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Each Lent is a new opportunity to examine our relationship with God and each other and to follow the example of Jesus, who remained true to the end. If we are ever to change our behavior we have to first allow for God to change our hearts.
Lent is a season of repentance, prayer and fasting. During this solemn and expectant time we remember the sacrifice Jesus made in giving his life for all humanity. We invite you to share in our Catholic traditions as well special activities that are offered at St. Joseph's.
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Portage North Region 2025
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2025 FAITH FORMATION,
MEALS & DEVOTIONS
SUNDAYS OF LENT—Mar. 9, 16, 23, 30, Apr. 6
+ St. Joseph, Mantua ~ Hughes Hall after 9 a.m. Mass
3/9 Lenten Series, “Where Are You?” with
Pancake Breakfast (sponsored by Young Adult Min.)
3/16 Presentation by Terry Murphy, “Pentecost”
with Continental Breakfast
3/23 Lenten Series, “An Encounter Ministry”
with Continental Breakfast
3/30 Lenten Series, “The Paschal Mystery”
with Continental Breakfast
4/6 Presentation by Terry Murphy, “The End Times”
with Continental Breakfast
TUESDAYS OF LENT—Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25, Apr. 1, 8
+ St. Joseph, Mantua—Bible Study w/Mickee Murphy, 10 a.m.
"LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS" HOLY HOUR OF ADORATION
+ St. Joseph, Mantua—Mar. 12, 7-8 p.m.
(following 6 p.m. Reconciliation & 6:30 p.m. Mass)
FRIDAY STATIONS OF THE CROSS—Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28, Apr. 4, 11
+ Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Aurora - 12 p.m. (+ Good Friday)
+ St. Ambrose, Garrettsville ~ “Eat, Pray & Give”, Fridays
6 p.m. Light, Meatless Meal, 7 p.m. Stations / Divine Mercy
{charity collection taken ea. evening}
Mar. 7 - Stations of the Cross
Mar. 14 - Divine Mercy Chaplet
Mar. 21 - Stations of the Cross
Mar. 28 - Divine Mercy Chaplet
Apr. 4 - Stations of the Cross
Apr. 11 - Divine Mercy Chaplet
+ St. Joseph, Mantua - 7 p.m., Fridays
+ St. Joan of Arc, Streetsboro - 7 p.m., Fridays
Sat., Mar. 29 @ 10 a.m. ~ “A Woman’s Way of the Cross”
(from Mary’s perspective)
followed by light lunch & fellowship
SATURDAYS OF LENT—Mar. 8, 15, 22, 29, Apr. 5, 12
+ Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Aurora ~ Soup Suppers
after 4:30 p.m. Mass
LENTEN RETREAT DAY ~ Saturday, March 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
“The Importance of Confession in our Life”
+ St. Joan of Arc, Streetsboro
Focusing on the importance and significance of the healing Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, Michael C. Hasychak, (author, musician and Catholic radio host) will be the speaker at this free event that includes light morning snacks, lunch, confession, and Mass. RSVP: Mo Marsinek (330-626-3424).
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Join our faith community—and more than 14,000 Catholic communities across the United States—in a life-changing Lenten journey of encounter with CRS Rice Bowl. Pick up your family’s CRS Rice Bowl from the Narthex beginning on Ash Wednesday (PSR students will bring one home). During the 40 days of Lent, we will encounter the needs of the world.
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2025 Lenten Reconciliation Opportunities
“Confession is an act of honesty and courage –
an act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin,
to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God.”— Blessed John Paul II – September 14, 1987 Homily
DIOCESAN WIDE
EVENING OF RECONCILIATION
Wednesday, March 19 ~ 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Aurora
St. Joseph, Mantua
(6 p.m. Mass followed by Adoration)
PORTAGE COUNTY
COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICES
Wednesday, March 26 at St. Patrick, Kent (7 priests)
Thursday, April 10 , 7 p.m. at St. Joan of Arc, Streetsboro
(7 priests)
St. Joseph, Mantua
Wednesdays, 6 p.m. (reg. sched.)
March 19, 6:30-8 p.m. (6 p.m. Mass)
St Ambrose, Garrettsville
Mondays, 6 p.m. (reg. sched.)
Monday, March 24, 5 - 6:30 p.m.
St. Joan of Arc, Streetsboro
Saturdays, 4 p.m. & Tuesdays, 6 p.m. (reg sched.)
Saturday, March 22, 3-4:45 p.m. (Retreat Day)
Thursday, April 10, 7 p.m. (Communal Service)
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Aurora
Saturdays, 3:30 p.m. (reg. sched.)
Wednesday, March 19, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Thursday, April 3, 6 - 7 p.m.
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Lenten Traditions
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Saint Joseph Feast Day - March 19th
The principal feast day of Saint Joseph is March 19, Saint Joseph's Day (for Joseph the Husband of Mary). Saint Joseph's Day always falls during Lent, and Saint Joseph's Day altars and feasts have no meat. However, since the feast day is classed as a solemnity, the requirement of abstinence from meat is technically abrogated, according to Canon Law, even if it falls on a Friday. If the feast day falls on a Sunday, the previous Saturday (March 18) is observed instead, and if it falls during Holy Week or Easter week, it is moved to the Monday after Low Sunday, or eight days after Easter.
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On our Patron's Feast Day,
March 19, 2025,
there will be a 6 p.m. Mass
followed by Adoration
"The Light is ON for You"
Evening of Reconciliation
6:30 - 8 p.m.
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Annual Palm Sunday Pancake Breakfast 2025
St. Joseph Parish and The Sisterhood of St. Joseph cordially invite you to our Annual Palm Sunday Pancake Breakfast on April 13, 10 to 11:30 a.m., in Hughes Hall. The event features "All You Can Eat" Buttermilk Pancakes served with sausage patties & syrup, fruit toppings, and your choice of coffee, tea, o.j. or milk (gluten-free option available).
Great Family Prices:
Adults $10.00
Seniors & Children (6-12) $5.00
Children 5 & Under FREE.Plus, each child in attendance gets a chance for a FREE drawing for two Easter baskets filled with goodies! Theme Basket Raffles are also part of the fun!
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Blessing ofEaster Food 2025
Several ethnic groups have kept alive the tradition of blessing food on Holy Saturday. The staples for the Easter meal - bread, wine, the colored eggs, the ham - are all placed in a basket and brought to the church to be bless. Everyone is invited to place your food items in a basket and gather in the church for the Blessing of Food on Holy Saturday.
Holy Saturday, April 19, 2025
12 Noon @
St. Joseph (Mantua)
Our Lady of Perpetua Help (Aurora)
St. Joan of Arc (Streetsboro)
1 p.m. @
St. Ambrose (Garrettsville)
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Parish EasterEgg Hunt 2025
The Faith Formation Program - Mantua Confirmation Class is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for all parish families and friends on Saturday, April 19, at 12:15 p.m. sharp. The hunt for kids ages 1-9 will follow the Blessing of the Food at Noon in the church. Please arrive early to allow time to park. This year, we will be gathering in the driveway/parking lot on the east side of the school building near the Pavilion.
Donations of small candy (no suckers), small stuffed animals, Easter baskets are welcomed. No plastic eggs are needed.
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We are invited to participate with our whole being: mind, heart, and body. During Holy Week, Christians commemorate the Passion of Christ, Who died on Good Friday in reparation for the sins of mankind, and rose on Easter Sunday to give new life to all who believe. Thus, while Holy Week is solemn and sorrowful, it also anticipates the joy of Easter through the recognition of God's goodness in sending His Son to die for our salvation. For a complete schedule, please click here.
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