Have you ever participated in a family meeting? All gather to discuss an important decision, and everyone has a chance to share an opinion until some consensus is arrived at.

In a folksy way, that is what a synod is.  Pope Francis has asked the worldwide church to discuss how we journey together. He is especially concerned about bringing people from the peripheries into the process.

Cardinal Joseph Tobin has appointed Sr. Donna Ciangio, O.P., his Chancellor, to lead the effort in our archdiocese along with Fr. Bismarck Chau, Rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral. You can learn more about Cardinal Tobin’s vision by reading his Letter to the Faithful and watching his introduction to the synod.  You can also visit the Archdiocese Synod website for more information. 

Gary Stavella and Noreen Collins will lead us through a series of listening sessions in which we gather the opinions and concerns of parishioners and other faithful regarding the state of the Church.  Gary is a long-time parishioner who heads our LGBTQ Ministry and Noreen is a newcomer with extensive experience in working with at-risk youth and families. 

Please join us for one of these upcoming listening/feedback sessions:

• Thursday, January 20: 7:30 to 9 PM, Virtual session for LGBTQ Catholics and allies on Zoom, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for Zoom invite
• Sunday, February 6: 8:15 - 9:15 PM in the OLG Choir Room for Young Adults
• Sunday, February 27:  9:45 AM at OLG Church (after the 9 AM Mass)
• Sunday, February 27:  12:45 PM at St. Joseph Church (after the 12 Noon Mass)
• Sunday, March 13: 11:15 AM at OLG Church (after the 10:30 AM Mass)

We hope that you will join us!  Let us pray that Pope Francis’ efforts will renew the Church and give us a confident future.

Please join us for these upcoming Young Adult activities!

“Thirsting for God” Adoration at OLG, Thursday, January 20, 7:30 to 8:30 in the Chapel.

Volunteer with April at In Jesus Name Charities, Saturday, January 22 from 10 AM to 2 PM on the ground floor of the Parish Center

[POSTPONED] -- Murder Mystery Party and Cocktail Hour, Saturday, January 29, Parish Center, 6pm – 8pm

The complete Winter 2022 schedule of Young Adult events is now available here!

Andy Fellows, our Pastoral Associate, hosts spiritual, service and social events for our young adults. Spread the word. For more info, contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of St. Joseph Church, we have undertaken an extensive renovation of the sanctuary. In support of this huge undertaking, we are offering a limited number of opportunities to dedicate the sanctuary benches on a first-come, first-served basis. We will prepare a small plaque to place at the end of each bench to memorialize each dedication.

A $400 donation will dedicate a single bench, while a $750 donation will dedicate a double bench and allow for two dedications.  Please complete the form on the church tables and return it to the St. Joseph Office at 61 Monroe St. or the OLG Parish Office at 411 Clinton St. along with your donation. Please complete a separate form for each dedication.

Thank you for your support!

Andy Fellows, our Pastoral Associate, will lead a parish-wide Lenten Retreat, Cultivating Your Prayer Life, on Saturday, March 5, 2022 from 10 AM to 2:30 PM in the Parish Center. Morning snack and lunch served. $15 per person due with the registration form by Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Registration forms on the church tables or click here.  Please join us!

Come and join us at 12:30 PM on Saturday, March 19, 2022, the Feast of St. Joseph, as Cardinal Tobin blesses the new restored St. Joseph Church and closes out the 150th anniversary at Mass. We have plastered and painted the interior, restored the benches, installed a new floor, cleaned the terrazzo floor and the marble steps and altar rail, put down a new rug on the sanctuary steps and platform, cleaned the wainscotting, choir loft wood and all the doors.  The Barrera brothers (Gustavo and Reynaldo) installed new wiring and overhead lights and repaired all the lights.  Please join us in celebration!

The 2022 Mass books are open for in-person reservations at each church during office hours.  You may also complete and mail in or drop off the reservation sheet on the church tables.

It is customary to reserve Mass intentions, which are printed in the bulletin and announced at Mass. You may reserve Masses for the deceased and also for living intentions like a birthday or wedding anniversary. If you plan to notify someone about the intention, we have Mass cards for living and deceased.

Tickets for the parish's bimonthly raffle are available after Mass. The next winner will be drawn on February 28.  You may take some tickets home to sell to family, neighbors and co-workers. Or contact Socorro Martinez at the Parish Center (201-659-0369), and she will mail them to you.  Thank you for your support!

Have you connected with the parish yet on social media? Don't miss out -- follow the parish's Facebook and Instagram pages to catch the latest news and events, and don't forget to tag us in any parish-related photos that you post on Facebook or Instagram. Links to all the parish's social media accounts can be found on the left side of our webpage.  Check us out today!