My Dear Parishioners,
I take the opportunity on behalf of Fr. Grant, our Pastor Emeritus, and Fr. Duffy (who are both at Villa St. Joseph in Darby, PA), Msgr. McCoy, Msgr. Bolger, Fr. Connors, Fr. Tim Christy (my friend who has been assisting us lately), and myself, and all those who minister here at St. Joseph to wish you all a very Blessed and joyous Christmas. We celebrate Jesus’ incarnation as a human being, but Christmas is also about anticipating Jesus’ return at the end of the world when we will be given the opportunity to live with Him in eternal happiness. We are grateful for the extreme love God shows us in wanting to save us, but also in wanting to be with us forever. Please accept my prayers for you and your family to experience a sacred renewal of the life that the Christ child brings at this time of year. I also pray that your New Year is filled with God’s many blessings. I thank all of you for the opportunity to serve as your pastor and also for the witness and inspiration you provide me.
I also want to thank you for your extremely generous support of our Advent Giving Tree. We were able to help many families in our local area directly with their Christmas celebrations. In addition, we were able to help the following charities: Guiding Star ministries in Philadelphia, which helps pregnant women and children; Gift of Mary, which provides a similar ministry in Chester; Blessed Margaret of Castello Home, which is a crisis pregnancy center in Bensalem; St. Ignatius/Our Mother of Sorrows Church, which is a merged church in West Philadelphia and provides outreach to many families in need; and Mother of Mercy House which provides outreach to those in North Philadelphia. We are also able to help many more families in the future through our own Hope Committee and also through the tuition assistance provided. The majority of the remaining gifts and cards were sent to Catholic Social Services located in Levittown, PA.
I also want to thank our numerous volunteers including: the Adult and student servers; those who care for the Altar linens; those who assist with decorating the altar and maintaining it; collection counters; CCD teachers, assistants, and volunteers; Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion; Finance Committee; Food for the Poor; Giving Tree; Hope Committee; Lectors; Music Ministry; Office Volunteers; Health and Help Ministry (Nurses and assistants); Respect Life; RCIA; Socials Committee; and Ushers.
May God Bless You,