Mr. Charles Nabholz, a 1954 graduate of St. Joseph School and Chairman of the Board of Nabholz Construction Services, was named as one of the school’s distinguished alumni at a toast and roast held in his honor at the St. Joseph Church Parish Hall Dining Room on May 4^th. Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe presented Nabholz with his award. He’s also President of Nabholz Properties and has been active in church, civic and business affairs throughout his life. Previous recipients of this award are Ray Simon and Bill Hegeman.

Thank you Mr. Charles Nabholz for all you do!

Pictures Courtesy of Ray Nielsen

Seventy-five Catholic children from both St. Joseph School and area public schools received Holy Communion for the first time on Saturday, April 28^th. At the start of the 4:00 p.m. church service, the communicants proceeded down the center aisle each holding a  white carnation which was placed in vases at the foot of the altar. This was done in anticipation of the floral crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary as “Queen Of May,” a devotion in the Catholic Church that’s existed since the 16^th century.

After communion, three Confirmation Candidates that will be receiving the Sacrament May 20th, performed the May crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary statue.

Second graders from St. Joseph School and from Parish Religious Education classes attended a First Communion retreat on April 22 in anticipation of receiving communion for the first time on April 28^th. One of the themes of the retreat was “We’re God’s Hands” and the activities they engaged in reflected that.

Along with the retreat, second graders had the opportunity to practice with unconsecrated host and wine. Pictures provided by Ray Nielsen

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We commenced Holy Week with Palm Sunday, where we had the honor to have 2 Seminarians and Dc. Mauricio Carrasco, who will be ordained May 26,2012,  visit the Parish and Celebrate along with us.

St. Joseph Church held a Veneration of the Cross service on Good Friday. This practice of venerating or adoring the cross goes back a very long time.  The Church in Rome adopted the practice from the Church in Jerusalem when a fragment of wood believed to be the Lord’s cross was venerated every year on Good Friday since the 4^th century.

Adoration or veneration of an image or representation of Christ’s cross does not mean the material image is being venerated, but rather what it represents. In kneeling before the crucifix and kissing it, the highest honor is being paid to our Lord’s cross as an instrument of our salvation.

Below are some pictures:

Pictures Courtesy of Ray Nielsen

Young Adults (21-35 years old) do you want to get more involved in your Church? Are you looking for a place to find fellowship while growing closer to Christ?

Join the Frassati Group!

We have Bible Studies, Speakers, Fellowship, Worship, Adoration, Service Projects, Float trips, Catechism, Socials, and More!

To find out more about getting involved come to our weekly Bible study this Monday Feb. 27^th at 8:00pm at Something’s Brewing (1156 Front Street)

St. Joseph Church with members from parishes around the state gathered Saturday evening to celebrate the life and work of our pastor Fr. John Marconi.  Twenty-five years ago, Fr. John was ordained to the priesthood.  Together with Bishop Anthony Taylor, twenty of his brother priests, and his family we gave thanks to God for calling Fr. John, for his courage to answer yes, and for the lives he has touched by his work and his example of Christian devotion, faith, and humility.

The celebration began with a Remembrance Rosary led by Fr. James Melnick, Associate Pastor at St. Joseph, a Mass of Thanksgiving followed, the night ended with dinner and dancing.

Thank you Fr. John for your life of service!

It’s time! The Come into His Presence Mission began this evening, and will continue with a meetings January 7-8. If you have not yet registered, no you wishing to attend will be turned away. Please join us!

Saturday sessions will be for women only and will include lunch. Sessions start at 8:30 a.m.till 3:00 p.m . There is a 4:00 p.m. anticipated Sunday Mass

The Sunday morning session will be for Hispanics and will begin at 8:30 and end at 12:00 noon with mass following at 12:30

The Celebration of Our  Lady of Guadalupe took place Monday, December 12, 2011. The festivities conmensed with the traditional “Mañanitas” at 5am. A shrine was erected in the church where well over 150 fellow parishioners came to sing and pay tribute to, Mary.

The procession from downtown Simon Park to the church started at 4:30 pm. It was Followed by mass at 5:00pm where a Mariachi Band played. There was a reception following in the Parish Hall which about 500 persons attended. People where treated to a meal hosted by “The Guadalupanos”, a performance of the Danza Matachines composed of  30 dancers, and enjoy the music of Mariachi America music.