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.

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).

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 three times this fall: Thursday, August 29, 7:00-8:30 p.m. (All-Purpose Room) Thursday, September 19, 7:00-8:30 p.m. (All-Purpose Room) Tuesday, October 15, 7:00-8:30 p.m. (All-Purpose Room) You can sign up for any of these sessions online at https://www. virtusonline.org/. Any questions, contact Peg Haney.

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.

In light of Fr. Ed being assigned the additional pastoral duties for St. Ambrose in Garrettsville & St. Michael in Windham, the following changes to our Mass schedule will begin September 1st: Weekday Masses will be at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesdays & Thursdays; Weekend Masses will be at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday & 9:00 a.m. on Sunday.

On this day we recall Our Lady's being assumed into Heaven and crowned Queen. Masses on this Holy Day of Obligation will be at 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Mass on Thursday, August 15.

Father John Jerek, Vicar of Clergy, sent official notice that Bishop Murry has appointed Father Ed Stafford pastor of St. Ambrose, Garrettsville and St. Michael, Windham, effective Aug. 15. Father Stafford will continue to serve at St. Joseph, Mantua. Please keep him and these parishes in your prayers during this time of transition.

Many of you are anxious to receive your new Parish Pictorial Directory. Please know that this will take some time. The proof has been reviewed, corrected & submitted. Lifetouch will take about 3 weeks to print our directories. So, that means early September before they arrive. Watch for news on how to get your copy at that time. Thank you to everyone who took part in this new directory. We look forward to seeing the final result! 

The leukemia Bishop George Murry suffered from last year has returned. It is not as intense as last year, but it needs attention. Bishop Murry will enter the Cleveland Clinic on Wednesday, July 3rd for a 28-day program of chemotherapy. The goal will be to prepare him for a bone marrow transplant in September, which his doctors believe is the best way to prevent another occurrence of the cancer.

Thank you for a wonderful 51st Ox Roast Fair!