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We are all Called to be Saints
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All Saints Day! One of my favorite things to reflect on! So much of my life I thought saints were irrelevant to my life. I didn't understand the point! Being Holy-Sounded dull! Praying all Day- Sounded BORING! I wanted more for my life. I wanted adventure. I wanted excitement. I wanted to blaze my own trail. I....I....I.....really didn't know what the heck I wanted to do....but I knew being a Saint wasn't it!
Thankfully, God really does have a good sense of humor...He listens to what I want to do with my life and just chuckles..He even lets me struggle with it for awhile.
Most of my life I thought I was smarter than God - so it was hard for me to believe that God had already created a great plan for my life - even beyond that - He created me for a very specific purpose and plan. The realization that I was created for His purpose and I would not be truly happy until I opened myself up to that purpose and began to live it - was when I recognized God's Grace entering my life! (of course it had always been there!!!)
The journey of my life has been unfolding (and unfolding..and unfolding - we won't get into how many years ...). It has been like a wild roller coaster ride since I have begun to let God into my life and now even let Him do the driving! YIKES! He takes me to places I never imaged to see things I never thought I would ever see! I can see that His plan is NOT what I would have chosen - but better. I had no idea what adventure and excitement really meant until God showed me what it could be! I have never been happier or more filled with Life, Joy and Love! A few years ago and again just recently for our book club, I read Fr. James Martin's "My Life With the Saints." Until then, I didn't realize that Saints were just like me, ordinary people....many of them flawed, rebellious and stubborn just like me. Reading about their stories and how trusting in God and keeping their eyes on God turned their life around and gave their life meaning and purpose was one of those "AH-HA" moments for me! If it could work for them - then what about me? Was God calling me to be a Saint? Am I a Saint, too?
A saint is what we are all called to be. If we want to get to Heaven, we must be saints! To be a saint is to following God, love God, and love each other - in the way that God designed us. (No, it is not the easy road, but with God - All things are possible! I am living proof!) I don't have to be "like" anyone else. I was created by a loving God who is the ULTIMATE CREATOR and He is still creating unique people to share His love in unique and wonderful ways. None of us can do it the same...but we are missed when we don't share what we have been given!
My little niche in life - my family, my friends, all of you - I can love in a way that no one else can love. That's my purpose! I know I fall short many times - and for that I ask your forgiveness. I also take advantage of our wonderful SACRAMENT of RECONCILIATION which gets me back on track with God and with YOU! (I just love our Catholic faith the more I practice it!)
I look back on what I wanted for my life - A life of adventure, a life of excitement, a life of love! I can tell you that God put that desire in my heart and He has allowed me to live it out -to the full! I have had an amazing life! I am so overwhelmed at the wonderful plan that God created just for me! Adventures and experiences I never expected to have....challenges I "white-knuckled" my way through on my knees, growing in confidence and trust of God's mercy and love! When I have done things "MY way" - life has been in black and white. When I began living with my eyes and heart on God - my world turned to TECHNICOLOR! or ULTRA HD in new technology terms! Praying all day - not boring - but now my eyes are open to the many miracles of God in my life daily. Being Holy - not dull - but fully alive! I have never felt so Alive and so purposeful! Everyday is a joy to live! God has called you to this life, too! Trust in Him! You are a Saint - today! Be the person God created you to be - get to know that person by getting to know God more intimately! "Leon Bloy, a French Catholic writer, once said 'the only tragedy in life is not to become a saint.' Holiness is about realizing our deepest, greatest potential, becoming who we were truly destined to be. What a shame it would be to miss it."
May you and your family be filled with the Holy Spirit and become fully alive -living saints, giving God the Glory!
Blessings,
Nancy Longo
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National Parish Religious Education Week 2014
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November 2 - 8, 2014 Encountering Christ Every Day
This week we focus on the value of parish-based efforts to form people of all ages in the Catholic faith and way of life. As the hub of lifelong faith formation, the parish - both the people and the place - weaves together essential strands within the fabric of effective Catholic education.
Please thank our Catechists for sharing their time and faith with your children and families! They make a difference in all our lives!
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Welcome Sr. Eva Bryan!
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Sr. Eva is our new Pastoral Associate! She will be helping with RCIA and some adult faith formation and other things around the parish! Please welcome her! She is full of the love of God and wants us all to grow closer to God!
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Daylight Savings Time -This Sunday! - Nov 2nd
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 Don't forget to turn your clocks back this Sunday morning at 2:00am! We get an extra hour of sleep!!! Praise the Lord! |
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Early Childhood News!
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Early Childhood - Ages 3-5 - Sunday Mornings from 9-10 am.
Early Childhood Calendar
DID YOU KNOW...
Early Childhood Faith Formation is the process by which young children come to know God ~ an "awakening process". This awakening has its beginning in Early Childhood and is based on developing the child's awareness of God using life experiences relevant to the development of the young child, ages 3, 4 and 5. The child at this young age is able to relate to the care and love of God through self- identity, nature and the love of others.
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News for Parents and Children Preparing for 1st Reconciliation and 1st Eucharist!
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 Reminder - Preparing for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist is a two year process. Religious Education Calendar
It includes all children and parents (no matter what grade their child begins the process! 1st - 5th)
Next Parent Workshop Monday, November 17 (for all parents of children from grades 1-5 preparing for their Sacraments!)
- If your child is in the 1st year - your meeting is from 6-7pm in the Hall.
- If your child is in the 2nd year - your meeting is from 7-8pm in the Hall.
Childcare is provided for $5 a child. Please RSVP to 562)598-0519.
Reconciliation Retreat for all Year 2 parents/children on
Sunday, January 11 from 2pm-4:30pm
If you want to know more about this process and ways to help your child prepare at home...please check out our Sacrament Webpage.
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News for Kids Quest! Children from 3rd-5th Grades continuing their faith formation!
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New Program for our 3-5th graders! They are on a Quest to grow closer to Jesus this year (the same as all of us!)
They are exploring the Scriptures, they are learning to journal, they are exploring ways to live out their faith in every day ways; all with music, games, prayer, Bible lessons - with an Adventure spirit! Some of these children are also preparing for 1st Reconciliation and 1st Communion! We are Community! Living out our Faith together! Religious Education Calendar.
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Middle School Religious Education Class News!
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Middle School - Grades 6-7-8 is on Tuesday evenings from 7-8pm.
Not your boring-sit-in-class evenings! Learn how to put your faith into ACTION!!!
Middle School Calendar
- St. Joseph Middle School Religious Education is a partner with
St. Joseph Middle School Youth Ministry: On The Edge
Once a month - our young teens in Middle School Religious Education -can invite their friends on Tuesday nights - to:
ON THE EDGE Youth Ministry to explore their faith and build community!
(See below - On the Edge! Youth Ministry for Middle School) |
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DAY CARE available during the 9am and 10:30am masses!
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Please check out this free offering from St. Joseph. Janet Gomez is our Day Care Coordinator! Are your little ones restless this morning at Mass? Bring them to the day care room!
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Protecting God's Children during Mass!
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St. Joseph Parish is very serious about protecting our children from Child Sexual Child Abuse. One of the main ways we do this - as a community - is to keep our eyes open for dangers to our children.
DEAR Parents, Please DO NOT send your children to the restroom during mass by themselves....Our Church is NOT locked on the weekend and there could be strangers hanging out in the hallways or restrooms while we are in mass!
It is better to be safe and take your children to the restroom!
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CROP WALK - Sunday, Oct 26th! - Parish Service Project!
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Thank you to everyone who participated in this wonderful event!
We had 63 walkers from St. Joseph and raised $1235 for Hunger!
We didn't come in first, but we made a difference! St. Cyprian gets the trophy this year...but we will be back!
Thank you again!
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Confirmation for Teens
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Classes are on Sundays from 11am through 12:30 mass.
IPOD Raffle will begin November 16!
Retreat Chaperone/volunteer meeting will take place on Sunday, November 9 - Drop your teen off and come to the PAC for information!
Contact Marc Leon [email protected] or (562)598-0519
web links: Calendars are on:
http://www.stjosephlb.org/confirmation/ or http://www.saintjosephlbym.com
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High School Youth Ministry Activities
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All teens are Welcome - Bring your friends! 9th through 12th Grade!
Revelation on Wednesdays! 7:30-8:30pm
 The Word is on Tuesdays from 7:15-8:30pm
Contact Marc Leon at [email protected] or (562)598-0519 
Life Teen Inspiration - Magic Mountain - November 8th. web links: http://www.stjosephlb.org/youth-ministry or http://www.saintjosephlbym.com |
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Middle School Youth Ministry Activities
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All 6th-7th-8th graders are welcome! Bring your friends!  We will be having Middle School Youth Ministry on Tuesday Nights - once a month from 7-8pm. On The Edge Calendar Contact Marc Leon at [email protected] or (562)598-0519 web links: http://www.stjosephlb.org/middle-school/ or http://www.saintjosephlbym.com |
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Sharing Faith together - for all parents!
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I am out there all alone! Someone come and pray with me! Share with me!
Let's Share Faith - Better prepare for mass! Reflect with others on this coming Sunday's readings!
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Web Resources for Families
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I have created a new webpage just for families - It has articles, videos, for holidays and family issues...check it out!
Faith at Home Webpage -
- November is the Month of All Saints and All Souls and being Thankful! Check out the new resources!
Articles about Marriage and family - (Balancing Family and Work, Stages of Marriage, Marriage Resources, Try a 5-point Tune-Up for your Marriage)
Check out the For Your Marriage Website for issues on Marriage.
Find out more on Synod on Family.
You can also:
Listen to Christian Music in the Car: KFSH 95.9 is a great station and you never have to worry about what is going to be said!
FAMILY FRIENDLY!
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Helping you and your family to Understand more about Liturgy (Mass) - so that you can fully participate! Here is the Link: Enjoy!
8 Week Liturgy Challenge - Finding Joy in the Mass!
The beginning of the document has some additional resources to prepare you before you go to mass and before you begin the official challenge. The actual challenge begins at FINDING JOY AT MASS!
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Children's Liturgy of the Word
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 Liturgy of the Word for children is offered during the 9am mass most Sundays. We invite children from 3 years old through 6th grade to go with our catechists to hear and break open the gospel readings so that they will understand it at their age levels. Parents are welcome to join us! Help needed! If you can spare 1 hour a month (30 minutes preparing - 30 minutes sharing with our St. Joseph children) please email Nancy! Training and materials are provided! We need 1st Sundays and 5th Sundays! |
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Children's Choir
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Children's Choir is open to children entering 2-8th grade. First rehearsal is September 6th 8am-9:15am. children meet weekly and serve nearly once a month, mostly at the 9:00am Mass. Schedule and Registration forms at rehearsal.
Contact Vivian Doughty at [email protected] or (562)422-5430 for more information
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Altar Servers
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Are you 4th grade or older? Do you want to be an Altar Server?
Call the Rectory at (562)594-4657 |
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There's an App for that!
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What if we treated our Bibles like we treat our cell phones?
You Can! It's on your Smart Phone! Either IOS or Android!
Check it out! Download the App for Free! Laudate! two versions of the Bible - New American, Douay-Rheims.
Laudate also has Daily Mass Readings, Liturgy of the Hours, Order of the Mass, Calendar with daily readings, Rosary and Chaplet, How to go to Confession, Stations of the Cross, Basic Catholic Prayers,Latin Prayers, Catechism, Catholic Media, EWTN & Vatican Documents. Everything you wanted to know about being Catholic but were afraid to ASK! You are now smarter than a 5th Grader!!!
Parents check out Website NETSMARTZ to keep up on Technology safety for you and your children!
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Adult Faith Formation
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- Meditation on Tuesdays in the PAC Chapel from 7-8:30pm. Everyone is welcome. "Let us search a place to meditate on the grace of God." Pope Francis
- "Jesus is Lord" -Bible Study - Tuesday Mornings 9:00am and Thursday Evenings at 6:30pm. topic: book of John. Information: call Rita Smith: 562-533-1243
- Mom's Prayer and Fellowship group
- Chris Serrano meets with women at her home once a month to study scripture and share faith! Please join them! Call Chris at 562-243-6959 for more information.
- Faith and Fatherhood Series for Dads will continue in the fall. Contact: Jim Crofut (562) 234-1432;[email protected]
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 Holy Grounds CAFE - Come and enjoy Coffee, donuts and sharing faith with other adults! - Sunday, Nov 16 from 10:40-11:40 (Different kinds of Prayer)
- Sunday, Nov 23 form 10:40-11:40 (Preparing for Advent - Ideas for Home)
- St. Joseph Book Club -
New book will be chosen next soon..check the St. Joseph Website
So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away: behold new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Men and Women of St. Joseph Parish
Is your heart on fire for Christ? Is it filled with the Holy Spirit? Or is your heart like a candle in the wind, flickering and barely alive? If you want to experience what the disciples felt ot he day of Pentecost, then give yourself the gift of a Cursillo and light your heart on fire!
For more information, contact Dcn. Shane at sfcuda @yahoo.com or go to Occursillo.org
There are lots of opportunities for young adults to grow in faith! There are many Young Adult gatherings happening throughout the Los Angeles Archdiocese. You can easily stay connected by linking to the following website:
Nov 4 - (First Tuesday of every month) Adoration at St. Cornelius from 7 pm to 8 pm. This is sponsored by Youth Ministry and Young Adults and all are welcome. Live Praise & Worship music is incorporated into this hour of prayer.
Saturday, December 6, 2014 - RESTORE LA - Young Adult retreat
a t St. Mel Parish - 20870 Ventura Boulevard, Woodland Hills, 91364. The retreat begins at 11:00 am - 9pm. The Jacob & Matthew Band will be providing music. The day includes speakers, Mass, Adoration, Confession, breakout sessions, lunch, dinner, and great fellowship. The cost is $10. Contact person: Sr. Val Roxburgh, Cell #805-452-9699, Email: [email protected] Young Adult Website at the Los Angeles Archdiocese...
Follow them on Facebook and Twitter
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Multi-Parish Adult Faith Opportunities!
| |  St. Joseph - St. Bartholomew - St. Cornelius - St. Matthew have gathered together to share our calendars for Adult Faith Formation Opportunities with you, our parishioners and neighboring parishes. Feel free to find the opportunities that interest you and fit into your schedule. November Calendar (and some upcoming December events!) (Each month we will post a calendar of events). |
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Social Media for St. Joseph Religious Education
and St. Joseph Youth Ministry - Let's Share Faith!
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Religious Education Social Media:
Youth Ministry and Confirmation: We are still working on these...they will be ready by Orientation! Websites: Youth Ministry Website: www.saintjosephlbym.com St. Joseph Religious Education Website link:
http://www.stjosephlb.org/religious-education/
We want to hear from you! We will be passing on information via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the website: What is going on in the Religious Education World (for 3 years old until we pass through to heaven!!!), what is going on in the Catholic World around us and we want to hear your feedback, your prayers, how you are living your faith in your homes! Parents to parents, teens to teens - We need to support each other! Help each other get to heaven! Let us connect! The Holy Father says to use the Internet for the Good News! It is a gift from God! We can bring Jesus closer to each other! Let's do it!!! |
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Religious Education Office Hours
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We are here to serve you!
Monday-Thursday - 8:30-4:00pm - Sundays from 8:00-12:00 noon
 | Michelle Johnson
Administrative Assistant |
 | Nancy Longo
Director of Religious Education |
If you need to reach us - try emailing us at:
rel[email protected] or leave a message at (562)598-0519 - We will get back to you as soon as possible! It is always best to call before you drop by - to make sure we are there!
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 St. Joseph Religious Education Department is here to empower and support families in their ministry to form and teach their children about God and the Catholic faith. This is a life-long process that includes us as adults and those families with special needs!
If you have any questions or needs that we can help you with, please feel free to email us or call us! We are here to serve you!
May God bless you with His abundant Love, Peace and Joy as we grow more like Him every day during our journey of faith!
Nancy Longo
Director of Religious Education
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Good Reads for Parents..
