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• On December 8, 2020, Pope Francis issued an Apostolic Letter “Patris Corde” (“With a Father’s Heart”).  This document marks the 150^th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church.  With this document, the Holy Father further declared the Year of Saint Joseph which will continue until December 8, 2021.
  
  In describing the Pope’s action, Vatican News says “Pope Francis describes Saint Joseph as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father; a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows.”  The report goes on to say “The Holy Father wrote ‘Patris corde’ against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, which, he says, has helped us see more clearly the importance of “ordinary” people who, though far from the limelight, exercise patience and offer hope every day. In this, they resemble Saint Joseph, ‘the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence,” who nonetheless played “an incomparable role in the history of salvation.’”
  
  The Church needs the example of Saint Joseph to inspire us, especially Catholic men.  Husbands and fathers need Saint Joseph’s guidance and intercession to be the best they can be for their wives and children, indeed for their entire family!
  
  In this special year dedicated to Saint Joseph, Saint Stephen’s will offer special devotions and prayers to help all of our parishioners experience his powerful intercession.
  
  In the Old Testament, in ancient Egypt, Pharaoh told the people, during the years of famine, to “Go to Joseph” (Gen. 41:55). Joseph, in this sense, was the one who had been sold into slavery by his brothers who were jealous of the favor Joseph had received from his father – a coat of many colors. In our time, these same words “Go to Joseph” (Latin, “Ite ad Ioseph”) have a much more powerful meaning as we are instructed to go to Saint Joseph in our time of need. 
  
  May this Year of Saint Joseph be one of many blessings and favors, not only to our parish, but to the entire Church as well!