Pastor’s Letter | December 13

12/13/2020

Dear St. Joseph Parish Family,

It’s already Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, where we are called to rejoice (that’s what ‘gaudete’ means). We have something new and old to rejoice about. Two 19th century statues are now restored and back in the sanctuary. These statues are Italian marble statues of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Patrick. An acclaimed sculptor, Thomas Marsh, has been restored them so that we can bring them back to use. Thomas told me that the statues are very high quality and very few people today would have the skill to carve them. These statues were in the sanctuary of St. Joseph’s until 1972, when they were placed in the courtyard between the rectory and the school building. They were damaged when taken out– their hands were broken off, St. Patrick’s crozier was missing, and many nicks were put in the statues. Also, they have been outside for almost 50 years and were filthy. Thomas has sculpted new hands and a new crozier and has repaired all the damage, as well as cleaning the statues. He will give them a final clean in January and we'll add some lights to illuminate the statues. We have now placedthem back in the church to restore the patrimony left to us from generations of previous St. Joseph parishioners. 

Also, Thomas has restored the historic holy water dispenser. It had been turned into a pot for plants and has been outside for decades. Thomas has restored it to its original use and it’s currently in the hallway between the church and the sacristy, just by the bathroom door. You can bring holy water bottles and fill them with holy water from the font. The holy water dispenser that was there previously (the new one from two years ago) we'll put in the new parish hall when it opens. We use Epiphany water in the dispenser because I’ve been told by exorcists that it’s the most powerful holy water there is. A priest can only bless or make it on Epiphany, so we bless a lot of it so that we can use it throughout the year. Just before the Vigil Mass of Epiphany we bless it in the church (it’s a long blessing that takes about a half hour to pray) so you can join us for that blessing this upcoming Epiphany. 

One unfortunate note– the Greenwich Village funeral home is not printing parish calendars this year because of the pandemic. We are having a company print some for us but they won't arrive until just after Christmas.

Have a blessed Advent,

Fr. Boniface