I wanted to alert you to a few things that are or will be happening at St. Joseph. 

1) The Campaign for building improvements has raised over $209,000.00.  We have already completed the roofs on the rectory and school.  The installation of the windows on the school and rectory will begin in another week and the siding on the rectory will follow.  The church and school will be painted in September.  A new kitchen and bathrooms in the rectory will help to the much needed upgrades on that building.  The doors for the church will be replaced next summer.  All these projects should mostly drain what we raised.  But, our physical plant will be much improved.  Thank you! to all those who have given for the campaign.  It is never too late to still give or give more.

2) Efforts at outreach to our community of Richmond and the surrounding area will be a top priority for us.  All these details will be discussed at the Pastoral Council meetings in September and November.  Look for more info in coming weeks.

3) Vocations are essential for the future of our church.  We need priests and religious sisters.  So, we will start a traveling chalice program from home to home to encourage and support priestly and religious vocation.  It would be so great to have God call someone from St. Joseph Church.

4) Diocesan Stewardship is not yet at its goal.  We have several thousand yet to reach our mandatory target.  If you have given, thank you!  If you have yet to give, please help!  Any shortfall will hurt our overall work and any shortfall must be met to the diocese.  We belong to more than St. Joseph. Let’s do our part for our bishop and the diocese.  

5) Offertory collections have stayed steady and I appreciate your sacrifices.  Please stay steady and pray if you can give more.  Help us to meet our weekly goals and beyond.

6) Spiritual growth and development is necessary if we are to remain a strong parish.  Come to the Bible study, go to Mass every week, pray daily, be charitable often and love God who first loved you.  We are a great parish.  Let’s keep striving in Christ to never be satisfied, but always doing better and greater for His Holy Name.