ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER

May 1st is the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus. He is also the patron of the Diocese of Buffalo. Each year the Diocese recognizes those who have followed in the footsteps of St. Joseph and honors them for all they have done for the Church, especially their Parish.

For the most part St. Joseph is silent in the Gospel accounts, but his actions speak for the kind of man he was. His compassion, his obedience and faith in response to the angel’s instructions, and his faithful protection and care for Mary and Jesus reveal Joseph as a model of integrity, industriousness, and gentle righteousness.

Through the conferral of the St. Joseph the Worker Award, our Diocese annually celebrates the tradition of recognizing Catholic laity who help spread the gospel message of Christian charity and service throughout our parish faith communities. In this year of St. Joseph, the diocese recognizes individuals who epitomize the importance of people who, though far from the limelight, exercise patience and offer hope every day.

This year Jim Ferrini received the Lay Award of St. Joseph the Worker at a Mass on Sunday, May 2nd at St. Joseph Cathedral. During the Mass Bishop Fisher presented an award to the recipients of the St. Joseph the Worker Award.

Jim is being recognized for his many years of service to St. Louis Church in various ways, especially his constant attention to cleaning the church pews every Saturday and Sunday during the pandemic; his presence as an usher and greeter at the 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. Masses each week; his service as a Eucharistic Minister for the parish and to the sick; and over the course of the past year gathering a group of parishioners, mostly those who live alone, after 11:00 Mass each week for companionship, food and drink, preparing much of the refreshments himself.

We thank Jim for his selfless service and dedication to St. Louis and congratulate him on his Award and honor.