The 2019 Mantua Knights of Columbus Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Dinner will be held on Sunday, November 24, at 1:00 p.m. This year's theme is 1980's. The reservation line will open on November 1st.  Please call 330-274-4295 and leave a message with your name, phone number, and how many will be in your party. This free dinner will be held at the Mantua Knights of Columbus Sentinel Party Center, 11845 St. Rt. 44, Mantua. Reservations are first come, first served.

After another fight with cancer, well-known Bishop George Murry of the Youngstown Catholic Diocese is now in remission. On July 3, Bishop Murry was admitted into the Cleveland Clinic for his leukemia resurfacing. He endured a 28-day chemotherapy program and the Youngstown Catholic Diocese has confirmed the bishop is now in remission after testing. Bishop Murry was scheduled for a bone marrow transplant this fall, but the doctors advise him not to go forward with the procedure. According to the diocese, medical professions are working together to make sure Bishop Murry stays in remission.

St. Joseph Parish will offer the bereavement program, Seasons of Hope, in November and December. Seasons uses a scripture-based reflection booklet over six weekly sessions. If you wonder whether this program might help you, please contact Sr. Joyce (330-274-2253). Registration required by Monday, October 21.  The first Session is Wednesday, November 6, at 1:00 p.m. in the All-Purpose Room.

Our first Free Community Meal of this PSR year is on Sunday, October 27, from 11:30 to 2:00 p.m. in Hughes Hall. If you haven't been to a Meal before, please join us for good food and fellowship. This effort is done in conjunction with our PSR program, parish organizations, and the church communities in our area. Our goal is to provide a nutritious meal and fellowship to those in need. Please join us for food and fellowship. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO MORE . . . Please contact Peg Haney (330-274-2268 or phaney@stjosephmantua.com).

The Rosary is an incredible prayer. It's deceptively simple, and profoundly deep. A simple vocal prayer, and a school of silent contemplation. It's as small as a palm full of beads, and as wide as the Gospels. The Rosary will be prayed on Saturdays at 4:15 p.m. Participants are asked to gather in the area near Mary’s altar. Please join us for this devotion.  The PSR classes will lead a Community Rosary on Sunday, October 20, at 11:00 a.m. in the church. All are welcome.

Anyone who has a family member of St. Joe's that is currently serving or has served in the military is asked to please submit their names and addresses to Angie Daczko (Adaczko@roadrunner.com or text 216-272-1506) by October 31. St. Joseph Cares would like to reach out to them with a card.

Boy Scout Troop #575 will be taking orders for their holiday wreaths. Look for them in the Narthex the weekends of October 19/20 & 26/27. Sale is a pre-pay sale—cash, check or credit card. Funds raised help with their troop's expenses. Your support is most appreciated.

We had so much fun last year that we’re doing it again! Old and young alike are invited to join us for a Halloween Bash on Saturday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m. in Hughes Hall. Bring your favorite dish to share! Costumes are encouraged! For more info., please contact Lori Duriak (330-274-1037), Deacon Gerry (330-569-4795) or Chuck Casalacchio (216-655-7443).

If you missed our last session, VIRTUS® Training will be held on again on Thursdays, October 17 and November 25, at 7:00 p.m. in the All-Purpose Room. Virtus training is required of all adults who work with the children of our parish and vulnerable adults. To sign up, go to Virtusonline.org and create an account. You can then register online for the class.

Throughout the month of October our Book of Life is available 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.

Life Chain is a national, silent, prayerful witness involving citizens standing on the curb holding pro-life signs. Portage County's Life Chain will take place on Sunday, October 6, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. along St. Rt. 59 (Main Street) in Ravenna. Signs will be distributed in front of the Ravenna Courthouse starting at 2:15 p.m., rain or shine. Join them in defense of the unborn.

Each year, PSR offers a parent session for 4th grade parents as their children begin Altar Server Training. One important part of this session is a refresher on what actually happens during Mass. This year, we will be opening this class up to all PSR parents and anyone in the congregation who is interested in finding out more about Catholicism’s great communal prayer. The session will be held on Sunday, October 6, beginning at 10:15 a.m. in Hughes Hall and will feature video and discussion on what happens during Mass and how we’re impacted by the act of gathering, Scripture readings and the sharing of the Eucharist. Please join us!

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.

St. Joseph’s Troop 7575 is hosting a Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser on Saturday, October 12, 6:00-8:00 p.m. in Hughes Hall. Hot prizes for the best chili! It’s just $5.00 to enter your best crockpot of chili. Come out & sample for $1.00 each or $3.00 per bowl. Purchase an unlimited chili access pass for $20.00. Please contact Scoutmaster Jessica (440-223-4404) with any questions.

Come on out for a fun, family event on Saturday, October 12, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the clearing in the woods where Ox Roast fireworks were shot off (just off the parking lot near the playground). The Men of St. Joseph cordially invite parishioners to this evening of relaxation, s'mores, and to enjoy some Christian rock & secular music around a fire. Bring your chili purchased from the cook-off! The Remembrance Band will be entertaining from 7:00 until 10:00 p.m. Please bring your lawn chairs. For more information, please contact Abe Szoka (440-223-3676).

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will be offered after Masses the weekend of October 12/13 . . . St. Joseph > after 5 p.m. & St. Ambrose > after 11 a.m. This sacrament (like all sacraments) is a community celebration. It is for those with sickness whether it be physically, mentally or spiritually. Anointing is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death but is intended for those asking for the healing touch of Christ. Today we are all aware that tensions, fear and anxiety not only affect our mind but our body as well. Anyone wishing to receive the Sacrament of Anointing is welcome to remain after Mass for this special blessing.

The Sisterhood of St. Joseph Church and the DMRC (Downtown Mantua Revitalization Committee) are hosting a Wine Walk in Mantua on Saturday, October 19, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sample wine from various wineries at three locations in Mantua (check-in at Jake’s, 4680 Prospect St.). Advance tickets $20.00 / At the Door $25.00. Tickets include 10 tasting tickets, wine glass, appetizers, and a chance to win a raffle basket from participating wineries. Additional tasting tickets are available 3/$5.00 and 7/$10.00. Check-in at Jake’s at 2:00 p.m. Participating wineries include Barrel Run, Main Street, Mastropietro, Silver Cellar and more! Please contact Jay D'Aurelio for tickets (330-569-8156).

The Sisterhood of St. Joseph Church (formerly known as the Women's Auxiliary of the Mantua Knights of Columbus) is hosting a bus trip to Presque Isle, Erie, PA, on Monday, October 14. The bus will depart from St. Joe’s 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 $30.00 free play. Contact Mary Ann Feddor at 330-842-0505 by Oct. 7 to reserve your seat (must provide your Player's Card number when making your reservation). There are plenty of seats available at this time, but its "first come, first served." Proceeds from this event will go to help the less fortunate families in Portage County.

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!