Focus on discipleship: We created a brochure that explains how we define discipleship at Saint Joseph Parish. This brochure is available to pastoral staff for support during conversations with parishioners.
Summer 2022
Focus on discipleship: Sometimes the first step on the journey of discipleship is walking through our doors for a weekend Mass. In order to ensure Christ's presence is fostered at this first step, we put a process in place to regularly enlist ministry members to greet at our doors.
Spring 2022
Focus on fellowship: We put in place a process to have regular events at our parish, and to populate the events section of our website, and regularly publicize its contents.
Winter 2022
Parish 5 Year Plan is published, providing focus for our Parish Transformation efforts through 2026.
Baptism Pathway is launched, providing a comprehensive and engaging approach to the sacrament, grounded in the importance of lifelong discipleship.
Focus on worship: Instituted monthly "Mass notes" at the beginning of weekend Masses. These breif notes explain some element of the Mass, in order to help the congregation understand, appreciate and more fully engage in the liturgy.
Fall 2021
Focus on growing as disciples: The Religious Education Program for our youth is enhanced to include Mass on a more frequent basis, as well as teaching sessions on the Mass. Additionally "Alpha Youth" is added to the 6th grade curriculum, helping the students develop a more personal relationship with Jesus prior to beginning Confirmation catechesis in 7th grade. And the Confirmation program is enhanced through the use of the "Chosen" program.
Focus on fellowship: Instituted pre-Mass greetings among congregants at weekend Masses, to reinforce (1) we are a family of faith, praying for and with each other and (2) there are always new guests in our congregation, and we are blessed to welcome them.
Spring 2021
Focus on worship: A prayer process based on Matthew Kelly's book I Heard God Laugh is shared via livestream during Lent in a series called "In the Classroom of Silence". It is then posted to the website as a permanent resource to help parishioners develop a personal habit of daily prayer.
Focus on service: Monthly ministry highlights begin, each of which helps keep parishioners informed, and encourages new members to join.
Fall 2020
Communications Coordinator position is added to keep parishioners informed & engaged, while advancing our mission of growing disciples.
Saint Joseph receives "Parish Excellence" award, recognizing how we exemplified mission-driven innovation during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Offered Lenten homily series on each aspect of the Vision Statement. Defined expectations for worship, grow, serve, connect and give in terms of parish support and parishioner commitment.
Corona Virus (Covid-19) hits.
Masses in church are declared optional by Bishop Gainer beginning weekend of March 14/15; PA stay at home order in place March 16.
Weekend of 21/22 March: Saint Joseph launches pre-recorded Masses from Church.
Drive-thru confessions provided for 2 weeks, ministering to over 100 people, until state-wide stay-at-home order necessitates discontinuation.
Over 70 volunteers mobilized to make outreach calls to 700+ homebound and senior parishioners to offer support, connection and prayer.
Clergy (and our buddy Coco!) keep in touch with parishioners, religious education students and school children via Facebook.
Parish ministries and leadership teams go online via Zoom, including men’s formation, women’s formation and the Parish Advisory Council.
Holy Week services and Easter Masses available only via digital platforms as pandemic continues
People invited to post their prayer requests at beginning of livestream Masses so they can be prayed for during Mass.
Video explaining Examen Prayer shared via Facebook.
People invited to share “words of encouragement” videos via Facebook.
Fall 2019
Saint Joseph moves the tabernacle to the center of the sanctuary.
Saint Joseph launches Intercessory Prayer Ministry to pray for all aspects of Parish Transformation. Prayers offered on an ongoing basis for all to encounter and grow in relationship to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Saint Joseph begins use of homily feedback forms as a means of gauging effectiveness of homilies and gathering input to be used for continuous improvement.
Under the umbrella of the Weekend Hospitality Ministry, a Welcome Kiosk launched, providing a centralized information and support for parishioners and guests at weekend Masses.
Pre-Mass Welcome initiated, during which an announcer greets the congregation, with special attention to any guests or first-timers, proving them with information to facilitate their participation in the Mass. Congregants are also encouraged to welcome each other before Mass begins.
Spring 2019
Saint Joseph begins implementing thematic homily series, with the first taking place during Lent.
Saint Joseph Contemporary Praise & Worship Ensemble and Cherub Choir are formed to periodically offer selections at Masses.
Weekend Hospitality Ministry launched under the direction of volunteer ministry coordinator.
Under the umbrella of the Weekend Hospitality Ministry, a Greeter Ministry is launched, providing warm welcome at all church entrances on weekend and Holy Day Masses.
Saint Joseph begins monthly Ministry Highlights at Masses, during which a parish ministry may give a brief talk during Mass about what they do, run an article in the bulletin, and/or set up an information table in the Narthex.
Connect Group launched as follow-on to Alpha, enabling ongoing growth and fellowship for alumni.
Fall 2018
Saint Joseph enhances children’s ability to understand and participate in the Mass by offering Children’s Liturgy of the Word at 9:45 AM Mass.
Saturday evening Mass time is changed to 4 PM to accommodate travel concerns challenged by nighttime driving.
Accessibility enhancements are made to make Saint Joseph a more welcoming place of worship for those with mobility issues.
Sung responses are led from the front of the church rather than the choir loft in order to facilitate and encourage participation from the congregation.
Saint Joseph Parish emphasizes the role of the community in the sacraments of initiation by having Baptisms and First Holy Communion during weekend liturgies.
Spring 2018
Saint Joseph Parish Advisory Council re-forms with new focus and purpose: to define the vision and 5-year plan for the parish. The Council also establishes an email address for parishioners to use to share suggestions, concerns and feedback. (pac@stjosephmech.org)
Saint Joseph conducts first parish-wide survey. Results are used as input to short and long term parish planning.
Fall 2017
Father Rozman continues Visioning Homilies, emphasizing personal transformation, through a personal relationship with Christ.
Parishioners give Witness talks on their personal relationships with Christ.
Saint Joseph Parish provides initial ideas on how people can help “foster the presence of Christ” and “make disciples”, as our mission statement describes.