St. Joseph Home | Mass Intentions/Readings | Notices | From the Pastor's Desk | Prior Weeks' Bulletins

Mission Statement
We are St Joseph Parish, a Roman Catholic Christian community of faith in the Belmont area.
We share a common relationship with Jesus Christ centered in our celebration of the Eucharist
We are disciples of the Lord, committed to sharing the Good News of Christ through worship, education and acts of charity.
We strengthen and encourage each other through prayer, presence, and the sacraments.
We strive by example to express our faith and to witness the message of Christ by loving God and neighbor.
Then he said, "Bring them here to me," and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. -Mt 14:18-19

Mass Intentions

Saturday July 30, 2011
4:30 p.m. Mass
(Edward Kenney)

Sunday July 31, 2011
8:00 a.m. Mass
10:00 a.m. Mass
(Kathleen Holland)
NO 5:00 P.M. MASS

Monday August 1, 2011
9:00 a.m. Mass

Tuesday August 2, 2011
9:00 a.m. Mass

Wednesday August 3, 2011
9:00 a.m. Mass
(Mary P. Hamilton)

Thursday August 4, 2011
NO MASS

Friday August 5, 2011
9:00 a.m. Mass
(Patrick F. & Christina E. Galvin)

Saturday August 6, 2011
4:30 p.m. Mass
(Michael Lettieri)

Sunday August 7, 2011
8:00 a.m. Mass
(Susan Melanson)
10:00 a.m. Mass
(1st Ann. Mary Presti)
NO 5:00 P.M. MASS

DON'T FORGET

Check out our website, www.stjoseph.belmont.ma.us, for schedules & up to date information.
Readings for the Week of July 31, 2011:
Sunday: Is 55:1-3/Rom 8:35, 37-39/Mt 14:13-21
Monday: Nm 11:4b-15/Mt 14:22-36
Tuesday: Nm 12:1-13/Mt 14:22-36 or 15:1-2, 10-14
Wednesday: Nm 13:1-2, 25---14:1, 26-29a, 34-35/Mt 15:21-28
Thursday: Nm 20:1-13/Mt 16:13-23
Friday: Dt 4:32-40/Mt 16:24-28
Saturday: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14/2 Pt 1:16-19/Mt 17:1-9
Next Sunday: 1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a/Rom 9:1-5/Mt 14:22-33

 

Please be courteous when you come into church and respect the sanctity of our worship space by turning off your cell phones, beepers and pagers. Thank you.

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

The red baskets are at the doors of the Parish Hall this weekend, July 30th & 31st to receive your kind donations for our monthly offering to the Pine Street Inn in Boston. Thank you for your continuing generosity to this very worthy cause.

The Catholic Relief Services Collection
will be held next weekend of August 6th & 7th .

This collection supports emergency relief, human development, and peace initiatives in 99 countries around the world, where nearly half the population lives on less than $2 a day. The collection funds ministries of five Catholic Church organizations: Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., Migration and Refugee Services, Social Development and World Peace, and The Holy Father's Relief Fund. For more info visit www.usccb.org/crscollection

BAPTISM

Congratulations and welcome to Lila Eleanor Martinez who was baptized Sunday, July 16th here at St. Joseph Parish. The next baptism information session will be Wed., Sept. 7th . Please contact Christa for more info or to register.
 

St. Joseph Home | Mass Intentions/Readings | Notices | From the Pastor's Desk | n Prior Weeks' Bulletins

MISSIONARY WEEKEND

Each year our parish participates in a missionary cooperative program with all the parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston. The 2011 Appeal in our parish will take place the weekend of August 13th & 14th, please welcome Sr. Julia Connor a Franciscan Missionary Sister for Africa. Sr. Julia will share with us some of her experiences as a missionary in Africa and make the Annual Mission Appeal. The Red Baskets will be at the doors of our worship space this weekend to receive your kind donations for their wonderful works. Thank you.

THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY

On Monday August 15th we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into heaven. Normally this is a holy day of obligation, but it is not considered a holy day of obligation this year. Of the six holy days of obligation, all but three are Marian feasts. But each of those feasts commemorates events in Mary's life that are intimately connected to her son. As Catholics, we have a special devotion to Mary, but we also recognize that, like all of us, she is special because of her relationship to Christ. We do not worship her as a goddess, nor do we claim for her special powers apart from God. We revere Mary for her role in God's plan of salvation, for her willingness to say yes to God's plan for her life. She is a role model for us. She was fully human but unstained by original sin. The grasping pride that led Adam and Eve to want to be more than human led to their fall. The special grace given to Mary when she was conceived without original sin enabled her to set aside her own plans and do God's will. While we are born in original sin, baptism washes it away. If we follow Mary in life, we, too, will come to heaven after death. This is the promise of the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.

SPIRITUAL CLASSICS & BOOKS GROUP

The St. Joseph Parish Books Group will conclude our discussion of Thomas Merton's Seven Storey Mountain on Monday, August 1st. Books Group meets at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Library. All are welcome. Upcoming books for discussion include:
  • September 12: Psalms 1 - 50 (Old Testament)
  • October 3: At Weddings and Wakes (Alice McDermott)
  • November 7: Canterbury Tales (Chaucer)
  • December 5: Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc (Mark Twain)

FAITH FORMATION PROGRAM

FAITH FORMATION OFFICE HOURS

The Faith Formation offices have closed for the summer. Staff will be checking voice mail and e-mail, however, so please leave a message for K-6 at 617-484-1770 ~ religioused@stjoseph.belmont.ma.us or for 7-Confirmation II at 617-484-5279 ~ stjosephym@stjoseph.belmont.ma.us if you have any questions or concerns. We will reopen September 7th .

Our K-6 Faith Formation program needs a few more volunteer catechists. Please consider sharing your faith with our children in September. It is easier than you think (with the Holy Spirit to guide you and support from our dedicated staff) and you can make a difference.

Here is our list for K-6:

Sunday 8:45 to 9:50
Grade K needs 1 catechist
Grade 1 needs 1 catechist
Grade 4 needs 1 catechist
Grade 5 needs 1 catechist
Grade 6 needs 1 catechist

Monday 3:45 to 4:50
Grade 1 needs 3 catechists
Grade 3 needs 2 catechists
Grade 6 needs 2 catechists

If you are interested in being a mentor or helping with our 7-Confirmation II Faith Formation Program please email stjosephym@stjoseph.belmont.ma.us.

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION - JULY 31ST, 2011

  • What are you most devoted to? What is the focus of your life?
  • Are you conflicted about the direction your life is taking?
  • What role does God have in finding the direction for your life?
  • Have you asked for help? Did you pray about it? Ask for guidance?

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION - AUGUST 7TH, 2011

  • What does this mean to you - Elijah heard God in a tiny whispering
  • und?
  • Where do you find Jesus - in fire and storm or in the "tiny whispering sound?"
  • Do you listen and respond when God asks to act outside your comfort zone or do you sink into your fear?

SOUTH PACIFIC

Yes, the classical Rodgers & Hammerstein production is coming to Boston for one week in September. We have 25 tickets, first come-first serve for Fri, Sept 30th at 8 p.m. $88 per person, at the Boston Opera House. To reserve a ticket send $25 with a self-addressed envelope to the parish office.
 

St. Joseph Home | Mass Intentions/Readings | Notices | From the Pastor's Desk| Prior Weeks' Bulletins

THE NEW ROMAN MISSAL -- LESS THAN 20 WEEKS AWAY!
WHAT'S NEW ABOUT THE NEW ROMAN MISSAL (3RD EDITION)?

The style of the translation of the third edition is different. In accord with the rules for translation established by the Holy See, the revised translation follows the style of the original Latin texts more closely, including concrete images, repetition, parallelisms, and rhythm. The English used in the Mass texts is more formal and dignified in style. Where possible, the texts follow the language of Scripture and include many poetic images. In addition, the third edition contains prayers for the celebration of recently canonized saints, additional prefaces for the Eucharistic Prayers, additional Masses and prayers for various needs and intentions, and some updated and revised rubrics (or instructions) for the celebration of the Mass.

WHEN WILL WE START USING THE NEW ROMAN MISSAL?

Use of the New Roman Missal will begin in the United States on the First Sunday of Advent: Sunday, November 27th, 2011. Want more information? Visit www.usccb.org/romanmissal/ or www.bostoncatholic.org/newromanmissal.aspx.

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MASS AND LITURGY?

Sign up for A Biblical Walk Through the Mass. A Biblical Walk Through the Mass is a five-part study that provides a unique tour of the timeless Liturgy. Based on the revised translation of the Mass which goes into effect Advent, 2011, it explores the biblical roots of the words and gestures we experience in Mass and explains their profound significance. For more information, please contact Christa Lucas at clucas@stjoseph.belmont.ma.us or 617-484-5479. Three sessions will be offered in the Parish Library on:
  • Sundays at 9 am (10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, and 11/13)
  • Sundays at 6 pm (10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, and 11/13) and
  • Mondays at Noon (10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7, and 11/14).

RCIA

The initials RCIA stand for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is the rite by which the Catholic community welcomes adults into the Catholic Church. Need information? If you or someone you know would like more information about becoming Catholic please contact Christa Lucas (clucas@stjoseph.belmont.ma.us) or come to one of the upcoming information sessions in the Parish Library:
  • Tuesday, September 5th at 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, September 10th at 9 a.m.

Baptized but not raised in the faith? Come to an information session and learn about completing your Sacraments of Initiation! IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SAINT PATRICK CEMETERY IN WATERTOWN The Catholic Cemetery Association of the Archdiocese of Boston is proud of the fact that we have several Catholic cemeteries in the area that serve the parishes located in Watertown, Belmont, Newton, Cambridge and Brighton. Unfortunately, Saint Patrick's Cemetery in Watertown is nearly sold out of available lots. While we will try to add more lots if at all possible, this may mark the end of available lots at Saint Patrick Cemetery in Watertown. We encourage any family that has considered burial on these sacred grounds to contact Rob Baker, Director; Catholic Family Awareness, Catholic Cemetery Assoc. of the Arch. of Boston at 339-226-1271for further information on remaining plots.

SUMMER MASS SCHEDULE

The summer Mass schedule is now in effect with Masses in the air-conditioned hall on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and Sunday at 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. until the weekend of September 17th & 18th when we will return to the church.

BULLETIN SUMMER PUBLICATION

During the summer the bulletin will be printed every other week for the following dates:

July 30/31; August 13/14 & 27/28