These few words certainly sound like an Easter greeting, don’t they? Actually, they come from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:12) and are the title of the Pope’s Apostolic Exhortation. You may prefer the Latin title, Gaudete et Exultate. Last Monday, on the Feast of the Annunciation (moved this year from its usual date of March 25

th – yes, less than nine months until Christmas!),

Pope Francis released this document “on the call to holiness in today’s world.” Perhaps a media report informed you of his latest writing and you are wondering about what it actually says. You can already order printed copies of the exhortation, but I printed a copy from the Vatican website and spent a couple hour reading and reflecting upon it. I thought you might be interested in a brief summary and am hoping you might be inspired to read it yourself. One interesting detail for us: it was actually published on March 19

th, the Solemnity

of St. Joseph, who is the patron of SJW under his title “the Worker” and of HF as part of the Holy Family!

As I read the Pope’s relatively brief (33 pages, 8½ X 11) exhortation, I kept thinking that it is an updating of An Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales, which is a spiritual classic. Pope Francis describes his goal as “repropose the call to holiness in a practical way for our own time (par. 2).” Like St. Francis de Sales, the Pope is reminding us of the universal call to holiness each of us receives through baptism and how it is unique for each person in the differing circumstances of our lives. It includes examples of various saints, both canonized and “our next door neighbors,” who responded to God’s invitation and grace in their lives. Pope Francis writes in a very personal and understandable manner, except for a couple, short descriptions of heresies that are more complex or theological. At the end of Chapter One, he encourages us: “Do not be afraid of holiness. It will take away none of your energy, vitality or joy. On the contrary, you will become what the Father had in mind when he created you, and you will be faithful to your deepest self.” (par. 32) Chapter Two addresses “Two Subtle Enemies of Holiness” and parts of this concise section can be more difficult, but still important and challenging. The heart of the exhortation is the next chapter in which he reflects upon the Beatitudes and what he calls “the great criterion” – Matthew 25:31-46 (the sheep and the goats); it is very powerful. Pope Francis then writes about “signs of holiness in today’s world” and the vigilance and discernment needed for the spiritual combat we all face.

This is how the Pope ends his exhortation: “It is my hope that these pages will prove helpful by enabling the whole Church to devote herself anew to promoting the desire for holiness. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us fervent longing to be saints for God’s greater glory, and let us encourage one another in this effort. In this way, we will share a happiness that the world will not be able to take from us.” (par. 177)

Hoping the same,

Next Sunday, April 22, visitors will be delivering pledge information and commitment cards for the Capital Campaign to all households.

Please welcome these volunteers warmly and keep the campaign and those who are giving of their time in your prayers. Each household should have received a campaign brochure in

the mail detailing our vision and how you can support this effort. If you did not receive the brochure, please contact the church office for a copy.

Please pray for God’s guidance throughout this process as well as the campaign volunteers and entire St. Joseph the Worker community. This is an important moment in our church’s history and we thank you for your interest!

2018 Catholic Ministries Appeal

The Parish Goal for SJW this year is $32,090.00 and the Parish Goal for HF is $9,860.00. Thank you to those who have already donated! If you have not done so yet, please consider making a gift. More

information can be found at Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota

www.catholicfsmn.org/Appeal

Amount Pledged:

$5,622

57.02%

Holy Family

16 donors

Amount Pledged:

$15,599

48.61%

St. Joe’s

59 donors

Don’t Forget

MEN’S CLUB

TWINS GAME

ROADTRIP Twins vs. Texas

Rangers. Fri., June

22nd, 2017, $55/ticket. Cost includes

ticket to game, coach bus transportation,

and refreshments on bus. Bus will leave

St. Joe’s parking lot between 3:45 and

4:00pm. Payment must be received to

reserve your seat. Limited number of

seats available. To sign up stop by the

Parish Office or place payment in the

collection basket or mail CLEARLY

LABELED that it is for the Twins Game

Road Trip and with the names and contact

information of those attending. Deadline to

signup is May 22nd.

WOMEN CRAFTING FOR A CAUSE

Saturday, May 5th, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm, Sewing/Craft Retreat at St. Joseph the Worker. Beginner to advanced, bring your own project and/or work on material provided for quilt projects which will be donated to veterans and local charities. To register, contact the Parish Office 388-3766 or office@sjwhf.org. Cost is $40, which includes all-day sewing space, valet service 9-10:30 am, lunch, snacks, refreshments, door prizes, and a quilting project demo. Profits will be donated to our Sister Parish in Haiti towards the building of their new school. Questions? Call Marilyn at 388-8887.

April 7 & 8, 2018

$5,948.22

Fiscal Year to Date

$276,979.21 Actual

$280,051.71 Budget

St. Joseph the Worker

Fiscal Year to Date

$85,179.40 Actual

$86,741.46 Budget

Holy Family April 8, 2018 $1,673.60

Congratulations to Jerry Edwards the

“301” winner of $100 for April 7!

SATURDAY, APRIL 21

SJW—5:00 P.M. MASS Reader: Mary Date, Tom Hallett Servers: Jacob Hopkins, SUB ECM: Joyce Wilcox, Mary Jo Synder, Gwen Stavenau, Cindy Thom, 3 SUBS Ushers: Jan Mountain, Paul HInski, Matthew & Tim Murray Musicians: Cindy Lawrence, Kylie Ahlschwede, David Blissenbach

SUNDAY, APRIL 22

HF—8:30 A.M. MASS Reader: Susan Hanson Servers: Emma Hanson, Katie Hanson ECM: Jan Anderson, Megan Davis, Mary Jaspers Ushers: Jim Mack, Wayne Lindmeier Musicians: Jan Osten, Sheila Sickler, Mallory Schlaffman SJW—10:30 A.M. MASS Reader: Angie Schuck Servers: Miles & Katelin Flack, SUB ECM: Judy & Chuck Westermayer, Jan Willaert, Sue Liebl, Cindy Matuska, Carol Brady, SUB Usher: Jeff Willerst, Rick Blace, Matt McMonagle, Ray Mettler Musicians: Sister Janet, Teresa Anderson, Tim Wendlandt, Amy Braam SJW: Doorkeeper: Dwight Wallin

Tuesday, April 17:

SJW 12:05pm - Word and Communion

Wednesday, April 18:

Hillcrest 9:30am - Word and Communion

Loyola 9:50am - †Deceased Members of Ray Reker Family

Thursday, April 19:

HF 8:30am - †Robert Anderson

Pathstone 10:15am - †Dorothy Frank

Friday, April 20:

SJW 12:05pm - †Robert Blace

Saturday, April 21: 4th Sunday of Easter

SJW 5:00pm - †Glenn Anderson

Sunday, April 22: 4th Sunday of Easter

HF 8:30am - †Peg Warmka

SJW 10:30am - For the Parishioners ______________________________________________ Monday: Acts 6:8-15; Ps 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30; Jn 6:22-29

Tuesday: Acts 7:51 — 8:1a; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 7b, 8a,

17, 21ab; Jn 6:30-35

Wednesday: Acts 8:1b-8; Ps 66:1-3a, 4-7a; Jn 6:35-40

Thursday: Acts 8:26-40; Ps 66:8-9, 16-17, 20; Jn 6:44-51

Friday: Acts 9:1-20; Ps 117:1bc, 2; Jn 6:52-59

Saturday: Acts 9:31-42; Ps 116:12-17; Jn 6:60-69

Sunday: Acts 4:8-12; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29;

1 Jn 3:1-2; Jn 10:11-18

Mon. 4/16: 1:00pm Mission Quilting Group - SJW

2:30pm Girls on the Run - SJW GYM

6:30pm RCIA

Tues. 4/17: 6:30pm Visitor Orientation Training– SJW

Wed. 4/18: 5:30pm Simple Supper - SJW

6:00pm Faith Formation - SJW

6:30pm Faith Formation - HF

7:00pm Youth Choir - SJW

Thurs. 4/19: 2:30pm Girls on the Run - SJW GYM

Sat. 4/21: 4:15pm Confessions - SJW

Sun. 4/22: 8:00am Confessions - HF

We welcome to the Catholic community,

Caden Daniel Wersal who was baptized

at SJW on Saturday, April 14.

Children’s Weekly Stewardship

Treasure: HF: $26.60 SJW: $78.55

YOU ARE INVITED! - For all those parishioners who serve at

Hillcrest, Monarch Healthcare Management cordially invites you to attend a volunteer reception in your honor Thursday, May 3rd from 2-4pm. A short program will be held at 2:15pm. Location: Country Inn & Suites Conference Center, 1900 Premier Drive, Mankato. Please RSVP to Kathy Dye at Hillcrest 507-387-3491.

SPIRITUAL ADOPTION PROGRAM - This weekend we are

beginning our Spiritual Adoption of an Unborn Baby. More than 4,000 babies lose their lives to abortion each day. It is these babies you are being asked to "adopt". Please take home a prayer card with you (extras will be placed at the entrances to the church) and place it somewhere where you will not forget to pray for your spiritually adopted baby for the next 9 months. Monthly bulletin notices will give you information on the development of your spiritually adopted baby. The power of prayer is great - thank you for participating!

April

Wed 18 Faith Formation Class: SJW - Simple Supper 5:30 pm K-10th grade class - 6 pm

HF - K-7th grade class - 6:30 pm 9-10th grade class - 6 pm, at SJW

All 8th graders field trip to All Saints Church Bus departs - 6pm, returns - 7:30pm

Wed 25 Faith Formation Family Picnic & Awards

May

Sun 6 Youth Mass (HF) 8:30 am, (SJW) 10:30 am + May Crowning of Mary by 1st Communicants Wed 16 SJW & HF Confirmation Rehearsal Individual Confirmation pictures - 5:00pm at SJW Group picture - 5:30pm, Rehearsal at SSPP at 6pm with Confirmation Sponsor

Fri 18 Confirmation at SSPP, 6:00pm Candidates & Sponsors arrive at 5:00pm

April 15, 2018 3rd Sunday of Easter

St. Joseph the Worker & Holy Family

Faith Formation Contact Information

Connie Wallin, Director

Email: cwallin@sjwhf.org

Kathy Moldan, HF Assistant Director

Email: kmoldan@sjwhf.org

Phone: 507-388-3766

Website: sjwhf.org Like us on Facebook

Catholic Adventure Camp! For middle school youth entering

grades 6-8 in the fall of 2018

DATE: July 30th through August 2nd Place: Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center

Lanesboro, MN Cost: $275 per attendee

Camp Summit is a Catholic adventure camp featuring activities geared to engage and challenge middle school youth! Hosted at the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, Camp Summit

offers high ropes courses, archery, team building activities, large group games, bonfires, daily Mass, Reconciliation and Eucharis-

tic Adoration, dynamic speakers, incredible music, time for reflection and small group discussions, delicious food, and more!

Dream Team and Fiat!!

High school youth entering grades 9-12 in the fall of 2018 are invited to serve on one of our leadership teams- Dream Team

and Fiat! Camp Summit offers high school leaders a unique opportunity to meet new people, mentor to the campers, and to

encounter their faith in a deeper way through a week of formation that equips them to be spiritual leaders at camp and beyond.

Keep the following due dates in mind: April 12 - Fiat and Dream Team Applications due to parish Office May 12 - Registration and $50 Down Payments due May 15 - Price of Camp Goes Up from $250 to $275 July 1 - Final Payments Due

CAMP SUMMIT is a ministry of the Diocese of Winona, MN www.campsummitwinona.org

DON’T FORGET - VBS Boot Camp at SJW June 13th through 15th, 2018 9:00am to 12:00pm

Boot Camp is for all 6th, 7th, 8th graders who are interested in helping at Vacation Bible School the week of June 18th through 22nd. Registration available on line - sjwhf.org

to sign up for

Steubenville North - Senior High Conference

Date: July 13 - 15, 2018 Place: Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, MN

A Steubenville Youth Conference is an invitation to spiritual growth. For some this means entering into a personal relationship with God for the first time.

Cost: $375 includes - round-trip coach bus to Rochester, MN; 2 nights in hotel; all meals.

To hold our spots we must get Registration and $50 down in! Final Payment due - May 7

If you are interested in going contact Connie ASAP!!

All 2nd Graders who made their

First Communion this year

are invited to take part in the

May Crowning of Mary

on Sunday, May 6, 2018

(HF) 8:30 am Mass (SJW) 10:30 am Mass

They can come dressed as they where at

their First Communion. No veils please.

God sends no churches from the skies, out of our hearts they must arise

- Anonymous

(SJW) Last week: 18lbs. Items

needed this week: Canned

Goods.

Rev. Timothy T. Reker - Pastor

Deacon John Rudd - Pastoral Associate

Nicole Hermer - Director of Parish Activities

Glenn Barnette - Bookkeeper

Connie Wallin - Director of Religious Education

Kathy Moldan - HF Rel. Ed. Coor./Office Asst.

Sister Janet Wermerskirchen - Music Director

Jon Hermanson - SJW Custodial Engineer

Mike Murrain - SJW Custodian

Ben Moldan - HF Custodian

Email bulletin notices to office@sjwhf.org by Tuesday at noon.

Office Phone………...…………………388-3766

Parish Email………………...…office@sjwhf.org

FAX……………………...…….………..388-2101

SJW Prayer Chain……...……...Joan: 388-5986

HF Prayer Chain…………..Margaret: 317-4785

Email: margaretbuss@yahoo.com

Mon-Fri: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Dennis Owen, Steve Klinkner, Vanessa Ewert, Tom B, Richard Johnson, John Allen, Jerry Schultz,

George Larson, Henry (Stalberger) Schladweiler

Baptism - Please contact Deacon John in the parish office to schedule the baptism and the

baptism preparation class.

Marriage - Congratulations on your engagement! Please contact Fr. Reker at least 6 months in

advance to begin preparation.

Anointing of the Sick - If you or a family member is homebound or in the hospital and would like a

pastoral visit, please notify the office.

Phone: 388-0600, Website: loyolacatholicschool.org

Adam Bemmels PreK-12 Principal

Learn about Loyola Catholic School...visit www.loyolacatholicschool.org

Early Registration discounts until April 15th - Call today! Open Enrollment for Preschool classes (3 - 5 years old). All day PS class/child care options are available. Limited space, SIGN UP TODAY! Schedule family tours and K-12 shadow days at your convenience. Contact Angela Casteel at

acasteel@loyolacatholicschool.org 507.388.0615.

LUCKY 20 RAFFLE is back! The Lucky 20 raffle is an opportunity to raise funds to support a dynamic education for Loyola students. 20 Chances to Win! Visit www.loyolacatholicschool.org Grand Prize of $10,000; one $5,000 winner; two $1,000 winners; two $500 winners, and fifteen $200 winners!

Save the Date...ALL ARE WELCOME

Loyola Crusader Golf Classic, Monday, May 14. Register online!

www.loyolacatholicschool.org

ROCKIN’ on the HILL - Summer Music Fest, Saturday, July 21. Live

music, food trucks, spirits, pull tabs, traveling boutiques and more! This year’s bands include Neon-LIVE and PopROCKS.

Loyola 2nd graders participated in their annual Bread Of Life retreat on April 13. Third graders spent Thursday at Gustavus, working with Brenda Kelly’s

Science students.

Loyola 10th graders took college tours at Gustavus Adolphus, South Central and MSU on Wednesday.

Our 7th grade Robotics Team, placed 15th of 85 in the CREATE U.S. state/international championship. Eight Loyola students participated in the MN State Science Fair on Monday/Tuesday. Nineteen Loyola students earned awards in the city-wide Laws of Life Essay contest. Loyola had nine entries at the Minnesota State High School League’s solo/ensemble contest. Brook Speiser and Matthew Bach received “Excellent” ratings; Megan Lyons, Elizabeth Benzmiller, Grayson Bolstad, Isaiah Rentschler, Elizabeth Peller, Addison Fraze and Nora Coughlan each received Superior ratings.

THANK YOU to all who send us Box Tops for Education, Hy-Vee receipts,

and Milk Moola labels.

Your parish support makes all we do, learn, and celebrate at Loyola possible, as we guide students to their full potential, walk with them in faith, and equip them to lead and serve.

SJW MEN’S CLUB MISSION STATEMENT:

To bring together men of all ages to grow in relationship with Jesus Christ. With the direction of our Priest, encouraging each

other to be servant leaders in our Church.

INSTITUE OF LAY FORMATION - The diocesan Institute of Lay Formation is a

program and process of prayer, study and reflection on the Catholic Faith, on the life of discipleship and witness in the world, and on service and ministry within the church. The Institute is accepting applications to its next class, to begin this fall. An information session on the Institute and application process will be held on Monday, April 16th from 7-8 pm at St. John’s Parish in Mankato in the Marian Room. For more info contact Todd Graff at 507-858-1270 or tgraff@dow.org.

HATS, HORSES & HOPE - You are invited! Join us for

our 2nd Annual Kentucky Derby Fundraiser. Saturday, May 5th beginning at 3:30pm at the Mankato Golf Club. Proceeds benefiting Theresa House and Welcome Inn Emergency Shelters serving women and families in our community. Tickets are $50 on sale now - www.partnersforhousing.org/hope

CHURCH OF ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER & HOLY FAMILY PARISH To advertise, contact Nicole at the parish office

507-388-3766 or nhermer@sjwhf.org

Well Drilling • Septic Systems Portable Toilets

507-625-3400

MIDWEST INSURANCE GROUP

Wendy Kamm

Denise Deike

Barb Schwartz

Tammy Phillips Thomas Deike Jesse Schilling

Brent Friedrichs

Jane Ross-Culhane

Contact the parish office at 388-3766 to promote your business.

www.drummersgardencenter.com 507-388-4877

In Loving Memory of

Husband, Father, Grandfather. We love and miss you,

-Your Family

John Quiring

In Loving Memory of our wife, mother, sister,

and dear friend.

JUDY HOGAN

Anne Poche

We love you and miss you very much.

In Loving Memory of