Ministries
Liturgical
[We could provide a link to the current ministry schedules here]
Eucharistic Ministers
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist assist in distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful at Liturgies, and may also bring Holy Communion to persons unable to attend Liturgy due to illness or infirmity. Candidates for Eucharistic Ministry must be members of the parish community who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation, have received training in this ministry, and be approved by the Bishop of the Manchester Diocese.
To arrange for training, contact the parish Office Manager.
Lectors
Lectors, or Readers, assist at Liturgies by proclaiming the scripture readings, with the exception of the Gospel. They may also announce the intentions of the General Intercessions and, if there is no cantor, sing or read the psalm between the readings. Lectors are trained and commissioned by the parish.
To arrange for training, contact the parish Office Manager .
Altar Servers
Altar Servers assist the priest during Liturgies. Altar Servers must have received the Sacrament of first Eucharist and be trained in this ministry.
For training, contact the parish Office Manager .
Music Ministers
There are two styles of music ministry at St. Joseph. You could call them traditional and contemporary, but neither stays within any such boundaries, they work together, and there is much music that is common to both. New musicians, both vocal and instrumental, are welcome. The photo below was taken at the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass, 2006.
Contemporary music is generally employed at the 11:00 Mass. This group, sometimes referred to as the "folk group", meets to practice each Sunday at 9:30am in the church Family Room. The 11:00 music ministry is led by Brenda Terry.
The other weekend Masses make use of Traditional music. There is a choir, which generally sings at the 8:45 Sunday Mass and special occasions, and there are cantors or small groups for the other Masses, including a very dedicated group of mostly high-school age at the 7:30 am Mass. The choir meets to practice each Thursday at 7:00pm in the church. Anna Willis is the overall Director of Music Ministries, leads the Traditional music ministry and is the principal organist for the parish.
Greeters
Greeters and Ushers welcome and assist parishioners and visitors who come to Mass..
Spiritual Life
Youth Ministry
This lively group of young people from St. Joseph and Mary Queen of Peace parishes meets at 7:00 PM on Mondays in our parish Family Room. Special activities are advertised in the bulletin. Check out the schedule of upcoming Youth Masses. All High School students are welcome to join in the social and spiritual activities. For more information about the Youth Group, contact Shawn McDonough.
Men’s Prayer Breakfast
This is a group of men from St. Joseph and neighboring parishes (and other faith communities) that meets for breakfast, community prayer, music and teaching. Breakfasts are on the last Saturday of most months during the school year, and are held at 8:00 in St. Julie Hall. Upcoming breakfasts are advertised on our parish bulletin. For more information, contact Dick Collopy, 603-898-7020.
Parish Scripture Study
This group meets seasonally in our Family Room at 8:00 am on Saturdays. For current information, see the parish Education page.
Prayer Line
A Prayer Line prays for the sick, the dying or anyone who is in need of spiritual healing. For prayer requests, please call Lee Alphen, 898-1927 or Melanie Costello, 893-6763.
Social Justice/Outreach
Food Pantry
The Food Pantry is located below the church, across the hall from the rest rooms. Easiest access is the ground level side door around the corner to the left of the main church entrance. Food may be picked up on Fridays from 12 noon to 1:00 PM. Please call the parish Office Manager at least the day before.
Food donations may be left outside the food pantry door at any time, or in the back of the church at weekend Masses.
Respect Life
Contact Deacon David Costello.
Consolers
The Consolers are parishioners who have united to form a ministry that embraces the Rites of a Christian Funeral. Taking a line from the Order of Christian Funerals, "The Church calls each member of Christ's Body -- priest, deacon, or layperson -- to participate in the Ministry of Consolation: to care for the dying, to pray for the dead, to comfort those who mourn." This ministry supports members of our parish, from the terminally ill through the bereavement phase. We are always open to new members. We work as a team, so you are never alone. If interested in finding out more, please call the parish Office Manager and leave your name and phone number. A member of the Consolers will return your call.
Bereavement
As of January 1, 2010, we officially have a “center” located at St. Julie Hall. It is called “JOSEL Bereavement Center”. JOSEL stands for “A Journey of a Sacred Expression of Love.” The purpose of the Bereavement Center is to assure families of support after the wake, funeral, and committal service when grief is often most deeply experienced. There will be support groups for the newly bereaved and also additional support groups for those further along in their grief. We will eventually have groups for children and a seminar for teenagers. Grief is neither a problem to be solved, nor a difficulty to be overcome. Grief is a sacred expression of love. Call Linda O’Reilly at 603-893-6061 for registration and more information.
Mercy Meals
A Mercy Meal can be provided after funerals upon request of the family. It is prepared and served by a group of dedicated and caring women and men of the parish.
Christian Service
Persons in need of assistance or those willing to volunteer should contact the parish Office Manager during business hours.
Quilt Group
The Saint Joseph Quilters meet in St. Julie Hall every Tuesday from 1:00- 4:00PM. All are welcome to make quilts to warm the hearts and bodies of those in need . Since its inception in October 2008 , the group has supplied over 40 quilts to Lazarus House shelter/ministries in Lawrence, Massachusetts. There are currently over a dozen members, including both experienced and new quilters. The quilters' mission has been directed primarily at giving children displaced from their homes something warm and pretty to cuddle up in. Each quilt contains the label, “Made especially for you with love by the St. Joseph Quilters” and a date…
Besides gifting the quilts to Lazarus House, the group collaborated to create the large "Hearts and Flowers" quilt shown here that was raffled off at the St. Joseph's Craft Fair in October 2009 with proceeds to benefit parish ministries.
Call Anna Willis for more information at 898-5729.
Natural Family Planning
For information or instruction about natural family planning, contact Nancy Malo 800-437-9666, ext. 8706