Lenten Activities

St. Joseph Feast Day - March 19th
The principal feast day of Saint Joseph is March 19, Saint Joseph's Day (for Joseph the Husband of Mary). 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, 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).

Encounter Lent ~ Share The Journey
Join our faith community—and more than 14,000 Catholic communities across the United States—in a life-changing Lenten journey of encounter with CRS Rice Bowl. Pick up your family’s CRS Rice Bowl from the Narthex (PSR students will bring one home). During the 40 days of Lent, we will encounter the needs of the world. Sign up for weekly inspirational emails at https://www.crsricebowl.org. And don’t forget to download the CRS Rice Bowl app! Be sure to visit our Families Growing in Faith page for links to help you share the journey.

Sunday Evening Mass During Lent 2019
During this Lenten season we will have a 6:00 p.m. Sunday evening Mass in addition to our usual weekend Masses. For those who are unable to make it to our other Masses due to work or family schedules or otherwise, this is another opportunity to attend liturgy at St. Joseph Church. Worship & praise music will be a part of these celebrations. Please join us Sundays, March 10, 17, 24, 31 & April 7.
 

Keeping The Season of Lent Presentations
You are invited to a special meeting of study, discussion, reflection, and prayer on the theme of Keeping the Season of Lent. Our three sessions with Fr. Ed will be in the Parish Center from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m. on March 11, 18 and 25. All our welcome! 

2019 Lenten Reconciliation Opportunities
Several opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before Easter will be offered throughout Lent. Confessions will be heard the following dates and times.

• Reconciliation - Saturdays, 4:00-4:30 p.m.

• “The Light is ON for You”  ~  An Evening of Reconciliation

  On Wednesday, March 20, all parishes in the Diocese of Youngstown will participate in this special event from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. During this time the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available in all parishes throughout the Diocese as a sign for all to embrace and live God’s mercy and love more completely. Plan to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation as part of your Lenten journey. 

• Portage County Deanery Communal Penance Service

Annual Palm Sunday Pancake Breakfast
St. Joseph's and the Women's Auxiliary cordially invite you to our Annual Palm Sunday Pancake Breakfast on April 14, 2019, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Hughes Hall. The event features "All You Can Eat" Buttermilk Pancakes served with sausage patties & syrup, fruit toppings, and your choice of coffee, tea, o.j. or milk. Great Family Prices:  Adults $7.00 • Seniors $5.00 • Children (6-12) $4.00 • Children 5 & Under FREE. Theme Basket Raffles are also a part of the fun!

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.
 

Parish Easter Egg Hunt
St. Joseph Parish will be holding an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 31, at 12:15 p.m. beginning in the church parking lot. The hunt is open to all children ages 2-9. 
Donations Needed—We are asking for donations from the PSR kids from grades PreK–3 for donations of Easter items – candy, small toys, and stuff animals (especially bunnies!) for the Easter Egg Hunt. Please bring your donations to PSR or drop them off at the Parish Office.