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Sunday Reflection:
“He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:3).
A pastor once told me that this line from St. John the Baptist about Jesus should be the motto of every priest. The priest who makes the Mass or homily about himself rather than the Lord fails spectacularly at his vocation.
Really, however, this should be a motto for all Christians, not just priests. We are all called to allow Christ to play a larger and larger role in our lives; to surrender our very selves in docility to the promptings of the Holy Spirit; to humble ourselves before God and neighbor.
Now, that idea may trouble some people. I can imagine someone asking, “Does this mean I’m supposed to lose my identity in Christ? That I’m not supposed to be distinctively me? If we all seek to decrease and allow Christ to increase, won’t this make us cookie-cutter versions of each other?”
Far from it. In fact, just the opposite. It’s a paradox, but the more we seek to imitate Christ and focus on God and neighbor, the more uniquely ourselves we will be. G.K. Chesterton once said that no two people are as different as two saints. To illustrate, he wrote famous biographies on St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Francis of Assisi, two men with little in common except their love for Christ.
It is sin, not sanctity that makes us conform, that robs us of creativity and uniqueness, which is why Hannah Arendt spoke of the banality of evil. Only holiness gives us the grounds for true creativity and uniqueness; only in Christ will we find our true identity.
John Paul II once said that “Jesus Christ is the answer to the question posed by every human life.” As we contemplate Christ’s life throughout Ordinary Time, let us make our own the words of St. John the Baptist: “He must increase; I must decrease.”
Fr. Paul Kucharski
Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal
If you’ve already contributed in response to Cardinal Dolan’s plea, please accept his heartfelt thanks for your generous support. I want you to know that I personally support this appeal, as I have witnessed its local benefits directly. The Appeal significantly contributes to various aspects of our church, including vocations and continuing education at St. Joseph Seminary, support for the St. John Vianney Residence for retired clergy, Catholic education, evangelization, outreach efforts, and financial aid for parishes in need. This ensures the continued health and growth of the Church in New York. With the summer months drawing near, my eagerness to conclude this project grows, yet its achievement relies on our mutual support.
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HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT BECOMING A CATHOLIC?
OR DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO MIGHT HAVE?
R.C.I.A. IS ACCEPTING CANDIDATES NOW
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a process by which the unbaptized or non-Catholic baptized adults learn more about the Catholic Faith. It is also for baptized Catholic adults needing to complete their Sacraments of Initiation: First Communion or Confirmation. The process culminates in reception of the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil Mass. R.C.I.A. is held on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 P.M. in the Scott Room in the Rectory of the Church of St. Joseph. If you (or someone you know) are interested, please call Ray Belair at
914-771-6063.
Donations to Fr. Aurelian O’Dowd,
please write out Check Payable to
Fr. Aurelian O’Dowd,
and bring it to Rectory
Monday through Friday
9am – 4:30pm -
Music Selections for Sunday Mass
Second Sunday In Ordinary Time
January 19, 2025
Mark your Calendars for our next
“Friends of Music” Concerts:
We send you a warm welcome to join us for the new "FRIENDS OF MUSIC" 2024-2025 Concert
Series Season all our Concerts are free to all!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------We thank the
patrons and donors of our
FRIENDS OF MUSIC CONCERT SERIES.
The programs over the 2024-2025 season
would not have been possible without
your generous support.
Thank you for keeping our Concert free
and open to all in our community!
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Please watch the Bulletin for
next year's 2024-2025 Concert Series Programs!
Our dedicated Choir is on summer vacation
and will return in September.
Please consider joining the choir in the new season.
More info. email: David Tisbert at
the Music Office email.
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For more info. go to
www.saintjosephsbronxville.org
Auditions for new choir members are ongoing please contact
Mr. David Tisbert in the Music office.
[email protected]Second Sunday In Ordinary Time p. 557 1022 Come Christians Join to Sing
Psalm 96: #1199 Proclaim his marvelous…
1026 Come All Nations
R2 #922 Diverse In Culture
A: Cantate Domino – Pitoni
A:I Am the Bread of Life-Stainer
Cantors 1023 I Received the Living God
953 I Sing the Mighty Power of God
Mr. David Tisbert, Director of Music and Organist ❖ [email protected]
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"WeShare" - An Opportunity to TitheWhen you are unable to attend Mass
WeShare is an easy to use online giving tool.
QUESTIONS: Contact WeShare support at 1(800) 950-9952
If you are already registered and wish to tithe: https://saintjosephsbronxville.churchgiving.com/
I want to THANK again those of you who have continued to support St Joseph’s by mailing in your contributions or by joining WE SHARE---electronic giving.
We hope many more parishioners will join We Share. It is quick and easy to sign up. Just go to our website for details. You can make changes at any time. ‘THANK YOU’ for your love and support of St Joseph’s.
God bless you,
Fr. William Cleary
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Some Great News
St Joseph’s is a beautiful church.
For 7 years now, I have always wanted to have a mosaic of The Divine Mercy to replace the simple print we had. However, we have had lots more pressing, practical, and very expensive projects to do first. Now, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Ms Sarajane Brittis, we have the mosaic, given in honor of her parents, Dr Anthony & Marianna Brittis. The mosaic was lovingly handcrafted in Italy—just outside Venice-- over the last 6 months and was just installed last Friday. How blessed we are! Generations to come will be able to pray before this sacred reminder of God’s infinite mercy. From all of us at St Joseph’s, “THANK YOU”, Ms Brittis!
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Celebrants for Sunday January 19, 2025
Saturday
5:00pm Fr. Cleary
Sunday
8:00am Fr. David Monaco
9:30pm Fr. Tom Regan
10:45am Fr. Paul
12:00pm Fr. Romesh
5:00pm Fr. Paul -
Weekly Update Religious EducationAll Classes are in Session
Second Grade StudentsThe second-grade students of our parish will be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the month of January. Please pray for our students as they prepare for this Sacrament.Thank YouWe are overwhelmed by the generosity of our Religious Education families for the donations given to the Advent Giving Projects. The various charities we serviced are so appreciated of your kindness and support. The Jesus Stockings will be distributed by our youth ministry members during their Midnight runs in January and February.
Youth MinistryYouth Ministry will have a meeting on Sunday, January 26 following the 5pm Mass in the Scott Room.
Any student who is in High School and is interested in becoming a member of Youth Ministry; please email Bridget Lockwood at [email protected]
Parish THANK YOU for ADVENT GIVING PROJECTSWe are overwhelmed by the generosity of our parishioners for the donations given to the Advent Giving Projects. The various charities we serviced are so appreciative of your kindness and support.
The Amazon Wishlist's received everything they requested. It has brought so much joy to the children and families they serve. We had 750 gifts tags taken from the Advent Giving Tree in the vestibule of the Church. The gifts were sorted by the Youth Ministry and given to the various charities serviced.
Thank you to a generous parishioner who donated 40 new coats to be given to those who are in need.
We are truly blessed by your goodness. Thank you again to all who donated.Altar Serving MinistryAll parishioners in the 5th – 12th grades are
invited to join the altar servers of St. Joseph’s.
No experience is necessary, and training will be offered.
Please consider volunteering for this important
ministry and assist the priests of St. Joseph’s
during 2024/2025 academic calendar.
Please email Michael Wrotniak at [email protected] for more information.
Don’t wait, training begins soon!
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Rectory Office Information
ADDRESS: 15 Cedar Street Bronxville, New York 10708
PHONE: 914-337-1660
FAX: 914-337-1342
MON - FRI: 9 AM - 4:30 PM
SAT - SUN: 9 AM - 3:00 PM -
Mass Times and Reconciliation
Mon - Sat: 6:45 - 8:30 - 12 Noon
Sunday - 8:00am - 9:30 - 10:45 - 12 Noon - 5:00pm
Vigil Mass: Sat 5:00pm
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Reconciliation -(Confession)
Thursday - 11:00 - 11:30
Saturday - 11:00 - 11:30 & 4:00 - 4:30 PM
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The Mon - Sat 6:45 Mass is livestreamed and available to view on Facebook - click on the “ f“ next to the search box at the top of this page
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Remember our Military Veterans
--Please remember:
---PRAY for our veterans. Their selfless sacrifices have ensured our many freedoms.
---SUPPORT your parish. St Joseph’s needs your financial help now more than ever. Go to our website and join WE SHARE. It is very simple and the best way to support your parish.
---STAY SAFE and never forget to pray for our caregivers.
--ONE ANOTHER. Continue to be careful, be cautious, be considerate, and be charitable.
God bless, Fr Peter -
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