We all share our treasures with the Church, but time and talent can account for so much more. Get involved and live out your faith by helping others. The rewards are worth it!

We’ve got a little something for everyone, so pick a ministry – music, evangelization, RCIA, religious education, lectors and readers, altar servers, greeters, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, docents, worship, rosary leaders, Knights of Columbus, offertory collection counters, Society of St Vincent de Paul, Boy Scouts, senior outreach, funeral, pro-life, food pantry, sandwich making, social action projects, bottle and can collection, Christmas giving tree,  parish brunch, parish picnic, decorations and prayer shawl.

Parish Council Meeting

Whew, that’s a lot of ministries. We sure do need you!

Receiving 1st Holy Communion

Congratulations to those who received their First Holy Communion on April 28th! And thank you as well to those who prepared our young parishioners, educators and parents alike, and for bringing them to the table of Christ.

Jesus Christ is Risen Today!

From a reflection on the Easter Vigil by Archbishop Mansell, his spiritual wish for us all:

“This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  In this Year of Faith, may the joy of the Easter season fill our hearts with a renewed faith and a deep conviction to proclaim the Gospel message that: “Christ our Hope has risen!”  Happy Easter!

Click here to go to Archbishop Mansell’s personal blog.

A little more than an hour later we heard from the Senior Cardinal Deacon, “I announce to you a great joy: We have a Pope! The most eminent and most reverend Lord, Lord Jorge Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church Bergoglio, who takes for himself the name of Francis.”

In unison with Pope Francis, and his desire, we pray for Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, “that the Lord bless him and Our Lady protect him.”

In unison with the universal Church we pray that the Lord protect and strengthen Pope Francis through the clear guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Viva il Papa!

Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven

Jesus is Condemned to Death

There is always a lot going on in The Cathedral Parish, but especially during this season of Lent, a full schedule of spiritual activities are available including:

First Week in Lent

• Lenten Confession & Eucharistic Adoration – Monday, February 18, 2013 from 6-7 pm
• Parish Mission Talk – Fr. Anthony Smith “Wisdom and Faith”, Thursday, February 21, 2013 from 7-9 pm
• Adult Christian Formation Forum – Friday, February 22, 2013 from 5:50-6:45 pm
• Stations of the Cross – Friday, February 22, 2013 from 7-8 pm
• Rosary & Meditation – Saturday, February 23, 2013 from 9:30-10:30 am
• Confession – Saturday, February 23, 2013 from 2:30-3:45 pm

Second Week in Lent

• Lenten Confession & Eucharistic Adoration – Monday, February 25, 2013 from 6-7 pm
• Parish Mission Talk – Fr. Stephen Sledesky “Lenten Practices”, Thursday, February 28, 2013 from 7-9 pm
• Adult Christian Formation Forum – Friday, March 1, 2013 from 5:50-6:45 pm
• Stations of the Cross – Friday, March 1, 2013 from 7-8 pm
• Rosary & Meditation – Saturday, March 2, 2013 from 9:30-10:30 am
• Confession – Saturday, March 2, 2013 from 2:30-3:45 pm

Third Week in Lent

• Lenten Confession & Eucharistic Adoration – Monday, March 4, 2013 from 6-7 pm
• Parish Mission Talk – Bishop Peter Rosazza “Passion of Jesus” followed by Sacrament of Reconciliation, Thursday, March 7, 2013 from 7-9 pm
• Adult Christian Formation Forum – Friday, March 8, 2013 from 5:50-6:45 pm
• Stations of the Cross - Friday, March 8, 2013 (no stations)
• Rosary & Meditation – Saturday, March 9, 2013 from 9:30-10:30 am
• Confession – Saturday, March 8, 2013 from 2:30-3:45 pm

Fourth Week in Lent

• Lenten Confession & Eucharistic Adoration – Monday, March 11, 2013 from 6-7 pm
• Adult Christian Formation Forum – Friday, March 15, 2013 from 5:50-6:45 pm
• Stations of the Cross – Friday, March 15, 2013 from 7-8 pm
• Rosary & Meditation – Saturday, March 16, 2013 from 9:30-10:30 am
• Confession – Saturday, March 16, 2013 from 2:30-3:45 pm

Fifth Week in Lent

• Lenten Confession & Eucharistic Adoration – Monday, March 18, 2013 from 6-7 pm
• Adult Christian Formation Forum – Friday, March 22, 2013 from 5:50-6:45 pm
• Stations of the Cross – Friday, March 22, 2013 from 7-8 pm
• Rosary & Meditation – Saturday, March 23, 2013 from 9:30-10:30 am
• Confession – Saturday, March 23, 2013 from 2:30-3:45 pm

And to Dust You Shall Return

Lent begins this coming Wednesday, February 13th, with the distribution of ashes at both the 7:30 A.M. and 12:10 P.M. Mass.

Righteous God, in humility and repentance
we bring our failures in caring, helping, and loving,
we bring the pain we have caused other,
we bring the injustice in society of which we are a part,
to the transforming power of your grace.
Grant us the courage to accept the healing you offer
and to turn again toward the sunrise of your reign,
that we may walk with you in the promise of peace
you have willed for all the children of the earth,
and have made known to us in Christ Jesus. Amen.

( HARTFORD, CT)—The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford today released the following statement relative to Catholics who wish to attend Mass this weekend:

“Regarding the attendance at Mass this weekend, Catholics should, first and foremost, carefully heed the safety directives of state and local officials. Members of the Church who plan to attend Mass on Saturday evening or Sunday should use prudence and extreme caution. In those situations where the conditions are extremely difficult or dangerous, the faithful are reminded that they are, of course, dispensed from the normal obligation. (Code of Canon Law, Canon 1248 § 2)

Travel Safe if at All

Blessing of the Throat

Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from ailments of the throat and from every other evil. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Blessing of Saint Blaise).

March for Life on the Mall, Washington D.C.

2258 ‘Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being.’

The Cathedral of St Joseph has a very active Pro-life Committee that disseminates educational material, supports pro-life causes and legislation, and participates in Archdiocesan events including both the state and national March for Life rallies. Pro-life Committee activity is regularly published in the Sunday bulletin and we are always looking for new members. If you are pro-life and want to join others in keeping the dignity of life at the center of our social mores, contact the Rectory for membership information.

Life is good. Life is precious. All life comes from God.