We are taking orders for Traditional 5 inch Canadian Meat Pies "Tourtiere", consisting of beef, pork, potato, onion, celery and spices at $5.00 each, a limit of 60 frozen, uncooked pies, will be made and sold to order. The Canadian Meat Pies will be available to be picked up at St. Joseph Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale at St. Joseph Parish Center on Saturday, November 17, 2017, from 9 AM until noon. Kindly contact Rita Laviolette at 499-3623 to place your order by October 24, 2018. All proceeds go to St. Joseph Church.

Sunday, September 23rd we will begin the Children’s Liturgy of the Word each CCD Sunday at the 9 a.m. Mass. Children from grade Kindergarten through 6th 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. The children return to their parents at the presentation of the Eucharistic gifts. Our older youngsters are welcome to attend and offer their services as readers and mentors for their younger brothers and sisters in faith. This program is not meant for toddlers and infants 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.”

TWELFTH NIGHT MEETING – Its time again to start planning for Twelfth Night 2019. The date is January 5, 2019. Anyone interested in helping plan the event please come to the meeting Monday, September 24, 2019 at 6:30PM at St. Joseph’s in the North Chapel. All are welcome!

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. 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. Please label your envelope "Food Pantry Donation" with cash/checks payable to St. Joseph Parish.

11th Grade Confirmation Dates (Confirmation Class of 2018 ONLY): Sunday, September 23rd - Cathedral of the Night - 12:00-3:00 pm in Parish Center. Please bring baked goods. Wed., Oct. 17th – 4:45 – 9:15 pm - mandatory retreat – Sacred Heart School. Sun., Oct. 21st –Class in Parish Center- 5:00-8:00pm. Sun., Nov. 18th- CONFIRMATION CEREMONY at 2:00 pm at St. Joseph Church. Candidates should arrive at 1:30 pm

ITALIAN FAMILY DINNER - Remember to get your tickets for the St. Anne Society Parish Family Dinner which is planned for October20. The dinner features homemade Italian food cooked at the Parish Center such as ziti with a rich meat sauce, meatballs, chicken parmesan, salad, dessert and coffee. Come and enjoy good food and camaraderie with your parish family. Take out service will be available and meals can be picked up at 4:45 p.m. Advanced ticket sales are available from Mary Paquette at 445-5587 or the rectory. Tickets are limited and only unsold tickets will be available at the door.

Anyone who has been a victim of child sexual abuse by an employee of the Roman Catholic Church can 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 p.mcmanamy@diospringfield.org.

Save the date as Knights of Columbus Council #411 in Dalton prepares a fun-filled evening to benefit the council’s Toy and Charity Fund. The fundraiser is scheduled Saturday, Oct. 20, from 7-11 p.m. in the St. Agnes parish hall in Dalton. Guests will play for chances to win non-cash prizes through a Chinese raffle. If you’re interested in sponsoring the event, donating prizes, or buying tickets, contact Chris Mathews at 413-243-5838 or any K of C member.

We are in need of VOLUNTEERS at the St. Joseph Festival of Sharing Roots, September 9, 2018. Kindly contact Jeff Vincent at jvincent512@gmail.com. Jeff will have your name tag ready when you arrive. Set up begins at 9 AM. Volunteers are also needed for the booths from 12 noon to 4 PM, and lastly we need volunteers to help with pick up. If you are unable to volunteer and would like to help with a donation, we are graciously accepting donations of 12 oz. cans of Coke, Diet Coke, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi. If you have any books that you would like to get rid of ... we are accepting used books for our Book Sale. Thank you!