In the Church's liturgy the divine blessing is fully revealed and communicated. The Father is acknowledged and adored as the source and the end of all the blessings of creation and salvation. In his Word who became incarnate, died, and rose for us, he fills us with his blessings. Through his Word, he pours into our hearts the Gift that contains all gifts, the Holy Spirit.
Taken from the Catholic Catechism 1082.

Lectors:  Lectors reverently proclaim the Sacred Word of God in the Liturgy of the Holy Mass to the faithful people of Saint Joseph Catholic Church and those who join us through the livestream so that they hear and better understand the sacred scriptures.

EMHC:  The Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion assists the clergy in bringing the sacramental presence of Christ to our parishioners – in a liturgical setting, as well as to the homebound and those in hospitals/institutions - so that all can be transformed into the Body of Christ.  (supporting info:  There are specific requirements that a candidate must meet in order to become an EMHC:  be a practicing Catholic, complete training on the diocesan and parish levels, be a senior in high school or older, and have the physical ability to distribute Holy Communion.  The EMHC helps fill a need and can be involved in one or both aspects of the Ministry of Holy Communion.)
 

Altar servers:  Saint Joseph Altar Servers are responsible for assisting the clergy in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  Their service and actions set an example to the congregation of active participation in the Sacred Liturgy.

The mission of the Deaf Ministry of Saint Joseph parish is to provide opportunities for deaf persons who communicate in sign language to (1) learn about and practice the Catholic faith, (2) evangelize the faith to non-practicing Catholics and non-Catholics, (3) associate among themselves and other persons in the parish, and (4) serve the parish as needed.

Saint Joseph Parish has available assistive listening devices in the vesting sacristy, for use during Masses. Ushers are available to assist you if needed.

We also provide communication access to persons who are Deaf and who use sign language during the 9:45 AM Mass. This Mass is signed by Father Rozman.  Confessions are available by appointment.

Saint Joseph Parish is committed to the provision of communication access in all aspects of parish life to parishioners who are deaf.   Under the direction of Father Thomas Rozman, pastoral care, sacramental preparation, religious education, and Masses are provided in ASL.  Interpreters are available for many parish activities, fostering a spirit of welcome and inclusion. Sign language classes are offered for interested individuals and the deaf community meets on a regular basis for bible study, faith sharing groups, and annual retreats.

Altar Server Training Spring 2022
 
We are very much in need of Altar Servers, and encourage anyone who is interested in participating in this awesome ministry to contact the Parish Office.  All of the of the Covid-19 restrictions have now been lifted, and we would love to have as many Altar Servers as we can.  The goal of the parish is to return to having THREE Altar Servers at each of the weekend Masses.
 
Regardless of whether you’re an experienced Altar Server or new, we will be conducting trainings first, so that all of our Altar Servers are up-to-date with the appropriate procedures.  This ministry is open to all students who are in third through twelfth grade.
 
Please email Brenda Perry in our Parish Office (officemanager@stjosephmech.org) if you are interested in BECOMING or REMAINING an Altar Server.  If you would also include in your response a preferred day of the week and time for the training and also which Mass times you would be willing to serve, that would be appreciated.  We are happy to welcome all who wish to serve! 
 

The Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion assists the clergy in bringing the sacramental presence of Christ to our parishioners – in a liturgical setting, as well as to the homebound and those in hospitals/institutions - so that all can be transformed into the Body of Christ. 

There are specific requirements that a candidate must meet in order to become an EMHC:  be a practicing Catholic, complete training on the diocesan and parish levels, be a senior in high school or older, and have the physical ability to distribute Holy Communion.  The EMHC helps fill a need and can be involved in one or both aspects of the Ministry of Holy Communion. The Bishop mandates them to assist in the distribution of Holy Communion. Training sessions are provided.

Lectors reverently proclaim the Sacred Word of God in the Liturgy of the Holy Mass to the faithful people of Saint Joseph Catholic Church and those who join us through the livestream so that they hear and better understand the sacred scriptures. 

Adult parishioners may volunteer to serve as lectors, and are either added to the roster or waitlisted based on parish needs and at the clergy’s discretion.

The Usher ministry provides a warm welcome, directions, and help to each person while they are at Saint Joseph’s Church.  Ushers foster a welcoming culture that inspires guests, as well as parishioners, to journey as disciples with our Lord Jesus Christ. This involves greeting people arriving at church, helping seat people at crowded Masses, directing the procession at the preparation of gifts, taking up collections, directing communion processions, passing out bulletins, and responding to emergencies.

The men and women who serve as ushers perform very important services. Their duty is to assist and provide guidance to parishioners during the celebration of the Mass and other devotions. This involves greeting people arriving at church, helping seat people at crowded Masses, directing the procession at the preparation of gifts, taking up collections, directing communion processions, passing out bulletins, and responding to emergencies.
 

The Greeter ministry falls under the Hospitality Ministry umbrella and complements both the ushers and welcome kiosk ministries to inspire a welcoming Saint Joseph culture.  The greeters provide a warm welcome to all coming through our doors during the weekend liturgies and other services as needed.  

“For the liturgy, ‘through which the work of our redemption is accomplished,’ most of all in the divine sacrifice of the Eucharist, is the outstanding means whereby the faithful may express in their lives, and manifest to others, the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the true Church. It is of the essence of the Church that she be both human and divine, visible and yet invisibly equipped, eager to act and yet intent on contemplation, present in this world and yet not at home in it; and she is all these things in such wise that in her the human is directed and subordinated to the divine, the visible likewise to the invisible, action to contemplation, and this present world to that city yet to come, which we seek. While the liturgy daily builds up those who are within into a holy temple of the Lord, into a dwelling place for God in the Spirit, to the mature measure of the fullness of Christ, at the same time it marvelously strengthens their power to preach Christ, and thus shows forth the Church to those who are outside as a sign lifted up among the nations under hich the scattered children of God may be gathered together, until there is one sheepfold and one shepherd.” – Vatican II,  The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, #2.