St. Joseph R.C. Church

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Welcome to St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

Our Saturday @ 5:30PM Mass can be viewed weekly via livestream by clicking on the link to the right: YouTube: Parish Livestream

e are a Roman Catholic community of believers in Jesus Christ in Lincoln Park and surrounding areas, located in the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey. Our Bishop is Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. Please feel free to visit the pages of our Parish site, learn about who we are as a community of faith and the services our parish provides. If you are thinking about moving to the Lincoln Park area, we cordially invite you to make St. Joseph's your parish.

Caravaggio Doubting Thomas The 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time:

October 24, 2021 Mark 10:46-52

When I moved to Tucson a few years ago, one of the realities I had to adjust to was the large number of homeless people found in nearly every part of the city. The weather — especially the minimal rainfall and mild winters — make this a natural landing place for those who might not easily find a home in other parts of the country. As much as I hate to admit it, I still sometimes find myself feeling embarrassed or disconcerted by the extended hands or incoherent mumbling. This is a challenging reality, especially when I remember that as Christians — and particular in my vocation as a religious brother — we’re called to be people of encounter.

With all this in mind, it’s easy to understand the discomfort that Jesus’ followers seemed to have felt in this Sunday’s passage from the Gospel of Mark. After all, the blind man, Bartimaeus, was causing a spectacle, shouting at Jesus. But even after the people in the crowd told him to be quiet, he kept calling out “all the more, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’”

As we’ve discovered over the past several Sundays, the Apostles and the other disciples don’t seem to be able to comprehend Jesus’ message or to understand the true cost and meaning of discipleship. After all, these are the same men who openly opposed him when Jesus tried to teach them about his coming suffering and death.

This Sunday we are given the story of this blind beggar who seems to be able to see what the Apostles cannot. In fact, the physical healing of Bartimaeus is a powerful reminder that, when we open ourselves to God’s grace, we can be healed of that blindness of spirit that sometimes prevents us from following Jesus with freedom and joy, which is an important part of discipleship.

Saint Mark beautifully describes Bartimaeus’ excitement when Jesus finally calls for him, “He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.” There is an energy in his response that wonderfully exemplifies the enthusiasm that should be a hallmark of our discipleship. When the Lord calls, we must be ready to respond. And because of his faith and willingness to act, Jesus rewards the blind man by not only restoring his physical sight but by empowering him to live out his faith in the community of disciples.

The invitation for us this Sunday is to humbly reflect on the ways we might be spiritually blind by asking ourselves what habits, attitudes, and ideologies hold us back from becoming the disciples that Jesus is calling us to be.

Bro. Silas Henderson, S.D.S.

https://4lpi.com/blog/blindness-of-spirit/?

Parish News

Pajama and Book Collection: Weekend of October 30/31
The Christian Service Committee will be collecting for our “pajama and book” collection the weekend of October 30th & 31st.

This program will provide children-in-need, those waiting and hoping to be adopted, with their very own book and warm pajamas. These simple items give these lonely children a secure and nurturing bedtime environment. New pajama sizes can be from infant to 16 year old children. The new book will go along with the pajamas for that age child. Please keep the book and pajamas together either in a shopping bag or rubber band for ease of distribution. Thank you in advance for you generosity!
Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 23 from 7-11PM
Mark your calendars for St. Joseph’s First Annual Octoberfest on Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 7 – 11 PM in Halloran Hall . More informat ion wi l l f o l low.
All Souls Day Mass of Remembrance on Saturday, November 6 at 2PM
Each year in keeping with the feast of All Souls, we remember our family members who have died in the past year. with a special Mass of Remembrance planned by the Lazarus Ministry.

This year the Mass will be on Saturday, November 6th at 2 PM. Because of the ‘COVID year’, those families who lost someone in 2020 will also be invited to attend this Memorial Mass. Each name of the deceased will be read aloud and a candle presented to a family member in their memory.

If you would like to have your loved one remembered at this Mass, please fill out a card at the back of the church with the needed information and give it to Sr. Ellen or bring it to the parish office.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
R.C.I.A., the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is a process for anyone wishing to know more about the Roman Catholic Faith and the reception of the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation). By our baptism, each of us is called to share the good news. Each of us may know someone who, if asked, would consider becoming a Catholic. The invitation needs to be extended.

As a member of the faith family, have you extended the invitation? If you want to become a Catholic or know someone who may be interested in becoming a Catholic, please come to the Parish Center room 6 for classes on Sundays at 11 AM or call the office at
973.696.4411.
Religious Education Program: Updated October 22, 2021
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION INFORMATION FOR GRADES K-8

Oct 24          1st Communion Parent Meeting 9-11 AM
Oct 31          We remember the Saints

For more information or to request forms, please call
973.696.4411 x10.

CONFIRMATION PROGRAM: GRADES 7-8

Oct 27         No Classes

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For more information, please call 973.696.4411 x12.
Polish Masses to Be Celebrated at St. Joseph's on the Third Saturday of Each Month
Polish Masses are now being celebrated at St. Josephs on the 3rd Saturday of every month at 7 PM.
Parish Registration
If you are new to the parish or have not previously registered in the parish, please do so by calling the office at 973.696.4411 x 101 for a registration form. Also, if you are not receiving collection envelopes, we can arrange to have them sent them to you.
First Friday Benediction
Please join us for our regular First Friday services with a monthly Eucharistic Holy Hour from 7 to 8 PM, featuring Exposition of the

Blessed Sacrament, Adoration, and Benediction, provided by our Deacons. Please note that Mass will only be available in the morning at 8 AM.
Visiting the Sick and Shut-Ins
If you have a famly member or know of someone who is in the hospital or homebound and they would like to receive Holy Communion, please call Sr. Ellen at (973) 696-4411, etx. 3.

Because of privacy laws, the hospital does not contact us when a parishioner is admitted and therefore, we have no way of knowing. Notifying us will enable us to visit our parishioners and bring them the sacraments.
Parish Email List: Great Way to Stay Informed!
If you would like to be added to the parish email list or to update your email address with us, to receive notifications of funerals and parish events, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and let us know. As of now, we have over 500 people on our email list. What a resourceful way to keep up to date on our parish happenings! Thank you.