Volunteer/Mass Assistance

St. Josephs rely on our parish community to help assist us in celebrating the Sacrifice of the Mass.  Listed below are some of the roles in which you may participate.  If you have a special skill and would like to volunteer but do not see it on the list below, please contact the parish office.

Altar Cloth/Linen Cleaning

Just as the altar is a sign of Christ the living stone, altar cloths are used “out of reverence for the celebration of the
memorial of the Lord and for the banquet in which the Body and Blood of the Lord are offered.”

Unless the altar cloths have been stained with the Precious Blood, it is not necessary that they be cleaned in the sacrarium. Care should be taken,
however, that proper cleaning methods are used to preserve the beauty, dignity, and life of the altar cloth.

If you are interested in Altar Cloth Cleaning, please contact the parish office.  608-339-3485

Altar Server

The servers duties include, carrying the cross, the processional candles, hold the book for the priest celebrant when he is not at the altar, carry the incense and censer, present the bread, wine and water to the priest during the preparation of the gifts or assist him when he receives the gifts from the people, in the washing of the priests hands, assisting the priest celebrant and deacon as necessary.

Servers should have some training before they take on the task.  Normally there will be 3 servers for each Mass.
We are in need of Mass servers!  If you are interested or have questions, please contact the parish.

Choir

The Mass is a celebration in the real sense of the word. Music and singing are of the utmost importance in every liturgical celebration. Music and singing give the RITES solemnity, dignity and beauty. And they give joy and spiritual uplifting to all who are celebrating and participating.

The primary task of the choir is to lead, guide and enable the whole congregation to celebrate and sing the praises of God.

We are in need of responsible people to join our choir.  We welcome all voices to sing joyfully in the celebration of the Mass.

THIS PAGE IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION.  CHECK BACK SOON.

Communion to Nursing Home

Cup Ministers

Assist with the distribution of the consecrated bread and wine at the liturgy.  Commitment:  Arrive 15 minutes before the Mass begins.  Training will be provided.

Holy Water Fonts 

Holy Water fonts located at the back and sides of the church entrance need to be cleaned and kept full on a regular basis.

Infant of Prague

Dressing the Prague Infant Jesus.   Dressing the Infant Jesus emphasises his real humanity.
The Infant Jesus, like the priests at the altar, is dressed in robes in the colour of current liturgical season according to the church calendar.
WHITE – The colour of glory, purity, and holiness – for celebrations, Christmas and Easter
RED – The colour of blood and fire – for Holy week, Pentecost and Feasts of the Holy Cross
PURPLE – The colour of penance – for Lent and Advent
GREEN – The colour of life and hope – for ordinary time (the most common colour)

Knights of Columbus

From the moment of our founding in 1882, charity has been the first principle of the Knights of Columbus.  We are Catholic men of faith and men of charitable action.  Our charitable activities encompass an almost infinite variety of local, national and international projects.

Our own unique charities include Ultrasound Initiative, Coats for Kids, Special Olympics, etc.

All the good works we do are informed by our four core principles:

1. Charity
2. Unity
3. Fraternity
4. Patriotism

Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to men 18 years of age or older in good standing with the Catholic Church.

Steps to becoming a Knight of Columbus:

• Contact a member of the St. Joseph Parish, Council # 6718
• Complete a member form
• Attend the next initiation ceremony

Charity – Our Catholic faith teaches us to “Love they neighbor as thyself”.  Members of the Knights of Columbus show love for their neighbors by conducting food drives and donating the food to our local soup kitchens and food pantries, by volunteering at Special Olympics, and by supporting, both spirituality and materially, mothers who choose life for their babies.  Knights recognize that our mission, and our faith in God, compels us to action.  There is no better way to experience love and compassion than by helping those in need, a call we answer every day.

Unity – None of us is as good as all of us.  Members of the Knights of Columbus all know that – together – we  can accomplish far more than any of us could individually.  So we stick together….we support one another.  That doesn’t mean that we always agree or that there is never a difference of opinion.  It does mean that – as a Knight of Columbus – you can count on the support and encouragement of your brother Knights as you work to make life better in your parish and community.

Fraternity – The Venerable Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus, in large part, to provide assistance to the widows and children left behind when the family breadwinner dies – often prematurely.  The Order’s top-rated insurance program continues to do this today, as do individual Knights, who last year gave more than 10 million hours of their time to assist sick and/or disabled members and their families.  In the Knights of Columbus, we watch out for and take care of one another.

Patriotism – Members of the Knights of Columbus, be they Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, Cubans, Filipinos, Poles, or Dominicans, are patriotic citizens.  We are proud of our devotion to God and country, and believe in standing up for both.  Whether it’s in public or private, the Knights remind the world that Catholics support their nations and are amongst the greatest citizens.

Lectors

Proclaim the appointed readings and general intercessions during the liturgy.  Commitment:  Must arrive 20 minutes before the liturgy begins.  Training will be provided.

Money Counters

Plants

Live plants need to be watered and pruned periodically.

Rosary Leaders

Sacristans

Ushers