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NEWS
Another Successful Chicken Community Dinner!
Attendees were treated to servings of delicious baked stuffed chicken breast, green beans, and seasoned baked potato. This was complimented by a generous slice of Hawaiian cake. Dinner was followed by a raffle of which there were many happy winners. Everyone had a great time!
Memorial Day 2024 Cleanup and Repair
Due to the hard efforts of our Mens Club members and others, the American flag is once again proudly flying at our church and cemetery this Memorial Day. New lights were also installed in the cemetery chapel cross and an engraved granite stone that was once part of the pillars at the entrance of the cemetery was moved to the bottom of the flag pole. Thank you to all who worked hard on this clean up and repair process!
The Community Polish Dinner Was A Success!
Attendees enjoyed a wonderful Polish food dinner. Many conversations and much laughter was heard throughout the event. There were also many smiling lucky winners of the raffle prizes!
Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024
After Easter Services, many of the parishioners stayed to pose for a group photograph.
Palm Sunday and St. Joseph's Day, Celebrated on March 25th, 2024
Along with Palm Sunday Church Services, it was also St. Joseph's Day (our patron saint) which was celebrated with a procession of the Men's Club members. After Mass, the Men's Club enjoyed their yearly breakfast event.
St. Joseph's March 10, 2024 Italian Dinner
With Italian style music softly playing in the background, a bruschetta hors d'oeuvre prepared everyone's palette for the meal. Guests then enjoyed a generous helping of lasagna and meatballs in marinara sauce, served with an Italian bread roll and a garden salad. For a delicious finish, dessert was a cannoli topped with whip cream and garnished with raspberries. After the meal, several raffle prizes were awarded to lucky ticket holders.
St. Josephs' February 2024 Community Winter Picnic Was a Great Success!
Attendees enjoyed grilled hot dogs and hamburgers with all the fixings, but especially the Brownie Sunday! The picnic was held inside the warm Social Center of course, although a few youngsters braved the chilly air to toast marshmallows to make s'mores. There was much laughter and many smiling faces as conversations flowed throughout the room. And some new friendships were made as well!
Candle Light Service
The Candle Light Service was held on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at 4pm. Following Mass, attendees gathered at the Social Center where they were treated to a light supper of finger sandwiches, chips, and cookies.
Great Fish Dinner
Our Church's Fish Dinner was held on November 19, 2023. At noon, a delicious dinner of baked haddock, oven roasted potatoes and carrots, and cole slaw was served, along with lemon cake for dessert. Take out orders were also available at 12:30. A raffle of great prizes followed dinner.
Delicious Autumn Dinner
On Sunday, October 22nd, 2023, attendees were treated to a sumptuous dinner of roast pork with gravy, potato casserole, and glazed carrots. This was topped off with a generous helping of tasty apple crisp for dessert. There was takeout for those who couldn't stay. Afterwards, a raffle was held with great prizes for those lucky to win! We will be having our famous Fish Dinner on November 19th. You won't want to miss it!
Donated School Supplies - Fall of 2023
Backpacks, paper, pencils, pens, highlighters, crayons, scissors, erasers, rulers, etc., were donated by parishioners to the Westfield School Department. Thank you to all who have generously donated.
2023 Eastern Diocese Holy Mass Held at the Cathedral of the Pines
The annual worship service of the 2023 Eastern Diocese was held on Sunday, July 9th at the Cathedral of the Pines, located in Rindge, New Hampshire. This special Mass was in remembrance of and to honor and pray for the souls of the departed bishops, administrative senior priests, priests, and deacons who have served in the Eastern Diocese. Following this special service, attendees enjoyed a complimentary buffet at the nearby Woodbound Inn.
Fun and Fellowship At Our First Family Movie Night!
On Saturday, June 24, 2023, attendees had fun watching the movie Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile together while sipping refreshments and munching on popcorn, chips and yummy movie-themed cupcakes and crocodile cookies made by our priest's wife. There were also gummy crocodiles available for those who dared to take a bite! Crocodile themed coloring sheets were also offered for those who felt creative, as well as mazes and puzzles for those who enjoy a challenge. This was a free event for anyone who wished to come!
Fun Time Was Had At The Kids' Carnival on June 11, 2023
The weather was perfect for the carnival! The children had fun trying out the 15 games. After they played all the games, they enjoyed the treats and refreshments offered in the Social Center.
Central Seniorate Corpus Christi Celebration - 2023
This special event was held at our parish on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Held every year on the second Thursday after Pentecost, this celebration is in commemoration of Jesus' Last Supper that he held with his Apostles the night before his crucifixion. Corpus Christi is Latin for "body of Christ", which is represented by the consecrated piece of unleavened bread. The Holy Eucharist originated at the Last Supper in which Jesus broke bread and offered it along with wine to his disciples, telling them that it represented his body and blood.
First Holy Communion, June 4th, 2023
On June 4, 2023, Trinity Sunday, the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist was given for the first time to 4 youths of our parish. In so doing, they received the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Congratulations to these youths!
Note: Catechism Classes will once again begin in fall 2023. A Confirmation Class will also be taught in the fall.
Both Parishioners and Guests Enjoyed the Christian Family Dinner
The Christian Family Dinner was held on Sunday, May 21, 2023. A delicious baked stuffed chicken dinner was served, topped off with a brownie and strawberry sundae--yum! Lots of conversations, smiles, and laughter were shared by all who attended.
The Crowning of Mother Mary
On Mother’s Day, May 14, 2023, we celebrated the Crowning of Mary where our statue of Mary was crowned with a wreath and honored as the Queen of Heaven and the Mother of God. This yearly ceremony with deep meaning included a procession to the front of the sanctuary, with a crown of flowers and herbs placed on our statue of Mary followed by prayers and hymns.
Mary was a perfect follower of Christ, and so is considered the crown of creation. She is also the Mother of the Son of God, Jesus, who is the King of Israel and the universe. And of course, she is the most important woman of our faith, and our spiritual mother.
2023 Church and Grounds Clean Up
This includes electrical, roofing, door and sign repair, painting, tree and shrub pruning, removal of overgrown shrubbery, vegetation and vines, weeding of flower beds, and turf repair. Emergency lights and the organ's lights have also been fixed. Power washing the church and other projects are next. Thanks to all who pitched in!
If you would like to donate a perennial flower to be planted at the St. Joseph’s Cemetery Gate on Route 202, please see Ken White or call the Rectory to speak with Father Joe at (413) 562-4403. Thank you to all who have already donated flowers!
New Altar Server
In May 2023, a new Altar Server was commissioned for service by Father Joe. Being an Altar Server is a special honor and privilege in the National Catholic Church. Their main role is to assist the priest in the celebration of the liturgy. Congratulations and thank you, Karen, for your new ministry role in our Church.
The April 23rd, 2023 Easter Dinner was a fun time for all!
Attendees enjoyed a delicious Easter themed dinner and a shadow play performed by the Sunday School students. We were also visited by a Channel 3, 40, and Fox News Photojournalist, Marcos Figueroa who filmed our gathering and interviewed our priest, Father Joe. See the Western Mass News website for the posting: "Westfield community celebrates after busy Easter holiday at St. Joseph's Church".
Chrism Mass with the Blessing of the Oils occurred on Tuesday, April 4th, 2023. Bishop Sobiechowski celebrated the Chrism Mass.
This liturgy is performed every year during Holy Week. During the Chrism Mass, the attending priests renewed the promises they made at their ordination. Also during this Mass, Bishop Sobiechowski blessed three different oils that are used in sacraments. These are: holy chrism, the oil of catechumens, and the oil of the sick. The holy chrism is used in the sacraments of confirmation and holy orders. The oil of catechumens is used in baptisms. The third oil is used for anointing individuals who are sick or infirm.
