ST. JOSEPH PARISH MINISTRIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
As Jesus reminds us that He is the vine and we are the branches, and it is the branches through which nourishment enlivens the vine, so it is with parish ministries and organizations. There are many ministries and organizations by which our parish is enriched - some of which require occasional participation, and others which entail regular service. One does not become a parishioner simply by attending Sunday Mass. Your involvement in one of these ministries and organizations will not only enrich your life, but it will also vitalize the communion of faith we enjoy at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Clayton.
PARISH COUNCIL
LITURGY COMMISSION
The Altar Society meets each Friday morning to maintain the sanctuary, linens, vestments, candles, flowers and decorations on a week to week basis and for holiday liturgies.
...Contact Billie Koken at 725-0018 for more information.
BAPTISM AND BAPTISM CLASS
Parents who request Baptism for their child are asked to attend one meeting on the sacrament of Baptism in order to understand more fully the privilege and responsibility that comes with being a catholic Christian parent. Classes are held the first Wednesday of each month. Please contact the rectory for arrangements. Baptisms are scheduled following the 11:00 am Sunday Mass.
...Contact the Parish Office at 314-726-1221.
LITURGICAL MUSIC MINISTRY "Come let us sing joyfully to the Lord: cry out to the rock of our salvation. Let us greet Him with a song of praise, joyfully sing out our psalms." (Psalm 95: 1-2)
The music ministry is eager to provide quality leadership through music that encourages complete participation of the congregation in sung prayer. We need YOU to get involved. Our ministry depends on the members of St. Joseph to bring their talents forward to sing the music. Please consider sharing your gift of song with us.
ADULT CHOIR PRACTICE
The adult choir meets 7:30 TO 9:00 P.M. each Monday night. The adult choir leads the sung prayer at the 11:00 am Mass each Sunday. Warm-up is in the music room (lower level of the school) at 10:30 am before the Mass.
CANTORS
Cantors lead the sung prayer at the 5:00 pm Saturday Mass and the 9:00 am Sunday Mass. Warm-up takes place before the Mass.
There is a YOUTH CHOIR which perform at Christmas, Easter and other special celebrations as scheduling permits. Please contact Mary Taylor, choir director, for details. The older members of the Youth Choir also assist in the work of the adult choir on Sundays.
The music ministry maintains a complete referral list of additional instrumentalists and vocalists for Weddings, Funerals and other special worship services.
...Contact Tom Taylor, Music Director at 314-603-2365 for more information.
...Contact Mary Taylor, Choir Director at 34-569-1047 for more information.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
This group of commissioned and trained ministers distributes Communion at Mass and brings Communion to the homebound. Eucharistic Ministers serve as an integral part of the communion of faith which defines the Body of Christ.
LECTORS
Lectors are parishioners who read the Scriptures, petitions and announcements at Sunday and weekday Masses.
...Contact Mary Molloy at 314-726-1221 for more information.
SERVERS
Servers are young men and women as well as adults who assist the priest at Mass and during prayer services, baptisms, and other times when the community gathers in prayer. Servers must be 5th grade or older to participate.
...Contact Stephanie Gallagher through the rectory office at 314-726-1221 for more information.
EDUCATION COMMISSION
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS (RCIA)The Catechumenate Program is designed to initiate and welcome new adult members into the Catholic Church and our parish community. The emphasis is on prayer, scripture, study and sharing the experience of faith. Adult initiation into the Catholic Church normally takes place each year during the Easter Vigil. Members of the parish are invited to participate as catechists and sponsors.
...Contact Msgr. Shamleffer at 314-726-1221 for more information.
ST. JOSEPH SPEAKER SERIES
Speakers are scheduled during the Spring and Fall each year, presenting topics relevant to the church and society. Watch the bulletin for details.
...Contact Terri Venneman at 314-727-9059 for more information.
ELEMENTARY RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
Our PSR program is religious education for children 4 years old through 8th grade who are not attending Catholic Schools. Through discussion, text materials, prayers and activities students learn about the Catholic faith. A personal faith journey is stressed as well as knowledge of the church. Sacramental preparation is a part of this program. Second grade prepares for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. Eighth grade prepares for Confirmation. Sunday classes are held from 9:30 am to 10:45 am for grades 4 years old through 8th grade. Monday classes are held in the school building from 5:15 pm to 6:30 pm for first grade through seventh grade....Contact Terri Venneman at 314-727-9059 for more information.
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP
The St. Joseph Teens meet on Monday Evenings from 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm in the Parish Hall Alcove. Our outreach to teens is geared toward teen life situations and interests. All teens are welcome. Come and bring a friend or two. Sign up or email.
praystationSJ@hotmail.com
PROTECTING GOD'S CHILDREN (PGC)
This is a required video program on child safety for all volunteers, catechists, substitutes and scout leaders who work with children. The PGC program is also offered at other parishes. Check the Archdiocesan website http://archstl.org/sep/page/protecting-gods-children for a list of dates and times. It is a part of a comprehensive Archdiocesan Policy on child protection.
...Contact Terri Venneman at 314-727-9059 for more information.
CHILDREN'S LITURGY OF THE WORD (CLW) The children attending 11 a.m. Mass are invited to participate in the liturgy of the word for children (CLW), which meets in the Parish Hall Cove in the basement of the church. The children in first grade through sixth grade hear the word of God on their level and participate in age appropriate activities which enrich their understanding of the weekly scripture. Pre-school and Kindergarten students are welcome when accompanied by a parent.
...Contact Terri Venneman at 314-727-9059 for more information.
PARISH ACTIVITIES
...Contact Sharon Skrivan at 314-725-2571 for more information.
HOMEBOUND OUTREACH - COMMUNION
This committee visits or calls the homebound to offer assistance or take communion to ill, aged, or injured parishioners. If you like to talk to people, sign up for this committee.
...Contact the Parish Office at 314-726-1221 for more information.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
The Society seeks, in a spirit of justice and charity and by person-to-person involvement of its members, to help those who are suffering. The Society is concerned not only with relieving need but also with addressing the situations that cause it. It serves persons in need regardless of creed, opinion, color, cast or origin. The monthly meeting is usually the first Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the church hall.
...Contact Margaret Clark at 314-726-1221 for more information.
FUNERAL MINISTRY
This ministry provides a valuable service to families and friends during a difficult time of dealing with the death of a loved one. The committee provides luncheons in the parish hall after funeral celebrations at the request of families.
...Contact the Parish Office at 314-726-1221 for more information.
ST. PATRICK'S CASSEROLES
Once a month, we prepare and deliver casseroles to St. Patrick's Center. These casseroles are a necessary part of the ministry of feeding the homeless of the St. Louis community.
...Contact Susan Hackmann at 314-726-2970 for more information.
PRO-LIFE COMMITTEE
We promote jesus Christ's truth about right to life issues by educating, empowering, and motivating people to stand for life from conception to natural death. we sell roses on Mother's Day, participate in the Greater St. Louis Life Chain and support pro-life organizations such as Birthright and Our Lady's Inn. On Thursdays after the 8:00 am Mass there is a rosary for pro-life intentions. We welcome any new ideas for ways to support this important cause.
...Contact Abby Shult at 314-726-4596 for more information.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Habitat for Humanity St. Louis was founded for the purposes of assisting low-income families in need of adequate housing. Through volunteer labor, management expertise and tax deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds homes in partnership with homeowners. Houses are sold at profit to the partner families, and zero-interest mortgages are issued over 20 - 35 years. Carpentry skills are not a requirement for participation. Habitat is founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent, affordable place to live in dignity and safety. St. Joseph Parish is a regular participant and support in the program.
...Contact Betsy Sampson at 314-725-3380 for more information.
PARTY ON THE POINT
As part of our social gatherings and Social Concerns Ministry, St. Joseph Parish hosts the Party on the Point each summer. The purpose of this fun evening is to raise funds for our Habitat for Humanity Build and other charitable projects. The gathering is an evening of adult fun: music, food and drinks.
ADVENT GIVING TREE
This program provides members of the parish with an opportunity to prepare for Christmas by remembering persons and families less fortunate than themselves by purchasing a gift for them. The generosity of our parish family in the past was shown with an overwhelming response of gifts. help in making the ornaments, sorting the gifts to be distributed and delivering them to the various organizations that are supported by this program would be most welcome.
...Contact Margaret Clark, St Vincent de Paul Society at 314-726-1221 for more information.
SENIOR LUNCHEONS All seniors are invited to participate in our monthly Senior Luncheon held in the Parish Hall on the second Tuesday at 12:45 pm. It is a gathering of fun and friendship. We share a simple meal, play games, sing, and catch up with our friends. All senior members of the parish are welcome. Bring a friend and meet new people. Reservations are made by calling 314-726-1221. Help making the senior luncheons happen is welcome.
...Contact Rosemary Hardy at 314-863-5122 for more information.
DINNER MIXERS
Dinner mixers are a great way for parish members to meet and to make new friendships in a comfortable setting. Each small dinner group meets as often as you like at a restaurant or an organized potluck at the home of one of your members! All of the individual groups then join twice a year at a "potluck" cocktail party. It's a fun way to meet fellow parishioners and make lasting friendships!
...Contact Marion Gorman at 314-918-1632 or Gail Welsch at 314-727-4048 for more information.
PROGRESSIVE DINNER GALA
If you have never been to a progressive dinner, you don't know what you are missing! Cocktails and conversation in your host's home will be your first stop of the evening. From there it is off to another home for dinner and more spirited conversation with different people. It is a relaxing and fun way to meet new friends and renew old acquaintances.
...Contact Joanne Soudah at 314-725-0598 for more information.
ST. JOSEPH /OUR LADY OF LOURDES GUILD
The guild meets severL times a year for a great variety of activities. All parishioners are invited to attend any or all of the events. These include spiritual as well as secular events. Motor coach transportation to concert events at the Fox, Symphony or St. Louis Cathedral Basilica is prearranged. See the bulletin for details.
...Contact Betty Tucker at 314-994-0193 or Margie Sicking at 314-863-7694 for more information.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Knights of Columbus Council 11791 is the St. Joseph Chapter of this international organization of Catholic men 18 years of age and older. The Knights' mission is to make their community a better place by supporting parish activities and enhancing their own faith.
...Contact Steve Topping at 314-225-9453 for more information.
ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMISSION
The commission meets quarterly on Thursday evenings and may meet more frequently if necessary. If you are interested in serving on the Administration and Finance Commission or wish to suggest someone call the rectory office at 314-726-1221 or contact Monsignor Shamleffer personally at the same number.
Annual Catholic Appeal
The Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) collects funds through pledges and cash donations for the support of various programs throughout the Archdiocese. Some of the programs which benefit from the ACA donations are: Catholic education, retirement benefits, social/charitable ministries, ecclesiastical services in the Archdiocese, as well as direct funding to individual parishes. The parish chairperson organizes the general drive in April and May. Parishioners are urged to make their pledges or donations by picking up their pledge card following the weekend Masses. Telephone calls complete the Pledge Drive.
Time and Talent
We welcome new volunteers at any time, please call the parish office at 34-726-1221 for information.