St. Joseph Church Parish Family Pride Mass

On June 25, the Sunday Mass schedule at St. Joseph Church in Maplewood will include a special Parish Family Pride Mass at 4:30 p.m., followed by a Rainbow Reception. The Mass will feature special music and a dynamic Catholic speaker.

When asked: “What do you say to an LGBT Catholic who has experienced rejection from the church?” Pope Francis replied: “I would have them recognize it not as ‘the rejection of the church,’ but instead of ‘people in the church.’ ” Here in New Jersey, the Archdiocese of Newark has noted that Catholics here say that “the Church should do a better job of including those who may feel unwelcomed such as the LGBTQ community.”

The Parish Family Pride Mass is a way for the Saint Joseph Parish Community to reach out to anyone who needs that welcome from the Church, whether family members, neighbors and friends, or anyone else in our community. As Pope Francis said more recently, the Church must “be an open Church”. He added, “In this way, a place can be found for those who still struggle to see their presence in the Church recognized.”

The Church of St. Joseph is located at 767 Prospect Street in Maplewood. All are welcome to join in this special Mass celebration.