Calling All Volunteers!!!

We’ve begun planning for the day that we’ll be allowed to resume public Masses. As you know, this will involve many preparations, such as, how to limit capacity, how to maintain physical distancing in the pews, procedures for the distribution of Communion and disinfecting the church after each Mass, just to name a few.  With these preparations in mind, we’re hoping to form a corps of volunteers to help direct the flow of people into and out of the church, during the distribution of Communion, with cleaning the church after Masses and other necessary tasks.  If you’re interested and able to help with any of these tasks, please email your name and contact information to: facilities@stjoenash.org or call the parish office at: 603-883-0757, ext. 2. Thank you for your consideration!

The Pope's Monthly Prayer Intention

May ~ Evangelization:  For Deacons

We pray that deacons, faithful in their service to the Word and the poor, may be an invigorating symbol for the entire church.

Watch video here.

Parish Office Closed May 21st thru May 25th

Parish Office Closed Thurs, 5/21 - Mon,  5/25.   The office will reopen on Tuesday, 5/26 at 9:00 a.m.  

The church will remain open from (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) for private prayer.

May 25th ~ Memorial Day

Gracious God, On this Memorial Day, we pray for those who courageously laid down their lives for the cause of freedom. May the example of their sacrifice inspire in us the selfless love of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Bless the families of our fallen troops, and fill their homes and their lives with Your strength and peace.  We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thanks and Prayers for Everyday Heroes

Every day countless people serve our communities and COVID-19 has helped us better understand the significant role a variety of employees play in our day to day lives.

Along with first responders, medical staff and government leaders who are navigating through these uncertain times, there are many everyday heroes who deserve our thanks and prayers...teachers, school counselors, social workers, pharmacists, grocery & convenience store staffs, truck & delivery drivers, those who produce our food & essential goods, restaurant & food service workers, postal workers, assisted living & nursing home staff, cleaning & custodial staff, transportation providers (bus, train, plane, etc.), news reporters, security staff, religious & nonprofit staff & volunteers, and ALL others serving our communities.

Lord, there are many heroes in this battle. Support and encourage them and keep them protected from this virus. We have no power to face this virus and its impacts on our own so we fix our eyes on You, Lord. We will not be afraid or discouraged. For You, Lord, are with us every step of the way.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

...Can you help????

Hands to Work, Hearts to God ~ St. Joseph the Worker Face Mask Ministry 

We have begun a new parish ministry to sew face masks for members of our parish family and for clients of the various outreach agencies we support (ie: Corpus Christi Food Pantry, Marguerites Place & local nursing homes). We all have family members and friends that we are concerned about and we want to make sure everyone who needs a mask has one.  

We need your help! We especially need volunteers to sew masks, but if you don’t sew, we could use help cutting fabric and elastic to size. We also need donations of fabric and elastic. Please contact Donna Donaruma at: donna.donaruma@gmail.com if you can help.  Thank you for considering being a part of this important ministry!

How to Request Masks:

Currently, our inventory is limited.  If you would like to request masks for your family, we ask that you limit one request per family and one mask per family member.  Please use the request form on our parish website using the link below. Thank you!

https://www.stjoenash.org/face-mask-request

Catholic Communication Campaign ~ Connect with Christ

Next weekend, May 23rd-24th, our second collection will be for the Catholic Communication Campaign. This collection supports both diocesan and national efforts to ensure a Catholic presence in the media as well as Catholic communications programs such as PARABLE Magazine and our diocesan website. 50% of funds collected remains in our diocese to fund local communications efforts. Your support helps spread the gospel message!  To learn more, click here to be directed to website: www.usccb.org/ccc

Transitional Diaconate Ordination

With praise and thanksgiving to God, Bishop Libasci will ordain two men—David Gagnon and Joseph Moynahan—as transitional deacons, the final step before becoming a priest, at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph. In light of the Coronavirus outbreak and safety restrictions, friends, priests and deacons and other well-wishers will be with them in spirit, and are invited to watch a livestream of the Mass from the St. Joseph Cathedral website on Saturday, May 30th at 10 a.m. Visit stjosephcathedralnh.org

Grow in Faith Resources

Please visit our Grow in Faith webpage to find many free resources to support prayer and engagement during these difficult days.  Also visit our Music for the Soul page for curated playlists.  

A valuable resource for the Liturgy of the Word for different age groups and families ~ please click here to go to Loyola Press Sunday Connection.

"God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. The Sunday Connection provides useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.".

Easter Series ~ The Resurrection and the Church's Mission in the Public Square

Join the Diocese of Manchester for "The Resurrection and the Church’s Mission in the Public Square" as you journey through the 50 days of Easter by reflecting on our baptismal call to missionary discipleship.

Visit the Diocese's website each week for weekly presentations as well as to download a free eBook, which contains a letter from Bishop Libasci as well as material for reflection and discussion.

All of this content and more can be found at catholicnh.org/Easter

During this month of May, we are republishing the pope’s prayer to Mary for a protection during the coronavirus pandemic

O Mary,

you always shine on our path

as a sign of salvation and of hope.

We entrust ourselves to you,

Health of the Sick, who at the

cross took part in Jesus’ pain,

keeping your faith firm.

You, Salvation of the Roman

People, know what we need,

and we are sure you will provide

so that, as in Cana of Galilee,

we may return to joy and to

Feasting after this time of trial.

Help us, Mother of Divine Love,

to conform to the will of the Father

and to do as we are told by Jesus,

who has taken upon himself our sufferings

and carried our sorrows

to lead us, through the cross,

to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.

Under your protection, we seek refuge,

Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties

of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger,

O glorious and blessed Virgin.

Celebrate May, the Month of Our Blessed Mother

Pope Francis has asked Catholics to make a special effort in May to pray the rosary.  By doing so, they will be united with believers around the world asking for Mary’s intercession in stopping the coronavirus pandemic.  The month of May is traditionally devoted to Mary and many of us are already in the habit of praying the rosary during the month.  If not, this is a perfect time to rediscover this powerful meditative prayer. 

 “Contemplating the face of Christ with the heart of Mary, our mother, will make us even more united as a spiritual family and will help us overcome this time of trial,” the pope said in a letter released by the Vatican on April 25th and addressed to all Catholics. Pope Francis also wrote two prayers to Mary that can be recited at the end of the rosary that he said he would be reciting “in spiritual union with all of you.”

You may see the Pope’s letter on the Month of May and his prayers here.

Pray the rosary with Bishop Libasci here 

Stations of the Light

The Stations of the Light is a spiritual journey with Christ that takes one through fourteen of the most inspiriting events of His post-Resurrection life on earth.  Click here for video and prayer guide.

Knights News ~ College Scholarship Awards ~ Deadline is this Friday, May 29th!!

Knights of Columbus Council 12311~ St. Joseph the Worker Parish

St. Joseph‘s Knights of Columbus Council 12311 is happy to announce the availability of two individual $1000 scholarship awards for the 2020-2021 school year.  In order to qualify for consideration, the applicant must be a current year graduate from a qualified high school, a member of St. Joseph’s parish and enrolled in a college and/or qualified trade school full time for the 2020-2021 school year.  

All applicants must complete the Student Scholarship Application in full.  All applications must be submitted by Friday, May 29, 2020.  Applications may be picked up at the parish office during normal business hours or packets are available in the plastic wall hangings in the narthex.  The application is also available by clicking here.  

All awards are determined by the K of C Council 12311 Scholarship Committee and are final.  Awards to be announced on Sunday, June 7th.

Living the Liturgy at Home ~ Fifth Sunday of Easter

Prayer

Praise to you, Risen Christ! You brought light to the whole world by your Resurrection. May your Easter light bring peace to our home. May your Easter light bring peace to the world.  Shine in us. Light our hearts and minds to know you better, to love you more and more, and to serve you by shining your light in our family, for our friends, and to the world around us. Send your blessing on us and on those most in need of your Light. Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia!

Did You Know?

...that the definition of prayer is “the lifting of the mind and the heart to God”? What matters is not so much the words we say but the attitude and openness that we bring to our prayer. Sometimes a prayer is felt from our hearts. The Holy Spirit helps us to pray, especially when it is hard to find the words.

Conversation Questions

What is your favorite way to pray? (Share your favorite way to pray too.)  In what ways can our family stay connected to our parish?

Faith in Action

Try a different form of prayer this week by visiting a labyrinth. A labyrinth helps you to pray with your whole body in quiet reflection. Find out where there is a labyrinth in your area (at retreat centers, in the flooring of churches, and in gardens). Visit a labyrinth with your family and walk it together. Have each person start walking a few moments after the one before him or her. Join in the center, hold hands, and say a short prayer. Then, walk out again. Show your child how to walk slowly and prayerfully along the path. Talk about how it feels to walk together as a family on your journey of faith.

© 2019 Liturgy Training Publications. 800-933-1800. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago, on May 28, 2019

A Prayer to Combat the Coronavirus Pandemic

Most merciful and Triune God,

We come to you in our weakness.

We come to you in our fear.

We come to you with trust.

For you alone are our hope.

We place before you the disease present in our world.

We turn to you in our time of need.

Bring wisdom to doctors.

Give understanding to scientists.

Endow caregivers with compassion and generosity.

Bring healing to those who are ill.

Protect those who are most at risk.

Give comfort to those who have lost a loved one.

Welcome those who have died into your eternal home.

Stabilize our communities.

Unite us in our compassion.

Remove all fear from our hearts.

Fill us with confidence in your

care.

Jesus, I trust in you.

Jesus, I trust in you.

Jesus, I trust in you.

Amen.

Author unknown.

Posted on AscensionPress.com.

Save the Date

St. Joseph the Worker Holiday Fair

We’re about to start planning our fall holiday fair!  The date is: Saturday, November 21st! 

If interested, look for applications that will be available in the plastic wall jackets in the Narthex by mid May!

Music for the Soul!

During difficult times, music can draw us closer to God and through his grace bring peace to our troubled hearts.  K-Love Christian radio is now in our area!  You can listen to uplifting contemporary Christian music by tuning to 107.3FM!

Music For Your Soul!  Check out our website at:  https://www.stjoenash.org/music-for-the-soul

Real Life Catholic

Join Chris Stefanick on Facebook each Wednesday at 8:00 pm EST for his new show The Life You Were Made For!  

From Facebook (click here to go to Facebook page):  

"We have an incredible lineup of guests in the coming weeks for my new show, premiering right here on Facebook each week. Each Wednesday, I'll be sitting down with one of these amazing guests to have a conversation about how we can make the most of this time and claim the new life God is drawing us into.

This week I'm sitting down with singer and songwriter, Matt Maher, about the power of worship. I can't wait to share this conversation with all of you! Tune in Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.

And in case you've missed any of the first four interviews, they are all saved here on my page and under "The Life You Were Made For" video playlist."

Faith Formation ~ GIFT & EDGE Program News

GIFT Assignment:  Sixth Sunday of Easter

Mark Your Calendars!!

The Summer Faith Formation Program will be held for Kindergarten through Grade 5 (2019-2020 school year) on Monday, August 3rd through Friday, August 7th from 8:30 am-12:00 noon.

Registration forms have been sent via email, if you have not yet received it, please contact Miss Janice at: 603-883-0757, ext. 4 or janicemecure@stjoenash.org.

*** Calendar of Events Update ***

Due to Governor Sununu’s extension of the State of Emergency, the following events have been postponed until further notice:

Wednesday, May 27th - The Celebration of Confirmation for Grades 8 & 9

As soon as it is clear that these events can be held safely, they will be rescheduled. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Come Hear About and Experience The Men of St. Joseph

Saturday, March 14th at 7:30am (in the church hall) 

The Men of St. Joseph is an association of Christian men across the United States, united under the Catholic Church, who meet on a regular basis to learn and pray together and encourage each other to be the spiritual leaders of their families. We know it is a struggle to balance being a husband, father, worker, coach, friend and spiritual leader. The Men of St. Joseph understand that with each other’s support and shared accountability, it becomes a little easier. Most importantly we know that if we surrender our day to day problems to God, we will be better husbands, fathers and friends. Through Christ, we will become the best version of ourselves.  We welcome all men to join us on this journey.

For more information, and to register (solely to establish a breakfast count) visit our webpage.

Our Next Meeting will be held on Saturday, March 14 from 7:30am to 9:00am in the Church Hall.  Free Hot Breakfast:  eggs, pancakes, toast, coffee, etc. 

No Cost, No Commitments, No Projects.  Please join us!

What so ever you do........

For the past few years, members of the parish have joined the Middle School Faith Formation with a special outreach project helping the youth in Nashua that have aged out of the foster care system. Thank you to everyone who has continued to contribute to our efforts!

New request

Tuna, Small bags of chips, pretzels, etc.

Mac ’n Cheese in single serving microwave cups

Gift cards to: Market Basket, Shaws, Wendy’s & McDonald’s

Parish Book Club

Please note the March 18th book club meeting has been cancelled.

Our parish book club meets on the third Wednesday of every month.  Our next meeting will be held in the Founder's room on March 18th.  We will be discussing The Ministry of Ordinary Places: Waking Up to God's Goodness Around You.  We begin at 6:30 pm for snacks and socializing, with our discussion starting at 7 pm.   Please join us!  We'd love to have you!

Dates and Books April thru June 2020

Wednesday, April 15

• To Light a Fire on the Earth: Proclaiming the Gospel in a Secular Age

Wednesday, May 20

• You Are Enough: What Women of the Bible Teach You About Your Mission and Worth

Wednesday, June 17

• His Angels at Our Side: Understanding Their Power in Our Souls and the World

To see a history of books read and discussed at our parish book club please visit  Grow in Faith.

Supporting the Parish

Just as you do, the parish also still has regular financial obligations during this time and we humbly ask that, insofar as your financial situation permits, you continue to contribute your weekly offering to the parish. 

You may put it in the mail, drop it off during business hours, place it in our locked mailbox located outside and to the left of the main entrance doors or go to our website to use the online giving opportunity there.  

We continue to be grateful to you for doing the best you can in this regard! God bless you!

SCAM ALERT

We’ve been alerted once again that some of our parishioners have been receiving emails as well as text messages claiming to be Bishop Christian looking for help in various ways. These emails and texts are NOT from Bishop Christian. Please know that Bishop Christian will never ask for money, donations, gift cards, etc. via email or texting. 

If you receive an email or a text message using Bishop Christian’s name, please do not respond and call the parish office to report it.  Thank you for your continued support!

Got Pictures?

Have pictures of Parish activities you’d like to share? We’d LOVE to use them on the Parish Website and Facebook page to promote our lively community! Please send pictures to Melissa Spinella at melissaspinella@live.com. Thank you!

The Grey Nuns THRIFT Shop

The Grey Nuns Thrift Shop will be closed during the COVID-19 Pandemic.  We wish you all safety and comfort during this difficult time.

Location:  27 Marshall St, Nashua, NH

Telephone:  603-883-2850

Like us on Facebook!

We are such a lively Parish and we’re really trying to showcase it everywhere we can with updates about Parish activities, special Masses, thoughtful readings, and much more. Make sure to Like, Share and Follow the page to get reminders about all the great things happening at our Parish!  https://www.facebook.com/stjoenash

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