ABCs of Fostering Vocations

A: Answer your children's questions about priesthood or Religious life; never

discourage them or ridicule them if they bring it up. Ask your child to identify a talent which he or she has, and imagine together what work or ministry God might want someone to do with that type of talent. Also talk about what good things can be done with the talent right now. For instance, singing talent could be used to sing a baby brother or sister to sleep. Talent at soccer could be used to help someone on the team who needs extra practice.

B: Bring your family to the next ordination mass or prayer vigil for religious.

C: Challenge teens and young adults to consider a Church-related vocation. Tell them about the gifts in

ministry you see in them. Encourage them to participate in at least one special vocation event (ordination, vocation retreat, etc.). Cultivate an attitude of service by responding as a family to the needs of others. Seek out those in need and find ways to care for them.

D: Discuss your own vocation to family life, explaining that God calls some people to priesthood or

religious life, some to marriage, and some to life as single laypeople. You can talk about vocations firsthand!

E: Encourage your children to be involved in the liturgical life of the parish as servers, lectors,

musicians, etc. (and see to it that they get there on time). Explore the feelings you might experience should one of your children choose to give his or her life to Church ministry and discuss with your spouse your feelings and reactions if one of your children decided to become a priest or sister.

F: Find opportunities to affirm the gifts and talents of your children, and help them relate their gifts to

various career and life choices (including priesthood and religious life).

G: Guide your junior high child to pray that he or she might discover and use the gifts God has given.

H: Have a priest come and bless your home. Have your younger children make a cross to hang in each

bedroom in your home.

I: Include the diocesan vocation prayer in your personal and family prayer, especially on Wednesdays.

Invite a priest, brother or sister to dinner or to an outing with your family.

J: Join together in prayer as a family; include a short vocations prayer when you pray before meals

(especially on Wednesday).

K: Keep an eye open for TV shows and movies that present Gospel-centered role models. Watch them

with your children and engage in a discussion.

L: Let your children see their Baptism pictures. Have the children make and send a card or note to the

priest who baptized them promising him they will pray for them. Let your children notice an attitude of openness to God's will in you.

M: Make time for teenagers in your life: your children and their friends, nieces and nephews,

babysitters, etc.

N: Name the gifts of each family member on their birthday. Express gratitude for these gifts.

O: On the date of your child's baptism, talk about the life of the saint for whom the child is named (or

the saint’s day it is). There is plenty of information about the background of saints on the Internet. The saints are people from all walks of life who tried to make a positive difference in the world--a goal as real today as it was for the saints.

P: Pray for those studying to priests and sisters; you may want to “spiritually adopt” one of them. Pray

especially for our Seminarians who are here every Thursday, Marco and Jacob. Pray for the IHM Sisters in Formation, including Miss Jenny O’Neill who is here every Tuesday.

Q: Quiz your children and discuss with them stories of calls in Scripture (e.g. Mary's response to God in

Luke 1:26-39, Jesus' calling the Apostles in Mt 4:18-22, etc.).

R: Remember in prayer by name those who minister to your family and include in your family

prayers petitions for those called to priesthood and consecrated life.

S: Set aside a "family time" each week for kids to talk about what is happening in lives. Let them share

about their day. Share the story of your own vocational choice with your children. Celebrate the occasion of your wedding anniversary as you share the story of your vocation to married life. Support and participate in any school or parish vocation activities.

T: Talk about your family’s ethnic or cultural heritage at supper, while driving in the car, or at some

other time when family members are all together. Pass along memories of cultural aspects of holiday and other celebrations that you remember. Talk positively and enthusiastically about the priests, sisters, brothers, and deacons in your parish and share with your children the stories of the priests or sisters who have inspired you and how (e.g. priest at your wedding, or baptized your children, priests or religious from school, etc.). Tell your children why you chose your particular profession. Who helped you form your decision?

U: Use books and videos to familiarize your children with saints who are priests or vowed religious. Use

these lives of the saints as a springboard for discussion on these lifestyles. Utilize opportunities to share your vocation as parents: what you value, how you came to that decision, and the importance of faith in your life.

V: Visit Churches and Shrines while on vacation and offer prayers together as a family.

W: Witness to your own vocation by telling stories about how you fell in love. Let the children see the

love and care that parents have for each other.

XYZ: The end of the alphabet, but certainly not the end of ways or ideas to foster vocations at home!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +Dear Parents, November 6, 2017

This week, we celebrate Vocation Awareness Week. I found this idea on the United States Catholic Congress of Bishops website. It is important (and necessary) for all of us to promote vocations. If our young people know that their families are happy if they follow God’s call to the priesthood or religious life, we might see an increase in vocations. Let all of us encourage and support vocations in our parish and school and in our Archdiocese. I have also included a special prayer for vocations as well!

Thank you for supporting our IHM Sisters and our Priests here at St. Joseph Parish and at St. Martha Center in our vocations! We are truly blessed to serve this great community!

Have a great week! God bless you, Sister Catherine Irene, IHM +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Prayer for Vocations: God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s

Kingdom as priests, deacons, and consecrated persons. Send your Holy Spirit to help others to respond

generously and courageously to your call. May our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in

our youth and young adults. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the

Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

On Tuesday, November 7, we will receive our National Blue Ribbon Award. The luncheon and Awards Ceremony will be livestreamed from 11:30 to 3:30. Father Rossi and I will travel to Washington, DC to attend the conference and receive the Award. It is truly an exciting time to serve at St. Joseph School! We can’t wait to come back and share all of the details wit you! The link to the live steam is: https://player.cloud.wowza.com/hosted/np5lsnby/player.html

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Looking Ahead: November 6 and 7 National Blue Ribbon School Awards in Washington, DC November 9 Grades 6, 7, and 8 attend BSHS for FOOTLOOSE Parent-Teacher Conferences, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.: NO CARES today November 10 Parent-Teacher Conferences, 8:00 a.m. to NOON: NO SCHOOL for STUDENTS November 13 – 15 St. Joseph Parish Mission, 7:00 p.m. in church November 15 Drama Club begins after school November 16 Open House from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. November 17 Grade 6 Thanksgiving Feast; Family Bingo in the evening November 21 Mission Day (a.m.) Thanksgiving Prayer Service at 2:00 p.m. in Church November 22 Faculty Meeting; NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS November 23 Happy Thanksgiving!!! November 24 – 26 Thanksgiving Vacation: NO SCHOOL November 27 Classes Resume November 30 Santa’s Workshop +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Confirmation Packets are due the week of November 5 If you do not yet have your child's sponsor certificate/letter of eligibility please hand in everything else

and remember the certificates/letters are due by December 31. Packet contents are also online at http://stjosephrc.org/sacraments/confirmation/

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Parent Teacher Conferences: Please make sure you sign up for the Parent Teacher Conferences. We will close the Sign-Up Genius on Wednesday in order for the teachers to prepare. The link can be found on the Principal’s Page and here: http://www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm?go=c.SignUpSearch&eid=0BC1CDDFFFCAFA66&cs=09B1BADE8FB98B137B7964765BB79BC8 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Traffic Concerns: It has been brought to my attention that some families are driving too fast into the car line. It seems to be happening when it is almost time for the back door to close. What is also happening is that our Pre-K children are being dropped off at the same time. It only takes a second for a mishap to occur. If you are running late, please slow down and drive to the front door. It is better to be a few seconds late than for a tragedy to occur. Also, I again ask that you drop your children off on the same side as the sidewalk. In another state, there was a tragic accident involving a student who walked in front of a car. If your child has to exit on the driver’s side, please make sure your car is in PARK and that your child works in front of your car. If necessary, get out of your car and walk him/her to the sidewalk. Once your child is safely on the sidewalk, then slowly drive away. It is better for others to wait a few seconds in order for all to be safe. Thank you! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Citadel Heart of Learning Award: The Citadel Heart of Learning Award is a teaching excellence award that recognizes Chester County teachers who show dedication both in and out of the classroom. Chester County students, parents, and community members are encouraged to nominate a deserving teacher who goes above and beyond the call of duty. St. Joseph School has wonderful, dedicated teachers. Please consider nominating your child’s teachers for this great honor. More information and forms will be posted on the website or you can go to CitadelHeartofLearning +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Jump Rope for Heart: Please review the details and the flyers on the Principal’s Page. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Webinar Reminder: The webinar, "Parents, Kids, and Pornography: The Attack on a Generation," is being

conducted on November 7th at 12:00 p.m. EDT and November 16th at 8:00 p.m. EDT

Thank you to the Home and School Board and its volunteers for making the Monster Mash

such a wonderful event! Under the leadership of Jenn Messina and Melissa Robinson, over

$10,000 was raised. We thank them, most especially, for all of their hard work and energy.

It was a great day!

We also thank Jenn and Melissa for all that did to make the

Trunk and Treat a great family event.

The children had a terrific time and the cars had a wide

variety of themes. We really couldn’t have done it without

them!!!

Thank you again!

Our Student Council sponsored a “Pink Out” to raise money for Unite for Her.

For one day, of free-will donations, over $1200 was raised!

Here are of some of the students in their Pink Out Attire and Accessories!

We thank our Student Council and all who contributed to this great fundraiser!

On Halloween, our First Graders continued our annual tradition of the All Saints’ Prayer

Service. The children dressed like their saints and told us some interesting facts about them.

During the prayer, they prayed for all of the people of the world. The picture below shows

the SAINTS singing “This Little Light of Mine.”

Ambassadors of Kindness for October

At the end of our First Friday Mass, we announced the Ambassadors of Kindness for the

Month of October. Each student was presented with a certificate as well. Thank you for

showing kindness to your classmates, to your teachers, and to all who help out at our school.

Parish Mission

November 13, 14 and 15 at 7 PM each evening

The Theme:

Forgiveness

Guest Homilist:

Father Bernard Ezaki

Parochial Vicar of

St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church

Easton, PA

Our parish united in prayer asking for God’s Mercy.