Dear Friends,
In a separate post, I shared my gratitude for the many ministries that have defined St. Joseph and St. Maria Goretti. It is my fervent prayer that becoming one parish will allow us to recommit to these missions with renewed fervor, while discerning together what new paths the Lord is calling us to take.
In this post, I want to highlight the beautiful traditions that have long fostered fellowship, hospitality, and spirituality in our two communities. The Transition Committee has prepared a side-by-side list of these traditions, which you will find below. You will notice many shared customs—such as our annual picnics, hospitality gatherings, and seasonal devotions—as well as unique treasures from each site. For instance:
- St. Joseph brings a weekly Eucharistic Holy Hour and monthly “Donut Sundays.”
- St. Maria Goretti brings beloved Lenten Fish Fries and quarterly parish brunches.
I encourage you to review this list and envision the possibilities for our life together. While we may need to adjust some timings and logistics as we merge, my hope is to preserve the very best of our heritage while creating new traditions that deepen our bond as one family in Christ.
Please take a moment to look at the list and pray for the members of both parishes, as we discover the possibilities that becoming one parish will bring. As always, if you would like to ask questions about what to expect as we plan for the future, please use the link below to submit your question.
Peace,
Father Leo
Parish Traditions
| St. Joseph | St. Maria Goretti |
| Parish Picnic Ministry Recognition Banquet Pet blessing Holy Hour & Rosary – weekly Lent/Easter Season: Stations of the Cross Easter basket blessing St. Joseph’s Feast Day Dinner Halo Ladies Shrine Trail Walk Divine Mercy Sunday Service May Crowning Parish Mission Memorial Service at Cemetery Corpus Christi Procession First Friday Devotion Hospitality Sunday – monthly 8:00 and 10:00 am masses | Parish Picnic Ministry Recognition Banquet Pet blessingHoly Hour, weekly during Lent & Advent Lent/Easter Season: Stations of the Cross Easter basket blessing Ash Wednesday Soup & Salad Supper Ash Wednesday Service with CFP kids Confirmation prep students participation in readings and distribution of ashes Fish Frys – 6 Fridays during Lent Palm Sunday Procession from “the Rock” Children’s bunny trail Cake pops after Mass – Easter & Epiphany May Crowning Parish Mission Veteran’s Day Luncheon Mass of Remembrance Mass of Anointing – 2x/year Quarterly Gatherings: September Brunch Palm Sunday BrunchAdvent/Lenten Celebrations Pasta dinner in January Ice cream truck after Mass – 3x/year Apples & Lollipops for children after the final blessing, weekly Adopt-a-Pot Program Pool Party at Munster Pool, end of summer 5K Fundraiser for Food Pantry, September Trunk-or-Treat Food Pantry Benefit Concert, October Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration Children’s Christmas Choir Home blessing kits – Epiphany |