St. Joseph Parish News

The rhythm of the liturgical seasons reflects the rhythm of life
with its celebrations of anniversaries and
its seasons of quiet growth and maturing.

ADVENT
The Christian's version of "New Year's Day" is the First Sunday of Advent, when we begin again the entire cycle of the year. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Even as the secular culture around us blares its songs of reindeer and tinsel, as if Christmas were already here, the Christian calendar sets aside four weeks of quiet preparation.
Advent has a two-fold character: as a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ's first coming to us is remembered; as a season when that remembrance directs our mind and heart to await Christ's second coming at the end of time. Advent thus is a period of devout and joyful expectation.

PREPARING FOR ADVENT
PARISH RETREAT/FUN DAY
Our Connection to the Past ~ Our Hope for Years to Come

All parishioners are invited to bring your families or a friend or come by yourself to our Preparing for Advent Retreat/Fun Day, Sunday, November 18, 2007, 12:15-2:00 p.m. Plan on taking some time before the busy rush of the holiday season to experience some food, fun, crafts, prayer and community. We will begin in Hughes Hall with lunch, followed with an opportunity to learn about the Jesse Tree (our Parish Advent Focus), make holiday crafts and decorations, and conclude with a short prayer service.

Advent items that will also be available for Purchase:
Advent Wreath Rings, Advent Candles, Advent Day by Day Candles, "A Year of Daily Meditations" beginning with Advent, Bible Tabs, etc.

To help us prepare adequate food and supplies, those coming are asked to please make reservations by November 15. You may RSVP by returning the reply form sent home with PSR and School Students; e-mailing Mac Clapp or Sr. Rose Anne Krantz; or by calling the Parish Office (330-274-2253) to let us know you are coming.

A freewill offering will be taken to help defray the cost of lunch but snacks, desserts, or beverages are also welcome.

The Jesse Tree
This year our theme for Advent is "The Jesse Tree". Through it, we recalled God's love through salvation history. In addition to the bulletin insert page for each week of Advent, additional resources for Jesse Tree information and activities can be found online. We encourage you to visit the following websites:

1st Sunday of Advent (December 2, 2007) ~ The Advent Mix
Advent seems to bring out the best in us, though I couldn't tell you why. It just does, and it seems to happen every year. It may be that Advent is simply another name for God's Spirit, though some folks call it St. Nicholas or even the visions of sugarplums that dance in our heads.
Copyright © 2007, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - December 8th

A Holy Day of Obligation in the United States, this is the day on which we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother. This feast intensifies our preparation during Advent, remembering how God prepared for Christ's birth by creating Mary free form original sin at conception. What makes her conception immaculate is not that she was conceived by the Holy Ghost of a virgin, as was Christ Our Lord, but that from the very moment of her conception, she was filled with grace by God, Who knew, in His omniscience, that she would say "yes" to the Angel Gabriel and become the Mother of the Savior. Chosen by God, Mary reverses the sin of Eve. Because of her obedience, God's Salvation is made know to all the nations. St. Joseph's will celebrate Mass at 10:00 a.m. (no Vigil).

2nd Sunday of Advent (December 9, 2007) ~ Voices in the Wilderness
If you sit with silence, even risk befriending it, and wait, then there is the real possibility that from the silence will arise a faint voice as if from some primeval conversation, like a shoot that sprouts from aged growth that's long been cut and leveled to a stump.
Copyright © 2007, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

3rd Sunday of Advent (December 16, 2007) ~ When Dreams Grow Real
Daydreams are good things. They are where the future begins and where limitations are shed and where the impossible dares to step out of the shadows and into the possible. Daydreams are Advent sorts of times. It's good to daydream.
Copyright © 2007, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

4th Sunday of Advent (December 23, 2007) ~ A God without Common Sense
Common sense versus instinct and hunches: there's a difference. Common sense we learned at home, or should have, while instinct seems to be something that's bred in the bone - maybe learned from God.
Copyright © 2007, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

Advent Reconciliation Opportunities for 2007
Several opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before the Christmas Holidays will be offered throughout the month of December. Confessions will be heard the following dates and times.

Annual Giving Tree
A venture coordinated by the school begins in late November or early December. Portage County's Catholic Charities provides the names of families in our area for which your donation may be their only gift this Christmas. To help make this holy season a treasured memory for those in need, parishioners are encouraged to select a tag from the tree in the narthex, sign the sheet, purchase and wrap your gifts, and return them by designated day. Be sure the tag is clearly visible for distribution purposes. Thank you.

Christmas Wafers (Oplatky)
The people of Central Europe have had oplatky as part of their Christmas Eve supper for many generations. The wafer bears an image from the Christmas story and the bread signifies the "Bread of Life", Jesus, who is among us in the Eucharist and in our lives. Oplatky is available in the narthex for those who continue the custom of breaking and sharing bread as a symbol of love, unity and fraternalism. Your donation to help defray the cost is appreciated.

CHRISTMAS SEASON
Next to the yearly celebration of the paschal mystery, the church holds most sacred the memorial of Christ's birth and early manifestations. This is the purpose of the Christmas season which typically begins with a worship service or a Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve and ends on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on the Sunday after January 6.

The Nativity of the Lord - December 25th
The Feast of the Nativity is a most joyous one that celebrates the incredible reality that the Second Person of the Trinity was born of a Virgin. The mood is summed up by Luke 2:14, "Glory to God in the highest: and on earth peace to men of good will."

For 2007 Vigil Masses will be held on Monday, December 24, at 5:00 and 10:00 p.m. There is no midnight Mass at St. Joe's. On Tuesday, December 25, there will be a 10:00 a.m. Mass for Christmas Day.

2007 New Year's Holiday Mass: Monday, December 31, at 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday, January 1, at 10:00 a.m.

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph
Formerly it was celebrated on the Sunday after Epiphany, but since 1969 the feast falls on the Sunday after Christmas, or December 30 if Christmas falls on a Sunday. This Feast is celebrated after Christmas because in Old Testament Law, a child wasn't a son of Abraham or a true part of the family until his circumcision at 8 days of age, an event of Christ's life that we celebrated on January 1 (from December 25 to January 1 are 8 days). We ask for the grace that our families too may live as the holy family united in respect and love.

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God - January 1st
On this Holy Day of Obligation, we focus on the divine motherhood of Mary whom we proclaim to be the mother of Christ and the mother of the Church.

Feast of the Epiphany - January 6th, 2008
This is a great and very important Feast remembering the journey of the three wise men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, who followed the star that showed all nations and peoples that Jesus was sent by God for all. Epiphany has become the day we traditionally bless our homes and families. After Mass, each family receives a piece of blessed chalk. We offer you this blessing and encourage you to use it and your chalk to bless your family and home.

A BLESSING OF HOMES
The three wise men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar followed the star of God's Son who became man two thousand and eight years ago (write 20 + CMB + 08 over the door with chalk). Bless, O Lord, this household and family, and allow all of us who live here to find in it a shelter of peace and health. Make our house a haven for us all and a place of warmth and caring. May all who come and go through here know that Christ both dwells and enters here. We pray through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
From the front door, the family may process through the house, blessing each room with water (an evergreen sprig may be used). Singing verses of "We Three Kings" may be added to make the procession through the house more festive.

ORDINARY TIME
Ordinary Time is celebrated in two segments: from the Monday following the Baptism of Our Lord up to Ash Wednesday; and from Pentecost Monday to the First Sunday of Advent. This makes it the largest season of the Liturgical Year.
This first installment of Ordinary Time has anywhere from four to nine Sundays, depending on how early or late Easter falls in a given year. Its season's focus is Jesus' manifestation of Himself as God during His public ministry.

How is the Date of Easter Determined?
Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full Moon that falls on or after March 21 (not, as commonly believed, the first Sunday after the first full Moon in Spring). The earliest possible date for Easter is March 22, and the latest possible date for it is April 25. Future dates for Easter are listed below.

Feast of St. Blaise - February 3 (Blessing of Throats)
St. Blaise (also spelled Blase and Blasius) was a 3rd century physician who became Bishop of Sebaste, Armenia. This was the time of persecution under Licinius, so St. Blaise hid out in a cave on Mt. Argeus. He was captured and imprisoned, and from prison cured a boy who was choking to death on a fish bone. St. Blaise was beaten, had his flesh torn by wool combs, and was beheaded, martyred along with seven women. Because of the cure of the boy's throat when the boy was choking, St. Blaise is patron against troubles of the throat, and today our throats are blessed at Mass. St. Blaise is also the patron of veterinarians and against attacks of wild animals. He is represented in art as a Bishop holding two crossed candles, with wool combs, or in a cave surrounded by wild animals. Morning Prayer & Blessing of Throats typically takes place as the school & public pray through the intercession of St. Blaise that God delivers us from throat ailments and from every other evil. [St. Joseph School will have a prayer service on Friday, February 1, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.]

LENT
This season, also called "Quadraegesima," meaning "Forty," is a somber, penitential Season lasting from Ash Wednesday to the Thursday before Easter. It recalls Christ's 40 days in the desert, and the Israelites' wandering in the desert for 40 years. Per the everyday calendar, Lent lasts 40 days plus the six Sundays, but the Sundays aren't counted as "Lent" because Sundays are always about the Resurrection and are joyous.
The annual Lenten season is the fitting time to climb the holy mountain of Easter. The Lenten season has a double character, namely to prepare both catechumens and faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery. The catechumens, both with the rite of election and scrutinies, and by catechesis, are prepared for the celebration of the sacraments of Christian initiation; the faithful, ever more attentive to the word of God and prayer, prepare themselves by penance for the renewal of their baptismal promises. This season prepares all of us for the celebration of Easter, the most important feast of the Church year.

Ash Wednesday, 2008 - February 6th
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our Lenten journey towards Easter and eternal life. Now truly is our time to be healed and reconciled to God and to one another. The mark of ashes on our foreheads reminds us of our sinfulness and our turning back to God for forgiveness, healing and mercy. The ashes are made by the burning of palms from last year's Palm Sunday -- palms that were waved in victory and praise. After the priest sprinkles the ashes with holy water and incenses them, he puts them on our foreheads in the shape of a Cross to remind us of our hope, and as he does so, he says the words of Genesis 3: Remember, man, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return. We make no response to these words; we simply return to our pews. After we leave the church, we leave the ashes on our foreheads until they wear off naturally from the course of the day's activities. They are a public witness to those things our society does not wish to embrace: the reality of death, and the hope of resurrection in Our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Ash Wednesday Masses are at 9:30 a.m. with the school children and 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend either service.

Lenten Fasting and Abstinence Fast and Abstinence

All Fridays of Lent are days of Abstinence. All Catholics are obliged to abstain from the eating of meat on these days.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of Abstinence and Fasting. In addition to abstaining from eating of meat on these days, all Catholics are also to fast. Fasting means the eating of one main meal and two small meals on these days. Those exempt from fasting are those over 70 years old or for medical reasons.

PARISH LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS & LENTEN MISSION 2008
This year our parish theme for Lent is "The Beatitudes - Our Attitudes." We have a number of different and unique opportunities planned this year to make our season of Lent and holy and spiritual time of renewal for all of us. Once again this year, on Tuesdays we will hold our Soup Suppers followed by our Lenten Mission. Our annual Lenten weekly Stations of the Cross, Food for the Poor, Palm Sunday Breakfast, and the Knights of Columbus Lenten Dinners will all be happening as part of our preparation for the great celebrations of Holy Week and Easter Sunday.

Lenten Soup Suppers 2008
A wonderful St. Joseph tradition continues with our Soup Suppers during Lent. The Soup Suppers will take place in Hughes Hall beginning at 6:00 p.m. "Family-size" pots of soup and/or breads are needed (simply bring them to the kitchen just prior to the supper). All are welcome. Various groups of the parish will be assisting the Hirsch's bringing soups & breads, and helping serve:

Lenten Mission 2008 ~ "The Beatitudes - Our Attitudes"
Following our 6:00 p.m. Tuesday evening Soup Suppers the parish will host a Lenten Mission, 6:45-8:00 p.m. Fr. James Walker will be here for three consecutive Tuesdays (February 12, 19 and 26) to offer an evening reflection on the Beatitudes and how they should be lived as part of our lives. Fr. Walker is a priest of the Diocese of Youngstown and serves as Pastor of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Warren, Ohio. He also provides the scripture and homiletic reflections in each edition of the Catholic Exponent. He is a very inspirational speaker and his message to us on the Beatitudes and Our Attitudes should be exceptional. On March 4, Fr. Balash will do a presentation on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Following the final Soup Supper on March 11, the parish will host a bi-parish Penance Service at 7:00 p.m. for parishioners of St. Joseph Church and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Aurora. Teachers may earn certification points for diocesan credit by attending Fr. Walker's talks (please contact Mac Clapp for details). In addition, there will be related activities and adult supervision for younger children in Hughes Hall during the Mission. Be sure to plan on attending these wonderful evenings of reflection and our Soup Suppers for Lent.

Stations of the Cross 2008
Join our parish family for Stations of the Cross each Friday evening (February 8, 15, 22, 29, March 7, 14) of Lent at 7:00 p.m. We pray the Scripture Stations of the Cross as we meditate on the Passion and Death of Jesus and the significance they hold for contemporary Catholics. All are welcome.

ST. JOSEPH FEAST DAY - March 19th
Joseph & Mary (created by Ken Zander)

The principal feast day of Saint Joseph is March 19, Saint Joseph's Day (for Joseph the Husband of Mary). On this day we ask for the strength to serve Christ as Joseph did. Saint Joseph's Day always falls during Lent, and Saint Joseph's Day altars and feasts have no meat. However, since the feast day is classed as a solemnity, the requirement of abstinence from meat is technically abrogated, according to Canon Law, even if it falls on a Friday. If the feast day falls on a Sunday, the previous Saturday (March 18) is observed instead or the Monday following (March 20), and if it falls during Holy Week or Easter week, it is moved to the Monday after Low Sunday, or eight days after Easter (prior to 1970 the Tuesday after Low Sunday was used as the alternate date).

PASSIONTIDE
This is the last two weeks of Lent, from Passion Sunday (the 5th Sunday of Lent) to the day before Palm Sunday. The second week of Passiontide is called "Holy Week." The last three days of Holy Week -- i.e., Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday -- are called the Sacred Triduum

HOLY WEEK
Holy Week has as its purpose the remembrance of Christ's passion, beginning with his Messianic entrance into Jerusalem.

Palm Sunday, March 16, 2008

(5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass)

(8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Masses)

Tuesday, March 18, 2008
8:00 a.m. Mass
7:00 p.m. Reconciliation Service for RCIA

HOLY WEEK TRIDUUM (trid-yoo-um, meaning 3 days)
Christ redeemed us all and gave perfect glory to God principally through his paschal mystery: dying he destroyed our death and rising he restored our life. Therefore, the Easter Triduum of the passion and resurrection of Christ is the culmination of the entire liturgical year. These are not three separate liturgical celebrations but one which takes three days to celebrate. Thus, the solemnity of Easter has the same kind of preeminence in the liturgical year that Sunday has in the week. The Easter Triduum begins with the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil, and closes with evening prayer on Easter Sunday.

Holy Thursday, March 20, 2008
7:00 p.m. Mass of the Lord's Supper
Operation Rice Bowl Collection

The Mass of the Lord's Supper features
the distinctive action of the Washing of the Feet,
just as the Lord did for his disciples
and we do for one another.

Private Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
8:00-11:00 p.m.
Solemn Night Prayer
11:00 p.m.

Good Friday, March 21, 2008
12:00-3:00 p.m. "Stay With Me" Prayer Vigil
7:00 p.m. Liturgy
Holy Land Collection

This liturgy features the Adoration of the Cross
as the holy cross is in our midst and
we come forward to do reverence
with a kiss or a bow or a genuflection.

Holy Saturday, March 22, 2008
Noon Blessing of the Food
Followed by Parish Easter Egg Hunt
7:30 p.m. Easter Vigil Mass

Blessing of Easter Food Blessing of Easter Food

Several ethnic groups have kept alive the tradition of blessing food on Holy Saturday. The staples for the Easter Sunday meal (or, in some cultures, the Saturday vigil meal) - bread, wine, the colored eggs, the ham - are all placed in a basket and brought to the church to be bless. Everyone is invited to place your food items in a basket and gather in the Church at noon for the Blessing of Food on Holy Saturday.

Easter Egg Hunt
The Parish Family Life Committee is sponsoring an Easter Egg Hunt for the children of the parish up to age 9 on Holy Saturday, immediately following the noon Blessing of Food. Teens are invited to help.

Easter Vigil
The high point of the liturgical year!
This moving liturgy consists of
The Service of Light, Liturgy of the Word,
Baptism of new Christians and
renewal of Baptismal vows, and the Eucharist
takes place after nightfall on Holy Saturday.

The third and consummating rite of the RCIA process,
the Sacraments of Initiation, also takes place
at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.
The Elect culminate their long journey to initiation
in the waters of Baptism -- then, with the candidates,
the newly baptized are sealed with the oil of Confirmation
and share the bread and wine of the Eucharist
as full members of the Roman Catholic community.

HOUSE BLESSING FOR EASTER
As we continue this great Easter Season of joy and celebration, new life is all around us. Our world and lives are coming alive to Spring and so is our faith as we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord and the gift of eternal life! As mentioned at Mass, below is an Easter blessing for your home. Easter Holy Water is available to take home. During the Easter Season you are welcomed to take some holy water from the Baptismal font home and bless your home with the following prayer. Please bring a small container and take some holy water home. Gather your family in each room and offer the following prayer of thanksgiving to God for your family and home. Move from room to room sprinkling the holy water in each room. (Click here for a printable blessing)

Lord, our God, You whose home is in heaven and on earth, surround this shelter with Your Holy Spirit. Encompass our home with the power of Your protection so that no evil or harm will come near. May Your blessing and protection shield our Home and family from destruction, storm, sickness and all that might bring evil to those who live here. (Members may take turns praying the following and sprinkling water in each room)

50 Days of Easter
Easter Day is certainly the most important day of the church year. The celebration of Easter begins during the Easter Vigil after nightfall on Holy Saturday, continues through Easter Sunday and into the Easter season, a full 50 days, until Pentecost (the day that the Holy Spirit was given to the Church). The Great 50 Days of Easter are a wonderful opportunity to explore and celebrate Easter more fully than we can possibly squeeze into a single day. These fifty days can be a time of learning to live the way of Easter in our everyday experience.

The Ascension of the Lord (40 Days after Easter) - May 4, 2008
This Holy day of Obligation, 40th day of Easter, commemorates Christ's Ascension into Heaven from Mount Olivet 40 days after He rose from the dead (Mark 16:14-20) . After the Gospel is sung, the Paschal Candle, lit from the New Fire of the Easter Vigil, is extinguished to symbolize the departure of Christ.

Pentecost - May 11, 2008
Receive the Holy Spirit

Also known as "Whitsunday," Pentecost is the second greatest Feast of the liturgical year -- the first being Easter -- and takes place 50 days (7 weeks) after Easter. The fiftieth day after Easter, this day celebrates the coming of the Holy Ghost upon the disciples and Our Lady, and is regarded as the crowning close to the Easter season. This day is considered a sort of "birthday" for the Church.

ORDINARY TIME
The second part of Ordinary Time begins after the Easter Season, on the Monday after Pentecost, and ends on the Saturday before the First Sunday of Advent and is devoted to the mystery of Christ in all its aspects. This Season's focus is the Holy Spirit in the Millennium, the Church Age that we now live in, and Christ's Reign as King of Kings -- the time between the Age of the Apostles and the Age to Come.

Trinity Sunday

Trinity Sunday - May 18, 2008
The first Sunday after Pentecost, Trinity Sunday celebrates the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, the three persons of God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Trinity Sunday also represents the beginning of the Church part of the liturgical year, continuing until Advent.

The Feast of Corpus Christi (Body & Blood of Christ) - May 25, 2008
The Body & Blood of Christ

As on Maundy Thursday, we celebrate the Body of Christ -- but this time without the sense of impending doom of knowing what would come on Good Friday. This feast has an interesting history. Its inspiration is due to two things: the first is the Miracle of Bolsena, which happened in A.D. 1263. Peter of Prague, a German priest, during a pilgrimage to Rome, stopped at the Church of St. Christina there to offer Mass. While he was a holy and devout man, he harbored doubts about the Real Presence -- doubts which were completely resolved when the Host he consecrated during that Mass began to bleed. He rushed to meet Pope Urban IV in Orvieto, bringing the Host with him. The miracle was declared, and the Host is still on display at the Cathedral of Orvieto today. The second source of inspiration was an Augustinian nun, a Belgian named St. Juliana of Mont Cornillon (A.D. 1193-1258). She had a vision of the Moon that was full and beautiful, but marked by a black spot that signified that there was no joyous celebration of the Eucharist in the entire Church calendar.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - August 15th
Because she belonged to Christ, Mary, our queen, is raised on high, a great sign for all who believe in her Son. On this day, a Holy Day of Obligation, we recall Our Lady's being assumed into Heaven and crowned Queen.

Blessing of Pets
The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is October 4. Here at St. Joseph's we will have our annual Pet Blessing on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in the pavilion. Everyone is encouraged to bring their pets for this special blessing in honor of our patron saint of animals.

All Saints - November 1st
All Saints / All Souls

This is a Holy Day of Obligation on which we celebrate the Church Triumphant -- all the Saints in Heaven, canonized or unknown. Let us rejoice in all the men and women, blest in the eyes of the Lord, who celebrate the heavenly liturgy. They stand in God's holy place and sing of the love the Father has bestowed upon them through the blood of the Lamb. Masses will be held at 9:30 a.m. with the school and 7:00 p.m. (you may attend either liturgy).

All Souls Day - November 2nd
During the entire month of November we remember in a special way all those parishioners and loved ones who have passed away during the past year. The Feast of All Saints is November 1 and the Feast of All Souls is November 2. These two feasts at the beginning of November stress the reality of death, resurrection, punishment, or reward.
On the weekend nearest to the Feast of All Souls, the parish typically holds a special remembrance for all of our deceased parishioners at Mass. The Book of Remembrance is placed in the sanctuary beginning November 1 for everyone to write the names of loved ones. All deceased of the parish and our families will be remembered throughout the month of November at all of our parish's weekly celebrations.

THANKSGIVING
St. Joseph's will be having Mass at 9:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Everyone is invited to come celebrate liturgy as families & friends begin this day set side to give thanks for their many blessings.

Christ The King - November 25, 2007
On this day, we pray for the conversion of all to Christ, and for all governments to recognize Him as King and conform their laws to His teachings. This is the only way to peace!

PARISH EVENTS, ACTIVITIES & HAPPENINGS
(Please refer to the Parish Schedule Page for a Calendar of Events)

LEADERSHIP CHANGE
During the weekend Masses on April 5/6, 2008, Fr. Balash announced that he will be leaving St. Joseph Parish and become pastor of St. William Parish in Champion as of July 1, 2008 (he succeeds Father Michael Smar, who is retiring).This decision was one that he prayed about and carefully considered (his parents' health concerns were a part of the decision process). Although he has enjoyed his time at St. Joseph's and will miss everyone, he is looking forward to the challenges that a new parish presents.

NEW PASTOR ASSIGNED
Rev. Michael P. Garvey Over the May 17/18 weekend, it was announced that Fr. Michael Garvey has been assigned as our new pastor effective July 1, 2008. Father Garvey, a native of Cleveland, was raised and educated in the Catholic school system in Ashtabula, Ohio, attending Mother of Sorrows School and the former St. John High School. In 1963 he entered the seminary at St. Gregory Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio to study for the priesthood. He was ordained at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown on May 29, 1971 after completing seminary studies at Mount St. Mary of the West Seminary in Cincinnati. His assignments in the diocese were associate pastor at St. Joan of Arc Parish, Canton, priest catechist at Ursuline High School in Youngstown, as administrative assistant for pastoral ministry at St. John High School in Ashtabula, and as administrator of Mother of Sorrows Parish in Ashtabula. Father was also the President of the Board of Community Counseling Center there. In 1987 he joined the U S Navy. He served 20 years and his assignments were with the Navy, the Marines, and Coast Guard. His duty included assignments in Cuba, Japan, and Alaska. Father retired in June of 2007 from Corry Station, Pensacola, Florida. In December he was assigned to St. Rose Parish in Girard as the Associate Pastor. He also served as chaplain for the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Camp Fire. His interests include Great Lakes history, physical fitness, and cards. He is very much looking forward to his new assignment at St. Joseph's Mantua.

GOODBYE FROM FATHER BALASH
It is with sincere gratitude and appreciation that I offer my heartfelt thanks to all of you for the past five years of sharing life together as pastor and parish. It has been a time of joy and pain, laughter and tears, fun and work, all rolled up into our experience of Church and parish and for that I remain ever grateful. I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to the many of you who have walked this journey with me over the past five years, for your cooperation and support, and for your dedication and commitment to the St. Joseph Parish. There have been rough times as well as good times but through it all I hope that I have been able to bring Christ to you, your family and our parish. I would like to specifically offer a word of thanks and appreciation to the staff and employees of the parish who I have worked with on a daily basis for the past five years. They are the ones who have seen me at my worse and best, put up with my moods, and dealt with my idiosyncrasies, and I sincerely thank them for all they have done for me and for the parish. They truly are the "heart" of the parish and their commitment and devotion to their faith, Church, and parish have made my job and ministry much easier over the years. As Saint Joseph Parish begins this new chapter in its history with Fr. Garvey as your pastor, I ask that you welcome him and show him the same kindness and support you have shown me as your pastor. You are very lucky and blessed to have Fr. Garvey coming as your pastor and I am sure that he will be a wonderful leader as you continue your Christian journey of faith. And as I move on and begin a new chapter in my life, I kindly ask for your prayers for me, likewise I will continue to offer my prayers and best wishes for all of you. Please don't be strangers and know that you are always welcome to visit St. William's and I will see most of you at this year's Ox Roast Fair! Thank you once again for your kindness during my time here as your pastor.

All the best,
Father Balash

BIBLE STUDY ON THE GOSPEL OF MARK
September is fast approaching and it is time to consider our next sessions of Bible Study. This coming Church Year will focus on the Gospel of Mark. To prepare ourselves to receive the most from our Sunday readings we will be beginning our new year of Bible Study focusing on Mark's Gospel. Sr. Rose Anne will again offer a morning session and an evening session. The morning sessions will be on Mondays and the evening on Tuesdays. Registration form will be in the bulletin.

DATE	DAY	TIME	TOPIC
Sept. 2	Tues.	6:30 - 8:00 p.m.	"The Kingdom of God Has Come Near"
Sept. 8	Mon.	10:00 - 11:30 a.m.	"The Kingdom of God Has Come Near"
Sept. 9	Tues.	6:30 - 8:00 p.m.	"Who Is This Man"
Sept. 15	Mon.	10:00 - 11:30 a.m.	"Who Is This Man"
Sept. 16	Tues.	6:30 - 8:00 p.m.	"Turning Point"
Sept. 22	Mon.	10:00 - 11:30 a.m.	"Turning Point"
Sept. 23	Tues.	6:30 - 8:00 p.m.	"The Hour Has Come"
Sept. 29	Mon.	10:00 - 11:30 a.m.	"The Hour Has Come"
Sept. 30	Tues.	6:30 - 8:00 p.m.	"Messiah Son of God"
Oct. 6	Mon.	10:00 - 11:30 a.m.	"Messiah Son of God"
Oct. 7	Tues.	6:30 - 8:00 p.m.	"The Ransom is Given"
Oct. 13	Mon.	10:00 - 11:30 a.m.	"The Ransom is Given"

A DAY OF CELEBRATION!!!
Saturday, September 13, will be a day of celebration for St. Joseph Parish because that day parishioner Gary Keefer will be ordained into the order of permanent deacon. The ordination will be celebrated by Bishop George V. Murry, S.J. at St. Columba Cathedral at 10:30 a.m. Gary will be ordained along with twelve other candidates who, like him, have been studying and working toward this moment for the last four years. Therefore, because of the number being ordained, attendance at the Cathedral will be limited and is by invitation only. There will be some information in the bulletin regarding what the ministry of deacon entails every week for the next few weeks (and on our Liturgical & Supportive Ministries page). Please keep Gary in your prayers as he makes his final preparations to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders as a permanent deacon.

MONTHLY BEREAVEMENT SESSIONS
Many of us deal with one type of loss or another. Often times we are asked to respond to someone going through the grieving process. On the fourth Monday of each month (with the exception of May, 2009), 6:30-8:00 p.m., Sr. Rose Anne will be presenting a topic that hopefully will be an aid to those going through a loss or those who are supporting others. Each session will be complete in itself so feel free to come to one and not another. Listed below are the proposed topics for the coming year.

DATE	TOPIC
September 22, 2008	"Crazy Is Normal"
October 27, 2008	"Understanding the Stages of Grief"
November 24, 2008	"Surviving Stress and Loneliness"
December 22, 2008	"Holidays and Memories"
January 26, 2009	"Our Feelings of Denial, Bargaining and Guilt"
February 23, 2009	"Our Feelings of Anger and Depression"
March 23, 2009	"Helping Children through Grief"
April 27, 2009	"Spiritual Elements of Grief and Healing"
June 1, 2009	"The Value of Memories"