A Pensacola Christmas Season Night

Happy New Year's Eve

The Feast of the Holy Family

In the Temple, Simeon holds the Christ child in his arms.

"Lord, You have kept Your promise.

You can let me go."

Pray for your family.

Wishing you a Blessed and Holy Chrstmas Season

From Father Pat

And the Word became Flesh and dwelt among us.

You are always welcome at St. Joseph's

A view of the altar

"Christmas in the City with Pat Joyce" presented by St. Joseph Booster Club

T'was the Night Before Christmas

and all through the house,

not a creature was stirring

not even a .......

is that delicious looking or what?

It's beginning to FEEL a lot like Christmas!

At least today, anyway.

Brrrrrrrrrr

The Pope Speaks

During his weely Wednesday audience last Wednesday, Pope Benedict XVI said: "perhaps the world crisis that is affecting so many families and all of humanity could be the stimulus for rediscovering the warmth, simplicity, amity, and solidarity which are the very values of Christmas. Stripped of its materialistic and consumer trappings, Christmas offers a chance to welcome as a personal gift the message of hope that eminates from the mystery of Christ's birth. Even a nonbeliever can perceive something special, transcendent and intimate that speaks to the heart."

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Mary trusted that the Lord's Word to her would be fulfilled.

Three of our Children receive the Sacrament of Penance for the First Time

Maryn O'Neal, front

Danielle Brown, on the left

Kathryn Messer, on the right

Gaudete Sunday: The Third Sunday of Advent

Gaudete Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent in the liturgical calendar of the Western church.

The Latin “Gaudete” is translated as Rejoice, the first word of the of this day's Mass: "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice; let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God."

On Gaudete Sunday rose colored vestments may be worn instead of violet, which is prescribed for every day in the season of Advent. In churches which have an Advent wreath, the rose colored candle is lit in addition to two of the violet colored candles, which represent the first two Sundays of Advent. During the otherwise somewhat-penitential season of Advent, the readings on the third Sunday emphasize the joyous anticipation of the Lord's coming.

John the Baptist announces that the Lord our God is cominf in human form. (He will be Incarnate of the Virgin Mary.)

Let us prepare through repentence of our sins, humbling ourselves before God and others and using the gift of insight more than eyesight that we might recognize Him.

U.S. Avery Cardinal Dulles died today in New York City

May he rest in Peace. Amen.

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Holy Mary, who under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe are invoked as Mother by the men and women of Mexico and of Latin America, encouraged by the love that you inspire in us, we once again place our life in your motherly hands.
May you, who are present in these Vatican Gardens, hold sway in the hearts of all the mothers of the world and in our own heart. With great hope, we turn to you and trust in you.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pray for us.
His Holiness Benedict XVI

Today is the Feast of St. Juan Diego

It was to Juan Diego, a member of the Chichimeca (Mexican) people, that the Virgin Mary appeared at Tepeyac, near Mexico City.

He was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002.

Monday: The Feast Of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"We declare, pronounce and define that the doctrine which asserts that the Blessed Virgin Mary, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God, and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, was preserved free from every stain of original sin is a doctrine revealed by God and, for this reason, must be firmly and constantly believed by all the faithful." -- Pope Pius IX in the Papal Bull Ineffabilis Dei, which declared the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854.

A Blessed and Holy Second Sunday of Advent

A Second chance He gives us to know Him through His Son.




Let there be peace in my family through the Lord's intercession.

What can I do this week to bring myself and my family closer to the Gift that awaits us ?

Our Journey through Advent Continues

Have an enjoyable and blessed weekend.

Enjoying Poolside on the Cruiseship Carnival Glory

Americans Pass Economic Woes to Churches

“A new study from the Barna Group shows that fears and disruptions in the economy have induced one in every five households to decrease donations to churches or other religious centers. Over the last three months, 22 percent have stopped giving entirely, and even 48 percent of givers in "upscale" housholds were likely to have reduced their donation. The report found that families with "serious financial debt, "downscale" households, and those who lost 20 percent or greater in their retirement fund or stock portfolio value were most likely to cut back. Among the 20 percent total who cut back at least somewhat, 28 percent had reduced their gifts by half or more. Christian Post reports that George Barna, head of the Barna Group, said, "The giving patterns we're witnessing suggest that churches, alone, will receive a staggering amount less than expected during this fourth quarter." Churches can usually expect greater giving in the last quarter, Barna said, but need to prepare for a 4 percent to 6 percent dip below usual.” (George Barna, The Barna Group)

This statement relates to all Churches in the United States, including Catholic. I can assure you that the impact of this current economic situation is already affecting our Parish.