Mass and St. Joseph's Table planned to honor 100th anniversary

| 28 Sep 2011 | 02:46

    WEST MILFORD-Rev. Sigmund Peplowski, Temporary Administrator at St. Joseph Church, West Milford, has announced that the parish will be celebrating the Feast of St. Joseph on March 18, 2005 at 7:30 p.m, Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli will preside at a vigil Mass honoring St. Joseph, the patron saint of the church. Following the Mass, a St. Joseph's Table will be held in the Parish Center, adjacent to the church, at 454 Germantown Road. The tradition of a St. Joseph's Table dates back to the middle ages in Sicily when the people were suffering from a severe drought. They prayed to St. Joseph for help and promised to hold a huge feast in his honor if their prayers were answered. The rains came, the crops grew and at harvest time they fulfilled their vow and set out banquet tables to feed the poor. St. Joseph Church began celebrating the 100th anniversary of the present church structure in January. This community of Roman Catholics came into being in 1765, long before they had a house of worship. Their first church was built in 1829. In 1887 the people of St. Joseph Church built a larger church to meet their growing needs. The church, however, was totally destroyed by fire in 1904. In November of 1905 the present church was opened and dedicated under the banner of "Built on the Foundation of Faith." The parish has plans for many celebratory functions throughout the year. Fr. Peplowski has extended an invitation to all who would like to attend the Mass and St. Joseph's Table. For any further information call 973-697-6100.