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

St. Joseph Cemetery, is selling a 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 green one ton dump truck for "PARTS ONLY", with a 8 foot fisher Minute Mount Plow, tires in relatively good shape, issues we are aware of, starter needs to be replaced, battery needs to be replaced, brake system and parking brake needs to be overhauled, electrical issues, gas gauge sometimes works, air bag light occasionally comes on, garage said repairs will cost at least $2,000.00, being sold for "PARTS ONLY", as is , where is. If interested, kindly send a sealed bid to be received by 3:30 PM, August 9th, 2018. Must be paid in full before removing and taking possession of the truck. Bids will be evaluated then the highest qualified bidder will be notified. Kindly send Bids to: Jay Meehan, Superintendent 222 Pecks Rd. Pittsfield, MA 01201

FREE FOLK FESTIVAL Sugar Hill Mansion 45 Main Street, Dalton, MA 413-684-0100 Saturday, August 12th from 1 to 4 p.m. Rain or Shine. Features musicians: The Levins, A harmony driven contemporary folk acoustic duo. —Adler & Hearn, A spirited blend of original “Texas Folk” —The Ladies Auxiliary Ukulele Orchestra featuring Bernice and Mariah Lewis with Dan Broad. Bring your own chair or blanket. Food & Raffles to purchase. Proceed and donations support The Alzheimer’s Association

AUGUST 15TH BUS TO EPHESUS HOUSE In Jamaica, Vermont, there is a replica of the house where Mary is said to have stayed with John the Beloved Apostle, after the death and resurrection of Jesus. On Wednesday, August 15, feast of the Assumption of Mary. A King Ward bus will bring travelers to this Ephesus for a day of speakers, Mass, celebration, and supper. Depart 9:45 AM from St John’s Evangelist Church, 833 Main St., Agawam, MA. Return 9:30 PM. $28, bring a bag lunch, and a travel-safe potluck dessert for the supper. Reservations, questions, to Linda Mariani 413-789-9164.

FAITH ON FIRE RALLY - August 16th and 17th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sixth annual Faith on Fire Catholic Rally will be held on the ground of Sacred Heart Parish at 1065 Springfield St., Feeding Hills, Agawam, MA. Our evenings will consist of praise and worship music, Eucharistic Procession, Reconciliation, opportunity for extra prayer under the prayer tent and prays for healing. Main speakers are The Most Reverend Mitchell T. Rozanski, Reviewed. Donald LaPointe, Sr. Melinda Pellerin, SSJ and lay witness speakers to inspire you. There will be food for purchase. Please bring a lawn chair. Contact coordinator Deb Briancesco at 413-786-8200-X3-with any questions.

St. John Paul II Parish in Adams will be holding their annual Tag Sale Friday, Aug. 10th from 9 to 1 and Sat., Aug. 11th from 8 to 3. In the Notre Dame School lower hall as well as outside. This tag sale, promises to be one of the largest yet with thousands of items for all ages, all cleaned, sorted and organized to make it easier to browse. We also have many items for students heading to college. Rain or shine

I would like to express thanks to ALL who helped with the picnic on last Sunday, the 15th. The workers, cooks, runners, sellers, cleaners, buyers, and financial donors proved that many hands, minds, and people all come together to make for a successful event. Everyone worked hard and long and I appreciate every single person's efforts to make this so wonderful. May God bless you as you have joined together for the good of the Parish. Thank you! John A., Chairman of the Picnic.

SIX FLAGS NEW ENGLAND Friday, August 10, 2018. The day begins in the Rivers Edge Picnic Grove with music at 9 AM followed by a 9:30 AM Mass celebrated by the Most Rev. Mitchell T. Rozanski, Bishop of Springfield. Then you will have the day to enjoy the park. There is a special package price of only $44.24 which includes park admission, a buffet lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 PM, and free parking. Tickets can be purchased online at sixflags.com/newengland using promo code: Catholic day18. For more information, call Joanne McCormick, Special Events Coordinator, Six Flags, at 413-786-9300 X3524 or Gina Czerwinski, Director of Catechetics and Youth Formation, Diocese of Springfield, at 413-452-0677.

Many thanks to all who participated and volunteered at the annual Knights of Columbus Father's Day Breakfast held at St. Joseph Church. Great food, Great company & fellowship, God Bless All.

GRAMMY AWARD WINNING CHRISTIAN MUSIC PIONEER JOHN MICHAEL TALBOT IN CONCERT A Lifetime of Music & Ministry September 19th at 7:00 PM. CONCERT LOCATION: St. Agnes Catholic Church 489 Main St., Dalton, MA. $30 general seating. OR $50 VIP Package which includes preferred seating, present at sound check and complimentary CD. Purchase tickets online at : http://www.stagnescc.com. Tickets are also available during weekdays at the parish office of St. Agnes 413-684-0125 and St. Mary 413-243-0275, and after weekend Masses at both parishes. This concert is sponsored by the Berkshire Deanery to benefit Saint Agnes Academy, Dalton, and Saint Mary’s School, Lee.

THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE CONCERT BAND - Land of the Proud! Bring the entire family for a free night under the stars and reignite your belief in this country. Together we shall stand! The concert is an hour long packed with memorable show tunes and beloved Patriotic songs. Tues, July 24th at 7pm - Springside Park Pittsfield, MA and Wed., Aug. 8th at 7pm -Kimball Farms, Lenox, MA. This is a group of very talented musicians and their concert is quite nice—65 member strong!

MARYLAND STATE BOYCHOIR will be in concert Friday, July 27th 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Church, 414 North Street, Pittsfield, MA The concert is free and open to the public and will feature sacred masterworks, contemporary pieces, gospel, spiritual and folksongs. For more information, please call 413-567-3124.

POLISH PICNIC Sunday, July 15th from 12 to 5 PM St. Joseph Church -414 North St., Pittsfield, MA Free Admission! Bring your lawn chair and dancing shoes. For your listening pleasure “The Rymanowski Brothers” from 1 to 5 PM - Hot food available at Noon - Polish Food –Kielbasa, pierogi, golumbki, kapusta. American food– hot dogs, hamburgers, desserts - please note: **Frozen Polish food for sale from 9:00 AM to noon.

The Diocesan Listening sessions held during winter/spring 2018 yielded 8 overarching themes around which the Bishop and the Diocese might focus research and activity in the ensuing 3 to 5 years. 1. Create/build community within parishes. Creation of welcoming environments within our parish communities. Become more active seeking those who are missing from our churches and parish life. Listen and invite to come back, heal and encourage to stay. 2. Young Adults: Intentionally invite and engage the youth and young adults of our diocese in Catholic life. 3. Life long faith formation: Engage all parishioners, children and adults in life long formation in their faith. 4. Spirituality: Encourage more awareness of and appreciation for the breadth and depth of Catholic spiritual life. Promote more and greater participation in the numerous spiritual practices at the diocesan and parish levels. 5. Diocesan/Parishioners relationship: Establish a more open, inclusive diocesan way of doing business that listens to the advice and concerns of its people, engages them in dialogue, invites them into participation in the decision making process, and shares the method and reasoning of outcomes. 6. Cultural Integration: Parish/diocesan practices, programs, and worship that are intergenerational and integrate diverse cultures, ethnicities, and life choices. 7. Catholic Schools: Discernment of the value, structure and support for Catholic School education in our Diocese. 8. Clergy Formation and Support: Avenues for continuing formation and support for clergy and vocations.

At each of the Masses the gifts of Bread and Wine are placed at the center aisle . Please take the opportunity to bring the gifts to the priest at any Mass. A sign-up sheet is placed at the break in the center aisle for your convenience. Children love to perform this function and parents are advised to encourage and escort your child with the gifts at Mass.

All Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers, please save the date: Wednesday July 11, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. in the church. Msgr. Mike, assisted by Jim Armstrong and Gerry Dahrouge, will hold an update session for your ministry leading to certification by the diocese. More information will be in next week’s bulletin. Please plan on attending. Any folks who wish to begin serving as a Lector or Eucharistic minister are most welcome to come. Contact the Rectory to let Michelle know if you will be attending.

ST. ANNE SOCIETY - We will take part in the daily Holy Hour on Wednesday, June 13th beginning at 11 a.m. and praying for vocations to the priesthood, religious, married and single life. All members of the parish are welcome to come to the daily devotion beginning at 11 a.m. each weekday morning. The hour consists of quiet prayer and meditation, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and recitation of the rosary. The St. Anne meeting will be on June 20th beginning at 6 p.m. in the Parish Center. Sheriff Thomas Bowler will be the speaker for the evening. As always refreshments will be served. All members of the Parish are welcome to attend. We hope to see you there!

St. Joseph increased weekly Giving Program is coming to a close. We would like to commend all parishioners for their concern for our parish. If you have not yet returned your response envelope, please do so at the first opportunity. Thank you.

Msgr. Eugene F. Marshall, Knights of Columbus Council #103 Father's Day Breakfast Fundraiser, Sunday June 17, 2018, 8 AM to 11 AM at St. Joseph Parish Center. We are raising funds for scholarships and other worthy charitable causes. Serving pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, home fries, orange juice, coffee. Donation: Adults $10.00, Children 5 to 12 years old $6.00. Treat Dad for Father's Day, Take-out available. Purchase tickets early (limited tickets at the door if available) at St. Joseph Rectory or through members of the Knights of Columbus Council #103 or contact Jack Laviolette at 464-6009.