Our Parish is looking for leaders who are committed to our parish and our community. As a registered parishioner, you are invited to nominate another parishioner – or yourself – for a three-year term on the Parish Pastoral Council.

Eligible nominees must meet the following criteria:

· Roman Catholic

· Fully initiated in the Faith, i.e. received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation

· 18 years old or older

· Active member of the parish

· Not employed as a parish staff member

Please complete the information below and drop it in the collection basket, place it in the suggestion box in the vestibule of church or mail it to the Parish Office at: 623 E. Third Street, Bellwood, PA 16617

Nominations must be received in the Parish Office on or before May 21, 2022.

Nominees will be contacted to determine if they wish to be a candidate for the Council. Nominees will also be invited to an informational meeting with current Council members on __________________ at 7:00 PM

at ________________________ to learn more about Parish Pastoral Council

requirements and mission to help them discern whether they are called

to serve on the Parish Pastoral Council.

Name of Nominee: ____________________________________

Address of Nominee: ___________________________________

Home Telephone: ____________________

Work Telephone: _____________________

E-mail Address: _____________________________________

I make this nomination for the following reasons: _____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Submitter: ______________________________

The Bishop is asking the faithful throughout the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown to join him in praying for peace in Ukraine as Russian forces invade the Eastern European country. 

The Bishop stands united in prayer with Ukrainian Catholics in that troubled part of the world and with the local Ukrainian Catholic population here in Central Pennsylvania. During this difficult time, he is inviting everyone to join him in praying the following ancient prayer.   

We fly to Your patronage, O Virgin Mother of God. Despise not our prayers in our needs, but deliver us from all dangers, since you alone are pure and blessed.

O most glorious Ever-Virgin Mary, the Mother of Christ our God, accept our prayers and present them to Your Son and our God, that for the sake of You, He enlighten and save our souls.

“This prayer is a unique part of the spiritual heritage of the Catholic and Orthodox Christians of the Ukraine, dating back to the 10th or 11th century. It is quite similar to the Memorare prayer that most of us learned as children. As we watch the unfolding developments from Ukraine, it is often difficult to process our thoughts and feelings. That’s where a prayer like this can bring calm to our disturbed minds and hearts, and especially to our world.” 

Synod means “Journeying Together.” It involves listening to the Holy Spirit and to each other to discern the path we are called to walk together as Church.  Usually when we think of a Synod, we think of a Gathering of Cardinals, Bishops and the Pope, and it is occurring in Rome. Pope Francis has Called this  particular Synod for the People. You and I and the people who gather in the pews each week. Pope Francis want to hear from the whole church about what is  happening in local churches, what is happening here at St. Joseph Parish in Bellwood. Synodality is simply, a way of being Church. It is not a program. The basic  question of the Synod is this: What is the Holy Spirit saying to our Church today? Through listening and discernment, which is rooted in the Holy Spirit, the  entire people of God will be called to contribute to a process by which the Church deepens and embraces her understanding of the Church’s mission and looks to the future with hope. By entering into this process, every member of the diocese is invited to offer their thoughts on how to grow in holiness, to be intentional disciples, and being sent to witness to others about the beauty of our faith. our input will assist our Parish and diocese in moving forward with parish Spiritual  Growth. Through the Synod, everyone baptized Catholic is being invited to personal conversion and to be a Church on mission. “The Church does not have a  mission; the mission has a Church.” The primary function of the Church is to proclaim Jesus Christ and draw all people into an intimate relationship with him.

If  you would like to better understand the meaning of Synod and Synodality and how you can participate, please come to the “Understanding the Synod” meeting on Monday, February 28, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Saint Joseph Parish Social Hall. Snacks and good conversation will be provided.

 Pope Francis wants to hear from the whole church about what is happening in local parishes. What does SYNOD mean? It means “Journeying together and listening to the Holy Spirit and each other to discern a path in which we can walk to-gether.
To Learn more about his SYNOD, we have set us workshops throughout the Diocese to enlighten people on just what this Synod is calling parishioners to engage.
The dates, times and places of the workshops are posted at the Church entrances and attached to the Bulletin. Everyone is invited to attend.

Sr. Linda would like to thank you for the beautiful Christmas Cards and gifts and for your loyal support throughout the year 2021.  Be the Blessing that you are.  In gratitude, Sr. Linda 

THANK YOU KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS for the Christmas Treats for our Children and the bowling/ Pizza Party. St. Joseph Parish is very blessed to have you for you have been a wonderful blessing to our parish. 

As we enter the new year, many folks like to bless their homes as a family ritual.  Many of you probably have the home blessing kit from years past.  If, however, you have lost sight of the kit, we had blessing home kits in the vestibule of the Church.  Please feel free to take one.