SINCEREST THANKS!

Last weekend’s second collection to aid the victims of the earthquake in Haiti totaled nearly $4,400.00! This is another tremendous act of generosity from the good people of Saint Joseph’s. Rest assured that your goodness will help many who are suffering from that disaster. If you still wish to contribute, you may drop off your donation at the rectory.

FIRST STEPS OF SANCTUARY RENOVATION TO BEGIN

Before too much longer we shall commence the first phase of our sanctuary renovation. It will consist of replacing the wall paneling of the sanctuary with wall board, which will then be painted. When we see what difference this makes in the sanctuary lighting, we will be in a position to choose the porcelain tiles which will replace the carpet. After this we will need to replace the sanctuary furniture and install the new ambo. We’ll keep you informed of developments as they happen.

ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL NEXT WEEKEND

Next weekend at all the Masses we will present the Annual Catholic Appeal for 2010. The theme of this year’s Appeal is “...they left everything and followed Him.”

As you know, Annual Catholic Appeal aids the many ministries and offices of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and thus aids us as well. As a Parish we are part of the Archdiocese and so have a responsibility to aid its varied works. Some of these are: grants and scholarships for schools serving in economically disadvantaged areas; preparing volunteers to conduct parish religious education programs; programs for the recruitment, education and formation of lay ministers and deacons, and for the continuing education and on-going spiritual formation of priests; capital grants to parishes and schools serving in economically disadvantaged areas; support for the Catholic Relief Services to send aid to the poor in foreign lands; support for ministries that provide comfort, care and counseling for those in need; and support for programs that promote the dignity of life from conception to natural death.

Again, any overage in contributions will be returned to Saint Joseph’s. Our rebates for the 2009 Appeal totaled more than $13,000.00. This money was placed in our Building Fund and will be used to pay for part of the cost of the repairs which must be made to the School buildings.

This year our goal is $36,456.48, which is down several thousand dollars from last year. The reason is that our Sunday collections have been decreasing. The Appeal target goal is 6% of the yearly collections of each Parish. Please join me in making a sacrificial offering to the Annual Catholic Appeal. As always, thanks in advance for your continuing generosity.

Saint Joseph, pray for us, and let us pray for one another!