Dear Friends,
Since becoming pastor of St. Maria Goretti in 2022 and of St. Joseph in 2025, I have been blessed to witness the incredible generosity and dedication of both parish communities and their ministries. While the parishes have some of the same ministries, such as our food pantries and the various liturgical ministries, each parish also has its own unique ministries. For example:
- St. Joseph has a vibrant Men’s Ministry and the “Halo Ladies” women’s group.
- St. Maria Goretti offers an engaging Christian Formation Program for children and a dedicated Baptism Preparation Ministry for young families.
In fact, there is so much good work happening that you may not even be aware of everything available! To help us get to know one another better, the Transition Committee has prepared a side-by-side list which you can see at the bottom of this post. I encourage you to look it over to consider the great potential for us to grow and serve together.
As we prepare for St. Joseph and St. Maria Goretti to become one parish, we have a beautiful opportunity to grow stronger together. While this transition will require adjustments and sacrifices from all of us, our desire is to fulfill the Lord’s mission with a renewed commitment.
I have begun conversations with ministry leaders to discern how we can align our resources in a way that will allow our ministries to thrive and grow. I hope to share the fruits of those conversations soon. I will share with you a bit about the traditions each parish holds dear in a nearby post. By honoring our past while embracing the future, we can form a new community grounded in faith, hope, and love.
Please know of my prayers for you and for all parishioners.
Peace,
Father Leo Gajardo
Parish Ministries & Programs
| St. Joseph | St. Maria Goretti |
| Food pantry – 40 households, 3rd Wednesday, monthly School supply collection Angel Tree collection Blood drives Outreach with Catholic Charities Network – financial support for utilities/rent Homebound Ministry: Ignite – communion every Sunday Great Lakes – communion, Mondays (Mass, 4th Monday) Cedarhurst – rosary & communion, Fridays Parish Life Committee Social Events Small Groups 50/50 Raffle Halo Ladies Women’s Group Men’s Ministry Group Men’s Prayer Group – every Wednesday Gospel Reflection Group – every Tuesday Welcome ministry Young Adults Group Dyer Knights of Columbus Liturgical Ministries: Eucharistic ministers Lectors Servers, adult Ushers | Food pantry – 100 households, 2nd Tuesday, monthly School supply collection Angel Tree collection Blood drives Sts. Monica & Luke Soup Kitchen Habitat for Humanity builds Nursing Home ministry Masses: Sheffield Manor – 1st Monday Cedarhurst – 2nd Monday Dyer Nursing & Rehab – 3rd Monday Bus trip – Social events Small Groups 50/50 Raffle Music ministry & young musician’s program Baptism ministry Marriage Preparation ministry Bereavement ministry Prayer blanket ministry Vegetable garden ministry Contemplative prayer group Preaching reflection group Quinceañera ministry Children’s Formation Program Children’s Liturgy of the Word-10:30 Mass Vacation Bible School, Christmas & summer Book club Liturgical Ministries: Eucharistic ministers Lectors Servers, children and adults Sacristans |