St. Joseph's Church

March 23rd—Classes for grades K through 5 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. March 30th—Classes for grades K through 5 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Classes for grades 6 to 8 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. April 6th– Classes for grades K through 5 from 10:00 to 11:0 a.m. Classes for grade 6 to 8 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Good Friday, 4/18/2025 at 12 pm - Stations of the Cross at our Mausoleum - All are welcome. Decoration rules: No decorations are not allowed between April 1st thru Mother's Day for our Spring cleanup.   Spring/Summer: Two movable plain containers of live flowers will be allowed from Mother's Day to Labor Day.   Containers with prongs on the bottom, vigil lights, glass containers, solar lights, shepherd hooks, statues, or lot enclosures are not allowed.   Mausoleum & Columbarium walls:  Flowers, decorations of any kind may not be placed on, in front of, or near the Crypt or Niche.  Nothing may be glued, mounted taped or in any way affixed to a Crypt or Niche front, name plaque or any part of the walls.  Anything so mounted will be removed and disposed of immediately. Thank you for your understanding.

Friday at 6:30 Stations of the Cross and Lamentations. Sunday at 6:00 Lenten Vespers. Operation Rice Bowl. Please take a rice bowl located in the church. Confessions: Wed., Thurs., Friday from 11:30 to 12:00. Wednesday night from 5:00 to 6:00. Consider making it a private holy hour. Saturday 3:00 to 3:45.

Classes Sunday, March 16th and 30th. Sunday, April 6th and 13th. Sunday, May 4th. Confirmation rehearsal Saturday, May 31st at 10:00 a.m. accompanied by sponsor, parent or guardian. Confirmation will be Sunday, June 1st at 1:30 p.m. Students should arrive at the Parish Center for 12:45. Thank you. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. A at 413-822-1297 or email [email protected].

Saturday March 22nd—St. Joseph Church First Penance. Students should report to the North Chapel by 9:30 a.m. Sunday, March 30th—The Banner Workshop will be at 10:00 a.m. in the Parish Center. Parents are required to stay to help their child with their banner. Please make sure that your child attends ALL classes and events so that they are well prepared for the Sacrament of First Communion. We are looking forward to this faith journey. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at 822-1297. John A.

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the 2025 Massachusetts Citizens for Life Annual Mother's Day Fundraising Dinner, held at the beautiful Log Cabin! Enjoy a delicious meal while supporting the cause of Life in Massachusetts, and be inspired by our incredible keynote speaker, Bishop W.C. Martin, Pastor, Bennett Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Thursday, May 8th at 6 PM at Log Cabin Restaurant, 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke, MA. Early Registration Special for tickets purchased by March 16th. https://www.masscitizensforlife.org/mothers-day-tickets

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of abstinence from meat as well as days of fast, when only one full meal is allowed. On days of fast, two other meatless meals may be taken according to one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. The other Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat. The obligation to abstain from meat begins at age fourteen (14) and does not cease. The obligation to fast begins at age eighteen (18) and ceases at age fifty-nine (59). Please note: Although the faithful may excuse themselves from fast and abstinence, for a just cause, there is an obligation to substitute another penance in its place. No Catholic should lightly excuse him/herself from these Lenten obligations.