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Saint Joseph
Catholic Church
The Oldest Catholic Church of Saginaw Valley, established in 1850
Saint JosephCatholic ChurchThe Oldest Catholic Church of Saginaw Valley, established in 1850 |
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St. Joseph Church 1005 Third Street Bay City, Michigan 48708 Phone: (989) 895.5783 Fax: (989)895.8837 Email: stjosephbcm@att.net OUR COMMISSIONS AND MINISTRIES The Parish Council The Parish Council provides consultation to the pastoral administrator/pastor in formulating and making known the parish mission and fostering pastoral activity. This is accomplished through recommendations regarding the parish vision for the future, the general directions, priorities, goals & objectives, long & short range plans, and the promotion of communication and understanding within the parish, between parishes and with the diocese and universal church. The council commissions and committees provide specific focus in the Church’s various ministries and develop expertise in those areas. The commissions and committees are the council’s working arm and deal with details necessary to establish and carry out the various ministries. Commissions and committees have a formal relationship with the parish council and are accountable to the council and the pastoral administrator/pastor. They also have an informal close working relationship with the pastoral administrator/pastor and staff, whereby ideas, information and advice may be shared. Although members are appointed primarily for their expertise, committee recommendations must also reflect Gospel values. The spirit behind parish council and parish commissions and committees must always be the spirit of the Gospel. The parish council and its commissions serve as an advisory and consultative body to the pastoral administrator/pastor.
“What good is it, my brothers (and sisters), if someone says he (she) has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one (of us) says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 2:14-18 From this and other Scripture exhortations we reach out in love and concern to those who need us. Having faith in God demands that we live out our baptismal promises. St. Joseph parish witnesses to God’s love and serves his people through our various ministries These ministries include:
Christian Service serves the needs of the parish community and reaches out to the broader neighborhood and civic communities. Services such as visiting the sick in the hospital, nursing home or in their own homes, direct assistance for the poor, support groups, evangelization outreach, letter writing to legislators and educations programs on issues that fall within this commission’s responsibility. Hospital Visitation: If you or a loved one enters the hospital and would like us to visit, please contact the rectory. You need to complete the hospital form which allows parish ministers to visit you while you are hospitalized. Nursing Home Visitation: The same conditions as hospital visitation applies when someone is admitted to a nursing home. Be sure and contact the rectory if you would like a parish visit. The St. Vincent de Paul Society: This society provides funds for families’ Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. In the past it had been the custom to send a food basket. Today, in respect for the families’ dignity, gift certificates are given for different supermarkets so that the families may choose what they would like for their holiday dinners. In addition, the St. Vincent de Paul Society assists the food pantry, provides emergency money for a variety of necessities which may include food, utility bills, housing and even assistance with funeral expenses. They continue to furnish postage so the parish can mail the weekly bulletins to parish shut-ins. The St. Joseph Conference is always looking for new members to help them as they continue to assist the less fortunate members of our community. You can reach a representative by contacting the Parish Office by phone, fax, or email.
Food Pantry: Our food pantry is located in the Parish Center and serves approximately two hundred families per month. A parishioner oversees the ordering and record keeping and 15 dedicated volunteers keep the shelves stocked, assist in shopping and packing foods, take orders and greet the needy who come in daily Monday through Thursday. They also redeem returnable bottles and cans and the proceeds are used to keep the shelves stocked with necessities. This group is always in need of help as they minister to the needy in our community. If you would like to volunteer, contact the Parish Office by phone, fax , or email. Health Ministry: The parish nurses do blood pressure checks regularly, make home visits to parishioners, and assist in various needs as requested. They also supply the Care booklets in church, publish a health related newsletter and provide resources as needed. Part of their ministry includes sending birthday cards to homebound parishioners. You can contact one of the nurses by leaving your name at the Parish Office. One of the nurses will return your call. Homebound Ministry: St. Joseph parish services its homebound members in a variety of ways. Being an older parish with an aging population, this ministry continues to grow in numbers. Sixteen Eucharistic Ministers regularly visit and bring communion to approximately 28 parishioners who are homebound, in the hospitals or residing in a nursing home. Sister Joanne Witucki IHM, pastoral associate, regularly communicates with our homebound members through letter and cards when they are celebrating special times during their lives. She has also included them in our current evangelization program, Disciples in Mission. They take an active part through their daily prayers and scripture readings. Please email or phone the parish office when you know of someone from our parish who has been admitted to the hospital, been placed in a nursing home or would need the services of the Homebound Ministry due to health issues. Jail Ministry: A parishioner regularly visits the Bay City jail to provide prayer services and support. This minister also collects (new) Christmas cards and stamps which are then given to prisoners so they can share Christmas greetings while incarcerated with their loved ones. Please notify the parish office if there is someone in our Bay City jail who needs visitation. Funeral Luncheon Committee: This group organizes and prepares luncheons for families of parishioners who are buried from the parish. This service will be offered at the time one is making the funeral arrangements with the parish. There are four teams who serve on a rotating basis. Volunteers are always welcomed and needed. Please contact the parish office. Other Christian Service Outreach Opportunities: The Giving Tree is a project which begins the weekend after Thanksgiving when stars requesting gifts for needy people are placed on a Christmas tree in the back of church. Parishioners take a star, purchase a gift and place it under the tree. Christian Service also participates in the sale of Christmas wreaths for Habitat for Humanity. In the spring they sponsor Baby Bottle Boomerang, a fund-raising project in which the proceeds from baby bottles filled with donations of loose change are divided between Right to Life and the Mother Teresa Fund. Both organizations provide financial assistance to individuals or couples experiencing limited financial resources while awaiting the birth of their child and/or during the initial period following the birth. Simple Blessing Quilters complete small quilts which are then donated to those in need both in this country and abroad. You do not need sewing or quilting skills to be part of this ministry. Contact the parish office if you would like to be involved in any of the Christian Service outreach opportunities.
Worship Commission sees that the parish’s liturgical life is vibrant and that various liturgical celebrations build up a prayerful community of believers. They develop means by which the parish offers its members opportunity for spiritual growth and development as individual and as a parish community. Art and environmental aspects of the worship space are also this groups responsibility. Eucharistic Ministers : click here for schedule Lectors: click here for schedule Altar servers: click here for schedule Ushers: click here for schedule The Adoration Chapel: Perpetual adoration of the Eucharist has been in existence for 22 years in the chapel . It is attended around the clock by devout Catholics from all over the Saginaw Valley. Many take a regular hour each week and others visit for a few minutes of prayer. One can enter the chapel from the back parking lot and left through the breezeway. Contact the parish office and we will have someone contact you with more information if you would like to know more about our chapel. Prayer Support: The St. Anne Society offers a prayer line for those who have prayer requests. Please contact them at 895-0594 or 684-2076. Mary’s Garden: Mary’s garden was designed and planted by Fr. Stanley J. Trahan C.S.Sp, a native Bay Cityan and assistant pastor in the 1970’s. It serves as a peaceful, secluded retreat with many varieties of rose bushes, annuals, perennials, and shrubbery. Statues of Mary, fountains and wrought iron benches invite all to rest and meditate. Parishioners now carry on his work in the garden. They can always use fresh “green thumbs” if you would like to help in the garden.
Education/Formation Committee deals with the parish’s education and formational activities. Focus is comprehensive and considers the needs of young, adult and elderly parishioners. You may click on one of the following to learn more about the different components.
This cup of warm coffee with the Holy Spirit in its midst is meant to suggest that adult education/faith formation is inviting and enriching, offers nourishment and community, and is engaging and adds meaning to life. Look for this logo in the publicity of Parish and Cluster offerings for ongoing adult education/faith formation. Join us as together we explore our Catholic faith and grow as God’s people. CAFÉ: Catholic Adult Formation and Education Baptismal Preparation: (parents and godparents) Sacramental Preparation Classes (parents and candidates) Administration Committee also called the Finance Committee enables and assists the other commission in their ministries. They advocate sound management practices and are responsible for resource development, budget preparation and review, overall fiscal accountability, buildings and grounds, etc. Building and Grounds oversees the maintenance of buildings and grounds and makes recommendations for repair and improvement. Volunteers help with planting and maintenance of the parish gardens and grounds. CSA helps with solicitation and recording of yearly pledges for the Saginaw Diocese’s Catholic Services Appeal. Collection Counters meet early Monday mornings to count the weekend offering and prepare it for bank deposit.
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