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On October 10, Pope Francis inaugurated in the Universal Church a two-year synodal process leading us toward the Synod of the People of God scheduled to take place in October 2023. ...Please click on the heading above to read the full letter.

Monday, November 1st is All Saints Day. Though not a Holy Day of Obligation this year, the school children will be coming for Mass at 8:30 AM. The monthly Rosary for Life, Marriage and Family will be in the church at 8:00 AM.

Because the church leadership has encouraged the faithful to receive the vaccine “for the greater good”, we cannot issue exemption letters.  The only thing we can do is issue a letter which refers to the church’s teaching regarding choices that are made from an “informed conscience” ...Please click the Header above for additional details.

Please note the updated directional map for receiving Communion during Mass on weekends and holy days. The communion rail station is NOT JUST for receiving on the tongue. ALL communicants in the lines to the communion rails are welcome, regardless of how you receive (standing, kneeling, in the hand, or on the tongue). IF YOU WANT TO RECEIVE ON THE TONGUE, please join one of the lines that is directed to a communion rail. Put another way... If you want to receive on the tongue, you must receive at a communion rail, but if you are at a communion rail, you NEED NOT receive on the tongue.

For Immediate Release August 6, 2021 www.hbgdiocese.org Catholic Bishops of Pennsylvania Prioritize Safety as Mass Obligation Resumes HARRISBURG, Pa. – Jesus commanded his followers to care for the sick and to bring physical and spiritual healing to everyone. In that spirit, the Catholic bishops of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have issued this statement: Caring for the health, safety and spiritual wellbeing of parishioners and their communities is a priority of all the bishops of Pennsylvania. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, dioceses have made every effort to implement best practices in public health for every aspect of parish life. Each diocese is continuously re-evaluating coronavirus mitigation efforts, frequently consulting with state and federal healthcare experts and constantly monitoring data. Diocesan leaders are listening to input from parishioners, including those with medical expertise, as cases of the Delta and other new variants are surging. It now seems evident that this global health crisis could linger for months or years to come. Our call as shepherds is to provide the Eucharist in a safe environment. To that end, each diocesan bishop will communicate to the faithful, asking them to prioritize their own health and the health of their neighbors and faith communities. As previously announced, the bishops are reinstating the obligation to attend Mass in person on Sundays and holy days beginning on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. However, by longstanding Church law, this obligation does not apply to those who are: • Sick • Have a serious health risk • In a household with those at risk • Primary caregivers to those at risk • Have serious anxiety or concerns about being in a large-group setting due to COVID-19 • Unable to attend Mass in person As an act of charity, anyone who believes they might have COVID-19 or one of its variants or have been exposed should stay home. Those who are legitimately excused from Mass on Sundays and Holy Days are encouraged to spend time in prayer, meditating on the death and Resurrection of the Lord, reading the sacred Scriptures, and uniting themselves to Christ. They are also encouraged to investigate the numerous options to view broadcasts and streams of Mass, which are continuing across the state. While masks are not currently mandated, each parishioner is strongly encouraged to make a responsible decision about the use of masks and vaccinations following in the examples of all Pennsylvania Bishops, Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who have all been vaccinated for the common good. Our coronavirus mitigation efforts will continue to evolve, based on the most up-to-date public health information. Each bishop will continue to communicate with the faithful as changes become necessary.

Today, Bishop Gainer and Mr. Daniel Breen, Secretary for Education, are announcing the launch of a strategic vision planning process. This process, named “Christ Before Me: A Strategic Vision for Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Harrisburg,” will develop a strategic vision plan to strengthen Catholic education in the Diocese. The first phase of this process is data gathering, which has already commenced. We anticipate this development process will be completed by May 2022. Attached, please find a letter from Bishop Gainer and Mr. Breen with more information.

On Sunday, August 15, 2021, the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday and Holy Days is being restored in the Diocese of Harrisburg. Learn more at www.hbgdiocese.org/returntomass. #hbgdiocese #Catholic #ReturnToMass

In response to those with a compromised immune system, Fr. Steve agrees to continue offering drive-up Communion in the parking lot (behind the building only) during the weekly Saturday evening Masses at 5:00pm. This Mass will still be audible on AM Radio Station 1630 in your car in the parking lot. Please note, if you are listening to the Mass from the front lawn, you will need to come into the Church to receive Communion. If you are listening from the parking lot, you can drive up for Communion.

As we are united with Christ, so are we also united with each other. Effective July 3, 2021, St. Joseph Parish is encouraging in-church Mass participation. The faithful are to return to the practice of participating at weekly celebration of Mass in-church. We will continue to live-stream the 9 AM Mass for the sick, those with underlying health conditions, and those who remain fearful of COVID-19 transmission. Bishop Gainer has not yet lifted the dispensation for Mass attendance What’s changing: “Parking lot Masses” and “In-car reception of the Eucharist” will be discontinued. The collection baskets will once again be passed. Holy Communion will still be distributed by the Sacred Host only.

CHECK OUT THE CATHOLIC WITNESS’ NEW WEBSITE AND SIGN UP FOR THE FREE DIGITAL EDITION The Catholic Witness recently unveiled its first-ever website, in a new and exciting effort to deliver more up-do-date news, photos and videos to its readers. The site, www.catholicwitness.org, includes the latest features, all in a user-friendly, mobile and dynamic layout. Through the website, parishioners can register to receive The Witness’ free bi-weekly digital edition directly to their inbox. The digital edition includes links to the most recent news features, as well as a printable PDF file. Visit www.catholicwitness.org and sign up today!

If you are interested in becoming a Lector, please contact Thelma Greaves, Lector Coordinator at Tlgreaves@aol.com or 717-417-1057. You will be contacted and a Lector training session will be set up in the near future. If you are interested in being an usher, please contact Marcia Salvatore at marcia646@aol.com or call the parish office.

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen.

Radio Station AM 1630 now transmits the live audio feed from Mass inside the church through your car radio! Communion is still being distributed outside to those attending Mass from their car.