With the Apostolic Letter “Patris corde” (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis recalls the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church to mark the occasion, the Holy Father has proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” from December 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021. As the patron of our parish, St. Joseph the Worker, it is only fitting that we try to learn as much as we can about St. Joseph (perhaps even something that we never heard before). The next few issues of the bulletin will feature short meditations on St. Joseph. In a new Apostolic Letter entitled Patris corde (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis describes Saint Joseph as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father, a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows. The Letter marks the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pope Pius IX’s declaration of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To celebrate the anniversary, Pope Francis has proclaimed a special “Year of St. Joseph,” beginning of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 2020 and extending to the same feast in 2021. The Holy Father wrote Patris corde against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, which, he says, has helped us see more clearly the importance of “ordinary” people who, though far from the limelight, exercise patience and offer hope every day. In this, they resemble Saint Joseph, “the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence,” who nonetheless played “an incomparable role in the history of salvation.

Our mission is to support both spiritually and materially young men in formation for the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, and Conception Seminary College. We provide spiritual support through the promotion of prayer and messages of encouragement, and material support from the proceeds of the annual fundraiser. These profits are divided as agreed by the three aforementioned institutions. Join us for the twenty-eighth annual SOS virtual event on Friday, January 29, 2021. To learn more go to: supportourseminarians.com

I will not have an Associate Pastor after Father Leete leaves for his new assignment.  Beginning  July 1 st, our Mass schedule will change. Sunday at 11:30. (No Saturday Mass) Weekday Mass on Tuesdays and Thursdays.    The schedule at St. Mark will become: 4:30 Saturday 8:00 and 10:00 Sunday Weekdays at 9:00 on M-W-F   Although I hope that everyone will come to the 11:30, I understand that personal schedules may require going earlier. If so, please continue to send in your financial contributions in support of the parish. Thank you. (Fr. Powers)