Msgr Luna announced at Mass this morning that we will reopen for Mass this weekend. We will hold TWO Masses, 4 PM on Saturday and 10 AM on Sunday. Because COVID cases are still spiking in New Mexico, extra caution will be taken. If you are feeling ill or have been exposed to COVID, please stay home. Please review the video of the Dec 3rd Mass for more information. Click title for more information.

This time of year, we would be in the midst of collecting funds for Christmas Baskets and getting gifts for children on the Angel Tree. Because of the pandemic, we cannot do either this year, so we wanted to offer two great opportunities to fulfill our parish mission in the Advent season by still making Jesus known in the local community with acts of compassion! Click the title to learn how. Help us fulfill our mission of making Jesus known in the local community with this act of compassion in the Advent season!

Archbishop Wester has directed that Churches cease regular Mass schedules after October 25. The obligation to attend Mass on Sunday continues to be dispensed for all and the faithful are reminded that HOME IS THE HOLY PLACE. Keep holy the Lord’s Day by your prayer at home. Sunday Mass will be live streamed on Saturday afternoon at 4:00 pm beginning November 7th. The recorded Mass may be viewed on Sundays from your computer or mobile device. Communion will be distributed in the Gathering Space for a half hour following the Saturday afternoon Mass and the Sunday 10am Mass; and for 10 minutes following each daily Mass. Enter the church by the far, right door and exit by the opposite door. Confessions will be heard on Saturdays with the same protocols that have been in place. CLICK THE ARTICLE TITLE FOR MORE DETAILS.

The Christmas Basket committee has prayed, brainstormed, and explored ways to be able to provide for the families that this ministry helps each year. Unfortunately, the current situation will not allow us to provide Christmas Baskets in 2020. We plan to return stronger than ever in 2021. Please click the title to read how the decision was made for this ministry.

The Governor's office, advised by scientists and medical experts, strongly recommends persons to stay home and out of public areas as much as possible. Following our faith's concern for protecting human life, Archbishop Wester issues the following directives for Catholic churches and schools in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Read the guidance by clicking the title.

The Catholic Cemetery Association is seeking to fill four full-time positions. Offering an excellent benefits package. Contact Mt. Calvary Cemetary at 505.243.0218. Click the title for details of the positions.

The Book of the Dead is normally compiled to commemorate the death of a loved one on All Souls Day in November. Although there is no hardcopy book this year, we will take names online and over the phone. This practice provides the living with an opportunity for healing and consolation in the face of grief. It is usually left open for people to write the names of their deceased loved ones and for others to read the names, remember, and pray for the repose of their souls. Click the title to go to the form and submit the name of your loved one for addition to the Book.

Join us in person at St. Joseph on the Rio Grande on Sunday, October 25, 2020, at 12 noon. COVID-19 Safety Standards will be followed. Face coverings will be required. Mass will be live-streamed and recorded. Click the title for more information.

Thinking about homeschooling? Read this article from Aletia.

The Archdiocese has informed us that the gift card for parish/pastor scam is making its rounds again.  DO NOT respond if you receive such an email asking for gift cards.  Please contact the parish office if you have any questions.

There will be a roasting event. No, we are not roasting Monsignor Luna, but green chile to raise funds for the Shrine of the Little Flower, St. Therese Catholic Church. My mouth is watering just typing this. Call in orders are taken 7am - 7pm, 7 days a week. Click the title to get the contact information.

Sr. Mary Angelo, Sister of Mercy, (Sr. Angie) a fixture at St Joseph on the Rio Grande passed away recently. Sister Angie spread mercy everywhere she went. What a loving, gentle soul she was to all. Read a little about her life by clicking the title.

Spread the Love and bring some jars of peanut butter and jelly this weekend when you come to church. Please place them in the blue bins in the gathering space as you come in for Mass and support our Loaves and Fish Ministry!

Mass will still be streamed live for Saturday Vigil and some feast-day Masses. The Livestream Masses will NOW have the same sound quality of the recorded Masses. If you would like to join us for these Livestream Masses, they are available for the immediate future. We encourage our parishioners to stay home if you are not well. The Livestream gives you a way to still spiritually commune with Body of Christ even if you are not able to be with us physically.

We will be re-opening the church offices on Tuesday, May 26 by appointment only. Email office@sjrgparish.org or call 839-7952 to make your appointment. Due to the small size of our reception area, please visit individually or in as small a group as possible. Masks will be required for entry. Until further notice, the worship space and restrooms remain closed to the public outside of Mass times. We love seeing you, but for your safety, please visit the office only if necessary. Remember we can assist you with most things through phone or email. You can even request Mass Intentions online.

Dear Parishioners, In the bulletin you will see a page from Archbishop Wester informing that information regarding when and how our churches reopen for services will be forthcoming. First, thank you for all that you are doing to keep safe and healthy as well as to be considerate of the health and welfare of others especially vulnerable persons. When will we reopen? That depends on what the Governor decided on May 15th. If social distancing is still in effect that means that St. Joseph’s can accommodate 186 people for a service. That is the number of available seats with a 6 ft radius around each seat. It also depends on when the archbishop says we can reopen and what must be done to ensure the safety of those who gather for Mass. Obviously, when we reopen things will not be the same as before. Many details need to be considered that will impact how we gather for the Mass and how it is celebrated: e.g. Mass times, entering/exiting the church, seating, whether to sing, collection, communion procession, and reception, disinfecting after each service. Please continue to be patient and as always pray for a swift end to the pandemic. Updates will be given either by the announcements at the online Masses, the web page, the bulletin, Flocknotes, social media, etc. I look forward to seeing you again and being able to greet you in person. Click the title to read Archbishop Wester's message. God bless you! Msgr. Luna

Mass is streamed live for Saturday Vigil ane some feast-day Masses. The Livestream Masses will NOT have the same sound quality of the recorded Masses. The microphone from the cellphone used for the Mass picks up the echoing sounds from an empty church that normally seats 750-1000 people. If you would like to join us for these Livestream Masses, they are available for the immediate future. Sound-engineered Masses are still recorded for daily Mass and for Sunday Mass. We await the time when we can all pray and worship together in our worship space---St Joseph on the Rio Grande.

I miss the Lord in the Holy Eucharist. How can I spiritually commune with the Lord? I'm not sure I'm doing it right. Is there anything out there that can tell me more about it? Yes, Virginia, there is. Our Sunday Visitor has an article that addresses spiritual communion. How are Catholics to make sense of this absence of public worship or reception of the body, blood, soul, and divinity of our Lord? Read the full text from Our Sunday Visitor by clicking on the title.

It is with extreme sadness that we inform the parish about the death of Deacon Jerry Hietpas and Deacon Rene Greivel. Both were assigned and ministered as deacons here at St Joseph on the Rio Grande Catholic Church. We ask for the repose of their souls. Amen.

Check out this resource that's available from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. It mentions that there are all kinds of resources available for prayer, study, etc. from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe's Ministry Resource Center. I looked at it and there are some great things that you can use for your time at home and beyond. Click the title for the document.