We, the community of St. Joseph the Worker Parish reaffirm our continuing belief in the everlasting and eternal love of Almighty God and His Son Jesus Christ. God’s love for us is manifested in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, wherein the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ is truly present, giving us life and healing! We continually rely on the power of His Holy Spirit to instill in us the courage and strength to live our daily lives in faith, hope and charity. We are confident that by the grace of God and our willingness to live the gospel message, the light of Christ shining in each of the small portions of the world on which we walk, in which we work, in which we live and move. Therefous will empower us to transform thre, we dedicate ourselves to all who form our parish community, whether active or inactive, that together we may continue to grow in the discipleship of Christ Jesus.    

REGARDING THE WEBINAR DISCUSSION ON A MERGER OF OUR PARISHES THAT WAS HELD ON JUNE 1st

A merger is an opportunity for two parishes to be joined together as one.  With marriage when two persons join together to become one, all assets, debts, properties, obligations and needs of each other are formed into a new creation, a new beginning, a new family.  This is similar with a merger of two parishes.  There are many advantages to a merger.  With two becoming one, there is strength in that unity.  The care, support, outreach, involvement and spiritual growth is greatly enhanced, just as with marriage.  Jesus sent out his disciples in pairs so that they could be coworkers in God’s vineyard in the work of evangelization being entrusted to them.  As Catholics, we have been entrusted from the moment of our spiritual birth through Baptism to go forth and bring the Good News of our Lord and Risen Savior to all the ends of the earth.  Our faith is lived for Jesus, not for ourselves.  In an increasingly challenged world, there is comfort and security when a foundation is built upon our Lord, who alone offers us peace of heart and mind which the world cannot give.  A merger creates new opportunities for self-reflection and greater spiritual growth.

On Monday night, June 1^st, a webinar discussion was held with over 85 participants from the parishes of Our Lady of the Lake and Saint Joseph the Worker.  Postcard invitations were sent out to 1067 registered parishioners of Our Lady of the Lake and 2127 registered parishioners of Saint Joseph the Worker.  The webinar was advertised over the prior three weeks in the Collaborative bulletin, Facebook page, parish websites, and during the Live Streaming Sunday Masses. Preparation included previously watching an archdiocesan recorded webinar video with discussions from throughout the Archdiocese of Boston, as well as reviewing a list for Frequently Asked Questions that was generated afterwards. 

Our pastor Fr. Mike Hobson invited Fr. Paul Soper (Secretary for Evangelization and Discipleship) from the Archdiocese of Boston to be a co-panelist for the Collaborative Merger Discussion held Monday night.  Technical assistance and the queueing of questions were handled by Tom Lyman (Coordinator for Divine Worship), who also was the facilitator in the past 18 months helping our Collaborative develop the Collaborative Pastoral Plan approved by Cardinal Sean O’Malley. 

Many questions were asked and answered during the 90-minute webinar, which was also recorded and will made available soon for viewing.  In addition, a Frequently Asked Questions summary will be prepared shortly as well.   

Ongoing questions can be sent to the following email:   ololsjtwmerger@gmail.com

A Collaborative Pastoral Council Zoom video meeting will be held on Thursday evening June 18^th.  Information about attending will be forthcoming.  

May we continue to pray for each other, asking the intercession of Our Lady of the Lake and Saint Joseph the Worker!