Parish Notices for the Ascension of our Lord

1. Tomorrow (today) is the Big Day. Regenerating the Moral and Spiritual Values in our Society concerns everybody. The Synod Team has invited the very dynamic and versatile Preysal Prayer Group to present on the topic: Reverence in Church. Tell your friends and bring a friend. Sunday 1^st June from 4pm to 6pm. 
2. The Sacrament of Confirmation will be administered to young members of our parish next Sunday 8^th June @ 11am. We pray that God will bless them as they make this significant step in their spiritual lives. Members of our community are all invited. 
3. The Solemnity of Corpus Christi is on Thursday 19^thJune. Celebration of Holy Mass at 8.30am followed by a procession through the streets of St. Joseph with the Blessed Sacrament and ends with Benediction in the Church. All are invited. Holy Mass will also be celebrated Wednesday 18^th June @ 6.30pm, the eve of the Solemnity. 
4. Great News. The 5K Run & Walk is back on! The new date – Sunday 6^th July. The new starting point will be at the St. Charles Borromeo R.C. Church beginning at 6AM and ends at the WASA Grounds where the Suburban Vicariate Sports Day will be held, immediately following the race. All are invited! Cost of registration is still $40.00. 

Blessings to ALL our parishioners this week!   

Corpus Christi

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Marian Reflection - Week 4

So we have come to the End of our Month-long Marian Devotions. But lets not have it end here and now. Mary is the queen of our lives and let us honor her all the days of our precious lives.

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

Parish Notices for the 6th Sunday in Easter

1. Next weekend, from Friday 30th May to Sunday 01 June, the Suburban Vicariate will be hosting a Life in the Spirit Seminar at Mt. Lambert R.C. Church. All are invited to participate in this seminar. Free transportation to Mt. Lambert R.C. Church. The maxi will leave our car park at 5:00p.m. on Friday.
2. Next Sunday – June 1^st is the Big Day. Regenerating the Moral and Spiritual Values in our Society concerns everybody, and so the Synod Team has invited the very dynamic and versatile Preysal Prayer Group to present on the topic: Reverence in Church. Tell your friends and bring a friend. DATE: Sunday 1^st June from 4pm to 6pm. 
3. St. Joseph/Mt.D'or Social Justice team is organizing a lecture to mark Mother’s Day and Fathers' Day on Sunday 8th June, after the 8.30am mass in the parish hall. The topic is, "Parenting Styles," especially in relation to crime, child abuse, and parental abuse that are plaguing society today. The presenter is Ms. Marina Torres, a Development and Educational Services provider and member of the parish community. The lecture is targeted to parents, caregivers of children and anyone interested in children. 
4. On Sunday 8^th June, the Sacrament of Confirmation will be administered to young members of our parish. We pray that God will bless them as they make this significant step in their spiritual lives. 
5. The Solemnity of Corpus Christi is on Thursday 19^thJune. Celebration of Holy Mass at 8.30am followed by a procession through the streets of St. Joseph with the Blessed Sacrament and ends with Benediction in the Church. All are invited. Holy Mass on the eve of the Solemnity at 6.30pm at St. Joseph R.C. Church. 
6. Great News. The 5K Run & Walk is back on! The new date – Sunday 6^th July. The new starting point will be at the St. Charles Borromeo R.C. Church beginning at 6AM and ends at the WASA Grounds where the Suburban Vicariate Sports Day will be held, immediately following the race. All are invited! Cost of registration is still $40.00.

 Blessings to ALL our parishioners this week! 

Upcoming Parish Activities

• The Parish Synod Team will present the first Synod Priority which deals with the Reverence in Church. The presenters will be the Preysal Prayer Group. This will be held in the St. Joseph R.C. Church from 4pm-6pm on Sunday June 1st. Bring a friend! It promises to be engaging and enlightening! 
• On Sunday June 8th at 10.30AM, the Sacrament of Confirmation will be administered to our young members of our parish. We pray that God will bless them as they make this significant step in their spiritual lives. 
• The Solemnity of Corpus Christi will be held on June 19th and there will be Holy Mass at 8.30AM followed by a procession through the streets of St. Joseph with the Blessed Sacrament and ends with Benediction in the Church. All are invited. There will also be Holy Mass on the eve of the Solemnity at 6.30PM at St. Joseph R.C. Church.

R.C.I.A. Suburban Confirmation '14

Last evening (Monday May 19th), St. Michael's R.C. Church, Maracas hosted the annual Suburban Vicariate Confirmation ceremony. Seven (7) candidates represented the St. Joseph parish: Miriam Jaisarie, Mark Job, Dominique Reid, Alicia Rampaul-Seelal, Trevor Seelal, Mark Mahadeo and Clint Alexander. His Grace, Archbishop Joseph Harris served as the Chief Celebrant & Homilist with the Vicar for the Vicariate, Fr. Ferdinand Warner and Frs. Joseph Pheong, Elton Letang, Jayson Grell and Macaras Parish Priest, Gerard Tangchoon all con-celebrated, with Deacon Jeffrey Supersad.

His Grace reminded the candidates that when they were baptized as babies, their parents made that commitment for them, now as they make this journey, it is their commitment which they make.

We thank God for these candidates saying 'Yes' and we pray that God will bless and guide them. We also thank the Parish Priest and the community of Maracas, St. Joseph for serving as excellent hosts.

HERE are some pictures that were taken during the Confirmation Mass.

Vicariate R.C.I.A. Confirmation

On Monday, May 19th, St. Michael's Parish, Maracas Valley will host the Suburban Vicariate R.C.I.A. Confirmation ceremony at 6PM. St. Joseph has seven (7) candidates representing the parish. They are:
Miriam Jaisarie
Mark Job
Dominique Reid
Alicia Rampaul-Seelal
Trevor Seelal
Mark Mahadeo
Clint Alexander

We pray that God's Holy Spirit will bless and guide them as they make this commitment during their spiritual walk. 

Celebrating Bishop Emeritus Sydney Charles

Today, the parish of St. Joseph/Mt. D'or and by extension the Archdiocese celebrates a man of God from our very own community. Bishop Emeritus Sydney Charles celebrates a milestone in his life. Before we celebrate the present, let us appreciate his past and all the contributions he made as we take a trip down memory lane.
Born on April 17th, 1962 to Mary & Albert Charles in the St. Joseph town, he was the eleventh out of twelve siblings. He has always been a parishioner of the St. Joseph R.C. Church and he attended the St. Joseph Boys' R.C. School, the very same school that our present Archbishop attended, and Nelson Street Boy's R.C. School where he later continued his secondary education at Osmond High School and St. Mary's College. Following his secondary education, he entered the public service where he worked for three (3) years (1945-1948) and during that time, he knew that the Lord was calling him to religious life. On May 1st, 1948, he joined the Seminary of St. John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs where he did his theological studies for six (6) years. On March 7th, 1954, he was ordained as a priest. He served as parish priest at a number of parish communities such as Arima, San Juan, Carapichaima, Chaguanas and even the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
On November 18th, 1974, it was announced that he would now become the Bishop of Grenada and on January 26th, 1975, he was then ordained Bishop. He served as the leader of the local church in Grenada for over 25 years and on July 10th, 2002, he retired as Bishop but continued to live in Grenada and serve as the Lord. It is no doubt that Bishop Charles did alot for the Diocese in Grenada during his time and he definitely paved the way for not only his successor but for many priests in both Grenada and the wider Caribbean region.
According to many St. Joseph parishioners, they often refer to him as "a man of God with a cheerful sense of humour". Many times Bishop Charles would celebrate mass at the parish and fill the atmosphere with joy as he would recite his jokes and stories all recorded in his personal diary which he carries around. He worked with the late Archbishop Anthony Pantin (whom he calls his "good friend"), the present Archbishop Joseph Harris and even had a personal encounter with our newly canonized saint, St. John Paul II when he made his visit to Trinidad back in the 1970s.
On May 18th, 2014, Bishop Emeritus Sydney Charles celebrated a milestone in his religious and personal life, his 60th Anniversary of priestly ordination. Many members of the clergy all came to support this man of faith. Frs. Michael Mackhan, Benedict Hilare (his nephew), Alan Ventour, Harold Imamshah and Donnie McMahon to name a few concelebrated with fellow Bishop, Bishop Emeritus Gault, the current Bishop of Grenada, Vincent Darius, the Papal Nuncio Nicola Girasoli, His Eminence Cardinal Kelvin Felix and our very own Archbishop Joseph Harris serving as the Homilist where he paid tribute to his friend. In his homily, His grace pointed out that Bishop Charles lived 'a holy life' and the only way to accomplish that kind of life to 'accept the crosses in our own lives'. He even said to the faithful that we ought not be surprised to hear that Bishop Charles wiill be canonized as a Catholic Saint. Members of the Charles family and faithful members of the parish were all present to celebrate this special moment. As we, the parishioners of St. Joseph/Mt. D'or were honoured in being part of such a grand occassion, we thank the Charles family for their support which they have shown towards the parish and we also thank the many priest and Bishops that took the time out of their busy schedules to come and celebrate a friend.

On behalf of parish community, we say Congratulations to Bishop Emeritus Sydney Charles. May God continue to bless him. God be Praised!  Here are some highlights from today's mass:

--B. Durham, 2014

Congrats to Bishop Sydney!

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Marian Devotion - Week 3

Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love, Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of a child in need, Mother whose hands never cease to serve your beloved children because they are moved by the divine love and immense mercy that exists in your heart, cast your compassionate eyes upon me and see the snarl of knots that exist in my life. You know very well how desperate I am, my pain and how I am bound by these knots. Mary, Mother to whom God entrusted the undoing of the knots in the lives of his children, I entrust into your hands the ribbon of my life. No one, not even the evil one himself, can take it away from your precious care. In your hands there is no knot that cannot be undone. Powerful Mother, by your grace and intercessory power with Your Son and My Liberator, Jesus, take into your hands today this knot (Mention your request here) I beg you to undo it for the glory of God, once for all, You are my hope. O my Lady, you are the only consolation God gives me, the fortification of my feeble strength, the enrichment of my destitution and with Christ the freedom from my chains. Hear my plea. Keep me, guide me, protect me, o safe refuge!
Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

Parish Notices for the 5th Sunday in Easter

1. We would like to congratulate our beloved bishop Sydney Charles on the occasion of his 60^th Anniversary of the Ordination. We are very proud and happy for him. 
2. Members of our parish community are all invited to Bishop Sydney Charles’ Diamond Jubilee Mass next Sunday @ 10am. For parishioners who attend the 8.30am Mass, this Mass will be short, so that it will gives us enough time to prepare Altar for the Bishop’s Mass at 10am. (Tomorrow masses will be at 6, 8.30 and 10 AM). 
3. St. Joseph/Mt.D'or Social Justice team is organizing a lecture to mark Mother’s Day and Fathers' Day on Sunday 8th June, after the 8.30am mass in the parish hall. The topic is, "Parenting Skills," especially in relation to crime, child abuse, and parental abuse that are plaguing society today. The presenter is Ms. Marina Torres, a psychologist and member of the parish community. 
4. Mark your calendars. Our next synod event is on Sunday 1^st June @ 4pm. As we seek to regenerate the Moral and Spiritual Values of our Society we have invited the Preysal Prayer Group to present on the topic: Reverence in Church. It promises to be a very interesting, informative and entertaining presentation. 

Blessings to ALL our parishioners this week! 

Parish Synod Event

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Indications for Diamond Jubilee

INDICATIONS

Sunday, May 18, 2014
5TH Sunday of Easter, 60^th ANNIVERSARY MASS OF PRIESTLY ORDINATION IN THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH

 On May 18, 2014, Fifth Sunday of Easter, at 10:00 am, His Lordship Bishop Emeritus Sydney Charles,Order of the British Empire, will celebrate Holy Mass in the Parochial Church in thanksgiving to God for  60^th Anniversary of his Priestly Ordination in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain.

For this occasion, Liturgical Masters of Ceremonies to the Parish Priest announces the following:

1. His Lordship with the assisting Deacons will be 9:00 for the Chapter Room of the House of Studies in the Parochial Church, to wear the sacred vestments. 
2. There will be con-celebration with His Lordship

•  His Eminence Cardinal Felix, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishops, Bishops and Auxiliary Bishop, Their Excellencies, the superiors of Religious Orders and pastors interested in  His Lordship, are requested to meet in the Chapel of Saint Dominic, in the House of Studies 9:00 where wearing the sacred vestments for the celebration. 

• Other priests con-celebrants, also equipped with a special note of this office, they will want to be 9:00 in the Presbytery Garden, bringing amice, alb, and cincture and stole white.

 

Saint Joseph RC Church, May13, 2014.

B. Matthew D. Robinson,                                                                                                    
B.Sean Crepin 
Liturgical Master of Ceremonies                                                                

Friar Karol Wielgosz OP

Chaplain to His Lordship

Diamond Jubilee Celebration

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Mother's Day Greetings

To all those that play the role of mother, we extend all of God's choicest blessings upon and hope that you have a special day. May God continue to bless you in your maternal roles and May the Blessed Virgin Mary shape you into an image that is similar to her.

From the Parish of St. Joseph/Mt. D'or: Happy Mother's Day!

Marian Devotion - Week 2

Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Most Holy Virgin Mary, tender Mother of men, to fulfil the desires of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the request of the Vicar of Your Son on earth, we consecrate ourselves and our families to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and we recommend to You, all the people of our country and all the world.

Please accept our consecration, dearest Mother, and use us as You wish to accomplish Your designs in the world.

O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and Queen of the World, rule over us, together with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, Our King. Save us from the spreading flood of modern paganism; kindle in our hearts and homes the love of purity, the practice of a virtuous life, an ardent zeal for souls, and a desire to pray the Rosary more faithfully.

We come with confidence to You, O Throne of Grace and Mother of Fair Love. Inflame us with the same Divine Fire which has inflamed Your own Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. Make our hearts and homes Your shrine, and through us, make the Heart of Jesus, together with your rule, triumph in every heart and home.

Parish Notices for the 4th Sunday in Easter

1. Today we celebrate the Sunday of the Good Shepherd. So we pray in a very special way for the vocations to the priesthood … for our children and grandchildren. 
2. Next weekend we are going to celebrate a great event, a great jubilee indeed. Bishop Sydney Charles will celebrate his Diamond Jubilee of Priestly Ordination by celebrating the Holy Mass next Sunday (May 18th) at 10am in St. Joseph Church. All are invited to celebrate this joyful anniversary. Many bishops and priest will celebrate with us. Please help us to welcome them. 
3.  All those who would like to help us with this great celebration by singing are invited to attend a choir practice on Thursday 15^th of May, at 6.30 pm. 
4. Next weekend in our parish, the masses will be in a following order: Saturday: 5 PM in Mt. D’or and 6.30 PM in St. Joseph; On Sunday in St. Joseph masses will be at 6 AM, 8.30 AM – short mass for the families with little children and at 10 AM – Solemn High Mass celebrated by Bishop Sydney Charles. 
5. The Durham family would like to express their deepest gratitude to all those who visited, called, emailed, facebook'd and kept us in prayer. 
6. St. Joseph/Mt. D'or Social Justice team is organizing a lecture to mark Mother’s Day and Fathers' Day on Sunday 8th June, after the 8.30am mass in the parish hall. The topic is, "Parenting Skills," especially in relation to crime, child abuse, and parental abuse that are plaguing society today. The presenter is Ms. Marina Torres, a psychologist and member of the parish community. 
7. Mark your calendars. Our next synod event is on Sunday 1^st June @ 4pm. As we seek to Regenerate the Moral and Spiritual Values of our Society we have invited the Preysal Prayer Group to present on the topic: Reverence in Church. It promises to be a very interesting, informative and entertaining presentation. 

Blessings to ALL our parishioners this week! 

Mary, the Greatest Mother of All!

 The Church celebrates the entire month of May as a special month in which to honor Our Lady. There are May processions, crowning’s, and special novenas in her honor. May is bursting out with flowers - roses and wonderful scents fill the air, reminding us of the beauty of the Mother of God.

Mary was conscious of all the many hidden realities of what it is to be wife and mother. Her life with Jesus and Joseph was seasoned with many ups and downs trying to create a home in the midst of poverty and social unrest.  We honor her for giving us a holy example of motherly love in times of both joy and sorrow.

Mother’s Day is a time to show our appreciation for the women in our lives that have likewise shown us motherly love and care.  Not only our mother who gave birth to us, but all women who have sustained us as we’ve grown.   In each loving act of our mothers, we can see the hand of Mary guiding and bestowing favor.

I invite you to take time today, and each day this month, to pray for the intercession of Our Mother of Perpetual Help for your mother – that they may receive special assistance in their vocation of being a Mother.

Let us remember all our Mothers and entrust them to the care of Our Mother of Perpetual Help this day as we celebrate this holiday of honoring our Mothers.  

Mother of Perpetual Help, be with all Mothers this day.
Assist them with your motherly love and keep them safe from all harm!

Marian Devotion - Week 1

My soul magnifies the Lord
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid;
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;
Because He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name;
And His mercy is from generation to generation
on those who fear Him.
He has shown might with His arm,
He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of His mercy
Even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever.

Feast of St. Joseph, The Worker

Today is the Feast of St. Joseph, The Worker. May the intercessions of our patron saint and our Blessed Mother be presented before their Holy Son and our Lord and may he grant us our blessings according to his will. St. Joseph, the worker - Pray for Us!