Sunday, September 14, 2025
Capital Campaign
Second Collection
September 13-14, 2025
This weekend we will share our Capital Campaign progress report
and take up a second collection at all Masses.
Going forward, this collection will take place every month during the second weekend, along with an update on our progress toward the campaign goal.
Your continued prayers and generosity make a difference as we work toward completing our goal. Thank you for your support as we build a strong
foundation for generations to come!
Grateful for Our New Faith Formation Center
We are filled with gratitude for the many blessings our parish and school have received in recent months. One of the greatest joys is the completion of our new Faith Formation Center — a beautiful and vibrant space that will serve as the heart of faith formation for our parish community.
This center will be home to Religious Education, Youth Ministry, Confirmation preparation, Adult Faith Formation, and middle school classrooms for grades 6-8.
This space is more than just a building — it is a place where we will nurture faith, build community, and walk together as disciples of Christ. Here, children will learn about God’s love, teens will be inspired to live out their faith, and adults will deepen their relationship with Christ and His Church.
This past weekend, we had the great joy of welcoming Bishop Joseph Tyson, who joined us for the blessing and dedication of the new Faith Formation Center. Surrounded by parishioners, students, teachers, and friends, we celebrated this milestone with prayer, song, and thanksgiving. This special moment marked the beginning of a new chapter for our parish and school, one that will bear fruit for generations to come as we continue our mission to form disciples and strengthen our faith community.
If you were not able to attend, we invite you to share in the celebration by watching the video of the blessing and dedication, available on our parish
website at www.stjosephwen.org.
As we express our gratitude for these blessings, we also take a moment to thank all who have supported this project through prayer, service, and financial sacrifice. Your generosity has made this dream a reality. Together, we look forward with hope and joy to the many ways this new space will be used to teach, to evangelize, and to grow in love of God and one another.
Sign Up for Small Group Faith Formation!
Join us for “The Bible and the Virgin Mary” hosted by Matthew Leonard & Dr. Scott Hahn through Formed.org. This 12-session study explores Mary’s role in salvation history, Catholic doctrine, and Vatican-approved apparitions.
Details:
·When: Weekly sessions, September 22 – December 15 (break for Thanksgiving)
·Format: Video presentations + participant workbook (PDF free or $18 printed copy; order by Sept. 8 at parish office)
·Kickoff Gathering: September 15, 6:30–8:30 PM, Kuykendall Hall (light snack potluck; all welcome
·Facilitator Training: September 15, 6:00 PM, parish library
To sign up, scan the QR code or complete a registration form at the parish office. Questions? Contact Linette Gahringer (lag4266@gmail.com, 509-670-7439) or Sandra Barros (sandra.barros@yakimadiocese.org, 206-330-3488).
ST. JOSEPH MINISTRY FAIR
Is God calling you to share your faith,
time and talents?
Make plans now to attend a very special Ministry Fair event in the courtyard
OCTOBER 4—5, 2025
AFTER ALL MASSES
The ministry fair will showcase all of our parish ministries– nearly 40 of them—and will give you an opportunity to see how you can share your time and talent as a member of our parish community. A representative from each ministry will be available to answer your questions and assist you in SIGNING UP!
Your active participation is vital to the life of the Church as we strive to awaken our FAITH, BUILD community, and make DISCIPLES. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity!
Serving Christ In Serving Others
CATECHETICAL SUNDAY
SEPTEMBER 21, 2025
Join us next weekend as we celebrate Catechetical Sunday at the
9am + 11am Masses!
“Always be ready to give an explanation…
for a reason for your hope” (1 Peter 3:15)
This year’s theme emphasizes the call to missionary discipleship and the importance of sharing the basis of one’s hope in Christ with gentleness and respect.
For Catechetical Sunday, the theme is designated by the USCCB as a day of recognition for all those who serve as Parish Faith Formation Coordinators, Catechists, Catholic School Teachers, and OCIA. It is an opportunity for the entire Church community to reflect on their role in sharing the faith and living out the Gospel.
CELEBRATE THOSE WHO SHARE FAITH
The Ministry of the Word includes the mission of Evangelization and Catechesis. Catechesis means “to echo.”
Believers who embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the best news ever proclaimed are eager to “echo” the Good News everywhere. Have you shared your enthusiasm for the Catholic Church with someone recently?
ALL FAITH FORMATION OPEN HOUSE
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
After the 9am & 11am Masses in the new Faith Formation Center
**COFFEE HOURS AFTER BOTH MASSES—COME ENJOY COFFEE AND FELLOWSHIP!!**
COME AND SEE!!
Parents come find out what Faith Formation is all about this year!
The Open House will include meeting the teachers and volunteers from grades 1-12 including Youth Ministry—what the program will include, important dates, etc.
REGISTRATION AVAILABLE AFTER THE 9AM
AND 11AM MASSES—SEPTEMBER 21
FOR ALL FAITH FORMATION CLASSES
IN THE NEW FAITH FORMATION CENTER
Save the Date!
Parent Informational & Prayer Night
Monday, September 15th | 6:00 – 7:00 PM
New Faith Formation Center
Parents of Junior High and High School teens, you’re invited to a special evening designed just for you! This will be a one-stop night to:
·Register your teen for Youth Group and Confirmation· Hear from our youth ministry leaders about plans for the year· Join together with other parents for a meaningful prayer service over your children and the teens of our parish
This is a parent-only evening so you can freely ask questions, receive important information, and experience time set aside for spiritual renewal.
Our parish is excited about this new season of ministry, and we want to walk with families in deeper and more meaningful ways. Together, we’re building a community that supports one another, grows in faith, and helps lead our teens closer to Christ.
2025-2026 FAITH FORMATION
Register is now open for the following:
RE Grades 1-5,Begins Wednesday, October 1st
6-7:30 PM- This includes Sacramental Prep for First Reconciliation and Holy Communion.
Middle School Youth Ministry (Grades 6–8) Begins Monday, September 29th. We’re launching a renewed junior high youth group open to all 6th–8th graders!
Meets Monday nights from 6–7:30 PM. Teens will encounter Christ through community, prayer, and engaging formation.
Confirmation Preparation (7th & 8th Grade)
·7th grade - Four monthly prep nights (will be noted on parent calendar)
·8th grade - Eight monthly prep nights (will be noted on parent calend
High School Youth Ministry (Grades 9–12)
Begins Sunday, September 28th 6-7:30 PM. Now following the Life Teen model for deeper Scripture engagement and relational discipleship. Monthly XLT Adoration Nights featuring inspiring talks, praise & worship, and Eucharistic Adoration.
YOU CAN REGISTER THE FOLLOWING WAYS:
·In person at the parish office, Online by visiting our website at www.stjosephwen.org.
Please provide a copy of your students baptismal certificate if you haven’t already turned one in
SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING - SEPTEMBER 17 AT 6PM
Safe Environment Training (Virtus) will be held on September 17th in both English and Spanish at 6:00pm. If you are volunteering around children, and haven’t had a training or it is more than 3 years you need to attend this training.
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults to Start September 16th
Are you interested in becoming Catholic? Were you baptized Catholic and need to receive the sacraments of first Communion and/or Confirmation? If your answer is YES, then OCIA (formerly RCIA) is the place for you! The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is the Church’s established path to the Catholic faith. OCIA is open to all who are unbaptized, baptized in another faith and for adult Catholics who have not received the sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation. OCIA begins here at St. Joseph Parish on September 16th at 7:00 p.m. and is available in English and Spanish. Please call the office to register or contact Deacon Gene Ockinga at gockinga@stjoewen.org or 509-661-2779.
