Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is

the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the

following of that impulse.

Sometimes we can become discouraged when life brings us, or those close to us, more than we can handle. Those who appear to be living unjust or immoral lives can seem to be thriving. Conditions in the world, even the Church, can make us wonder what is going on and what is going to happen. Last week I read a homily written in the second century that seemed quite contemporary, perhaps timeless, and thought you might benefit from reading a few excerpts:

“Let us be sure that when the day of judgment comes, our place will be among those who give thanks to God and have served him, and not with the ungodly who face condemnation. As for myself, I am only a sinner, not yet beyond the reach of temptation; but even amidst all the devil’s machinations, I still strive to make progress and hope to attain at least some virtue, for I fear the judgment that awaits me.

My brothers and sisters, you have heard the word of God who is the very fountainhead of truth. Therefore, I now read you an appeal to heed what is written, and thereby save both yourselves and your reader. The reward I ask is that you repent with your whole heart, to save yourselves and find life. If we do this, we shall set an example for all young people, for whom the glory and goodness of God is a challenge to be generous in his service.

… So do not be disturbed at the sight of wicked men possessing great wealth while the servants of God suffer want. We, my brothers and sisters, must have faith. Competing as we are in the arena of the living God we are receiving the training in this present life that will make us worthy to be crowned in the life to come. No honest man becomes rich overnight; he has to wait for the reward of his labors. If God gave virtue an immediate recompense we should straightway find ourselves engaging in commerce, instead of perfecting ourselves in his service. Although to outward appearance we might be irreproachable, we should not be seeking God, but our own advantage, and bringing down on our sinful souls the diving judgment that would soon make us feel the full weight of our chains.

To the one invisible God, the Father of truth, who sent for the Savior, the author of immortality, and through him revealed to us the truth and the heavenly life – to him be glory throughout all ages, for ever and ever. Amen.”

Can we say “Amen” to this homily 19 centuries later?

Sincerely in Christ,

CHRISTMAS CHOIR - We are

looking for volunteers to sing in

the Christmas Eve Adult Choir at

St. Joseph the Worker for 8:30pm

Mass . Anyone is welcome to join

from either parish and it would be

greatly appreciated! Practices will

be held in SJW church at 6:30pm

on Dec 2, 12, and 19.

Questions? Contact Sister Janet

at sjwhfmusic@gmail.com or

507-388-3766

Scripture Study

on November 26

8:30am –10am Holy Family

6:30pm - 8pm St. Joe’s

There are still some bows available for a gift for a resident at Hillcrest Health Care Center by Mary’s statue. Please take one or more and bring your wrapped gift, with the bow and the name of the resident attached, to church by Sunday, December 8. You do not have to buy all of the suggested gifts. Your generosity is very much appreci-ated! Call Nancy at 387-5245 if you have any questions.

Please call Nancy at 387-5245 if you have questions.

HILLCREST

CHRISTMAS BOWS: CHRISMTAS

WREATHS Calvary Cemetery is now taking orders

for Christmas wreaths to be placed on

your loved ones grave.

To order call Terry Miller at 995-1010.

Nov16 & 17, 2019

$10,098.13

Fiscal Year to Date $122,022.04 Actual $131710.70 Budget

St. Joseph the Worker

Fiscal Year to Date $37,981.89 Actual

$ 42,397.06 Budget

Holy Family Nov 17, 2019

$1,365.04

Children’s Weekly Stewardship Treasure: HF: $3.00 SJW: $26.32

Tuesday, Nov 26: SJW 12:05pm - †Robert & Dorothy Blace Wednesday, Nov 27: HF 8:30am - †Leona Schneider Hillcrest 9:30am - Word and Communion Pathstone 10:15am - Word and Communion Thursday, Nov 28: SJW 8:30am - †Sandy Olinger Friday, Nov 29: SJW 12:05pm - No Mass Saturday, Nov 30: 1st Sunday of Advent SJW 5:00pm - †Ken & Kathy Johnson Sunday, Dec 1: 1st Sunday of Advent HF 8:30am - †Deceased members of Ray Reker Family SJW 10:30am - For the Parishioners _____________________________________________ Monday: Dn 1:1-6, 8-20; Dn 3:52-56; Lk 21:1-4 Tuesday: Dn 2:31-45; Dn 3:57-61; Lk 21:5-11 Wednesday: Dn 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28; Dn 3:62-67; Lk 21:12-19 Thursday: Dn 6:12-28; Dn 3:68-74; Lk 21:20-2 Thanksgiving Day, Sir 50:22-24; Ps 145:2-11; 1 Cor 1:3-9; Lk 17:11-19 Friday: Dn 7:2-14; Dn 3:75-81; Lk 21:29-33 Saturday: Rom 10:9-18; Ps 19:8-11; Mt 4:18-22 Sunday: Is 2:1-5; Ps 122:1-9; Rom 13:11-14; Mt 24:37-44

Congratulations to Ron Evan the

“301” winner of $100 for Nov 16!

We pray for the family and friends of

Joseph Moldan (HF Ben (Kathy) Moldan’s

father) who passed away November 15.

May he rest in peace.

Mon. 11/25: 1:00pm Mission Knitting - SJW

2:30pm Girls on the Run - SJW Gym

Tue. 11/26: 8:30am Scripture Study - HF

6:30pm Scripture Study - SJW

Wed. 11/27: 5:30pm NO Simple Supper - SJW Gym

6:00pm NO Faith Formation Class - SJW

6:00pm NO Faith Formation Class - HF

7:00pm Ecumenical Service– Zion Church

Thurs. 11/28: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

PARISH OFFICE CLOSED

Fri. 11/29: PARISH OFFICE CLOSED

Sat. 11/30: 4:00pm Confession - SJW

Sun.12/1: 8:00am Confessions - HF

9:00am SJW Men’s Club Meeting

We welcome to the Catholic community,

Mya Bakker who was baptized at SJW

on Sunday, November 24.

SATURDAY, NOV 30

SJW—5:00 P.M. MASS Reader: Mary Date Servers: Austin Ruch, Taylor Fitzloff 1 SUB ECM: Gwen Stavenau, Peg Fallenstein, Tom Hallett, Carolyn & John Kanyusik, 2 SUBS Ushers: David & Ryan Hassing Mark Piepho, Al Honermann Musicians: Cindy Lawrence, Tom Wilcox, Jeanne Hassing

SUNDAY, DEC 1

HF—8:30 A.M. MASS Reader: Youth Mass Servers: Charlotte Slama, Morgan Klinkner ECM: Dan Jones, Katie Parsons, 1 SUB Ushers: Youth Mass Musicians: Jan Osten, Sheila Sickler, Youth Choir

SJW—10:30 A.M. MASS Reader: Youth Mass Servers: Carter & Hannah James, Natalie Jandera ECM: Wendy Weingartz, Barb Wendlandt, Jan Willaert, Chuck & Judy Westermayer, 2 SUB Ushers: Youth Mass Musicians: Julie & Bob Dickhudt, Youth Choir

SJW: Doorkeeper: Terri Michels

CELEBRATE ADVENT: Advent Day of Reflection, December 7, 2019. 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel, 170 Good Counsel Drive, Mankato, MN. Give yourself the gift of a day to enter into the spirit of Advent! Take time to prepare your heart, your spirit, your psyche for the coming of Christmas. Register by December 3, 2019. Suggested fee: $40, includes lunch.

MINISTRY SCHEDULE CHANGES - Any changes for the

next ministry schedule (January –March 2020), need to be submitted to the Parish Office BEFORE Monday, December 9. Any changes received after this date will not be able to be applied to this schedule. Please email Kathy at kmoldan@sjwhf.org or call 388-3766. Thank you!

ECUMENICAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE on Wednesday, November 27th at Zion Lutheran Church, Lake Crystal.

December 3 & 4, 2019

St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church

423 W. 7th

St., Mankato, MN

Tuesday, December 3 - 6:30pm

We join Jesus on the journey to

Jerusalem as he tells some of

the most famous stories ever

told. Staged with theatrical

lighting and fun characteriza-

tions, LUKE: STORIES ON THE

ROAD points us to where the

real joy in life is to be found.

Wednesday, December 4 - 6:30pm

Jesus proclaims the joy of the Beatitudes in the most famous speech

ever given: the SERMON ON THE MOUNT.

Frank will also take an honest and very funny look at “The Three Other Beatitudes” of the media, those voices and images that greet us all the minute we walk out the church door - or turn on our cell phones - calling us to a very different kind of joy. He shares stores from his years in Hollywood, helping us to see the bends in the fun-house mirror. He encourages us to enjoy what is good in the artistry

of the media, but to see the distortions in their picture of life, and journey on… to a life of real joy.

(SJW) Last week: lbs. Items

Needed this Week: Diapers &

Wipes ( larger sizes & pull ups)

Rev. Timothy T. Reker - Pastor

Nicole Hermer - Director of Parish Activities

Glenn Barnette - Bookkeeper

Connie Wallin - Director of Religious Education

Kathy Moldan - Office Assistant

Sister Janet Wermerskirchen - Music Director

Jon Hermanson - SJW Custodial Engineer

Mike Murrain - SJW Custodian

Ben Moldan - HF Custodian

Email bulletin notices to office@sjwhf.org by Tuesday at noon.

Office Phone………...…………………388-3766

Parish Email………………...…office@sjwhf.org

SJW Prayer Chain……...……...Joan: 388-5986

HF Prayer Chain…………..Margaret: 317-4785

Email: margaretbuss@yahoo.com

Mon-Fri.: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Dennis Owen, Richard Johnson, John Allen, Jerry Schultz, George Larson, Tom B.

Baptism - Please contact Fr. Reker in the parish office to schedule the baptism and the

baptism preparation class.

Marriage - Congratulations on your engagement! Please contact Fr. Reker at least 6 months in

advance to begin preparation.

Anointing of the Sick - If you or a family member is homebound or in the hospital and would like a

pastoral visit, please notify the office. Phone: 388-0600, Website: loyolacatholicschool.org

Adam Bemmels PreK-12 Principal

Enrollment is always open at Loyola. Contact acasteel@loyolacatholicschool.org or 507.388.0615 for more information. 103 new students this year PS-12 grade.

Loyola will soon be offering bus service to some of our students outside of the District 77 bus routes. We are seeking a shuttle driver for the morning route, with the potential of adding shifts. For more information, please contact Trudi Clements, 507-388-0606.

Please prayerfully consider a planned gift to Loyola Catholic School when

choosing your legacy.

THANK YOU to all who send us Box Tops for Education, Hy-Vee receipts.

Your parish support makes all we do, learn, and celebrate at Loyola possible.

Leading through Faith, Academic Excellence, and Service.

SJW MEN’S CLUB MISSION STATEMENT:

To bring together men of all ages to grow in relationship with Jesus Christ. With the direction of our Priest, encouraging each

other to be servant leaders in our Church.

SJW MEN’S CLUB 50TH CHRISTMAS SOCIAL (formally Holiday Stag)

tickets are now available from your sellers. Get your tickets now. Event is December 5, 2019.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR Breakfast with A Cause Fundraiser at the WOW!

Zone in Mankato, Sunday, November 24th. 8:00am to Noon. Adults $12, Kids age 5-12 $5, Age 4 & under Free. Five dollars from each meal goes to support Mankato Options for Women .

A POPULAR, TAX-SMART OPTION FOR GIVING is a qualified charitable

distribution (QCD) from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA). To take advantage of this special opportunity, contact your IRA administrator today. The distribution must be made from a traditional or Roth IRA. You must be at least 70-1/2 years of age when the distribution is made. The distribution must be made directly from the IRA administrator to the church or other qualified public charity (rather than to you). The distribution must be made by December 31, 2019 to qualify as a 2019 contribution. Because circumstances may vary from person to person, donors should discuss plans with a professional tax advisor.

"Angel" wishes will be available today during worship services and at the MinnStar Bank Lobby (Lake Crystal Branch only) starting on Monday, Nov. 25th. All gifts need to be returned to the Bank lobby by Wednesday, Dec.11th, 2019 (and not brought to the church). Thank you for your generous and continued support of this community project. Please keep the "Angel" families in your holiday prayers.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES - Adoption is a wonderful way to start a family.

Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota has been placing children in adoptive homes since 1943. We offer a complete Domestic Infant Adoption program and offer home studies for International and Designated Adoptions. Call our office at 507-287-2047 to schedule an Adoption Information Meeting to learn about the process and to get all your questions answered. More information available at www.ccsomn.org.

CHURCH OF ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER & HOLY FAMILY PARISH To advertise, contact Nicole at the parish office

507-388-3766 or nhermer@sjwhf.org

Well Drilling • Septic Systems

www.seppmann.com 507-625-3400

Contact the parish office at 388-3766 to promote your business.

www.drummersgardencenter.com 507-388-4877

In Loving Memory of

Husband, Father, Grandfather. We love and miss you,

-Your Family

John Quiring

In Loving Memory of our wife, mother, sister,

and dear friend.

JUDY HOGAN

We love you and miss you very much.

In Loving Memory of