March 19, 2021 Feast of St. Joseph in the Year of St. Joseph
Happy Feast of St. Joseph! I hope you like the image that I am sharing today…it comes to you with a request!
When you walk into Church, you see St. Joseph’s statue among the others. Since I was a child, up until this day, I have always loved and been fascinated by statues…the colors, sizes, styles, designs and symbols. However, the real Joseph of Nazareth was no statue. He was a man of action. As revealed in Matthew’s Gospel, once he heard the angel’s words in his dreams, he did not hesitate. He acted. His mantle was work. His spirituality an active contemplation. Hearing the message, he acted on it, and focused on it. His work linked to his mission. Work…physical labor and protection his wife and son. This was his charge.
And those who follow in the footsteps of Joseph, in order to follow the way of his son Jesus, do the same.
The image of St. Joseph that comes with this message was shared with me by the Sisters of St. Joseph. It came to me in their St. Joseph Day greeting! Beautiful isn’t it! Paraphrasing Pope Francis, they proclaim: “Joseph earthly shadow of the heavenly Father, draw us to Jesus your son.”
Like Joseph, the Sisters of St. Joseph have taken up his name to walk closely in the path of Jesus. Like Joseph they have been active contemplatives…helping the good neighbor…with schools, hospitals, clinic, shelters and food banks…advocacy, being a voice, marching, standing, sharing, laughing. You may know them in your life. I do. Sr. Ann Louis. Sr. Mary Rita. Sr. Michelle, Sr. Mary Sarah. Sr. Rose Irma. Sr. Theresa, Sr. James Francis, Sr. Mary Alice …and the litany of those past and present go on.
Here is the REQUEST…join the work.
On this Solemnity of St. Joseph, I am asking you to do TWO things. NOT one but TWO things.
First. Please pray for the Sisters, and the Ministry and Mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Second. Please give. I mean make a sacrificial gift to the Ministry and Mission Foundation. Your gift will join the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph, as we follow the way of Jesus Christ.
Remember, you’re not a statue…you’re made for action! Pray and Give…TODAY.
Click the link below
https://secure.donationpay.org/ssjerie/
For full transparency, I am on the board of the Sisters of St. Joseph Minister and Mission Foundation. Having been educated and formed by these great women this is a humbling opportunity for me to say thank you!
St. Joseph, pray for us