St. Joseph's Corner: Charity Is Not Selfish

       

          "Charity is not a giving in order to get, but a giving without counting the cost or self-interest; it considers itself fully repaid by the honor of being able to serve and love God in our neighbor."  #281 - Divine Intimacy

St. Joseph's Corner: Practicing the Presence of God

         Putting ourselves in God's presence and staying with Him during the time of prayer is relatively easy, but remaining with Him always is more difficult. The actual fact is that when we return to our usual occupations, the awareness of God which had been enkindled during prayer gradually dissipates, and we often behave as if God were no longer present, as if He were no longer with and in us.

          One of the great Carmelite Saints, Teresa of Avila wrote:  "We must ... even in the midst of occupations, withdraw ourselves.  Although it may be for only a moment that I remember I have company within myself, doing so is very beneficial."

          A quick, interior act of the mind, of the will, of the heart, (or what may be referred to as an ejaculatory prayer) is enough to put us back in God's presence and to renew our contact with Him.  Although this is accomplished with greater effort for those involved in business and continual dealings with people and things than those who live in situations where prayer is more solitude, it is the effort that is blessed.  

          This condensed meditation is taken from the book Divine Intimacy by Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D.  Volume III, number 235.

          Practicing the Presence of God TODAY: O Lord, purify my heart and my mind, that I may learn to know You better.

Have a blessed day.










          

       

News and Events: Easter Season

 I hope everyone had a very blessed Easter Sunday.  We are now celebrating the Easter Season. Did you know that the Easter Season lasts for 50 days? The Easter Season begins with the Resurrection of our Lord from the Dead on Easter Sunday and culminates in His Ascension into Heaven and the Holy Spirit coming down on the Church on Pentecost. Easter is so special and important for us that we can't possibly celebrate it on just one day.  It takes almost 2 months for us to celebrate God's love for us. 

 The first week of the Easter Season, the octave of Easter, is celebrated as if each day was Easter Sunday.  If you have been to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass this week, you have noticed that we pray the Glory, which we normally do only Sundays and Special Feast Days.

Sister Celeste Marie praying in our chapel.

The word 'Easter' actually comes from an old English word meaning 'east'. The sun rises in the east  and brings us the light of another day.  It is a symbol for the rising of Christ from the dead which brings hope and light to the whole world. The Easter Candle, called the Paschal Candle, is also a symbol of the light of Christ coming into the world.  The Paschal Candle is used during every mass during the Easter season as a symbol of Christ, the divine light.

We can get so used to things that we can forget the richness and beauty of our faith.  I hope these few little reminders of our faith will help you to joyfully celebrate this Easter season.

News and Events: Vocations and Fish Fry

This week is our last Fish Fry. Thanks to everyone who has supported St. Joseph Academy.  It takes a lot of work to make the Fish Fry a success.  We have so many volunteers who work behind the scenes to make sure it is a fun evening for everyone.  But all the hard work the volunteers do would mean nothing without the generous people who come to eat.  So please come one last time and bring a friend.

This week Sister Patricia Jean and Sister Celeste Marie will be at Benedictine College in Atchison Kansas for a vocation fair.   Benedictine College has a long history going back to 1856 when two monks arrived to begin a school at the request of the Bishop. They began with a boarding school in 1858.  In the beginning they only had six students. In 1863 seven Benedictine Sisters arrived to begin a school for young women. The sisters and the monks cooperated with each other in their schools, eventually merging the two in 1971.  This merger became Benedictine College. 

If you are in the area, the sisters would love to meet you. 

News and Events: Beginning of Lent

It has been too long since I've written anything on our Blog.  I really can't think of a reason why I stopped writing about the News and Events of the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker.  We have had all sorts of events and news to share.  But I got out of the habit of writing about them.  So this Lent I will attempt to get back to regularly sharing news, events, and stories about the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker.

Of course, Lent means Fish Fry on Fridays at St. Joseph Academy. Our first fish fry did very well.  Thanks to everyone who came out to support St. Joseph Academy.  And also a big thank you to all the volunteers.  Without the help of the parents, teachers, staff and volunteers we could never serve such a delicious meal.  It takes many hands to set up, cook, serve, and clean up. 

Teachers and staff of St. Joseph Academy praying at the beginning of the school year.

After you eat the delicious meal on Friday, you can attend the Stations of the Cross at All Saints Parish at 7:00 pm. The Stations of the Cross is a wonderful devotion. The stations remind us that God loves each of us so much that He sent Jesus to redeem us.   It helps us to keep in mind that Lent is just not something we have to put up with for 40 days. Lent is a 40 day retreat that draws us closer and closer to God. I hope to see you at the Fish Fry and at the Stations of the Cross this Friday.  May you have a blessed and grace-filled Lent. 

St. Joseph's Corner: "Called to Love" meditations

The Treasures of Our Heart

by Father Pedro Arrupe, S.J.

Nothing is more practical than finding God, 

than falling in Love in a quite absolute, final way.

What you are in love with, 

what seizes your imagination,

will affect everything.

It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning,

what you do with your evenings,

how you spend your weekends,

what you read,

whom you know,

what breaks your heart,

and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.

Fall in Love, stay in love,

and it will decide everything.

-------------------------------------



Last Call for our February 23rd through 25th
"Called to Love" Vocation Retreat
Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker
Walton, Kentucky

Limited to 9 young women, ages 18 - 30
email: Sister Patricia Jean, SJW
Vocation Director
sjwvocations@gmail.com

St. Joseph's Corner: Spiritual Direction from the Saints

“It was pride that changed angels into devils; 
it is humility that makes men as angels.”  
St. Augustine, Bishop, Philosopher (+430)

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker, Walton, Kentucky (1974) 

Time is running out. 

Called to Love Vocation Retreat - Saturday, February 17th, 2018 for young ladies in grades 6th-12th

and
Friday-Sunday, February 23rd-25th for young women 18-30

Each retreat is a welcome withdrawal from the world into periods of silence, prayer, community, 

and recreation much needed for the spiritual growth of the soul.

To learn more about our retreats or to register for one of the events email your confirmation to 

Sister Patricia Jean, Vocation Director at: sjwvocations@gmail.com. 

St. Joseph's Corner: Spiritual Direction from the Saints

“Fortitude is the disposition of soul which enables us to despise 

all inconveniences and the loss of things not in our power.”

St. Augustine, Bishop, Philosopher (+430)

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker, Walton, Kentucky (1974) 

If you feel you are being called to a religious vocation but don't know how to go about finding out which community you may be called to, it means that your soul is seeking a vocation retreat.

The Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker in Walton, Kentucky are hosting two "Called to Love" Vocation Retreats in February.  One is being held on Saturday, February 17, 2018 for young ladies in grades 6th-12th and the other is being held on Friday-Sunday, February 23rd-25th for young women 18-30. Each retreat is a welcome withdrawal from the world into periods of silence, prayer, community, and recreation much needed for the spiritual growth of the soul.

To learn more about our retreats or to register for one of the events email your confirmation to Sister Patricia Jean, Vocation Director at: sjwvocations@gmail.com. 

St. Joseph's Corner: Spiritual Direction from the Saints

“Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure.”  

Pope St. John Paul II, Vicar of Christ (+2005)

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker, Walton, Kentucky (1974) 

If you feel you are being called to a religious vocation but don't know how to go about finding out which community you may be called to, it means that your soul is seeking a vocation retreat.

The Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker in Walton, Kentucky are hosting two "Called to Love" Vocation Retreats in February.  One is being held on Saturday, February 17, 2018 for young ladies in grades 6th-12th and the other is being held on Friday-Sunday, February 23rd-25th for young women 18-30. Each retreat is a welcome withdrawal from the world into periods of silence, prayer, community, and recreation much needed for the spiritual growth of the soul.

To learn more about our retreats or to register for one of the events email your confirmation to Sister Patricia Jean, Vocation Director at: sjwvocations@gmail.com. 

St. Joseph's Corner: Spiritual Direction from the Saints

“You cannot be half a saint; you must be a whole saint or no saint at all.” 

St. Therese of Lisieux, Carmelite nun (+1897)

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker, Walton, Kentucky (1974) 

If you feel you are being called to a religious vocation but don't know how to go about finding out which community you may be called to, it means that your soul is seeking a vocation retreat.

The Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker in Walton, Kentucky are hosting two "Called to Love" Vocation Retreats in February.  One is being held on Saturday, February 17, 2018 for young ladies in grades 6th-12th and the other is being held on Friday-Sunday, February 23rd-25th for young women 18-30. Each retreat is a welcome withdrawal from the world into periods of silence, prayer, community, and recreation much needed for the spiritual growth of the soul.

To learn more about our retreats or to register for one of the events email your confirmation to Sister Patricia Jean, Vocation Director at: sjwvocations@gmail.com. 

St. Joseph's Corner: Spiritual Direction from the Saints

“Freedom consists not in doing what we like, 

but in having the right to do what we ought.” 

St. Pope John Paul II, Vicar of Christ (+2005)

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker, Walton, Kentucky (1974) 

If you feel you are being called to a religious vocation but don't know how to go about finding out which community you may be called to, it means that your soul is seeking a vocation retreat.

The Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker in Walton, Kentucky are hosting two "Called to Love" Vocation Retreats in February.  One is being held on Saturday, February 17, 2018 for young ladies in grades 6th-12th and the other is being held on Friday-Sunday, February 23rd-25th for young women 18-30. Each retreat is a welcome withdrawal from the world into periods of silence, prayer, community, and recreation much needed for the spiritual growth of the soul.

To learn more about our retreats or to register for one of the events email your confirmation to Sister Patricia Jean, Vocation Director at: sjwvocations@gmail.com. 

St. Joseph's Corner: Spiritual Direction from the Saints

“Love to be real, it must cost – it must hurt – it must empty us of self.” 

St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, nun, missionary (+1997)

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker, Walton, Kentucky (1974) 

If you feel you are being called to a religious vocation but don't know how to go about finding out which community you may be called to, it means that your soul is seeking a vocation retreat.

The Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker in Walton, Kentucky are hosting two "Called to Love" Vocation Retreats in February.  One is being held on Saturday, February 17, 2018 for young ladies in grades 6th-12th and the other is being held on Friday-Sunday, February 23rd-25th for young women 18-30. Each retreat is a welcome withdrawal from the world into periods of silence, prayer, community, and recreation much needed for the spiritual growth of the soul.

To learn more about our retreats or to register for one of the events email your confirmation to Sister Patricia Jean, Vocation Director at: sjwvocations@gmail.com. 

St. Joseph's Corner: Spiritual Direction from the Saints

“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary.  
To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” 
St. Thomas Aquinas, Dominican Friar, Doctor of the Church (+1274)

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker, Walton, Kentucky (1974) 

If you feel you are being called to a religious vocation but don't know how to go about finding out which community you may be called to, it means that your soul is seeking a vocation retreat.

The Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker in Walton, Kentucky are hosting two "Called to Love" Vocation Retreats in February.  One is being held on Saturday, February 17, 2018 for young ladies in grades 6th-12th and the other is being held on Friday-Sunday, February 23rd-25th for young women 18-30. Each retreat is a welcome withdrawal from the world into periods of silence, prayer, community, and recreation much needed for the spiritual growth of the soul.

To learn more about our retreats or to register for one of the events email your confirmation to Sister Patricia Jean, Vocation Director at: sjwvocations@gmail.com. 

St. Joseph's Corner: "Called to Love" meditations

In preparing for World Youth Day XXVIII taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI had enjoined the young people of the world:

"Christ sends you wherever His light is lacking so that you may take it to others...

Allow yourselves to be led on by the power of God's love. 

Let that love overcome the tendency to remain enclosed

in your own world with your own problems and your own habits.

Have the courage to 'go out' from yourselves in order to 'go forth' toward others 

and to show them the way to an encounter with God...

Thus, with your faith, you will help make trust spring on this earth."

------------------------------------------------

Time is running out.

Vocation Retreat - "Called to Love"

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker

Friday, February 23rd through Sunday, February 25th

college age 18 to 30 years of age

Limit of 9 young women for a more personal community with the sisters

email: Sister Patricia Jean, SJW

Vocation Director

sjwvocations@gmail.com

St. Joseph's Corner: Spiritual Direction from the Saints

“Let us begin in earnest to work out our salvation, 
for no one will do it for us, since even He Himself, 
Who made us without ourselves, 
will not save us without ourselves.”  
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, nun and mystic (+1690)

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker, Walton, Kentucky (1974) 

If you feel you are being called to a religious vocation but don't know how to go about finding out which community you may be called to, it means that your soul is seeking a vocation retreat.

The Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker in Walton, Kentucky are hosting two "Called to Love" Vocation Retreats in February.  One is being held on Saturday, February 17, 2018 for young ladies in grades 6th-12th and the other is being held on Friday-Sunday, February 23rd-25th for young women 18-30. Each retreat is a welcome withdrawal from the world into periods of silence, prayer, community, and recreation much needed for the spiritual growth of the soul.

To learn more about our retreats or to register for one of the events email your confirmation to Sister Patricia Jean, Vocation Director at: sjwvocations@gmail.com. 

St. Joseph's Corner: Spiritual Direction from the Saints

“Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what You want me to be - 
and becoming that person.” 
St. Therese of Lisieux, Carmelite nun (+1897)

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker, Walton, Kentucky (1974) 

If you feel you are being called to a religious vocation but don't know how to go about finding out which community you may be called to, it means that your soul is seeking a vocation retreat.

The Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker in Walton, Kentucky are hosting two "Called to Love" Vocation Retreats in February.  One is being held on Saturday, February 17, 2018 for young ladies in grades 6th-12th and the other is being held on Friday-Sunday, February 23rd-25th for young women 18-30. Each retreat is a welcome withdrawal from the world into periods of silence, prayer, community, and recreation much needed for the spiritual growth of the soul.

To learn more about our retreats or to register for one of the events email your confirmation to Sister Patricia Jean, Vocation Director at: sjwvocations@gmail.com. 

St. Joseph's Corner: Spiritual Direction from the Saints

“It is better to say one Our Father fervently and devoutly 
than a thousand with no devotion and full of distraction.” — 
St. Edmund, martyr (+855) 

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker, Walton, Kentucky (1974) 

----------------------------------------------------

Save the Date

The Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker are hosting two "Called to Love" Vocation Retreats in February.  One is being held on Saturday, February 17, 2018 for young ladies in grades 6th-12th and the other is being held on Friday-Sunday, February 23rd-25th for young women 18-30. Each retreat is a welcome withdrawal from the world into periods of silence, prayer, community, and recreation much needed for the spiritual growth of the soul.

To learn more about our retreats or to register for one of the events email your confirmation to Sister Patricia Jean, Vocation Director at: sjwvocations@gmail.com. 

St. Joseph's Corner: Spiritual Direction from the Saints

“To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.” 

Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, Anglican priest convert (+1890)

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker, Walton, Kentucky (1974) 

----------------------------------------------------

Save the Date

The Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker are hosting two "Called to Love" Vocation Retreats in February.  One is being held on Saturday, February 17, 2018 for young ladies in grades 6th-12th and the other is being held on Friday-Sunday, February 23rd-25th for young women 18-30. Each retreat is a welcome withdrawal from the world into periods of silence, prayer, community, and recreation much needed for the spiritual growth of the soul.

To learn more about our retreats or to register for one of the events email your confirmation to Sister Patricia Jean, Vocation Director at: sjwvocations@gmail.com. 

St. Joseph's Corner: Spiritual Direction from the Saints

“Knowledge of divine things is imprinted on our minds by union with God, who is Wisdom itself, just as the wax molds itself into the seal – not the reverse.”  

St. Albert the Great, Catholic Dominican friar and bishop, (+1250)

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker, Walton, Kentucky (1974) 

----------------------------------------------------

Save the Date

The Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker are hosting two "Called to Love" Vocation Retreats in February.  One is being held on Saturday, February 17, 2018 for young ladies in grades 6th-12th and the other is being held on Friday-Sunday, February 23rd-25th for young women 18-30. Each retreat is a welcome withdrawal from the world into periods of silence, prayer, community, and recreation much needed for the spiritual growth of the soul.

To learn more about our retreats or to register for one of the events email your confirmation to Sister Patricia Jean, Vocation Director at: sjwvocations@gmail.com. 

St. Joseph's Corner: Spiritual Direction from the Saints

“Great holiness consists in carrying out the little duties of each moment.”  
St. Josemaria Escriva, priest (+1975)

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker, Walton, Kentucky (1974) 

If you feel you are being called to a religious vocation but don't know how to go about finding out which community you may be called to, it means that your soul is seeking a vocation retreat.

The Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker in Walton, Kentucky are hosting two "Called to Love" Vocation Retreats in February.  One is being held on Saturday, February 17, 2018 for young ladies in grades 6th-12th and the other is being held on Friday-Sunday, February 23rd-25th for young women 18-30. Each retreat is a welcome withdrawal from the world into periods of silence, prayer, community, and recreation much needed for the spiritual growth of the soul.

To learn more about our retreats or to register for one of the events email your confirmation to Sister Patricia Jean, Vocation Director at: sjwvocations@gmail.com.