St. Joseph Parish

Download the NCEA Strategic Plan for Catholic Schools in Springfield from our website here.

Light up your holiday season with a gift of love.  Lights of Love, is a special way to remember a lost loved one, honor someone special, or show your appreciation for a friend, teacher or co-worker.

Through Lights of Love, each contribution of $5.00 or more will dedicate a light to shine as a tribute to that special person during the Christmas season. A white light will shine as a memorial for a person who has passed away.   A colored light will shine in honor of those that we are blessed to still have with us.  A ribbon and card with the name of the person to which you are paying tribute will be attached to the tree located in the church.  A scroll will also list the names of all the dedications.

The parish will gladly send a card to those you request, letting them know that a gift has been made in their honor or in memory of their loved one.  The amount of the gift will not be disclosed.  You may sponsor as many lights as you wish – they make meaningful holiday gifts.  All proceeds will benefit St. Joseph School.

You may pick up dedication forms at St. Joseph Church, St. Joseph School, 217-523-6597 or by email bretscher@sbcglobal.net  before December 20th.  If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Bretscher 544-0561.

The 2006-2007 Annual Catholic Services Appeal will begin on the weekend of September 16th & 17th. The theme for this year's Appeal is "Together in Hope." Christ calls us to consider our gifts and to return a portion of them to him through our parish and the larger Church, our diocese. Joining with the other parishes in our diocese, we can all work together to care for the Church by sharing God's gifts through the Annual Catholic Services Appeal.

The programs, services, and ministries supported by the Annual Catholic Services Appeal meet the larger diocesan needs of Catholics and others in the Diocese of Springfield-in-Illinois. This weekend, Bishop Lucas will be sending a letter to each Catholic household in the diocese asking for your support. The diocese serves each of us, and our financial support is needed to continue God's work in the diocese.

There is still time to make your plans to attend the St. Joseph 3rd Annual Auction Dinner. Dinner reservation tickets will be available until September 29th. This weekend during the St. Joseph Parish Family Weekend the auction committee will have a table set up in the gym, so please take a few minutes to make your plans to attend the dinner auction and purchase your tickets. It's a fun time and you will be missed if you are not there!

Religious education for people who are developmentally disabled will begin Wednesday, September 20th with a Welcome Back Picnic at Washington Park at 6:00 p.m. located at the shelter near the playground. Future classes will be held on Wednesday evenings at Blessed Sacrament School's library, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. To RSVP for the picnic, call Bernie and Jean at 523-6573. For more information, call Lynette at 698-6048 (evening number).

Work will begin soon on the next Ministry Schedule. Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Servers, Cantors, Mass Coordinators, and Greeters are asked to call the parish office with new addresses/phone numbers, vacation days or Mass preference changes no later than Wednesday, September 20, 2006.

Please help replenish the pantry shelves! Please check your hearts and shelves for any food, extra towels, sheets, blankets, or pots & pans. The most needed items are: canned fruits, jelly, spaghetti noodles, baked beans, tuna and canned meats, mushroom and vegetable soup, canned pasta, sugar, juice, coffee, tea, snacks, chips, cookies, boxed potatoes, dish soap, bath soap, shampoo, conditioner, toilet paper, laundry soap, diapers, wipes, etc.

The Catholic Charities Crisis Assistance and Advocacy Office has provided case management services to more than 45 families afflicted by the tornado. Catholic Charities, along with many local community service programs and ecumenical organizations, is working with three families to help rebuild their homes due to the destruction during the tornado. These services are only made possible through the generous support of individuals, families, and businesses. Thank You!

Teens in 8th-12th grades are invited to spend an evening talking about important issues Sunday evening, September 24th at 7:00 in the Chapel. Discussion will be directed this month by Jerry and Cathy Bauman, followed with open gym and snacks. Finish up by 9:00 p.m.

Youth nights are monthly gatherings centered on current teen topics, the Sunday Gospel reading and/or faith formation. Discussions usually involve movie clips, games, role play or other activity, and sometimes a guest leader.

Don't forget to purchase your raffle ticket for a chance to win a 1995 Buick Century car with only 22,000 miles. Tickets are $10.00 each or 3 for $25.00. The drawing will be held at our 3rd Annual Parish Dinner and Auction on October 6. Although you do not have to be present to win we hope you will come and enjoy an evening of fun!

Please pray for the priests of our diocese as they gather this week for their annual convocation. This begins with a Memorial Mass for the parents of Bishop Lucas on Monday and concludes with lunch on Thursday. Every year, time is set aside for our priests to receive spiritual refreshment, enjoy fraternity, and relax in the company of Bishop Lucas.

Please pray for the students of grades 2,3,5,6,7, and 8 as they participate in the Terra Nova Testing from Monday, September 18-Friday, September 22. Testing often brings anxiety and fear. Knowing that others are thinking of them may help relieve this test anxiety.

Until September 17th, Schnucks will give additional points for the Campbell's Labels for Education Program.  Parishioners are urged to take advantage of this special offer:
• Purchase ANY 5-9 Campbell products and earn a 100 Campbells Labels For Education Bonus Point Certificate!
• Purchase ANY 10 or more Campbell products and earn a 250 Campbells Labels for Education Bonus Point Certificate!
Labels normally count as 1 point each, so stock up and help out!  St. Joseph can redeem these points for free computers, sports gear and more! Labels can be dropped off at the school and parish offices or sent with students to school.  Thanks so much for your support!

September 12 & 26, October 10 &24 are the dates of the Autumn sessions for Evenings for Women. The topic for these sessions will focus on how physical, emotional, and spiritual health depends upon the ability to manage stress in our lives, and to recognize and deal with various forms of addictions and addictive behaviors. For more information about registration please call Benincasa Ministries 217-787-6927. All sessions are held at Siena Hall on the grounds of the Dominican Motherhouse, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL.

The monthly potluck will be held on Thursday, September 7th at 6:00 p.m. at the Sullivan House. Please bring a dish to share and a dollar to defray the cost of the meat. Call the host, Larry Devocelle at 529-0477 if you plan to come. Join us and enjoy the company of your fellow parishioners.