Mass Times
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 12 noon - 5:30 pm
Weekend Mass
Saturday
8:00 am - 12 noon - 4:00 pm
Sunday
8:00 am - 10:00 am - 12 noon
Holiday periods may affect these times
Confession Schedule at end of page
Weekly Bulletins
Fr. Terry O'Connell Memorial Digital Bulletin Board
Calendar Blessing
AD2025
As we approach the turn of the calendar page to a New Year, the Shrine will offer free religious calendars that will be blessed at all of next weekend’s Masses.
Light a Devotional Candle
at the Shrine
If you are unable to visit the Shrine in person and would like to have a devotional candle lit, click on the image below.
Upcoming Holy Hours
Holy Hour for Vocations
Monday, December 30, 4:00 PM
Holy Hour for Vocations
Wednesday, January 8, 4:00 PM
St. Joseph the Worker Shrine
Schedule of Masses and Confession
Christmas, New Year's Holiday and
Holy Day of Obligation, Solemnity: Mary, Mother of God
First Fridays at the Shrine
Next First Friday, January 3
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.
This Week's Message
from Fr. Amesse
December 22, 2024
God is love. All He does is a work of love. So, after our first parents sinned, the plan of salvation would slowly and surely be revealed. Jesus relied on the apostles. They received the Holy Spirit. The apostles left bishops as their successors. Through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition we know the plan of God.
These 2 streams which flow from 1 font, teach us God. What was handed on by the apostles comprises everything that serves to make the People of God live their lives in holiness and increase their faith. In this way, the Church, in her doctrine, life and worship, perpetuates and transmits to us, all she is in herself; all she believes. (Vatican 2 on Revelation)
And now it is Christmas. Charlie Brown wondered “Does anyone know what Christmas is all about?” Linus takes center stage. He proclaims the Gospel. A Savior is born for us. He will be called Son of the Most High. He will free us from our sins. As we enter the Holy Year, two days from now, we seek this freedom.
The Holy Spirit makes progress in the world. He reveals that which Linus proclaimed to us. Can we listen to Mary? She pondered so many things in her heart. She considered that which she understood. The Blessed Mother even pondered those things she did not understand.
The old man Simeon said a sword would pierce her heart. Her baby would be rejected by many. Mary will walk with us during the Holy Year. The Blessed Mother will show us how to be like St. Joseph the Worker. Are we ready? Yes! We are ready. O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
I remember you at Mass.
Join us for a pilgrimage to the Christmas light display
LaSalette Shrine, Attleboro!
Sunday, December 29
Learn more here
Daily Advent Reflections ritten by
Fr. Ron Rolheiser. OMI
Each day of Advent beginning December 1st, and going through December 24th, you can hear a new Advent Reflection written by Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI. Produced with music and professional voices, these 2 to 4 minute reflections will enhance your Advent experience and help you remember what the Advent and Christmas Seasons are truly about. Click here
Catholic Conversations
Dr. Rebecca Duda interviews Brother Richard about the symbolism in the Christmas carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas."
Holiday Snowscapes
Are Back!
Again this Christmas season, from now through the Feast of the Epiphany, we are featuring a display of Holiday Snowscapes. These creations—hand crafted by our own Fr. Ron Meyer and motivated by the ‘Keep Christ in Christmas’ sentiment—will be arrayed in the Shrine’s downstairs Hall.
Entrance to the Snowscapes display is available through the Gift Shop/Bookstore on Monday through Saturday from 9 to 5. Sundays during morning Mass times.
Christmas Collection
The Christmas Collection at St. Joseph the Worker Shrine is taken-up to provide for the care of our senior and retired Oblate priests and brothers living at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence in Tewksbury. our Christmas donation is a most fitting way to remember all the Oblates who have served here at the Shrine and at many of the parishes in the Lowell area over the years.
If you are not on our mailing list copies of the mailing are available in the Lobby. Your donations can be placed in the enclosed envelope and deposited in the Collection boxes. Thank you for your generosity.
FOLLOW THE STAR . . .to the Oblate Historical Museum
Friday December 20 through
Christmas Eve December 24
8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
In the Gospel of Matthew (chap. 2: vs 10-11) we read, “They (Magi) were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house (stable) they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered them gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Gold, a symbol of Jesus’ kingship on earth, Frankincense or incense, a symbol of deity, and Myrrh or embalming oil, a symbol of death. Prostration was indicative of profound respect, and typically used when venerating a king. It also had an important effect on Christian religious practices. In the rite of Ordination of a deacon, priest or bishop, the candidate prostrates himself in front of the Altar during the Litany of the Saints. On Good Friday, the priest prostrates himself at the beginning of the Liturgy. The Magi are sometimes described as "falling down", "kneeling", or "bowing". Kneeling, genuflecting or bowing have remained an essential element of Christian worship to this day.
Like the Magi of old, FOLLOW THE STAR to the Oblate Historical Museum to enjoy the 75+ nativities on display now through January 12.
Take the stairs or elevator to the fourth floor. Admission is free, however a free-will donation will help us continue this worthwhile tradition.
Shrine Gift Shop and Bookstore
This Christmas, shop for your loved ones at the Shrine Gift Shop/Bookstore. We have an extensive selection of books, prayer cards, statues, gift cards, religious articles, nativity sets and many more gift ideas!
The Gift Shop/Bookstore is open at convenient shopping times:
Monday thru Saturday 9-5 AND Sunday, December 22 9-1 pm
While supplies last, anyone making a purchase will be gifted a lovely poinsettia to dress their home for the holidays.
If you mention code CHRISTMAS 24, you will receive 10% off your purchase!
Keep Christ in Christmas
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’ December
Prayer Intention
We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthen our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.
Pure in Heart
Pure in Heart (young adults ages 18-35) meets at 7pm in the Shrine Conference Room on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month. The next session will be January 14th . Learn more
- 5:30 - Mass at the Shrine
- 6:15 - Social
- 7:00 - Meeting
In Naples you experienced the joyless existence of poverty, boredom, and lack of hope for the future. The Savior formed you through this so that you could feel with others who suffered in the same situation.
St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
St. Joseph
Guardian of Virgins
Pray for us!
Downes Parking Garage Ticket Validation
- Available in the Gift Shop /Bookstore on Monday through Saturday from 9 am - 5 pm.
- Sunday street parking is always free
- Those attending the Saturday 4 pm Vigil Mass who park in the Downes Garage can still validate their ticket in the Gift Shop before Mass.
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
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.
Shrine Memorial Plaques
Since 1868, this holy place - dedicated to the honor of St. Joseph - has been a treasured oasis of prayer and serenity in the heart of the city of Lowell. For generations, many have found great solace and experienced healing and reconciliation for themselves and their families within this holy sanctuary.
In gratitude many have chosen to memorialize their loved ones by inscribing their names on the very walls of this grace-filled place. To inscribe the names of loved ones on our newly expanded Remembrance Wall, please make arrangements in the Gift Shop/Bookstore – at the same desk where Masses are registered.
Confession and Adoration
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
Gift Shop, Office and Museum Hours
Monday - Friday
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Rebecca Duda, Bulletin Editor
Jessica Rauseo, Business Office Manager
Gift Shop & Bookstore
Aurea Torres, Gift Shop Manager
Hours
Monday - Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
First Sunday of each month 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
If for any reason you're still unable to visit the Shrine or Gift Shop and you'd like to book a Mass Intention request please call the Gift Shop Manager at 978-459-9522 x213 or email AureaTorres@stjosephshrine.org
Oblate Historical Museum
Brother Richard Cote, Museum Curator
Saturdays 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sundays 8:30 am -1:15 pm
During Lent - Wednesday 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Say NO to Physician Assisted Suicide in Massachusetts
Learn more