Looking for Volunteers

The Parish Festival is just around the corner.  We have been asked again to run the Tic Tac Toe/Taffy Pull booth again this year.  Festival dates are August 4th 6-11PM and August 5th 2 - 9pm.


We are looking for volunteers to fill one hour slots each day.  Let me know via email (sfischer@stjoeparish.net) or text (859-240-8207). 


If emailing - please include your phone number.


This is one of our biggest fundraisers for the parish and a way to be part of our community.

Welcome New Catechist - Ryan Miller

Ryan Miller is returning to our PSR Program as the 6th Grade Catechist for the upcoming school year.  He partnered with Susan Stewart with the 8th grade a few years back and has been active in the Celebration Retreats here in our Diocese.  Thank you again Ryan for answering the call to teach the youth of our parish. 


One down, two to go.  We are still in need of a 3rd and 7th grade Catechist for the upcoming school year.  If you or anyone you know may be interested have them email me at sfischer@stjoseparish.net or call 859-240-8207.

PSR AUGUST SCHEDULE

AUG 4/5      Come meet us at the Information Booth during the Parish Festival!!!  

            Wednesday, August 15 - Assumption of Mary (HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION)

AUG 26       OPEN HOUSE/Registration (9:30 – 11am/LIBRARY)

Update: Catechist Needed

I have just been informed that Mrs.  Kathy Burkhardt will not be returning for the upcoming school year.  So we are in need of a Third grade Catechist. We wish her the best of luck and thank her for her years of service to the program. 

At this time we now need a 3rd, 6th and 7th grade Catechist.  Please let me know if you are able to teach.  Thank you and God bless.

Email: sfischer@stjoeparish.net  or call 859-240-8207

PSR CATECHIST NEEDED FOR 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR

"God doesn't call the qualified...God qualifies the called."

 

The question isn’t “Are you being called?”

You are.

The question is “To what are you being called?”

Because you are being called to something.

And, just maybe, this August, you’re being called to make sure the flame of faith that shines in you is passed on to the next generation. 

Around this time of year, in parishes around the country, Parish Leaders and catechists are making their annual plea for volunteers to teach in religious education programs. The larger the parish, the more likely they are to be short-handed.

Your children–and all the children of our parish–deserve a solid, authentic education in the truths of the faith. Our mission is to inspire students to embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to be and to do their best, to be lifelong learners and to live their Catholic faith.

And you know what? You–the person who cares enough to read this far –may be the person to do that. You don’t need to be comfortable speaking in public (few people are) or a tiny Aquinas. You just need to a) learn all you can about your faith, b) accept it, and c) teach it faithfully.

See, that call that goes out each year for a gray mass of general “volunteers” is all wrong. It says, “We need anyone with a pulse.”

No. We need you. You specifically. Your talent, your fidelity, your skills.

Many programs will begin soon. Quiet your mind, think, breathe, pray, and listen to the Spirit working you. He may just be calling you to catechetical ministry.

 

Currently we are in need of catechist for  6^th and 7^th grade, along with substitute teachers or aides. All of which must be Virtus trained. Our Parish School of Religion (PSR) is a program designed for the children of our parish who attend schools without a formal religious catholic education as part of their curriculum. We follow the Campbell County school schedule and meet every Sunday from 9:30 – 11am.

If you are willing to give this kind of stewardship of time and talent, but want to know more about what is involved, please contact Steven Fischer at 859-240-8207 or email to SFischer@StJoeParish.net

Our upcoming schedule is as follows:

 

August 12                    OPEN HOUSE/Registration (9:30 – 11am/LIBRARY)

August 19                    First Day of Class, PSR FAMILY MASS 11:30 AM

August 26                    Class (New Parent Orientation – Library)

September 2               No Class – Labor Day

September 9               Class

Lenten Service Project

Thank you for bringing in your homemade baked goods this Sunday!

The 6th grade PSR invited all PSR families to participate in a Lenten project to benefit The Parish Kitchen.  We collected homemade baked goods AT THE BEGINNING of class this Sunday, March 25 to be delivered to The Parish Kitchen in Covington. 

The Parish Kitchen serves a free, delicious, and nutritious lunch to 100-200 persons in need every day of the year.    Like all of us, the clients of The Parish Kitchen look forward to ending their meal with a little dessert, and homemade desserts are greatly appreciated.  Many of the clients have no families, and receiving a homemade dessert lets them know that someone cares – they are not forgotten!

We thank you for making this a family project so that our students know what it means to serve others.

I would also like to thank the 6th graders and their Catechist, Carol Enzweiler, for leading this project.

April Schedule

April 1     No Class – Easter Sunday

April 8     No Class – Spring Break
                (CCS Spring Break April 2- April 6)

April 10   First Communion Meeting

                 7:00 p.m. Memorial Hall

April 15   Class

REMINDER: First Communion Meeting and Enrollment Ceremony

As you are aware; we are off the next two weeks for Easter Sunday and Spring Break so I wanted to get this out.  I will send a reminder email the Sunday before as well.

First Communion preparation time is here. This is a special time for you and your child. On Tuesday, April 10th a combined First Communion Meeting and Enrollment Ceremony will be held in Memorial Hall at 7:00 PM. Parents and children attend together. On your way into Memorial Hall please pick up your packet of information from the tables located in the entrance.

During the meeting there will be an Enrollment prayer service for parents and children. Father Reinersman will speak about First Communion and the teachers will explain the packet of information. Patterns for First Communion symbols to be displayed on banners will be given at this time.

May this time of preparation be a blessed and spiritually fruitful time for you and your child.

March Schedule

March 4th    Class
March 11th  Class (reconciliation grades 2-4)
March 18th  Class (reconciliation grades 5-8)
March 25th  Class

PSR CANCELLED TODAY, JANUARY 14th!

Confirmation Meeting, Tuesday - October 17, 2017

Dear 8th Grade Parent(s)/Guardian, 

At this time in their lives your son/daughter is being offered the opportunity to choose to participate in the sacrament of Confirmation and its preparation. God’s love and Holy Spirit are always freely given, but need to be freely accepted by us. The choice is ours to let God into our lives. So, too, our young people need to want this opportunity that the Church offers them.

Therefore, on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, an important meeting for you, your child, and his/her sponsor will be held in Church at 7:00 pm to examine and explain the various aspects of Confirmation, which completes and initiates one into fuller membership in the Catholic Church.

Sponsors for Confirmation must be at least sixteen years old and be confirmed in the Catholic faith. The Sponsor need not be a member of the same sex as the person to be confirmed. A Baptismal Godparent is the most appropriate and logical choice for a Sponsor for Confirmation, as this sacrament completes and “confirms” the promises made at Baptism. (Parents may not be sponsors.)

A new Confirmation name may or may not be chosen. The Baptismal name would be most suitable, again since Confirmation completes Baptism. However, if a student is interested in a particular saint, a new name may be chosen for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The Enrollment Ceremony will take place at the 11:30 am Mass on Sunday, October 22nd. All those requesting the sacrament of Confirmation will be seated in the front of Church. After the homily they will be asked to make their commitment to prepare well for the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation. They will be presented as Candidates for Confirmation. Parents and sponsors are invited and encouraged to attend.

Bishop Foys will come to St. Joseph Church to confirm our young people on Monday, January 22, 2017, at 7:00 pm.  Sunday, January 21st we will have a rehearsal in the church after the 11:30AM Mass for all candidates and their sponsors.

A retreat will be held at St. Joseph Heights in Park Hills on the day of Confirmation from 8:30 – 1:30 pm. More information will come on this later.

Thank you for your acceptance of and participation in this preparation of your child for this sacrament. Your on-going guidance of your child in his/her faith formation is most important.

October Schedule

October 1                    Class

October 8                    No Class – Fall Break (CCS* Fall Break Oct 9-13)

October 15                  Class

October 17                  Confirmation Meeting 
                                    Parent, Confirmandi, Sponsor

                                    7PM Memorial Hall

October 22                  Class, Mission Sunday

                                    Confirmation Commitment Mass - 11:30am Mass

October 29                  Class

September Schedule

September 3               No Class – Labor Day

September 10             Class
                                   2nd and 5th Grade – BIBLES (Convent)

September 17             PSR OPENING MASS
                                   – please arrive at 9:15am in Church, seats will be reserved

September 24             Class 
                                   Scapular – Grade 3 (Classroom)

1st Day of Class - AUGUST 20th

It is that time of the year again when kids are starting back to school.  For those of us who have children that attend a public school or a private school such as Villa Madonna or Covington Latin who do not prepare our children for the sacraments it is also the start of our Parish School of Religion (PSR) program.

It is a sacrifice that we make to ensure that our children grow with God.  We can't do this alone, it takes a community.  I am very excited for the beginning of the school year and I want to welcome all new families and those returning.  If you missed registration, that is ok.  It is not too late to register new students.  We are still accepting students K - 8.

Returning parents, please make sure that you check your folder to ensure all information on file is correct.  All new families - remember to include a copy of you child's baptismal certificate when registering for the program.

We are so thankful for our catechists who partner with our PSR families to teach to the faith:

Kindergarten     Nancy Caudill
1st Grade          Ceil Gubser
2nd Grade         Cyndy Brock
3rd Grade          Kathy Burkhardt
4th Grade          Greg Franzen
5th Grade          Beth Lauer
6th Grade          Carol Enzweiler
7th Grade          Michael and Judith Thomas
8th Grade          Kari Fischer

AUGUST SCHEDULE

August 13                    OPEN HOUSE/Registration (9:30 – 11:00/LIBRARY)

Tuesday, August 15 - Assumption of Mary (HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION)

August 20                    First Day of Class

August 27                    Class (New Parent Orientation – Library)

May Schedule

May 7                     9:30 a.m. Mass please arrive at 9:15am in Church, seats will be reserve

                                        PSR Closing (MH) immediately following mass

Thursday, May 11                   First Communion Practice

7:00 p.m. Church

Friday, May 12                       First Communion Retreat

Saturday, May 13                  First Communion

11:00 a.m. Church

Monday, May 15                     May Crowning 7 p.m.

Reminder: Bring in your homemade baked goods this Sunday!

The 6th grade PSR invites all PSR families to participate in a Lenten project to benefit The Parish Kitchen.  We will be collecting homemade baked goods AT THE BEGINNING of class next Sunday, April 2, to be delivered to The Parish Kitchen in Covington.
 The Parish Kitchen serves a free, delicious, and nutritious lunch to 100-200 persons in need every day of the year.    Like all of us, the clients of The Parish Kitchen look forward to ending their meal with a little dessert, and homemade desserts are greatly appreciated.  Many of the clients have no families, and receiving a homemade dessert lets them know that someone cares – they are not forgotten!
We encourage you to make this a family project, as kids of all ages enjoy baking and can help in some way!  Treats such as cookies, brownies, and cupcakes – especially those that can freeze well – are the best choices (they do not need to be individually wrapped or cut).  If you make a recipe that contains nuts or peanut butter, please mark it as such.  If it is not possible to bake, but you’d like to participate, store bought items are also appreciated.
6th graders will be at the school doors next Sunday to receive your donation.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call Carol Enzweiler at 448-0015, or email cje59@fuse.net.  Thanks in advance for your generosity!

April Schedule

April 2                    Class, (5^th Sunday of Lent)

April 9                     No Class – Spring Break (CCS Spring Break April 3- April 7) 

                               (Palm Sunday)

April 16                   No Class – Easter Sunday

Wednesday, April 19               First Communion Meeting

7:00 p.m. Memorial Hall

April 23                   Class

April 30                   Class

A MESSAGE FROM BISHOP FOYS St Patrick’s Day — 2017

This year the celebration of the feast of St. Patrick falls on a Friday (17 March 2017). As is our long-standing custom in the Diocese of Covington when this celebration occurs on a Friday of Lent, the observance of the law of abstinence from meat on Fridays of Lent is dispensed on this day. This dispensation applies to all the faithful of the Diocese of Covington as well as to anyone present in the Diocese of Covington on that day. Those who avail themselves of this dispensation are encouraged to undertake some other form of penance, especially the works of charity and exercises of piety. (cf. Canon 1253, Code of Canon Law)

Most Rev. Roger J. Foys, D.D.
Bishop of Covington

March Schedule

March 5                       Class (1st Sunday of Lent)

March 12                     Class, Reconciliation (Convent) (2^nd Sunday of Lent)

Friday, March 17          Stations of the Cross 7PM

                                    (All PSR Family members are invited to attend)

March 19                     Class, Reconciliation (Convent) (3^rd Sunday of Lent) 

March 26                     Class, (4^th Sunday of Lent)