St. Joseph's Church Olmstedville

06/15/2026

I am looking for:

1. a piece of white building wrap like Tyvek to make two banners that are 3 feet x 8 feet. I am hoping someone has some left over or on hand and is willing to donate it for the St. Joseph parade entry in the Minerva Day parade.

2. a head used for housing a wig or hairpiece (often styrofoam) or used in a beauty school.

If your have one or both, please let me know.

Thank you.
David McNally

06/14/2026

My apologies. I had Deacon Mark announce the wrong date for the Butler Cemetery Clean up at Mass today. The correct date is Saturday, June 27 at 10:00 a.m. if you have any of the following, please bring a wheelbarrow, rake, shovel, w**d whacked, friends to help. If not, please come anyway and I’m sure there will be plenty to share.

06/07/2026

https://www.wgpfoundation.org/historic-markers/william-byrne/

William Byrne was born in County Kildare, Ireland, in 1839. In 1848, his family immigrated to the United States and settled on a farm in Olmstedville, Essex County, New York.

06/05/2026

Is anyone out there willing to drive our small pick up in the Minerva Day Parade for St. Joseph’s Church? The parade begins at 5 pm on July 4th. Please let me know.
Thank you.
David McNally

06/03/2026

We are having dirt delivered to St. Jospeh’s cemetery (commonly known as the Butler Cemetery) on Church Road in Olmstedville to fill in uneven ground and sunken graves.

A wheelbarrow party and grass cutting (to spruce it up for Minerva Day on July 4) will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 27th.

Please bring a wheelbarrow and shovel if you have one, a w**d whacker if you have one, and a friend if you have one. If you have none of these, please come anyway and ask others too as well. I’m sure we’ll have extra tools, grass cutters and friends you can use.

Thank you.
David McNally

06/02/2026

Bulletin 5/31/26

05/26/2026

Given he shares a first name and a sense of humor with our own Father Philip Allen, it is worth noting that today is the Feast of St. Philip Neri, the Patron Saint of Rome and Humor.

From the Catholic Apostolate Center:
St. Philip Neri dreamed of becoming a missionary, but found that his mission territory was the city of Rome in the 1500s during the Counter Reformation. He became a priest in 1551 and would spend hours in the confessional, in addition to his missionary work. Philip founded the Congregation of the Oratory, also known as the Oratorians, which started as a group to help w**d out corruption in the Church. Philip was well-known for his combination of cheerfulness/humor with personal piety. “Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and helps us to persevere. A servant of God ought always to be in good spirits. Charity and cheerfulness, or charity and humility, should be our motto.” -St. Philip Neri

05/26/2026

Today was the annual Memorial Day Mass and blessing of the graves at St. Mary’s church in Irishtown. There were 53 in attendance. Thank you to everyone for attending. Many thanks to Jamie Capuano for additional photos.

05/24/2026

Join us for Memorial Day mass at 11:00am at St. Mary’s Oratory in Irishtown

05/20/2026

Did you ever wonder why a Deacon wears his stole across his shoulder?

(Written by Janice Smircich)

A deacon wears his stole diagonally across his chest from the left shoulder to the right side to symbolize his specific role as a servant, rather than a priest with sacramental authority. This style mirrors a servant's sash or a stole worn by early church ministers, representing the "yoke" of Christ's service, charity, and readiness to assist, while freeing the right arm for action.

There are five symbolisms to think about:

Symbol of Service:
Unlike priests who wear the stole around the neck symbolizing sacramental authority, the diagonal placement marks the deacon as a minister of service in the spirit of Christ.

Ready to Serve:
The stole is secured at the right side to represent a servant "ready to work," like someone rolling up their sleeves.

The Burden of Service:
It is worn over the left shoulder, historically associated with carrying a burden, symbolizing the deacon bearing the weight of the Gospel, the church and the poor.

Cross Over the Heart:
The diagonal placement crosses the heart, signifying that service must be performed with love.

Liturgical Distinction:
It distinguishes the diaconate from the priesthood during liturgy.