Ministries
Altar Servers: Boys and girls between the ages of 9 - 14 are invited to become altar servers. These servers assist the Priest during Mass. Watch the bulletin for upcoming training sessions.
Catechist: Our Faith Formation program depends on the generous service of our volunteer catechists who lead our children and youth through their faith experience. Catechists are offered ongoing support and formation experiences.
Council of Catholic Women (CCW): The Council of Catholic Women (CCW) is made up of all of the women in the parish. All women who join the church are assigned to one of our 12 circles named after the saints. You can be as active as you choose to be. All circles are called upon at one time or another to provide baked goods or a salad for a sale, funeral, luncheon etc. The CCW serves our church in many ways such as fellowships, Mother/Daughter banquet, Quilt Raffle, Funeral Lunches, Quilting for the Needy, Collecting Gifts for Christmas in Appalachia, Birthright, Cancer Home, Graduation Brunch, Confirmation Breakfast, Church Cleaning and other fundraisers and events throughout the year. The group also maintains the Parish Center kitchen and provides for the nursery supplies. Watch the bulletin for opportunities to get involved and for the monthly meeting dates. CCW welcomes all to the meetings – this is a great way to meet parishioners.
The CCW is generous with their fundraising profits, most of which stay in our parish. For example; $7000 was given to the Narthex building project and $3000 to our school’s Tech Center. Annual donations are made to the Carnival, and for Pro-Life speakers etc. Other donations include; the Madonna Plan, Radio Rosary, Disaster Relief and the needs of the parish. CCW also sponsors a foster child through Minnesota Friends for Orphans.
There are many ways to be involved with CCW at St. Joseph. You can attend a meeting, work at a fundraiser or event, co-chair a circle, learn to quilt , or volunteer to be an officer. You can always support CCW events and efforts with your prayer, presence and resources.
The Archdiocesan Council of Catholic women (ACCW) unites the women of the Archdiocese with Catholic women throughout the Province of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Their office is in the Archdiocesan Ambrose -Hayden Center next to the Cathedral, telephone: 651-291-4545 . The ACCW is the connecting link which further unites members with those across the nation through the Federation of the National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW). The NCCW is headquartered in Washington DC and is affiliated with the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Eucharistic Ministry for Mass: Eucharistic Ministers assist the Priest in administering communion to parishioners during Mass. This special ministry requires seven to eleven volunteers each Mass.
Eucharistic Ministry Outreach: provides communion for those who are homebound, hospitalized or in Nursing homes.
Funeral Committee: This CCW ministry provides luncheons for families following funeral services. They purchase groceries and prepare the lunch; set tables, serve and clean up.
Gift Bearers/Greeters: St. Joseph Church is a welcoming Parish. For this reason we ask individuals/families to greet all who enter our beautiful church before Mass begins. The same individuals/families then are gift bearers - responsible for bringing the Bread and Wine to the altar during Mass.
Lectors: Lectors are responsible for reading from the Scriptures during Mass. Lectors also recite the “Prayers of the Faithful”. Two lectors read at each Mass.
Marriage Preparation: Marriage preparation at St. Joseph begins with the engaged couple meeting with Father or Deacon. Once completed the engaged couple works with a mentor couple to complete the FOCCUS Inventory and discuss the topics within the inventory. The mentor couple invites the engaged couple into their home for three to five meetings.
Music: This vibrant group of parishioners enhance our Liturgy by sharing their voices and talents. There are approximately 100 adults and more than 100 students participating in this ministry. We gratefully welcome new members at any time, no experience necessary. There are a variety of choirs you can become involved in:
Bell Choirs (Hosanna and Angelicus)
Praise Ensemble—adult choir
Good News Choir—(Gr. 4-8)
Resurrection Choir—(Funerals)
Guitar Choir Worship Choir—(high school)
Joyful Noise Choir—(Gr. K-3) Special Instrumentalist
Nursery: The Nursery is provided during the 10:30 am Mass on Sundays except for holidays. It is staffed by volunteers. If you have children between the ages of one to five and are in need of this ministry, see the bulletin for current schedule.
Pastoral Visit Committee: This committee was formed in the Fall of 2005 with the parish goal of visiting with those who are homebound or in nursing homes and hospitals. The members of this group go out in "2's" as Jesus instructed in scripture, to visit, listen and pray. New members are always welcome. If you have the heart for this ministry, please join us as we affirm that we are all part of Gods' community
Prayer Chain: This group of volunteers handles prayer requests. Anyone can call and request prayers for a family member or friend in need. Approximately 30 individuals pray each day for requests made through the Prayer Chain.
Sacristan: These quiet volunteers are caretakers of the Sacristy. This involves taking special care to clean the altar, Charity Chapel, sanctuary, sacristy workroom and the Narthex. Linens and altar cloths are cleaned, ironed and readied for Mass. Vigil lights are replaced, the holy water fonts are filled, candles are fresh and flowers are watered. This group of volunteers also prepares the church for holidays, baptisms, funerals and weddings. The sacristans attend wedding rehearsals and weddings to assist where needed.
Ushers: Ushers assist the Priest at each Mass by preparing the church, guiding parishioners to open seats, collecting offerings, bringing up gifts, escorting parishioners to communion, distributing the weekly bulletin, ensuring safety and cleaning up the church after Mass.
Office Help - Church and School: The individuals who serve in this ministry are on call to help out whenever needed in both the church and school offices. The receptionists of the school provide their service on a regular, scheduled basis. If you would like to help, call either the church or school office.
St. Joseph Caring Hands: This is a special fund made up of donations and is administered by the Pastor to provide emergency assistance for those in need. Donations to this fund are gratefully accepted at any time.
Committees
Buildings and Grounds: The Buildings and Grounds committee arranges for necessary repairs and updates to the Church, Education Center and other Parish properties through the use professional firms and the talents of St. Joseph’s parishioners.
Celebration: This is a hospitality committee comprised of volunteers whose mission is to promote St. Joseph Church as a welcoming parish. As part of this process, the annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Linger Longer Sunday Fellowships are coordinated as well as new member “Get to Know” dinners.
Cemetery: The Cemetery Committee oversees the Maintenance of the Cemetery Grounds and the marking of burial lots. The Cemetery Committee also keeps the rules and regulations current. Volunteers to help out in the cemetery are always welcome. Please call the Parish Office if interested.
Liturgy: The Liturgy Committee works directly with the Priest in the planning of special liturgies.
Venezuela Mission: This committee was developed in conjunction with our Archdiocese to work directly with our sister parish, Jesu Cristo Resucitado, in San Felix, Venezuela. The committee has conducted numerous fundraising events to provide aid and to enable parishioners to travel to Venezuela and answer the call to help the parishioners of Jesu Cristo Resucitado Parish. For more information see Social Justice - Venezuela Mission.
