*******Members of the Kamloops Diocese remain dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass during the initial reopening phase…………….

An Act of Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.  I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.  I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Masses for St. Joseph’s Parish There is currently a limit of 50 people to allow for physical distancing. Pews will be marked off as well as spacing for the reception of communion will be marked. Hand sanitizer and masks will be available but are not mandatory. If you are sick or have been exposed to COVID-19 or have recently travelled outside of Canada you must stay home for the sake of the community. If you have underlying medical conditions or live with someone who is at risk we encourage you to stay home for now. Those attending Mass do so at their own risk. We will be making every effort to keep our church clean and sanitary. The church and vestibule washroom will be sanitized after each Mass.

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September 27, 2020    Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

Sunday Collection: $3,017.25

Sunday Readings
The first reading is taken from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel 18:25-28. A notion very prevalent among the Jews, all through their history, was that the sins of parents were punished in their children. Ezekiel tells his audience that each man is responsible for his own sins. As each man has a free will, the good man may foolishly turn to sin, and likewise, the sinner may repent and live a good life.

The second reading is from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians 2:1-5. St. Paul is urging his new converts to live in unity of love and mutual charity. Each one must esteem his neighbor as of more importance than himself and help him in every way. In doing this, they are only imitating their Savior Christ Jesus who although Creator became a creature, though Master He made Himself a slave—all for love of us.

The Gospel is from St. Matthew 21:28-32. This parable was primarily intended to show up the hypocrisy of the chief priests and elders of the Jews, and the perilous position in which they stood in relation to God and heaven. It is, however, a warning against hypocrisy for all time. Lip service of God will not merit heaven. Nominal Christians are not working in the Lord’s vineyard. At any moment they may be called from this life, and what defense can they offer the just judge? Will they dare to offer the flimsy excuses with which they try to silence their consciences now: “we didn’t realize how sinful we were”; “we were too occupied with family and personal cares to have time for our spiritual duties”; “we were led astray by bad example”; “we didn’t like to be different from others”; “we were going to put things right”? Who will dare to offer such excuses at the judgment seat? Their utter futility will then be apparent in all its nakedness.

However, we are still on earth, and while we are the door of God’s mercy is wide open to us. If in the past we said, “I will not go into your vineyard”, we still have time to reverse that sinful decision. Not only can we with God’s grace turn over a new leaf, but we can completely wipe out the sinful pages of our life’s story written up to now. Remember that what God in His mercy did for the tax-collectors and harlots in the parable, the Matthews, the Mary Magdalenes, the Augustines, the Margarets of Cortona, the Matt Talbots and the millions of unknown penitents who are now saints in heaven He can also do for you.

We answered the call to God’s vineyard by accepting baptism and membership of His Church. If we have grown lax in our fervor and refused to do the tasks allotted to us, we still have time, thanks to God’s mercy and patience, to put things right. Today, look into your conscience and see how much of your past life you have given to God and how much you have kept for yourself. If you were called tonight to render an account to the Lord, would the balance sheet be in your favor? Is your corner of the vineyard producing abundant crops, or is it perhaps filling up with weeds, briers and brambles? If the latter, then we will say a heartfelt “Thank you, God, for not calling us to judgment today. We will begin right now to understand our sinful past, so that our corner of your vineyard will be in good order when you do call us. Thank you, Lord, for your mercy. God grant that we shall never abuse it.”

Excerpted from The Sunday Readings by Fr. Kevin O’Sullivan, O.F.M.

Transitus – On October 3 Franciscans throughout the
world celebrate the (passing over) of St Francis from
this life to the glory of heaven.  The Secular Fransicans of San Damiano Fraternity invite you to join them in a brief liturgy Saturday, October 3 at 4 pm in St. Joseph’s Church. Mass follows as regular at 5 pm.

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Tables to Give Away: The Parish is donating the
wooden tables from the parish hall. If you would like
a table(s) please email or call the parish office and
arrangements will be made for pick up. The tables
are sturdy, painted wood with collapsible legs
measuring 8 ft. by 2 ft. 10 in.

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PRAYER FOR REVERENCE FOR LIFE
Almighty God, giver of all that is good,
we thank You for the precious gift of human life:
* for life in the womb, coming from Your
creative power
* for the life of children, making us glad
with their freshness and promise
* for the life of young people, hoping for
a better world
* for the life of the handicapped and
disabled, teaching us humility
* for the life of the elderly, witnessing to
the ageless values of patience and wisdom.

Amen.

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Dear Parents, We are wanting to move forward with the Faith Formation for Children (FFC) program in a safe environment. In order to do this we need to know if you will be sending your children to class. We would also like to know how you would be willing to participate to make this a successful year for your child. Thank you. More information to follow.  God Bless,  Sharon Gieger. 250-832-3021 or reledstjosephs@shaw.ca

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Faith in Action Campaign 30    This weekend the Faith in Action video was presented explaining the Diocesan Objective for Faith in Action Campaign 30. (You can also access the video on the diocesan website rcdk.org.) Our parish project chosen to be connected with this years campaign is to replace the door on the 1st Street Entrance with an accessible door.  Next week we will hear a personal message on the importance of supporting Faith in Action.    Click on this link to see video..    https://youtu.be/MPIN4BxjIzc                                    

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You are invited to Adoration on Fridays 9am to 3pm The value of an hour spent before the Blessed Sacrament is beyond all that we can imagine.  You will experience a peace of heart that the world cannot give, a peace that only Jesus can give. It will give you strength to face the difficulties of life and courage to take up your cross daily. You will discover the love that Jesus has for you personally. We need to fill a few spots in order to keep this going in particular from 12 – 1 pm. Please call the parish office or fill in the sheet on the bulletin board.

If you wish to attend weekday mass please sign in as you arrive.  If you wish  to attend a weekend Mass, registration beforehand is mandatory

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Special Collection Sunday                                            Due to COVID a number of the second collections were missed during this year. In order to give parishioners an opportunity to contribute to the various needs of the Universal Church. Special Collections Sunday is designated in our Diocese as October 18. Parishioners who wish to contribute to the “Church in the Holy Land”, the “Needs of the Church in Canada”, the “Popes Pastoral Works”  and “World Mission Sunday” are encouraged to bring their envelopes for these important works of the Church on October 18. 

Masses for St. Joseph’s Parish We continue to have a limit of 50 people to allow for physical distancing. Pews, as well as spacing for the reception of communion are marked. Hand sanitizer and masks are encouraged but are not mandatory. If you or a member of your family are experiencing any cold or flu symptoms you must stay home for the sake of the community. If you have underlying medical conditions or live with someone who is at risk we encourage you to stay home for now. The faithful in the Diocese of Kamloops remain dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. Those attending Mass do so at their own risk. We are making every effort to keep our church clean and sanitary. The parish centre is now open on a limited basis, the kitchen remains closed at this time. You must reserve this in advance in order for us to maintain a safe space for all.

Weekday Masses: These Masses are on a first-come first-serve basis. There is a sign-up sheet for parishioners to sign as they enter the church. Please include your phone number.     Sign-up for Weekend Masses: Saturday at 5 pm, Sunday at 9 am, and Sunday at 7 pm. Starting Tuesday please email stjosephsa@shaw.ca or call 250-832-3021 or come in to the office by Thursday noon for the following weekend.       Direction for weekend Masses: Please enter on 1st Street where the Usher will check off your name and offer you hand sanitizer. Find a seat promptly rather then gather in the vestibule. At the end of mass you can leave out of either door but do not linger in the church or parking lot. There is one washroom available in the vestibule all others are closed.

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Our Lady of the Lake Church CWL Fundraiser
Tickets are available from our table at Piccadilly Mall
from 11:30 am to 4:00 pm Fridays and Saturdays
from now until Thanksgiving weekend. Four prizes
will be raffled. We thank you in advance for your
support.
See you at the Mall.

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   LIFE CHAIN is a go in Salmon Arm To comply with
government regulations on large gatherings, we
have two sections; one at City Hall and the other at
Centenoka Mall. Should we have more than fifty per
location a third one will be added. Physical distance
is maintained, hand sanitizers are provided, masks
are optional. Preregistration is required. Please call
Hildegard 250-832-8352 or email hilda@telus.net
with your name, phone number and how many in
your family by Wednesday, September 30 th .
Shuswap Pro-Life asks for your understanding
participation and prayers. “Before I knew you, and
before you were born I set you apart.” Jeremiah 1:5.
On Sunday, October 4 th meet at City Hall or at
Centenoka Mall at 2:15 pm to sign in and pick up
your sign, proceed to the Trans Canada Highway to
stand in silent prayer until 3:30 pm.

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PLEASE WRITE!
On the bulletin board is information about two
important issues. We encourage ALL parishioners to
read and contact government officials by mail, email
or phone. Let our governments hear your voice:
Bill C-7 an Act to amend the Criminal Code (MaiD –
medical assistance in dying) This Bill removes the
requirement that a person’s natural death be
‘reasonably foreseeable; it waves 10 day waiting
period; allows death for persons with mental illness,
such as depression and schizophrenia; a doctor or
nurse practitioner could lethally inject a person who
is not capable of consenting; and it will permit
euthanasia for people who are incompetent but
were approved in advance.   Euthanasia was
legalized in Canada in 2016 – the federal
government promised a five-year review – no such
review has taken place!  justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca
BC Government and the Delta Hospice Society
The BC Government has advised the Delta Hospice
Society (under Fraser Heath /lower mainland BC)
that funding will be withdrawn and the Society will
no longer be permitted to provide hospice palliative
care UNLESS they provide euthanasia at their
facility!  This is a drastic measure – the extreme
opposite of what hospice palliative care is. MaiD-
medical assistance in dying – is NOT part of hospice.
Should the BC government be allowed to do this – it
will set a precedence and no hospice/palliative care
institution will be safe from the same fate. Names
and contact information for Federal and Local
government officials are listed on the bulletin board.

Please note the change of collection dates for the following Special Collections.

Church in the Holy Land: Sunday, September 13: (Rescheduled from Good Friday by the Holy See). Needs of the Church in Canada: Sunday, Sept. 27 Pope’s Pastoral Works: Sunday, October 4, 2020: (Rescheduled from the Second Sunday of Easter by the Holy See)             World Mission Sunday: Sunday, October 25, 2020. These changes are only for this year 2020

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

                     

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More information is available if you click the SEASON OF CREATION button at the top of this page.. 

Season of Creation – Pope Francis calls upon us to “Live Simply, so others may Simply Live”.  How can we simplify our lives?  For a further reflection and suggested actions, see your pamphlet Season of Creation.  Together, Be Generous, Be Kind, Be Patient.  

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The Pro-Life group put up their Flag display again this year. 10,000 flags representing  1000,000 abortions in Canada last year. Led by Edwin & Hildegard Krieg  with Parishioners ,Knights of Columbus and other church members  helping out! This years display was at the Five Corners Pentecostal Church.  Unfortunately the display was only up for 1 day!

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These cute little helpers wanted their picture taken… Ariel Kalin  & Colette Mujcin (in dress) helped gather flags.

        For those who need to have work done at the Lab, there is an easy way to book an appointment on-line, eliminating a long line up and wait!  if you need help call Ken at 250-833-1475  click on this info video  https://youtu.be/odv7iPucuU8           

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  Click on the PRO-LIFE button at the top of this page for an important story & request with regards to  Euthanasia &  Death with dignity vs. Palliative care

  Compassionate Community Care, Advise, help and support regarding euthanasia and assisted suicide prevention and/or end-of-life treatment issues. Confidential and free 1-855-675-8749

                                                                                                                                                                         

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