On Saturday, September 21, St. Joseph’s will once again offer an opportunity to put our faith into action and reflect together on what it means to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ. We will go to Capuchin Youth and Family Ministries in Garrison to do some repairs and improvements so that the site is better able to serve the many people who go there for retreats and for spiritual renewal. And we will once again be at Chiz’s Heart Street in Kingston, which is a home for persons with mental illness, to do some cleaning and meal preparation, as well as to share some time with the residents. And for families with children, there will be the opportunity to go that day to Phillies Bridge Farm here in New Paltz. They do so much to help eliminate food insecurity here in the Hudson Valley and donate a good part of their harvest to local food pantries. Volunteers who will go there on that day will help with some of the farm work and can learn about agriculture and the wonders of nature at the same time. Registration forms are on the tables in the church and the deadline is September 16.
Are you interested in learning more about Catholic and interfaith approaches to peace, justice and the environment? Please join us at our next meeting with discussion sponsored by members of Pax Christi USA, the national Catholic peace movement on Saturday, September 21 at 1:00 P.M. in the library on the lower level of the St. Joseph parish center. For more information, please contact Julie Slivka at lled400@gmail.com or (240) 818-7189. We hope to see you there!
Come join us on Sunday, September 22 for our parish picnic! ! It will be at Majestic Park in Gardiner (on Murphy Lane, near US Rte. 44/55). We want it to be a token of appreciation for all of our wonderful parishioners and also a chance to build up and strengthen our parish community. We will begin at 2:00 P.M. and we’ll have a dedicated area of the park for us to share some good food and enjoy one another’s company. And our kids can just run around and play games and have all the fun they want (the adults can do that too!). Bring a friend if you’d like and have them get to know us. We just ask that you let us know by September 18 if you are coming and how many persons will be coming with you. If you would like to bring a cold salad (potato, macaroni, etc.) or some finger desserts that would be much appreciated and let us know what you will be bringing. And finally, volunteers are needed for set-up, food prep, clean-up, etc. You can let us know about any of the above by contacting the parish office. 845-255-5635, ext. 100 or stjoenp@stjosephnewpaltz.org
Council 5800 of the Knights of Columbus will be sponsoring a blood drive on Monday, September 23 from 3:00-7:30 P.M in the church hall (conducted by Hudson Valley Blood Services). The donation of blood only takes ten minutes. Blood supplies in NY State are at critically low levels and donations of blood can and will save a life. Those in need include: cancer patients, accident, burn, or trauma victims, newborn babies and their mothers, transplant recipients, surgery patients, chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia, and many more. Donors with O-negative blood type, or “universal donors,” are especially encouraged to attend, as their blood can be used in emergencies. Walks-ins are welcome. If you have any questions about eligibility to donate due to medications or medical conditions, please call 1-800-688-0900. Please bring ID with photo or signature. Eat well and drink fluids before you donate.
September is National Recovery Month. We are all aware of how addiction, especially alcohol and drugs, can affect not only the sufferer, but the family and the community at large. When they enter programs to receive treatment; men, women and young people are stigmatized by society as morally weak and are discriminated because of their past. The 2014 film “The Anonymous People”, a documentary directed by Greg Williams starring well-known public figures Kristen Johnston and Chris Herren, takes a deep look at the social stigma and discrimination that affect the 23.5 million Americans living in recovery, many of whom remain anonymous. Please join us on Thursday, September 25th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the church hall to view the movie and discuss this very important topic. Light refreshments will be served. For more information please contact Fr. John Koelle at 845-255-5635. Ext 102, or through email at brjohnk@gmail.com.
Join us for a screening of the NBC production of “Jesus Christ Superstar- Live in Concert” on Friday, September 27 in our church hall. This staged performance of the rock opera stars John Legend, Sara Barelles and Alice Cooper and is an imaginative and inspiring re-telling of the story of Jesus. Doors open at 6:30 P.M. for some socializing and the screening will begin at 7:00 P.M. It will be on the big screen with full sound, and appetizers, popcorn and other light refreshments will be served.
The next Student Mass will be held on Sunday, October 6 at 6:00 P.M. Students and parishioners are invited to join in this Eucharistic celebration as we bear witness to the presence of Jesus and His love in our lives. A fellowship dinner will follow the Mass in the church hall. Invite your friends!