Church of St. Joseph

Welcome those who want to join themselves to Christ and the Roman Catholic Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist (Communion) and/or who are already baptized and wish to join and complete their sacraments of initiation in the Catholic Church. For more information about this ministry, contact Deacon Jim Walsh at [email protected].

The Altar Linen Society is a group of dedicated parishioners who assist in the weekly laundering and care of the altar linens. For more information, please contact Karen Grugan @ [email protected].

Our Youth Altar Server Ministry is Growing! 

The ministry of being an altar server is an exciting opportunity for students and adults to grow in faith.

Children in grades fourth through eighth are invited to become an altar server as well as registered parishioners at the Church of Saint Joseph. 
  
For youth, the ordinary responsibilities are to serve Mass as assigned on a rotating basis. Children would only be assigned to serve Mass from time to time on weekends. Our Mass schedule for altar servers is the Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:00 pm and Sunday at  9:30 and 11:30 am. 

Adult altar servers assisted with early Masses and funerals.
  
Please consider taking this opportunity to grow closer to Jesus by becoming an altar server for the Holy Mass.  

For more information contact Deacon Jim Walsh at [email protected].

The Bereavement Ministry is committed to providing emotional support to those who have lost a loved one. If you or someone you know is grieving and we can be of service, or if you feel called to be a part of this ministry, please contact Marge LaRue at [email protected].

Blood pressure screenings are offered each month in conjunction with Hospitality Sunday. For more about this ministry, contact Cathy Joy @ [email protected].

Extend your love for cooking to the homebound through our Care for Friends (CFF) Ministry. CFF is a non-profit organization that provides meals to the sick and homebound in the five-county Philadelphia region and has been around for almost 50 years.

If you love to cook or find yourself with too much food after cooking a meal, consider this Care for Friends ministry. Individual trays and containers are available in our lower level church kitchen with instructions. All meals are placed in the dedicated Caring for Friends freezer in the lower church kitchen. Volunteers deliver your meals to those in need, ensuring that your culinary talents and generosity bring comfort and nourishment to the homebound. There is no commitment to  be made. You simply make meals when it’s convenient for you.

And if cooking isn’t your specialty, consider being a visitor and delivering meals on your schedule. Some clients have limited people they may see, so spending a few minutes to show you care will brighten their day.

Parishioner Laura Hans (pictured top right in blue) has coordinated this program for the parish for the past four years and has been visiting six homebound clients for the past 15 years. “I find it very fulfilling to be able to take care of those who need a meal,” said Laura. “A few have become like family to me and I truly enjoy our conversations and learn a lot from these visits.” 

For additional information, contact Laura Hans 215-360-6477.

Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) is an evangelization ministry that supports parishes in their efforts to lead people along the path of discipleship through small group faith studies and one-on-one accompaniment. For more information, contact Angela Culloty ([email protected]) or Patrick Ireland ([email protected]).

It’s not just about Christmas any longer! The Christmas Bazaar Committee holds fundraising activities throughout the year – spring craft fair, bake sales, lottery chances, Quizzo and of course, the annual Christmas Bazaar in November. The Christmas Bazaar also includes drop off days and setup/cleanup, staging items, making baskets, selling tickets, working the kitchen and more! Given this array of activities, we are always in need of volunteers. No special skills needed – just whatever availability works for you! 

Contact Information: Contact the coordinators at [email protected] and they will be in touch with you. 

CYO coaches can use the playing field as a mission field to inspire athletes to know, love, and serve God.  Coaches are presented a unique opportunity to use the playing field as a mission field—to be a "Facilitator of Faith" in developing and furthering athletes' Christian character and values.

CYO coaches have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of young people. They can teach life lessons and good habits. It’s also an opportunity to reconnect with the sport you loved as a child. As role models, you create a positive environment for athletes to grow physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

Each season the CYO program has many needs for coaches, assistant coaches and parent involvement with team activities. Right now, registration for Fall sports is open and depends upon the coaches that volunteer to determine the teams that will be fielded.  

Contact: Parish athletic diretor, Mike Flaherty, at [email protected]. All clearances need to be up-to-date. You will be guided on how to apply if you don’t have them already.

The Evangelization Committee is dedicated to fulfilling the mission mandated by Jesus Christ, who commanded us to “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Mt. 28:18). We offer programs that enhance and/or define a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. For more information, contact Angela Culloty.

This dedicated group of lay men and women help the priests and deacons distribute Holy Communion during Mass as well as bring the Eucharist to the sick and homebound weekly. For more information, please contact Deacon Jim Walsh at [email protected].

All members of the community are invited to help the needy through non-perishable food donations. Donations are given to the Missionary Sisters of Charity for distribution. Donations can be placed in the red box in the lower church. If you have any questions, contact the Parish Office @ (610) 497-3340 or [email protected]

Lectors are parishioners who proclaim the Word of God at Masses and other liturgies. The duty of a lector is of a sacred nature since the words they speak before the congregation lead them in prayer. Prospective lectors should have strong speaking skills and a willingness to prepare for each liturgy at which they read. For more information, contact Deacon Jim Walsh at [email protected].

Singing in a choir is itself an act of worship, and it can help create a sense of closeness with God. When a choir sings, they express and share their faith with others through music. All are invited to worship through song by joining our parish choir.

Our multi-generational choir offers prayer through praise & worship music. They embrace the calling to this ministry, the beauty of personal vocal instrument, and ensemble singing through focused, light-hearted, spiritual rehearsals. Our choir is led by Music Director Karen Thorpe, and practices on a rotating schedule to offer flexibility for its members. 

The first rehearsal for the season will be Tuesday, September 17, from 7:15 to 8:15 pm. Regular rehearsals will be on Tuesday evenings (with Thursdays as supplemental time for anyone not able to attend regular Tuesdays) and one hour before any Mass at which the choir sings. Previous experience is NOT a prerequisite for membership. 

Cantors. If you would like to become a solo song leader, training will be provided, and you will only begin to cantor when you feel ready. It is not necessary to attend all rehearsals or Masses to be a member of the Music Ministry. 

Contact Information: For more information or to begin participation, please contact Music Director, Karen Thorpe at (610) 517-8802 or at [email protected]. 

Religious Education Catechists provide instruction in our PREP (Religious Education) program.Catechists need to have a love of children, a basic understanding of scripture, and a desire to share their Catholic faith with our youth. Per the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, all volunteers who work with youth under the age of 18 must complete Safe Environment requirements. If you are interested or want to learn more, contact the Director of Religious Education @ [email protected].

Parents are the most important models of faith in the lives of their children. The Pre-Jordan ministry provides an opportunity for lead parents and families in preparation for their child's baptism. Ministry participants help parents reflect on their own relationship with God. For more information, contact the parish office at [email protected].

You’ve seen the Stewardship ministry in action around the parish. From coat and sock drives to Breakfast with Santa, blood drives, baby diaper and peanut butter and jelly collections, Comedy Night, Simple Suppers and more. The Stewardship ministry provides opportunities for our parshioners to come together for faith and fellowship, while participating in outreach activities that may seem ordinary in nature, but ultimately adds up to extraordinary to those on the receiving end.

Stewardship is living out a commitment to be Christ-centered.  Stewardship gives joy! Participating in stewardship activities helps one to become aware that God is the ultimate giver of the gifts we have and that all people, things, and experiences are gifts from God. We all are stewards of those gifts.

The team currently consists of 12 members. They typically hold a drive or conduct an activity once a month and meet once a month on Wednesday evenings from September to May. The ministry is looking for new members!

Contacat Information: To join the ministry, contact Michelle Wheeler at [email protected] or call her at 610-864-8412. You are needed now more than ever!

What is Stewardship?
Stewardship is a complete lifestyle, a life of total accountability and responsibility, acknowledging God as Creator and Owner of all. It is responsible management of our God-given resources of time, talent and treasure, enhancing our relationship with God and one another. Gratitude for these gifts is expressed in prayer, worship, offering and action by eagerly sharing these gifts out of love of God and one another.  

The Stewardship Committee promotes and coordinates events that offer parishioners opportunities to grow in faith through the practice of good stewardship, serving the needs of our parish, local community and providing opportunities for fellowship.

Who is a Christian Steward?
One who receives God's gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends them in a responsible and accountable manner, shares them in justice and love with all and returns them with increase to the Lord. (From 1992 pastoral letter: Stewardship: A Disciple's Response National Conference of Catholic Bishops).

Stewardship is based on the principle that “the parish belongs to its members” and they should be responsible for the quality of community life. A prayerful, Eucharist-centered community with a common vision: God is the Source of All. Its members are committed to furthering the word and work of Christ by caring for each other and all of God’s creation. This group tries to animate our community with fun-filled events throughout the year while also serving the underprivileged with different drives to offer them our assistance. Activities include Annual Coat Drive, Ministry Fair, Breakfast With Santa, Simple Lenten Suppers, Sock and Underwear Drive, Comedy Night and Adult Volleyball.  These positions are appointed by the Pastor.  Contact the Parish Office or Msgr. Bransfield for more information.

Ushers Needed. Welcoming and greeting our parish community and visitors at Mass is missionary discipleship in action. Our Usher ministry needs two volunteers to greet and assist at the 11:30 am Sunday Mass. If you are interested, please contact Jim Grugan at 610-494-5168

Your involvement is what makes it possible to change lives, assist families, and communities. Every program at CityTeam, from a hot meal to addiction recovery, is only possible because of support from individuals, companies, churches and schools who care about helping others. You don't have to be a superhero to make a difference. Visit website for more information.

The Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) private non-profit corporation that relies on the generous support of individuals, corporations, foundations, faith-based groups, schools and civic associations in order to serve those in need in Delaware County. Visit website for more information.

As Little Sisters of the Poor, we care for the elderly poor in the spirit of humble service that we have received from our foundress, Saint Jeanne Jugan. We welcome the elderly as we would Jesus Christ himself and serve them with love and respect until God calls them home. Visit website for more information.

The Convent is seeking volunteers to work at Red Hill Farm who are willing to plant, water, weed, set up irrigation, harvest, and implement pest control. Visit website for more information.

The Sunday Breakfast Mission serves the homeless, addicted and impoverished through Christ-centered programs to meet their spiritual, social and physical needs. Visit website for more information.