St. Joseph

MUSKOGEE MASK MANDATE
On Monday, November 23rd, Muskogee City Council passed a mask mandate which became effective immediately. St. Joseph Church will abide by this mandate and moving forward EVERYONE who attends any of our Church activities is REQUIRED TO PROPERLY WEAR A MASK THE WHOLE TIME THEY ARE ON CHURCH PREMISES. We ask that all of our parishioners comply with this mandate as an act of charity for one another, and, also to keep praying for all those affected by COVID-19. We thank you for your cooperation and hope you and your family remain safe during this pandemic. Keep everyone in your prayers and God Bless!

Mandato de Mascarillas en Muskogee
El lunes 23 de noviembre, el Ayuntamiento de Muskogee aprobó un mandato de mascarillas que entró en vigor de inmediato. La Iglesia de San José cumplirá con este mandato. De ahora en adelante, TODOS los que asistan a cualquiera de nuestras actividades de la Iglesia, SON REQUERIDOS DE USAR UNA MASCARILLA ADECUADAMENTE TODO EL TIEMPO QUE ESTÉN EN LAS INSTALACIONES DE LA IGLESIA. Pedimos que todos nuestros feligreses cumplan con este mandato como un acto de caridad para con los demás, y también que sigamos orando por todos los afectados por COVID-19. Les agradecemos su cooperación y esperamos que usted y su familia permanezcan a salvo durante esta pandemia. ¡Mantenga a todos en sus oraciones y que Dios los bendiga!


The 2020 Saint Joseph Parish Pictorial Directories have finally arrived!  If you or members of your family participated in the photo sessions, you will receive a free parish directory (even if you did not purchase a photo package). The new directories have been labeled with each family’s name and can be received at the Masses next weekend or at the parish offices during the week.  If you did not participate in the photo sessions but would like to have a pictorial directory, you can purchase one at the parish offices for $10; this also applies to individuals who may desire an extra directory.  Thank you! 
 

December 8, The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
*** Holy Day of Obligation ***
December 7, Vigil Mass  in English at 5:30 p.m.
December 8, Mass in English at 8:15 a.m., and at 7:00 p.m. Misa en español


December 12, Our Lady of Guadalupe
December 11, Vigil Mass at 7:30 p.m. in Spanish
Diciembre 12, Starting at 5:00 a.m., Mañanitas (serenade), Rosary and Mass in Spanish

People knew over a year in advance that the Pope was coming for a visit to America and the preparations began. Security, space limitations and requirements, protocols, crowd management, itineraries, invitations, regulations, and so much more was necessary to pull this event off effectively. It’s not every day that we get a visit from such a prominent dignitary. Thought, effort, meticulous attention to detail and vision all are necessary to make this thing work. After all, he can’t just show up in the ordinary and normal daily routines of life and catch people unprepared! Tickets have to be purchased, buses rented, hotel rooms reserved, and travel arrangements made early because it will be impossible to see him if we wait too long!
 

We do this kind of preparing not only for prominent religious figures but for political dignitaries, notable sports figures, people of fame, and even actors. If an individual intrigues us, we are going to want to do all we have to do to get a “good seat” in the house. Does Jesus Christ captivate this much of our attention? We are asked to prepare the way of the Lord and to do so not with frantic frenzy but patient enthusiasm. We do not have to stand on a street corner making profound announcements about God’s coming or become overly zealous in our embrace of the Good News. Our task is quieter, more interior, captivating, and consuming. We are asked to change. We have to conduct our lives with holy devotion.
 

Is the cost of that ticket too much for you? Don’t you want the “best seat” in the house? You don’t want to miss Our Lord’s arrival when he comes, do you? After all, if he comes while you are going about your daily routines without you even knowing, he may catch you off guard. Or, he may come in disguise looking like a beggar, a prisoner, migrant, refugee, or someone who is lost. Would you be ready to recognize him then? Preparing for the coming of Christ requires a change of mind, heart, and behavior. It is not adequate to simply do the things we always do. We want our lives to speak of the exciting news of Christ’s coming and the joy that the Gospel brings. It has to do with our demeanor, values, priorities, choices, and how we structure daily routines. Of course, it involves sacrifice. All anticipations do! Are you excited, captivated, enthusiastic, and sitting on the edge of your seat eager to celebrate his coming among us at Christmas, and waiting for him to come again? If not, why not?