Lift Up Your Hearts

Dear Friends in Christ,

            We survived the blizzard of 2026!  As I write this column, our Director Facilities, Andrew Stauffer, continues the work of plowing the snow off our vast lots, salting, and using a separate machine to move piles of snow from hard-to-get areas.  The other two members of our Facilities team, Tony Barjas and Ally O’Neill, have been working on opening- up the many entrances to our school buildings and sidewalks in time for school to open on Thursday.  We are blessed to have this team in place along with the machinery, for if we didn’t, the cost would be that much greater to St. Joseph Church & School.  But snow removal is just one aspect to the work our Facilities team performs throughout the year.  Thanks to all of you, this most essential work, along with all that our parish staff provides, is made possible through your weekly offerings to the Lord.  For this, I am most grateful.

            While our parish relies on your generous support to flourish, so too does the Archdiocese of Baltimore.  Each year, we are asked to support the various ministries of the Archdiocese through the Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries.  This year’s theme is titled, “Lift up Your Hearts:  United in Hope and Service.”  Archbishop Lori chose this theme because it is rooted in the Mass.  Specifically, the dialogue between the priest and the people prior to the singing of the Sanctus, or Holy, Holy.  The word Eucharist means thanksgiving, and it is this interior disposition that is meant to flow from the heart of every missionary disciple of Jesus Christ- not just in words, but in deeds. 

 By now you should have received a mailing from the Archbishop outlining this year’s appeal and the various ministries that benefit from our support.  You can also access this information on our website.  Next weekend will be commitment weekend, when we are asked to make a pledge or give a one-time gift to the Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries.  In next week’s column, I will highlight in more detail the ministries that benefit from the Annual Appeal, discuss our goal, and the ministries of our own parish that will benefit from the rebate we will receive.  I look forward to seeing you this weekend as it appears the snowstorm that was predicted for our area has fizzled out- thank goodness!  United around the altar of sacrifice, may we lift up our hearts in thanksgiving and praise as the one Sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary is re-presented to God the Father- in an unbloody manner- as we are fed and given a pledge of future glory.

In Christ,