Catholics celebrating St. Joseph

By Tanya Connor  
The Catholic Free Press

Pilgrimages, devotions and holy images are among ways local Catholics are celebrating the Year of St. Joseph, which Pope Francis declared on Dec. 8. The celebration is to conclude on the same date in 2021.
In his apostolic letter “Patris Corde” (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis says that the pandemic has increased his desire to mark the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph as patron of the universal Church.
“St. Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation,” he says.
Christians can discover in St. Joseph, who often goes unnoticed, “an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble,” the pope writes.
In the Worcester Diocese, churches, a school and an abbey named for St. Joseph are among places where the Year of St. Joseph is being celebrated, many events centered around the March 19 solemnity of St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Places not named for the foster father of Jesus are also doing things.


Pilgrimages planned
“I contacted the churches (in the diocese) that are dedicated to St. Joseph” about making pilgrimages there, said Father Juan D. Escudero, pastor of St. Denis Parish in Douglas. He said he hopes to have his parishioners join him at each site for devotional prayers and to learn about that church from someone there.
“I think the buildings carry a lot of history and catechetical teaching,” he said. “All of that comes to life in the community – how they live out their faith, how they worship, how they celebrate this ‘Year of St. Joseph.’”
Those interested in meeting other pilgrims at the sites can register on the parish website saintdenischurch.com.
Father Escudero said he’d like one pilgrimage a month, starting May 2, when pilgrims are scheduled to attend the 5 p.m. Mass at St. Joseph Parish in Charlton, then hear from the pastor, Father Robert A. Grattaroti.
Father Grattaroti noted that May 2 is the day after the feast of St. Joseph the Worker.
Jean Ashton, administrative assistant at St. Joseph Parish, 189 Oxford St. N., Auburn, said they will participate in St. Denis’ pilgrimage request, but don’t have details yet.
Parishes can make pilgrimages to St. Joseph the Good Provider Parish, 52 West St., Berlin, said the pastor, Father Thomas M. Tokarz. He said his parish was considering what kind of program to offer pilgrims.
St. Denis’ pilgrimages start after Easter, but Father Escudero said, “Our whole Lenten season; it’s about St. Joseph.”
During Lent, parishioner Earl Mathews is leading the “Adult Faith and Fellowship” Zoom sessions from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Called “St. Joseph – A Father’s Heart,” they’re accessible through the parish website.
“He talks about the importance of St. Joseph in the life of the Church,” using Church documents, and invites participants’ comments, Father Escudero said. 
During Lent, holy hours at 7 p.m. Wednesdays in the church, 27 Manchaug St., are focusing on descriptions of St. Joseph in “Patris Corde,” he said. He and Deacon Patrick W. Stewart, who serves there, preach. 
St. Denis’ Lenten Mission is called “Forever Changed: A Life touched by God – St. Joseph.” It is at 7 p.m. for three consecutive Fridays, starting tonight, in the church and on the St. Denis Church Facebook page.


St. Joseph Church/Holy Family Parish, Worcester
On Fridays, March 5, 12 and 19, at 7 p.m., St. Joseph Church at Holy Family Parish, 35 Hamilton St., Worcester, is holding a triduum in honor of St. Joseph. All are welcome to attend these services with homilies, novena prayers and blessing with a relic of St. Joseph.
Msgr. Robert K. Johnson, pastor, is presiding at evening prayer tonight, James P. Moroney is presiding at a Liturgy of the Word on March 12 and Bishop McManus is celebrating Mass for St. Joseph’s feast on March 19, which is also a celebration of the 130th anniversary of St. Joseph Parish.

St. Joseph Parish, Charlton
St. Joseph’s in Charlton has a novena to celebrate its patron’s life and seek his intercession, at 6 p.m. March 11-19 in the church, 10 H Putnam Rd. Ext.
There are to be prayers and parishioners’ reflections, and, on March 19, Mass, distribution of blessed St. Joseph bread and the premier presentation of a 14-minute film, “Joseph,” by parishioner Alex Diaz.
People are being prepared to consecrate themselves to St. Joseph as their spiritual father, to commit themselves to turn to him for help, said parishioner Susan Montville. Using the book “Consecration to St. Joseph” by Marian Father Donald H. Calloway, she’s leading Zoom discussions at 7 p.m. on Mondays. More information can be found on the parish website, stjosephscharlton.com, under Year of St. Joseph events.
The parish website is also offering a link to sign up for email meditations from Father Calloway’s book “St. Joseph Gems: Daily Wisdom on our Spiritual Father.”
St. Joseph’s also made a shrine at the statue of its patron near the altar, decorating it with candles and fresh flowers.


St. Joseph Parish, North Brookfield
St. Joseph Parish in North Brookfield is holding a March 11-19 novena to its patron during this time of pandemic, “where the need seems to be greater to invoke St. Joseph’s protection and continued care,” said Father Donald C. Ouellette, associate pastor there and at St. John the Baptist Parish in East Brookfield.
The 10-15 minute novena is to be held after these Masses: March 11 and 12, 8:30 a.m., St. John’s, 131 Blaine Ave.; March 13, 4 p.m., St. Joseph’s, 296 Main St./Route 67; March 14, 8:30 a.m., St. Joseph’s; March 15 and 16, 8:30 a.m., St. Joseph’s; March 17, No Mass, pray privately with novena booklet; March 18 and 19, 8:30 a.m., St. John’s.

St. Joseph the Good Provider Parish, Berlin
St. Joseph the Good Provider Parish is observing the March 19 feast day with Masses at 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., with Benediction following the morning Mass and at 6:30 p.m. In between there is adoration of the Blessed Sacrament throughout the day and Stations of the Cross at 6 p.m. All are welcome to come at any point.

St. Joseph Elementary School, Webster
St. Joseph Basilica in Webster does not have definitive plans yet, but its school, St. Joseph Elementary, has begun some of its celebrations, those involved said.
Banners are displayed outside the buildings and students have received cards with a prayer that is prayed over the intercom, said Beth Boudreau, director of advancement and facilities coordinator.
On March 18, Father Grzegorz Chodkowski, pastor and headmaster, is to bless and distribute small statues of St. Joseph to students, she said. Classrooms also have St. Joseph displays and projects.

St. Joseph Abbey, Spencer
At St. Joseph Abbey in Spencer Abbot Vincent Rogers had “Patris Corde” read in the refectory (dining room) right after it was published, said Trappist Father Dominic Whedbee, prior.
Trappist Brother Anthony Maggiore used the prayer which closes that letter for notecards. An icon of St. Joseph made by Trappist Brother Terence McGrath several years ago also graces those cards.
“The community wanted to do something to celebrate the Year of St. Joseph,” Brother Terence said.
The cards are to be available at the abbey gift shop, 167 N. Spencer Road, which is open from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, Father Whedbee said.
Brother Terence said his other icon of St. Joseph is at the St. Joseph altar in the abbey church.

“It’s very inviting for the monks,” for their personal devotion, Father Whedbee said.
The public cannot visit, however.
“We’re cloistered, so there’s nobody coming in,” the prior explained. And, because of the coronavirus, even retreatants cannot come. He said he hopes the abbey can open again to the public for worship and retreats before the Year of St. Joseph ends.