Parish Opportunities and Organizations
Altar Society
The Altar Society is a group of dedicated volunteers who meet each Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. in church for one hour. We arrange the altar flowers, tidy the pews, do light dusting, and decorate for the holidays. We clean and maintain the holy water fonts, candles, and launder the altar linens. It is a real blessing to serve the Church, and we have also found it a great way to meet and work with others to keep our church clean and welcoming.
Contact: Cheryl Verde 314-359-5007
Eucharistic Adoration
We have all been recipients of a very special invitation from Jesus: “Come to me, all who find life weary and burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart” (Matthew 11:29-30)
Our response to this invitation is Eucharistic Adoration. It is a time to be at peace, to offer our love to the Lord, thank Him for His many gifts, make reparation for sinners and give Him our joys, sorrows, and needs. In turn, we can listen to Jesus who desires to speak to us in the silence of our hearts. We are all very busy but if time is provided for the Lord a busy schedule seems to fall into place. Please consider signing up for a one-half or one hour time slot. Eucharistic Adoration is scheduled immediately following morning Mass until before the 12:00 p.m. Mass, Monday through Thursday.
Contact: Bebe Kennedy 721-5920
Altar Servers
Servers are young men and women as well as adults who assist the priest at Mass and during prayer services, baptisms, and other times when the community gathers in prayer. Servers must be in the 6th grade or older to participate. Please feel free to check with the sacristy before Mass to see if we are in need of an altar server for Mass.
Contact: parish office 726-1221
Becoming a member of the Catholic Church – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
This Program is designed to initiate and welcome new adult members into the Catholic Church and our parish community. The emphasis is on education and formation in the Catholic faith. Adult initiation into the Catholic Church normally takes place each year during the Easter Vigil Mass. Members of the parish are invited to participate as catechists and sponsors.
Contact: Father Bené 726-1221
Saint Joseph Parish Liturgical Music
Organ Scholars
Young pianists who have reached a certain musical proficiency and are interested in playing the organ are encouraged to contact Mrs. Fahrig. In exchange for organ lessons, the student is asked to assist at the Sunday 9 a.m. Mass. Those interested must have at least an hour a week dedicated to organ practice at the church and the ability to attend lessons and Mass on time.
Cantors
Those interested in donating their time and talent must have a pleasant voice and a growth mindset to their vocal and musical development. Applicants must devote 30-60 minutes a week of personal practice time to the music for Mass. No prior experience needed but must be willing to learn new music and take direction.
Contact: Nori Fahrig, M.M., Director of Music pianofahrig@gmail.com
Homebound Outreach – Holy Communion
Parishioners visit, offer assistance to, or take Holy Communion to homebound parishioners and those recovering from illness. If you are interested in helping, please let us know.
Contact: parish office 726-1221
Saint Joseph Parish Prayer Group
Jesus tells us in the Gospel that “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Taking to heart these encouraging words, we warmly invite and encourage you to join the Prayer Group which meets weekly on Wednesday afternoons in the Centennial Room which is adjacent to the Parish Hall in the lower level of the church.
Contact: Deacon Ed Grotpeter thegrotpeters@gmail.com
Readers
Readers are those who read the Scriptures, petitions, and announcements at Sunday and weekday Masses.
Contact: parish office 726-1221
Ushers
Ushers take up the collection at the weekend Masses, on other holy days of obligation and at the 12:00 p.m. noon Mass on weekdays. Ushers also hand out parish bulletins after the weekend Mass. Please feel free to volunteer.
Contact: parish office 726-1221
Protecting God’s Children (PGC)
This is a required video program on child safety for all volunteers, catechists, and substitutes who work with children. The PGC program is offered at various locations. For a list of dates and times go to
http://www.archstl.org and on the Home Page click on “Protecting God’s Children.” It is part of a comprehensive Archdiocesan Policy on
child protection.
Contact: parish office 726-1221
Saint Joseph Parish School of Religion (PSR) program
Our Parish School of Religion program provides religious education for children 4 years old through 8th grade, who do not attend Catholic schools. Sacramental preparation is a part of this program. During second grade children prepare for First Penance and First Holy Communion. Throughout eighth grade students prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Classes are held in the school building on Sunday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. during the course of the school year.
Contact: Emily Kopff, M.A., Director for Parish School of Religion 314-726-1221
St. Vincent de Paul Society – helping those in need
Our Conference serves 4 zip-codes around the Parish. We provide a food pantry which is available for families who find themselves in need of help. We also provide utility assistance and bus passes and we LISTEN to see if we can help with their temporary needs. We sponsor Food Drives, Walk for the Poor, Thanksgiving Food Drive, March Madness Can Drive, Christmas Giving Tree, Nurses for Newborn Assistance, Truck Donation Day and much more.
If you would like to join us, we meet once a month on the third Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
Contact: Call Hot Line 289-6101 ext. 2208
Bereavement Care
This ministry provides a valuable service to families and friends during a difficult time of dealing with the death of a loved one. We prepare and serve a meal after the funeral Mass of a deceased parishioner, if the family so wishes. This allows the family and friends to relax and celebrate their loved one’s life. We need help with the calling, providing side dishes and desserts, food preparation, set up, clean up and hosting the luncheon.
Contact: parish office 726-1221
St. Patrick’s Casseroles
Once a month we prepare and deliver casseroles to St. Patrick Center. These casseroles are a necessary part of the ministry of feeding the homeless of the St. Louis Community. The recipe and the pan are provided. This very worthwhile program began in 1984, and Saint Joseph Parishioners have participated from the beginning. In 2014, all the parishes that participate combined to provide 107,200 hot meals.
Contact: Liz Gruenbach 726-7939
Pro-Life Committee
We promote Jesus Christ’s truth about right to life issues by educating, empowering, and motivating people to stand for life from conception to natural death. We sell roses on Mother’s Day, participate in the Greater St. Louis Life Chain and sell Christmas cards which directly support pro-life organizations such as Birthright and Our Lady’s Inn. On Wednesdays after the 7:15 a.m. Mass there is a rosary for pro-life intentions. We welcome any new ideas for ways to support this important cause.
Contact: parish office 726-1221
Social and Community Building Events
Ladies Advent by Candlelight
This year we will be offering our 4th Annual Advent by Candlelight which is a time to gather for an inspiring talk in preparation for Christmas and to enjoyable fellowship and dessert. Please call the parish office or Donna Topping if interested.
Contact: parish office 726-1221
Donna Topping 265-9864
2nd Tuesday Lunch Bunch
We are a fun, social, multi-age group who meet on the 2nd Tuesday each month in the parish hall at 12:45 p.m. It is a gathering of fun and friendship. We enjoy our lunches together, especially the desserts, but mostly enjoy one another’s company. After we eat, those who want to, can play “Rob Your Neighbor” a ridiculous game but oh so much fun!
All members of the parish are welcome. Bring a friend and meet new people.
Contact: Rosemary Hardy 863-5122
Knights of Columbus Council 16273
Knights of Columbus Council 16273 is the St. Joseph Chapter of this international organization of Catholic men 18 years of age and older. We work to support and sponsor our churches and our pastors in monetary and physical ways with many events, while enhancing our own faith. Did you know that throughout Missouri the Knights have placed over 40 ultrasound machines at abortion facilities, resulting in 90% of women visiting these facilities changing their minds about having an abortion after seeing their baby’s beating heart?
Contact: Steve Topping 225-9453
Parish Pastoral Council
The members of the Parish Pastoral Council, together with those who share in pastoral care by virtue of their office in the parish, assist the Pastor, who presides over the Council, in fostering pastoral activity in the parish.
Parish Finance Council
The members of the Parish Finance Council assist the Pastor, who presides over it, in the administration of the goods of the parish. The members make recommendations intended to maximize the financial resources of the parish. This includes reviewing the parish financial statements, investing the parish cash accounts, developing long-term parish capital improvement and plans, monitoring the parish endowment fund, and overseeing the system of financial controls. The council meets quarterly. If you are interested in serving on the Finance Council or wish to suggest someone call the parish office at 314-726-1221 or contact the Pastor personally at the same number.
Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA)
The Annual Catholic Appeal collects funds through pledges and cash donations for the support of various programs throughout the Archdiocese. Some of the programs which benefit from the ACA Donations are: Catholic Education, retirement benefits, social/charitable ministries, ecclesiastical services in the Archdiocese, as well as direct funding to individual parishes. The parish chairperson organizes the general drive in April and May. Parishioners are urged to make their pledges or donations by picking up their pledge card following the weekend Masses. Telephone calls complete the Pledge Drive.
Time and Talent
We welcome new volunteers at any time. Please call the parish office at 314-726-1221.
Other Organizations meeting at the Parish
Cornerstone Bible Study
All are invited to join the Cornerstone Bible. Weekly meetings are conducted from September to March. (www.thecornerstonescripturestudy.org)
Meetings are Wednesday mornings at St. Joseph Church and childcare is provided. Please contact Karen Dille at 727-6830 for more information and to find the date for the upcoming Visitor’s Day.
Forming men for Christ
All men are invited to join the Very Reverend James Mason, J.D., President-Rector of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, for a talk at church on the second Thursday of every month. The purpose of this monthly event is to help form men in the faith and moral teachings of the Catholic Church. The talk takes place at 6:30 a.m. in the Centennial Room which is adjacent to the Parish Hall in the lower level of the church. The talk is followed by Mass in church at 7:15 a.m.
Contact: Mary Burke hapandmaryburke@sbcglobal.net
Saint Thomas More Society
Meets on the 1st Friday of the month beginning with the 7:15 a.m. Mass and followed by a meeting in the Parish Hall. The Saint Thomas More Society is an association of legal professionals that seeks to support the Catholic Church, to assist members in growing in their faith, to bring the presence of Christ into the arenas of law and business, and to inform members of the status of the right to freely exercise the Catholic faith in the secular world.
St. Joseph Catholic Church, Clayton MO 