Members of Youth Ministry made this video to explain how it works!

This year, instead of taking a tag from the tree in the back of the church, please click on one of the following organizations to open a link to its Amazon wish list.

Rose F. Kennedy Rehab Center
 Sts Philip and James   Fox House   Casa Cecelia  Seton House
St. Mary’s Yonkers    Saint Dominic’s Family Services
Tolentine Zeiser Community Life Center, Inc.
The Midnight Run Organization

First Sunday of Advent   November 29,  2020                                                                                                                                                                                         “Music selections live streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-729760.”      “All rights reserved.”
388 Savior of the Nations Come                 Text: Veni Redemptor gentium; ascr. To St. Ambrose of Milan, 340-397; German tr. By Martin Luther, 1483-1546; English tr. Sts.1-3, 5 by William M. Reynolds, 1812-1876, alt.;st.4 by Martin L. Seltz, 1990-1967, alt., © 2006, Augsburg Fortress
Music: NUN KOMM DER HEIDEN HEILAND, 77 77; Geistliche Gesangbüchlein, Wittenberg, 1524
Psalm 80: #1091 Lord make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Text: Verses, the Revised Grail Psalms, © 2010, Conception Abbey and The Grail, admin. by GIA Publications, Inc.; refrain, Lectionary for Mass, © 1969, 1981, 1997, ICEL          Music: Refrain, Howard Hughs, SM, © 1986, GIA Publications, Inc.; verses, Joseph Gelineau, SJ, © 1963, The Grail, GIA Publications, Inc. , agent, and A. Gregory Murray, OSB, © Downside Abbey
Gospel Acclamation “Chant”
Music: Chant Mode VI; acc. By Richard Proulx, © 1985, GIA Publications, Inc.
406 Awake, Awake and Greet the New Morn                               Text: Marty Haugen, b. 1950
Music: REJOICE, REJOICE, 9 8 9 8 8 7 8 9; Marty Haugen, b. 1950 © 1983, GIA Publications, Inc.
Holy, Holy, Holy “German Mass”   Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. ICEL. All rights reserved. Published with the approval of the Committee on Divine Worship, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Adaptation Copyright © 1985, 1989, 2010 by GIA Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Mem. Acclamation; Save us Savior of the world “German Mass”   Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. ICEL. All rights reserved. Published with the approval of the Committee on Divine Worship, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Adaptation Copyright © 1985, 1989, 2010 by GIA Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Great Amen “German Mass”      Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. ICEL. All rights reserved. Published with the approval of the Committee on Divine Worship, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Adaptation Copyright © 1985, 1989, 2010 by GIA Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Lamb of God “German Mass”     Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal C 2010, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. ICEL. All rights reserved. Published with the approval of the Committee on Divine Worship, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Adaptation Copyright © 1985, 1989, 2010 by GIA Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved
405 Creator of the Stars of Night                Text: Creator alme siderum, Latin 9th. C., revised 1632; tr. The Hymnal 1982, alt., © 1985, The Church Pension Fund
Tune: CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM, LM; Mode IV, Sarum, 9th C.; acc. By Gerard Farrell, OSB, 1919-2009, © 1986, GIA Publications, Inc.

Keep in mind-Social Distancing-Maximum of 90 people
Mon - Sat:  6:45 - 8:30 - 12 Noon  
Sunday - 8:00am - 9:30 - 10:45 - 12 Noon - 5:00pm 
Vigil Mass: Sat 5:00p.
Temporarily:  Extra Masses in the Parish Center
Sat 5:15pm -  Sun 11:00 am  &  5:10 pm (only if needed)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Reconciliation -(Confession)
Thursday & Saturday  -  11:00 - 11:30
Temporarily heard in the Sacristy  -  Face mask Required
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Daily & Saturday 6:45 & 10:45 am Sunday Masses are livestreamed and available to view on Facebook - click on the "f" next to the search box at the top of this page

    ADDRESS: 15 Cedar Street Bronxville, New York 10708
    PHONE: 914-337-1660
    FAX:  914-337-1342

    MON - FRI:   9 AM - 3:00 PM (Temporary)
     SAT - SUN:  9 AM - 3:00 PM    

WeShare is our new easy to use online giving tool. To join  simply click here: https://www.churchgiving.com/?pc=rqa93d37
QUESTIONS: Contact WeShare support at 1(800) 950-9952
If you are already registered and wish to tithe:https://saintjosephsbronxville.churchgiving.com/

Walking with Purpose transforms the hearts and lives of women by providing Bible studies that enable women to know Christ through Scripture and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church
 

Opening Your Heart, The Starting Point

This 22 week foundational course is designed for women who are new to WWP as well as those with more Bible study experience.
Join us as we examine the core questions that we need to wrestle with if we want to experience all the God has for us.
      How can I conquer my fears?
       What is the role of the Holy Spirit in my life?
       What does the Eucharist have to do with my friendship with Christ?
       What challenges will I face in my efforts to follow Jesus more closely?

The Walking with Purpose Bible Study group will meet virtually  beginning
Tuesday, September 22nd
from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

To register and get the full calendar,
please contact Marla Greco at:
mgreco@themontfortacademy.org     or
Aine N Schenk at
ainenschenk@gmail.com

There is no fee to register, but all participants are asked to purchase  The Opening Your Heart workbook, which is available on the WWP website:
walkingwithpurpose.com

‘ WE SHARE SUNDAY’

            It is no secret that all churches are struggling financially during COVID-19. We are 9 months into the pandemic and even given the hope of new possible vaccines, it looks like social distancing will be with us for many months to come. This impacts Mass attendance and church income. I want to THANK again those of you who have continued to support St Joseph’s by mailing in your contributions or by joining WE SHARE---electronic giving.

            This Sunday is ‘WE SHARE SUNDAY’ in the Archdiocese. It is hoped that many more parishioners will join We Share. It is quick and easy to sign up. Just go to our website for details. You can make changes at any time. ‘THANK YOU’ for your love and support of  St Joseph’s.
  Our Second Collection This Week – The Catholic Charities Campaign for Charity & Justice, which is an initiative to revitalize and increase Catholic Charities’ support for the charitable and social justice work of parishes and community groups throughout the Archdiocese.  
God bless you,
Fr Peter
 
REMINDERS:                                                                           Please remember:

---PRAY for our veterans. Their selfless sacrifices have ensured our many freedoms.
---COME EARLY to Mass to secure a seat. We have overflow Masses on Saturday at 5:15 pm, Sunday at 11 am, again at 5:15 pm on Sunday.
---SUPPORT your parish. St Joseph’s needs your financial help now more than ever. Go to our website and join WE SHARE. It is very simple and the best way to support your parish.
---STAY SAFE and never forget to pray for our caregivers.

--ONE ANOTHER. Continue to be careful, be cautious, be considerate, and be charitable.

God bless, Fr Peter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COVID-19 AND THE GOOD SAMARITIN

            We all know the parable about the ‘Good Samaritan.’ The man mugged and left for dead on his way to Jericho. The priest and Levite breeze by. Only the much- hated Samaritan comes to the rescue offering his compassion, his time, and his money to help this stranger.

            When there seems to be so little good news these days, we love hearing about modern day ‘Good Samaritans.’ Those who, without thinking of their own safety, and not fearing litigation, choose to get involved in the plight of total strangers. They come to the aid of those assaulted on the street, those who have fallen on the subway tracks, those involved in a tragic house fire,  or in a serious car accident. These ‘Good Samaritan’ stories warm our hearts and restore our faith in human nature. Those who choose to get involved  know just who their neighbor is.

            In these days of the COVID virus, we are tempted to live in isolation. Our masks and social distancing can keep us at arm’s length from each other. However, we all need to be ‘Good Samaritans’ to others. Not in those dramatic ways that will make the evening news, but in very simple ways. It may mean reaching out and chatting to a senior citizen who is homebound. It may mean knocking on the door of a neighbor to shop for them or do some chore around their house. It may mean donating food to places like HOPE. It may mean giving a real sacrificial gift to the missions. During these historic days of COVID, we can be ‘Good Samaritans’ to others by just simple acts of kindness done with genuine love. However, just like the man in Jesus’ parable, we first have to ask ourselves that all-important question: “Who IS my neighbor?”

God bless you,

Fr Peter

STATE OF ST JOE’S 6+ MONTHS INTO THE VIRUS Who ever thought that the COVID-19 pandemic would still be radically affecting our lives almost 7 months after it shut down our churches here in NY? Now, it looks like its effects will continue to be with us for many months to come. Wearing masks and social distancing---and the anxiety that come with it--are clearly not going away anytime soon. As your pastor and temporal administrator of our great parish, I felt I needed to reach out to you and address two very important topics as we move forward: worship and stewardship. I fully understand that many people, especially our older parishioners, still may not feel safe coming to church. I hope you and your families will worship with us virtually as we continue to have Mass live streamed every day, Monday-Saturday at 6:45 and Sunday at 10:45. You can pray with us at whatever time is convenient by just going to our website and clicking the ‘Facebook’ icon. For those wishing to join us physically at Mass, you can do that daily at 6:45, 8:30, and 12 Noon. For those coming for the weekend liturgy, we can accommodate 100 in the church ( I recommend you come early) Saturday at 5, Sunday at 8, 9:30, 10:45, 12 noon and 5 pm. Please note that when we reach our capacity of 100 in the church, we have 3 additional Masses in the Parish Center: Saturday at 5:15, Sunday at 11 am and 5:15 pm. What is vitally important—especially for our children-- is that we continue to make time for reverent worship and keeping the Sabbath special and ‘holy.’ The great fear is that many are finding it easy NOT to come to Mass or to even worship virtually on Sunday. What we don’t want to lose is your valued connection to our parish community of St Joseph’s. Yes, so many of our programs and events have had to be changed, post phoned, or even cancelled, but this will not last forever. As a church, above all, we need to keep praying with and for one another—it goes to the very heart of who we are as a church. My second reason for writing you is to frankly discuss the financial impact of COVID on our parish. Let me say, “Thank you” to those of you have continued to mail in your contributions, dropped them off in church or those who have joined electronic giving (We Share) via our website. I want to also thank the 420 families who have been so generous to the Cardinal’s Annual Appeal in this difficult year that does so much to help the poor. This year, St Joseph’s collected almost $300k---just an amazing amount and a clear testimony of your great generosity and sense of stewardship! I fully realize these are tough financial times for so many families. However, I would be derelict in my duty as your Pastor if I didn’t tell you that the impact of COVID on our parish has been severe. In the last 28 weeks, we have lost an average of $10K a week in our collections. We also lost about $100K in the missed Easter collection. Do the math. Do the math if this continues for the next 28 weeks! The impact on the parish has been alarming. Like any family, we are trying our best to curtail expenses, but our overhead in salaries and maintenance is substantial.  I need your help now and in the many challenging weeks ahead. If you have neglected to send your contributions—for whatever reason-- in the last 6+ months, please re-consider your level of weekly stewardship to the parish we all love so much. God bless you for all that you do.  Please continue to pray for me---Fr Peter           ---------------------------------------------------------------------------                                     Jesus Stocking Story - Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TcODfViQPM&feature=share ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- BEST IN CLASS PART II On Wednesday, September 9 th, our parish school of St Joseph’s opened for its 71 st academic year with a sparkling new look. Over the summer, construction crews were working hard 6 days a week to totally gut and rebuild the ground floor. Our goal was to put in a new, much-needed Pre-K, a remodeled science lab, and a state- of -the-art TRAC room. We hope that this new construction, together with a revised teaching curriculum, will attract new students and retain those in our upper grades. When so many schools around us were closing, St Joseph’s was the only one to embark on a daring new building project to invest in the future success of our students. On Thursday, Bishop Gerald Walsh came to represent Cardinal Dolan to bless our new classrooms as well as our students. We all agreed that this is a new and exciting chapter in the life of our parish school. My special thanks to all those who worked on the “Best in Class’ Committee for over a year to make this dream a reality. My thanks to Paul Scariano, our energized chairman, who conceived this project. Thanks also to our faculty reps, Helen Marricco, Tim Chapman, and Annette Caserella. Thanks to our parent reps, Jean Enke and Joe Spillane, Jr. A very special thanks to Dean Marrazzo, our facilities manager, who worked day and night to oversee every detail of this project. Most especially, a big ‘THANK YOU’ to our tireless principal, Mrs. Sanchez. She has worked this entire summer trying to make St Joseph’s School stronger and better. With her enthusiastic leadership, we have added  69 new students this year. These are very challenging times for all of our schools. With your support and your prayers, I know St Joseph’s will be a cutting edge, successful and truly CATHOLIC school for many generations to come.   God bless you and all of our students. Fr Peter (SJS ’63) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNOUNCED MASSES FOR 2021….             Many have asked about reserving announced Masses for 2021. Because of COVID-19, we have to do this process a little differently this year. Please go to  our website and see the  electronic bulletin for further instructions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SOME GREAT NEWS! St Joseph’s is a beautiful church. At the tender age of 92, she is getting even more beautiful. For 7 years now, I have always wanted to have a mosaic of The Divine Mercy to replace the simple print we had. However, we have had lots more pressing, practical, and very expensive projects to do first. Now, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Ms Sarajane Brittis, we have the mosaic, given in honor of her parents, Dr Anthony & Marianna Brittis. The mosaic was lovingly handcrafted in Italy—just outside Venice-- over the last 6 months and  was just installed last Friday. How blessed we are!  Generations to come will be able to pray before this sacred reminder of God’s infinite mercy.  From all of us at St Joseph’s, “THANK YOU”, Ms Brittis!      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WELCOMING OUR PARISHIONERS BACK                                          It has been so great to see folks gradually coming back to Mass even with masks and social distancing as our new ‘normal.’ Being able to receive the Eucharist is our greatest gift here on earth. Right now, the law only allows us to have a maximum of 85 people in our church for any Mass. If needed, we are prepared to offer 3 additional Masses in the Parish Center on Saturday at 5:15, Sunday at 11, and Sunday evening at 5:15. Again, these Masses will only be celebrated if the main church is full. Please also note that we will no long  have a 1:15 pm Mass.  This was effective, Sunday, July 5th. These are very tough financial times for all---including your parish. Many thanks to all our faithful parishioners who have sent in your contributions to the Rectory. Many thanks to all who have joined electronic giving via WE SHARE. Together, I know that we will all get through these challenging days stronger physically, emotionally, and spiritually. God bless you, Fr Peter -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------