a drive to secure funds for purchases of holiday meals. This year, we are once again collecting packets of Turkey Gravy (either McCormack, Knorr, or store brand and NOT bouillon) as our part of the Thanksgiving Angels program for all food pantries in the Pittsfield area. The packets are lighter to carry and easier therefore to transport. Last year over 1400 families were provided with a turkey and all the fixings. This year our parish is responsible for 1200 packets of gravy as we are coordinating with St. Charles that is also collecting gravy. Please turn your gravy in at the baskets near the entrance doors. There is always a need for monetary donations for other items needed throughout the holiday season. Your giving is always appreciated as over 100 families pass through our doors each Wednesday morning. Please label your envelope "Food Pantry Donation" with cash/ checks payable to St. Joseph Parish. God loves a cheerful giver and we appreciate all your GENEROSITY both materially and financially throughout the year.
ST. JOSEPH FESTIVAL OF SHARING ROOTS Sunday, September 9th, 2018 from 12:00 Noon until 4:00 PM on the grounds of St. Joseph Parish at 414 North St., Pittsfield, MA. There will be a Mass starting at 11:30 AM, where we as a Parish Family and Community can move forward from the 9-11-01 tragedy in a peaceful way. Admission and Kiddy Land are free. Crafts sales start at 9 AM. Booths and activities will start at noon. Entertainment will begin at 12:30 PM featuring local vocalists, dancers and musicians. The food booths will represent several international cuisines each serving their favorite specialty. Those represented are American, African, Brazilian, French, Irish, Italian, Lebanese and Polish. Activities in Kiddy Land will include a family fun event with face painting and games for every family member to participate and have fun with their child. We are offering a 50/50 raffle, food basket raffle, toy raffle and lottery ticket raffle. Bring your lawn chair for an afternoon of fun and enjoyment.
RCIA (The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) This is a process for adults who would like to enter the Catholic Church or for those individuals wishing to complete their sacraments of initiation. The sessions will last about 1 hour and will begin on Wed., October 17, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. in the North Chapel. Please call the rectory at 445-5789 to register or speak to Msgr. Mike after mass.
CCD REGISTRATION DAY Grades K-9 and 11 September 9th from 10-11 am in the North Chapel. The first class is on September 16th. You should have received a registration form in the mail, as well as a calendar for our classes this year. There are additional registration forms and calendars in the back of the church. 10th Grade Confirmation Registration/Meeting ONLY - Sunday, August 26th – Mandatory attendance for students and parents at St. Joseph Parish Center at 6:00pm. Please bring your completed Confirmation registration form and fee.
Sharing Roots Kitchen (our Meals on Wheels) needs your help. If you’re able to bake cookies every 2-3 months please call the Rectory. This is a wonderful ministry that benefits many of our elderly. Hope you can help.
Saturday August 25, 2018, starting at 8 AM to approximately noon, Weather permitting. We are planning parking lot fence repairs, painting in several areas and clean up at several areas. Your volunteering to help is appreciated, to improve our Church and grounds. Kindly let Jack Laviolette know if you could join us, 464-600
When receiving the Body and Blood of Christ the appropriate response is an audible “Amen.” This response indicates his or her belief that this small wafer of bread, the wine in this chalice are in reality the Body and Blood of Christ the Lord.
ST JOSEPH CEMETERY - As Catholics, we hold sacred the ground where our ancestors and our relatives are buried. It is there that we mourn our dead and place our hope in the Lord Jesus’ promise of Resurrection to share in His glory. St. Joseph’s Cemetery is a place of serene beauty and hallowed ground. It is my hope that our support will help maintain this sacred space for generations to come. --Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, Diocese of Springfield Life is sacred and we know that does not end at death. We honor our loved ones lives when we visit their burial plot – when we bring lowers, when we mourn, and when we pray for them. And we find peace on the hallowed ground knowing that our hope is in the promise of Resurrection. It is because of our loved ones – our fellow Catholic Community of Faith – whom we hold in high esteem, that the care, maintenance, and nurturing of their final resting place be our collective priority. St. Joseph’s Cemetery, which has served the burial needs of Catholic’s in the Pittsfield area for over 165 years, is well-maintained and in good condition overall. However, there has been a growing problem with drainage in certain areas which has resulted in some flooding and deteriorating roads. This makes use of these roads difficult during visits and burials during the spring and on rainy days. This problem needs our attention and care. A Campaign is being planned by all Pittsfield parishes to join together to raise the funds needed to address the drainage and roads problems at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Generations of Catholics before us sacrificed to acquire and maintain the Cemetery so that we may honor and remember our loved ones. We have that same responsibility as Catholics living in this community today. Our Campaign to restore and repair our Cemetery will launch soon. At this time we ask you to pray for the success of this important effort.
The Knights of Columbus Silver Rose will take place August 21, from 10:45 a.m. through the 12:10 p.m. mass. It's a great opportunity to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe and all life. The Silver Rose Program honors all life and promotes unity between the Knights of Columbus in Canada, Th U.S. and Mexico through prayer.
The CCD program is in need of teachers and aides for the younger grades for Fall of 2018. We've had so many wonderful teachers throughout the years, and are now hoping to add a few more. If you can volunteer for either teaching or being a classroom aide, please call John A. at 822-1297 as soon as possible. Thank you for your continued support to the CCD program and children!
Dear parishioners of St. Joseph’s, Thank you again for your warm welcome to me during my assignment here over the past two months. You have all been so kind and made me truly feel at home here in the parish. I ask for your continued prayers and please know of my prayers for you and the parish. Thank you for making St. Joseph’s my new home in the Berkshires! Seminarian Matt Barone