Welcome - Mass Schedule - Mass Observances - Directions
News - Calendar - Links - Pro-Life - History - Photos
Contact Us - Volunteer - About this Web Site
Miscellaneous - Building Committee
Dedication - Mailing Lists

We celebrate the Anniversary of St. Joseph's with gratitude and joy that God has given back to us the gift of the Tridentine Mass at beautiful St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. Through His divine inspiration, two local prominent Traditional Catholics, Michael Reardon and Charles Furlough, members of the old St. Joseph's Traditional Catholic Chapel, consulted with Bishop Foley, then Auxiliary Bishop of Richmond about a weekly Tridentine Mass according to the guidelines of our Holy Father, John Paul II's 1988 indult, Ecclesia Dei.

With Bishop Foley's support, Charles and Michael wrote to Bishop Walter F. Sullivan, who quickly issued an invitation to meet with him on November 8, 1990. After some discussion, Bishop Sullivan took their proposals under advisement. In December, the Bishop Sullivan responded that he would allow a weekly Tridentine Mass in an established parish, but not a separate parish. According to The Latin Mass Magazine, Michael and Charles thought about the bishop's proposal and other stipulations he had made for about two weeks and then Michael wrote to Bishop Sullivan:

"While we were very disappointed that you seem to reject the idea of a traditional parish, we were pleased that you seem ready to permit a weekly traditional Mass. Our dilemma, however, is that we would not be willing to attend a traditional Mass which was offered in an established parish church."

He then suggested the bishop allow Mass in a separate building associated with an established parish. While not hopeful that their request would be granted, Michael and Charles attended another meeting with the bishop in March 1991, and suggested the abandoned St. Joseph's Villa Church as a possible site. They were elated when Bishop Sullivan agreed.

Father Adrian W. Harmening, OSB, graciously and readily accepted the assignment as Pastoral Vicar and has been our much beloved spiritual leader. Under his leadership, many souls have returned to the faith, some who had not been to Mass in many years. He has obtained for us other Sacraments according to the traditional rites, including Baptism, Penance and Matrimony. He instructs newcomers and old-timers in matters of faith and inspires us to live Catholic lives according the laws of God and His Church.

Our congregation grew 15 fold over the first seven years. We have much to be grateful for today, many years after our first Mass on May 12, 1991. May we always be faithful and reap the merits of this wonderful gift of a traditional Catholic parish and pray that we never lose it

Today we are beginning a new chapter in our own building.  Please pray for us and for the future of the traditional rites in our diocese and throughout the world.