Parish branching out

By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press

“Absolutely stunning!”
That was Ramona Williams’ reaction to a pilgrimage to St. Joseph Parish in Charlton Sunday.
“I love how active the education ministry is,” she said, adding that she’s bringing some ideas back to her parish, St. Denis in Douglas.
Her fellow parishioners got ideas too.
“Look at this set-up,” one said to their pastor, Father Juan D. Escudero, upon learning how St. Joseph’s livestreams Masses.
When Deacon William Shea, who serves at St. Joseph’s, said Wi-Fi has been installed throughout the building, someone said, “Cindy, take notes.” Cynthia Murphy, St. Denis’ communications director, asked Deacon Shea a question about it.          
Later Father Escudero said he’d heard his parishioners suggesting that St. Denis raise a lot of money for the diocesan Legacy of Hope capital campaign so they can do more with the parish’s portion of the money raised.
But the pilgrims weren’t there just to get ideas. St. Joseph’s Sunday bulletin explained why they came to visit.
“A very warm welcome to the pastor and people of St. Denis Church,” said the announcement. “As part of their observance of the year of St. Joseph, they are making a visit to our parish this Sunday afternoon for prayer and blessing. Their plan is to visit all the churches in our Diocese dedicated to St. Joseph.”
“It’s a venue for our parish to get to know the work of evangelization in other places, and, at the same time, honor St. Joseph (during) this year dedicated to him,” Father Escudero told The Catholic Free Press. (St. Denis’ motto is “Go make disciples.”)
“Sometimes we see only our own branch; here we see fruits of other branches,” Father Escudero said, connecting Sunday’s pilgrimage to the day’s Gospel about Jesus being the vine and his followers being fruit-bearing branches. (John 15)
Father Escudero said this was the first of hoped-for monthly pilgrimages. He said he’d contacted the other St. Joseph parishes, but future pilgrimages are not yet scheduled.
Father Robert A. Grattaroti, pastor of St. Joseph’s in Charlton, told about a dozen pilgrims how he recently felt called to replace the crucifix behind the altar, which showed Jesus dead, with the “living Jesus” on the San Damiano Cross.
“I got the message, ‘Tell the people I’m alive,’” he said.
He told how St. Francis of Assisi was praying before this cross in the chapel of San Damiano near Assisi when he heard Jesus say, “Go and rebuild my Church, which has fallen into ruin.” At first the saint thought that meant fixing a physical building. Later he realized it involved the kind of actions found in a prayer attributed to him, “Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred let me bring your love …”
“That’s the call today,” Father Grattaroti told the pilgrims. He led them in a prayer St. Francis prayed in front of the San Damiano Cross, printed on a holy card that St. Joseph’s gave them.
“We are a stewardship parish; that’s what drives our ministries here,” Deacon Shea said. Right now ministry is difficult, but before the coronavirus pandemic the parish had 38 active ministries, he said. These include liturgical ministries, the Knights of Columbus, the women’s Mary Martha Guild, bereavement and divorce support ministries, eucharistic ministry to the homebound, outreach through the food pantry and Christmas giving tree, and education for youth and adults.
Youth minister Sarah Stone told about the retreat for the parish’s 43 confirmation candidates. Deacon Shea spoke of service trips, Steubenville East youth conferences, Zoom trivia games to review religious education lessons, and breakfast after Mass that “gives us an opportunity to develop relationships,” thus opening young people up to talking about faith with their leaders.
Adult faith formation has included a St. Joseph Novena which drew 75-100 people each night and ended with a short movie produced by parishioners, he said. There’s also repeated preparation for making a consecration to St. Joseph.
Speaking about the parish’s growth, Deacon Shea said the former church held 170 people and the present, cross-shaped building seats 750 without social distancing.
Deacon Shea also pointed out Eagle Scout projects, including an outdoor patio, rosary garden and Stations of the Cross.
The pilgrims genuflected upon passing the room where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in a window which is visible from the parking lot, so anyone can adore Jesus any time.
Back in the pews, pilgrims heard from their pastor. Father Escudero told about the “Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of St. Joseph,” detailed on a pamphlet he’d given them.
He led them in a “Litany of St. Joseph” as part of gaining an indulgence for making the pilgrimage.
He explained indulgences as follows: Sin is like a nail in a wall. You can remove sin by going to confession, but the “hole” is still there, because “sin … damages our souls. … That’s why purgatory exists – our souls are fixed … in order for us to enter into heaven.” A plenary indulgence cleanses souls, he said; the Church offers opportunities to gain indulgences for oneself or someone who has died.
“For the Year of St. Joseph,” Catholics can gain indulgences by making an act of devotion, such as a pilgrimage, and, within a week, going to confession, receiving Communion and praying for the Holy Father, Father Escudero said.
“So I would like to invite you to pray together the Litany of St. Joseph,” he said, and knelt before a statue of St. Joseph and the Child Jesus.
“I thought it was very beautiful,” St. Denis parishioner Bernard Murphy said after the pilgrimage. “It’s awe-striking coming from the parking lot into the building; (it’s obvious) “you’re coming to church.”