Social Action

“Jesus identified Himself as the one who had come to serve, not to be served. He cited His ministry of service as key to His identity and mission (Luke 4:16) and clearly stated that anyone who aspires to follow Him must likewise serve the needs of all (Mt. 20:26 and Luke 22:26).”  

Social Action Committee

The Social Action Committee plans activities to raise consciousness among parishioners about the Church’s social teachings and social needs and issues in the parish and larger community. The committee involves others in doing social ministry in our local community and around the world. Through direct service to those in needs and working on social justice issues to change the conditions that cause suffering and oppression, consider putting your gifts to much needed use on our social action committee. For more information, please contact Ray Farris at 615-416-4113.

Haiti Mission

For the past 10 years, this ministry provides medicine and financial support for the clinic at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Haiti. Your assistance has helped build chapels, a school and a medical clinic as well as help with teacher salaries and feeding the school children. There is a continual need to fund the clinic for new medical equipment, supplies, medicine and staff salaries. Your much-needed support of our Haiti Mission can be made by designating your monthly parish charities donation to Haiti, by making a one-time donation and by praying for the success of our work and for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. For more information, please contact Greg or Patty Self at 615-868-6941 or self.p@comcast.net. 

Room in the Inn

Room in the Inn volunteers, or Innkeepers, from St. Joseph Parish provide housing, food and fellowship for homeless men during the winter months through the Room in the Inn program. The season begins the first Sunday in November through the last Sunday of March. Volunteer sign-ups begin in October. Male Innkeepers are desperately needed. For more information, please contact Mark or Hillary Combs at 615-310-4219.

St. Joseph Outreach Ministry

The St. Joseph Outreach Ministry, since 1998, serves our parish and surrounding community with a food pantry, hospitality outreach to local medical centers, blood drives and support groups. The food pantry at the Parish Life Center is open to all on Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Volunteers deliver donated snack items to the critical care waiting rooms at Skyline Medical Center. Red Cross blood drives are held quarterly in the Parish Life Center on Sundays from 8:00 am to 2:00 p.m. A Cancer Support group meets every 2^nd Sunday at the Parish Life Center for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. Volunteers are needed and welcome to assist with all projects. For more information, please contact Edye Durham at 615-860-0128. 

Prison Ministry

St. Joseph’s Prison Ministry is directed to convert prisons into monasteries. This is a tall order and in order to do this ministry members demonstrate to incarcerated men and women that they have a purpose in life and God loves them no matter what. To raise the level of hope and ambition for those who are incarcerated is one of the gifts of the Corporal Works of Mercy and involves visiting men and women in prison, mentoring these men and women through the Take One program and servants with can help with monetary contributions to fund needed sacramentals and literature to maintain and strengthen their faith. For more information, please contact Deacon Ted Welsh at 615-868-3109.

The Shepherd’s Center of Madison

This ministry was founded in 1996, endeavors to provide support and services to older adults who are homebound but able to remain in their own surroundings with the generosity and assistance from volunteers in the Madison, Inglewood, Old Hickory and Goodlettsville areas. Many seniors face serious health problems, hunger, financial difficulties, insecurity and the despair that comes from loneliness and isolation. Many have to deal with the loss of their home, spouse and their sense of purpose in life. The work of The Shepherd’s Center of Madison is to fill in the gap of other services available to the elderly. For more information, please contact Barbara Harnishfeger at 615-851-9930 or Belinda Myers at the Church Office at 615-860-5031.