This is a special day set aside to honor priesthood in the United States. It is a day to reflect upon and affirm the role of the priesthood in the life of the Church as a central one. This nationwide event is coordinated and sponsored by the US Council of Serra International. The men who answer the call to priesthood are special indeed, and they are working harder than ever before. Please be sure to make it a point to make priests feel truly appreciated and special.

Do you have an hour to help save a life? As a proud Premier Blood Partner with the Red Cross, we know that just that short amount of time donating blood can mean a lifetime to a patient battling illness or injury. Roll up a sleeve and join us in giving back to the community. St. Joseph’s will host a Blood Drive on Monday, September 30, 1:00-6:00 p.m. Visit www.redcrossblood.org today to schedule your appointment to give to an upcoming blood drive! St. Joseph Church encourages the community to join us on Monday, September 30. 1:00-6:00 p.m. to give the gift of life.

Any adults who wish to grow in knowledge and love of God's Word are invited to attend our Fall Bible Study held on Tuesdays, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. in the Parish Center, beginning October 1 through November. We will be focusing on St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians using the Threshold Bible Series. Register now and get your text before the first class while our pre-order lasts. For more information, please contact Sr. Joyce (330-274-2253).

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 5, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in the pavilion. At St. Ambrose in Garrettsville, the Pet Blessing is at 1:00 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to bring their pets for this special blessing in honor of our patron saint of animals.

Sunday, September 22, St. Joseph Parish will be celebrating Catechetical Sunday. We will be recognizing and blessing all of our catechists and PSR families during the 9:00 a.m. Mass. Please make plans to attend this special liturgy.

“Am I My Brother’s Keeper?” Catholics Respond to a World in Need Join us for a four-part series on how Catholics can better love and serve our most vulnerable global neighbors. On Tuesday, October 8, Stephen J. Carattini, Director, Dept. of Social Concerns for the Diocese of Youngstown, will present “Racism & Immigration: The Myth of Scarcity”. Held at The Overlook, 1519 Overlook Rd. in Twin Lakes, this event begins with dinner at 6:00 p.m. and the lecture is at 7:00 p.m. Cost is $25.00 per person. Please reserve your spot by Oct. 1 through the Parish Office. ADDITIONAL DATES IN SERIES: NOV. 12, JAN. 14, FEB. 11

Connor Rowe's Eagle Project of refurbishing the parish's entrance sign is complete! Thank you to all who helped him with this accomplishment. Our entrance sign looks great!

Thank you to the Father John Cassidy Assembly #3034 of the Knights of Columbus for hosting our September 15th Blue Mass and reception honoring all local safety forces. We sincerely recognize all the hard work and dedication these individuals do for our communities.

This weekend, September 14/15, the Appalachian Experience group will hold a bake sale to raise funds for their trip to McClure, Va in 2020 to participate in the Binns-Counts Community Center's Housing Repair Program. All bakers, our faithful bakers and anyone who would like to begin baking, may drop off their baked goods in the Narthex before the Mass they attend. Thank you!

Our new Parish Directories have arrived & they look great! All those who had their photo taken receive a complimentary directory. They're available for pick-up in the Narthex (just look for your name label). Additional directories are available for $10.00 each (purchase in the Narthex after Mass or from the Parish Office during business hours).

St. Joseph Parish School of Religion (PSR) will kick off the 2019-2020 school year with Opening Day on Sunday, September 8. We have a morning of activity planned including: 9:00 a.m. Mass, Donut Social for Students, Parents & Teachers, Teacher Meet and Greet, and Parent Meeting and Registration. Attendance at this session is mandatory for all new and returning PSR families. Registration for all returning students and for the Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation will be completed at this time. Any questions, contact Peg Haney at the PSR Office (330-274-2268 or phaney@stjosephmantua.com).

In the RCIA Process… Inquirers enter an extended time of Formation in which they discern and welcome God’s Invitation to embrace life in the Catholic Christian Community. During this Process of Initiation a Person grows in knowledge of the teachings of the Church, explores the meaning of Scriptures for Daily life, develops friendships with members of the Parish Community, learns to Pray and Worship in the Catholic Tradition, and discovers the Joy of Serving others. If you or someone you know would like to have more info. or would like to register for our RCIA program, please contact Sr. Joyce 330-274-2253 or jschreiber@stjosephmantua.com. Meetings begin Sunday, September 8, at St. Joseph Parish Center after the 9:00 a.m. Mass.

St. Joseph Cares will be holding a clothing drive at St. Joseph Church the weekend prior to the giveaway weekends (Sept. 14/15, Nov. 9/10). Please have all clothes folded and bagged. Place in the All-Purpose Room near the windows (look for sign). All clothes will be removed that weekend. To donate clothes at other times, please drop them off at Hilltop and Mantua Center Christian Churches and not at St Joe’s. What a wonderful way to live out the corporal and spiritual works of mercy! 

On August 29th, Msgr. Zuraw updated about 90 Parish ministers gathered at a meeting about Bishop Murry: His tests last week showed NO CANCER IN THE BONE BARROW, which is great news about preparing for the bone marrow transplant (still to be scheduled). Bishop Murry is home and still building up his strength through PT and OT. Please keep praying for Bishop Murry, his medical team, and all who need our prayers!

The Diocese of Youngstown will sponsor a Wedding Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, October 20, 2:00 p.m. at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist in Canton, honoring couples observing their 25th, 40th, 50th and over wedding anniversaries in 2019. The celebration will include Mass with Msgr. Robert J. Siffrin, renewal of marriage vows, and a personalized certificate for each couple. Following the Mass, there will be a reception for the couples and their families in the parish hall. You must make reservations in advance by contacting the Parish Office (330-274-2253) before September 16.

All students (public, private or home schooled) and school staff are joyfully invited to bring their backpacks, briefcases, or tote bags for our “Blessing of the Backpacks" after all Masses the weekend of August 24/25.

All volunteers working with parish children are required to complete VIRTUS® training and a background check. Here at St. Joseph, we will be offering the VIRTUS® training 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the All-Purpose Room on Thursdays, September 19 and October 24. You can sign up for any of these sessions online at https://www. virtusonline.org/. Any questions, contact Peg Haney at 330-274-2268.

Do you have an abundance of fresh foods from your garden—maybe more than you can use? Beginning August 11/12, St. Joseph Parish will start a Produce Sharing Program coordinated by St. Joseph Cares. For the weekends of August 11/12 through September 7/8, you can share your abundance with other parishioners and the 4C’s.

Our Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) ministry is in need of volunteers for the 2019-2020 school year. Volunteers share the weekly scripture with children ages 3–8 and supervise a group activity. Each CLOW session lasts approximately 20 minutes and will occur during our Sunday Mass. All materials are provided. If you’re interested, contact Peg Haney (phaney@stjosephmantua.com or 330-274-2268).

Enrollment for the PSR 2019-2020 school year began August 12, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at the Parish Office or 1:00-5:00 p.m. in the PSR Office. Enrollment is for NEW STUDENTS who have not attended our program in the past. Please bring a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate if your child was baptized in a parish other than St. Joseph Parish in Mantua. For questions, contact Peg Haney at 330-274-2268 or phaney@stjosephmantua.com.