ST. JOSEPH

PARISH

Celebrating 176 Years 1841-2016

Vanderburgh County

www.stjoeco.org

A community of joyful, active, faith-filled people who give thanks to God by generously sharing their

individual gifts and talents to serve the needs of all.

WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday—5 PM Sunday—8 & 10:30 AM

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILATION

SATURDAY 4-4:30 PM

PARISH OFFICE

6202 W. Saint Joseph Road

Evansville, IN 47720

SCHOOL

6130 W. Saint Joseph Road

Evansville IN 47720

Parish Office: (812) 963-3273

School: (812) 963-3335 School Fax: (812) 963-3335

Prayer Requests: (812) 963-3149

Parish Staff Fr. Gene Schroeder—Pastor E-mail gschroeder@evdio.org

Julie Kempf—Secretary E-mail jkempf@evdio.org

Kristan Gilles Director of Liturgy

E-mail kgilles@evdio.org

Melba Wilderman—Principal E-mail mwilderman@evdio.org

Mrs. Becky Dosher School Secretary

E-mail bdosher@evdio.org

Mrs. Jessica Reckelhoff Coordinator of

Religious Education E-mail jreckelhoff@evdio.org

January 7, 2018 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Dear friends, The Gospel reading on this Feast of the Epiphany tells us that the wise men were seeking the newborn Jesus. This was much ore than just seeing a newborn baby. The Gospel uses images like “following the light” to describe the journey they were on. These were people

who were looking for deeper meaning in life. They were like the people St. Augustine describe when he said “our hearts are restless until they rest in you, O Lord.” There is some-thing planted in each of us that seeks to know who we are in Christ. We used to describe this “something” as our soul and we are reminded that we are made in the image and likeness of God. But while we all may have this desire to know God, somehow we don’t always follow through.

Sr. Joan Chittister, O.S.B. tells this story from the Desert Fa-thers and Mothers. A young monk asked one of the holy men of the desert why it is that so many people came out to the desert to seek God and yet most of them gave up after a short time and returned to their lives in the city. The old monk responded: “Last evening my dog saw a rabbit running for cover among the

bushes of the desert and he began to chase the rabbit, barking loudly. Soon other dogs joined the chase, barking and running. They ran a great distance and alerted many other dogs. Soon the wilderness was echoing the sounds of their pursuit but the chase went on into the night. After a little while, many of the dogs grew tired and dropped out. A few chased the rabbit until the night was nearly spent. By morning, only my dog continued the hunt.” “Do you understand,” the old man said, “what I have told you?” “No,” replied the young monk, “I don’t. Please help me with it.” “It is simple,” said the desert fa-ther. “My dog saw the rabbit!” She goes on to tell us that perhaps this is a reminder to keep our souls focused on the important dimensions of life, on the purpose for which we have been born, on the gifts we are meant to give to others as life goes by. Otherwise we simply drift through life: one minute attracted by this; at another moment confused about what we’re doing. Over the long haul, then, we become pilgrims without purpose, looking for what can’t be found. Leaning into the journey of life

Fr. Gene Schroeder

Do you want to build peace in our world?

The place to start is with ourselves and in our families. Why not consider making a Family

Pledge of Nonviolence Each of us, as members of this family,

commit ourselves as best we can to become nonviolent and peaceable people. To this

end, we pledge: To respect self and others

To respect myself, affirm others and to avoid uncaring criticism, hateful words, physical

attacks and self-destructive behavior. To communicate better

To share my feelings honestly, to look for safe Ways to express my anger, and to work at

solving problems peacefully. To listen

To listen carefully to one another, especially those who disagree with me, and to consider other’s feelings and needs rather than insist

on having my own way. To forgive

To apologize and make amends when I have hurt another, to forgive others and to keep

from holding grudges. To respect nature

To treat the environment and all living things, including our pets, with care and respect.

To play creatively To select entertainment and toys that support

our family’s values and to avoid entertainment that makes violence look

exciting, funny or acceptable. To be courageous

To challenge violence in all of its forms when I encounter it, whether at home, at school, at work, or in the community, and to stand with

others who are treated unfairly.

Three Wise

Women would

have…..

Asked directions,

arrived on time,

help deliver the

baby, cleaned the

stable, made a cas-

serole, brought practical gifts and thre

would be Peace on Earth.

CELEBRATION OF THE

EUCHARIST SATURDAY, JANUARY 6

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

5:00 PM MASS Leo and Bernard Gumbel, Leroy and Freddie Weiss, Jim Riedford, Jeanette Lord, Cyrilla Reker, Sam Feath-

erstone, Jim Blanford, John Blume, Elisabeth (1871), Christina Benendes (1955)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 7 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

8:00 AM MASS Robert Harpenau, Andy Kelley, Anna Meyer, Jim & Dolores Niemeier, Rick Reneer, Lynda Banet 10:30 AM MASS John Buchart (1880), Rosina Buchart (1880), Friedric Roeleke (1892), Joseph Ritter (1960), Syl-vester Schnepper (1967), Viola (2012) and Francis “Bud” Englert, (2012), Francis Niemeier

MONDAY, JANUARY 8 THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

NO MASS Catharine Kissel (1887), Bettye Maurer (2008) TUESDAY, JANUARY 9

WEEKDAY IN ORDINARY TIME NO MASS Henry Tenbarge (1907), Mary Hillenbrand (1975)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10 WEEKDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

NO MASS Sr. Ivo O.S.F. (Philomena Weigand, 1900), Henry Storssen (1919), Victor Brugger (1968)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 WEEKDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

NO MASS Catherine Lautenschlerger (1872), Wilhelmus Funk (1875), Anthony Tieken (1962), Catherine Miller (2010)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12 WEEKDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

7:30 AM MASS Catherine Burgart (1887), Eileen Will (1961), Kenny Hoefling (2013)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13 SECOND SUNDAY IN

ORDINARY TIME 5:00 PM MASS Jeremy Clem, Fritz Martin, Bill & Janice Kempf, Roy Thornton (1931), Infant Wurth (1944)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14 SECOND SUNDAY IN

ORDINARY TIME 8:00 AM MASS Living & De-ceased members OF St. Anne Altar Society, St. Joe Men’s Club, Knights of St. John

Catherine and Clarence Miller, Bettye and Boobie Maurer, Mary Lewis, Mary Hillenbrand 10:30 AM MASS Kathy Baumgart, Alvina & Florian Schenk, Herman Schneider, Cecelia Reising (1986)

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL

AND NURSING HOMES DEACONESS: Neace Singleton HEALTHSOUTH: Ted Kares PARKVIEW NURSING CENTER: Walter Weis

PINE HAVEN: Jean Johnson HERITAGE CENTER: Brenda Koester WESTPARK REHABILITATION: Mark Fleeger OASIS CARE CENTER: Gus Bender RIVER POINTE: Barbara Shurtleff SOLARBRON TERRACE: Mildred Rexing, Margaret Kafel CYPRUS REHABILITATION CENTER (NEWBURGH): Larry Hoefling, Steve Hasselbrinck

JANUARY 7: Mark Duncan, Nathan Egler, Keith Fehrenbacher, Dustin Paul, Maddy Smith JANUARY 8: Terry Fehrenbacher, Mary McIntosh, Jackie Puntney, Glenn Shane JANUARY 9: Laney Fehrenbacher, Berta Kares, Kylie Lincoln JANUARY 10: Butch Feulner, Leann Helmer, Randy Kuester JANUARY 11: Danny Gries, Jane Luigs, Joanie Schneider, Amanda VanNess JANUARY 12: Linda Feulner, Debbie Preske, Carly Stock, Greg Vanbibber JANUARY 13: Tyler Carlisle, Mike Collins, Sarah Glaser, Steve Gries, John Hogg, Angie Karcher JANUARY 7: Norb & Madonna Niemeier, Ron & Lisa Schneider JANUARY 10: Drew & Brooke Hill JANUARY 11: Randy & Jeannine Shumate, Mark & Shannon Vickers JANUARY 12: Chip & Megan Altstadt

STEWARDSHIP: The Lord’s Way

The three wise men who came from the East to pay homage to the infant Jesus brought Him rich gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh as part of their worship. What gifts have I brought to this

celebration to offer to the newborn Savior? DECEMBER 31, 2017 $ 14,980.20 DECEMBER 31, 2017 Auto Draft Collection $ 1,905.00 WEEKLY BUDGET $ 20,723.00 TOTAL INCOME TO DATE $ 541,999.59 BUDGET TO DATE $ 561,060.00 CHILDRENS COLLECTION $ 16.92 YOUNG STEWARDS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE COLLECTION LAST WEEK: Merritt Adler, Sam Arnold, Kurt & Paige Denning, Finley & Piper Fehren-bacher, Chase & Troy Gerteisen, Max & Quinn Layman, Lexa, Louis & Lyla Meredith, Ethan Schnur, Caleb, Carly & Chloe Stock, Grant & Lauren Voelker, Chase Waninger, Suzanne Weiss

MISSION OUTREACH HAITI $ 120.00 HAITI STUDENTS $1,440.00 HAITI HIGHER EDUCATION $3,140.00 VLADIVOSTOK SEMINARIANS $ 405.00 HAITI SPECIAL PROJECTS $1,000.00 ST. VINCENT FOOD PANTRY $ 10.00

Please remember in your prayers Lynda Benat the

mother of Shea Reneer and Rick Reneer, the husband

of Shea Renne who died last week. Shea is a teacher at Mater Dei High School. May God’s peace and strength be with Shea and her family as they deal with these death. May Lynda and Rick now know the fullness of life with God in His Kingdom.

We’re wrapping up our lottery ticket sales for this year. The first drawing will be in January. Ticekts are $75. Call the parish office (812-963-3273) and we’ll get a ticket to you. . Tickets are now on sale for the Mater Dei/Memorial annual “Buy a Ticket for the Tradition” Lottery. Each ticket is $100

LITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULE (EM=Eucharistic Minister, L=Lector, S=Servers, GB=Gift Bearers)

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JANUARY 13 & 14 5:00 PM (EM) Eric Reffett, Mary Loehrlein, Peter & Jodi Fehrenbacher, Caro-lyn Hutchison; (L) Mike Reffett; (S) Devin Feulner; (GB) Jim & Janice Herr 8:00 AM (EM) Tom & Dolores Folz, Jalane Weber, Imogene Baehl, Michael Elpers; (L) Chick Duncan; (S) Chandler & Zoe Schell; (GB) Tom & Donna Blythe 10:30 AM (EM) Jena Wessel, June Beverly, Rachel Schnaus, Jason Gerteisen, Becky Dosher; (L) Jessica Reckelhoff; (S) Michael & Gabe Jung; (GB) Homer & Doris Taylor

MONDAY: 7am-6:30 pm Eucharistic Adoration 7 pm Knight’s of St. John Meeting WEDNESDAY: 6:30 pm Just Faith SATURDAY: 4-4:45 pm Sacrament of Reconciliation SATURDAY & SUNDAY: Food Pantry Collection SUNDAY (Jan. 14): 8 am-noon Parish Blood Drive

Jan. 13: St. Clement (Boonville) Men’s Club Dinner & Reverse Draw, dinner 6 pm, raffle 7 pm, cost $25 per person. Jan. 27: St. Philip School Benefit, 6-11 pm, Craft Beer Tast-ing, Appetizers, Dancing for tickets & info call 812-985-2275.

SCRIP SELLERS SCHEDULE: Jan. 13, 5 pm: NO SALES

Jan. 14, 8 am: Autumn Link Jan. 14, 10:30 am: Amy Cody

For Scrip questions, please contact Paula Baehl (pbaehl@yahoo.com) 812-598-9056

L i s a H e n d e y , t h e f o u n -der catholicmom.com introduces A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms. This book shares 52 holy com-panions as guides for the high calling

of motherhood. Please join in with other women of the parish looking to deepen their faith and share in community with the daily struggles of motherhood, womanhood, and life in general! For more information or to sign up, p lease contact Jess ica Reckelhoff at jreckelhoff@evdio.org or 812-598-1151. Our first grouping will take place on January 25th from 6:30-8:00 pm in the school. Childcare will be available upon request.

The best defense against the ram-pant sexism in our culture is the support, friendship, and sisterhood that women can offer each other. “Friendship is the sacrament of possibility,” writes Joan Chittister. What might become possible for this world—sickened for generations by violence and cruelty toward women— if we develop true, holy friendships?

This January, learn which qualities make a friendship strong and give it the potential to be transformative, by par-ticipating in Friendship of Women, a new eCourse based on Sister Joan’s beloved book Friendship of Women: The Hidden Tradition of the Bible. This three-week eCourse will introduce you to women from the scriptures whose lives have often been overlooked, but who can model for us all what it means to en-courage, accept, and care for other women. As you listen to Sister Joan discussing the qualities that characterize true friendship, you will be prompted to consider your own friend-ships and relationships, to pray with these women of God and the women close to your own heart, and to grow into your full potential as a friend and an advocate. Facilitated by Sister Mary Ellen Plumb and Oblate Jacqueline Small, Monasteries of the Heart staff. Friendship of Women runs January 16-February 3 to reigis-ter www.monasteriesoftheheart.org/ecourse/friendship-

women

Breathing Under Water: A Spiritual Study of the Twelve Steps offers an opportunity to apply Alcoholics Anonymous’ guiding princi-ples to your own life and addictions. The invi-tation is to let go of egoic attachments and step into freedom and wholeness. Richard Rohr often says, “We do not think ourselves into new ways of being; we live ourselves into new ways of thinking.” Contemplative prac-

tice and spiritual wisdom joins with time-tested steps to rewire our habitual patterns of stinking thinking. This rich online course is based on Richard Rohr’s book, Breathing Under Water and includes reflections, ex-panded commentary, additional articles, videos, and audio clips, plus exclusive teachings from Father Richard. New themes each week facilitate engagement, personally and col-laboratively, with the Twelve Steps. Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps is required reading for this course. Whether you are new to the Twelve Steps or have been doing this work for years, we hope Breathing Under Wa-ter moves you to surrender more deeply to your Higher Power and to experience the peace (not of mind, but of being) that comes with such freedom. To register and/or more information go to http://store.cac.org/Online-Education_c_11.html

JOIN US FOR…. ….live auction

…..silent action …...$500 cash giveaway …..delicious meal and …..a night of dancing

For information contact Jennifer Miller 812-205-4522 More details to come!!