150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH
The first church of St. Joseph’s Parish in Trenton on Chestnut Street and West 14th Street (now called West Crowder Road) was dedicated by Bishop John J. Hogan on September 6, 1874. That makes Friday, September 6 of this year our 150th Anniversary (that is, our sesquicentennial’). Bishop James V. Johnston will come to Trenton to offer Mass at St. Joseph’s to celebrate this important anniversary on Friday, September 6, at 6:00 p.m. All are invited to a meal afterward and asked to bring a vegetable, salad, or dessert. All of Father Leete’s parishes are invited and welcome to attend. Let’s welcome Bishop Johnston and show our support by filling the church for this special event.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
I am sure you have seen the beautiful images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the vestibule at St Joseph’s. Bishop Johnston has asked that every parish in the diocese and our homes be enthroned to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. So we will do that in a few weeks at our respective parishes.
What is the Feast of the Sacred Heart?
On December 27, 1673, a French nun, Mary Margaret Alacoque was kneeling before the exposed Blessed Sacrament when she experienced a vision in which Jesus revealed His Sacred Heart surrounded by a crown of thorns. He told Mary Margaret:
“My divine Heart is so inflamed with love for mankind ... that it can no longer contain within itself the flames of its burning charity and must spread them abroad by your means."
The Lord told her that the flames represented His love for humanity, and the thorns represented man's sinfulness and ingratitude. Jesus informed her that her mission was to establish the devotion to His Most Sacred Heart, and He revealed twelve promises that He would bestow upon all those who practice the devotion. (We will discuss those in the next bulletin.)
The feast of the Sacred Heart is always on the Friday after the feast of Corpus Christi (Body and Blood of Christ) which in modern times we celebrate on Sunday. This year Corpus Christi is May 29. Recall last year we had a Corpus Christi procession around the neighborhood at the end of the 8:30 Mass. We will do that again this year.
Friday, June 3 is the feast of the Sacred Heart. We will have a special Mass that evening at 7:00 P.M. for the feast. So mark your calendar and assist at this most important Mass where reparation is made in a special way for the world’s offenses against Christ’s Sacred Heart. We will bless the sacred images at the Mass and consecrate ourselves to the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts after Holy Communion.
Bishop Johnston has also requested that we all have our homes enthroned to the Sacred Heart. That entails displaying an image of the Sacred Heart in a prominent place in your home and consecrating Christ the King of your home and family. Ideally a priest should conduct the enthronement, so I will come do that at anyone’s home who so wishes. In lieu of a priest the head of the household should lead it.
In the vestibule are order forms for those who would like to purchase the images. You have a choice of two sizes. The larger ones are on the wall in the vestibule. Let us know which size image(s) and how many you would like and we will get them ordered as soon as possible.
History of the Sacred Heart
Last week we explained the history of the devotion to the Sacred Heart, which began in the 17th century in France. Sr. Margaret Mary was given a vision of Christ’s heart that was on fire with love and was crowned with thorns due to our sins.
Margaret Mary had three more visions over the next year and a half in which Jesus instructed her in a devotion that was to become known as the Nine Fridays. Christ also inspired Margaret Mary to establish the Holy Hour and to receive Holy Communion on the first Friday of every month. In the final revelation, the Lord asked that a feast of reparation be instituted for the Friday after the octave of Corpus Christi.
In 1765, the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was officially recognized and approved by Pope Clement XIII. In 1794, Pope Pius VI issued a decree approving the devotion and granting indulgences to those who practice it. On June 11, 1899, Pope Leo XIII solemnly consecrated all mankind to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Here are the twelve promises given to St Margaret Mary Alocoque by Christ for those who honor his Sacred Heart:
1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
2. I will give peace in their families.
3. I will console them in all their troubles.
4. I will be their refuge in life and especially in death.
5. I will abundantly bless all their undertakings.
6. Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall rise speedily to great perfection.
9. I will bless those places wherein the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed
and venerated.
10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.
11. Persons who propagate this devotion shall have their names eternally written in my
Heart.
12. In the excess of the mercy of my Heart, I promise you that my all powerful love will grant to all those who will receive Communion on the First Fridays, for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance: they will not die in my displeasure, nor without receiving the sacraments; and my Heart will be their secure refuge in that last hour.
Friday, June 3 is the feast of the Sacred Heart. We will have a special Mass that evening at 7:00 P.M. for the feast. So mark your calendar and assist at this most important Mass where reparation is made in a special way for the world’s offenses against Christ’s Sacred Heart. We will bless the sacred images at the Mass and consecrate ourselves to the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts after Holy Communion.
Bishop Johnston has also requested that we all have our homes enthroned to the Sacred Heart. That entails displaying an image of the Sacred Heart in a prominent place in your home and consecrating Christ the King of your home and family. Ideally a priest should conduct the enthronement, so I will come do that at anyone’s home who so wishes. In lieu of a priest the head of the household should lead it.
In the vestibule are order forms for those who would like to purchase the images. You have a choice of two sizes. The larger ones are on the wall in the vestibule. Let us know which size image(s) and how many you would like and we will get them ordered as soon as possible.
The first church of St. Joseph’s Parish in Trenton on Chestnut Street and West 14th Street (now called West Crowder Road) was dedicated by Bishop John J. Hogan on September 6, 1874. That makes Friday, September 6 of this year our 150th Anniversary (that is, our sesquicentennial’). Bishop James V. Johnston will come to Trenton to offer Mass at St. Joseph’s to celebrate this important anniversary on Friday, September 6, at 6:00 p.m. All are invited to a meal afterward and asked to bring a vegetable, salad, or dessert. All of Father Leete’s parishes are invited and welcome to attend. Let’s welcome Bishop Johnston and show our support by filling the church for this special event.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
I am sure you have seen the beautiful images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the vestibule at St Joseph’s. Bishop Johnston has asked that every parish in the diocese and our homes be enthroned to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. So we will do that in a few weeks at our respective parishes.
What is the Feast of the Sacred Heart?
On December 27, 1673, a French nun, Mary Margaret Alacoque was kneeling before the exposed Blessed Sacrament when she experienced a vision in which Jesus revealed His Sacred Heart surrounded by a crown of thorns. He told Mary Margaret:
“My divine Heart is so inflamed with love for mankind ... that it can no longer contain within itself the flames of its burning charity and must spread them abroad by your means."
The Lord told her that the flames represented His love for humanity, and the thorns represented man's sinfulness and ingratitude. Jesus informed her that her mission was to establish the devotion to His Most Sacred Heart, and He revealed twelve promises that He would bestow upon all those who practice the devotion. (We will discuss those in the next bulletin.)
The feast of the Sacred Heart is always on the Friday after the feast of Corpus Christi (Body and Blood of Christ) which in modern times we celebrate on Sunday. This year Corpus Christi is May 29. Recall last year we had a Corpus Christi procession around the neighborhood at the end of the 8:30 Mass. We will do that again this year.
Friday, June 3 is the feast of the Sacred Heart. We will have a special Mass that evening at 7:00 P.M. for the feast. So mark your calendar and assist at this most important Mass where reparation is made in a special way for the world’s offenses against Christ’s Sacred Heart. We will bless the sacred images at the Mass and consecrate ourselves to the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts after Holy Communion.
Bishop Johnston has also requested that we all have our homes enthroned to the Sacred Heart. That entails displaying an image of the Sacred Heart in a prominent place in your home and consecrating Christ the King of your home and family. Ideally a priest should conduct the enthronement, so I will come do that at anyone’s home who so wishes. In lieu of a priest the head of the household should lead it.
In the vestibule are order forms for those who would like to purchase the images. You have a choice of two sizes. The larger ones are on the wall in the vestibule. Let us know which size image(s) and how many you would like and we will get them ordered as soon as possible.
History of the Sacred Heart
Last week we explained the history of the devotion to the Sacred Heart, which began in the 17th century in France. Sr. Margaret Mary was given a vision of Christ’s heart that was on fire with love and was crowned with thorns due to our sins.
Margaret Mary had three more visions over the next year and a half in which Jesus instructed her in a devotion that was to become known as the Nine Fridays. Christ also inspired Margaret Mary to establish the Holy Hour and to receive Holy Communion on the first Friday of every month. In the final revelation, the Lord asked that a feast of reparation be instituted for the Friday after the octave of Corpus Christi.
In 1765, the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was officially recognized and approved by Pope Clement XIII. In 1794, Pope Pius VI issued a decree approving the devotion and granting indulgences to those who practice it. On June 11, 1899, Pope Leo XIII solemnly consecrated all mankind to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Here are the twelve promises given to St Margaret Mary Alocoque by Christ for those who honor his Sacred Heart:
1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
2. I will give peace in their families.
3. I will console them in all their troubles.
4. I will be their refuge in life and especially in death.
5. I will abundantly bless all their undertakings.
6. Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall rise speedily to great perfection.
9. I will bless those places wherein the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed
and venerated.
10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.
11. Persons who propagate this devotion shall have their names eternally written in my
Heart.
12. In the excess of the mercy of my Heart, I promise you that my all powerful love will grant to all those who will receive Communion on the First Fridays, for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance: they will not die in my displeasure, nor without receiving the sacraments; and my Heart will be their secure refuge in that last hour.
Friday, June 3 is the feast of the Sacred Heart. We will have a special Mass that evening at 7:00 P.M. for the feast. So mark your calendar and assist at this most important Mass where reparation is made in a special way for the world’s offenses against Christ’s Sacred Heart. We will bless the sacred images at the Mass and consecrate ourselves to the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts after Holy Communion.
Bishop Johnston has also requested that we all have our homes enthroned to the Sacred Heart. That entails displaying an image of the Sacred Heart in a prominent place in your home and consecrating Christ the King of your home and family. Ideally a priest should conduct the enthronement, so I will come do that at anyone’s home who so wishes. In lieu of a priest the head of the household should lead it.
In the vestibule are order forms for those who would like to purchase the images. You have a choice of two sizes. The larger ones are on the wall in the vestibule. Let us know which size image(s) and how many you would like and we will get them ordered as soon as possible.