ST. JOSEPH’S PARISH 414 North Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201

Tel: (413) 445-5789//Fax: (413) 443-5466 Hours: Mon.-Fri.: 9:00 AM-1:00 PM Web site: www.stjoepittsfield.com

THE STAFF Pastor - Msgr. Michael Shershanovich e-mail: msgrmike@berkshire.rr.com

Priest in Residence - Rev. Geoffrey Deeker, CSS

Most. Rev. Timothy McDonnell in Residence

Coordinator of Youth Religious Education John Arasimowicz//e-mail:stjosephccd@berkshire.rr.com

Secretary - Michele Madden e-mail: Michelemadden@berkshire.rr.com

Pastoral Minister-Mrs. Patricia Momnie

ST. JOSEPH’S CEMETERY Superintendent - Jay Meehan—Secretary - Nancy Nolan-

Tel: (413) 499-1317

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday-4:00 PM—Sunday-9:00 & 11:30 AM

Daily Mass-12:10 PM—Holiday Mass-9:00 AM

RCIA-Wed. 6:30 PM

Holy Hour —Monday - Friday 11:00 AM Prayer Group —1st & 3rd Wed. 6:45 PM

Rosary —Monday - Friday 11:30 AM

PRAYER LINE 413-443-1221

Listening Session with Bishop Rozanski ON March 6th

St Joseph Parish Center from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. It will consist of three questions with an allotted thirty minutes for each. Each person who chooses to participate verbally

will be given one minute to voice their opinion. The Bishop’s goal for this session is to take the time to listen with renewed

commitment to the many needs of the Diocese. Proposed questions are—1. What is the

church doing? 2. What is the Church doing but needs improvement? 3. What should the church be doing? I have asked the Parish Council to attend and I am inviting anyone

interested also to come. This is open to ALL Berkshire County. —Fr. Mike

New Parish App Coming Soon! This week St. Joseph will launch our own app for iPhone and Android smart phones. This will allow us to better communicate with you throughout the week and keep

you updated with relevant parish news or updates. The app is very well designed and very intuitive. It

will be a great resource for parishioners by providing daily Mass readings, Catholic news and

prayers, convenient prayer and confession reminders, our bulletins and more. We hope for our

new app to be a tool for fostering stronger parish life at St. Joseph and better engaging the new

evangelization. Please visit us on Facebook or the website for details.

ST. JOSEPH PARISH VISITATION REPORT Bishop Rozanski visited our parish and did a review. We wanted to share his report with you. The first half of the

report will be in this week’s bulletin with his commendations. His recommendations will be in next week’s bulletin. Introduction

St. Joseph Parish was founded In 1849 in downtown Pittsfield, the first Catholic Church in Berkshire County. As the number of Catholic immigrants increased, the parish grew and larger facilities were needed. In 1864, for $10,000, the

parish purchased a piece of the historic Maplewood property that has been a military cantonment facility during the Revolutionary Wary. Construction started on the present church in 1864 and was completed in late 1866, with the first

Mass celebrated Christmas day that year. St. Joseph is the largest church in Berkshire County and is known as the Mother Church of the Berkshires. Today it proudly claims parishioners from a number of area churches. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, All Souls, Holy Family, Notre Dame, St. Francis Xavier, St. Mary Morning Star and St. Theresa’s. Given the energy and

activity I observed, I make the following commendations and recommendations to guide and support the pastor and staff of St. Joseph’s Parish in your efforts to work together to extend the presence and power of God’s love in Pittsfield. I

recognize the good work done here and invite you to reflect with me as I review with you my observations and learning’s from this recent pastoral visit.

Commendations Finance Committee—I commend the finance committee for their regular meetings and reports, and for their concern about the parish finances. Parish Council—I commend the Parish council for their support and cooperation with the many activities of the parish, and for their election process which continually brings new people onto the council. Pastoral Ministry—I commend Patricia Momnie for her care and concern for the homebound of the Parish, for working with volunteers to assure that all 105 of the Parish homebound are visited on a regular basis, and for all the effort she puts into coordinating the city wide RCIA program. Faith Information—I commend the Parish for collaborating in ministry with St. Mark’s for the Confirmation Program this year, and for initiating conversations with the other two Parishes about combining their programs into one, and having a well organized Faith Formation Program. Child and Youth Protection—I commend the Parish for the organized and committed work of John, Lou Ann, and Patricia, and the support of Msgr. Shershanovich. I commend the Parish for having security measures in place as the students use different buildings and rooms for their Faith Formation activities. Maintenance and Cemetery Staff— I commend Msgr. Shershanovich and the staff of the cemetery for taking the turn around that has taken place in the cemetery in the last few years. I commend Jack Laviolette, Chairman and Jay Meehan, Superintendent on the positive changes seen in the last two years. Parish Staff— I commend Michele Madden for her dedication as secretary. Her professionalism and welcome spirit makes ones first connection with the Parish a positive experience. I commend her willingness to act in whatever capacity needed. I commend Sharon McClusky for the beautiful bulletin she puts together every week. I commend the Parish community for the amazing number of activities they offer to enrich the lives of the parishioners and the people of Pittsfield. I commend the staff and parishioners for the work they have done in incorporating the communities of Notre Dame, Mt. Carmel, All Souls, St. Theresa’s, St. Mary’s, St. Francis, and Holy Family into one Parish. Pastor—I commend Msgr. Shershanovich for his leadership of the Parish over the past 23 years, and for his service to the wider Berkshire County community, for his pastoral concerns for the members of the Parish. I commend him for his encouragement of the food pantry and Cathedral of the Beloved, his outreach to the elderly and the struggling of the Pittsfield Community, for his leadership during the process of merging parishes in Pittsfield, particularly for his welcome to the people of Notre Dame and Holy Family. I commend Msgr. for his encouragement of the celebration of the various ethnic groups that are present in his parish, for his reaching out to the younger families and members of the community, for his leadership in the planning and care of and repairs at St. Joseph Cemetery, the only Catholic cemetery in the region. I commend Msgr. and those who work with him on the Finance Council, for their careful oversight of stewardship of the parish resources, and the maintenance staff for how well they keep up the property with a limited budget. They maintain a list of items and keep close eye on them repairing in a systematic order.

SACRIFICIAL GIVING $4745 Thank you for your generosity!

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS Sat., Mar 3rd

4:00 PM Sun., Mar. 4th

9:00 AM Sun., Mar. 4th

11:30 AM Ron Pelletier Joe Ryan Anne Dunham

Mary Sukiennik Judy Sayers Daniel Kochapski Joe Tournier Ron Sayers Charles Knappe Kay Tournier Bernadette Scapin J. Weatherwax

Jim Armstrong Lillian Trzepacz Michael Wood Sr. Jean Bostley Jeff Vincent

Sheila Bouquet Sharon Vincent

LECTORS Sharyn Fresia John Quallen Jeff Gerard

Mardi Fezzie Donna Quallen Glenna Gerard

CCD NEWS March 4th– Regular classes for

grades K-9. March 11th-Regular classes for

grades K-9. Grade 10 meet at the Parish Center 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Flower

distribution to our homebound and nursing home parishioners with grades 7 to 9 students. Meet in

the North Chapel after 9:00 a.m. Mass 10th Grade Confirmation Candidates -

Commitment Sunday is on March 4th at 9:00 a.m. Mass.

March 18th-Regular class for all K-9 students not in pageant. Pageant rehearsal for Passion Pageant

in church. RSVP communion breakfast due

ST. JOSEPH MID LENT HAM & BEAN DINNER Sat., March 17, 2018 from 5 PM to 6:30 PM. Menu

includes Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Pea Soup, Roll, Coffee and Desert. Takeout is available after 5:30 PM. Donation:

Adults $12.00, Children 5 to 12 years old $6.00. Tickets available at St. Joseph Rectory or contact Jack Laviolette, 464-6009. All proceeds go to St.

Joseph Church.

CATHOLIC APPEAL The Diocese of Springfield begins the 2018 Annual

Catholic Appeal. Your prayerful contribution combines with those of other faith-filled Catholics in

Western Massachusetts to support services to the family & elderly, services to those in need, services to young people, and pastoral and spiritual support

services. “In giving, we receive” is an opportunity to thank God for the blessings in our lives and share

your blessings with thousands of brothers and sisters in need. It is simple to give. Send in your one time contribution, or make a pledge using the donation

card you received in the mail, or donate online through Iobserve.org and click on the icon entitled.

All donations are tax deductible to the extent that the law allows.

PARISH COUNCIL will have at least 4 vacancies this year. The meetings are monthly (except December) from September to May on the third Sunday of the month after the 9 AM Mass. In addition to attending the meetings, you would hopefully serve as an active participant in some of the activities at our parish like fundraisers, parish improvement projects, various ministries, or work within the church or CCD program as well. Please submit your name and a phone number to Father Mike as soon as possible. Become involved with our parish, the Mother Church of the Berkshires. It is okay to nominate yourself. Elections will be in April, so we need to advertise early. Pray and consider being a member.

Everyone is invited to join in the third annual Mass remembering all deceased alumni of St. Joseph Central High School. The Mass for the

Feast of St. Joseph will be celebrated on Monday, March 19th at 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Church,

Pittsfield. The 55 alumni who died during calendar year 2017 will be especially remembered.

PIZZA PLAYOFF Sixth annual Boy Scout Troup 8 Pizza Playoff.

Come help decide the winners. Sat., March 10th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church at 74 First Street, Pittsfield. You can sample pizza from the best local pizza houses vying to be chosen #1. There will be fresh salad, beverages and dessert. Tickets are $8

adults, $6 seniors and kids under 12. Kids under 5 are free. Some of this year’s competitors are Berkshire

Mt. Bakery, Papa Joe’s, Papa John’s, Pizza Hut, Tyler Street Pizza, Zucco’s, South St Pizza, East Side Pizza.

Pregnancy Support Services of Berkshire County, Inc., has need of the following: baby gates, car seats with base, booster seats, strollers, double strollers,

potties, non drop side cribs, and diaper disposal buckets. Also requested is a professional licensed counselor. Please call the office at 443-7351 for information. The agency is so grateful to all who

donate items to aid in the support of all human life. Volunteers to greet and assist clients or

to help in other ways are always needed.

Butter lambs will be made in the Parish Center on Saturday, March 17 at 10 o'clock. Please bring a pound of butter. Even if you've never made them before this is the time to learn.

Thank you to all the participants of our St. Joseph Lenten Fish Fry, for your patience while we cooked the

fresh cod fish to order. The Knights of Columbus Msgr. Eugene F. Marshall Council #103 sponsored the successful annual Fish Fry. Thank you to Nina

Mastrangelo and to Carolyn Rousseau for the delicious cakes & brownies. Many thanks to our Chef

Phil Janchuk and all our volunteers & participants who enjoyed a great meal, great fellowship, family

and friends enjoying each others good company. God Bless you and Thank you all!

Readings for the Week of March 4, 2018 Sunday: Ex 20:1-17 or 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17/Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 [Jn 6:68c]/1 Cor 1:22-25/Jn 2:13-25. Scrutiny: Ex 17:3-7/Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 [8]/Rom 5:1-2, 5-8/Jn 4:5-42 or 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42

Monday: 2 Kgs 5:1-15b/Ps 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4 [cf. 42:3]/Lk 4:24-30 Tuesday: Dn 3:25, 34-43/Ps 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9 [6a]/Mt 18:21-35 Wednesday: Dt 4:1, 5-9/Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20 [12a]/Mt 5:17-19

Thursday: Jer 7:23-28/Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 [8]/Lk 11:14-23 Friday: Hos 14:2-10/Ps 81:6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10-11ab, 14 and 17 [cf. 11 and 9a]/Mk 12:28-34

Saturday: Hos 6:1-6/Ps 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21ab [cf. Hos 6:6]/Lk 18:9-14 Next Sunday: 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23/Ps 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6 [6ab]/Eph 2:4-10/Jn 3:14-21.

Saturday, March 3rd William R. Mason, Jr. Requested by Nancy Leone

4:00 PM

Sunday, March 4th Tom Renton Requested by Terry & Ray Costello Jennifer Kickery Requested by Family

9:00 AM

11:30 AM

Monday, March 5th Andrea, Andrew, Nathaniel, & Mikayla Requested by Aunt & Sister

12:10 PM

Tuesday, March 6th David Southard Requested by Aunt Nancy

12:10 PM

Wednesday, March 7th For the Parish

12:10 PM

Thursday, March 8th Jim Fisher Requested by Pat

12:10 PM

Friday, March 9th Alexander Charles Rennie Requested by Mom & Dad

12:10 PM

Saturday, March 10th William & Dorothy Geary Requested by Family

4:00 PM

Sunday, March 11th Charles Gaylord Requested by Kathy Eddy

Charles Edward Burnick-1st Anniv. Requested by Family

9:00 AM

11:30 AM

March 4, 2018 3rd Sunday of Lent We all have things in our lives that don't belong there. Maybe it's the poor way we allow someone to treat us,

maybe it's a habitual sin, maybe it's a pattern of thought or attitude that traps us in a cycle of regret, anger, or an inability to forgive. Jesus has bold words for us today:

"Take these out of here." When we hear the story of the Cleansing of the Temple, it can be easy to look down on

the animal-sellers and money-changers. However, they set up shop in the Temple for a very practical purpose. People

needed to buy animals to sacrifice, they were going to sacrifice them in the Temple: ergo, quite a convenient, successful marketplace! For many of us, the negative

influences in our lives don't come out of nowhere. We might have considered them quite practical and reasonable

initially. We wanted to keep the peace, so we allowed someone to talk to us disrespectfully. A person hurt us

deeply and we weren't prepared to let go of our resentment right away. Over time, these can fester and corrupt our inner life in a way we didn't expect. The

response of Jesus is a strong one. "He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area." God wants us to be whole, healthy human beings. He knows how destructive it is for our souls to be caught up sin --

our own sin and those of others. God's love for us is startlingly fierce. In a few short weeks we will celebrate the

culmination of that courageous love as Jesus goes to his death on the cross.

In the meantime, Lent is an opportunity for cleansing and renewal. If we've allowed into our lives things that don't

belong, let today be the day we ask Jesus to clear them out. It's not always easy or pretty, but it's necessary for our

hearts to function the way they were made. God will turn our tables over if we ask Him to.

TEMPLE MOUNT

MASS INTENTIONS