Mass & Confession Times

  - all times Eastern

Weekend Masses:
 » Saturday - 5:00pm
 » Sunday - 9:00am & 11:00am

Weekday Masses:
 » Monday 12:00pm, at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital Chapel
 » Tuesday - no scheduled Masses
 » Wednesday - 5:30pm
 » Thursday - 8:00am
 » Friday - 8:00am

Sacrament of Reconciliation

 » Saturday: 4:30pm - 4:45pm
 » Sunday: 10:15am - 10:45am
 » Friday: 8:30am - 9:30am, first Friday of the Month

 - or contact us for appointment office@stjosephpsj.org

Welcome

Whether you are local, a seasonal visitor, or someone enjoying a weekend on the Gulf Coast, St. Joseph Parish is a place to encounter Jesus. Join us for Mass, Adoration, Bible Study, social events, or simply stop by to offer a prayer.

If you are new to the area, a returning Catholic, or if you wish to become Catholic you are welcome to attend Mass and to become involved in parish activities. If you require more information We encourage you to speak with the Parish Secretary or the Pastor. Please Call 850-227-1417.

If you wish to donate On-Line  Click HERE! 

Announcements

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Help Needed Many hands make light work. Please volunteer a little of your time to help our Altar Society and Men’s Club with the many tasks that need to be done for Christmas.
 » Church Cleaning: Friday, December 15th at 9:30 (after 8:00 Mass & Adoration)
 » Manger Set up: Saturday, December 16th at 9:00
 » Church Decorating Friday, December 22th at 9:30 (after 8:00 Mass & Adoration)
 » Decoration Removal: Tuesday, January 9th at 11:30 (after the 11:00 Rosary)

Adult Religious Study Our Adult Religious Study will be on Tuesday at 6:00 this week instead of Thursday. This week's topic is, “The Holy Spirit and Why We Need the Church.

Christmas Flowers Envelopes are available at both entrances for the Christmas Flower Offering. If you wish to donate in memory of a loved one, please be sure to print their name clearly on the envelope so it will appear correctly in the bulletin.

Get Ready for Christmas with the Rosary Whatever else we are doing during Advent to prepare ourselves for Christmas, it's a great idea to include the Rosary, the prayer that leads us to Christ through Mary. Advent presents a unique opportunity to revive our interest in the Rosary. It is the shortest liturgical season in the Catholic Church and it is entirely focused on Jesus and Mary. In many ways, Advent could be called the “Season of Mary,” as we accompany her on her road to Bethlehem. The days leading up to Christmas provide a perfect opportunity to deepen the way we pray the Rosary. There's no better way to get ready for Christmas, so please join us on Tuesdays at 11:00 for about 20 minutes as we say the Rosary

Second Collection Help Aging Religious. There is a second collection today for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests have devoted their lives to prayer, service, and doing works of mercy. Most ministered for little or no pay. Today, their religious communities do not have enough retirement savings. Your gift to today’s Retirement Fund for Religious collection helps to furnish medications, nursing care, and other necessities. Please give generously.

A Christmas gift for married couples Couples.......want to give each other something really special this Christmas? How about a gift filled with Romance and Excitement? That's just the beginning of what you will receive on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. Sign up today to attend an upcoming Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend on Feb 16-18 in Tallahassee, or May 5-8 in Winter Park. For more information or for other scheduled weekends visit our website at wwme.org or e-mail: Applications@FLCN-wwme.org Or contact Walt & Viv Paskowski at waltviv.wwme@gmail.com if you have any questions.

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Franciscan At Home We are a partnering diocese so all of our parishes and school are already registered and all parishioners can take courses for free. There are a variety of courses for your convenience:
 » 1. FREE unlimited access
 » 2. Lifelong learners, Parents, Mentors, Facilitators, Leaders, Pastoral Care Workers, Social Outreach, Lay Ministers, and Mentors
 » 2. Diocesan Certification Process for Catechists, Parish Catechetical Leaders, Youth Ministers and RCIA Ministers.

Register Today! Follow these steps:
 » 1. Click Here:
 » 2. Click on the bottom blue button.
 » 3. The Sign Up for Free Through Your Institution page will appear.
 » 4. Choose Country — United States, Diocese — Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee and Institution — Your Parish/School.  » 5. Click the Sign-Up box at the bottom.
 » 6. Complete your personal information (look for choice of receiving emails).
 » 7. Start your first workshop!
For more information, contact: Sister Margaret Kuntz at 850-435-3523 or kuntzm@ptdiocese.org

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Can We Help? If you or someone you know needs help with meals, a visit, or anything else, let us help! Contact the church office.

Communion to the Homebound Sacraments are available to all Catholics who would like to receive, but are unable to attend Sunday Mass due to injury, illness or advanced age. If you are in need of a visit, please call the office and request Communion at home, in the hospital, nursing home, or assisted living facility.

Rosary Please take time and join us as we say the Rosary every Tuesday at 11:00. The group Rosary is powerful and the benefits are endless. Let the simple and repeated prayers of the Rosary allow us to really focus on what Jesus did and said as we receive peace of mind, an increased love for Jesus, unity with our church and understand better the will of God in our lives. There is no better time than during Lent to embrace these mysteries and, with Mary's help, let them transform our lives.

Church Members If you are new to our church, we are delighted that you have chosen to become a member of our parish family. Please register in the parish office in our hall or call 850-227-1417.

Food Donations Don't forget our food basket at the entrance of the church which is open daily. It is there all year for dropping off nonperishables. If you're visiting the area, and have nonperishables that you didn't use, consider donating them before you make your trip back home. Thank you for thinking of those in need.  No open parcels please! 

Altar Flowers If you would like to donate altar flowers for a special occasion or in memory of a loved one, please contact the office at least 2 weeks in advance. Call: 850-227-1417

Gospel Reflection

The Second Sunday of Advent

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” - Mark 1:1–3

Reflect, today, upon that “desert” to which you have been called, so as to prepare yourself and others for the coming of Christ. That desert is any place where there is need and every place where our Lord is not. It might be your family, work environment, community, among friends, or any place that lacks the superabundance of God’s grace. Seek to enter those deserts and to be open to be a channel of our Lord’s grace to those in need.

Lord, You desire to come to me and to all of Your children every day. Please use me to not only prepare my own heart and soul for Your divine coming but to also prepare others to meet You. Give me wisdom and compassion, insight and strength, so that I can imitate Saint John the Baptist and prepare the way for Your most glorious coming by grace. Jesus, I trust in You.
 - My Catholic Life

Cover Art: The Parable of the Ten Virgins by Phoebe Anna Traquair