Ministries not accessible by the navigation menu at your left are listed below on this page. Ministries relate to one of the following three categories. If you "Click" on Spiritual Life or Stewardship, you will be taken further down the web page to read about those respective ministries.
PARISH LIFE AND SOCIAL CONCERNS
ToTopCommunity Builders
This committee's mission is to build up the St. Joseph's community through social activities. This group seeks to provide a variety of ventures for social gatherings in the parish. Membership in this group is open to all interested parishioners.
Honduras Mission
Provides direct assistance to the people of our sister parish (San Maximiliano Kolbe) in Comayaguela, Honduras. Teams are involved with construction projects or medical clinics. Construction teams rehabilitate or replace existing housing and need no specialized skills other than physical stamina. Medical teams are comprised of physicians, nurses, EMT's, translators, and pharmacy assistants. Participants are responsible for their own transportation expenses. Though strenuous, this is an excellent opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people associated with our sister parish. Participants must be at least 18 years of age. Travel generally occurs within the first two weeks of March. There is no trip planned for March 2010. "Non-essential travel" to Honduras has been discouraged by the State Department.
Married Sponsor Couples
Married couples meet with engaged couples as they prepare to be married in the Catholic Church. They help the engaged couple grow in their relationship by working through a questionnaire dealing with relationship issues. Required training of sponsor couples is provided.
Ministry of Care
Ministry of Care is an evolving ministry. This ministry proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ by living the gospel through service and prayer for parishioners whose health has been compromised, for those who are grieving, and for the caregivers who support them.
- Cards, Casseroles, and Communion
This ministry serves those parishioners who are unable to participate in the liturgy due to serious illness, recuperation after serious surgery/ accident or who are homebound. Volunteers are needed who are available to implement this mission of keeping the ill and injured connected to their parish during this often difficult healing period. The purposes of 'Cards, Casseroles, and Communion' are to send 'Get Well' and 'Thinking of You' greetings periodically; making follow up phone calls to keep our ailing parishioners connected; delivering a tasty casserole when someone is unable to fix a meal; and to bring the Eucharist to those who must be away from the Sacrament for reasons of illness or a disabling condition. This ministry includes periodic visits to parishioners who are residents of local health care facilities to bring the Eucharist and some cheer. If you are aware of anyone in the parish who may need the services of this ministry, please contact the parish office. Often people will not ask for help themselves.
- Funeral Luncheons
Members of the Altar Society and other parishioners provide food for family and friends following the funeral of a loved one. They assemble a luncheon on short notice (usually two to three days in advance of the funeral). Parishioners who cannot assist at the actual luncheon are asked to help by preparing a covered dish.
- Health Promotions
Nurses and a physician who are parishioners oversee our AED program in the parish. Blood Pressure screenings are offered monthly for early detection of hypertension and to provide health education.
- Homebound Ministry
A lay minister will take Communion and spend time visiting with a parishioner who is not able to participate in parish life. This will be on a long-term basis, creating a continuing relationship between the parishioner and the minister. There are periodic training sessions.
- Hospital Visitation
A specially trained parish Eucharistic Ministers makes weekly visits to the hospitals to bring communion to hospitalized Catholics. This is part of a city wide program to meet the pastoral needs of the sick.
Parish Family Picnic
This committee organizes the annual parish picnic which is held in Deming Park on the second Sunday in August. There are subcommittees for set-up, food and drink service, grilling, parking, bingo, games for kids, and clean up.
Pro-Life Committee
The Pro-Life Committee, a Deanery committee that recruits members from all parishes, seeks to educate Catholics concerning Pro-Life issues which range from birth to death to promote a respect for human life. These issues are important in meeting the needs of those who are most vulnerable. In addition, the committee works to support Pro-Life legislation. All interested parishioners are encouraged to become part of this committee.
Samaritan Committee
The Samaritan Ministry of St. Joseph's is the official arm of the parish that works with the poor. The ministry is funded though a second collection at all Masses on the first Sunday of each month. Regular office hours are kept twice a week for those needing food, rent, utility, or prescription assistance. Members of this ministry shop for food, shelve, fill and distribute food bags, answer phones, log distribution of funds, interview and meet with persons in need.
The Liturgy Committee is responsible for fostering the spiritual life of the parish and to enhance liturgy through evaluation of our worship. The committee is comprised of the Director of Music and Liturgy as chairperson, pastor, coordinators of the lectors, Eucharistic ministers, hospitality ministers, servers and chairpersons of the music, prayer, and environment subcommittees. All Spiritual Life Ministries are under the guidance of this committee.
The Liturgy Committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month throughout the year.
Altar Society
Environment CommitteeThis organization is open only to women, and all women of the parish are invited to join and participate in the numerous activities of the Altar Society.
The purposes of the Altar Society are to:
- Care for and maintain the church sanctuary/altar by providing altar hosts, wine, flowers, linens, and other items necessary for the worship of the community.
- Promote through its programs, the spiritual growth of its members.
- Provide to women of the parish an opportunity to meet and enjoy one another, while engaging in good works.
The Altar Society meets quarterly, usually in conjunction with a dinner. Altar Society meets for Rosary before the Exposed Blessed Sacrament at noon on the First Friday of the month. This is followed by a bag lunch in the Gregorian Room.
Eucharistic MinistersThe work of this committee is to add to the beauty of the liturgical celebrations through enhancing the environment in which we worship. The Environment Committee meets as the major holiday seasons are approaching to discuss, plan, and implement decorations for the liturgical celebrations of the church year. Volunteers are always needed for both the planning as well as the hands-on work of decorating for Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. This group insures that our church environment is varied, creative, and inspiring.
A Eucharistic Minister assists the presider in the distribution of Holy Eucharist at all the Masses. To become a Eucharistic Minister, a parishioner must have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. St. Joseph’s needs individuals willing to serve as Eucharistic Ministers at all Masses and who are willing to participate in appropriate training sessions and periodic enrichment experiences.
Hospitality
Hospitality Ministers provide a friendly and solicitous outreach to parishioners, guests and visitors.
- Church Hospitality
Church Ministers prepare the church for prayer and worship. They welcome our people as they distribute hymnals, missalettes or worship aids. They help with seating, offertory collections, bulletin distribution, and wherever and whenever assistance is needed. Those volunteering for this ministry are given ‘on the job’ training. Leaders participate in appropriate training sessions.
- Gregorian Cafe
Cafe Helpers provide a gathering for parishioners in the Gregorian Room after the 9:00 am Mass. This service is provided on Sundays, September through May, when the children meet for religious education. Volunteers pick up the muffins, set up for coffee, tea, etc. and clean up.
- Welcome Committee
The main purpose of this Committee is to welcome new parishioners. Cards are sent to new members, follow up phone calls are made, and new parishioners are invited to parish events and to serve in various ministries. Committee members serve as WELCOMERS at various parish events. Meetings are held at noon on the 3rd Thursday of each month.
- Sunday Nursery Service
St. Joseph’s provides a free-of-charge babysitting service for infants and young children of parishioners who attend either of the Sunday morning Masses. This free service is dependent upon the willingness of volunteers to give of their time. In the spirit of cooperation, it is requested that parishioners who utilize this free service be willing to reciprocate by volunteering to baby-sit when called upon.
LectorsLectors proclaim the Word of God through readings from Scripture at Sunday and Holy Day Masses. Parishioners of junior high school age and older, with good speaking voices and who are willing to participate in appropriate training sessions and periodic enrichment experiences, can become lectors.Music Ministry
- Adult Choir
If you enjoy singing, you may wish to join the adult choir. Members of the adult choir sing at either the 9:00 am or 7:00 pm Sunday Masses. Some choir members choose to sing at both of these liturgies. In addition, the adult choir sings for Holy Day Masses, special seasonal celebrations, and other parish and Deanery gatherings.
Choir rehearsal is held in the church on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm, August through June and on occasional Wednesdays during the Summer months. Special rehearsals are scheduled during the Christmas and Easter seasons.
- Cantors
Cantors provide clear and distinctive leadership of hymns, responses, and acclamations at parish liturgies. Cantors sing at all weekend and Holy Day Masses on a rotating basis, with each cantor usually scheduled to sing at two to three Masses per month. Cantors should warm-up with the keyboardist at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled Sunday mass in the upper north sacristy. Cantors are encouraged to attend the mid-week choir rehearsals to study the liturgical music plan for the coming weekend. Singers as young as high school age are encouraged to consider serving as a cantor. An audition must be scheduled with the parish Director of Liturgical Music, who reserves the right to select cantors based on sight-reading skills and quality of speaking voice. No previous cantor experience is required; training at the parish, deanery, and archdiocesan levels will be provided.
- Funeral Choir
Members of the Funeral Choir sing at Masses of Christian Burial. They must be able to rehearse and sing on short notice, usually two to three days in advance of a funeral. The choir rehearses in church 30 minutes before the Mass of Christian Burial. No audition is required for membership in this group.
- Instrumentalists
Parishioners who have skills and experience in playing a musical instrument (including piano and organ) are encouraged to contact the Director of Liturgical Music in order to determine compatibility for inclusion in parish liturgical celebrations according to their desire and availability. Although it is preferable to include instruments in our regular Sunday masses, the celebrations of Christmas, Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost, and the Mass of The Holy Spirit are the seasons and feasts when it is most desirable to include the use of other instrumentalists in liturgical music plans.
Sacristans
These people prepare the altar and the sacristy for the Masses.
Servers perform the function of assisting the presider during Mass. Volunteers from among children, adolescents, and adults are welcome. To be a server, one must have completed the first half of the fourth grade and have received the Sacrament of First Eucharist. Server training is held several times a year for those interested in this ministry.
Prayer Chain
The Prayer Chain is a group of parishioners who will pray for your special intention/concern. To use the Prayer Chain, just call one of the Prayer Chain leaders who’s numbers are listed on the front of the bulletin. Members of the prayer chain are contacted by the leaders and informed of the prayer intention for which they are being asked to pray. To become a member of the prayer chain, you just need to be willing to pray.
Building and Grounds
If you possess skills in the areas of carpentry, masonry, landscaping, plumbing, painting, and/or electrical work and take pride in things functioning or looking better, this committee should be of interest to you. This committee identifies and implements maintenance and repair, and oversees the selection of outside contractors to complete work that cannot be accomplished by members of the committee.
The Buildings and Grounds Ministry is divided into three areas of concern. Most of the work is organized and performed outside of meetings. Meetings are called as needed. This committee works with the parish business manager.
i. Capital Projects
ii. Grounds
iii. MaintenanceBulletin Stuffers and Office Help
- Bulletin Stuffing
There is a bulletin for every weekend of the year and there is always one insert but not more than 3 inserts to be stuffed for any one weekend. Currently a rotating schedule is set in December for the following year. During one year, most volunteers stuff bulletins for 2 or 3 different weekends. All materials are ready by Thursday afternoon and volunteers have the option of taking the materials home and returning them on Saturday afternoon or using space in the church offices. The total number of bulletins varies from 500 to 600 per weekend. Some volunteers choose to work in pairs.
- Newsletter Mailing
At 9:00 am on the Tuesday after the 4th Friday of the month, about 6 people are needed to help fold and label the monthly newsletter (Faith Journey) for bulk mailing.
- Office Help
On occasions when the Secretary is away from the office, volunteers are needed to answer the door and telephone. On Samaritan Days throughout the year (Monday and Wednesdays from 1:30 -4 pm) additional help is needed to answer phones, answer the door and hand out Samaritan food bags.
- Collection Money Counters
Collection Counters count and prepare the deposit for the weekend collection. The time involved is 2 to 3 hours one time per month.
Finance Committee
If you have experience in accounting, finance, or economics, or even if you are just adept in budgeting your own family’s finances and you’re interested in the parish’s financial affairs, you’re encouraged to volunteer to serve on this committee. Members, including the chairperson, are chosen by the pastor and serve three-year terms.
The responsibilities of the Finance Committee are to:
- Determine immediate and long-range fiscal needs of the parish and to advise in the raising of necessary funds.
- Coordinate preparation of the annual budget in consultation with other committees and organizations of the parish in accordance with the objectives set by the Parish Pastoral Council.
- Monitor the budget to ensure that the parish is meeting income and expenditure projections.
- Present the budget to the Parish Pastoral Council in instances of financial emergencies.
The Finance Committee meets in the evening of the third Tuesday of each month throughout the year.
Fundraising
- Fish Fry
The annual Fish Fry, is a fund-raising activity held in the Parish Life Center on the Friday evening preceding Palm Sunday and is open to the public. Volunteers are needed to help in the planning of the event as well as on the day of the event. Volunteers help set up, prepare and serve food, and clean up after all customers have been served.
- Spring Social Sweepstakes
The Spring Social Sweepstakes, a major annual fund-raising and social event of the parish, needs volunteers for the following tasks: distribution of tickets, promoting ticket sales, organizing ticket sellers, soliciting and gathering items for the silent auction.
Stewardship Committee
If you’re a person with good ideas, one with a sense of vision and organization, then you should give serious thought to becoming a member of the Stewardship Committee. This committee seeks to bond together the parish family by promoting a sense of ownership and a stake in the parish mission through efforts to enlist parishioners to give not only of their treasurer, but also volunteering their time and talents for the good of the church. A major responsibility of this group is coordinating the Parish Stewardship and Archdiocesan United Catholic Appeal efforts each fall.
The Stewardship Committee meets in the evening of the first Thursday of each month.