PRAYER BEFORE STARTING WORK

 

 

My Heavenly Father, as I enter this work place,

I bring Your presence with me.

I speak Your peace, Your grace, Your mercy,

and Your perfect order into this office.

I acknowledge Your power over all that

will be spoken, thought, decided, and done within these walls.

Lord, I thank You for the gifts You have blessed me with.

I commit to using them responsibly in Your honor.

Give me a fresh supply of strength to do my job.

Anoint my projects, ideas, and energy,

so that even my smallest accomplishment

may bring You glory.

Lord, when I don’t understand, guide me.

When I am weary, energize me. When I am

Burned out, infuse me with the light of the Holy Spirit.

May the work that I do and the way I do it bring

Faith, joy, and a smile to all that I come in

Contact with today. And oh Lord,

When I leave this place, give me traveling mercy.

Bless my family and home to be in order as I left it.

Lord, I thank you for everything You've done,

everything You're doing, and everything You're going to do.

In the matchless name of Jesus Christ I pray, with much love and Thanksgiving..... Amen.

Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service – By Mary A. DuQaine

January 17, 2017

Each year, in January, we celebrate Catholic Schools for the gifts they bring to our parish communities, and to the lives of children and families throughout our nation.

Catholic schools provide a safe and secure learning environment within a community of faith. Growing up in a Catholic community provides children with a lived experience of Christian discipleship. Children learn what it means to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, they practice living the values of the Catholic religion, and share the journey of faith. The faculty, pastoral staff, parents, and parishioners all become models of what it means to live as Catholic Christians in today’s world.
When we consider what it means to live in a community of faith, we discover what is at the heart of our belief. First, we develop a personal relationship with Jesus. Preparing for and sharing the sacraments provide touch points for meeting the living God in everyday life. The Eucharist provides food for the journey. Together, we are the “Body of Christ.”
Second, we are in a relationship with each other. As Christian disciples, we are called to live in a right-relationship with each other. Sometimes we fail, and then the sacrament of Reconciliation reminds us to forgive others as Jesus forgives us. When we live in a reconciling community, we acknowledge our mistakes and seek to restore relationships after conflict. Jesus reminds us to see each other with the eyes of love. A healthy faith community models forgiveness and reconciliation in all interactions; from classroom management to sporting events, from parish council meetings and social gatherings, it is important for Christian charity to prevail.
And third, we remember that service is also at the heart of our faith. A basic tenant of Catholic Social Teaching is that each human being, and all of creation, has dignity and worth, and is precious in the eyes of God. We are called to become bearers of light, to show compassion for those who have less, to share the gifts God gives to us, to stand up for good, and to make certain that resources are shared in just and equitable ways. We are called to make it easier to live a Christian life. This means reaching out beyond our own needs and wants, and becoming responsible for bringing love and justice into our little corner of the world.
Catholic schools have a unique opportunity to provide a living example of what a Christian community looks like. Part of the responsibility of a Catholic school is to make sure each child has the knowledge necessary to become a contributing member of society. Academics are key to helping children grow to become productive members of the parish, the local community, and the world.
Stepping into a Catholic school, we experience the beauty of providing a learning environment that celebrates faith as we help children grow in knowledge, and then practice serving others with the gifts that God has given to them.
In January, and throughout the year, we pray for the principals, teachers, parents, and children who learn and grow in Catholic schools. We celebrate you and your commitment to Catholic education!

Catholic Schools week.

Since 1974, the National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. It starts the last Sunday in January and runs all week, so this year it’s January 29th through February 4th. This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge, and Service.”

Join us Sunday Feb. 12th from 10:00 am- 2:00 pm for Open House here at St Joseph Catholic School.

2017 - 2017 School Registration for the community will begin on February 12th 2017.
We believe that part of a great Catholic education is great Catholic
reading materials, books that help kids grow in faith, develop a Catholic
identity, and form Christian character. Selections that we bring to schools
include fiction, biographies, Bible stories (even Bible time-travel!), and
stories of the saints’ lives, as well as DVDs and CDs.

 

La semana de las escuelas católicas.

Desde 1974, la semana de las escuelas católicas nacionales es la celebración anual de la educación católica en los Estados Unidos. Comienza el último domingo en enero y corre toda la semana, así que este año es el 29 de enero pasado el 4 de febrero. El tema de este año es " Escuelas Católicas: Comunidades de fe, conocimiento y servicio."

Únete a nosotros el domingo 12 de febrero a partir de las 10:00 am-2:00 pm para casa abierta aquí en la escuela católica St. Jose El registro para el año escolar 2017-2017 comenzará el 12 de febrero de 2017.

 

Excerpt

We may all struggle with the Sermon on the Mount as a whole. What do we do with its call to control our deepest thoughts, emotions and urges? We may understand that this call invites us to allow God to change us from the inside out, starting at the very core of our being.

Nevertheless, Jesus’ insistence on turning the other cheek takes all of our effort. Jesus’ call to love our enemies goes against our every impulse.

Thank goodness, though, for the Beatitudes at the start of the sermon. Jesus gives the word of grace and blessing on the front end. The waves of blessing after blessing just flow over us as Jesus pronounces them. Yet, even about these blessings, we might express some doubt. We can almost hear, in between each verse, a person standing up to ask Jesus about that particular blessing. What might some people, especially in today’s world, have to say to Jesus about these blessings? Some people might even want to offer a protest about these blessings. Maybe we can imagine how some of these protests might sound

Reading Between the Blessings

Summary

The Beatitudes represent Jesus’ work of grace before the demands of discipleship in the rest of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus’ blessings sound strange to us because they bless the very people we think of as down and out. Jesus’ blessings offer a future joy, but also a present encouragement.

St. Paul, Pray for Us!

O God, who taught the whole world

through the preaching of the blessed Apostle Paul,

draw us, we pray, nearer to you

through the example of him whose conversion we celebrate today,

and so make us witnesses to your truth in the world.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

—from the Roman Missal

A Devout Life

Today is the feast of St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of writers, journalists, and the hearing impaired. On this day, we celebrate the gentle soul whose meekness, sunny disposition, and humility won him the title of "Gentleman Saint."

The Holy Spirit is God-inside-you. Never mind praying; that thought has me wanting to sing!

Practice for Today

You are the “Gospel”—and perhaps the only Gospel—others may see or hear. Picture Jesus within you, where he has taken up residence since your Baptism. Imagine that he is watching the news about the inauguration. What is he thinking? How is he praying? What is he desiring? Allow yourself to spend the day contemplating Jesus and learning from him.

May everyone welcome and embrace your word,
so that the Gospel may transform persons, society, and culture. Show us how to faithfully respond to our baptismal vocation, and direct our efforts to fulfill the mission you have entrusted to your Church:
“Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation” (Mk 16:15).

A Prayer to Live in Harmony

Lord Jesus Christ, you share equality with God yet you emptied yourself for love of us. Teach us not to seek our own advantage but that of our neighbor. Help us pursue what leads to peace and builds up others in love. Help us seek to please the other for the good of all. May we never put a stumbling block in the way of another. Jesus, our Teacher, who taught the way of truth, help us learn to live in harmony with one another, even when we disagree. With one voice may we glorify you and God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.   (Excerpt from Live Christ! Give Christ!)

Please pray for our Deacons.

Deacon Daniel Farrell, a permanent deacon of the Spokane Diocese who served the parish of St. Henry's in Grand Coulee in the Yakima Diocese after the closure of St. Benedict Parish in Coulee Dam in the early 1990s, died Sunday, January 15, in Port Angeles, where he and his wife, Eve, moved in 2004.  He was 80.  The funeral Mass will be Wednesday, January 25, at 11 a.m. at Queen of Angels Parish in Port Angeles, 209 W. 11th St. The Drennan-Ford Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  More information is available by clicking this link: http://bit.ly/2jHtPXX.

Deacons or priests wishing to concelebrate the funeral Mass should contact Diana Aparicio, our vice chancellor, as soon as possible for a letter of good standing.  Her e-mail address is diana.aparicio@yakimadiocese.net. Please keep Eve and the Farrell family in your prayers, as we continue to pray for all our deceased family, friends, and loved ones.

“The Jubilee now ends … But the door of mercy of our hearts continues to remain wide open.”
~ Pope Francis

Practice for Today

On your social media and in your conversations today, see how often you can offer something to others that might bring joy in the midst of sadness, faith in the midst of doubt, love in the midst of hatred, beauty in the midst of ugliness, and understanding where there is hatred.

“When justice rules, we find faith in treaties, honesty in affairs and order in politics. The earth is at peace. Even heaven, so to speak, gladly sends its light and gently influences us.” 

Bossuet

Chancel Choir
Do to the weather, choir practice has been canceled today January 19th.
We will see you next Thursday January 26th @ 6:30pm in the New Church.
Everyone is welcome to join us.

O Lord, Use Me

Lord, make me an instrument of your grace. Where there is ignorance, let me bring inspiration; Where there is prejudice, understanding; Where there is weariness, strength; Where there is ugliness, beauty; Where there is loneliness, companionship; Where there is sadness, joy; Where there is fear, courage; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is hatred, love. Lord, fill my mind with your truth, my heart with your love, my whole being with your Spirit. Grant me the supreme gift of forgetfulness of self in service of others, and make your mission mine.

First Corinthians Bible Study
Do to the weather bible study for today January 18 is canceled, see you next week.

The prayer to “End Abortion” below was offered by Father Loyd D. Morris at a Christ Child Luncheon in Dallas Texas in November 2016.

 

Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of my life, and for the lives of all my brothers and sisters.

I know there is nothing that destroys more life than abortion.  Yet I rejoice that you have conquered death by the Resurrection of Your Son.

I am ready to do my part in ending abortion.  Today I commit myself

Never to be silent,

Never to be passive,

Never to be forgetful of the unborn.

I commit myself to be active in the pro-life movement, and never to stop defending life,

Until all my brothers and sisters are protected.

And our nation once again becomes a nation with liberty and justice not just for some, but for all.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Tuesday Marian Mass!!
The Marian Mass for tonight January 17th has been canceled, due to the weather, please be careful while driving. 
God Bless

"Art and Wine Event"

1    Purchase your tickets for the St Joseph's Art & Wine Auction And Dinner event on February 4, 2017. @ 5pm

All proceeds benefits St Joseph's Catholic School.

Purchase tickets online stjoesartandwine.com , at the school or church office. 

The Art & Wine committee is also in need of Volunteers at the event . If you would like to sign up please contact the school office or sign up with the volunteer after mass. 

    "Romance in Hollywood"

           You are invited to the annual gala dinner “Romance in Hollywood” on February 11 in the Parish Hall, doors open at 7:00 pm tickets available in the parish office.

  Parish office closed Monday January 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Day.

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink” -Matthew 25:35

SJS Mustangs are currently collecting food to feed the hungry in our own community! Students are bringing to their classrooms throughout the month of January, and all donations will be taken to the Kennewick Food Bank on February 2^nd. Parishioners:  Please support our students’ food drive and help “Fill the Cart” with food donations, which is located in the entrance of the church.

Visit us at www.sjske.org  & like us on Facebook!

Tri-Cities PREP

It is never too early or too late to consider Tri-Cities Prep for your student’s high school education.  Prep offers college-preparatory academics in a faith-centered environment to all qualified students and we partner with families to find solutions to financial constraints.  Come join us Sunday, January 29^th at 3:00p.m. for the Prep Expo.  For more information please visit www.tcprep.org or contact Keri Escalera, Director of Enrollment and Communications at kescalera@tcprep.org or 546-2465.

Coming Events in the Parish

Mark Your Calendars or Clip & Save

Crab Feed Jan. 21^st @ DH from 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Art & Wine, Black and White event Feb. 4^th @ DH 5pm

Valentine Gala Dinner “ Romance in Hollywood”

Feb. 11th @ DH 7:00pm

Regular Events

K of C business meeting 2^nd   Mondays Conf RM                                   7:30pm

Pro –Life Rosary                     Tuesday Planned Parenthood building    9:20am

Marian Mass                           Tuesday NC                                             7:00pm

Catholic Daughters                 2^nd Saturday Mother’s Rm OC                 9:00am

Mass in Spanish                     Tuesday/Thursday OC                              7:00pm

First Friday                              Mass & Benediction OC                           7:00pm

Carmelites of the Sacred Heart 3^rd Saturday Preschool Bldg.                 9:00am

WSJ Fellowship                       3^rd Monday Holy Grounds Café               7:00pm

TMIY                                        Thursday DH 7pm   Saturday Conf. Rm   6:30am

Chancel Choir practice            Thursday NC                                             6:30pm

Jr. Catholic Daughters             4^th Saturday in the Annex                         9:00am

                                     NC- New Church  OC- Old church

Stewardship Message

“Now the Lord has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb...” Isaiah 49:5 You have to do what God is calling you to do and I have to do what God is calling me to do.  Guess what, each of has been given a different plan!  So, stop comparing yourself to others.  Don’t let envy and jealousy enter your life.  Be thankful for the gifts God has given you and generously share them with others.

Eucharistic Adoration:

Jesus is waiting. Could you please help with adoration during these times?

Monday 2am, 11pm; Wednesday 3pm; Thursday 6pm, Saturday 12am, 2pm, 4pm, 7pm, 9pm; Sunday 10pm

Call Carol, 582-5011 or en español hablar con

Ana Trejo 425-329-9693 to volunteer for an hour.

"The Eucharist strikes such fire within us that we are compelled by our actions and our presence to warm the people we live among and to melt the ice of hate, discrimination, indifference, injustice and isolation. 'Can a man hide fire in his bosom and his garments not burn?'" (Proverbs 6:27) (- from the article "They Have Been With Jesus", by Rev. Franklyn M.)

The Adoration Chapel is open to all 24/7. Please feel free to stop and visit Jesus any time you would like.

Misa de 7:00 pm 

Spanish Mass today January 10th has been cancelled.
Misa en Espanol a las 7:00 pm se ha cancelado por el dia de hoy 10 de Enero!

Adoration Chapel 

All Adoration hours are canceled until noon tomorrow, due to the weather. Please be safe and God Bless you!

Marian Devotion canceled today due to the weather. 
We will see you next Tuesday January 17th at 6:30 pm. We start with a Spiritual Rosary and Confessions followed by a 7:00 pm Mass and Healing Blessing.
See you then!!

Prayer for Peace

Father in heaven, grant that we may live our lives in such a way so all may know we bear within our souls the image of Christ crucified; the model of all gentleness and mercy. Help us practice in our daily work, charity, love and humility. Amen.

It’s another year. In lots of ways you get to decide what this new year will be like. Sure, things will happen that you have less or no control over. But even in those situations, you get to decide how you will react or respond.

" Cursillo"

St. Joseph and Holy Spirit Parishes, January Ultreya cancelled; next one February 6th, due to snow and travel conditions. 

The January talks and refreshments will move to Feb. 

Benton Franklin Humane Society invite you to their 18th Annual All you can eat Crab Feed January 21, 20217 2:00 pm -7:00 pm at the Parish Hall (Dillon)
For tickets or more information go to www.bfhs.com or call 
509-374-4235 or 1736 E 7th Ave. Kennewick, WA