At the beginning of every Lenten season, Bishop Brennan invites the faithful around the diocese to participate in St. Joseph's Table. A Catholic Tradition that dates back to the 10th century and which is prominent in many Spanish, Portuguese and Italian families. The tradition celebrates the charity of St. Joseph by inviting people to bring food for the disenfranchised and place it on a table where a statue of St. Joseph is placed.
Bishop Joseph Brennan invites the parishes of the Diocese of Fresno to join him in celebrating St. Joseph’s Table at all weekend Masses of March 16th and March 17th. Each parish community is invited to bring non-perishable food items to a table honoring St. Joseph, which will be delivered to the nearest Catholic Charities site, providing food to the poor.
If assistance is needed from parishes, The Knights of Columbus or Catholic Charities are available to assist.
For the faithful who would like to participate, please contact your parish office or join Bishop Brennan at Holy Spirit Church in Fresno on March 17th at 10 a.m.
The Diocese of Fresno's Annual Charity Event: St. Joseph's Table!
Bishop Joseph V. Brennan invites the Faithful of the Diocese of Fresno to join him in celebrating St. Joseph’s Table at all weekend Masses of March 16th and March 17th. He encourages each parish community to bring non-perishable foods to a ‘table’ honoring St. Joseph at their parish. All donations will be delivered to local food banks, pantries and charitable organizations providing food to the poor. We ask for your participation in this diocesan wide-event in observance of Lent!
For the faithful who would like to participate, please contact your parish office or join Bishop Brennan at Holy Spirit Church in Fresno on March 17th at 10 a.m.
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As early as the 10th century some Western calendars recognized March 19th Saint Joseph’s Day and by 1479 the custom was firmly established in Rome. By 1570 the custom to honor the earthly father of Our Lord was extended throughout the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Pius V when it was retitled as The Solemnity of Saint Joseph. In some Catholic countries, such as Spain, Portugal and Italy, this day is also Father’s Day!
The tradition of celebrating St. Joseph’s Table in Italy and particularly in Sicily comes from legends from the Middle ages attributed to St. Joseph’s intercession after Sicily suffered a very prolonged drought and severe famine affecting people and animals. With a strong devotion to St. Joseph, the Sicilian people prayed for rain. After some time, the clouds opened, and the rains came down and the people rejoiced. Later after the harvest, they remembered their gratitude to his intercession and prepared a table with special foods to honor him sharing their food with the poor and distributing the leftovers to those in need. This tradition continues to this day in Italy, Poland, Malta, Spain, the Philippines, and the United States among its many Italian and Sicilian immigrants.
There are three important aspects of this tradition that make the day especially memorable:
Veneration of St. Joseph during Mass and recognition of him at the ‘table.’
The Table is both an ‘altar of reverence or honor’,
and a table for the communal celebration where the food is displayed or gathered.
The Poor is the intention of the day with gifts of food to those in need.
Bishop Joseph V. Brennan invites the parishes of the Diocese of Fresno to join him in celebrating St. Joseph’s Table at all weekend Masses of March 16th and March 17th, with each parish community bringing non-perishable foods to a ‘table’ honoring St. Joseph, which will be delivered to local food banks, pantry’s, and charitable organizations providing food to the poor. Mass with Bishop Brennan will be live streamed from Holy Spirit Church, Fresno on March 17th at 10:00 a.m. More information will be provided to all Pastor’s and Parish Administrators.