St. Joseph Parish
A Ministry of the Capuchin Franciscans since 1877
Twinning - Faith in Action
Reaching Out with care and compassion to our fellow parishioners as well as the needs within our community and beyond.
Our parish formed a "parish twin" relationship with St. Joseph Church in Clintwood, Virginia in the spring of 2006.
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St. Joseph Church in Clintwood, Virginia is a vibrant community of about 35 families. This bright candle shines in an Appalachian county where less than one percent of the population is Catholic. The members of St. Joseph Clintwood reach out to their neighbors. Food and clothing drives, home repair assistance and medical care all provide powerful witness of the Catholic faith to a population challenged by poverty, illness and environmental damage.
In September I visited the Fourth World Center on Reedy Ridge near Clintwood. Vincent and Fanchette Fanelli , the directors, got a grant from our Diocese to set up a solar energy facility on their property. They moved a small building from across their street and remodeled it. Then they hooked up two solar panels they received from a local school in Clinchco. We all saw the lights go on inside. It also has the ability for heating and AC using solar powered batteries. Our two US senators wrote letters and our local state Delegate was present for the dedication. The new facility is just a few miles from the new combined Dickenson county high school and middle school. Already Vincent has been invited to speak to the students. So great things are happening in far southwest Va.
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Thanks to all for your interest in us.
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Fr. Tim Drake
A note from Fr. Tim:
St. Joseph Clintwood has a new priest as Fr. Tim Drake has retired. St. Joseph's new pastor is Fr. Arnel Ayo. Fr. Ayo is from the Philippines. This past year, Fr. Ayo has been serving at St. Joseph’s Parish in Hampton, Virginia which is along the coast. Fr. Ayo is 35 years old.
