P A R I S H

E s t a b l i s h e d 1 8 5 0

The mission of St. Joseph

Church is to provide a

Catholic environment for

our parish, to embrace

God’s Word, and to

answer the call to holiness,

leading to eternal salvation.

417 6th Avenue • DeWitt, IA 52742 w w w . S t J o s e p h - D e W i t t . w e c o n n e c t . c o m

SAINT JOSEPH May 6, 2018 • Sixth Sunday of Easter

Parish Staff Pastor ......................... Rev. Stephen Page Deacon……..……….Deacon Mark Comer Pastoral Minister ............... Sr. Janet Heiar Parish Secretary ............ Becky Townsend Parish Administrator ........... Becki Kenton Director of Faith Formation . Patrice Sheil School Principal ................ Sharon Roling School Secretary .................. Beth Gravert

Office Hours Monday-Friday ............ 8:00 am-4:00 pm

Telephone & Fax Numbers Parish Office ............................. 659-3514 Parish Fax ................................. 659-2599 Convent .................................... 659-5327 School Office ............................ 659-3812 School Fax ................................ 659-1565

Email Addresses Bulletin .............................. sjc@gmtel.net Fr Stephen Page ....... sjpastor@gmtel.net Deacon Mark Comer….markc@gmtel.net Sister Janet Heiar…….sjsister@gmtel.net Becki Kenton ............. …..sjconect@gmtel.net Becky Townsend ............... sjc@gmtel.net Pat Sheil ..................... sjyouth@gmtel.net Mary Goodall………….sjnurse@gmtel.net Sharon Roling..sharon.roling@sj-dwt.org Beth Gravert…...beth.gravert@sj-dwt.org

Bulletin Deadline Mondays by 12:00 noon (unless otherwise noted). Items may be

faxed, called, brought in, or emailed.

Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Sacrament of Baptism For arrangement, please call the rectory.

Sacrament of Matrimony Couples please contact the pastor at least 9 to 12 months

prior to wedding date.

Catholic Radio Station 92.5FM

Phone: 563-320-5497

6th SUNDAY OF EASTER: "I have called you friends." Au-thentic friendship can seem hard to come by these days, espe-cially in our transient society. We move away from family, change jobs, switch parishes, and end up in entirely new places with entirely new people. When we look for new friends, we all have different qualities we're looking for. While we may think of certain standards of behavior necessary to be a "good" friend, we would hardly refer to them as rules or "commandments." In fact, if a friendship or romantic relation-ship-new or old-becomes characterized by imposed obliga-tions, we would rightly be suspicious. Friendships, we under-stand, ought to be characterized by freedom. We love the per-son, even sacrifice for them at times because, within ourselves, we want to maintain the friendship. So why does Jesus use the language of command as he calls the Apostles his friends? "You are my friends if you do what I command you." Jesus is radically transforming the concept of commandment. In the Jewish heri-tage of the Apostles, they would hear the word "command" and immediately think of the strict Levitical law and distance from God. In introducing the language of friendship, Jesus ties "commandment" to inner freedom of heart. The disciples have this freedom precisely because they know "what [the] Master is doing." Jesus has invited his followers into intimate friendship all along. He shares openly with them. He has patience with their flaws. He isn't scandalized by their failures. He celebrates their successes. We, too, have been called by love and invited into a relationship with Jesus. It is you and I that Jesus chooses and appoints. He does so personally, not from a distant moun-tain shrouded in clouds. This "new commandment" to "love one another" is received around the shared table in the breaking of the bread. ROSARIES: The sixth grade class at St. Joseph School will be displaying rosaries they created as part of a religion class pro-ject. The rosaries will be displayed from May 10-16 in the gath-ering space. We invite you to walk through and see the unique designs of this prayer form. THANK YOU! The families of Jean McGlynn would like, in our time of sorrow, to thank Father Page and Sister Janet. A big thank you to Circle 1 for Jean’s funeral luncheon. Beautiful sal-ads and desserts were enjoyed by everyone. It was overwhelm-ing and we are very blessed to see how Jean touched the lives of others. Thank you. PRESERVING STORIES OF FAMILY AND FAITH: Dale Kueter, a retired newspaperman and author of “The Smell of the Soil,” will be having a day’s presentation at Our Lady of the Prairie on Tuesday, May 8th, from 9:30am to 3:30pm, called Preserving Stories of Family and Faith. The description of the day is: A wonderful way to preserve stories of family and faith by delving into your memories. He will talk about ways to crea-tively write them, then gift them to your family. The cost for the day is $20 with lunch. If you plan to attend, call Sr Rae El-wood at 563-336-8414. MOTHER’S DAY is right around the corner and there is no better gift than a Scrip card or a gift purchased using Scrip. In addition to the national Scrip vendors, our local vendors offer a variety of gift options. Local vendors include Necker’s Jewelers, Mimi’s Nails and Spa, Sashollie, Meant to Be with Flowers, Blondie’s, Soul Sisters, MJ’s East, and DeWitt Travel Mart. Or-ders need to be placed soon or a good supply of Scrip cards are available after weekend Masses or in the school office.

TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE CONTACT: Iowa Department of Human Services Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-362-2178 and if it involves clergy or church personnel also notify Alicia Owens, the Victim Assistance Coordinator, 563-349-5002, or vac@diodav.org or PO Box 232, Bettendorf, IA 52722-0004.

In Your Prayers This week, please remember the sick and the infirm, so that they may experience the healing power of Christ: Rosalie Trimble, Bill McGarry, Joyce Marme, Ed Franzen, Jerry Renner, Katie Cunningham, Katie Moore, Brittney Moore, Mary Roling, Morgan Nesbit, Sandra Fries, Janet Driscoll, Delores Spain, Bob Barr, Robert Rosenberger, Emily Blaga, Julie Howard, Joe Watters, Megan Roth, Arlene Skoff, Jerry DeSchepper, Lucy Wells, George Vens, Virg Van Dierendonck, Angie Reemtsma, Jeanette Ilg, Mike Thomas, Robert Delost, Madonna Schlotfeldt, Chris Forret, Michelle Smith, Lori Hand, Henry Kruse, Jr., John McGarry, Austin Holst, Mark Trimble, Ken Roling, Sandy Fischer, Joyce Erling, Emeline (Babe) Barber, Twilah Raes, Betty Summers and Sharon Barr

And for the recently deceased, Rita Claeys, mother of Madonna Hughes; that she may have eternal happiness in

heaven.

“Heavenly Father accept our prayers which we offer for them.”

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS: Today, Sunday, May 6th is the last day for Religious Education classes for this school year. Many thanks to all of our dedicated catechists for another successful year of faith formation. Your dedication and hard work are much appreciated. PARISH NURSES/HEALTH TEAM will check your blood pressure for you at the Cinnamon Roll breakfast today, Sunday, May 6th. Walking program information will also be available from Parish Nurses. SCHOOL MASS TIME CHANGE: Because of the funeral Mass on Wednesday, May 9th for Geraldine Thomas at 11:00am the school Mass will begin 15 minutes earlier at 8:45am. PARISH COUNCIL members will meet on Wednesday, May 9th at 6:00pm in the conference room. SENIOR GRADUATION BREAKFAST: The class of 2018 and their parents are invited to attend 8:00am Mass followed by breakfast in Harness Hall next Sunday, May 13th, to honor the seniors on their graduation from high school. Graduates, please bring your cap and gown and meet in Harness Hall at 7:40am. Please RSVP to Pat Sheil at 659-3514 or sjyouth@gmtel.net SALAD LUNCHEON: A big “Thank You” to all who made delicious salads and desserts, gave cash donations, and to the many workers that came and worked at the Salad Luncheon. There were approximately 250 meals served which includes carry outs and about $1,586 was raised. Thanks again from Cir-cle Leaders 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7. DEAR FRIENDS & FAMILY OF MR. PAT MEADE. After 35 years in education, Mr. Meade is retiring at the end of this school year. In typical Pat Meade fashion, he is refusing any kind of party. However, those of us who had him as a teacher, coach, or principal, over the years know that there are many stories worth sharing. These moments challenged us to grow, brought us laughter, and sometimes made us tremble. Mr. Meade loves nothing better than sharing a good story, so in lieu of a party, (his children) are inviting former students, players, coworkers, parents, and community members to send a card, letter, or even a postcard, sharing your favorite memory, lesson, or sweater vest from his time at St Joe’s, Beckman, Eisenhower or Carver. Letters may be sent to: Mail for Mr. Meade, PO Box 11, Dyersville, Iowa 52040. Please mail letters by June 15th so we can present them to him as a surprise on his official first day of retirement. Thanks so much for helping us celebrate our dad’s career and impact! SR THERESA ANN IS CELEBRATING HER 70th JUBILEE! Sister T.A. retired from our parish five years ago after being a teacher and pastoral minister for 32 years. You are invited to the Mass at the Chapel of Mercy, 1125 Prairie Drive Northeast at Mt Mercy University in Cedar Rapids on Sunday, June 10th at 1:00pm followed by a reception until 4:00pm. Please RSVP to Shari at ssutherland@mercywmw.org or call 319-389-2444 by May 21st. Cards may be sent to Sister Theresa Ann Spitz, 1125 Prairie Drive NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402. MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH: You are invited to St Ann’s Great Hall in Long Grove, Iowa, next Sunday, May 13th for the Knights of Columbus Mother’s Day Brunch. Serving from 9:00am until noon. A free will offering is appreciated.

Weekly Schedule

Sunday, May 6, Sixth Sunday of Easter 8:00 am Mass 9:00 am Cinnamon Rolls & Blood Pressure Check 9:00 am Last Religious Education Class 10:30 am Mass & May Crowning Monday, May 7 Tuesday, May 8 5:30 pm Mass 7:00 pm Education Foundation Meeting Wednesday, May 9 8:45 am School Mass 11:00 am Funeral Mass for Geraldine Thomas 6:00 pm Parish Council Meeting Thursday, May 10 8:00 am Mass Friday, May 11 7:30 am Finance Council Meeting 8:00 am Communion Service Saturday, May 12 4:30 pm Mass Sunday, May 13, The Ascension of the Lord Mother’s Day 8:00 am Senior Graduation Mass 9:00 am Senior Graduation Breakfast 10:30 am Mass

Mass Intentions for the Week Tuesday, May 8 5:30 pm Fred Schlotfeldt† Wednesday, May 9 8:45 am William & Irene Reed† Thursday, May 10 8:00 am Catholic Radio Friday, May 11 8:00 am Communion Service Saturday, May 12 4:30 pm Jim & Paul Kuehn† Sunday, May 13 8:00 am Dorothy Hughes† 10:30 am Intentions of Parishioners

Liturgical Roles For the Month of May 4:30 pm Cantor: Dorothy Sheldon Lector: Patty Tarchinski Communion: Deb Assenmacher, Dea Banowetz Mike & Cindy Barnes Hospitality: Greg Barnes, Betty Porth Bob Reynolds, Scott Tarchinski 8:00 am Cantor: Dan Vrba Lector: Don Thiltgen Communion: Barb Barber, Jim Burke Sue Gravert, Peg Thiltgen Hospitality: Gary Burke, Leo Fier Jerry Green, Joe McGuire 10:30 am Cantor: Greg Tigges Lector: Tim Gehlsen Communion: Vicki Judge, Carol Macumber Kirk & Lori Machovec Hospitality: Joe Burke, Fred Donovan Steve Kedley, Dan Kedley

Readings for the Week of May 6 Sunday: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48/Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3- 4 [cf. 2b]/1 Jn 4:7-10/Jn 15:9-17 Monday: Acts 16:11-15/Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b [cf. 4a]/Jn 15:26--16:4a Tuesday: Acts 16:22-34/Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8 [7c]/Jn 16:5-11 Wednesday: Acts 17:15, 22--18:1/Ps 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14/ Jn 16:12-15 Thursday: Ascension: Acts 1:1-11/Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 [6]/Eph 1:17-23 or Eph 4:1-13 or 4:1-7, 11-13/ Mk 16:15-20 Friday: Acts 18:9-18/Ps 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 [8a]/Jn 16:20-23 Saturday: Acts 18:23-28/Ps 47:2-3, 8-9, 10 [8a]/Jn 16:23b-28 Next Sunday: Acts 1:15-17, 20a, 20c-26/Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19 -20 [19a]/1 Jn 4:11-16/Jn 17:11b-19

Observances for the Week of May 6 Sunday: 6th Sunday of Easter Saturday: Sts. Nereus and Achilleus, Martyrs; St. Pancras, Martyr Next Sunday: The Ascension of the Lord; Mother's Day

The emcee for this year’s Christ Our Life conference is Jon Leonetti. He was at our parish last January and lead us in our first parish mission in many years. He sold out of his books at our parish and we had to order more. He is a very inspir-ing and engaging speaker, just like the other speakers that will be at the conference. People who have attended this conference in the past can describe it in two words, Life Changing!

Fill the Bus! A Charter Bus from Wiersema Charter Service has been reserved for transportation to the Christ Our Life Catholic Conference at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines for Saturday, September 29, 2018. The bus is only being of-fered for Saturday, but will give you the opportunity to at-tend one full day of the two day conference. The bus will depart from St. Joe’s at 5:30 a.m. and return around midnight the same day. Arrival at the arena is estimated at 8:30 a.m. and will allow you to attend most of the day’s events includ-ing 9:00 a.m. Mass with Bishop Robert Barron giving the homily. The cost for the bus is $40 per person and the ticket price for the conference is $25 per adult and $15 per student (6 years to college age). You may buy tickets for just the confer-ence or the conference and sign up for the bus by stopping in the parish office. You will not be asked to pay the $40 price for signing up for the bus right now. We will contact you for bus payment later in August. For now, we are just wanting to know who is interested in taking the bus to make sure we have a full bus. There are approximately 50 seats available. Seats are available on a first come first serve basis. The bus is ADA compliant for motorized wheelchairs and there is also storage for wheelchairs, walkers, etc. There are informational flyers available about the conference in the Gathering Space and east church entrance. For any additional questions please contact Joe Shadle at (563)241-8160 or Larry Fugslang at (281)788-0712. For a conference schedule of events and a list of speakers go to: ChristOurLifeIowa.com This Sunday a short 2 minute video about the conference will be playing in Harness Hall. Stop by and check it out.

Mass Intentions for the Week Tuesday, May 8 5:30 pm Fred Schlotfeldt† Wednesday, May 9 8:45 am William & Irene Reed† Thursday, May 10 8:00 am Catholic Radio Friday, May 11 8:00 am Communion Service Saturday, May 12 4:30 pm Jim & Paul Kuehn† Sunday, May 13 8:00 am Dorothy Hughes† 10:30 am Intentions of Parishioners

Liturgical Roles For the Month of May 4:30 pm Cantor: Dorothy Sheldon Lector: Patty Tarchinski Communion: Deb Assenmacher, Dea Banowetz Mike & Cindy Barnes Hospitality: Greg Barnes, Betty Porth Bob Reynolds, Scott Tarchinski 8:00 am Cantor: Dan Vrba Lector: Don Thiltgen Communion: Barb Barber, Jim Burke Sue Gravert, Peg Thiltgen Hospitality: Gary Burke, Leo Fier Jerry Green, Joe McGuire 10:30 am Cantor: Greg Tigges Lector: Tim Gehlsen Communion: Vicki Judge, Carol Macumber Kirk & Lori Machovec Hospitality: Joe Burke, Fred Donovan Steve Kedley, Dan Kedley

Readings for the Week of May 6 Sunday: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48/Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3- 4 [cf. 2b]/1 Jn 4:7-10/Jn 15:9-17 Monday: Acts 16:11-15/Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b [cf. 4a]/Jn 15:26--16:4a Tuesday: Acts 16:22-34/Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8 [7c]/Jn 16:5-11 Wednesday: Acts 17:15, 22--18:1/Ps 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14/ Jn 16:12-15 Thursday: Ascension: Acts 1:1-11/Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 [6]/Eph 1:17-23 or Eph 4:1-13 or 4:1-7, 11-13/ Mk 16:15-20 Friday: Acts 18:9-18/Ps 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 [8a]/Jn 16:20-23 Saturday: Acts 18:23-28/Ps 47:2-3, 8-9, 10 [8a]/Jn 16:23b-28 Next Sunday: Acts 1:15-17, 20a, 20c-26/Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19 -20 [19a]/1 Jn 4:11-16/Jn 17:11b-19

Observances for the Week of May 6 Sunday: 6th Sunday of Easter Saturday: Sts. Nereus and Achilleus, Martyrs; St. Pancras, Martyr Next Sunday: The Ascension of the Lord; Mother's Day

The emcee for this year’s Christ Our Life conference is Jon Leonetti. He was at our parish last January and lead us in our first parish mission in many years. He sold out of his books at our parish and we had to order more. He is a very inspir-ing and engaging speaker, just like the other speakers that will be at the conference. People who have attended this conference in the past can describe it in two words, Life Changing!

Fill the Bus! A Charter Bus from Wiersema Charter Service has been reserved for transportation to the Christ Our Life Catholic Conference at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines for Saturday, September 29, 2018. The bus is only being of-fered for Saturday, but will give you the opportunity to at-tend one full day of the two day conference. The bus will depart from St. Joe’s at 5:30 a.m. and return around midnight the same day. Arrival at the arena is estimated at 8:30 a.m. and will allow you to attend most of the day’s events includ-ing 9:00 a.m. Mass with Bishop Robert Barron giving the homily. The cost for the bus is $40 per person and the ticket price for the conference is $25 per adult and $15 per student (6 years to college age). You may buy tickets for just the confer-ence or the conference and sign up for the bus by stopping in the parish office. You will not be asked to pay the $40 price for signing up for the bus right now. We will contact you for bus payment later in August. For now, we are just wanting to know who is interested in taking the bus to make sure we have a full bus. There are approximately 50 seats available. Seats are available on a first come first serve basis. The bus is ADA compliant for motorized wheelchairs and there is also storage for wheelchairs, walkers, etc. There are informational flyers available about the conference in the Gathering Space and east church entrance. For any additional questions please contact Joe Shadle at (563)241-8160 or Larry Fugslang at (281)788-0712. For a conference schedule of events and a list of speakers go to: ChristOurLifeIowa.com This Sunday a short 2 minute video about the conference will be playing in Harness Hall. Stop by and check it out.