PARISH INFORMATION Rev. Donald Fest, S.S.J. ............................................... Pastor Deacon Albert A. Anderson Jr.................................. Deacon Ms. Princess McEvilley ..........................................................
[email protected] ................................. Faith Formation Ms. Ocie Jacobs ......................................................................
[email protected] .........................................Youth Council Ms. Karen Korol ...................................... Parish Information
[email protected] ............................. RCIA Coordinator Ms. Beverly Anderson .............................. Business Manager
[email protected] ............................... Parish Email www.josephite.com ................................... Josephite Website Rectory Office Hours: Tuesday – Friday 9:30 – noon and 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. Bulletin Deadline All bulletin requests are due by Monday 2:00 p.m. – Email to
[email protected] Electronic Giving If you wish for more information, or to sign up for electronic giving to St. Joseph, go to the website of FAITH DIRECT at www.faithdirect.net. Our parish code is VA561. Sunday Masses - 8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Choirs Gospel Choir sings the 1st and 3rd Sundays at 11:00 a.m. Chorale – All other Sunday Masses Holy Hour and Novena to Saint Joseph 7:00 p.m. Mondays in the Rectory chapel Holy Mass in Chapel - Tuesday – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday – 7:45 a.m. Confessions: Sundays at 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. and upon request. Baptisms: Baptism classes will be held the First Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm and Baptism will be the second Sunday of each month at 2:00pm. Please contact the Parish office first. Marriage: Please contact the Rectory at least six months prior to your desired wedding date Religious Education Classes: Religious Education classes take place 9:45am to 10:30am, September thru June. Adult Faith Formation and Bible Studies: Wednesdays at 7:00pm, September to May Young Adults Ministry: For meeting times, places, and activities contact the YAM at
[email protected] or go to the parish website.
RCIA – Becoming a Catholic: Are you interested in becoming a Catholic? Do you know someone who is or who has mentioned it to you? Have them call the Rectory, contact Father or Deacon, or let us know by email (see address above). RCIA meets on Sundays from 9:50 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. in the Chapel w
New Parishioners: We would like to extend a warm welcome to new members of our congregation. Please pick up a registration form in the back of the Church, call the Rectory, or email
[email protected].
OUR MISSION at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, a historically African American Catholic church…is to praise the Lord and embrace the future while engaging and transforming the community. OUR VALUES ARE: Catholic Spirituality Stewardship Fellowship Compassion Inclusion Heritage Serving the community Family All are welcome! “Our sole wish is to do the will of God.” Mother Mary Lange
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT MASS INTENTIONS - WEEK OF MARCH 12 Sunday: 8:30 a.m. For The People Sunday: 11:00 a.m. Tim Barnes by L. Smith, S. Frazier, J. Carter Monday: 7:00 p.m. Holy Hour and Novena to St. Joseph Tuesday: 7:00 p.m. Mary Merritt Wednesday: 7:45 a.m. Rosemary Kemp by L. Smith and S Frazier Thursday: 7:45 a.m. Anna Boyle Friday: 7:45 a.m. Clara Reimann by Mary Goodson THIS WEEK AT SAINT JOSEPH’S Sunday – 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. CCD Classes ---- 9:50 a.m. RCIA Session in the Rectory chapel ---- 12:30 p.m. Legion of Mary meet in the rectory chapel -----12:30 p.m. Youth Council Meeting in Drexel Room Monday, March 13, 4:00 pm, @ City Hall, 301 King St, in the Council Chambers (2nd floor) -- A public hearing on Alexandria's proposed FY18 city budget. Wednesday – 7 p.m. Faith Formation/Bible Study in Parish Hall Thursday – 7 p.m. VOICE Meeting in St. Joseph School --- 7:30 p.m. Gospel Choir Rehearsal in the Parish Hall Friday – 7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross followed by Soup Supper --7 p.m. - Confessions heard in church during Stations of the Cross Saturday – 8:30 a.m. Men’s Day of Reflection at St. Mary’s Lyceum, 310 Duke St., Alexandria ---11 a.m. Diocesan Mass and Anointing for the Sick at St. Ambrose Church, 3901 Woodburn Rd., in Annandale ______________________________________________________ SAVE THE DATE March 19 – after Masses - St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast & Bake Sale -- Mar 19 – 3 p.m. The Living Last Supper at St. Anthony’s in DC >> March 20 – 7:00 p.m. The Feast of St. Joseph and celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation here in the church Mar 21 – 7:30 p.m. Knights of Peter Claver & Ladies Auxiliary Mtg. March 24 – 7 p.m. Stations of the Cross/confessions in the church March 25 – 10:00 a.m. Chorale and Children Choir rehearsal March 27 – 7:30 p.m. Social Concerns Committee Meeting March 31 – 7 p.m. Stations of the Cross/confessions in the church April 1 – 9:00 a.m. Liturgy Committee Meeting in the Parish Hall April 5 – 7:00 p.m. Parish Pastoral Council Meeting in Parish Hall April 7- 12 noon to 7:00 p.m. Knights of Columbus Fish Fry - here April 12 – 7 to 8 p.m. Easter Confessions – No Bible studies April 13 – 7 p.m. Holy Thursday Mass w/ washing of the feet April 14 – 3 p.m. Good Friday Service; 7pm Stations of the Cross April 15 – 8:30 p.m. Holy Saturday - the Easter Vigil Mass April 18 – 7:30 p. m. Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver meeting April 19 – 7:00 p.m. Faith Formation/Bible Study in parish hall April 20 – 7:00 p.m. Gospel Choir Rehearsal in parish hall April 22 – 10:00 a.m. Chorale Rehearsal/Children’s Choir rehearsal April 25 – 7:30 p.m. Social Concerns Committee Meeting in hall April 30 – 8:30 a.m. Celebration of First Holy Communion May 3 – 7:00 p.m. Faith Formation/Bible Study in parish hall May 7 – Annual STEPALIVE Walkathon, 2723 First Christian Church May 11 – 7:30 p.m. Gospel Choir Rehearsal in parish hall May 13 – 10 a.m. Chorale/Youth Choir Rehearsal in parish hall May 16 – 7:30 p.m. Knights of Peter Claver & Ladies Auxiliary Mtg. May 20 – Noon to 2 p.m. Welcome Luncheon for new members May 23 – 7:30 p.m. Social Concerns Committee Meeting
MARCH 12, 2017 PARISH SICK AND SHUT- INS Doris Adkins, Phyllis Bickham, David Bittings, Roseann Brent, Keisha Butler, Juanita Carter, Vernessa Carter, Clarence Day, Therese Didon, John Canady, Mike Doyle, Sylvester Gaines, Bob Giggetts, Jackie Hargrow, Doris Hughes, Betty Irby, Samantha Johnson, Michael Jones, Denise Lucas, Louis Majors, Brenda Stewart, Sr. Katherine Brent OSP,Debby Shaw, Kizzie Smith, Cynthia Tolbert, and Winifred Wilson UPCOMING SECOND AND SPECIAL* COLLECTIONS March 19 – Easter Flower Offering and Enrollment of Names March 26 – Catholic Relief Services Annual Collection April 2 – Josephite Share In Mission Monthly collection* BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASSES FOR PARENTS AND GODPARENTS - for the baptism of children. This class will suffice for a baptism taking place elsewhere. If you wish to attend one of these classes you must pre-register so that the baptism information can be gathered and materials prepared for you. Do this by calling the rectory or by email – also see bulletin cover. Next classes: Apr. 4and May 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the church hall. Please note that Baptisms are not scheduled during Lent. Come See the “Living Last Supper” - Saint Joseph Music Ministries join with the choir and ministries of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., to present a dramatic musical reenactment of the institution of the Eucharist as they perform The Living Last Supper next Sunday, March 19 at 3 p.m. in St. Anthony’s church, 1029 Monroe St. NE, in Washington. It’s Free. Music Director: Lynné Gray. Accompanist: Eugene Harper. “The Cross Will Flower” Activity There is a cross in our sanctuary with hundreds of tags on it listing items needed by mothers with babies - for necessities such as baby clothing, diapers, etc. which we will distribute Palm Sunday to AAA Pro-Life Women and the MaRih Crisis Pregnancy Centers. Please take one or more tags from the cross, purchase the suggested gift and return the gift with the tag to the church by Palm Sunday, April 9, the day the gifts are given out to the centers we serve. Do not wrap the gifts. Thank You! RCIA - Next Sunday, March 19, RCIA Focus is: "The Woman at the Well." Everyone is welcome to attend these Sunday morning sessions from 9:50 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. in the rectory chapel (basement of rectory). Come on down! LENTEN FRIDAYS ARE DAYS OF ABSTINENCE - NO MEAT FOR THOSE AGES 14 AND OLDER. Easter Flowers Envelopes and Enrollment of your living and deceased loved ones in an Easter Novena of Masses. With what is given in this special collection on March 19 is used to purchase our Easter flowers and decorations. These flowers stand in honor and in memory of those you enroll. What a special way to remember those you love. The 9 Novena Masses begin April 13.
Ministry Assignments for March 19 Lectors
8:30 R. Allen D. Jones
11:00 H. Jackson S. McCarter
Cantors
M. Burke
D. Hamilton/SJGC
Hospitality Ministers
L. Lawton, L. Lebron, Y. Powell
M. Webster, B. McCarter, M. Calloway
Altar Servers
Cameron Hubbard and Anthony Johnson
TJ and Tracy Kindle
Extraordinary Ministers*
Princess McEvilley, Phyllis Johnson
Stephanie Atkinson, Ella Thomas
* NOTE if a seminarian is serving on the altar, he will be administering Holy Communion, thus we would need one less EM
Church Attendance: March 5 – 8:30 a.m. 112 - $3,203.20 11:00 a.m. 141 - $2,329.00 Next Worldwide Marriage Encounter is April 21-23, 2017 in Gaithersburg, MD. Visit welovematrimony.org, or email
[email protected] or call 301-541-7007. Diocesan Mass and Anointing of the sick – Bishop Burbidge will celebrate a special Mass and the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick on March 18 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ambrose Catholic church on 3901 Woodburn Rd. in Annandale. Lunch will follow provided by the Knights of Malta and Dames from the Northern Virginia Region of the Sovereign Order of Malta. No charge for lunch but you need to RSVP, Laura Mead at 703 280-1122 with your name and phone number. Fridays of Lent—we have Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m. followed by a free Soup Supper. Please note that during the Stations there is an opportunity to go to Confession. The following ministries are responsible for donations to the Soup Suppers on Fridays after Stations during Lent: March 17- The St. Joseph Gospel Choir March 24 – The John Carroll Chorale, Legion of Mary, Kitchen Committee, Lectors, and 55Plus groups March 31 – Parish Pastoral Council, Sacristans, Softball Team, Ministers of the Eucharist, and Young Adults NOTE – There will be no Soup Supper on April 7 or 14. If you would like to donate a meatless soup on a Friday, contact Mathelle Lee at mathellelee@hotmail or call 703501-1267. Friday, April 7, 2017 from 12 Noon to 7 p.m. LENTEN FISH FRY AT ST. JOSEPH’S - sponsored by the Fitzgerald Council of the Knights of Columbus. THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK – LENT, WEEK TWO, see more tips on prayer, and learn about retreats, charismatic renewal, spiritual bouquets, etc. It only takes 6 minutes a day to utilize the Little Black Book as your Lenten project – another way of “Doing Small Things with Great Love!” White Cloth is our Lenten Symbol for this week… it signifies that glory lies ahead for all who are faithful to the following of their faith in this time of increased prayer, almsgiving, and fasting.
St. Joseph’s Softball Team Sign Up - Attention all St. Joseph Softball players! We Need You! The Alexandria Church Softball League is scheduled to start play on the week of April 10, 2017. Games are played on Monday and/or Thursday evenings over an approximate two month season. If you would like to join the fun, please contact Joe Ragsdale or Mike Doyle (email:
[email protected]; cell: 703-9468401). Players at all skill levels are welcomed. Deadline for registration is March 26, 2017, however, the sooner you sign up the better! Thank you. FORMED.org > Q: What are 82 of your fellow parishioners enjoying for free? Answered is Formed.org! Formed is a free digital platform for you, your family and others you can invite, featuring faith-forming Catholic videos, audio and e-books from the Augustine Institute, Lighthouse Catholic Media, Ignatius Press, St. Paul Center, and Word on Fire — all in one place, on-demand and free. Learn and watch about the beauty of the Catholic faith anytime and anywhere. Take advantage of your free subscription to Formed: 1. Go to formed.org 2. Click on Register 3. Enter our Parish Code: 3TWKZV 4. Create your free account by entering your email address. Lenten Series by the Daughters of St. Paul Prayer is one of the 3 pillars of Lent, along with fasting and charity/mercy. The Daughters of St Paul will lead a series of Lenten talks on Lectio Divina -- praying with Scripture, at 7 p.m. on Thursdays in Lent - March, 16, 23, and 30 at the St. Mary’s Lyceum, 310 Duke St. The sisters are a true blessing to our area. An excellent Lenten undertaking to get closer to our Lord! 2017 BISHOP’S LENTEN APPEAL DID YOU TURN IN YOUR 2017 PLEDGE AS OF YET? WE CANNOT HAVE 100% PARTICIPATION WITHOUT YOU. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS APPEAL TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU ARE ABLE. THE BLA FUNDS MANY PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND MINISTRIES THAT SERVE PEOPLE IN NEED AND FURTHER JESUS’ MISSION IN OUR DIOCESE. LET US JOIN TOGETHER TO DO THE LORD’S WORK THAT TOUCHES THE LIVES AND SOULS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN OUR DIOCESE. IF YOU HAVE NOT YET RETURNED YOUR PLEDGE ENVELOP, PLEASE DO SO TODAY. THANK YOU! Doing Small Things with Great Love!
Helping our children grow in their Catholic faith.
March 2017
Saint Joseph Church Director of Religious Education
Teach children to be cheerful penitents
St. Dominic Savio Born to a peasant family in Riva, Italy, St. Dominic became a student at St. John Bosco’s Oratory. Even from a young age, he was roundly recognized for his holiness. Dominic also had mystical experiences in prayer that he called his “distractions.” He made a resolution to receive Confession and Communion as often as possible and encouraged his peers to do so. He died from a lung infection when he was about 15.
Share the load Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you” (Matthew 11:29). In Jesus’ day, a farmer used a yoke to link two farm animals together to plow a field more effectively. Likewise, when we are wearied by family burdens, we can “link up” with Jesus. He promises to be with us always. If we stay connected to him, he will bring us through any trial. “Shame not a repentant sinner; remember, we all are guilty” (Sirach 8:5).
© Copyright 2017 Success Publishing & Media, LLC
Invite children to go for a swim or a bike ride, and you’ll hear squeals of delight. Ask them to accompany you to Confession and you may hear groans instead. In fact, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is more refreshing than a swim and more strengthening than a bike ride. It is our gift from Jesus to help us experience his grace and make things right with God. Try these tips to brighten the family trip to the confessional: Establish the background. Explain that Jesus created this Sacrament (Matthew 16:19) not to blame us or “catch” us breaking the rules, but because he loves us and knew we needed help to stay holy. Work out the jitters. It’s normal to be
anxious about admitting wrong and taking responsibility for our actions. Rehearse ahead of time so that it will feel familiar when your child is faced with the real thing. Remind her that she can ask the priest for help. Build the expectation. Regular Confession will strengthen the entire family. Pick a set day and time – once a month, for example – so that no one is surprised when it comes around. Mark it on the calendar and schedule around it. Celebrate. Then go for a swim or a bike ride to celebrate the entire family coming back into friendship with God.
Why do Catholics fast before Communion? In the Bible, people fasted before coming into God’s presence or doing a special job for him. In addition, the Church recognizes that prayer involves the spirit and the body. By fasting, we prepare our bodies to enter God’s presence in
the Mass, as well as preparing our souls. In fasting, we experience a physical hunger, which expresses our spiritual hunger for God. Finally, fasting shows respect for Jesus in the Eucharist; it’s a concrete way to give him top priority.
March 2017 Page 2
Help children unwrap the gift of Lent The Catholic practice of giving something up for Lent – abstaining from a favorite food or activity – develops self-control, serves as penance for sin, and can lead to a greater appreciation of our blessings. Even young children can benefit from a Lenten sacrifice but choosing one that’s too hard can turn Lent into a chore. Try these ideas to help choose a rewarding sacrifice: Give up something valuable. This can be a favorite dessert, game, toy or activity. Make it reasonable. The sacrifice should be
something specific and age appropriate so that she will be able to see it through. Add back. An alternative to giving something up is to add instead: more prayer, an extra chore, a daily devotion such as the Rosary. Give up luxuries. Consider encouraging your youngster to pick something that may not be good for him anyway. For example, sweets, soft drinks, or television watching during the week, make healthy choices for Lenten abstinence. He may even decide to do without it when Lent is over.
John 9:1-41, See as Jesus sees In Jesus’ day, it was believed that suffering was a punishment for sin. So, when Jesus encountered a blind beggar, his disciples asked for whose sins the man was suffering. Jesus explained the man’s suffering was not for punishment but for God’s purpose. His subsequent cure was twofold: Jesus gave the man physical sight which enabled him to believe in Jesus as God’s Son. The faith of the blind man attracted others to Christ. Some of the Pharisees were convinced that Jesus was from God. Others condemned him as a
sinner for curing the man on the Sabbath. These Pharisees were so focused on following the Law, they lost sight of God and his priorities. What can a parent do? In baptism, we receive the gift of faith — the ability to “see” God and his loving plan, even amidst suffering. When we follow Jesus closely, we learn to see as he does. Take children to Mass at least weekly and Confession at least monthly and make prayer part of daily life. That will help to sharpen children’s spiritual “vision.”
slave. He escaped but later returned to
March 15 – Pope St. Zachary (752). Born in Calabria, Italy, St. Zachary was pope at a time of civil unrest in Italy. A skilled diplomat, he successfully negotiated peace for Italy on several occasions. He was integral to St. Boniface’s German mission and was also a generous patron of restoring churches. He is also known for freeing slaves sold by Venetian merchants. March 17 – St. Patrick of Ireland (461). Born in Scotland, St. Patrick was the son of a Roman citizen, Calpurnius. He was kidnapped by pirates at the age of sixteen and brought to Ireland as a
become the bishop of Ireland and is credited for having established the Church there. March 25 – The Annunciation of the Lord (1st century). The angel Gabriel visited the Blessed Virgin Mary with the extraordinary news of her role as the mother of God. Even at her young age, she had complete confidence in God’s grace and trusted in his wisdom.
This year I wanted to shake up our practice of Lent. Normally, we made our usual sacrifices of candy, TV, and video games, and those are all good sacrifices to offer, but I wanted to find a way to make more time for prayer. The problem is that with young children, it’s hard to get through an entire Rosary. Then I learned about the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. This devotion was revealed by Jesus to St. Faustina, a simple Polish nun. The Chaplet is prayed on regular rosary beads and takes less time to pray than a Rosary. Even my young children enjoy saying the short, easy-to-remember prayers. We say the Chaplet together at bedtime. What a great reminder of Jesus’ great sacrifice and God’s unending mercy! It has become one of our favorite bedtime rituals. Most importantly, it helps us to place our focus on Jesus during Lent.
To help parents raise faithful Catholic children Success Publishing & Media, LLC Publishers of Growing in Faith™ and Partners in Faith™ (540)662-7844 (540)662-7847 fax http://www.partnersinfaith.com (Unless noted Bible quotes and references are from the Revised Standard Version and the New American Bible.)
© Copyright 2017 Success Publishing & Media, LLC
John H. Lange Plumbing & Heating • 24 Hour Emergency Service • Drain Cleaning • Sewer and Water Installation & Repair • Well and Sewer Ejector Pumps • All General Plumbing
548-1717
“Let Our Family Serve Yours”
A GRAND IRISH PUB SUNDAY CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH 10:00AM-3:00 PM 713 King Street
PLUMBING & HEATING, Inc. fi f a C 703.536.5060 “Serving Northern Virginia Since 1967”
HVAC · PLUMBING · WATER HEATERS · BOILERS www.caffiplumbing.com · 703-836-6775
Serving Northern VA for 50 Years
Fairfax Memorial Park
Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home Full Service Funeral Home and Crematory
703-425-9702
Service Above All Family Owned and Operated
9902 BRADDOCK ROAD · FAIRFAX
www.fmfh.com
703-323-5202 9900 BRADDOCK ROAD FAIRFAX
www.fmpark.com
St. Joseph's Roofing, Inc. 703-716-7663
ROOFING • WINDOWS • GUTTERS • SIDING SJRoof.com
Demaine Funeral Homes, Inc.
Since 1841
520 S. Washington Street
~ Diana L. Downey, General Manager ~
(703) 549-0074
Pre-Need Arrangement Service Available
5308 Backlick Road
Est. 1981
www.cloverco.com
CLOVER SERVICES PLUMBING • HEATING • AC
A+
703-352-2701
Mention You Saw This Ad & Receive A 5% Discount Off Your Total Bill!
DEL-RAY GLASS CO., INC.
"PROMPT PROFESSIONAL SERVICE" Auto Glass • Plate Glass • Mirrors • Table Tops • Shower Doors • Plastics 6621 Richmond Highway
683-1114
[email protected] PodiatristInMotion.com
703-879-5155 Greg Cardinal DPM, MS, FACFAOM Out of Network Provider
McLean's Premier
Continuing Care Retirement Community VINSON HALL: Continuing care community offering independent residential living for military officers and select government employees of equal rank. ARLEIGH BURKE PAVILION: Nursing and assisted living residences with long-term care in a private-pay setting. No military affiliation required. THE SYLVESTRY: Award-winning assisted living community for people with memory loss. No military affiliation required.
HOUSE CALL PODIATRY SERVICE High quality foot care by a board certified podiatrist in the comfort of your own home or office. FDA Cleared Laser Therapy for Fungal Nails and Chronic Foot Pain. Ingrown nails, warts, corns and callouses, heel pain, running injuries, custom orthotics.
CALL 703-536-4344 FOR MORE INFORMATION www.vinsonhall.org
VINSON HALL RETIREMENT COMMUNITY · 6251 OLD DOMINION DRIVE · MCLEAN, VA 22101
B74704 (JR) - St. Joseph, Alexandria
FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION CALL: (800) 883-4343 • BON VENTURE SERVICES, LLC • P.O. Box 850, Flanders, N.J. 07836
