Mass & Confession Times

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

  Note to our visitors:  We are in the Eastern Time Zone  

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

Christmas Mass Schedule

 » Penance Service: December 11 at 5:30pm
 » Christmas Eve: 7:00pm
 » Christmas Morning: 10:00am
 » Solemnity of Mary: January 1 at 9:00am

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Advent Penance Service Our Advent Penance Service will be on Wednesday, December 11 at 5:30. What a wonderful opportunity to prepare our minds and hearts for the coming of Christ at Christmas.

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.

Help NeededMany hands make light work. Please volunteer a little of your time to help our Altar Society with the many tasks that need to be done for Christmas.
 » Church Cleaning: Friday Dec. 20 at 9:30 (after 8:00 Mass & Adoration)
 » Church Decorating: Sunday Dec. 22 at 12:00 (after the 11:00 mass)
 » Decoration Removal: Tuesday Jan. 7 at 10:30 (after the 10:00 rosary)

Giving Tree The Altar Society is sponsoring a Christmas Giving Tree to benefit the St. Joseph Bay Humane Society. The tree will be set up in the vestibule of the church starting November 22. Please take a tag and return your gift under the tree. The SJBHS relies heavily on volunteers and the generosity of the community to help fund their mission. Thank you for your generosity!

Second Collection Support those that have given a lifetime. This weekend we will have a second collection for The Retirement Fund for the Religious. Women and men religious have dedicated their lives to service - praying, teaching, and caring for those in need - usually for little to no pay. Today, their religious communities do not have enough retirement savings. Your donation provides for the essential care, medicine and daily needs of thousands of senior women and men religious. 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 14-16 in Tallahassee, or April 4-6 in Titusville, or July 25-27 in St. Johns. For more information or for other scheduled weekends visit our website at wwme.org or email: 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 10:00am. 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 Registration We are delighted that you have chosen to become a member of our church family. Please register by stopping in or calling our office 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 nonperishable Food. If you're visiting the area, and have nonperishable food that you didn't use, consider donating these items 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

Second Sunday of Advent

 Removing the Obstacles to Grace  “Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” - Luke 3:5–6

Reflect, today, upon whether or not your soul is like that dry and barren desert, detached from all the false and passing satisfactions of this world, and prepared to soak up the mercy and grace of God alone. Repentance brings forth detachment, and detachment prepares the soul for God. When one is truly detached and free from the many obstacles to God, then the road from God to your soul will be straight and easily traveled. Reflect upon your soul today and where you see unhealthy attachments. Repent with all your heart so that you are among those most fully ready for an abundance of the grace and mercy of God.

Lord, I turn to You in my need and repent of the many lies and false promises of satisfaction in this world. Please free me from all that is not of You so that my soul will be more fully prepared to soak You and Your mercy up like a gentle rain upon a dry and barren desert. I open myself to You, my Lord. Come fill and satiate my soul. Jesus, I trust in You.
 - My Catholic Life

Cover Art: Saint John the Baptist Bearing Witness by Annibale Carracci