St. Joseph Church, community info

NEW PARISHIONERS

New parishioners should register in person at the Rectory office at their earliest convenience. Office hours: M-F, 8 a.m.-4p.m.
Those inquiring about the Catholic Church are asked to call the office to enroll in the R.C.I.A. program.

SICK CALLS -

Anointing of the Sick - (James 5:14-15)
-Anytime, day or night.

RETREATS

St. Joseph Parish normally arranges group retreats for men and women and evenings of recollection for mixed groups through Immaculata Retreat House in Willimantic Ct.
Immaculata Retreat House is the primary retreat center for area parish communities, although there are available a wide selection of retreat centers in Connecticut and southern Massachussetts.

St. Joseph Daily Online Series -
We're pleased to present this web-based parish resource for individuals, families and students, -
a component of our ongoing parish adult education.

PARISH MEETINGS AND ACTIVITY SCHEDULE

Pastoral Council

Persons from the congregation comprise the Pastoral Council of St. Joseph parish. This body is responsible for managing and maintaining physical body of the church; caring for it's fiscal affairs and handling matters relating to the church corporation. The Council also oversees the life, work and mission of the church and assists the Pastor and staff in setting policies and recommending programs. Two meetings a year are designated as open meetings where any parishoner may come and voice their opinions and concerns, as well as attend any other meeting as an observer during the year.

2nd Monday of every other month, Sept.- June (unless otherwise noted).

St. Helen Society

The St. Helen Society was organized November 6, 1921 by a group of women to.. " work for God, the benefit of St. Joseph Parish and the community." Monthly meetings introduce programs that address spiritual, physical and social needs. Our Christmas Bazaar, annual Bake Sale and various othe functions enable us to raise funds to address these concerns, also including the Soup Kitchen, the Cornerstone as well as other worthy organizations.

3rd Thursday of the month.

Household of Faith - Join hosts Kristine Franklin and Rosiland Moss discuss the Christian faith for women today. (audio file)

Rosary Society

The Rosary Society was formed in 1905. It is a spiritual organization whose primary focus is prayer, and honoring the Blessed Mother while leading it's members to a deepening of their Catholic faith. Members attend Mass together as a group at Easter, in May, and in October, the Month of the Rosary. Women of the parish 18 years old and up are welcomed to join.

1st Thursday of the month.

Youth Group - Michael Ryba - Director, Youth Ministry

The Youth Group offers the opportunity for Middle school and High school students to develop and mature in the their daily Christian life. The group meets monthly, and plans activities involving work, fellowship and service.
Yearly programs also include attending national youth conferences associated with Franciscan University in Steubenville Ohio, as well as trips to World Youth Day, annual trip to Portugal and spiritual retreats.

Franciscan University of Steubenville - ( University information & summer conferences included )

Focus - Fellowship of Catholic University Students - check it out.

Catholic Youth Online

Builders Of Hope - Builders of Hope is about young professionals who are striving to live out their Catholic faith in all aspects of their lives: their family lives, their careers, and their social lives.
Take a moment to look through our website link (above) for more information and resources.

USHERS

Liturgical ministry devoted to providing a welcome greeting and often a helping
hand to visitors and parishioners as well. Conducts the offeratory collection during
Mass, an opportunity to share, as good stewards, a portion of what God has given
us, for the needs of the Parish community, the international Catholic community,
as well as for the missions.

Ushers

St. Joseph Society

The St. Joseph Society was formed in 1972 to promote the spiritual and community
well-being of the men of the parish. The Society encourages all men of the parish
to -- "come and see"- (St. John -1 : 39). Work and activities of the Society include- annual Mikulski Scholarship fund raiser and awards to benefit qualified students , to provide funds for the St. Joseph School basketball program each year, sponsor annual Society communion breakfast for the parish, as well as projects such as construction of a new outdoor creche and renovating the church hall. Members are also regularly involved in men's Bible & Faith study groups and periodic spiritual retreats.

3rd Tuesday of the month.

The Carpenter's Shop - Host Steve wood ,with various guests, explores the dimensions of Christian fatherhood today.

Legatus -
The only organization in the world designed exclusively for top-ranking Catholic business leaders - Legatus. This organization is the conduit connecting two powerful realities, the challenge of top-tier business leadership and a religious tradition second to none.
As a practicing Catholic, you can set the benchmark to enact the golden rule in the daily lives of your employees, customers and suppliers. They deserve nothing less.
Legatus, Latin for "ambassador," exists to help you meet the challenge of balancing responsibilities of family, Church, business and community.

St. Francis DeSales Faith Study Group

The St. Francis DeSales Faith Study Group was started in 1997. We meet monthly after the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass for one hour, and consists of: prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, Bible study, study of church history, church documents etc., followed by discussion, and ending with prayer.

For more information please call - Rich & Marie - @ 870-0774, or, Marc (email)

Traces Magazine

NFP - Natural Family Planning

NFP course given regularly throughout the year by a certified teaching couple.
Please call Steve & Debra, for information and schedule.
Ph -871-8382,

COUPLE TO COUPLE LEAGUE - Marriage & Family information and resources.

Horizon of Being - A reflection on relationships, -( feature this month ).

Family Foundations Magazine

St. Joseph's Convent - Felician Sisters

43 West St. , Vernon, Ct. 06066

Convent Telephone - 875-2198

Main Convent- Enfield Conn.

St. Joseph School, K - 8

In 1907, two buildings were purchased, one of which was the first St. Joseph school and the other served as the Convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. The St. Joseph Sisters staffed the school from 1911 to 1918. Due to a rapidly growing student population, plans were in the making as early as 1914 for a new school building, with the Felician Sisters arriving to serve, succeeding the St. Joseph Sisters in 1918, and for amny years thereafter. The school currently has on staff many dedicated lay teachers.

41 West St., Vernon, Ct. 06066

School telephone - 875-4943

E-Mail - sjro@norwichdiocesecs.org

SCHOOL WEB SITE

CCD COORDINATOR - Mr. Matt Stein - (860) 871-1970 ( Parish Office)

Additional links to:

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH - Complete new catechism online.

CATHOLIC ON LINE- One stop link to Bible-study, news, Internet software, organizations, parishes, vocations and much more.

VIRTUAL TOUR - Take a tour of The Basilica of The National Shrine in Washington D.C.

GREGORIAN CHANT - Listen to great contemporary recordings of Gregorian Chant from the group Anonymous 4. After you get to the site, click on -"Discography" for some excellent audio samples.

CATHOLIC PERIODICALS - Connect to view a variety of Diocesan Newspapers and assorted Catholic magazines.

Annulment Process - Article from St. Anthony Messenger Magazine

St. Joseph Audio Library Connection

* Just click on to any of the following links to the Audio Library of EWTN ,-which uses RealAudio Player.

The Journey Home - Host- Marcus Grodi
A live call in show with guests, - geared toward those inquiring, new to the faith or returning to the faith.

Our Father's Plan - Hosts - Jeff Cavins and Dr. Scott Hahn
A complete Bible study program online.

The Catholic Challenge: Vatican II and You - Host - Dr. Allen Schreck
A presentation and study of the documents of the second Vatican Council.

Patterns For Christian Living - Host - Fr. Jordan Aumann
Conferences on applying Christian principles to everyday life.

Retreat Teachings - Host - Fr. Benedict Groeschel
Make a mini-retreat online. Fr. Groeschel is the Director of Spiritual Development for the Archdiocese of New York.

Life On The Rock - Host - Jeff Cavins
High School and College level program featuring interviews and music before a live audience - a variety of topics explored with call-in questions from viewers.

Old Testament Prophets - Fr. Mitch Pacwa S.J., hosts an online study of the Prophets. ( bible study )

In The Footsteps of St. Paul - Take your bible along as we travel with St. Paul. ( bible study )

Praying With Scripture - Just what it says, - from the audio library.

Christian Unity - One hour audio program on this important topic.
Guest - Dr. Douglas Lowry.