UPDATED 12/30/20
Plenary Indulgences for the Year of St. Joseph
All this year until Dec. 8, 2021, the decree from the Apostolic Penitentiary, which is in charge of indulgences, has established that the faithful “following his example can daily strengthen their life of faith in the full fulfillment of God’s will.” They will have “the opportunity to commit themselves, with prayers and good works, to obtain with the help of St. Joseph, head of the heavenly Family of Nazareth, comfort and relief from the serious human and social tribulations that today afflict the contemporary world.”
Back 150 years ago when Pius IX also saw turmoil aplenty, causing him to then declare St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church.
What are these indulgences the Apostolic Penitentiary is bestowing in this Year of St. Joseph per the Holy Father’s decree to “benefit the perfect achievement of the intended purpose?”
We can gain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions — sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father, “with a soul detached from any sin” if we participate in the Year of St. Joseph in several specific ways that the Apostolic Penitentiary has established for us to gain the plenary indulgence.
As long as we’re in the state of grace one sacramental confession suffices for gaining several plenary indulgences, but a separate Holy Communion and separate prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father are required for each plenary indulgence. According to the most recent Church guidelines on the subject, “it is sufficient that these sacred rites and prayers be carried out within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act.” Yet “it is, however, fitting that Communion be received and the prayer for the intention of the Holy Father be said on the same day the work is performed.”
Here are the many opportunities and ways throughout this Year of St. Joseph, from now until Dec. 8, 2021, for us to gain the plenary indulgence over and over. Fulfilling the above conditions along with performing one of the particular works determined by the Penitentiary office can be done daily. One plenary indulgence per day. Remember, the only living person we can apply it to is our self. And we can apply it to any soul in purgatory. Think how many souls you get help — from relatives to unknowns by asking St. Joseph and Mary to pick out the souls for you.
15 ways to receive an indulgence in the Year of St. Joseph:
1) Participate in a spiritual retreat for at least one day that includes a meditation on St. Joseph.
2) Pray for St. Joseph’s intercession for the unemployed that they might find dignifying work.
3) Recite the Litany of St. Joseph for persecuted Christians. Byzantine Catholics have the option of an Akathist to St. Joseph.
4) Entrust one’s daily work and activity to the protection of St. Joseph the Worker.
5) Follow St. Joseph’s example in performing a corporal work of mercy. These include feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the imprisoned, visiting the sick, and burying the dead.
6) Perform one of the spiritual works of mercy, such as comforting the sorrowful, counseling the doubtful, instructing the ignorant, admonishing the sinner, bearing wrongs patiently, forgiving injuries, and praying for the living and the dead.
7) Pray the rosary together with one’s family in order that “all Christian families may be stimulated to recreate the same atmosphere of intimate communion, love and prayer that was in the Holy Family.”
8) Engaged couples can also receive an indulgence from praying the rosary together.
9) Meditate for at least 30 minutes on the Lord’s Prayer, because St. Joseph “invites us to rediscover our filial relationship with the Father, to renew fidelity to prayer, to listen and correspond with profound discernment to God’s will.”
10) Pray an approved prayer to St. Joseph on St. Joseph Sunday, the Sunday after Christmas in the Byzantine Catholic tradition.
11) Celebrate the feast of St. Joseph on March 19 with an act of piety in honor of St. Joseph.
12) Pray an approved prayer to St. Joseph on the 19th of any month.
13) Honor Joseph with an act of piety or approved prayer on a Wednesday, the day traditionally dedicated to St. Joseph.
14) Pray to St. Joseph on the Feast of the Holy Family on Dec. 27.
15) Celebrate the feast of St. Joseph the Worker on May 1 with an act of piety or prayer.
“All the faithful will thus have the opportunity to commit themselves, with prayers and good works, to obtain with the help of St. Joseph, head of the celestial Family of Nazareth, comfort and relief from the serious human and social tribulations that today afflict the contemporary world,” the decree signed by Cardinal Mauro Piacenza said.
The elderly, the sick, and the dying who are unable to leave their homes due to the coronavirus pandemic also have special permission to receive an indulgence by “offering with trust in God the pains and discomforts” of their lives with a prayer to St. Joseph, hope of the sick and patron of a happy death.
The decree noted that in this instance the person must have the intention of fulfilling, as soon as possible, the three usual conditions for an indulgence, as well as a detachment from sin.
The Apostolic Penitentiary permits any prayer to St. Joseph approved by the Church, mentioning in particular the “To you, O blessed Joseph” prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII:
“To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also. Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.”
“O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be kind to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness.”
“As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.”
We extend our sympathy and prayers to EmmaLee Gordon in the passing of her daughter, Deborah Jackson, to the judgement seat of the Almighty God. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.
We extend our sympathy and prayers to Daisy Dowdy and Tommy (Nancy) Ballard and Families in the passing of their brother, John Ed Ballard, to the judgement seat of the Almighty God. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May these souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, through your intercession, save our babies!!!!
Attendance at Holy Mass
DUE TO LIMITED CAPACITY AND THE VULNERABILITY OF THE MAJORITY OF OUR PARISHIONERS, I ASK THAT VISITORS JOIN US ONLINE RATHER THAN IN PERSON.
Thank you to all who are striving to be cooperative and are trying to make the best out of this difficult time.
To be succinct the guidelines are:
Everyone must wear a mask.
Everyone must use hand sanitizer.
Chairs are not to be moved or grouped together.
Fill the gym chairs closest to the Altar and fanning out before the parish center chairs.
Bathrooms are for emergency use only.
Doors open 10 minutes before Mass and lock at Mass time or capacity of 200.
Use Parish Center open door to enter/exit Masses
Those who are at risk of infection due to age and/or weakened immunity are encouraged to continue to pray at home and, if possible, to avail themselves to participation in the Holy Mass via media opportunities.
Click icon for Livestream Masses from Saint Joseph Parish will be offered for the vulnerable homebound at 5 PM Saturday, 8 and 10:30 AM on Sunday. Those who are regularly out in public should be attending Mass in person unless you have been out of state, have been around those who have active COVID or have any symptoms of the virus.
Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation
Confessions are heard on the parking lot on Saturdays at Noon (I will not wait around if no one is there). For those who are homebound due to the pandemic Bishop Medley continues to encourage you to examine your conscience at home and make a perfect Act of Contrition. Others are expected to come to confession to be absolved before receiving Holy Communion unworthily.
See an Examination of Conscience 
Click Icon for the Rosary
Thank you to all who have continued to be good stewards with your tithe to the Parish. 
For those who wish to give your financial tithe online, this is our secure link.
For those who wish to give your financial tithe online, this is our secure link.
I ask you to join me in the
Daily Prayer to Saint Joseph to end COVID19
Act of Spiritual Communion
The Daily Offering to the Svacred Heart of Jesus
SVdP is in need of volunteers for Fridays between 1:30-4 PM once or twice a month to help with curbside service. Contact Chris Thompson if interested. 270.705.4306
OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES
Diocese of Owensboro
United States Bishops you can find daily Mass readings
Vatican
Liturgy of the Hours
EWTN you can find lots of prayers and helpful info
How to Pray the Rosary
How to Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3 PM
How to Pray the Angelus at 6, 12 , 6
UPDATING
I will try to keep this site updated daily.