Each year on September 14, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross.  On this day Catholics are given an opportunity to reflect upon the great irony and mystery that an instrument of execution, the cross, was also the source of our freedom from sin and eternal life.  This year the feast day fell on Sunday and was celebrated in place of the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time.  It also provided a fitting day on which to welcome five persons into the Catholic Church during the Vigil Mass here at St. Joseph's.

Fr. David presided at the Mass and administered the sacrament of Baptism to Jim Adams and Tamme Lackey.  He then received the professions of faith from Chris Allen, Cole Brocksmith and Julie Grieb.  Together the five newly initiated members received the sacrament of Confirmation and, at the Rite of Communion later in the Mass, made their First Holy Communion.  On hand to joyfully welcome these men and women were their sponsors, spouses, friends and family as well as the parish family in attendance at Mass.  The celebration of initiation was the culmination of a course of summer study in which they participated in order to become more fully acquainted with the seven sacraments and other traditional beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church.

As fellow parishioners, please take the opportunity to personally welcome Jim, Tamme, Chris, Cole and Julie as the chance becomes available!

Pictured above are the newly initiated Catholics.  In the back row: Chris Allen, Tamme Lackey and Jim Adams.  In the front row: Julie Grieb, Cole Brocksmith and Fr. David Lies.