The faith community of St. Joseph Parish in West Milford on March 19 welcomed Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who celebrated a Mass for the Feast of St. Joseph.
Father Jakub Grzybowski, St. Joseph’s administrator; Father Nico Quintos, minister to senior priests who is undertaking graduate studies; and Father Frederick Walters, a retired priest of the Paterson Diocese, concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Sweeney. Deacon Stephen McKenzie assisted with the liturgy.
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The Franciscan Sisters of St. Elizabeth in Parsippany and the Highlanders Polish folk dance group of St. Joseph’s, wearing traditional dress, also participated in the Mass.
After Mass, those assembled walked to the parish center, where Father Grzybowski blessed the St. Joseph’s Table, a tradition to mark the Feast of St. Joseph. The table was filled with baked goods, flowers, and other items donated by parishioners and a local grocer. The sale of these items raised $1,038 for the parish’s charitable works.
The St. Joseph’s Table is a European custom dating back to the 17th century when it was customary to place a statue of St. Joseph in the center of a table of food. It is widely celebrated in many Italian towns and cities.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
