St. Joseph Announcements
SEMS NOTE: Due to the absence of clergy, there will be no St Emmelia’s Moms gathering at St Joseph this Wednesday.
ANNUAL OCPM ADVENT PARTY: Be a part of the Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry of Houston Annual Advent Celebration to bring love and joy to more than 130 children of incarcerated parents who live in our community! For over 10 years, OCPM of Houston has been serving these families with a parent locked away in prison, they are the silent victims – economically, socially, and spiritually. Without some intervention, 70% of the children will be incarcerated in their lifetime. A party will be held for the children with a meal, games, gifts, and goodies Saturday, December 14 in the St Joseph Hall. Please consider how to help! Sign up to be a leader or volunteer on SignUp Genius or Contact Liza Simon. More info for gift givers to come! Donate to OCPM of Houston, and we will shop for you! Links available in the eblast. Your time and offering are a blessing to these families!
THANKSGIVING MEAL IN A BAG: St Joseph has committed to filling 100 bags.
Didn’t get a bag? No worries – food lists are available in the hall foyer.
Filled bags should be returned to the church by mid-November.
The Food Pantry will distribute to those in need nearer the date of Thanksgiving.
This parish activity will take the place of our usual collection/ donation for November.
THE NATIVITY FAST begins November 15 and is divided into two periods: (A) November 15 through December 19 when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, olive oil) is observed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with katalysis for wine and olive oil (some also permit fish) on Tuesday and Thursday, and for fish, wine, and olive oil on Saturday and Sunday, and (B) the period of the Forefeast, December 20 through 24, when the traditional fasting discipline is observed Monday through Friday, with katalysis for wine and olive oil on Saturday and Sunday.
SPECIAL THURSDAY FAMILY NIGHT: On the Eve of the Feast of St Nicholas the Wonderworker, Thursday – December 5, we will have our annual St Nicholas Party! We will all chant the Akathist to St Nicholas at 6PM, with food, activities, andfellowship to follow.
GUISEPPIANS GATHERING -- NEWCOMERS WELCOME!
Friday November 22, 7PM at Joni Zavitsanos’ home
Joni has graciously agreed to host, providing TBD “Friday” fare. We can look forward not only to her hospitality but also to the opportunity to see and hear about her renowned artwork. Please RSVP to Nick Papas.
GUISEPPIANS is a group of Eastern Orthodox artists from the Houston area who support and encourage each other in their lives and creative endeavors. Through group exhibitions, scheduled “covered dish” gatherings in member’s homes, and area field trips, they endeavor to be a community of practicing artists who share a vibrant faith.
VISITATION: A new ministry of the Antiochian Women! Parishioners who cannot attend services at St Joseph and want information about visitation please contact the church office.
INTERESTED IN CHOIR? This is a very good time of the year to join! The choir is in the process of learning quite a bit of new music, and will soon be preparing for Advent and Nativity. We can use more singers of all parts, but particularly in the tenor and baritone/bass sections.
PROSPHORA VOLUNTEERS: Thanks to all who have been signing up! Please consider signing up. The link is in the member’s section.
2025 MEMBERSHIP FORMS are available in the hall or online 
. A new form must be on file each year for members to be in good standing. Our General Fund, which pays the operating expenses of the parish, does not receive money from the archdiocese, festivals, dances, or galas. The members of St. Joseph Church are the sole source of parish income. Occasional fundraising events are for non-budgeted items, building projects, or special ministries. The work and ministry of St. Joseph Church is made possible by tithing and pledging members. May God bless your generosity!
BURIAL: St. Joseph is one of the contributing parishes making possible an Orthodox Cemetery in Houston; we have a section reserved for Orthodox Christians at Forest Park, Westheimer. Please help sustain this ministry by making your arrangements in advance; see Fr. Joseph for information. May God rest the souls of our faithful departed – and grant you and yours long life!
KROGER: If you have a rewards card with Kroger, please add St. Joseph's to your rewards program through the online community rewards! This can only be done at www.krogercommunityrewards.com. Thank you!
DEADLINES: The deadline for Monday’s eblast (other than Sunday pics) is Noon on Friday. The deadline for Sunday's bulletin is Noon on Monday.
PRAYER LIST UPDATES: Names are listed in Health & Wellbeing for a maximum of 40 days. Thank you for your understanding. Should someone's name need to be added to the H&W list (illness, surgery, job transition, etc), please contact Fr Joseph.
Please pray for:
With Child: Cynthia Nassif, Sarah Peña, Katrina Sberna, Victoria Stewart, Lauren Barron
Homecare/Facility: Nicolae Maxim, Melissa McCutcheon
Health & Wellbeing: Shelby Butts, Serge Rouhana, Amelia Markantonis, Tiffani Clark, Virginia, Ellen Vanderkolk, Gayle Born, Rachel Berry, Marilyn Johnson, Megan Severson, JoAnn Rude, Marilyn Burns, Ken & Michelle Naff, Curt Bancroft, Georgia Gerkey, Ray Connell, Rita Connell, Kathy Luckenbach, Rachel Beard, Brinley, Archpriest Michael Pavez, Tim & Ruth Swaty, Markella Pittas, Kyriaki, Gerasimos, Christopher, Louisa Schwark, Jennifer Myres, Kristi & Noah Marx, Casey Keutzer, Tatyana
Supported Ministries: The Saint Constantine School / College, Fellowship of St Moses the Black, International Orthodox Christian Charities, Orthodox Christian Mission Center / the MacDonalds in Albania, Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry, our Church School & College Students, East Spring Branch Food Pantry, Yelena Popovic & Alexandros Potter (SimeonFaith), Monastery of the Life Giving Trinity, Holy Archangels Monastery, St Paraskevi Monastery, FOCUS Houston, First Things Foundation / Seth Levine in Sierra Leone
Military: Noah, Daniel & Anna Birthisel
Traveling (return): Christos Panagos (11/12)
Inquirers & Catechumens: David Messenger, Dylan Dunkleberger, Gregory Antes, Sterling McCrevey, David Trippon, Scott David, Anthony Walker, Lee Winkelman, Mirian Serrano, Steven Salinas, Mariah Rodriquez; Dan, Danielle, Octavia, Constantine, Bjorn & Maximillian Morgan; Christian Mayeaux, Ben Lewis, Adam Kral, Eric Jocot, Andrew Donahue, Larry Delarosa, Ethan Crouch, Rich & Pamela Bartel, James Barry, Sarah Baca, Conley Carter, James Barry, Wyatt Collins, Kevin Stevens, Charles White, Justin Smith, Wes Bowden, Christi Pramudji, Zoë Hughes; Raul, Jennifer & Rafael Turcios; Luis Negrete, Alecia & Cameron Pacheco, Amy & Alex Shevchenko, Brandon Benham, Mary Judah Rudd, Sachin Murthy, Alexis Martinez, Will Jackson, Keyton Cameron; Colton, Emeleigh, Waylon, Ripp & Josephine Harrington; Blake Dodd, Katie Hire; David, Sarah, Liliana & Jasmine Peña; Daniel Ediae
Preparing for Baptism: Osvaldo Abundis, Bryson Speer, Jensen Thomas, Karrie Higgs & infant Finan Jarvis
Departed: Christopher Glass (10/30), Emile Farhood (10/29), Rebecca Miller (Sandra Mosely’s mother, 10/16)
If you are currently a member of St. Joseph and would like to add an announcement to the bulletin and website, please .