CEMETERY CAMPAIGN - Goal $1,200,000 Pledges to date $986,407 As we come closer to realizing the goal of fully restoring St. Joseph’s Cemetery, our many thanks to all who have given from their heart.

Donovan Keser, a 4th Grade CCD Student from Capeless Elementary has undertaken a Giving Project to benefit SOLDIER ON. He will be hosting a “DINING TO DONATE” on Wednesday, Dec. 12th at PORTSMITT RESTAURANT from 5-9. Please inform your server to help him in his efforts. Thank you.

The St. Anne Society will have its annual Christmas Tea on Saturday, December 8th beginning at 2 p.m. in the Parish Center. Don Coudert will entertain us with Christmas music and sing along. Following the tea and delicious treats, the group will process into the 4:00 Mass as part of the entrance procession. Any interested women are welcome to attend as guests. Members are reminded to try to attend the Holy Hour on December 12th. Our prayer will be for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Did you know.... That Gerry Dahrouge and Patty Masiero recently received the Pope Pius X awards for teaching religious education in our parish? Congratulations to both of you and a special thank you for your efforts throughout the years. You have been a beacon of faith for our youngsters and we are grateful for all they do! Thank you both so much!!

Msgr. Eugene F. Marshall Knights of Columbus Council #103, Christmas Party December 15, 2018, at the Italian-American Club, Newell St., Pittsfield, members, family and friends are welcome. Cocktails 5 PM, Dinner 6 PM. Food choices are roast beef, baked stuffed chicken and baked stuffed scrod, $30.00 per person, for tickets contact Jack Laviolette 464-6009 by December 8, 2018. Kindly bring a toiletry for Soldier On, soap, shaver, shaving cream, toothpaste, tooth brush, deodorant, socks, T shirts, shorts, etc.

TWELFTH NIGHT FESTIVAL - Tickets are on sale now at the Rectory for the annual Twelfth Night Festival planned for Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 4 p.m. at St. Joseph Church followed with dinner at the Parish Center. The St. Ann Children’s Choir will sing prelude Christmas music in the church starting at 3:40. Tickets are limited and we strongly urge you to purchase tickets early.

GIVING TREE - Will there still be tags on the Giving Tree next week? Your willingness to participate will guarantee the success of the project. The size of the package is not important; what matters is your Christmas kindness.

The Food Pantry acknowledges all who helped us reach our goal of 1200 gravy packets. You are commended and thank you again. The Food Pantry thanks the following for contributions during the Thanksgiving season: UNICO with many boxes of food from a drive held in Boston which was picked up there and brought to us, an anonymous woman who donated many boxes of food from a food drive she held, Dr. George, a parishioner and dentist who holds a food drive annually at his office for our pantry, The Knights of Columbus who donated children's winter jackets to be distributed, the Children's Extravaganza Program which held a program at the Colonial and donated many boxes of food from their collection at the door, the Children's Center of the Boys' and Girls' Club of Pittsfield whose youngsters donated bags of food for those in need, and finally, to ALL of our parishioners and friends who donated money to the pantry for the holidays as well as those who weekly drop off donations at the doors of the church. May you be blessed as we have blessed us with your generosity!

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION MASS IS AT 12:10 PM ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8TH. This Holy Day Mass is in addition to the usual Mass commitment on Saturday at 4:00 and Sunday at 9:00 and 11:30. There is also a mass at St. Charles on Friday, December 7th at 5:30 for the Holy Day obligation.

Dear Parish Family, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the many expressions of love and appreciation shown to me last weekend. I keep telling the Bishop that I am the luckiest priest in the diocese. 25 years at St Joseph’s is the best thing that has ever happened to me. THANK YOU...Msgr. Mike

ICELAND JUNE 12-20, 2019 Join Msgr. Mike for a magical experience in Iceland. From volcanoes, mountains, fjords, and geothermal baths to hot springs and glaciers, this will be a very special adventure. For more information, to reserve your spot and view the full itinerary visit www.johnpaultours.com/iceland2019 Package price $2990.00 - Full Payment deadline: Feb. 12, 2019

Pledge Cards for the St. Joseph Cemetery Campaign are located in the rear of the Church. All donations are greatly appreciated.

The Mary Verdi Christmas Show is coming to town in Lee & Dalton! Let’s raise money for the two schools and have fun while helping them! Tickets are $10 and sold at the door only. Doors will open 30 minutes before show time. Bring the entire family. St. Mary’s Church, Lee, MA - Thurs. November 29th at 6:30 p.m. St. Agnes Church, Dalton, MA Fri. December 7th at 7 p.m. The show will feature the students from each school, Mary Verdi and her band, The Dalton Ballet Dancers, the Rudolf Steiner Presto Strings and of course Santa! See you there.

Remember on December 2nd at 6:00 p.m. we begin our Advent Series of evening prayer and speakers program in the South Chapel and North Chapel at St. Joseph Church. Put it in your book/tablet!

GIVING TREE Tags for the Giving Tree are being prepared and will appear on the tree next week, the beginning of the Advent season. These tags will be chosen randomly until they disappear from the tree. Be sure to wrap and tag the gift selection within the two week period, returning it to the base of the tree no later than the 11:30 Mass on Sunday the 16th.

Msgr. Mike, A warm thanks for all you’ve done in the Lord’s Service. You are indeed a reflection of God’s love and we want you to know how very much we appreciate all that you do. With Love, St. Joseph’s Congregation.

Come help us celebrate Msgr. Mike’s 25th Anniversary as Our Pastor There will be a reception/meet and greet in the North Chapel after all of the masses the weekend of November 24th and 25th. All are invited to attend.

ADVENT IS ALMOST HERE! Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23 at 6:00 each evening we will gather to pray Evening Prayer (Vespers) with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the South Chapel of St. Joseph Church, followed by our yearly series of video presentations in the North Chapel. This year’s program includes Dr.Brant Pitre: The Road to the Emmaus and Bishop Robert Barron: The Mass. All are welcome to join us for this special time out as we prepare to celebrate the Christmas gift of God’s love.

The next Parish Council Meeting will be on Sunday, November 18th after the 9 AM Mass in the North Chapel.

Thank you to the very small group of volunteers who came to make pierogis for the last 3 weeks. Our frozen food sales at the bazaar usually net us over $1,000.00, and without your help that would be lost. Thanks again to all who came.