Welcome to St. Joseph

March 7

Are you a member of the Catholic Church whose marriage has not been blest by the Catholic Church?

Have you heard stories about how hard it is to get an annulment?

What does having an annulment mean if you have children from a previous marriage?

Father Jimmy will be conducting the marriage workshop, "Becoming Sacrament," on Wednesday, March 7, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the Main Church.  This is a time to ask questions and receive encouragement.

The 2012 Archbishop's Appeal pledge weekend, will take place the weekend of February 11–12.  The campaign goal is $3,750,000, and our parish goal is $56,286.

We can assure the continued existence of many important programs that help tens of thousands in our Archdiocese each year.  Education of our children and seminary students, care of the sick and needy are among them.

Please respond generously when you are asked to make your pledge.

February 1

Beginning February 1, the new parish gates will open automatically at 6:00 am and will close automatically at 9:30 pm.  This will be seven days a week.

This Main Gate will be the main entrance to the parish grounds and may be used for both entering and exiting the parking lot.  The Lower Gate will be used for exiting only.

After 9:30 pm the only exit available will be the Main Gate.  This gate will open automatically for exiting after 9:30 p.m.

When the gates are open (6:00 am – 9:30 pm), those exiting and turning right (east) onto Hwy. 46 should use the Main Gate.  Those turning left (west) onto Hwy. 46, should use the Lower Gate.  Visibility for those turning left is much safer at the Lower Gate.

This should help in getting large groups of cars out of the parking lot more safely and efficiently.  Your help in following these new regulations will help ensure safety and security for our cherished and holy church premises.  Flyers with illustrations and traffic flow were in last week's bulletin and are available through the Parish Office.

March 23 – 24

"Human Dignity at the End of Life" is the theme for the March 23–24 Converging Roads conference jointly sponsored by Assumption Seminary, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System, and HLI America.  This event will feature Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, Dr. Janet Smith, and several other distinguished speakers.

Participants will be better prepared to care for persons at the end of life by recognizing their dignity as persons; understanding their unique spiritual, emotional, physical, and legal needs as patients; examining and responding to ethical issues in their treatment; and becoming aware of resources which can offer comfort.

CMEs, CNEs, CEUs, and Archdiocesan Catechist renewal hours are available.  See details and register at www.convergingroads.com or call the seminary at 210-734-5137.

May 13, 5:00 pm

Bishop Oscar Cantu will be conferring the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Joseph – Honey Creek on Sunday (Mother's Day), May 13 at the 5:00 pm Mass.  We invite the whole parish to attend this beautiful sacrament and see our candidates receive the completion of their baptismal graces.  No reception will follow Mass.

Hopefully everyone has received the Neighborhood Net postcard mailing and seen the attractive banners in the church entrance areas.  The excitement is growing about our launch of St. Joseph Neighborhood Net on February 18–19.

The Neighborhood Net Ministry was created to extend St.  Joseph-Honey Creek hospitality, evangelization, community life, and pastoral care into the neighborhood of every parishioner.

So how will it work?

Our parish membership has exploded from 300 families in 1993 to over 1,900 families today.  The basic premise of Neighborhood Net is to physically and spiritually connect small groups of families (20-30) as an extension of the church beyond gathering for Sunday mass.  The Neighborhood Net ministry has literally formed 69 geographically grouped families to carry out this mission.  Each group is led by a co-ordinator specifically trained to bring this mission to life at the “neighborhood” level.

More to come on the coordinators...  Watch for it!

July 26 thru 29

The Teen ACTS retreat will be held on July 26 – 29, at Eagles Wings Retreat Center.  It is an incredible retreat to experience Jesus Christ in a powerful way.

This retreat will be open to any teenager from grades 8 through newly graduated high school seniors.  Please save the date on your calendar, and watch for more information regarding sign-ups in coming months.

February 4 and 11

Come and join The Alexander House Apostolate for a "Morning on Marriage," with the author of Men, Women and the Mystery of Love.  (Practical Insights from John Paul II's Love and Responsibility.)

Dr. Edward Sri is coming to San Antonio on February 4 at St. Pius X from 8:30 to 11:30 am.  Please register for this event at www.sri-sa.eventbrite.com.

The Alexander House also invites you to come pray with us in, "A Holy Hour for Marriage," which will be held at San Fernando Cathedral on February 11 at 9:00 am.

Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller will be the celebrant.  There will be a reception in the hall immediately after the celebration.  There is no charge for this event but please register so that we can maintain a head-count - www.holyhoursa.eventbrite.com.

Dear Parents,

My name is Mary Ann Matteson, Kelly will be leaving the St. Joseph Catholic Church - Honey Creek staff effective January 20 and I am the interim youth minister.  For those of you who don't already know me, I am currently a Life Teen Core Member and have been working with our youth for two years now.  Prior to that, I helped teach the tradition middle school class, as well as other levels of faith formation.  I am also part of the Confirmation Team helping to teach our Confirmation II candidates and I coordinate Vocation Promotion for our parish.  Since I am already actively involved in our parish youth ministry I was asked to lead the way until our new youth minister can be hired.  We have a wonderful group of adults on our Core Team who will continue to minister to the needs of your teens throughout the year.

We have a few things happening that I need to discuss.  Your teen(s) should have come home with a permission slip for the upcoming Super Youth Spectacular.  This is an Archdiocesan event which will be Saturday, February 11.  We will meet in the St Joseph parking lot at 7:00am and return for pick up at 7:30pm.  Cost is $40 which includes lunch with Archbishop Gustavo, an internationally known speaker, a band, Mass with Bishop Cantu and a t-shirt.  Deadline for registration is this Thursday, January 19 by 8:00pm or the cost goes up to $60.  Scholarships are available.  Please turn in the forms and money to the front office as soon as possible.  If your student did not receive a form they are available in the church office.

Next Sunday, January 22 we will be conducting an Amazing Race.  We need 8 parents to help monitor the different stages of the "race".  No experience necessary.  We will start the "race" about 7:00pm and will be finished by 8:15pm so we can close our night in prayer.  If you can help us out please respond with a call to the youth office 830-980-2487 or my cell phone 210-241-5511.  By having parents monitor the stations the Core Members can "race" with the teens to facilitate safety.

Finally, I thought I would start soliciting now for pictures of our seniors, especially any pictures of the seniors participating in St. Joseph parish life.  If you have any, no matter how old, please email them to mmatteson@stjoseph-honeycreek.org.  The end of the school year will get here very quickly and I like to plan ahead.

Blessings,

Mary Ann Matteson

Interim Director of Youth Ministry - High School / Young Adults

St. Joseph Catholic Church - Honey Creek

830-980-2487

Sunday, February  5, 5:00pm

in the Youth/Young Adult Office

Party: Food & Fellowship - We'll provide the meat if you provide the sides & dessert.

Souper: Bring a canned food item for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Questions: Kolbe Moore 830-456-8454 or Mary Ann Matteson 210-241-5511

February 11

High school youth from all around the Archdiocese of San Antonio will gather at the Norris Conference Center in Wonderland of the America's Mall on Saturday, February 11, 2012, for the Super Youth Spectacular.  The theme this year is, "Made to Love."  The event will feature keynote speaker, Jason Evert and the popular Christian band, Surrender.

Please arrive at the St. Joseph parking lot at 7:00am for transport.   Parents may pick up their children at St. Joseph 7:30pm.  Registration cost is $40.00, which includes admission to this all day event, lunch and a t-shirt.  Scholarships are available to those for whom cost is an issue. The permission slip is available by clicking HERE, or it may be picked up in the Parish Office.  Registration deadline is January 19.  Late registration will be made available for a brief time.  For more information call Mary Ann Matteson at 830-980-2487.

• Meet other Catholic Youth from across the Archdiocese
• Grow in your faith
• Eat lunch with Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller
• Learn something new
• Celebrate Mass with Bishop Oscar Cantu

St. Joseph is currently screening applicants for a full-time Director of Youth Ministry-High School-Young Adults.  Candidates should have at least 2-5 years of work experience ministering to Catholic teens.

Anyone seeking this position, should please submit a letter of interest with a resume to Father Jimmy Drennan.  The deadline for submission is Tuesday, January 31.

For additional information on this position, please contact Deacon Ken Nickel.

January 28

The Office of Life, Justice and Peace of the Archdiocese of San Antonio is sponsoring a Roe v Wade Memorial Day for Life on Saturday, January 28.  Bishop Cantu will celebrate Mass at St. Mary Magdalen (1710 Clower) followed by a Rosary procession to Planned Parenthood.  After the procession, for those that wish, we will be taking buses to join the Texas Rally for Life in Austin.  Bus tickets are $15.  Lunch is included.

Help our parish show San Antonio we are prolife!  Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves by attending these prolife activities.  Informational flyers are available in the parish office.

Register right away - space is limited!  Deadline for bus tickets is Friday, January 13.

Contact Matt at 210-734-1952 or matt.schima@archsa.org to register.

Teens, start off your New Year with a resolution to gift more of your time and talent back to God!  Become a part of The Praise Project, lifting your voice and heart to God in the 5:00 pm Sunday Mass, and inspiring others to do the same!

Rehearsals are Sundays at 4:15 pm.  For more information contact Kelly Schueler.

Saturday, May 5

The 13th Annual Run for the Hills 5K run/walk and health fair/expo hosted by the Bulverde Senior Center will be held in downtown Bulverde on Saturday, May 5.

This event is the senior center's largest fund-raiser for the year.  Proceeds will fund programs at the center such as support services for seniors and expansion of their building.  Business sponsorships are available.

The Spring Craft Show will be held in conjunction with the 5K run and health expo.  Please save the date and call the Bulverde Senior Center for more information at 830-438-3111.

From Father Jimmy Drennan:

Our parish has been very blest with the ministry of Kelly Schueler as Director of Youth Ministry-High School-Young Adults.  Many of you know this is Kelly's first full-time ministry experience.  As he develops his service to our Church, he is seeking a new experience of ministry.  Kelly will be leaving his position here at St. Joseph as our Director of Youth Ministry and will be serving in new ways in the larger universal church.  I am thankful for all Kelly has given to our parish, and I wish him well in his future services to God's church.  Kelly and his wife, Becky, will continue to participate in the parish life of St. Joseph as he serves in other areas of our archdiocese.

With Kelly's departure as part of the Parish Staff, St. Joseph needs to fill the position of Director of Youth Ministry-High School-Young Adults.  This is a full-time position working in collaboration with other ministries of our parish.  Anyone seeking this position, should please submit a letter of interest with a resume to Father Jimmy Drennan.  The deadline for submission is Tuesday, January 31, 2012.  For additional information on this position, please contact Deacon Ken Nickel at 830-337-5838.

Reservations for the use of the St. Joseph baseball field for the Spring Season will open in January.  Please do not call before January, as scheduling will not be done until then.

After the beginning of the year, scheduling will be open to parishioners on a first come, first serve basis.  Scheduling times and number of teams permissible to practice vary due to the time of year (Daylight Savings Time) and weekend schedules.

For questions, please contact Eddie Molina, the Athletic Field Director, or call Grace Linneman in the Parish Office.

An ACTS Retreat is a Catholic lay retreat presented by fellow women and men parishioners like you.  St. Joseph ACTS Retreats are held in a special, peaceful, and quiet environent.  An ACTS weekend is a chance to relax and focus on your faith journey.  Holy Scripture and the teaching of the Catholic Church are the guide for the movement.

Registration for the upcoming St. Joseph Men's ACTS Retreat, taking place February 2-5, 2012, is underway!  For more information contact Rick Berry or John Styron at 210-875-0745 or jstyron@gvtc.com.

Registration for the upcoming St. Joseph Women's ACTS Retreat, taking place March 8-11, 2012, is under-way!  For more information contact Cindy Styron or Nita Kaminski.

Adult Confirmation Classes are starting on March 4, 8:00 – 9:30 am, in room 204 in the Education Building.  Candidates must be 18 years or older and have already completed Baptism, Reconciliation and First Communion.  All candidates must provide a current (dated within the past 6 months) Baptismal Certificate from the Catholic church of record where they were baptized.

A registration form can be downloaded from the Faith Formation area.  For questions, please contact Michelle Engel in the Parish Office.

February 10

Attention ALL married couples: Join us on Friday, February 10, for an early Valentine's Day celebration!  Dine by candlelight with your sweetheart and enjoy delicious desserts.  We will be covering Session 11 and making a special Valentine craft.

Covenant of Love meets in the Parish Hall at 7:00 pm.  Childcare and fun activities for children are FREE with a reservation by contacting Susan Perez.

Would you like to learn more about this marriage enrichment ministry?  For information contact Ken and Lorie Kolacny.