The Catholic Church celebrates two feast days dedicated to St. Joseph: March 19th – Joseph, the Husband of Mary and May 1st – Joseph, the Worker. In addition to these feast days, Pope Francis has proclaimed a special “Year of St. Joseph,” beginning on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 2020 and extending to the same feast in December 2021. The purpose of this special proclamation is to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Pope Pius IX’s declaration of St. Joseph as the patron of the Universal Church. Also, St. Joseph is considered the patron saint of fathers, the dying, and social justice, but to the many students who attend St. Joseph School in Webster, he is the patron saint of their church and school. Therefore, this is an exciting year for the students!
As part of the year-long celebration, pastor and headmaster, Rev. Grzegorz Chodkowski (Fr. Gregory), recently spent time with students discussing St. Joseph’s role in Jesus’ life as well as the personal relationship that students can have with St. Joseph. During his visits, Fr. Gregory presented each student with a small statue of St. Joseph that he blessed. He stressed that the statues should not be treated as a toy. Instead, he asked that the students treat the statues as an image of a great friend, someone who can help them by presenting their prayers and gratitude to Jesus, his Son.
The students reflected solemnly on Fr. Gregory’s words and prayer. Many chose to keep their statues on their desks, while others carry their statues of St. Joseph in their school bags. Nevertheless, the students have a great sense of how St. Joseph can be an example in their lives. Through the courage and love he exhibited and as a father who taught the value, dignity, and joy of hard work, the students are proud to have St. Joseph as the patron saint of their school.
