St. Joseph Parish
A Ministry of the Capuchin Franciscans since 1877
THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS:
Reaching God through worship, sacraments, prayer and spiritual growth.
Baptism
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Baptism preparation is central in the faith formation of parents to raise their children in the practice of the Catholic faith. It is held every other month and covers:
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The theology, ritual and symbols of baptism,
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How children form concepts of God and Christian values,
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Ways to pray and develop a personal relationship with God.
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Sessions are conducted by our Pastoral Associate, Deacon Mark Farrell. Classes are conducted every other month (January, March, May, July, September and November) on the second Thursday of the month starting at 7 p.m. in Room 209.
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Because young parents are in a very formative period in their lives, baptism preparation happens with the birth of each child, but the content is different each time.
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Baptism times and dates are set with regard to peoples’ choice and parish events. Please contact Deacon Mark Farrell at 920.734-7195 or mfarrell@saintjosephparish.org with questions or to sign-up for a session.
Communion
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For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. (1 Cor11:23-26)
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls Eucharist the source and summit of the Christian Life. Many words describe such a great mystery: Breaking of the Bread, the Lord’s Supper, Sacrifice, Holy Meal, Memorial and Real Presence of Christ. At heart, Eucharist is a pledge of Jesus’ love, where those who are initiated into his Body and Blood become transformed into witnesses, disciples giving their lives in faith-filled service.
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At St. Joseph Parish, children receive their First Holy Communion in second grade. They attend a retreat prior to the reception of the sacrament. For more information on this program, please visit the IPRF website.
Reconciliation
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Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle…Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” (John 8:3-11)
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The sacrament of reconciliation involves a conversion, a change of heart in our relationship with God and with each other. We are invited to confess our sins to a priest; then make amends by fulfilling a penance; and then be reconciled. This sacrament is truly a sacrament of a new heart, a sacrament of conversion, where we are lavished with gifts (grace) of love, compassion and the mercy of God made present in our very lives through Christ’s Body, the Church.
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First Reconciliation
Children receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation in second grade. The celebration of the sacrament takes place during the children’s regular class time during the month of December. Parents attend a meeting prior to their children’s reception of the sacrament. For more information, please visit the IPRF website.
Weekly Reconciliation
Private reconciliation is celebrated on Saturday mornings January thru June at 9 AM at St. Joseph Church and at St. Mary Church July thru December, or by appointment. Check the parish calendar for any changes.
Confirmation
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Holy Orders
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Marriage
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Anointing of the Sick
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And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind; and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.... (Acts 2:2-4a)
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls Confirmation the Sacrament of the Holy Spirit, where the baptized are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and strengthened for service to the Body of Christ, called to carry on the mission of the resurrected Christ to the world, through the power of the Paraclete, who will not leave us orphans. Those who are confirmed breathe the Life of the resurrected Christ to their sisters and brothers.
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At St. Joseph Parish, the celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation takes place in October or early November. Candidates are required to have an interview and make a retreat prior to the reception of the sacrament. For more information, please visit the IPRF website.
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RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
RCIA is the process for adults who are not baptized, those who are baptized in a different Christian denomination and baptized Catholics who seek Confirmation and Eucharist. Preparation sessions are held Sunday morning beginning Sunday, September 22nd. Sessions give an in-depth overview of the Catholic Church and provide skills in scripture, prayer and Christian living. The process is enhanced by the companionship of an RCIA Team, sponsor, personal visits and support of a Catholic community. Catechumens and candidates are received into the church and celebrate the Easter sacraments at the Holy Saturday Easter Vigil. Contact Deacon Mark Farrell, Pastoral Associate with questions or to register, 734-7195.
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Adult Confirmation
Adult confirmation takes place in the Fall. For more information or to register for a class, please contact Carol Jensen at 739-5119 or at cjensen@stmaryparish.org.
Marriage Preparation
We are thrilled you are interested in getting married at St. Joseph Parish. Please contact Deacon CF Dedman, 734-7195 or cfdedman@saintjosephparish, with any questions on the following information or to set up an appointment.
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Marriage preparation involves:
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Meeting with the pastor
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Making one of the marriage preparation workshops provided by St. Joseph
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Meeting with a FOCCUS Couple (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study)
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Planning the wedding Mass or Service music with the Music Director
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Please allow at least six months for preparation.
Interested in Marriage Preparation Ministry?
We are looking for married couples who are willing to help prepare engaged couples for marriage through a variety of ways (i.e. processing the FOCCUS instrument with engaged couples, and planning and/or partipating in the Pre-Marriage Day for engaged couples. If interested in Marriage Preparation Ministry, please contact Deacon CF at cfdedman@saintjosephparish.org
Are You Hearing the Call?
“God calls. We respond. A vocation is a response to a specific call that Jesus Christ places on our hearts. It is our individual way of living discipleship in the Church. Our primary call, through the Sacrament of Baptism, is to be a follower (disciple) of Jesus Christ. It is to be a holy person. Within that first call to follow Christ, God calls us in specific ways to live a vocation to the married life, the single life, the consecrated religious life, or the ordained life.” ~Fr. Dan Schuster Vocations Director, Diocese of Green Bay
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If you believe you are called to a life of serving God’s people within the parishes and diocese by being a visible sign of the presence of Christ, please feel free to speak with our pastor for direction, or contact Father Dan Schuster, Vocations Director for the Diocese of Green Bay at dschuster@gbdioc.org.
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If you believe that your gift is following Christ’s call to serve the Church as a Deacon through service of the word, service of the liturgy, and service of charity, justice and pastoral outreach, please speak with our pastor for direction, or contact Deacon Paul Grimm, Deaconate Director for the Diocese of Green Bay at pgrimm@gbdioc.org.
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is for those whose health is complicated by sickness, aging. illness, surgery, birth trauma, relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, addictions.
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The spiritual gifts are:
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forgiveness of all sin,
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strengthening of faith and hope in God’s presence and healing,
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inner peace and courage in the midst of uncertainty and suffering,
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support of family and community as we pray together.
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Touch through the laying on of hands and anointing of the forehand and palms are a sign of the healing presence of the Spirit. Oil of the Infirm is a symbol of spiritual nourishment and inner strengthening,
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The words of anointing speak to our hearts: “Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord , who frees you from sin, save you and raise you up.”
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This Sacrament is for the living and can be celebrated in homes and health care facilities. It can be repeated as often as a person feels the need for healing and comfort physically, spiritually, emotionally and mentally. Anointing in the presence of those who love and care for us says that we are cherished especially in times of sickness and suffering.
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Anointing is celebrated each year with a special Mass at both St. Joseph and St. Mary. Individual Anointing may also be celebrated at home or in a health facility. Call the parish to arrange a visit.
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We no longer call this sacrament the “last anointing.” It is often helpful for a person to be anointed sooner than later – while they are aware of the sacrament so they can feel the presence, comfort and support.