Newsletter: June 2026
Dear Friends of Joseph House:
Our founder had a great devotion to St. Joseph, and that’s why she named our ministry to the poor after him. He’s the model for what we do, and despite his unique and extraordinary vocation, his life is something we can all imitate. Let’s take a look.
St. Joseph was a husband and father, a family man. In caring for Mary and Jesus, his job description was open-ended. He was willing to do whatever was needed. Nothing was off his list. He was ready for the duty of the moment. In a thousand ways he lived the truth of Christ’s words: No greater love is this, than to lay down your life for another. Joseph made his life a sacrifice, not in blood, but in time and effort and all he had to give. We can do the same.
St. Joseph is a silent figure in Scripture because not one of his words is recorded, only his actions. And, as you know, actions speak louder than words. They reveal our priorities and choices. They show what we really mean and what’s important to us. How many sermons did Joseph preach without words? We can do the same.
His silence is taken to be an indicator of his willingness to listen. When Joseph found out Mary was with child, he was going to quietly divorce her, but then he changed his mind after listening to God. His ability to listen was born of humility, of not being shut off in the fortress of his viewpoints. We can do the same.
Joseph didn’t go looking for adventure but was tested by the circumstances of his life: the poverty of Bethlehem, being hunted by Herod’s soldiers, fleeing with his family as refugees. It took strength and courage to do what he did. He used these virtues to serve others, not to dominate. We can do the same.
Despite all the hardships, the house of Joseph was a house of love. How could it be otherwise? He was raising the Son of God, and God is love. Work, rest, prayer . . . the activities of daily life in Nazareth were expressions of love for each other. We can do the same.
That’s a lot to live up to!
But we can do it. Our founder, Sr. Mary Elizabeth Gintling, picked Joseph for another reason: she knew we can rely on his help. Nothing is beyond his concern: in all our needs, the intercession of St. Joseph will come to our aid. It’s a mystery, but Our Lord listens to Joseph, as He did on earth (see Lk 2:51).
Our work depends on St. Joseph, and it also depends on you. If he holds the key to Divine Providence, you hold everything we need to care for the poor. It all comes from you. Thank you for responding so generously to the call to give. You do so much for so many!
The people who come to our Crisis Center put a face to every terrible statistic we see in the news. Krystal, 33, was shot in the leg. She was an innocent bystander to the modern scourge of gun violence. Before she was shot, Krystal was working two jobs just to pay her rent and other basic living expenses. Like many who work service industry jobs, she was on her feet all day. Her injury made that impossible for several weeks. To prevent Krystal from being evicted from her home, the Joseph House sent a large sum of rent money to her landlord.
Felicia, 41, lives in a run-down trailer on an isolated road. It has been her home for more than 25 years. She is free of housing payments, which is good because she couldn’t afford to make any. Her paycheck from her job at a fast-food restaurant doesn’t even cover her bills for propane, electricity, and transportation. Felicia had surgery on her hand not that long ago and was unable to work for a while. She also started taking care of her three young grandchildren. The Joseph House paid her past-due electric bill to keep the power on in her home.
Ellen, 64, had to quit her job because of her degenerating eyesight. This led to homelessness, but after qualifying for disability she was able to secure a place to live. Ellen is alone and must fend for herself. Her marriage didn’t last due to her husband’s use of crack cocaine. Money has become exceptionally tight: her food stamps were cut from $180 to $24 monthly, and her rent has increased by 72%! When Ellen received a cut-off notice from the utility company, she had nothing to pay toward the bill. The Joseph House paid it in full.
Claire, 43, and her husband have two children. This family had fallen on hard times in another state and lost their rental home. They moved to our area for a fresh start but ended up in a homeless shelter. That’s not surprising because it’s hard to rise from rock bottom without a helping hand. Claire and her husband felt discouraged but not defeated; they are determined to make a better life for their children. After Claire found a job, the Joseph House was able to help this family leave the shelter by contributing to the security deposit for an apartment.
Cecil, 63, was paying 85% of his monthly SSI check for rent. That’s unsustainable, plain and simple – but it’s not uncommon! Fortunately, after spending considerable time on a waiting list, Cecil was accepted into subsidized senior housing. He still needed to pay a security deposit, however, even though he is on the brink of destitution. The Joseph House helped to pay it so Cecil could finally live in a place that doesn’t impoverish him every month.
Your love for your neighbor in need does so much good. You lift people up and give them real hope!
Joseph and Mary. Husband and wife, father and mother. These two saints are two of the best heavenly friends anyone could hope to have. Their exalted holiness was attained simply by living as a family with Jesus. We love that. There’s a special grace to the life of Nazareth, a life of seeing the sacred in the ordinary. It’s a grace available to us all.
The Holy Family traveled with a group when they went to Jerusalem (Lk 2:44). Likewise in our pilgrimage through life, we need companions for the journey, whether in the flesh or the spirit. Last month we wrote about Mary, and this time, the month of Father’s Day, we wanted to acknowledge Joseph. We are guided by the example of this saintly couple and supported by their prayers. They are the perfect, most suitable patrons of our mission to help families.
Thank you for your continued generosity. We all have a part to play. You are in our prayers, and we ask God’s blessing upon all men who are fathers or serve as a father to others.
Your Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary
Prayer Requests: Send us your special intentions and the Little Sisters will pray for you: Contact Form.
Donations: Your contribution will help people in need: Donate.
War divides; hope unites. Arrogance tramples upon others; love lifts up. Idolatry blinds us; the living God enlightens.
My dearest friends, all it takes is a little faith, a mere “crumb” of faith, in order to face this dramatic hour in history together — as humanity and alongside humanity. Prayer is not a refuge in which to hide from our responsibilities, nor an anesthetic to numb the pain provoked by so much injustice. Rather, it is the most selfless, universal and transformative response to death: we are a people who are already risen!
Within each of us, within every human being, the interior Teacher teaches peace, urges us toward encounter and inspires us to make supplication. Let us rise from the rubble! Nothing can confine us to a predetermined fate, not even in this world where there never seem to be enough graves, for people continue to crucify one another and eliminate life, with no regard to justice and mercy.
– Pope Leo
Holy Rosary For Peace Prayer Vigil
April 11, 2026
Read the full text:
https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/homilies/2026/documents/20260411-rosario-pace.html