A Community Caring for Life (ACCL) is a ministry of our parish that focuses on communal and individual prayer for the sanctity of human life. We work to eliminate the culture of death by promoting a culture of life and love. The group focuses its efforts and resources on deepening the understanding of the sanctity of life by offering information, education and by working to restore legal protection of unborn children and to safeguard in law the lives of the most vulnerable. We offer pastoral care for those needing support during pregnancy, to those who have suffered from abortion, and to the disabled, the sick and the dying. We welcome all who wish to work with us on the campaign in support of life.
Eucharistic Ministry to the Homebound serves the sick and those confined to their homes. As children of God, the Eucharist is the "source and summit" of our lives and it is this reality that directs us to bring the Eucharist to those who cannot celebrate with us at Mass.
Grief Support Group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Great Hall and is open to all those who have experienced the death of a loved one.
Prayer Shawl Ministry is a group of volunteers who create hand-knitted or crocheted shawls while praying for those who will receive them. The shawls are blessed by our priests and given to those needing comfort. They are meant to be a reminder of the spiritual community that is supporting them in prayer.
Befriender Ministry is a ministry of lay pastoral care volunteers who are trained to listen with compassion to those who are in difficult and transitional situations. If you are interested in receiving a Befriender or in becoming trained to work in the Ministry please contact the Pastoral Care Office.
Funeral Hospitality is offered to parishioners whose funerals are held at St. Joseph's. We prepare a luncheon meal that follows the funeral and we are always looking for volunteers to make this ministry possible. Those who are unavailable to help on the day of the funeral are invited to bake sweets that are served at the meal. Please consider joining this ministry.
FAITH and LIGHT is an interdenominational group made up of persons with intellectual disabilities, their friends and their families who meet monthly to pray, learn about Scripture, make new friends, participate in fun activities, share food and fellowship, and celebrate with music.
"One of Faith and Light's vocations is to make sure that people with an intellectual disability feel that they are never alone and that they are never useless." John Paul II
THE GATHERING is a program offered in collaborative partnership with St. Joseph's, area churches and with Lyngblomston. The Gathering serves people experiencing early or mid-stage memory loss by offering social and cognitive stimulation to the participants and respite to caregivers desiring a break.
Loaves and Fishes is a non-profit agency that has partnered with St. Joseph's and other area churches to fulfill the need to provide nutritious meals to people who are hungry in the Twin Cities Metro Area. We provide a meal every first Monday of the month at the Dorothy Day location.
Food Shelf collects are held in early September, Advent and Lent and parishioners are invited to bring bags of food to the Masses. Since 1987, the parishioners of St. Joseph's have donated 187,888 pounds of food, nearly 94 tons! In addition, the parishioners have donated $55,189 in cash for the food shelf. The success of the St. Joseph's food shelf collections over the last 24 years is a wonderful example of Christianity in action.
Quilters gather on the last Wednesday of the month in the conference room off the Great Hall to work collaboratively to create quilts for the needy and homeless.
Meals on Wheels is a non-profit ministry which serves an average of 120 people a month by providing home delivered meals to those who are aging or recovering from illness. St. Joseph's parishioners partner with this organization as volunteer drivers.
Faithfully Fit Forever is a light exercise program that incorporates prayer with a workout. The program is for all adults but is of particular benefit to seniors who are interested in improving their balance. Exercise sessions are free and are held in the Great Room on Tuesday afternoons at 4 p.m. No reservations are required.
Blood Pressure Checks are offered monthly free of charge at Hospitality Sunday gatherings thanks to the generosity of many of our parishioners who have nursing backgrounds.
SAM Luncheons are open to all seniors and are offered on the first Monday of each month from September to May. We begin with Mass at 11 a.m. and enjoy a catered meal, fellowship and entertainment immediately following Mass. Pre-paid reservations are required a few days before the event and forms can be found on the Kiosk. We hope you will join us.
Lectio Divina is an ancient Latin expression which means 'spiritual reading of the Bible'. The Lectio Divina group meets every Thursday at 4:30 p.m. in the parish library. Together we pray the Sacred Scriptures as a means of receiving God and his divine life, as well as a means of understanding his words through our senses and intellect. The group is friendly and welcomes newcomers.
Book Club meets every Friday at 1 p.m. in the library September through May. All are welcome.