Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Mary’s of the Lake: 

 From this coming March 19, along with all parishes in our Green Bay Diocese we are going to begin the ‘Year of St. Joseph’ recently launched by our Bishop David Ricken. In his letter dated February 11, 2020 (which we used as our bulletin insert about 2 weeks ago) Bishop Ricken wrote: ‘On December 8, 1870, Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church, and this year marks the 150th anniversary of that declaration. After much prayer and consultation, I have discerned the need to declare a special year of prayer in honor of St. Joseph. St. Joseph has proven himself a miracle worker throughout the history of the church and also today. He answers prayers simply, humbly and thoroughly. It is with great excitement and confidence that I invite you to celebrate this year in honor of St. Joseph with me.’ 

During the Year of St. Joseph all parishes are asked to say the special ‘Prayer to St. Joseph’ (prepared by Bishop Ricken) on the weekend Masses throughout the Year beginning March 21-22. This Prayer will be available at the ends of the pews of all our 4 churches for all Mass participants.
In a short video to introduce and promote the Year of St. Joseph, Bishop Ricken points out that the goal of the Year is to ask St. Joseph to intercede for us in the following three specific ways:

① For the strength and healing of marriages and family life.
② For the Universal Church –especially all church leaders.
③ For a significant increase in vocations to the priesthood in our Green Bay Diocese.

Bishop has also recently released a “Pastoral Letter” to explain in depth the above-mentioned goal of the Year. This pastoral letter is now available on line at www.gbdioc.org/stjoseph.  (By the way, I’ve printed out this Pastoral Letter. If you want a copy, please let me know).

Bishop nicely ends the video with an overall wrap-up with five points to remember:
⬥ Begin the Year of St. Joseph from March 19, 2020 (Feast of St. Joseph) to March 19, 2021
⬥ Visit at www.gbdioc.org/stjoseph for more information and resources.
⬥ Read and reflect on the Pastoral Letter.
⬥ Pray, Pray and Pray.
⬥ Go to St. Joseph. He will pray for you. He will point you in the right direction. He will guide you closer to Jesus.  

St. Joseph, Pray for us!
Fr. Philip