We are beginning to repair the Garden House in our Holy Family Garden. Original estimates put the repair at $30,000 and the Gretna Historical Society has blessed St Joseph with a substantial grant to help us in our repairs. However, as the roof is being removed and walls taken down, the damage is much more severe than first anticipated. Years of termite infestation have caused extensive damage. If you would like to help us in our repairs, please remember to donate to our Maintenance Fund to help defray the costs of repairs. Thank you for your generosity.

Father Gary's emails are gcmetairie@hotmail.com (personal) and gcopping@arch-no.org (Church). Beware of an email that has no subject and is coming from churchonline4real213@gmail.com. This is a scam.

Thank you Eli Cannon and Blade Schneider for assisting the poor and needy.

The Society of St Vincent dePaul (SSVdP) for both St Joseph and St Anthony Churches in Gretna held its annual reverse food drive this month. Over 1,000 food items were collected and distributed to 22 households, where 70 family members were treated to variety of meats, fruits, vegetables, and pasta non perishable food items. The reverse food drive works like this. Selected food items are written on a slip of paper and parishioners would randomly choose which item we request they donate. This method would bring in an even amount of different canned meats, vegetables, and fruit. For example, the slips of paper would list tuna, corn, chili, peanut butter..etc. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was started in 1833 in Paris, France by Frederic Ozanam. As a student at the School of Law at the Sorbonne, University of Paris, Ozanam was part of a group that met on Saturdays to discuss various topics, except politics. During one particular meeting, he and his other fellow Catholics were questioned about what good the Catholic Church is doing in the community now. This inspired Ozanam to create the “Conference of Charity” to assist the poor. Later, the name was changed to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in honor of their patron saint. The group wanted to show their faith by caring for those in need while deepening their love for God. The mission of the Society inspired others across the world to join the organization. Today, there are over 800,000 members and the Society is present in five continents. The St. Joseph SSVdP Conference meets on the 1st Wednesday of the month in the St Joseph Social Room at 3 p,m. Membership is open to all.

Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng issued an emergency proclamation on Monday, June 29th. The public is required to wear masks inside all businesses and public places within Jefferson Parish. The order will begin on Wednesday, July 1st, and has no end date. People in Jefferson Parish must wear face coverings when they are in the high-risk situations listed below: Masks are required inside any indoor public space, including but not limited to restaurants, retail, spas and places of worship. Masks are required upon entering and exiting a restaurant or bar but not while sitting at a table. Masks are required upon entering and exiting a gym but not while exercising. Masks are required in any room or an enclosed area where other people are present and unable to physically distance. Masks are required while walking through common areas, such as hallways, stairways, elevators and parking facilities. Masks are required while riding on public transportation or paratransit. The following individuals are exempt from wearing a mask or face covering: Children younger than two years old. Individuals with a medical condition, mental health condition or disability that prevents wearing a face covering. This order also excludes schools, summer camps and daycares, as they should follow the guidance set forth by the Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Department of Education.

God our Father, giver of life, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care. You are the rock on which this nation was founded. You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Reclaim this land for your glory and dwell among your people. Send your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation’s leaders. Open their minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Remind your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking and doing your will. Lead us into a new millennium of life. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen. (Contributed by Father Michael Gilligan, American Catholic Press, Copyright 1992. Used with permission.)