Fr O'Neill's Weekly eNote
Fifth Sunday of Easter B
In this famous line, Jesus summed up the Christian spiritual life. He is the source of our life, our being. He is also the source of God's life with in us. Through the Spirit, Jesus gives us the power to walk the path of faith.


This Sunday's Readings

hWe investigate the results of St. Paul's conversion in the book of Acts of the Apostles . After his conversion, Paul had few friends. Jews disowned him and Christians distrusted him. It would take years to gain a new circle of friends, ones who would stand beside him in ministry.

Psalm 22 was a snapshot of life in adversity, but a life of faith. "Why me, God?" turned into a song of praise for the Master of the Universe.

How do we know where we stand with God? In 1 John , the author gave a direct answer. We know we are close to God when we show love to others.

"I am the vine, you are the branches." This famous line from John's Gospel described the relationship of the disciple with the Master. The Master Gardener prunes and shapes the vine to produce fruit; the Master is also the source of life for the branches. As Christians, we sometimes will suffer for faith, so we can grow in faith to serve others.


ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC ACADEMY OPEN HOUSE
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ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL
****In-Pew Sunday this weekend****
My dear friends in Christ,

This year’s theme, “Joy in Christ, Our Gift to Share,” speaks to one of the many ways we are united in God’s love as Catholic Christians and members of the family that is our Diocese of Bridgeport.

We are also united in giving thanks to God for His many blessings, and in the ways we respond to His call to serve as joyful missionary disciples of Christ.
Through our God who is love, we are called to love each other as brothers and sisters.

Through the richness of our faithfulness and our actions, my friends we are called to support each other through forgiveness, kindness, support, love, and generosity.
We are called to help each other, particularly those who live in need along their journey of life; to help our youth and young adults who are seeking truth by developing their minds, opening their talents and service, and falling in love with the Lord; to help the homeless and the hungry who live among us; to those whose lives are too easily invisible to our larger society; to help our priests, both active and retired, and the men who are studying for priesthood, who will sacrifice their lives in service to the Lord and us. We support their vocations to help them to live out a meaningful, healthy and joyful life.

My friends I am grateful for your past generosity and support, for your gifts have helped sustain our parishes, schools and the leaders in our midst who serve us generously. And now I come to you to ask for your continued support, to help our communities to grow ever stronger in faith, hope, and joyful charity.

As your shepherd in Christ, I ask that you prayerfully consider supporting the 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal through sacrificial giving. That the joy that is the Good News of the Gospel will always guide us to live to the honor and glory of Christ through our service of our neighbor.

May God bless you.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano
Bishop of Bridgeport
From: The Office for Development - APRIL 26, 2018

Saint Joseph, Brookfield raised 209 gifts worth $98,835 from 183 donors bringing the parish to 76.03% of its $130,000 goal.
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ST JOSEPH PARISH CODE - 2BJN6X
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SAINT OF THE WEEK
Saints Philip and James’ Story

James, Son of Alphaeus:  We know nothing of this man except his name, and, of course, the fact that Jesus chose him to be one of the 12 pillars of the New Israel, his Church. He is not the James of Acts, son of Clopas, “brother” of Jesus and later bishop of Jerusalem and the traditional author of the Letter of James. James, son of Alphaeus, is also known as James the Lesser to avoid confusing him with James the son of Zebedee, also an apostle and known as James the Greater.

Philip:  Philip came from the same town as Peter and Andrew, Bethsaida in Galilee. Jesus called him directly, whereupon he sought out Nathanael and told him of the “one about whom Moses wrote” (Jn 1:45).

Like the other apostles, Philip took a long time coming to realize who Jesus was. On one occasion, when Jesus saw the great multitude following him and wanted to give them food, he asked Philip where they should buy bread for the people to eat. Saint John comments, “[Jesus] said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do” (Jn 6:6). Philip answered, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little [bit]” (Jn 6:7).

John’s story is not a put-down of Philip. It was simply necessary for these men who were to be the foundation stones of the Church to see the clear distinction between humanity’s total helplessness apart from God and the human ability to be a bearer of divine power by God’s gift.
On another occasion, we can almost hear the exasperation in Jesus’s voice. After Thomas had complained that they did not know where Jesus was going, Jesus said, “I am the way … If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him” (Jn 14:6a, 7). Then Philip said, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us” (Jn 14:8). Enough! Jesus answered, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9a).
Possibly because Philip bore a Greek name or because he was thought to be close to Jesus, some gentile proselytes came to him and asked him to introduce them to Jesus. Philip went to Andrew, and Andrew went to Jesus. Jesus’s reply in John’s Gospel is indirect; Jesus says that now his “hour” has come, that in a short time he will give his life for Jew and gentile alike.

Reflection
As in the case of the other apostles, we see in James and Philip human men who became foundation stones of the Church, and we are reminded again that holiness and its consequent apostolate are entirely the gift of God, not a matter of human achieving. All power is God’s power, even the power of human freedom to accept his gifts. “You will be clothed with power from on high,” Jesus told Philip and the others. Their first commission had been to expel unclean spirits, heal diseases, announce the kingdom. They learned, gradually, that these externals were sacraments of an even greater miracle inside their persons—the divine power to love like God.

Saints Philip and James are the Patron Saints of:
Uruguay
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Let us pray for those in our parish who were recently welcomed through 
the Sacrament of Baptism especially,

Amelia Grieco

May her lifetime journey in faith sustain her and light her way .
SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
Let us celebrate with great joy those within our parish who have recently joined hearts and hands in the most sacred union of Holy Matrimony.

May God continue to bless them and keep them in his watchful care for the rest of their lives as the two of them became one in their new seamless union of love.
FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED
Let us pray for those in our parish who have entered into their eternal rest...

Julia Trainor

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace.
DANBURY/NEW MILFORD HOSPITAL- IMPORTANT INFO 
Parishioners entering Danbury/New Milford Hospitals as patients are urged to contact the St. Joseph Parish Office -  (203)775-1035  - if they wish to be visited by a member of St. Joseph clergy/pastoral care team during their stay.  

The notification system used by the hospital is not functioning at this time and until further notice.  
PARISH FINANCES
The projects planned from the proceeds of this year's Annual Offertory have been completed.

  • kneeler pads and hardware replaced in the church pews (1991) - $20,000

  • Audio system replaced in church (2001) - $34,000

  • Men's restrooms in church and sacristy renovated (1991) - $13,000

The remaining proceeds will be held in savings to offset the drop in offertory during the summer months.

As always, God bless you and thank you for your continued support of St Joseph Church.
QUICK LINKS
St Joseph Church
163 Whisconier Road
Brookfield, CT 06804
203 775 1035 phone 203 775 1684 fax
stjosephbrookfield@parishmail.com