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MESSAGE FROM MONSIGNOR SHAMLEFFER
May 19, 2013
Dear Parishioners,
This coming Saturday Archbishop Robert Carlson will ordain five young men to the priesthood. Having five men answer the call to service in the Church is a wonderful gift to our local Church community. These new priests have promised to pledge their lives in dedication to the Lord and to the people of God. As they begin their priestly ministry let us keep them in our prayers.
Last week Fr. Schaab celebrated the thirty-ninth anniversary of his ordination and I celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of my ordination. Being a priest in service to God has enabled me to be with his people at important times and places in their lives. I have also been blessed to lead the Eucharistic celebrations whereby we are all fed in Christ. I have also been blessed by being a part of some wonderful parishes and I continue to be blessed here at St. Joseph, as I enter my twelfth year of my pastorate. As you pray for our newly ordained I would ask that you also pray for Fr. Schaab and me that we may continue in our ministry to bring the face of Christ to those we meet.
Lastly, let us pray that young men may consider a call to the priesthood, as our Church needs more priests to minister to its people. The Archbishop told me that our seminary Kenrick-Glennon is alive with new vocations, which is very encouraging. Maybe a young man in your family is waiting to hear a call to the priesthood? Thank you for all your present and past support to Fr. Schaab, to me and to all priests and seminarians, please continue your prayers for vocations, the Church and its priests.
Blessings!
Monsignor John Shamleffer
MESSAGE FROM MONSIGNOR SHAMLEFFER
May 12, 2013
Dear Parishioners,
Today, we as a parish family, gather together in union with those throughout the world to give thanks for the gift of our mothers. We give thanks for the gifts and blessings they share with us, for the sacrifices they undertake for us and ultimately for the love they show us.
May God’s blessings be on all mothers this day. God’s most precious gift to us is the gift of life and through our mother’s this life is born. We also give special thanks to adoptive mothers and foster mothers who bring life and love to their children. May the Lord continue to watch over and bless our mothers, those with us and those who have gone before us in life and faith.
This month of May is traditionally the month of Mary, Mother to us all. We remember during this month the gift of Mary as a source of love and guidance. Today after all the masses, our Pro-Life committee will be selling roses to benefit Birthright, an organization that supports expectant mothers. Please consider supporting this worthy cause for life.
Easter Blessings!
Monsignor John Shamleffer
God our Creator, we pray:
for new mothers, coming to terms with new responsibility;
for expectant mothers, wondering and waiting;
for those who are tired, stressed or depressed;
for those who struggle to balance the tasks of work and family;
for those who are unable to feed their children due to poverty;
for those whose children have physical, mental or emotional disabilities;
for those who have children they do not want;
for those who raise children on their own;
for those who have lost a child;
for those who care for the children of others;
for those whose children have left home;
and for those whose desire to be a mother has not been fulfilled.
Bless all mothers, that their love may be deep and tender,
and that they may lead their children to know and do what is good,
living not for themselves alone, but for God and for others.
Amen.
MESSAGE FROM MONSIGNOR SHAMLEFFER
May 5, 2013
Dear Parishioners,
Today is a very special day for our parish, as our second grade students will be receiving the Eucharist for the first time. Our First Communicants have spent months preparing for this day with their teachers, Carolyn Dickmann, Rebecca Thornton, and especially their parents. My prayers and that of our entire parish community are with these girls and boys and their families on this holy and special day.
Secondly, as our school year nears an end I would like to thank all those who make our P.S.R. classes such an important part of our parish life. I would especially like to thank our parents, our teachers, our volunteers, and our coordinator Mrs. Terri Venneman. The gift of our children revitalizes our parish and the faith of our children is a source of joy to our parish community.
Lastly, the annual ACA is in full swing in our parish and Archdiocese. This appeal serves the needs of our poor, our schools, our elderly, and our community services. Thousands are assisted through the generosity of this appeal. To those who have given in the past I thank you on behalf of all those you have assisted. To those who haven’t given in the past I encourage you to prayerfully reflect on how you can assist the needy of our Archdiocese. It would be a great sign of love, support and concern for those in need if we had 100% of our parishioners contributing to this appeal. If you have any questions concerning this appeal, do not hesitate in contacting me.
Easter Blessings!
Monsignor John Shamleffer
