This Week's Message
from Fr. Amesse
September 22, 2024

I would like for us to consider the devotion of the chaplet of Our Lady of Sorrows.  I want to use it during the Holy Year. 

What are the 7 sorrows of Our Lady?  They are: 

• The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35)
• The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-21)
• The loss of Jesus for 3 days (Luke 2:41-50)
• The carrying of the Cross (John 19:17)
• The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19: 18-30)
• Jesus taken down from the Cross (John 39-40)
• Jesus laid in the tomb (John 19:39-42).  

The popularity of the chaplet was renewed by the young children who, in Rwanda, received visions from Mary.  On August 15, 1982, our Lady appeared to 3 young women in that country.  The place was called Kibeho.  Mary begged the children to pray the chaplet. A severe punishment was about to come.  

We are aware of the mass murders of the people of Rwanda in 1994.  Immaculee Ilibagiza witnessed and wrote about the acts of genocide in Rwanda in 1994.  We can read about them in the book she wrote, “Left to Tell.”  In October, I will explain to you why we can employ the chaplet for the Holy Year.

I remember you at Mass!

First Fridays at the Shrine
Next First Friday, October 4

Immediately following the 8:00 am Mass, we will pray the Rosary with reflections written by the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen.

Immediately after the Noon Mass to 5:15 we will have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

Please keep First Fridays fervent here at the Shrine by spending some time with our Lord. 

St. Joseph the Worker Shrine Christian Worker Recognition Award 2024
Bob Cox

Bob Cox is the Executive Director of the Bridge Club in Lowell. He founded the Bridge Club in 2020 to provide support for those facing addictions—alcohol, drugs, gambling, overeating. The Bridge Club offers more than 30 meetings a week so people can go and share their story and  receive the support they need.  The Bridge Club is open 365 days a year, 7 days a week. Even during the pandemic, the doors to the Bridge Club remained open to help those in need. Under Bob’s leadership, the Bridge Club has served countless people and provided them with hope for the future. No one is ever turned away at the Bridge Club. 

In addition to the remarkable work he does with the Bridge Club, Bob previously served three terms on the Dracut Board of Selectmen and is a parishioner of St Michael’s. 

Bob Cox embodies the qualities the St. Joseph the Worker Shrine Christian Worker award represents:  faith, humility, and outreach. Congratulations!

'A Gathering of Angels'
Feast of The Holy Guardian Angels
October 2, 2024 

Friday, September 27
display set-up after Noon Mass

September 28-October 2
Angels on display around the Tabernacle

Wednesday, October 2
Mass, benediction, and blessing of Guardian Angel icons at 5:30 daily Mass

Display dismantled Friday, October 4 after Noon Mass 

How do I Participate?

Anyone may loan/drop off a personal angel statue, figurine, icon, image to display to be blessed on October 2. Leave items with the Gift Shop or Sacristan David Lazu beginning Monday, September 23 Please attach your name to your item.  Personal items will be added to the display around the Tabernacle.  Please do not leave items of significant value as this is a public display. 

Items can be picked up after the display is dismantled in front of St. Joseph's Statue.

Donations are kindly accepted to offset the cost of materials/decorations for the Gathering of Angels celebration and/or to  continue Fr. Ron’s Guardian Angel ministry.  Donations may be left with Fr. Ron, Sacristan David Lazu or with the Gift Shop.

Questions?  Interested in volunteering?
Call Fr. Ron Meyer 612-750-4275 or Sacristan David Lazu 978-430-6509

Legion of Mary
at the Shrine

Meetings are held in the downstairs Conference Hall each week after the Sunday 12:00 noon Mass.

The Legion of Mary is a Marian movement founded in Ireland in the 1920’s. It is currently the largest apostolic organization of lay people in the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis’ September
Prayer Intention

We pray that each one of us will hear and take to heart the cry of the Earth and of victims of natural disasters and climactic change, and that all will undertake to personally care for the world In which we live.

Born into an upper-class family, you experienced what it meant to lose everything, your comfort, social position, and friends. Yet you experienced that God our Father did not abandon you. 

St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.

St. Joseph
Protector of Holy Church
Pray for us!

Full Litany of St. Joseph

Praying with the Stained Glass Windows of
St. Joseph the Worker Shrine

Part I - The 100 Year+ Windows Series
Part II - The St. Joseph Windows

May 27, 2024 - End of 40 Hours of Devotion Eucharistic Procession

Self-Guided Tour
St. Joseph the Worker Shrine

Ring the Bells of the Shrine

Everyday of the year, the “Bells of St. Joseph” ring-out God’s praise for all to hear!

Our Carillon can play Special Hymns of your choice any day of the year. At your request, our chimes will ring in honor of loved ones for the entire community to hear and prayerfully remember.Your offering of $20.00 will be greatly appreciated and will assist us in maintaining the Shrine and its ministries. Thank You!

Bell-ringing selections may be reserved for specific days & times throughout the year(s) in the Shrine Gift Shop/Bookstore.

St. Eugene de Mazenod’s Prayer to the Sorrowful Mother

 O Lord, Almighty God, you endowed the Blessed Virgin Mary with the fullness of every gift and grace. By allowing her heart to be pierced with the deepest sorrow, you crowned her merit and placed her at the head of countless legions of martyrs who, for love of your Son Jesus Christ, have shed their blood. Through the painful martyrdom endured by this gentle Mother seeing her beloved Son dying as a Victim because of his love for us, grant us the grace to bear with fortitude the disappointments and setbacks in our life, and not to fear torment or death itself, when we are called to confess our faith in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Confession

Mon - Friday
10:00 am - noon
4:30 pm - 5:15 pm

Saturday 
10:00 am - 1:00 pm

First Wednesday of the month

Eucharistic Adoration

The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for adoration on -

Saturday after the noon Mass until the 4:00 pm Mass
First Fridays after the noon Mass until the 5:30 pm Mass