Serving generations of faith since 1868
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Helpful Parish Info & Links
PLEASE NOTE OUR
NEW PHONE NUMBERS:CHURCH AND RECTORY
(845) 481-4560RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
(845) 663-2116
Parish Office Hours
Monday - Friday 8:30 - 3:30
+ SUNDAY BULLETINS +
+ MASS TIMES +
MESSAGE - No Masses or Services until May 15th.
Parish Office Closed
In Case of an emergency call the parish # 845-481-4560 and dial 9 -
Thank You!
Many of you have been mailing in your weekly or monthly contribution. This has kept us in decent shape during these rough times. Please pray for anyone struggling during these tough times when so many have been laid off. We can distribute some of the spaghetti and pasta we collected for our needy dinners if anybody needs it. Just call and leave a message.
Also, please never hesitate to call if anyone needs the Anointing of the Sick.
God Bless- Msgr. Desmond -
Return to Masses
The New NormalAll the deans and bishops are having a meeting this Thursday with the Cardinal to discuss how to return to a NEW Normal. He will follow state norms on this, and there will be different timelines for different activities by region. As a result, no definite plan can be enacted until all of these components are factored in. I can say that we will not be returning to crowded Masses anytime soon.
One proposal is to have all Masses fulfill the Sunday obligation. This means that those able to attend weekday masses would be urged to attend them and reserve the weekend masses for those whose jobs prevent them from going to weekday Masses. In other words, we would be distributing all those attending on the Sunday Masses to all the Masses. We would also change the weekday schedule to include an evening Mass- probably Tuesday. When we do go back, we will know we will have to maintain social distancing.
Our church holds 450 including the balcony. With social distancing, we could only have 100 maximum in church at any time. We get 1000-1200 each weekend. We have 14 Masses per week, so this could work if everybody co-operated. If we do not come up with plans like this, we will not be allowed public masses. This might have to be the new normal for now. Obviously, anybody in dangerous health situation would not be required to attend.
Reception of Communion
I have always said that the center of our faith is the Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Canon law states that any Catholic properly disposed can ask to receive even outside of the Mass. When I see how stores are operating, I say we could arrange a system to allow people to receive even if public Masses are not allowed for some time. For example, we can say everyone has to enter church from main street, wear a mask, and those wishing to receive follow the single line markers down the center aisle- 6 foot apart- and make their way to the front to receive. After receiving they would exit the church at the Wall Street ramp. This would allow a free movement without anyone crossing paths with someone else. If they want to pray after receiving, they could do so on the St. Joseph side, and still exit from the ramp. If someone just wanted to pray, or pray before receiving, they could do so on the Blessed Virgin side. Communion can be given by the priest wearing a protective glove. This means the Communion host you receive would NEVER have been touched by human hands. We can do this at the regular Sunday Mass times to see how it works. -
Parish History
"St. Joseph's Parish celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in 1943. The occasion was marked by the publication of the Diamond Jubilee Journal, but the joy of the parishioners was marred because of World War II, with many parish sons in battle across the Atlantic and Pacific and the restrictions at home in their severest and most critical stage."
On Saturday, November 17, 2018
our 150th Anniversary Mass was celebrated.
Click HERE for the video
Click HERE for the audio
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Message from the Pastor
I begin by saying that we hope and pray that all of you are well and staying safe. Deacon Doherty, Msgr. Sullivan, Fr. Cypien and I are all well and keeping you in our prayers. We do miss seeing you and hope that public Masses will begin soon. I also must admit that writing is not my strength, so I apologize you have not received more messages. I am going to say something about Good Shepard Sunday, and then speak about how we could return to church in a New Normal.
Reflections on the Good Shepard - Jesus
I have to admit that I was a priest many years before I understood the meaning of Jesus saying he was the Good Shepard who would lay down His life for His sheep and that His sheep would know the sound of His voice and follow it. To fully understand this, you must know a little about shepherds and sheep in His day. To protect the sheep at night from wolves, other dangerous animals, and robbers; several shepherds would build a large pen out of tree branches and other material they could find. It would be high enough, and with points sticking out, so that no person or animal could climb though or over it without getting injured. Most times 10-12 shepherds would build these pens to house up to a thousand sheep. The opening or gate where the sheep entered this pen was protected at night by the shepherds taking turns laying down across the opening. If a shepherd got frightened by wolves or robbers approaching, he could run
away and leave the sheep to be stolen or killed. A Good Shepherd would stay and defend the sheep even at the cost of his own life. Jesus says that He is a Good Shepherd who will not run away but defend His Sheep and even lay down His life for them.
The Voice of the Good Shepherd
In the morning, the shepherds would have to divide the sheep lead only their own sheep out. Since there could be up to a 1000 sheep in the pen, and each shepherd only had 80-100, they had to have a way of dividing them. Each shepherd would make a different sound or noise, and only his sheep would follow him. They would also use this noise- or voice- during the day to keep their sheep together and out of danger. If a sheep did not pay attention to this, they could wander off and easily become the dinner for some wolf. Jesus says His followers recognize His voice and follow Him- otherwise they too can wander away and get into trouble. The meaning is clear - we have to follow the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, otherwise we will get into trouble.
By the way, the Pharisees usually were lawyers living in the cities or large towns who never paid attention to the workings of shepherds- that is why Jesus said they didn’t understand and He would have to explain this to them. There is also the implication they looked down on shepherds- something Jesus could not tolerate.
God Bless, Yours in Christ, Msgr. Desmond -
Parish Census Registration
C E N S U S U P D A T E
Thank you for sending in your Parish Registration Forms. It is important that every household completes a new form.
Use this Parish Registration Form to register.
We really do have to update our parish registration forms. The information we have limits the way we can communicate with our parishioners- something extremely critical in the current situation. We were waiting for a new Archdiocesan format to be established in June, but we decided this would be an excelllant time to conduct a parish registration. Use the form at the link above, especially for new parishioners. The form has also been mailed to all parishioners we have currently registered to update your information. Please take the time to complete the form and mail it back to the parish. Thank you, Msgr. Desmond -
Announcement for Saint Joseph's Parish On-Line Giving
On-Line giving provides a easy and secure way to make your offering to our parish.
All parishioners currently using on-line giving should verify their account by going
https://saintjosephkingston.churchgiving.com
The security of your personal information is important to us. If you want to make any changes to your account or adjust your giving amount, WeShare requires a one-time security verification to provide you access.Any parishioner who would like to begin using on-line giving please click the red logo. It provides an excellant way to support the parish even when you are unable to attend Mass. The direct deposit it provides to the parish also deminishes the work of counting and recording the collection.
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Join our Flock
Flocknotes is an excellant way we can stay in touch with all our parishioners- using text or email.
To get on Flock notes: Text SJCR to 84576 or by email at stjosephkingston.flocknote.com -
Parish Mission Statement
We, the people of God of Saint Joseph Roman Catholic community, Empowered by the Holy Spirit, must manifest to the city of Kingston, New York, and to the world, a clear vision of God's plan for His kingdom as we strive to grow in relationship with Jesus Christ, one another, and the universal Church.
We endeavor to be a welcoming parish, and are dedicated to creating an environment of faith through Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, Sacred Liturgy and by the reception of the Holy Sacraments, study, stewardship, and action, so that in union with our Triune Godhead, we may build up the Kingdom of God. Sharing these ministries, as the Mystical Body of Christ, we as the People of God at St. Joseph Parish challenge ourselves to witness to the truth of His Church in Word and Deed to one and all.
Monsignor Desmond, Father Cyprien and Staff
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Mass Schedule
Welcome to Our Parish Family! If you are newly moved into our parish or are established
residents but not registered, please see the Pastor's Parish Registration Message aboveNO MASSES UNTIL MAY 15TH.
WEEKEND MASSES WEEKDAY MASSESSaturday 5:00pm 6:45 am (during Lent); 9:00am
Sunday 7:30am SATURDAY MORNING MASS
Sunday 9:30am 8:00 am
Sunday 11:30am FIRST FRIDAY MASSESSunday 5:00 pm 7:00am; 9:00am
HOLYDAY MASSES - As Announced
____________________________________________________________________________Reconciliation: Saturdays (4:00 – 4:45); Mondays after Novena;
Miraculous Medal Novena: Mondays at 2:00 (Novena prayers and Benediction,) Confession after Novena.
Holy Hour: Thursday from 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Communion Calls: Contact the parish office for Communion to be brought to shut-ins and call the church if someone should be prayed for.
Pro-Life Rosary: After 7:00 and 9:00 AM Mass.
Music at Our Eucharistic Celebrations: Saturday 5:00 PM (Cantor), Sunday: 9:30 AM (Choir), 11:30 AM (Cantor), Sunday 5:00 p.m. (guitar).
Baptisms: Please call the Rectory to arrange for your child's Baptism.
Marriages: Contact the Church at least six months prior to celebration. A Marriage Preparation Program is required.
Prayer Group: Meets Mondays at 7:30 PM
Parish Office hours: 8:30 – 3:30 Monday – Friday. Call to make an appointment with a Priest.
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News from the Vatican
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Women who have discerned a call to consecrate their virginity to God in service to the church must be living signs of God's love in the world, especially where too many people live in poverty or...
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While isolation, social distancing and economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic prove to be a challenge, Christians are called by God to take part in the church's mission in the world...
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Officials say the new rules, described as four years in the making, bring the Vatican in line with “the most advanced international legislation in the area,” including the UN’s 2003 Convention...
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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Pope Francis joined an initiative of the Anglican Church, praying that people would be converted and use the pandemic's disruption to begin anew.
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Christians are called to witness to the Holy Spirit who can renew and heal a world suffering in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis said.
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