With schools closed and parents working from home, everyone is suddenly getting a lot more family time. How about praying together as a family? I have been devoted to St. Joseph since the early days of my priesthood. I felt the weight of trying to care for God's people. I also felt the challenge of learning to love in a chaste way the women with whom and for whom I offered ministry. I was inspired by St. Joseph's chaste love of Mary, his wife, and his loving care for the Son of God. Joseph is a reminder to all Christian men of what true manhood looks like.

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of St Joseph. The Diocese of Green Bay is also beginning a year dedicated to St. Joseph. Please join me in praying the Diocesan Prayer to St Joseph for health and blessings on all families and for a swift deliverance from pestilence, fear, and pandemonium in these trying times.

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Prayer to St. Joseph

Good St. Joseph,
as you led the Holy Family, watch over our families.
Help our family and all families to know and share God’s love.
In our family relationships, may we find healing and seek to be holy.

May our fathers help us to become faithful disciples of Jesus
who share our love for Him.
As a foster father of Jesus,
watch over all who serve as spiritual fathers.
In a special way, bless our Holy Father, our Bishop, and our priests.
May they follow your humble example in their fatherly care
for the people of God, the Church.

With Mary, you raised Jesus the High Priest.
You know our need for priests.
Please raise up good and holy priests from our families
to serve the people of our diocese.
May our children and grandchildren hear and say “yes” to the call of Jesus, just as you and Mary did.

Good St. Joseph, pray for us.

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