St. Boniface
catholic church
A Letter From Our Pastor
A Month and Year to Honor St. Joseph
My Fellow Parishioners,
O
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ur Lord and Savior Jesus Christ chose to enter At the end of the First Vatican the world through the human family. He came Council in 1870, Pope Pius IX deas an infant born into the marriage and home of clared St. Joseph the patron of the the two holiest human creatures who ever lived — Universal Church. He is also the patron of carpenJoseph and Mary. At a time when our world and ters, workers, fathers, and a happy death because he our Church needs family and faithful disciples now died in the presence of Mary and Jesus. The title of more than ever, could there be a more fitting time to Joseph’s March 19 feast day is “Husband of Mary.” venerate the man who gave his life and his love to Pope Pius XII later declared May 1 to be the feast of the Blessed Mother and the Son of God? St. Joseph the Worker to counteract the Communist Pope Francis has declared 2021 the Year of May Day holiday. St. Joseph in honor of the 150th anniversary of As Catholics pray and reflect on the life of St. Jothe saint’s proclamation as patron of the Universal seph this year, they also have opportunities to gain a Church. Our pope said he established the year so plenary indulgence or remission of all temporal punthat “every member of the faithful, following his ex- ishment due to sin. An indulgence can be applied ample, may strengthen their life of faith daily in the to oneself or to a soul in purgatory. An indulgence complete fulfillment of God’s will.” requires a specific act, defined by the Church, as As Christians, we are blessed to have Mary as our well as sacramental confession, Eucharistic Comspiritual mother and Joseph as our spiritual father. munion, prayer for the pope’s intentions, and full Just as Mary guides us from heaven detachment from sin. with loving devotion, St. Joseph also Special indulgences during the Year diligently provides for the needs of the of St. Joseph can be received through family of God, the Holy Catholic Church. various prayers and actions, including Because of his special role as fosterpraying for the unemployed, entrustfather of the Child Jesus, St. Joseph ing one’s daily work to St. Joseph, perhas merited singular privileges in heavforming a corporal or spiritual work of en unmatched by any saint aside mercy, or meditating for at least To read more about Pope from the Blessed Virgin Mary. 30 minutes on the Lord’s Prayer. Francis’ declaration on To give some modern-day perAs we devote 2021 to St. Jothe Church granting plenary spective to the significance of this seph’s honor, we will undoubtindulgences for the special year, Pope Francis has said edly unlock many special graces Year of St. Joseph, visit the coronavirus pandemic height— not only for our parish, but for www.bit.ly/StJoseph2021 ened his desire to reflect on St. each of the faithful who increase Pope Francis’ Prayer Joseph, as so many people during their devotion to him during this to St. Joseph the pandemic have made hidden special year. There is no greatHail, Guardian of the Redeemer, sacrifices to protect others, just as er model than St. Joseph from Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. Joseph quietly protected and whom we can learn how to live To you God entrusted His only Son; cared for Mary and Jesus. virtuously in imitation of Jesus in you Mary placed her trust; “Each of us can discover in and Mary. with you Christ became man. Joseph — the man who goes unBlessed Joseph, to us too, noticed, a daily, discreet and hidSincerely yours in Christ, show yourself a father den presence — an intercessor, a and guide us in the path of life. support and a guide in times of Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage, and defend us from trouble,” the pope wrote. Fr. Paul R. Key every evil. Amen.
