Many Attended ‘Get Out of the Boat!’ Mission

People packed the pews last week as they attended the parish Mission with Maria Vadia. At the last minute, Father Tom DiLorenzo was unable to be with us so our own Father John filled-in in his stead. This was the first time that a parish mission addressed special interest groups and that premise was found to be successful. Maria ministered to the youth on Sunday night. Though the number was small the attendees were enthusiastic and moved by her message. Two nights were dedicated to the Spanish speaking parishioners. A big thank you goes to Claudia Vargas who coordinated the evening’s volunteer base and to Maria Atunez who coordinated the music for those nights. Both nights experienced overwhelming attendance. Wednesday’s Men’s Night was well received. Thursday morning’s Senior Citizen Day addressed over 30 attendees, filling the PAO meeting room. The highlight of the week was the weekend Conference. Our LifeTeen Band inspired us with their tireless talents most of the week and a huge thank you goes to them and their families for their dedication to the parish.

People came from all over to be ‘touched’ by Maria’s message and prayer. We hosted many visitors from outside of St. Joseph parish. They came from: Oregon, Missouri, as well as Ft. Smith, Fayetteville, and Hot Springs! Over 200 people registered for the conference.

Maria is a prolific writer of inspirational books and they were available during the week. We still have some for sale in the Adult Formation office. Call Jean Leffler at 327-6568 for a list of availability and prices.

This Mission was presented to encourage us all to ‘Get Out Of The Boat’ and improve our spiritual connection to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. If we take this leap in this Year of Faith we will likely make it a way of life! We are challenged to learn more, study more, practice (our faith) more! As the Year of Faith continues we will have more opportunities to learn and grow – watch the bulletin for announcements!

God Bless from,

Jean Leffler
Adult Faith Formation Coordinator
St. Joseph Catholic Church

Bishop Anthony Taylor of the Diocese of Little Rock is elevating  Father James Melnick, an Associate Pastor at St. Joseph Church in Conway since September 1 of 2010, to the position of Pastor for both St. Augustine Church at Dardanelle, AR.  and St. Andrew Church in Danville. This change goes into effect March 6^th. Father Melnick is a native of Cabot and was ordained on July 9, 2009.

At the St. Joseph School Mass on February 27, Father Melnick said goodbye to the students and faculty. He was later given a farewell  blessing by Father John Marconi, Deacon Richard Papini, senior Josh Antoine, and 2^nd graders Scott Massa and Jake Hill

Parish mission March 3-9

Special times for special interest groups

Youth Night – Sunday, March 3 begins with 5:00 PM Mass

 Hispanic Nights – Monday and Tuesday, March 4 and 5 – 7:00 to 9:00 PM

Men’s Night – Wednesday, March 6 (come to the Lenten Soup Supper at 5:30!) 7:00 to 9:00 PM

  Senior Citizen Morning – Thursday, March 7, 9:30 to 11:30 AM

Parish-Wide Conference

Maria Vadia returns to St. Joseph, in Conway

Friday, March 8, 6:30 to 9:30 PM and

Saturday, March 9, 8:30 AM- 9:00 PM

(breaks for meals and 4:00 Mass; a list of area restaurants will be available)

Stay and attend our 4:00 PM Mass!

Cost for Friday and Saturday: $10.00

Maria, a renowned Charismatic prayer leader, author, and healer, fled her native Havana, Cuba as a child. As an adult she was gripped by materialism but after a profound encounter with the Lord, Maria was drawn into active ministry. She now travels the world always bringing a message of salvation, faith and healing. She is the founder of the “Jesus is Lord” chapter of Magnificat Ministry and serves on the International Advisory board for that ministry.

Father Tom DiLorenzo, the pastor of Holy Rosary Church near Boston, will accompany Maria. He has been active in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal for more than 40 years. He hosts an evangelical, bible-based outreach radio show, ‘In Season and Out of Season’, heard on 15 stations across the U.S.

It is Father Tom’s and Maria’s desire to help all go deeper into worship and truly experience the Glory of God.

To see a detailed information please click here.

To print out a registration click here.   

Please send your registration fee  for  the Conference to

Parish Mission

St. Joseph Catholic Church

1115 College Avenue, Conway, AR 72032.

For more information contact Jean Leffler 501-327-6568

CATHOLICISM series and

STUDY PROGRAM

REMAINING DAY TIME SESSION

10 am in P.A.O.

Lesson 5 – March 21 – Topic: Peter, Paul and the Missionary Adventure

Lesson 6 – April 11 – Topic: Mystical Union of Christ and the Church

Lesson 7 – April 25 – Topic: The Mystery of the Liturgy and the Eucharist

Lesson 8 – May 9 – Topic: The Communion of Saints

Lesson 9 – May 23 – Topic: Prayer and the Life of the Spirit

Lesson 10 – June 6 – Topic: The Last Things

Weather alert: no school – no program

Call Jean Leffler at 501-327-6568

for more information

A welcome back cook-out for the youth of St. Joseph Church was held on its grounds August 29^th. A variety of activities were offered while hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken were cooked on the grill.

EDGE is our Junior High Youth Group who will be meeting on Wednesday Night’s at 6:30pm-8:00pm  in the PAO Meeting Room.

All of our Jr.High is welcomed to attend!

Men Take Steps To Save Lives

By Ray Nielsen

Two young men visited St. Joseph Church on July 8th who’d walked a long way to get here. They left San Jose, CA on May 19th to demonstrate their support for the pro-life cause, and they won’t stop until they reach Washington, DC on August 11th. Joseph Graveline from Gladwin, Michigan and Thomas Stadler from North Platte, Nebraska represent Crossroads, a Catholic civil rights organization that exists in order to bring about a culture of life and defend the right to life for all unborn children.

If you would like to learn more about this ministry, or have an interest in walking for life please Visit crossroadswalk.com!

A Ministry to Catholic Women

will have the first informational meeting on

July 16, 7pm in the Parish Administration Office

Click here to view the flyer

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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