Weekend of May 2-3

After all Masses

This weekend, we welcome Gifts from Bethlehem,

an olivewood vendor from the Holy Land.

They have handmade olivewood craft items.

Please support them after Masses in the Church Hall.

Gifts from Bethlehem

Olivewood Handcrafted from the Holy Land

A Traditional Art and Livelihood for holy Land Christians

     The handicrafts trade evolved as a cultural tradition of Christians in the Holy Land for many centuries. This indigenous form of art has since become an industry of great importance to the local people of the Holy Land who rely on it for livelihood, and to Christian pilgrims from all around the world whose holy pilgrimage can be memorialized for a lifetime in cherished olive wood or mother of pearl souvenirs. The olive wood carving market is the major source of income in the Bethlehem area. More than 65 percent of the income of the community in Bethlehem comes from this work.

     In recent years, however, the holy crafts trade has suffered many hardships due to social and economical pressures. Because of a sharp fall in tourism and also as a result of diminishing numbers of craftsmen who leave their traditional trade and emigrate due to the difficult conditions in their homeland, the Holy Land handicraft market is facing serious danger, and so is the Christian community in the Land. Sixty five years ago the Christians represented more than 28% of the total population in the Holy Land, today they are less than 1.5%.The loss of Christians in the land of Christianity’s birth will represent a tragedy of immeasurable proportions for the billions of Christians worldwide.

     Thank you for your vital support for a Christian tradition and in protecting this very important culture and industry.

The 2026 ANNUAL BISHOP'S APPEAL

at St. Joseph Parish

The 2026 Diocese of Bridgeport Bishop’s Appeal is underway. 

This year’s donation goal for St. Joseph Danbury remains the same as last year, $98,000.

To date we have 225 donors participating.

Full participation, by our parishioners, will help us to meet and exceed our goal.

As of April 24, $85,707 has been pledged which is 87% of our goal. Thank You!

Whatever is pledged above our goal before June 30 will come back to our parish. 

• Online pledges are available via the link in the Appeal graphic box below. 
• ABA pledge cards are also available in the church, at the side bulletin stand.
• You can complete a card and submit it into the box at the bulletin stand or return it to the Parish Office.