Our Saint Joseph Community is a vibrant and warm Parish and we would like to welcome you in. We have a wonderful variety of Masses and Educational opportunities and are eager to share the love of Jesus Christ with the world. Join us for Mass or at one of our community events and find out how you can get involved.

Our Mission is to deepen our personal and communal relationship with Jesus Christ in the context of our Catholic Christian faith tradition. It is our intention to do this by actively promoting and developing the spiritual, the educational, the formational, the communal service and justice components of our parish.

Monday - Thursday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Beloved Parishioners of St. Joseph,

Per the announcement from Bishop Spalding, the Diocese has approved the resumption of our celebration of the Holy Mass.  With prayerful thought and consideration, we have decided to hold our first weekday Mass on Tuesday, May 19th at 8:00am.  Additional Mass times, including one for ages 65 and over, are addressed on the following page.  We will follow the guidelines and recommendations provided by the CDC, local government, and our Diocesan leadership.  This includes the use of masks, social distancing, and the sanitization of the church between Masses.  Please note that the dispensation of Sunday Mass, by Bishop Spalding, remains in effect until June 30th.  We ask that any parishioner who is considered high risk or is not feeling well remain at home.  

All Masses will be held in the main church.  The congregation will be limited to 110; this will help maintain proper social distancing.  Some pews will be cordoned off and ushers will direct individuals to available seats.  If you arrive for Mass after the Church has reached its capacity of 110, you will need to attend a later Mass.

We realize these adjustments may lead to discomfort and frustration.  Your patience and your commitment to your safety and the safety of others is needed now more than ever.  Please know that as we begin celebrating public Masses, additional adjustments may be necessary.  

Although the Mass may look and feel different, let’s rejoice that we are able to celebrate together.  With help from above, together, we will persevere:  we look to the future with faith, hope, and gratitude.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Father Jean Baptiste

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

Security - Exterior Fencing
Our goal is to continue to upgrade our campus, our processes and training to ensure a safe and nurturing environment for this next generation. Keeping schools safe allows children to look forward to being in an encouraging environment that promotes social and creative learning. When the basic safety needs aren’t met, children are at risk for not feeling comfortable at school and may stop showing up, or they may remain on edge throughout the day. Our playground and campus fencing needs to be upgraded. This work is projected to cost $10,000 and is expected to take six weeks to complete once funding is available.

Accessibility - Handicap Ramp Fund
Many generations of families have been nurtured at St. Joseph over the years, and we continue to grow and to thrive. We are thankful for our growth and for the church building and other facilities we enjoy.  We are mindful, too, that we must ensure that everyone who wishes to be a part of our community is able to do so.  Ensuring that our church is accessible for everyone is an important component in welcoming all parishioners and guests. This will involve removing stairs and other impediments to those with limited mobility, building access ramps to our entrances, and installing both guard and handrails to ensure the safety of parishioners and guests who utilize the ramps. This work is projected to cost $128,000 and is expected to take six weeks to complete once capital funding is available. I ask that you prayerfully consider contributing to the Security and Accessibility Campaign to ensure that we may welcome and protect everyone who enters our doors.

How Can I Help?
By Check. Simply place your check in the offering and note “Handicap Ramp” in the memo section.
Online. Visit https://donorbox.org/school-safety-and-accessibility

Before the 4:30 PM Saturday Mass
Before the 8:30 PM Sunday Mass
Wednesdays 5-6PM

• Put on a facemask before entering the Church.  Parents with small children and/or infants should take necessary steps to protect the health of their little ones.

• Enter the Church through the main doors.  Handicap access and parking are provided on the north side of the Church.

• Holy Water and Baptismal Fonts will remain empty.

• Once inside, follow the usher to an open pew.  Do not linger in the back of the Church.  Keep your masks on until told otherwise.

• Follow social distancing guidelines: remain at least 6 feet away from others.  Tape on the floor will help maintain social distancing.

• Receiving the Blessed Sacrament, the Body of Christ:

  • While moving forward to receive Communion, apply hand sanitizer on your hands; maintain a minimum of 6 feet from others.

  • Keep your mask on when receiving the Body of Christ from the minister.

  • With the Body of Christ in the palm of your hand, take three steps to the side, remove your mask from your mouth, consume the Body of Christ and then place the mask back over your mouth.

  • Return to your seat while, maintaining a minimum of 6 feet away from others.

• Exiting the Church at the conclusion of Mass:

  • Before leaving the pew, gather all items brought into the Church to allow for the Church to be sanitized before the next Mass.  Also, take the Mass sheet handout with you and discard it.

  • Exiting the Church begins with the rear pews and then proceeds orderly to the front pews.  Follow the instructions of the ushers.

  • Maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet from the person in front of you as you exit the Church.

  • Keep moving until you have reached your vehicle; do not linger in the Church or in the back of the Church or around the exit doors of the Church.

MyParish App can be found by texting App to 88202 or visiting myparishapp.com to download.  Select our parish after downloading.  

Features will include:

• The Church Calendar
• Mass Times
• Weekly Bulletin
• Daily Mass Readings
• Latest Catholic news from around the world
• An easy-to-reference list of Catholic prayers with prayer requests
• A helpful examination of conscience and next confession reminder

 
This app offers a lot of capabilities for improving parish communication and serving as a faith building resource. Please pass along to anyone that may be interested. The more people that use and participate, the stronger our Catholic Community will become.

Please contact the church office at 615-865-1071 or email  
sjsecretary@sjsandchurch.com for any questions or assistance with downloading.