Pastoral Ministry
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Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
This ministry encourages the parish family to draw close to the Lord. Adoration takes place on the first Friday of every month from 6:00-8:00pm. Any date changes will be published in the Parish Bulletin.
Contact: Parish Office (831-455-2249)Bible Study
The Women’s Bible Study takes place on Mondays at 9:30am in the Pastoral Center. This group focuses on how the readings reflect on us as women. We learn from one another’s comments and observations to internalize the Word so as to grow in our faith. We also use supplemental materials such as The Little Rock Series, Rediscover Jesus and The Joy of Love prior to our main Bible series. Newcomers are always welcomed.
Contact: Parish Office (455-2249)The Women’s Faith, Fitness and Friends Bible Study meets on Fridays at 9:30am in the Pastoral Center. We meet for two 9-week sessions per year. After our Bible Study concludes, many of us enjoy a hike in our local mountains. All are welcome.
Contact: Parish Office (831-455-2249)Catechetical Ministry
This ministry cares for the Christian education of children at different levels (preschool through high school) and the on-going formation of adults (catechists and parents) according to the teachings of the Catholic Church. The main focus is the Father’s saving action in history through His Son, Jesus Christ, and continued by the Holy Spirit through the Church and the sacraments. Class registration opens at the end of April. Classes are held from September through April each year. Information regarding class times and places, and other religious education news, is printed in the bulletin.
Contact: Carrie Aragon, Director of Religious Education (831-455-8720) or caragon@stjchurch.org)Catechist Ministry
St. Joseph’s Religious Education classes (grades preschool through high school) are taught by volunteers. Without your help, the program could not function. Thank you for considering this valuable ministry.
Training opportunities for catechists and aides are offered throughout the year by the Diocese of Monterey. Periodically, we email newsletters, articles and videos with information on our Faith and ideas for the classroom. Additionally, St. Joseph’s has a Catechist/Aide Orientation session each summer.
Contact: Carrie Aragon, Director of Religious Education (831-455-8720) or caragon@stjchurch.org)All volunteers working with children must be fingerprinted by the Diocese of Monterey and complete an online training course. Please contact our Safe Environment Coordinator for information.
Contact: Marjorie Callahan, Safe Environment Coordinator (831-455-8720 or mcallahan@stjchurch.org)Children’s Christmas Vigil Mass and Pageant
This Mass has been celebrated at our parish for over 40 years. There are three mandatory practices, a parish presentation/dress rehearsal and the Vigil Mass at 4:00pm on Christmas Eve. Applications are available in November. We are always looking for volunteers.
Contact: Parish Office (831-455-2249)All volunteers working with children must be fingerprinted by the Diocese of Monterey and complete an online training course. Please contact our Safe Environment Coordinator for information.
Contact: Marjorie Callahan, Safe Environment Coordinator (831-455-8720 or mcallahan@stjchurch.org)Finance Council
The Finance Council’s responsibilities are to aid and advise the Pastor and staff in the administration of parish resources. The Council monitors the parish budget, reviews income and expenses, coordinates fundraising efforts and regularly reports financial information to parishioners. The Council is comprised of the Pastor and a minimum of six lay persons. Members are appointed by the Pastor for a three-year term. The Finance Council meets at 7:00pm in the Pastoral Center on the second Thursday of the month (excluding July, August and December). All are welcome to attend.
Contact: Parish Office (831-455-2249)Funeral Hospitality and Liturgy Team
This ministry works directly with families to plan their loved one’s Funeral mass. You may be called upon to serve communion or to be a lector if the family needs your help during their loved one’s Funeral or Memorial Mass. The parish has resources available to facilitate the planning. Training is available.
Contact: Amy Gomez, Ministries Coordinator (831-455-2249 or agomez@stjchurch.org)Heart and Soul
The Heart and Soul ministry shops, prepares and serves meals at Dorothy’s Kitchen once a month. They meet in the kitchen on the second Friday every month from 5:00-9:00pm to cook. The food is delivered and served the next day (Saturday).
Contact: Parish Office (831-455-2249)Hospitality
The hospitality ministry provides and serves refreshments after the 9:00am and 11:00am liturgies each Sunday through volunteer hosts. Signups are in the hall after morning Masses.
Contact: Parish Office (831-455-2249)Lenten Soup Suppers
Our Lenten Soup Suppers take place every Friday during Lent (except Good Friday) at 6:00pm in the hall. We gather for meatless potluck, enjoy one another’s company and then take part in the Stations of the Cross at 7:00pm in the church. Bring a pot of meatless soup, salad or dessert to share. Whether you can bring something or not — please join us — all are welcome.
Contact: Parish Office (831-455-2249)Office Volunteer
This ministry is at your convenience and may involve answering phones, stuffing envelopes and any office work that needs to be completed. We’d welcome your help.
Contact: Parish Office (831-455-2249)Parish Building Committee
The Building Committee is a seven member panel of five parishioners, the Facilities Manager and the Pastor. Members typically serve a three-year term. The Building Committee’s primary focus is the master plan for St. Joseph’s campus. Duties also include oversight of repairs and improvements to church properties.
Contact: John Fitzgerald, Facilities Manager (831-455-2249 or jfitzgerald@stjchurch.org)Party Planner
This ministry is an opportunity to help plan and decorate for our annual parties (Mardi Gras, parish picnic and ministry appreciation parties). Please call the office to sign up and make sure to watch the bulletin for announcements.
Contact: Parish Office (831-455-2249)Pastoral Council
The purpose of the Pastoral Council is to promote effective communication by providing an advisory forum to the Pastor. The council represents all members of St. Joseph’s Parish and participates in decision making and direction setting to foster parish unity and renewal. The council may have up to 12 members who volunteer their time and talents. The Pastoral Council meets at 6:30pm in the Pastoral Center on the second Tuesday of the month (excluding July, August and December). All are welcome to attend.
Contact: Parish Office (831-455-2249)The Pastoral Council invites you to review St. Joseph’s Parish Pastoral Plan:
St. Joseph’s Parish Pastoral Plan 04142015
The Pastoral Council welcomes your comments and questions. Please respond via email to office@stjchurch.org. Thank you.
RCIA
This ministry answers questions of adults inquiring into the Catholic faith. RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation) is for adults seeking Baptism; adults from other traditions (denominations) already baptized who wish to become confirmed Catholics; Catholic adults needing Confirmation; and Catholic adults who have been away from the Church for a while and want to “reconnect”.
Learn about yourself, your community, your world, and your faith as you connect with others and, together, live out the life of the Church.
Contact: Nic Bianchi, Catechumenate Director (831-675-2722 or nicmbianchi@aol.com)Safe Environment
In June 2002, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops established the Charter for the Protecton of Children and Young People. Under the Charter, each diocese in the United States is required to check the criminal background of everyone — including volunteers — who work with children, young people or vulnerable adults. To protect our children and to comply with the Charter requirements, the Diocese of Monterey has established a procedure for screening applicants for volunteer positions in our parish. All volunteers working with children must be fingerprinted by the Diocese of Monterey and complete an online training course. Please contact our Safe Environment Coordinator for information.
Thank you for your willingness to work together to protect our children and young people.
Contact: Marjorie Callahan, Safe Environment Coordinator (831-455-8720 or mcallahan@stjchurch.org)Spirituality
The Women’s Spirituality group takes place on Thursdays at 1:00pm in the Pastoral Center and is open to new members at any time. The intention of this class is to have a safe place to talk about one’s own personal God and to learn to grow in this relationship. Of course in so doing we hope to obtain a better understanding of our own relationships with the people in our lives. This year we are learning through an introduction to some of the great spiritual writers and the questions they grappled with. Hopefully the people in the class find a freedom to express and discuss as many view as are present. All is done with an eye toward growing the community of St. Joseph’s in a more loving way toward God, and making us more aware of God’s grace around us. Come and join us!
Contact: Parish Office (831-455-2249)“Why Catholic” is conducted in the ARISE format (small groups) and is composed of two 6-week seasons per year (Spring and Fall for 3 years), beginning with Lent 2017. It has a rich scriptural and catechetical approach, encourages Catholics to speak openly about their faith, offers suggestions for responding to questions about their beliefs and assists parents in passing along to their families a full appreciation of the rich gifts of Catholicism. Training sessions for group leaders (and others interested) will be conducted prior to each season.
Contact: Parish Office (831-455-2249)Youth Ministry
St. Joseph’s middle school youth group (grades 6-8) is called POP’s Place Jr. Gatherings are once or twice a month (usually on Thursdays from 6:30-8:00pm). We pray, sing and discuss the Bible all while having a lot of fun! We also take field trips during the summer and go on a 5-day mission trip.
St. Joseph’s high school youth group (grades 9-12) is called POP’s Place. Gatherings are once a month (usually on Thursdays from 7:00-8:30pm). We pray, sing, hang out, and discuss the Bible and current life as Catholic teens. We also take field trips in the summer.
You may register at any time during the year and there are no fees. See the bulletin for meeting dates.
Contact: Christina Brigantino, Youth Ministry Coordinator (831-229-2325 or cbrigantino@stjchurch.org)