MCHENRY—Members of St. Patrick Parish marked their devotion to St. Joseph in Sept. 2020, four months before Pope Francis declared the Year of St. Joseph on Dec. 8. 

 

After a group of six men read the book “Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father,” by Father Donald Calloway, they were inspired to consecrate themselves to St. Joseph on All Saints’ Day.After Pope Francis’ declaration, more than 70 members of St. Patrick Parish and nearby parishes joined the original group in consecrating themselves to Jesus’ earthly father. 

 

Father Godwin Asuquo, St. Patrick Parish’s pastor, expressed his support of the parish’s movement of devotion.  

 

“I have been deeply moved by the number of people that have taken an interest in the life of St. Joseph and participated in the related activities offered by the parish. Unfortunately, the pandemic kept people from meeting in person much of the year, but online resources were made available by the parish to help people share their thoughts from reading and learning about St. Joseph,” Father Asuquo said. 

 

Some of the events the parish held to honor St. Joseph included: 

 

â–º Reciting the Year of St. Joseph prayer after the rosary before weekend and daily Masses;  

 

â–º Holding a summer vacation Bible school program titled “Building a Christian Life,” which was inspired by the life of St. Joseph; 

 

â–º Holding an activity that taught families to build wood kits; 

 

â–º And hosting a pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Joseph in DePere, Wis.

 

“We intend to continue to offer opportunities for our parishioners to know more about this special and humble man well beyond the Year of St. Joseph,” Father Asuquo said. 

 

—Information provided by Carleen Murphy.