Family Faith News
Holy Family Parish
Sunday, March 21, 2021
March Feast Days of St. Patrick and St. Joseph!
As March is a time of Lent and beginning of seeing signs of Spring, it is also marked as a time to celebrate and honor two very popular saints, Patrick and Joseph, within three days of each other. St. Patrick is celebrated on March 17 and St. Joseph is celebrated on March 19.
St. Joseph is the patron of the universal church. As the husband of the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph was Jesus' earthly father. His life is recorded in the Gospels. St. Joseph, the carpenter of Nazareth, is also venerated as the patron of all workmen, and thus as the patron of all who work for the building of God's Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a cultural and religious celebration held on March 17, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick. He lived during the fifth century and is the patron saint of Ireland and its national apostle. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16. He later escaped, but returned to Ireland and was credited with bringing Christianity to its people.
Mass Readings for Sunday, March 21: Fifth Sunday of Lent
In this weekend's Readings, we begin by listening to Jeremiah's First Reading describing God's covenant with us. The Lord promises that He will establish a new covenant with Israel that was similar to His old covenant, but is genuinely new. In this new covenant, God tells us that He will "place my law within them and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
In carrying out this covenant, God sent his son, Jesus, to save us from sin. Jesus came to live a different sort of life, and of course came to give His life. Jesus gave up His life and died, and because of that we can have life forever with Him. We know that He gave Himself over to be killed, and He did that for us. Because of His death, everyone in the whole world has access to eternal life!
Activities for Family
St. Joseph's Staff of Lilies
In many images and statues of St. Joseph, he is often shown holding a staff topped with lily flowers. The lilies are associated with St. Joseph because of an ancient legend that he was chosen to be Mary's husband from among other men by the blossoming of his staff of lilies. Walking sticks of widowers in Israel were collected and one was to be chosen from among them. The owner of the chosen staff was to marry the young virgin Mary. Joseph's staff burst into blossom, thus identifying him as divinely chosen.
Create St. Joseph's Staff of Lilies at home! Follow these steps! Below is also a video your children may enjoy to learn more about St. Joseph.
Materials
- 5 Yellow & 5 Green Pipe cleaners of each color (or you can use rolled up colored paper if you do not have pipe cleaners)
- 5 sheets white paper
- 1 sheet green paper
- Stick from outside
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Glue
Procedures
- The yellow pipe cleaner will be the center of the lily flower. Cut the yellow pipe cleaner in half (should be about 3 to 4 inch pieces). Crisscross and twist the two halves together at the center. Curl the ends down just a little to make a small ball on each of the 4 ends.
- The green pipe cleaner will be the stem. Take the green pipe cleaner and twist one end around the yellow pipe cleaners at the center. The yellow pipe cleaners should be up and the green down.
- Trace two hand prints side-by-side on a sheet of white paper and cut them out. (you can stack the 5 white sheets together and cut them out at the same time.) The fingers are the flower's peddles.
- Wrap one hand cut-out around the yellow pipe cleaner with the green coming out the bottom. Tape it together. Then wrap the other hand cut-out around in the same way.
Use a pencil to carefully curl down some of the peddles of the lily
Repeat the above steps to make more lilies. Make about 5 lilies total.
Wrap/twist the green pipe cleaner stems of your lilies around the top portion of the walking stick. You may need to glue them to the stick or use an extra green pipe cleaner to help secure the lilies to the staff. If you have any extra pipe cleaner ends hanging out, it looks best if you curl the ends using your finger or a pencil.
Gather Materials!
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
Project IMT
Join our NeXt Level Team!
THURSDAY, MARCH 25 INTEREST MEETING ZOOM LINK
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81061205312?pwd=bEhYSHB1bUpmVXpTeU1wZWtsTzlBZz09
Meeting ID: 810 6120 5312
Passcode: 577353
STAY CONNECTED!
Here is a link to the Google form to RSVP for the event & to stay connected:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9uawiIV7wZPbGiN8pKnfBmwyo2DFDaeCGGdtSHun8wU4o1g/viewform
Just a Few Reminders!
2021 Bishop's Annual Appeal
2021 Bishop’s Annual Appeal
Transformed by Christ’s Body and Blood –
Sent on Mission to Light a Fire in the Heart of the Church
By now you have received a letter from Bishop Checchio inviting your participation in the 2021 Bishop’s Annual Appeal. The diocesan ministries supported by the Appeal directly impact many of the parishioners here in Holy Family Parish. Your gift provides formation opportunities for our catechists, youth and young adults. In the coming days, you will be receiving a letter from our pastor, Father Ryan, encouraging your participation. If you have yet to make your gift, please prayerfully consider doing so today by either returning your pledge card in the mail or going to the secure website:
Snap a Picture & Share Your Crafts with Us!
Jose Brena
Maileny & Marisol Alavez-Lopez
Anthony & Kevin Flores
Emily & Salome Asuncion Gonzalez
Yosmeri Bonilla
Kimberly Bonilla
Janet & Nallely Lopez Perez
Josmari & Alejandra Velazco Sanchez
Uplift Video of the Week!
Vaccine brings hope...and hugs!
After a long dark year filled with 6 feet of social distancing, sanitizing, masks, and even double masks, finally we see signs of hope...and even hugs!
Grandparents are our essential supports of love, faith, and tradition in our families. Watch as these grandparents, recently vaccinated, finally embrace their grandchildren.
Holy Family Parish
- Register online: holyfamilyparishnewbrunswicknj.flocknote.com
OR
- Text holyfamilyforall to 84576 (or 202-765-3441 in Spanish)
Email: catherinek@holyfamilyforall.org
Website: holyfamilyforall.org
Location: 56 Throop Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
Phone: (732) 545-1681
Facebook: facebook.com/holyfamilyparish
Twitter: @holyfamily4all