St Joseph's Northam

27/02/2026

Just a simple reminder for all of us.

20/02/2026

Holy Week and Easter season activities at St. Joseph’s Parish, Northam 2026

14/12/2025

Confession schedule in our Parish.

14/12/2025

Christmas Eve and Christmas day Mass schedules in our Parish.

09/07/2025

BEHIND THE VESTMENTS: REMEMBER THE PRIEST’S HUMANITY

People often see priests at the altar—clothed in vestments, preaching with authority, smiling in photos—and assume we are unshakable, always strong, always close to God. But behind the vestments is a man. A real man. With a story. With struggles. With silent wounds.

We are not angels in cassocks or statues of perfection. We are human—capable of doubt, pain, and emotional exhaustion. And truthfully, some days, we’re just trying to make it through.

WHEN STRENGTH IS EXPECTED, SILENCE FOLLOWS

In their love for the priesthood, many forget the human behind the collar. They assume because we preach faith, we never question. Because we offer counsel, we never feel lost. Because we bless others, we are never broken.

But what happens when a priest is battling depression, anxiety, trauma, or loneliness—and feels he has no one to turn to?

Recently, I read about a 35-year-old Italian priest who took his life. He was young, passionate, and faithful—yet silently suffering. His story shook me, because I saw myself in him. I saw many brother priests in him. I saw a Church still struggling to care for its wounded shepherds.

Beneath the chasuble was a soul crying for help.

THE COLLAR DOESN’T ERASE OUR HUMANITY

Ordination doesn’t remove our need to be seen, heard, and loved—not for our role, but for who we truly are. We still have bad days. We still feel tired. We still need someone to ask, “Father, how are you—really?”

We bleed too, even if it’s hidden.

TO THE FAITHFUL:

Pray for your priests—but also check on them.
Admire their calling—but also care for their hearts.
Ask for blessings—but also offer friendship, silence, and a space where they can be human.

We are called to serve—but we’re also called to survive. And some are drowning under the weight of unspoken expectations.

TO MY BROTHER PRIESTS:

If you feel overwhelmed, please remember:
You are not weak for struggling.
You are not less holy for being tired.
You are not alone.

Reach out. Speak up. Break the silence.
Because beyond what you do, you are a beloved son of God—worthy of love, rest, and healing.

Let us remind the Church:
The priesthood is sacred—but so is the priest.
Let’s care for both.

Source:
Revised from Fr. Ebuka’s page

08/05/2025

Pope Leo XIV

08/05/2025

PRAYER FOR POPE LEO XIV

V. Let us pray for Leo XIV, our Pope

R. May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies. [Ps 40:3]

Our Father and Hail Mary

O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Leo, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us!
St. Peter, pray for us!

14/04/2025

Schedules in St. Joseph’s Parish for Holy Week 2025

17/03/2025

When You Visit A Priest, Please Remember...

That a priest isn't married, nor will he have a family of his own. No wife, no children. His family is his parishioners. He is a spiritual father in faith to the community he serves. His future is in celebrating the Eucharist at mass every day, listening to confessions, anointing the sick, serving those who come to him for help. A priest may serve a parish only for a minimum of five to seven years. After that he may be transfered to another parish or assigned a different role in the Church. He relies on his team of volunteers, staff and the lay faithful. Don't expect him to be there all the time for you.

When you give money to the Church, you may be surprised to know that the money isn't for him because no priest earns a fixed salary. They receive a stipend to meet their basic expenses of food, clothing and travel. They save every penny to go for a vacation and much of the money is gifted by friends, relatives and well wishers as they don't get paid leave like the rest of us who work.
While we work for a fixed amount of hours with two days off a week , priests are expected to be on stand by 24/7. So don't be angry if they don't respond to you when you need them. They are humans as well with the same frailty as us.

If you hear anyone speaking badly about a particular priest, please correct that person and don't engage in idle gossip without knowing the facts. Remember that they are alone and at times would need company. Pay attention to their emotional, physical and mental needs. Accompany them if needed or offer a helping hand or even a lift. It's not easy to go out alone at 2 or 3 in the morning especially in dangerous neighborhoods for counseling or even anointing someone on their death bed. If someone comes to them at such an hour for help, they have to get up from their deep sleep and still be expected to celebrate Mass in the morning. Who is there for them when they are ill or have emergencies in the middle of the night? Yet they are required to perform their duties because if not them, who?

Remember their birthdays, ordination anniversaries and important events in their lives. Celebrate with them, cry with them. Offer a shoulder to lean on. If they fall, don't judge or criticize. Lift them up and help them on their journey in life. Don't be offended if they don't live up to your expectations. No priest is perfect.

So take care of your priests, remember the ones who baptized, confirmed, married and anointed you. The ones who offer masses for your intentions and pray for you. May God bless our priests in Jesus name, our eternal High Priest. Amen.

03/03/2025

Guide for fasting and abstinence

During the season of Lent, the faithful practice fasting and abstinence. Below are answers to many of the common questions surrounding these spiritual practices.

03/03/2025

LENT & HOLY WEEK 2025

Lent is fast approaching! Here are the dates of Lent and Holy Week this year:

MAR 05, 2025—Ash Wednesday
MAR 09, 2025—1st Sunday of Lent
MAR 16, 2025—2nd Sunday of Lent
MAR 23, 2025—3rd Sunday of Lent
MAR 30, 2025—Laetere Sunday
APR 06, 2025—5th Sunday of Lent
APR 13, 2025—Palm Sunday
APR 17, 2025—Maundy Thursday
APR 18, 2025—Good Friday
APR 19, 2025—Holy Saturday
APR 20, 2025—Easter Sunday