ADOPT THE VIRTUES OF SAINT JOSEPH

In 1906, before our Parish was known as the Church of St Joseph, it was built as a chapel dedicated to St Anne. However, it was re-dedicated to St Joseph in 1908. Years later, the Holy Father Pope Pius XII, established the Feast of St Joseph the Worker in 1955. The feast was to be commemorated every year on 1st May, in conjunction with Labour Day, in order to give dignity and rights to workers, and for St Joseph to be their protector and model. The late Rev Fr Ernest Belet, our first parish priest, was most likely inspired by the thousands of railroad workers living and working in Sentul, and therefore decided to dedicate our Parish to St Joseph, the Worker.

Last year we celebrated our Novenas and Parish Feast Day Mass remotely via livestream only. This year - although on a small scale due to the nationwide spike of COVID-19 cases - we are privileged to be able to celebrate our Novenas and Masses, with the faithful present in person albeit with a limited number, due to the limited number of seats available. The Novenas and Masses are broadcasted via YouTube, to enable the faithful to follow the live streamed celebrations.

This year, the Universal Church celebrates the 150th Anniversary of St Joseph as Patron of the Catholic Church. The Holy Father, Pope Francis has chosen a theme entitled “With A Father’s Heart” (Patris Corde). In His Apostolic Letter dated 8 December 2020, he stressed the Seven Virtues of St Joseph:

-       A Beloved Father

-       A Tender and Loving Father

-       An Obedient Father

-       An Accepting Father

-       A Courageous Father

-       A Working Father

-       A Father in the Shadows

 

In the week leading up to our Feast Day, we have focused on one virtue each day, to reflect upon, and during the week at every Mass, each Presider was given a particular virtue of St Joseph to preach and celebrate during the Eucharist. We started our Novenas and Masses on Sunday, 25 May and this ends on Saturday, 1 May 2021. On this Feast Day itself, we have invited the elderly and homebound to be present in Church via drive-through, for the Anointing of the Sick and Eucharist. On Sunday, 2 May 2021 we will celebrate a Thanksgiving Mass.

As we prepare ourselves for our Parish Feast Day celebrations - in conjunction with the Year of St Joseph, the Year of Plenary Indulgence, we are invited to reflect and ponder on the virtues of St Joseph, who is our spiritual father who assists us in our moral and spiritual life.

St Joseph may not be popular amongst us Christians - in fact, he remained silent and hidden in the Gospels - but the Holy Father has made him known to us through his apostolic letter in profound ways. During this Year of Plenary Indulgence, let us adopt his virtues in our lives and deepen our devotion to him. Surely in turn, he will intercede for us and recommend us before God, to inherit life eternal. 

St Joseph, Patron of the Catholic Church, pray that through your intercession we may obtain many blessings for us and our families.