St. Joseph Parish—Needham

06/17/2026

St. Emily de Vialar (1797–1856) was born in Gaillac, France to an aristocratic family in the years following the French Revolution. Because the Catholic faith was under severe persecution, she was baptized in secret by her parents and her religious instruction was given at home. She was a devout child who displayed an aptitude for prayer, and she shunned the luxuries of her state in life. After the death of her mother, her father arranged to find her a suitable husband when she reached 15 years of age. Emily, who desired to lead the religious life in service to the poor, resisted her father's attempts and endured his anger at her refusal. She desired also to repair the harm caused by the Revolution by catechizing the local children. Emily remained a virgin and privately consecrated herself to God while living in her father's home. When she was 21 she met a priest who helped her set up an out-patient service for the sick in her own home, which heightened her tense relationship with her father. When her grandfather died, Emily inherited a large fortune which allowed her independence in the service of God. She bought a large home in her town and began a religious order in service to the sick and poor, and to the education of children, which quickly flourished. In 40 years her order, called the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition, established 40 houses throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia. St. Emily de Vialar's feast day is June 17th.

06/16/2026

St. John Francis Regis (1597–1640) was born to a wealthy French merchant and his noble wife. After being educated by the Jesuits, he joined their order at the age of 18 and was later ordained a priest. He grew into a skilled preacher and catechist, and received an assignment to evangelize the French provinces that had fallen to the Protestants - the Huguenots - as well as lapsed Catholics. He devoted his life to this mission and was very successful, winning countless souls to Christ. He preached the Gospel to men, women, and children in all walks and stations of life, even traveling on foot to wild mountain parishes as a missionary priest. He would live on meager meals while spending his days in prayer, preaching, hearing confessions, and visiting prisons and hospitals. He raised controversy when he established hostels for converted prostitutes to remain chaste and work for their sustenance in the lace-making and embroidery trades. He is also remembered for stationing a granary to feed the poor, which at times was miraculously replenished. St. Regis is the patron of embroiderers, social workers, and lace makers. His feast day is June 16th.

06/15/2026

This weekend’’s Saturday Social after the 4pm mass was a wonderful opportunity to greet and spend time with fellow parishioners.

06/15/2026

06/15/2026

Summer Movie Night
Please join us this summer to enjoy the company of friends and fellow parishioners and watch a movie. We have lined up four films that will inform and inspire you to grow closer to God. We will gather on four Tuesdays in July (the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th) in the Linse Room at 6:45 pm.
Each night will begin with Evening Prayer followed by the film and some discussion time.
Light refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there!

06/12/2026

The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated on the octave day of the feast of Corpus Christi. In the 17th century Jesus appeared in a vision to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque asking her to request that this feast be celebrated in honor of his Sacred Heart in reparation for the ingratitude of mankind toward the sacrifice of his love on the Cross. Pope Pius IX extended the feast of the Sacred Heart to the universal Church in 1856. The imagery of Christ pointing to his heart, on fire with love, signifies his immense and infinite love for humanity which took Him to the Cross to die for our salvation. The Sacred Heart of Jesus desires that all mankind draw close to Him in love and trust. Today this devotion, given to the faithful by Our Lord himself, is among the most popular of the Catholic Church.

06/11/2026

The St. Joseph Parish Pastoral Council thanks our two high senior members, Maeve and Andrew, for their dedication and involvement this past year. You provided a valuable voice and perspective to our discussions. Good luck in your next chapters at Notre Dame and Boston College!

To learn more about the PPC members please see https://stjosephparishneedham.com/parish-pastoral-council

06/11/2026

Saint Barnabas
Memorial
Barnabas, the “son of encouragement,” was the first man fully to appreciate the change wrought in Paul, inviting Paul to accompany him to Antioch. Thus began the great mission to the Gentiles. Together Paul and Barnabas preached to the people there and elsewhere in Asia Minor. John Mark joined them, but left halfway through the mission. After the Council of Jerusalem, Paul refused to preach alongside Barnabas over the issue of circumcision and the behavior of John Mark. Barnabas is considered the patron saint of quarrels for the way he resolved the dispute with Paul, taking John Mark under his wing. He died sometime before the year 63, probably at Salamis in Cyprus.