Once again here we are at an annual meeting. These events have become very meaningful and significant for me and I hope for you. They have touched and affected our parish in many ways, most especially in how we govern ourselves. I hope that everyone here sees the good in these meetings.

This is the fourth June Annual Meeting. We have had between 80 and 100 people attend each one. Because of your comments and requests we have a suggestion box and have tried to respond as best as we can. We have asked for and received new members on the Pastoral Council, which has continued to energize us.

Part of my understanding of Church brings us together to talk over what is important to us as a Christian community. I have tried to communicate that we need a place to come together to talk. The invitation to come to these annual meetings is extended to all members of the parish. Thank you for accepting this invitation. It is my hope that we improve this method of gathering more and more as we go on. I know that other parishes may not do this, but to me this has been very effective in getting a feel for the parish. I could change things that suit me, but I would like to hear from you so that any changes that are made are done with input from you.

The Church is not a democracy. Yet the concept of democracy is very important to us in the United States. While these meetings are not majority votes on what to do, there is an importance for us to gather and talk about issues that affect us all. Our concern has been that these meetings give people the opportunity to express opinions in an open way. We have tried to conduct the meetings in such a way that everyone who wishes to speak can, but that no one person or one group dominates. We have tried to create an atmosphere where parishioners can feel comfortable expressing their ideas and concerns and a chance to ask questions.

Once again I want to draw attention to the completion of the ramp, the elevator and the new parking lot. The importance of this is to be sure that the church is accessible to everyone. There is a double meaning here. Accessible for those with physical constraints is the first and the most obvious. But accessible to all who wish to be here no matter who they are or how they view the Catholic Church. That means people who are young or older. People who are from different countries and speak different languages. People who come to church on a very regular basis and people who only come at certain times of the year. People also who have a different sexual orientation; people who see themselves as on one side of the political spectrum or the other; people who have different theological or religious understandings. Christ has come for all. Christ has redeemed all. Christ has welcomed all. In the name of Christ may we also do the same.

I am pleased and proud that we have completed the new organ pipes in Church. This truly enhances our musical capabilities, but does so much more. I thank Jean Degan and all who work with her. Liturgy is very important for us as followers of Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church. Liturgy around the Word of God and the Sacrament of the Eucharist makes us one with Christ. All of us as we come together to worship must be welcomed and feel welcomed. This means from the first moment we enter the church building. Yes, it is true we have ushers that help collect your monetary contribution, but there is a ministry of hospitality that needs to be even more evident at the front door of the church. Making others feel welcome is the responsibility of us all. Wouldn’t it be great for us to greet one another at the front door with a warm hello…yes, we do that…but what about those who are new to the parish or folks who are visiting or people who might be just trying us out….your help in this is very important. The Stewardship Committee and the Pastoral Council often have discussed this and have hopes for improving the way we extend hospitality.

This past week our Stewardship Committee was honored for it’s efforts in helping us be a more welcoming parish. We were awarded two scholarships by the Archdiocese for the Annual Stewardship Convention to be held in Chicago in October. I say congratulations to everyone on the Committee. I ask those on the Stewardship Committee to please stand up. This group represents our whole community.

One concern that I have is that so many do not come to Church. What can we do to invite people to be with us? It is true that when children do something in Church, parents, grandparents and friends attend and our numbers swell. But what about a regular Sunday when there may not be anything special going on? Your help is needed to invite people to be with us and once here to make them feel welcome.

Our school and religious education program enable us to hand on our faith. We put a lot of effort into making this successful. I thank all those who are involved. Mr. Monnerat in the school and Mrs. Donahue in our religious education. Fr. Jose has worked very hard with our youth group and other young people. These efforts are not just to keep existing programs going. They have a real goal of helping us all know Christ as the One who is always present and loves us. It is the hope of these programs that people feel welcomed, that they are introduced to Christ, that they are drawn into deeper friendship with Christ and also challenged to live the gospel message in our world today.

This past year our school principal, Mr. Mark Monnerat was honored as Distinguished Principal of the Year of the Archdiocese of Hartford and the New England region. At the annual Convention of the National Catholic Educational Association he was one of twelve Catholic school principals honored. We are very proud of him and our school.

Speaking of education…one of the things that we have learned in the past few years is that people hunger and yearn to learn more about our Catholic faith. Many people attended our RCIA process helping some adults come into the Church and others to be Baptized. We have also had Scripture classes and study this year. These have been well received. We want to expand these. We want people to feel welcomed to attend. Your help is needed. Support these programs by your attendance.

The Catholic Church goes beyond our liturgy, handing on our faith to other Baptized people, our understanding of Scripture. An essential part of our Catholic faith is Catholic Social Justice Teachings. This involves our reaching out to those who are in need. We reach out to members of the Church but also to all human beings. One particular area that we need to understand better is the issue of immigration. This affects members of our community. We need to know how as Christian people to welcome the stranger. We hope to be able to keep you informed through the bulletin. Please read these notices and support this effort. This is an election year. The American Catholic bishops issue a statement called “Faithful Citizenship” before each election. We have these available today in English and Spanish. This does not tell you who to vote for but speaks about issues that we ought to keep in mind while you are deciding on whom to vote for. We have also learned that the issue of being “green” is so necessary and important. Years ago light bulbs were changed in the church and the school to conserve energy. We hope to make more progress on this. We are even looking into solar panels for the school. We have tried to be more attentive to recycling…paper and glass, bottles and cans. We have also discussed other “green” initiatives. Watch for future bulletin notices with more information.

Progress on this front has been made as a direct result of conversations at our Annual Meetings and discussion at our Parish Pastoral Council. I thank everyone involved.

There is also another Council that I want to mention: the Parish Finance Council. This Council is made up of members of our parish who have some business ability and background. They have helped me greatly. One of the things that we want to put together is a plan for us to be working on for the next five years. They will also have a greater role in planning our budget for the year. I ask the members of the Finance Council who are here to stand.

Another group that has recently been formed is a Small Christian Community Core Team. During the winter and early spring months a group of parishioners met with Brother Bob Moriarty from the Small Christian Community Office. This group is in its next phase of the “Come as you are” program. In the fall we hope to bring this program to more of the groups in our parish.

We have been greatly blessed by you and so many others. Your kindness and generosity is a well-rooted tradition here at St. Joseph. I thank you. During this past year a number of very kind and generous bequests were given to St. Joseph Parish and School. Most notable is Mr. Mark Keating who was well known by many and left over $350,000.00 to the school in scholarship money and over $250,000.00 to the parish. Louise Heffernan, Robert McCarthy and Morgan Farrell also contributed much to St. Joseph. To all of our generous benefactors we say thank you and we keep you in our prayers.

Our parish and our faith are not static. When I was in New York City while Pope Benedict was there, there was an energy that was tangible. That tangible energy was fueled by the Spirit. Our Holy Father was not afraid to face difficult issues. But he approached them with reason and faith. I believe that we as a parish are in the process of just that. I invite you to be part of our efforts to be more welcoming, to approach issues with reason and faith, to listen and to respond with the love of God and with hope because of our faith in the Risen Lord, Jesus.

Rev. Joseph V. DiSciacca, Pastor