FAMILY EDUCATOR UPDATE
This week the Church celebrates the Solemnity St. Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster-father of Jesus. This is the only Solemnity celebrated in the 2024 Lenten season since Easter is so early this year and the Solemnity of the Annunciation is transferred to the Second Week of Easter. There are 2 Feast Days for St Joseph. The first, on March 19, celebrates Joseph as the husband of Mary and the second, on May 1, celebrates St. Joseph the Worker. The Feast of St. Joseph the Worker was instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1955 to recognise the dignity of work.
Different regions celebrate Saint Joseph's Day differently, but all involve meatless foods (because this holiday always falls during Lent) Bread was used the most and many a selection of shapes and styles are baked then blessed by a priest. This picture is an example of the many shines people create in their homes or communities to pay homage to St Joseph.
This celebration is a symbolic “Thank you” and renewal of our devotion to St Joseph.
This recipe is part of the Sicilian tradition of the St. Joseph Altar. The dough from this can be formed into several decorative shapes. The dough was mixed with a mixer using a "baker's hook". You can also work this dough by hand.
A fun activity for you to do as a family could be to bake a loaf of bread & get creative with shaping in one of the styles below. Enjoy the loaf of bread with your family at lunch or dinner in honour of St Joseph.Catholic Recipe: Italian Decorative Breads
INGREDIENTS
- 3 and ¼ cup flour
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2 teaspoons dry yeast
- 1 egg
- Sesame seeds (optional) , 2 tablespoons oil (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Mix flour, sugar, and salt with water. Dissolve yeast in a little warm water and sugar. Pour yeast water into the flour mixture and mix well. Knead. Let stand for 5 minutes and knead again. Let stand 5 minutes more. (For cutting and shaping dough, see specific instructions below for decorative breads.) Place on a greased baking sheet and let rise to double in size. Brush entire dough well with beaten egg. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake in a 200° oven until golden brown.
Joseph's Staff With sharp knife, cut dough into three equal parts. Roll dough to about 2 1/2 feet long. Place on greased cookie sheet in shape of candy cane. Slightly flatten dough with heel of hand. With scissors at a 45° angle, make one-inch snips along both sides and on top of dough. (Snips should all go in the same direction.) Palms Cut dough into four equal parts. Roll dough to about 2 feet in length. Place on greased cookie sheet and flatten slightly with heel of hand. Snip dough on both sides and in middle.
Cross Cut dough in half. Roll dough to about 4 feet long. Cut off 20 inches. Place the 28-inch piece on greased cookie sheet vertically and place the 20-inch piece horizontally forming a cross. Where it crosses, use your fist to mesh together the two pieces of dough. Tuck under ends of each bar to give a rounded, finished end. Twist Cut dough in half. Roll dough about six feet long. Cut off two feet. Bend remaining dough in half. Place the two-foot long section in the middle and begin plaiting.
This recipe is part of the Sicilian tradition of the St. Joseph Altar. The dough from this can be formed into several decorative shapes. Use this recipe or your own, just have some fun making the bread with the family . Bon Appetite.
I attended the Women’s Lent Retreat Day at St Mary’s Cathedral last Sunday. With close to 500 women in attendance it was a fabulous day hosted by The Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia. We had discussions on Gratitude, guilt, building foundations on faith and many other topics. The Sisters were captivating, extremely funny & entertaining. Adoration and Confession was available throughout the day in the Cathedral Crypt. It was food for the soul, a totally faith filled & enjoyable day. Many new friendships between women were made.
Reminders:
Our Sacred Heart Playgroup is on this Monday 25th March, 9am - 10:30am Parish Hall on Cardinal Street.
Please bring morning tea for your child. Tea, Coffee and biscuits are provided for parents/carers. Contact me if you have any questions. anna.macri@syd.catholic.edu.au
Fr Mathew’s Lenten talks - Wednesday 20th March, 7pm - 8pm Parish Hall. Informative evening discussing the journey of Jesus during Lent. Come along if you can.
Many blessings
Anna Macri
Family & Faith Educator