Pastoral Planning Council: The Pastoral Planning Council provides consultation to the Pastor on matters of pastoral planning and policy. The Council works with the Parish Leader to discern God’s will, to develop a parish vision, and to clarify the mission of the parish. 

The Council engages in pastoral planning by developing parish goals through dialogue with the various parish committees and ministries. The Council pursues its mission in connection to the larger church, aware of its interdependence with other parishes, the diocese, and the universal church.

Contact: Nick Perkoski 599-8570

 

Finance Council: The Council’s function is to make recommendations dealing with general financial planning and policies that affect the life and mission of the parish. Based on review and analysis of financial and other relevant information, the Council sets the basic direction and determines strategies to promote the financial success of the parish. This role in providing general direction on broad issues is to be distinguished from ordinary administration that continues to be the responsibility of the Pastor and parish staff. It provides a guide for future actions that impact parish finances. The Finance Council meets quarterly at the Parish Office, or as needed.

Contact: Nick Perkoski 599-8570

 

Cemetery Board: The Cemetery Board sets policies and procedures for St. Joseph Cemetery. The Board meets about four times per year at the Parish Office. 

Contact Person: Nick Perkoski 599-8570

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Parish Committees

 

e-Ministry: Volunteering to video tape the weekend Mass for the local cable station as well as Facebook Live / You Tube transmissions.

Contact: Nick Perkoski 599-8570

 

Environment Committee: This group strives to create an atmosphere in which the worshipping assembly can experience God through the visual beauty of the Church environment. The committee plans and executes the environment for Easter and Christmas. The committee also maintains a beautifully reverent environment throughout the other liturgical seasons. The Environment Committee meets on an “as needed” basis. Meetings are announced in the bulletin. All are welcome.

Contact: Parish Office 599-8570

 

Lenten Fish Dinner Committee: Fish Dinners are held each Friday during Lent from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Volunteers are needed for set-up on Thursday afternoons and on Fridays during the dinners for taking orders, cooking, serving and clean-up. An organizational meeting is held prior to the Lenten Season.

Contact: Nick Perkoski 599-8570

 

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Matthew 25 Outreach Ministry

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Soup Kitchen: provides lunches to the homebound the first and third Wednesday of each month. There is no in-person service at this time. Volunteers are needed to help prepare/package/deliver the meals. 

Contact: Nick Perkoski 599-8570

Funeral Luncheon Ministry: dedicated group of parishoners that provide luncheons following Funerals. Volunteers always needed to assist.

Contact: Faith Hotovec 440-599-8570

Mother Mary's Closet: outreach to young families with children from newborn to toddlers. Providing clothes, diapers, toys, furniture and other essential items. Hours of operation are every Thursday from 5-7pm and every Saturday from 9am - 12pm. Located on the 2nd floor of the Parish Center.

Contact: Sandy Blank 599-8570

 

The Prayer Chain Ministry: is a group of devoted pray-ers who pray for anyone who has made a request through the church office or through individual Prayer Chain Ministry members. The chain begins the moment the call is received and is sent to each member through a systematic order, one to the other member. Each call and the information the caller wishes to share remains confidential. We keep in touch through the prayer requests that travel via the chain. Presently, there are ten members. We welcome new members who will pray for the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of others. We believe in the power of prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Contact: Parish Office 599-8570

 

Prayer Shawl Ministry: The Prayer Shawl Ministry serves as an outreach to anyone in need of prayers. Members gather at 1:30pm at the Parish Office on the third Thursday of the month (Feb – Oct) to work together on shawls. The following weekend, shawls are blessed and prayed over by all parishioners at Mass before being delivered. Volunteer members are available each month to teach anyone to knit/crochet or work on the loom. 

Contact: Linda Kehoe 599-8570

 

Liturgical Ministries

 

Altar Servers: Throughout the centuries, the presider of the liturgical assembly has been assisted by minor ministers. These ministers carry out duties that both help the presider and enhance the ceremonial nature of the Church’s liturgy. The ministry is open to any person, male or female, of good character who has received First Eucharist and is a

Catholic mature enough to carry out the duties with grace and with a sense of importance of what is to be done during the Mass. Servers are needed for weekends, daily and funeral Masses.

Contact: Deacon Nick Iarocci 440/645-3520

 

Lectors: The lector has a dual role: to proclaim the Word of God and to listen to the Word. Lectors prepare thoroughly at home the week before they are scheduled to read. They pray with the Scriptures, hoping in faith that God will come to them through the printed words and that they will be able to convey God’s presence to the Assembly. They are people of the Word. The role of lector may be performed by any qualified person of mature faith.

Contact: Nick Perkoski  599-8570

 

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: assist in distribution of Holy Communion during the Mass as needed.

Contact: Nick Perkoski 440-599-8570

Ushers/Greeters: They create a welcoming and comfortable environment as the community comes together to celebrate the Eucharist. They welcome all who arrive for Mass, collect the offertory, and oversee special requests that ensure a respectful assembly.

Contact: Nick Perkoski 599-8570

 

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Education

Catechists: “Whoever is called ‘to teach Christ’ must first seek ‘the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus’… From this loving knowledge of Christ springs the desire to proclaim him, … to lead others to him. Catechists teach students in grades 1-8 according to the curriculum of the Diocese of Youngstown. They are to be practicing Catholics who live in the Spirit of Jesus, participate in the sacramental life of the Church, and know and witness to the teachings and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. Catechists are to demonstrate an ongoing academic and spiritual growth that is a lived priority in order to nurture personal and communal faith. They are to be certified or working toward certification according to the Diocesan Office of Religious Education certification guidelines. They need to be in compliance with the Diocesan Policy on Child Protection and be at least 18 years of age. 

Contact: Carla Robison  599-8570

 

OCIA: The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the Church’s ritual process for calling adults to a conversion of mind and heart and preparing them for a full and active life in the Church as disciples of Jesus. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults adapted for Children of Catechetical Age, usually around the age of reason, seven years of age, is also available. The process may take from one to two years. Volunteers are needed for the team in a variety of ministries: catechists, sponsors, godparent, hospitality, music leader, and support staff. 

Contact: Nick Perkoski 599-8570

 

Youth Group: A group of teens who desire to develop their relationship with Jesus Christ through faith-based discussions, service and social activities. 

Contact: Annie Emery 599-8570

 

Parish Catholic Men’s Fellowship Group: This group provides men an opportunity to grow closer in their relationship with God and other men in our parish. The group currently meets on the first and third Tuesdays of every month. 

“Iron is sharpened by iron; Man is sharpened by man.” Prov. 27:17.

Contact: George Emery or Deacon Nick Iarocci 599-8570 or niarocci@youngstowndiocese.org

 

Women of Faith Group: This group provides women an opportunity to grow closer in their relationship with God and other women in our parish. The group currently meets on the third Thursday of every month at 6pm.

Contact: Carla Robison 440-599-8570