Ministries

Adult Education

Includes programs offered to enrich the faith-journey of adults, including lectures, parish missions, Bible Study, and faith formation classes.

Altar & Rosary Society

All women are welcome! Gatherings are held quarterly and are announced in the bulletin and in this space when scheduled.

Altar Servers

Children in fourth grade through high school, who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Recon-ciliation and Eucharist, may be trained to assist the priest and deacon at regular and special occasion liturgies.

Baptism Preparation

Preparing parents for the formation of their child’s faith.

Bereavement Committee

Responsible for providing individual funeral planning services to parishioners and their families.

Eucharistic Adoration

The Adoration Chapel is open weekdays after 8:30 AM Mass until 1:00 PM. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed and adored by volunteers who sign up for one hour or more to pray before the Lord Jesus present in the Monstrance. Everyone is welcome to stop in the Chapel without being on the schedule. Monthly Adoration Holy Hour is held one Tuesday a month in Church. See the bulletin for details.

Extraordinary Minister

Extraordinary Ministers of Communion who assist the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass and to the sick and homebound of the parish.

Flowers and Grounds

Volunteers who care for and beautify the grounds and church.

Food Pantry

Parishioers donate food monthly to help the St. John Church Food Pantry.

Holy Name Society

All men are welcome! Meetings are held quarterly. Join us for coffee, a light breakfast, socialization, and engaging conversation about our faith in a relaxed environment.

Lectors

Members serve the community by proclaiming the Word of God at regular Masses and other special liturgies.

Ministers of Care

Extraordinary Ministers who take Holy Communion to the sick and homebound of our parish. Ministers of Care visit and pray with the parishioners and offer words of love, care, and support on behalf of our parish.

If interested in any of these ministries, please contact the Rectory or call 815-727-9378

Neo-Catechumenal Way

This Catholic faith community within the Church is dedicated to studying and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. Its members come together ot pray, learn, and reach out to others in the parish and the community. All are welcome!

If interested in any of these ministries, please contact the Rectory or call 815-727-9378

Parish Gift Shop

The gift shop is located in the north tower of Church near the Chicago Street entrance. There is a wonderful array of religious items for sale including rosaries, cards, seasonal items, sacramentals, and more. The gift shop is open twice a month.

Parish Museum

Located in the St. Joseph School building, the Museum tells the story of St. Joseph Parish beautifully throughout the museum, with many photos, artifacts, and much more on display. If you have any items you would like to donate to the museum, please call the rectory at 815-727-9378 or email us.

Prayer Chain

Parishioners pray daily for intentions requested by parishioners. Volunteers receive new requests either via telephone or through email.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

This ministry meets twice a month and prayerfully knits or crochets shawls for ill people, those in hospice or for new moms. It lets those who receive the shawls know that they are being and will continue to be prayed for. New members are always welcome! No experience is necesssary.

Prison Ministry

Collects greeting cards, stationery and miscellaneous items for use by those who are incarcerated.

Pro-Life Program

Members provide information and encouragement to parishioners to actively uphold the sanctity of human life from conception until natural death.

RCIA

Rite of Christian Initiation – preparation of adult candidates for Catholic sacraments.

Religious Education

Offers instruction to parishioner children in grades one through eight who do not attend a Catholic day school. This eight-year program teaches the Catholic message to live the Gospel of the Lord and prepares students to receive the Sacraments.

Sacristan

Duties include preparing the altar for Mass and cleaning the altar following Mass.

Senior Parishioners

Parishioners age 50 and older meet montly for a meal, meeting, and more. No membership dues.

Shepherd's Table

Volunteers prepare & serve hot meals on the second Monday of each month at the Daybreak Shelter on Cass Street in Joliet.

Slovenian Catholic League

This group offers support to the parish as well as supports Slovenian missions here and abroad.

Welcome Committee

This ministry contacts new parishioners, introducing them to parish life and extending to them a warm welcome to our parish community.

Ushers

Greet people as they arrive for Mass, reserve seating when necessary, assist with the offertory collection, and other duties as needed.

View the Parish Handbook here for a complete listing of all ministries available at St. Joseph Parish. Call the rectory for additional information, 815-727-9378.

St. Joseph Parish Programs

Ways to Help St. Joseph Parish While Doing your Regular & Holiday Shopping

Amazon Smile

Amazon Smile is a simple, automatic way for you to support our parish every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to our parish, at no extra cost to you! A Win-Win Deal! You can use your existing account on Amazon.com. The direct link to St. Joseph Parish, Joliet is https://smile.amazon. com/ch/36-2171046 or click the Amazon Smile icon on the parish website. Thank you for your support!

Great Lake Scrip Gift Cards

Great Lakes Scrip gift cards (formerly called Manna) can be used for your daily or holiday shopping needs. Cards can be purchased or ordered through the gift shop, the rectory or through their website. Visit https://shop.shopwithscrip.com/Login or use the link on the parish website. It’s that easy! You can order the gift cards yourself or by going through the rectory office. Simply pay for them through the rectory or through osvonlinegiving.com/4159. Cards will be delivered to the rectory. These are the same gift cards you would purchase in individual stores. A percentage of all gift cards sold is rebated to the parish. Save Gas! Save Time! And help the parish at the same time.

Food 4 Less Rewards Cards

St. Joseph Parish earns a rebate on all purchases made when you present your Food 4 Less Community Rewards card to the cashier when checking out. Cards can be found at all Church entrances.

St. Joseph Charitable Foundation

The St. Joseph Charlitable Foundation was established to help parishioners in need of financial assistance to get them through a difficult time, whether they are in need due to a job loss, under-employment, health issues, or other matters. All registered, active parishioners of St. Joseph Parish are eligible for assistance.

Applications are located on the kiosk in the front entrance of Church, in the rectory or by clicking here. You may also speak directly to Fr. Tim about applying. The process is strictly confidential. Parisioners are eligible to receive up to a $500 grant within a twelve month period.

Tax deductible donations can be made to the Charitable Foundation at any time throughout the year. Please mail your donation to the rectory to Fr. TIm's attention. Thank you.

St. Joseph Parish Council