Generously God Has Blessed Us, Generously We Respond
At all Masses this weekend, September 22/23, members of St. Joseph will be asked to renew their commitment to our parish by filling out an offertory commitment card located in the pews. Please reflect on the Giving Chart on the back of the card and pray over your response. Your response in faith will help sustain our parish community into the future by providing the necessary resources to meet our operating expenses and goals. Generous responses to the program will also provide for the ongoing maintenance and improvements of our parish buildings and properties, and help to ensure support for our existing programs and future ministries.  

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Adult Bible Study (text: Missionary Discipleship, Stephen Binz, Threshold Bible Series) - “The mission of the church is to make known the person and message of Jesus Christ. As disciples of the Lord, we play an active part in this mission. By word and witness, we contribute to spreading the good news of Jesus to the world…There is a close connection between the word of God and missionary discipleship. As we listen to Scripture, we learn how to witness…Discipleship is a call to go inward and a call to go outward…” adapted from Stephen Binz. Fee of $15.00 for text. 10 weekly sessions; Mondays 10:00–11:30 a.m. beginning September 24 in the Parish Center.

RCIA – Our program for anyone interested in becoming Catholic. Begins Sunday, September 23, and continues weekly through April, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.in the Parish Center (between Masses).
  

“Hanging onto Hope” Discussion Group - When asked to summarize the Bible in one sentence, a Scripture scholar said, “I can do it in two words: Life Wins!” French poet Charles Peguy says, “Hope is a little girl; the younger sister of Faith and Charity; she walks hand in hand with her two sisters on the uphill path called life; she may appear to be the weakest of the three, but on the contrary, she carries the other two. It is Hope who moves the world!” Please consider attending these five sessions following Sr. Melannie Svoboda’s book…light reading, conversation, prayer Oct. 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1 & 8, 2:00-3:00 p.m. in the Parish Center.

Rosary Prayer Group – Re-imagining ways to meet God in your life through the Rosary.
Sr. Joyce leads this devotion each Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in church following morning Mass.
 
On Care for our Common Home (Laudato Si)  – Independent or Group Study using the Papal Encyclical “On Care for Our Common Home.” With this letter Pope Francis joins faith and science to educate us in responding to the urgent “cry of the earth,” for “without Earth there is no life.” Fee of $10.00 for text. Guided by Sr. Joyce. Meet at the parish or in your homes. Work alone or with a group.
 
Adult Confirmation – For any baptized Catholic adult who has made First Communion but has never been confirmed. 4 instructional sessions at St. Joseph. Confirmation celebrated at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown with Bishop Murry in November.
 
Seasons of Hope – The parish Bereavement Program starts in October and meets for six weekly sessions. You may have lost a loved one recently or find yourself unable to move on from a loss even after some time…If you would like the support of faith in dealing with loss, we invite you to join us. More details will follow if a group forms. Please feel free to inquire without obligation.
 
Please Note:  Inquire at Parish Office (330-274-2253) or see Sr. Joyce at weekend Masses ASAP. Most programs require a minimum of four participants if the format is “discussion group.”

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K of C Pig Roast
The Mantua Knights of Columbus #3766 is having a Pig Roast on Saturday,  September 22, at the Sentinel Party Center, 11845 St. Rt. 44, Mantua, 4:00-8:00 p.m. Donation is $25.00 per person and includes dinner and an open bar. A corn hole tournament will be available for a $10.00 entrance fee. This event raised $950.00 for Hattie Larlham last year with hopes of doing as well or better this year. Only 100 tickets will be sold so get yours soon. Please contact Lonn Safko @ 330-968-8293 for tickets or more information. 

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Parish Business Directory & Directory of Talents
St. Joseph Church is creating a Parish Business Directory of parishioner-owned businesses and professional services in an effort to help the parish provide economic support within our own community.  This new Business Directory is intended to be an online resource that gives current information such as contacts, links to websites and other descriptions of these businesses. In addition, we're putting together a comprehensive list of talents and services. There will also be a printed edition created as the lists develop. Click here to learn more.

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Blue Mass for Safety Forces
The Father John Cassidy Assembly #3034 of the Knights of Columbus cordially invite all local Law Enforcement, Fire, and EMT members and their families & all St. Joseph parishioners to a Blue Mass to honor our safety forces on Sunday, September 23, at 11:15 a.m. The intent of this Mass is to recognize all the hard work and dedication these individuals do for our communities. A Community Picnic will be held in St. Joseph’s Pavilion (Hughes Hall if inclement weather) immediately following, courtesy of the Mantua K of C. They will provide hamburgers, hotdogs, and pop. Guests are asked to please bring a dish to pass. For more information, please contact Lonn Safko (330-968-8293) or Jim Fields (330-274-8938).

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Women's Auxiliary Hosting Casino Bus Trip
The Women's Auxiliary is hosting a bus trip to Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh, PA, on October 8. The bus will depart from the Mantua K of C Hall, 11845 St. Rt. 44, at 9:00 a.m. and return at approximately 6:00 p.m. The cost is $40.00 per person and each attendee will receive $20.00 in free play plus a $5.00 food voucher. The casino recommends you have your player cards and a photo ID with you. Please call 330-274-4982 by September 24, and leave a message to reserve your seat or contact Mary Ann Feddor (330-842-0505).

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First Step for Change
Beginning next weekend, September 29/30, our parish will be participating in First Step for Change, a project sponsored by Catholic Charities to collect spare change (or dollars) to assist low-income pregnant women and families with food, formula, clothing, diapers, and other items essential to a child’s health, safety, and well-being. Each family interested in participating in First Step for Change is asked to pick up a baby bottle from the Narthex after Mass. Take a bottle, place it in a common location in your home, and fill it with spare change throughout the month. All money collected by our parish will help to meet local needs. Bottles will be collected at the end of October. Thank you.

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Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed
Our “Book of Life” is in the sanctuary throughout the month of October for you to add the names of loved ones who have passed away. All deceased of the parish and our families will be remembered throughout the month of November at our celebrations. On All Souls' Day, Friday, November 2, the parish will hold a special remembrance for all deceased parishioners and family members at the 7:00 p.m. Mass. Eucharistic Adoration will follow. All are welcome.
 

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Blessing of Pets
The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is Thursday, October 4. Here at St. Joseph’s we will have our annual Pet Blessing on Saturday, October 6, 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.


 

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Holy Land Gifts Available in the Narthex
There will be a display of handmade, hand carved articles for sale October 6/7, including nativity scenes, crucifixes, rosaries, and the Last Supper. Because of the conflict in the region, many Christian families in Bethlehem are struggling to make ends meet. Holy Land Gifts represents over 100 Christian families whom make a living selling traditional olive wood handcrafts and religious articles. When you purchase one of the beautiful gifts, you are helping artisans in the Holy Land provide for their families and live and work with dignity in a region fraught with tension and oppression. Visit www.giftsofjerusalem.com for more information. Thank you for supporting this project to keep Christians present in the Holy Land.

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Popular Dinner & Doctrine Speaker Series Back For 10th Season
Mark your calendar for October 9, 6:00–8:00 p.m. at “The Overlook” (formerly Twin Lakes Country Club) in Twin Lakes and buy your tickets for this year’s first Dinner & Doctrine presented by the Portage County Catholic Pastoral Ministers Association. The theme for this year is “Who Do You Say That I Am?: Jesus in the Abrahamic Traditions”. Each of the four sessions in this series will host a different presenter with a different background:  Jewish, Islam, Ecumenical, and finally a Catholic Response to the prior three. Our October 9 Presenter is Rabbi Michael Ross, the Senior Jewish Educator at Kent State's Hillel and the rabbi at Temple Beth Shalom in Hudson, who's topic is "Rabbi Jesus?". Tickets are available for $25.00 and includes a buffet dinner (cash bar) and the speaker's presentation. The last day to make your reservations is Monday, October 1. For tickets and more information, please contact Sr. Joyce or the Parish Office (330-274-2253). Click here to view details on the rest of the series.

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K of C Reverse Raffle
Tickets are on sale now for a night of entertainment fun at the Reverse Raffle to be held Saturday, October 6, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 11845 S.R. 44, Mantua, OH 44255. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and dinner begins at 7:00 p.m. Ticket price includes dinner with soup & salad, steak, baked potato, vegetables, rolls & butter, beverages & dessert. There'll be an open bar, musical entertainment & dancing, a chance at $1,000.00 grand prize along with other games of chance!  Tickets are  $65.00/couple or $55.00/single and are available by contacting Terry Kulka (330-813-0236). 

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It Might Be Scary . . . It Might Be A Fright . . .
But It's Sure To Be A Fun Halloween Night!

Join us for a Halloween Bash on Saturday, October 27, at 7:00 p.m. in Hughes Hall. Bring your favorite dish! Costumes are encouraged! For more information, please contact Lori Duriak (330-274-1037) or Deacon Gerry (330-569-4795).
 

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All Saints Day
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 on Thursday, November 1, will be at 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
 

 

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Mark Your Calendars for the 34th Annual Christmas Boutique!
Don't miss one of the area's nicest craft shows, sponsored by the St. Joseph Garden Club. Held in Hughes Hall, the Christmas Boutique offers hand-crafted items, baked goods, raffles, door prizes, and breakfast and lunch items. Mark your calendars for the 34th Annual Garden Club Christmas Boutique to be held on Sunday, November 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Members of St. Joseph's PSR program will run the kitchen offering snack, lunch and dessert items at one of the area's nicest craft shows in the area.

Attention Crafters:  an 8 ft. table is $30.00 (2nd table is $25.00). For space availability, more information, or an application, please contact Marlene (330-274-8145) or Kathy (330-995-8785).

Community Service Hours Available
Attention Jr. High and High School Students . . . Do you need community service hours? Help is needed to assist the crafters carry their items into the Hall for the Christmas Boutique. If you are available to lend a hand, please contact Marlene (330-274-8145) to volunteer.

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Bishop's Appeal for Catholic Charities and Church
The 2018 Bishop’s Appeal for Catholic Charities and Church continues through Pentecost. This important annual fund raising campaign unites Catholics throughout the six counties of our diocese in a spirit of compassion and charity to serve the needs of others. In 2017, Catholic Charities provided help and hope to over 11,000 of people in Portage and Stark Counties. Your generosity and support for the Bishop’s Appeal helps to change lives . . . one family at a time. As of September 6, St. Joseph Church has 170 households contributing $37,025.00 in support of the 2018 Bishop’s Appeal — that’s 117% of our goal of $31,601.00! Bishop Murry has approved a 25% rebate to all parishes that exceed their goal (in cash received) for this year’s collection. To make your gift to the 2018 Appeal online, visit www.doy.org. Thank you for helping Catholic Charities change lives one family at a time through the Bishop's Appeal. 

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Church Renovations
Thanks to the generous offering of time, talent & treasure from Bill Hafemeister and his workers, the long awaited renovations to the interior of St. Joseph Church have begun. The altar wall's water damaged wallpaper was removed, decorative columns were added, the mold issue was addressed, and new wood-grain textured wallpaper was installed. In addition, the canopy above the altar and the ceiling fans were cleaned and LED lighting was installed throughout the church. Next, plans are to clean the wood beams and take care of the rest of the church walls and flooring issues as funds become available.


You may have also noticed that our St. Joseph niche now has votive candles on the carpenter's bench and a new table crafted by Char Baumbick. As with the Blessed Mother statue, you may light a candle while praying for your intention or offering thanks and then leave the flame burning as signs of our prayers (donation envelopes are available).
 

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Good Stewards

• Thanks to logging of trees on church property & the generosity of parishioners, church roofing has been replaced with an energy efficient white surface.
• LED lighting installed in Hughes Hall, kitchen, school hallways, downstairs rooms, and offices (church space to be done soon).
• Sacristies received painting of cupboards & walls, new hardware and reorganization thanks to some wonderful volunteers.
• Electric meters have been shut off when not in use in areas like ac units and  pavilion saving considerable monthly fees.
• Back-up well work done to comply with EPA regulations & donor paid deductible from insurance claim (lightning strike).
• Many kneelers were repaired & background of Joseph & the Children artpiece received some sanding & painting thanks to one of our faithful volunteers.
• Devotional candle stand for St. Joseph niche crafted by one of our loyal volunteers (decorative screen to be added soon).
• Church’s north wall has been cleaned & new wallpaper installed thanks to a generous parishioner (other walls done as funds allow).
• Parish's Hughes Hall Kitchen very old stove has been replaced by two new units with electronic ignitors & safety gas shut off.
• Non-working large freezer unit from kitchen was sold allowing for better kitchen lay-out.
• Permanent metal building was installed where Ox Roast Fair pizza, sausage sandwich & pierogi booths are located. This will allow easier set-up & provide much needed storage for Fair's equipment.

Finance Council & our Pastor continue to prioritize our parish facility needs & address them as funding becomes available.

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St. Joseph Church now has a new system, called My Own Church, for updating your family information! All you need to do is hit the blue "Update Your Info" button and create an account. Then, someone in the church office will approve your account, and you’ll be able to update all of your family information, including names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses. Your family members' sacrament information is also among the information available. You’ll be able to view the St. Joseph Church pictorial directory (photos from the 2008 and 2014 Parish Pictorial Directories are already loaded into the database). You’ll be able to upload your favorite family photo and chose whether you want that photo (or other information) to be visible to other members who’ve logged in—or you can keep some information private and available only to church administrators. If you’re involved in ministries here at St. Joseph Church, the information you put into My Own Church will help us schedule your ministry. You’ll be able to update your preferences and availability. For more details including FAQs and how to videos, click here.

Please remember to check out My Own Church soon! 

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ParishSOFT Giving (formerly ConnectNow Giving)
We’re pleased to announce that St. Joseph Church now provides online giving through software called ParishSOFT Giving (formerly ConnectNow Giving). This is a convenient and safe way to make a one-time or recurring donation. It replaces the WeShare Online Giving that we previously used. ParishSOFT Giving is part of our parish database. It is less expensive for the parish and contributions are automatically entered into the database (rather than the secretary printing out a report and manually entering them). Getting started is easy! - just click on the ParishSOFT Giving button (on the right hand column under Links). To learn more about this convenient way to donate to St. Joseph Church, please visit our ParishSOFT Giving webpage.