Upcoming Events
THE JUBILEE BEGINS December 29, 2024
On the Feast of the Holy Family (December 28/29th), the Jubilee 2025 will begin in our parish and in all parishes in the Diocese of Hamilton.
We will begin each Mass with a special ritual to proclaim the Jubilee Year and begin our journey as Pilgrims of Hope.
BIBLE STUDY
Join us for a six-week Bible Study, including personal reading, group discussion and a video presentation. Since we are listening to the Gospel of Luke this year during Sunday Masses, we will begin a two-part study of the Gospel of Luke.
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is celebrated around the world on January 18-25. This annual week of prayer encourage Christians of all denominations to meet, to participate in various liturgical and other community activities, and to pray together that all may be one as Christ desires.
Almighty ever-living God,
who gather what is scattered
and keep together what you have gathered,
look kindly on the flock of your Son,
that those whom one Baptism has consecrated
may be joined in the bond of charity.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD
The Third Sunday of Ordinary Time (January 26, 2025) marks the celebration of Bible Sunday in the Diocese of Hamilton. At the conclusion of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis encouraged every Christian community to choose one Sunday a year to renew its efforts to make the Sacred Scriptures better known and widely diffused. Our celebration of Bible Sunday is a call to listen to how the bible speaks in our hearts and within our communities of faith.
Trivia Night!
Join us on Saturday February 22nd
At St. Joseph Parish Hall - 7:00 p.m.
$20 - light luncheon, snacks, cash bar.
Tickets available from the Parish Office.
A fun night with friends /family!
CHRISTMAS MASSES
CHRISTMAS MASSES
We welcome all to join us for our Celebration of the Nativity of the Lord.
Christmas Eve at 5:00 p.m.
and 8:00 p.m.
Christmas Day at 10:00 a.m.
ADVENT PENANCE CELEBRATION
As part of your preparation for Christmas, we will celebrate God’s Mercy – an encounter with Christ, who heals and reconciles us to God and to one another. Our Advent Penance celebration will take place on Wednesday evening, December 18th at 7:00 p.m. in the church. Our guest homilist will be Father Gregory Ogorzalek, Pastor of Canadian Martyrs Church in Hamilton. Several priests will be available to hear confessions at the conclusion of the brief Penance Celebration.
Advent Hymn Festival
To begin the Advent Season, we are proud to host the Diocesan Choir for an Advent Hymn Festival at our Parish on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. There is no charge – however, a goodwill offering will be received for the Neighbours in Need Program. A wonderful way to being our Advent preparation for Christmas. Be sure to join us. All are welcome!
VATICAN II VIDEO SERIES - The Four Constitutions
Tuesdays: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
September 17, October 8, October 29,
November 26, December 10
Wednesdays: 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
September 18, October 9, October 30,
November 27, December 11
ST. JOSEPH PARISH BAZAAR
ST. JOSEPH PARISH BAZAAR
Saturday, November 16, 2024
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
CONVERSATIONS IN THE SPIRIT
CONVERSATIONS IN THE SPIRIT
Join the parish conversation and
Learn about what is happening in our church at present
Meet your fellow parishioners and get to know them a
little better
Share your faith and hear others do the same
Discern together where the Spirit is calling our parish
HEALING MASS: ANOINTING OF THE SICK
HEALING MASS: ANOINTING OF THE SICK
October 26-27, 2024
SACRAMENT OF THE SICK
When the Church celebrates the Sacrament of the Sick, she continues the healing action of Christ in the lives of his holy people. The grace of the sacrament offers the sick the gift of the Holy Spirit, to heal and strengthen them in mind, body and spirit.
The Sacrament of the Sick will be celebrated at all our Masses on the Lord’s Day this weekend: Saturday October 26th at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday October 27th at 10:00 a.m. We celebrate the sacrament during Mass so that we can surround our brothers and sisters with our prayer.
Any parishioner who is carrying the burden of chronic sickness, disability, or whose health is compromised, anyone is preparing for surgery, or elderly whose health is weakened are invited to celebrate the Sacrament. No need to “sign up”. Those to be anointed will make themselves known following the general intercessions.
Watch the bulletin for more information about the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.
FALL SATURDAY NIGHT SOCIAL - October 19, 6:00 p.m.
Join us for dinner and a movie in the Parish Hall following evening Mass on Saturday, October 19th at 6:00 p.m. The movie will be Boy Choir, starring Dustin Hoffman & Kathy Bates. The menu includes lasagna, salad and dessert. A free-will offering will be received. Sign up after Sunday Mass or call the Parish Office so we know how many people to prepare for.
OCTOBER: DIOCESAN MONTH OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
Bishop Crosby has designated October as Diocesan Vocations Month. Each Sunday we will have an intercession for vocations and before the end of Mass we will pray together a prayer for vocations. You are also encouraged to pray for vocations throughout the month.
MINISTRY SIGN-UP and COFFEE WEEKEND
On the weekend of September 21-22nd, as we begin a new pastoral year, you are invited to join fellow parishioners for coffee and treats after Mass in the Parish Hall. Members of various parish committees and ministry groups will be on hand to invite you to become involved – to sign up for ministries in our community. We are always in need of more people who are willing to share their time and talents to carry out the mission that Christ has entrusted to us – to bring his Good News to those who live in our community, and ultimately to the world.
Becoming Catholic: RCIA INTRODUCTORY MEETING
Anyone who is interested in knowing what is involved in becoming a member of our Catholic Community is invited to an Introductory Meeting on Wednesday, September 18th in the Rectory Meeting Room (enter by way of the office door at 260 Herkimer Street). If you wish more information, please contact the parish office and speak to Msgr. Kroetsch or Fr. Inacio.
Back To School
We welcome back to school the staff and students of St. Joseph Elementary School as they begin a new academic year. At the beginning of this school year, we ask God’s blessing on the students, teachers and staff, that together they may grow in faith, hope and love and learn from the example of Jesus to love God and one another. May they grow in wisdom, understanding and knowledge, and be formed as disciples who seek to give their lives in service to others.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
In 2015 Pope Francis declared September 1 as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. Coinciding with a celebration instituted by the Orthodox Church, it is also a day of ecumenical prayer and unity. Let us pray, in union with Pope Francis:
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.
-- Pope Francis, Laudato Si’
ANNUAL MISSION APPEAL
On the weekend of August 24-25th we will welcome Father Andrew Obel, who will be making an appeal on behalf of the Archdiocese of Tororo in Uganda. This appeal is being made as part of our Diocesan Missionary Cooperative Plan, whereby all parishes in the Diocese of Hamilton learn about the needs of the Church in poor and developing parts of the world and offer both our prayerful and financial support to assist them.
WELCOME TO DEACON LUIS CORDEIRO INACIO
Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI, has appointed Deacon Luis Cordeiro Inacio as the Associate Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, effective June 26, 2024.
350TH ANNIVERSARY PILGRIMAGE TO QUEBEC
This year marks the 350th Anniversary of the founding of the Catholic Church in Canada, with the establishment of the Archdiocese of Quebec. To make this occasion, a Diocesan pilgrimage has been planned to take place from July 13th – July 17th, 2024.
130th DEDICATION ANNIVERSARY - June 24, 2024
Parishioners – old and new – are invited to join us for Mass on Saturday, June 22 at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 23 at 10:00 a.m. as we give thanks to God for our beautiful and historic church.
FAREWELL TO FATHER PIERRE
Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI, has appointed Father Fernand Pierre as the Associate Pastor of Annunciation of Our Lord Parish in Hamilton, effective June 26, 2024.
ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL GRADUATE MASS
A Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated with the graduates and families on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 10:45 a.m. in the church.
COFFEE SUNDAY: following the 10:00 am. Mass.
Our next Coffee Sunday, takes place on May 5, 2024,
following the 10:00 am. Mass.
All are welcome to join us for a time of refreshments
with fellow parishioners.
CONFIRMATION Wednesday, April 24, 2024 7:00 p.m.
On Wednesday, April 24th we will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with the young people of our community who are presenting themselves to be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
FIRST COMMUNION: Sundays during the Easter Season
During the Sunday Masses in the Easter Season, we welcome the young children of our parish to the Lord’s Table for the first time. We share in their joy as they receive the Bread of Life, and we pray that they may be nourished often with this spiritual food as they grow in faith.
EASTER SUNDAY
EASTER SUNDAY
Join us for the celebration of Our Lord’s Resurrection!
We will renew our baptismal promises at each Mass.
EASTER TRIDUUM 2024
EASTER TRIDUUM 2024
Through the Paschal mystery,
the Lord Jesus redeemed the human race
and gave perfect glory to the Father.
By dying, Christ destroyed our death;
by rising he restored our life.
The celebration of the Easter Triduum
is the high point of the Liturgical year.
HOLY WEEK 2024
PALM SUNDAY
During Holy Week, the Church celebrates
the mysteries of salvation accomplished by Christ
in the last days of his life on earth,
beginning with his messianic entrance into Jerusalem.
LENTEN PENANCE CELEBRATION
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance or Confession) is the gives us the opportunity to meet the merciful Christ and to walk together again with him on the path to holiness and eternal life.
FEAST OF SAINT JOSEPH 7:00 p.m. Mass
We will celebrate the patron of our Parish, dedicated to the honour of St. Joseph. The Church directs us to celebrate our patronal feast with solemnity, much as we celebrate Christmas and Easter!
SOLIDARITY PRAYER & SOUP MEAL
SOLIDARITY PRAYER & SOUP MEAL
Join us for our annual celebration of Evening Prayer at 6:30 p.m. in the church, followed by a Solidarity Soup Meal in the Parish Hall on Friday, March 15th.
THE GREAT THREE DAYS Workshop Retreat - March 4, 11 and 18th
Join us for a Three-part Series on the three greatest days of the year!
PRAYER VIGIL FOR PEACE
PRAYER VIGIL FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
There is only one side in this conflict: that of peace”
–Pope Francis
All parishioners are invited to attend a Prayer Service for Peace in Israel and Gaza, sponsored by the Locke Street Churches.
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
7:00 p.m.
First Unitarian Church of Hamilton
170 Dundurn Street South
The service will be livestreamed for those unable to attend.
www.youtube.com/@firstunitarianchurchofhami438
PRAYER FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
God of mercy and compassion,
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
God of grace and reconciliation,
pour your power upon all your children in Israel and Palestine:
Jews, Muslims and Christians, Palestinians and Israelis.
Make the violence cease.
Let hatred be turned into love, fear to trust, despair to hope,
oppression to freedom, occupation to liberation.
May the peoples of the Holy Lands beat their swords into ploughshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks,
so that nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
May violent encounters be replaced by loving embraces,
and peace and justice be experienced by all.
We pray for all those who have died in this senseless war,
and for those who mourn their loss.
We pray for all those held hostage and for their families.
Guide the nations in their pursuit of justice and the common good.
Direct us to walk in the shadow of Jesus:
the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Amen.
– Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB, October 7, 2023.