PARISH LIFE
BAPTISMAL MINISTRY
Children are the life-blood of our parish community and the future of our church! There is nothing so important as bringing our littlest ones into our faith. The BAPTISMAL MINISTRY is a group of volunteers who sew and embroider the Baptismal bibs and stoles for the infants, toddlers, and children who are baptized in our church. If you are gifted with sewing skills, this may be the ministry for you!
BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY
The BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY is essential in providing support for parish families whose loved ones pass away. The most practical way for them to help out is to provide a luncheon after the funeral Mass. The funeral luncheon, served in our Community Center gym, affords the family and friends the chance to have a tasty meal and friendly visit, without the restrictions of time or space in a restaurant. There is no charge for this service; however, donations are greatly appreciated. There are currently three teams of luncheon servers, who alternate dates to serve but work together at the luncheons. Some of the team members provide food for the meal, while others set up, serve, and clean up. We are always looking for volunteers to fill any of the above roles in this ministry.
CARE MINISTRY: SICK & HOMEBOUND
The CARE MINISTRY is a group of volunteers who assist the parishioners of St. Joseph’s by preparing meals for someone just out of the hospital, for a family with a new baby, or perhaps for someone undergoing chemotherapy, etc. The life circumstances for help may vary, but the goal is to lend a hand in a practical way. Occasionally there’s a need to supply a ride to the doctor in an emergency situation, or to pick up groceries or a prescription for a shut-in, or to sit with an elderly person or to babysit. All who can assist in any way (or in other ways not mentioned) are most welcome to join Care Ministry.
CHURCH CLEANING TEAMS
Our CHURCH CLEANING TEAMS are instrumental in making sure that God’s house is spotless! There are currently three teams of about 10 to 15 volunteers — the Emmanuel Laborers, the Clean of Heart, and the Shining Spirits — who take turns cleaning every other Saturday, from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM. Because we have such a beautiful church with intricate furnishings, we are always in need of additional volunteers to join a team (and clean once every six weeks) or offer to clean every time we get together.
CHURCH DECORATION
We are currently in need of a pair of coordinators to supervise the decorating of the church for special times of the Church year and to maintain the altars and sanctuary on a regular basis. Currently, our parish family gets involved in decorating for Christmas and Easter, but there is a need for volunteers to maintain the candles, water the flowers, and tidy up as needed.
DISABILITIES ACCESS
Our DISABILITIES ACCESS Ministry is always on the look-out for structural and environmental barriers affecting our disabled parishioners and guests. And they make it their duty to be sure that all in the parish and those who visit are happy and safe! Our church is accessible by ramp; the first pew and a specific space in the front of the church are always marked for the handicapped and those in wheelchairs; ushers and greeters are always ready to supply a device for our hearing-impaired; and we have had, on occasion, made room for a guest’s service dog! Our Community Center is also readily accessible to all who are disabled. At the onset of its remodeling, an elevator was installed, and the west entrance is wheelchair accessible. The ministry coordinators welcome comments and suggestions to create an even safer environment for all.
FELLOWSHIP
Our parish community is known for its spirit of fellowship, and the FELLOWSHIP Ministry works hard to make all who enter our church and Community Center feel “at home.” Fellowship takes place after all of our Sunday Masses (barring the use of the Community Center gym by another group), and all are welcome to come for refreshments and goodies. The set-up and clean-up crews are faithful in their duties, but more volunteers are always needed to make their job just a little lighter — so that they can enjoy the company of our guests, too!
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
The KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS is an organization made up of Catholic men. Our parish K of C Council actively sponsors many church projects, such as the Pancake Breakfasts, Cookie Dough Sales, and Teresa's Italian Deli Sub Sales, just to name a few! The Knights also support our seminarians, assist with Fellowship Sundays, work at the annual Oktoberfest weekend, and much more. The group is currently establishing a group of Squires (young men age 10 and above) to encourage our younger generation to become involved in the good works done by the knights. Eligible males within the Parish who have an interest in membership can contact our Grand Knight.
LORD’S DAY DINNERS
Christians have learned from the Sabbath that the Lord’s Day is a time of celebration, a time to “take delight in the Lord.” It is a day in which the joy of the Lord, rejoicing in the Lord, can be our strength. Our celebration — the Lord’s Day Dinner — is a way of setting aside the Lord’s Day and making it a parish family celebration. The ceremony begins with the lighting of the candle, the blessing of the wine and bread, and the setting-aside of the day. All who are present are asked to share something for which they are thankful. The meal, provided by all who partake, follows. Everyone is encouraged to get to know others and to “fellowship” and enjoy one another’s company. The final blessing after the meal signals the end to a delightful celebration! Our Lord’s Day Dinners are celebrated monthly after the Saturday 5:15 PM Mass.
OKTOBERFEST
OKTOBERFEST is our parish community celebration and yearly fundraiser for the restoration of our beautiful church. Held on the second weekend of October (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), our parish Community Center “becomes” a virtual German restaurant, beer garden, dance hall, and coffeehouse all in one! All weekend parishioners and guests enjoy German entertainment, German food, specially-made beer for our celebration alone, children’s games, theme baskets, coffeehouse treats, German shops, a car raffle, and fun, fun, fun!!! All parishioners are encouraged to participate in some way for this glorious celebration of our German heritage. What a way to build community!
PARISH PICNIC
On the second Sunday of August each year , you will find about 600 to 700 St. Joseph—Bread of Life parishioners at Waldameer Park in a pavilion getting ready for Mass at 11:00 AM. After Mass and a delicious picnic meal, the people participate in a sing-along hosted by our Music Ministry, they play bingo for prizes, the children play games and get their faces painted, and others delight in visiting with other parishioners. The rides and Water World are available for the afternoon and evening entertainment. When all’s said and done, it’s a great way to come together for food, fun, and fellowship.
ROSARY SOCIETY
The ROSARY SOCIETY is a group that “promotes the spiritual welfare of its members, with particular devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the rosary.” This group of women meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM in the Community Center. A typical meeting begins with the praying of the rosary, followed by a business meeting and special presentation by a member or outside guest. Social time follows with refreshments and fellowship. The Rosary Society members are instrumental in contributing toward the upkeep of altar linens, Community Center kitchen renovations, and other projects for the church. All women of the parish are welcome and encouraged to join.
RUMMAGE SALE
Start cleaning out those closets and basements for the annual Rummage Sale, held in the spring in the Community Center. For the past several years, we have come together to donate our “treasures” for sale to our parishioners and the public. The two-day event, though tiring for those who work hard to collect the items, set up, organize, clean up, and “work the registers,” always brings in about $3,000.00 or more for the parish. We are always in need of donations of items, volunteers to help with getting ready for the big event, and workers to help the days of the sale.
SENIORS MINISTRY: “WISE OWLS”
Did you know that one out of every five persons in the U.S. is a senior citizen? To meet the natural challenges of aging, a “Fifty Plus” Group was begun in our parish. Christened the “WISE OWLS,” their mission is to provide those age fifty and up with a chance to come together regularly for social and educational exchange, a healthy, light lunch, and, of course, laughter. The group meets each month on the last calendar Wednesday of the month at 11:30 AM sharp. Lunch is served and is followed by an informative presentation, a holiday celebration, or a group “chat.” The Wise Owls are always looking for more “fifty+” parishioners to join.
SINGLES MINISTRY
Recently formed, our SINGLES MINISTRY exists to bring together all our parish “singles” — men and women, young and old, forever single, widowed, divorced, separated — to share conversation or meals, social outings or longer day trips, prayerful times, and fun times. If you are one of the “singles” in our parish, consider yourself invited to join!
WELCOMING TEAM
The WELCOMING TEAM’S goal is to walk with potential and new members of our church from three to six months, for a welcome and seamless integration. The Welcoming Team will be able to assess the needs and interests of new member families and individuals so they can be matched with the related ministries, teamed with similar families, and feel welcome in our community. We will be the liaison among new members, the running church census, ministries of the church, and teamed families to assure St. Joseph Church Bread of Life Community is their permanent parish home.