stmaryjoy Christian Service, Holy Name Fraternity, Immaculate Heart of Mary Ministry (IHMM), Joyful Women, Knights of Columbus, Prayer

Stations of the Cross

Please join us weekly during Lent for the Stations of the Cross as we remember the Passion of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Feb. 24th – Led by The Joyful Women and Forever Young Seniors
March 3rd – Led by Christian Service and SVdP
March 10th – Led by The Knights of Columbus
March 17th – Led by Immaculate Heart of Mary Ministry
March 24th – Led by The Holy Name Fraternity
March 31st – Led by The St Mary, COOJ Choir

Stations will be at 7:00 pm in the Church, but don’t forget to join us from 6:00 to 6:45 for a free meal in the Social Hall each week.

stmaryjoy Evangelization, Prayer

Bible Marathon

Back in 2019 Pope Francis declared the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time to be The Sunday of the Word of God. This year this this event will fall on the weekend of Jan 21st and 22nd. In honor of this celebration, we are going to try something new; we are going to publicly read the New Testament in 24 hours!

Between Noon on Friday, Jan. 20th, 2023 to Noon on Saturday, Jan. 21st, 2023 we will be reading the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE) the translation we read at Mass each week.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), who are the copyright holders of this translation, have granted us permission to live stream this Event on Facebook so people who don’t want to come out on a January night can still share in the event.

 Each hour a pair of people will take turns reading in the Church. We need people to both come and listen, and to actually read. We would like to invite everyone to come out or tune in online for this event. Even better, bring a friend. If you are so inclined, please sign up to read.

If you would like to sign up for a time to read, please go here: Signup Genius
If you want to watch online, please go here: Facebook Live

stmaryjoy Announcements, Prayer

Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross – Fridays in Lent at 7:00 pm (In Church and Live Streamed) 

  • Friday, March 4 – 7:00 pm
  • Friday, March 11 – 7:00 pm
  • Friday, March 18 – 7:00 pm
  • Friday, March 25 – 7:00 pm
  • Friday, April 1 – 7:00 pm
  • Friday, April 8 – 7:00 pm – sponsored by our Faith Formation Classes
  • *Friday, April 15 – (Good Friday) – Noon – sponsored by our Youth Group*
  • Friday, April 22 – Stations of Light – 7:00 pm
stmaryjoy Announcements, Prayer

Happy Parish Feast Day!

“The Parish of St. Mary, Cause of Our Joy, inspired by Mary’s “Yes” and led by the Holy Spirit, strives to be a faith-filled community, joyfully welcoming all to witness and to celebrate the Gospel.”

Parish Mission Statement

A Prayer on The Solemnity of Annunciation

Lord Jesus Christ,
Eternal Word,
You became Incarnate as man
in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
You, through whom the universe was created,
began your earthly course,
in the womb of a humble and chaste Virgin.
At the annunciation of this miracle,
Mary responded in faith:
“let it be done to me
according to your word.”
May we who are made new creatures
by your grace,
respond with such faith,
when you call us to your service.
Amen

  • The Annunciation By Carlo Crivelli
stmaryjoy From Fr. Shafique, Prayer

Home Blessing

Have you ever had your home blessed? Whether you have just moved into your home, or have lived there for many years, you may consider participating in this ancient practice. While this is something that you can do yourself, you may also consider contacting Fr. Shafique and have him come to your home.

The Blessing of Homes is very popular in his native Pakistan, and is a practice that he would like to make encourage in the States. If you would be interested in having your home blessed, or finding out more about it, feel free to contact Father through the Parish office.

stmaryjoy Announcements, Christian Service, Faith Formation, Forever Young Seniors, Holy Name Fraternity, Immaculate Heart of Mary Ministry (IHMM), Joyful Women, Prayer, Youth Ministry

Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross – Fridays in Lent at 7:00 pm (In Church and Live Streamed) 

  • Feb. 19, 2021 – sponsored by our Holy Name Fraternity
  • Feb. 26, 2021 – sponsored by our Joyful Women
  • March 5, 2021 – sponsored by our Christian Service Ministry
  • March 12, 2021 – sponsored by our Forever Young Seniors Group
  • March 19, 2021 – sponsored by our Immaculate Heart of Mary Ministry
  • March 26, 2021 – sponsored by our Faith Formation Program
  • *April 2, 2021* – Noon on Good Friday – sponsored by our Youth Ministry

stmaryjoy From Fr. Shafique, Prayer

A Christmas Note from Fr. Shafique

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Jesus is the reason for this season. We have now entered into the season of Advent. In this season of hope and joyful expectation we are reminded of the good news of Christmas and God coming to us. He is Emmanuel, God with us. This day the Divine became human. As we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord, we remember how God first gave a home to the needy couple by being born in a stable. As we remember the birth of Jesus and re-create the stable, I ask that you take part in providing a “roof” for the Holy Child. This Christmas, let us be mindful of those who are in need of our welcome – a family member, a friend, a co-worker, a fellow parishioner. Let us make room in our hearts for forgiveness and love and reach out to those who are asking for them. In addition, Pope Francis keeps reminding us not to forget the poor. During this season of giving, let us also find time to help the needy. Let us extend God’s gift of generosity by helping a family in need, visiting the sick and those feeling lonely during this pandemic. Through these simple actions we are able to bring Christ to others this Christmas. 

This year the Easter and Christmas seasons have been different. We all experienced and continue to live through this experience of ‘lock-down’ due to the COVID 19 pandemic. We face many new challenges but also new opportunities. With our ‘staying home’ we discovered the importance of being together as family and supporting each other in the time of illness and fear. However, the closing of so many businesses and public institutions brings with it a serious reduction of or loss of regular income. 

Your support to your parish St Mary Cause of Our Joy has been amazing in these unprecedented times. I am very impressed by your help in many ways. You were there when your parish needed you, may it be financial support or otherwise. I have seen many volunteers preparing churches before and after Masses making it safe for all our parish family. I remind you that your first obligation is to your family and loved ones but any small amount you can give towards your Parish, will make a difference. The generosities of your gifts given to the Lord are modeled upon what the Three Kings presented to the newborn King. We are grateful to you for your generosity.  

The backbone of our parish are those who volunteer, we have a long list of those dedicated and committed members too numerous to mention. As your pastor, I treasure the gift of you and the dedication, sacrifices, and hard work you have shown to make this parish a beacon of Christ’s love and I say THANK YOU. 

The parish staff and I, promise you to keep you in our prayers. Know that we pray for you, your loved ones and your intentions. Thank you for lifting us in prayer as well. May you have the grace to find happiness and joy this Christmas and throughout the New Year 2021. I would like to remind you of my words at my installation July 2019, “Westland into Joy land”.

Fr. Shafique Masih 

stmaryjoy Prayer

An Advent Prayer

Lord God, we adore you because you have come to us in the past.
You have spoken to us in the Law of Israel.
You have challenged us in the words of the prophets.
You have shown us in Jesus what you are really like.

Lord God, we adore you because you still come to us now.
You come to us through other people and their love and concern for us.
You come to us through men and women who need our help.
You come to us as we worship you with your people.

Lord God, we adore you because you will come to us at the end.
You will be with us at the hour of death.
You will still reign supreme when all human institutions fail.
You will still be God when our history has run its course.

We welcome you, the God who comes.
Come to us now in the power of Jesus Christ our Lord.

  • Caryl Micklem, “Contemporary Prayers for Public Worship”

stmaryjoy Prayer, Saints

Prayer to St. Joseph after the Rosary

Introduction
This prayer to Saint Joseph—spouse of the Virgin Mary, foster father of Jesus, and patron saint of the universal Church—was composed by Pope Leo XIII in his 1889 encyclical, Quamquam Pluries. He asked that it be added to the end of the Rosary, especially during the month of October, which is dedicated to the Rosary. The prayer is enriched with a partial indulgence (Handbook of Indulgences, conc. 19), and may be said after the customary Salve Regina and concluding prayer. It may also be used to conclude other Marian devotions.

Prayer
To you, O blessed Joseph,
do we come in our tribulation,
and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse,
we confidently invoke your patronage also.

Through that charity which bound you
to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God
and through the paternal love
with which you embraced the Child Jesus,
we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance
which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood,
and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.

O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family,
defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ;
O most loving father, ward off from us
every contagion of error and corrupting influence;
O our most mighty protector, be kind to us
and from heaven assist us in our struggle
with the power of darkness.

As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril,
so now protect God’s Holy Church
from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity;
shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection,
so that, supported by your example and your aid,
we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness,
and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven.

Amen.

Reprinted From: USCCB