The Catholic Parishes of South Washington County

Dear parishioners,
     As many of you know, I was involved in a head-on car collision on Friday, July 2.  My car was totaled and I was first taken to Meritus Hospital for treatment, and then later that evening to Shock Trauma in Baltimore. I was diagnosed with 3 fractures of my cervical vertebrae, and also an injury to one of the arteries in my neck.         
     After a few days of diagnosis and assessment, it was decided that the best treatment for this is to keep a cervical collar in place for 8-12 weeks. Surgical treatment was deemed not to be necessary at that point, and I was transferred to Stella Maris in Towson Md for rehabilitation on July 17. 
     I don’t know how long I will be at Stella Maris,  but it is likely that I will need multiple weeks of therapy and treatment at Stella Maris followed by additional recovery time with my family. Due to Covid restrictions, only family members may visit. 
     At this point, I am very, very grateful that I survived the accident as well as I have, and that God has sustained me as my recovery continues.  Over these past few weeks I’ve progressed from being sore, bruised and immobile to the point that I am up and about and beginning do more and more things independently.  My progress feels slow but I know I’ve come a long way in just a couple weeks, praise God! 
     I’m also very grateful to Fr Angel, Deacons Paul and Michael, Msgr Murphy,  our staff members, corporators, and volunteers who have made sure “the train stayed on the track” these last few weeks at our parishes.
     Finally, I am also overwhelmed with thanks for all who have reached out with words of support, comfort and prayer for me, the staff and my family. The power of prayer is important, and I want you to know that I am very aware that I have been lifted up by your prayers during these days. I look forward to being able to be with you once again at St Augustine, St James, and St Joseph.  Please keep me in prayer. 
Fr John

COVID 19 Updates

Obligation to attend Sunday Mass to be reinstated.

Archbishop Lori has announced that as of the weekend of June 26-27, all social distancing requirements at mass will be lifted and the obligation to attend Saturday/Sunday mass will be reinstated.  So, as of that weekend, the Saturday 4:30 pm 7:00 pm masses, as well as the 10:15 am, and 2:15pm Sunday masses will be held in the church at St. Joseph.  The 8:30am Sunday mass will be held at St. Augustine.  Note: The  St. James 10:30am Sunday mass will return to the newly renovated church on June 20.  It will be a great blessing to worship once again in our churches!
 
Please continue to pray for pastor Jicha and our priests.

The Catholic Parishes of South Washington County (CPSWC) joins together our three vibrant parishes to be a beacon of Christ's Light in our communities and beyond. Entrusted with this light at baptism, we go forth celebrating the sacraments, proclaiming the gospel, and serving the people of God. CPSWC offers both daily and weekend masses across our three parishes of St. Augustine,
St. James, and St. Joseph. 

Livestream masses will start again in August

The following masses are open to the public under Phase II guidelines and are simultaneously livestreamed and may be watched any time on our facebook page:

English Mass:
4:30 p.m.- Saturday 
8:00 a.m.- Monday - Friday

Spanish Mass:
7:00 pm.- Saturday
7:00 p.m.- Tuesday

Go to: facebook.com/MyStJoseph to watch live or on video.

RCIA Mondays at 4:00 pm at St. James

Legion of Mary Thursdays 10 am via Zoom.  Contact Diane Smith for both at 240-520-0724

COVID vaccines: .
July 21 at St. Augustine, call for times
301-797-9445 ext. 201

Food Sales: July 24 from 3-8 p.m.
July 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The St. Joseph annual indoor yard sale returns September 17 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and September 18 from 7 a.m. to noon.  Donations accepted September 12 after masses and September 13-15 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for drop off.  Donations of clean and useable housewares, small appliances, clothing, shoes, toys, tools, electronics welcome.  To volunteer in sorting, set up, sales, and clean up, call Karen and Fred Nugent (301) 739- 9325 or email 
frednugent@myactv.net.