Worship |Religious Education | Prayer | Fellowship | Service
The Holy Mass and Sacraments are the bedrock of Catholic worship. St. Joseph's offers several ways for parishioners to participate:
Altar Servers - children and adults who assist the priest during Mass. Through their integral role in the Mass, altar servers gain a deeper appreciation of the Liturgy, receive valuable Catechesis and forge a deeper love for our Lord Jesus Christ.
Contact:
Darlene Smith (343-6452)
Juan Paz (344-5339) for Spanish Mass
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion - minister the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ to their sisters and brothers at Sunday Mass, and take Holy Communion to parishioners who are homebound or in nursing homes. Training is periodically held for those wish
Contacts:
Sr. Mary Catherine (Holy Communion to the Homebound) 343-6256 x108
Beth McElhone (English weekend and Holy Day Masses) 343-6256 x113
Chela Gelabert (324-2438) for Spanish Mass
Children's Liturgy of the Word - provides a way of engaging children in grades 1-6 with the Sunday Scriptures. It is offered during the 8:45 a.m. English Mass and 1:15 p.m. Spanish Mass on Sundays.
Contacts:
Kathy Brown (372-0224) for English Masses
Laura Romero (615-1426) for Spanish Mass
Lectors - Proclaim the Word of God to the gathered Faithful at Mass other parish services, and offer the Prayers of the Faithful.
Contacts:
Beth McElhone (343-6256 x113) for English Masses
Lydia McNamara (342-4946) for Spanish Mass
Music Ministry - supports the singing of the Assembly of the Faithful and provides music during worship services and devotions. St. Joseph's has three adult choirs, two children's choirs, a chime choir, and seasonal adult choirs.
Contact:
Beth McElhone (343-6256 x113) for English Masses
Ushers - help parishioners and visitors as necessary to find their places at Sunday Mass, collect the Sunday offering, and distribute bulletins and other literature.
Contact:
Clair Branch (372-7688) for English Masses
Tomás Mata (383-0668) for Spanish Mass
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Prayer is a constant in everything we do at St. Joseph's. And though prayer is everywhere, the following groups and activities deserve special attention because prayer - in and of itself - is the focal point of their missions.
Legion of Mary - a group of Catholics who join together on a regular basis to pray and to serve in honor of Mary, our Blessed Mother.
Contact:
Georgia Dann (343-7064)
Rosary Group - parishioners who meet at 6:30 p.m. on Monday evenings to pray the Rosary.
Contact:
Mary Mero (382-4102)
Stations of the Cross - prayers and meditations that retrace our Lord's path to Calvary. The Stations of the Cross occur regularly during Lent; contact the rectory office for days and times (343-6256).
Contact:
Rectory office (343-6256)
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Christian formation concerns deepening our understanding of the Catholic Faith, to become "formed" to the life Jesus Christ is calling us to live. St. Joseph's offers several ways to help form its members:
Pastor's Bible Study (Saturday morning) - small-group reflections on the Scripture readings to be used at the following day's Masses. The study group meets every Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m.
Contact:
Monsignor Mike Hazard (343-6256 x103)
Bible Study (Sunday morning) - follows the Little Rock Scripture Study program to better understand the Bible and apply it to our daily lives. The study group meets Sundays at 10:10 a.m.
Contact:
Patty Donovan Haley (343-6256 x110)
Pilgrim's Progress - consists of baptized persons seeking to grow in their understanding of what it means to live as baptized followers of Jesus. Participants come from various religious backgrounds and afford a rich environment to learn from each other's experience: " Some come from various Christian Churches to explore what it would mean for them to live their baptismal life according to Catholic belief and practice " Some are unconfirmed Catholics who desire to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation " Some have been away from their faith for a time but have recently begun a more active practice " Some simply have a lot of questions. Pilgrim's Progress meets on Monday evenings - all are welcome to participate and/or assist.
Contact:
Sr. Mary Catherine (343-6256 x108)
Religious Education - English and bilingual formal religious instruction and sacramental preparation foryouth up to 18 years old. Adult volunteers who wish to teach or assist are always welcomed. We share this program with St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish.
Contact:
Patty Donovan Haley (343-6256 x110)
Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo (CSGK) - St. Joseph Parish participates with seven other area parishes in sponsoring a Catholic faith-based elementary and secondary education system that focuses on high achievement in a caring Christ-centered environment. The sponsoring parishes are
- St. Ambrose,Parchment
- St. Ann, Gull Lake
- St. Augustine, Kalamazoo
- St. Catherine of Siena, Portage
- St. Joseph, Kalamazoo
St. Mary, Kalamazoo
- St. Monica, Kalamazoo
- St. Thomas More, Kalamazoo
Contacts:
St. Augustine Campus
Elementary/Middle School: K-8; Before & After School Care; Pre-School & Young-5 Programs
600 West Michigan Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269) 349-1945 (269)
349-1085 (fax)
officesta@yahoo.com
http://st.augustine-elementary.com
St. Monica Campus
Elementary/Middle School: K-8; After School Care
530 West Kilgore Road Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 345-2444
(269) 345-8534 (fax)
sms_office@sms.csgk.org
http://stmonicakazoo.org
Hackett Catholic Central High School
Grades 9-12
1000 W. Kilgore Road Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 381-2646
(269) 381-3919 (fax)
hackett@hackettcc.org
http://hackettcc.org
Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo Administration
751 Pleasant Avenue, Suite A Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 345-6055
(269) 488-6287 (fax)
csgkoffice@csgk.org
http://catholicschoolsgreaterkzoo.org
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) - a process for unbaptized persons to learn about the Catholic Faith and way of life in preparation for Baptism. The RCIA meetings are held Wednesday evenings. The process includes prayer, instruction, community and service. It leads, through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist celebrated at the Easter Vigil, to full initiation into the life and mission of Jesus as lived by the Church. Inquirers, who are not sure what they want to do, but would like more information to assist in their decision-making are welcome, as well as those who desire to seriously prepare for Baptism and live their life according to Catholic belief and practice. A team of parishioners help the Catechumens on their faith journey through prayer, participation in the meetings, and sponsorship.
Contact:
Sr. Mary Catherine (343-6256 x108)
Vacation Bible School - provides a great way to continue the religious development of children during the summer months. Through instruction, games and challenges, children gain a deeper understanding of their faith, grow closer to Jesus, develop lasting friendships, and have a whole lot of fun. Children from other parishes or faith expressions are welcome to attend.
Contact:
Patty Donovan Haley (343-6256 x110)
Youth Ministry Program - Led by the power of the Trinity, this program helps our youth develop a deeper relationship with Christ, fosters a welcoming and loving community, and sends them forth to be the light for others. The English-speaking program has three age groups: grades 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. These youth groups, sponsored by St. Joseph, St. Thomas More, St. Augustine, and St. Mary parishes, are open to all youth.
Contact:
Kelly Pant (
The Spanish-speaking Youth Group is for Spanish-speaking youth, high school age to young adult. Members of this ministry work together to foster camaraderie, develop a stronger relationship with Jesus, and advance Catholic values.
Contact:|
Lydia McNamara (349-4246)
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Donut Crew - coffee, juice, warm conversation and some of the tasties donuts in southwest Michigan provide a great setting for fellowship after the 8:45 AM Mass. This "power" breakfast happens in the Bennett Gym on most Sundays, September to May.
Contact:
Kyle Elmblad (323-7217)
Fish Fry - you are bound to make new friends and rub elbows withsom movers and shakers at at St. Joseph Fish Fry (Bishop Murray is a regular!). Fish and chips, great desserts and hot & cold beverages are served the first 6 Fridays of Lent. Volunteers to cook, clean, serve and catch fish are always welcomed.
Contact:
Marti Nock (381-5838)
Colleen Dawson (381-0251)
Hospitality Committee - prepared and serves refreshments at special parish events.
Contact:
Rectory office (343-6256)
Multicultural Committee - works to find ways to integrate and celebrate the rich cultural diversity within our parish. Diversity Dinners and Movie Nights are examples of recent successes.
Contact:
Terri Kennedy (375-2587)
Parish Bazaar - held the first weekend in November, this event puts the talents of our parishioners on display via baked goods and crafts. Proceeds go toward special inititatives and/or to the Church's general fund.
Contact:
Rectory Office (343-6256)
Pastoral Council - comprised of parishioners who consult with and advise the pastor to help promote the spiritual growth of our parish. The Pastoral Council explores what needs to be supported, changed or developed to make the parish more faithful to God's call. Council meetings occur the 2nd Wednesday of the month.
Contact:
Diane Lynagh (345-6297)
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BeFrienders - ministry that reaches out to members of the parish in their time of grief. Through notes and personal contact, BeFrienders let the grieving person know that the parish is there to help them get through their difficult time. An annual prayer service is held each November in memory of those who have died during the year.
Contact:
Jan Mackay (342-1518)
Christian Service - provides emergeny food to those in need through the Loaves and Fishes program for Kalamazoo County; also dispenses limited direct assistance to prevent shut-offs.
Contact:
Gloria Copeland ( 343-16256 ext 128)
Facilities Management Committee - responsible for maintenance and repair of parish buildings and ground. Especially valuabel for this committee are electricians, plumbers, "handy-men" painters, plasterers, masons.
Contact:
Phil Grabowski (343-6256)
Flower Care - plant, prune and weed flower beds surrounding the Church
Contact:
Marianne Denny (375-9038)
Funeral Lunch Crew - propares and serves meals for the bereaved following funerals and graveside services. This comforting ministry calls on a substanital number of parishioners to pull things off; from the clalers who let people know a dish is needed, to9 the cooks and bakers who make the dish, to the poplewho servie the food. More help is always welcomed.
Contact:
Rectory (343-6256)
Food Resource Bank - program where volunteers sponsor agricultrual land here locally for the benefit of those in their-world countries. Sponsors pay for the seed, water , labor and any other costs associated with growing food. When the farmer sells the product, all proceeds are invested in programs in a third world country to help the inhabitants feed themselves.
Contact:
Peggy Baker (327-6147)
Michigan Organizing Project (MOP) - addresses social justice issues in the surrounding neighborhoods by organizing people, strategizing, and engaging the local political scene.
Contact:
John Musik (344-1967)
Migrant Ministry - group effort to welcome, socialize and pray with migrant farm workers. The ministry occurs Wednesday evening in July and August.
Contact:
Sister Mary Catherine (343-6256, x 108)
Life Awareness Team - this ministry invites parishioners to get together for prayer and outreach to advance the culture of life.
Contact:
Malinda Frybarger (388-3301)
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