St. Joseph's Table

St. Joseph's Table

Bishop Brennan's Annual Charity Event and Mass
Join us on March 22nd & March 23rd, 2025
- Bishop Brennan invites the parishes of the Diocese of Fresno to join him in celebrating St. Joseph’s Table, a Catholic tradition he holds dear, at all weekend Masses of March 22nd and March 23rd.
  
  This tradition is especially significant to him because of his Italian heritage, his birth name, and it’s close connection to his birthday.
  
  Each parish community is encouraged to bring 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.
  
  For the faithful who would like to participate, please contact your parish office or join Bishop Brennan at Holy Spirit Church in Fresno on Sunday, March 23rd at 10:00 a.m for Mass.
- About St. Joseph's Table
  Each Lenten season, Bishop Joseph Brennan invites the faithful across the Diocese to partake in St. Joseph's Table, a Catholic tradition he holds dear. This tradition is especially significant to him because of his Italian heritage, his birth name, and it’s close connection to his birthday.
  
  The centuries old tradition of St. Joseph’s table celebrates the charity of St. Joseph by inviting people to bring food for those facing food and housing insecurity.
  
  Bishop Brennan invites the parishes of the Diocese of Fresno to join him in celebrating St. Joseph’s Table at all weekend Masses of March 22nd and March 23rd. Each parish community is encouraged to bring 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.
  
  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 23rd at 10:00 a.m.
- A Tradition Explained
  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.
- Bulletin Announcement
  The Diocese of Fresno's Annual Charity Event: St. Joseph's Table!
  Bishop Brennan invites the parishes of the Diocese of Fresno to join him in celebrating St. Joseph’s Table at all weekend Masses of March 22nd and March 23rd. Each parish community is encouraged to bring 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.
  
  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 23rd at 10:00 a.m.
  
  DOWNLOAD FLYER - ENG (PDF)