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Ministries

​​St. Joseph Parish encourages its parishioners to participate in various ways. Serving in a liturgical and pastoral ministries are a great way to accomplish this. Parishioners interested in one of the ministries below should contact the parish office for more information.

​Altar Server​This ministry is open to all interested children in third grade or above who wish to be servers for Sunday, holy day and special Masses. New altar server training is offered once a year. Interested children and parents are invited to contact the parish office.
​Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion​This ministry is open to all members of our parish who are 18 years of age or older. Their role is to assist the priest, who is the ordinary minister of the Eucharist, with the distribution of the body and blood of Christ at Mass.
​LectorMembers of this ministry proclaim the readings from sacred Scripture, with the exception of the Gospel, during the Liturgy. This ministry is open to members of our parish who are at least 16 years old.
Liturgy of the Word for Children​The celebration of the Liturgy of the Word for Children begins with the dismissal of children after the opening prayer from the Sunday assembly. As the children enter their own space, there is a brief opening, the proclamation of the Sunday readings followed by a reflection, which opens the children to the Good News of Jesus Christ and the mystery of God’s love for them. The children conclude their time together by responding to a profession of faith and the prayers of the faithful. The children then return to the assembly and rejoin their families to continue the celebration of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
​Ministers of the Homebound​Those serving in this ministry visit parishioners of St. Joseph Parish who are homebound; in personal care residences; or in nursing homes, and bring the Eucharist to them. Through this ministry, those who cannot come to Mass may remain connected to their parish community.
​Sponsor CoupleThis program serves as the primary program in the Diocese of Greensburg. It is offered for engaged couples who wish to meet with a trained parish couple. The sessions cover issues encountered in the day-to-day living of married life. The engaged couple meets in the mentor couple’s home for a series of four, informal two-hour sessions. These are very relaxed meetings. The sessions are scheduled at times convenient to both couples.
​Music Ministry​Music is an integral part of worship at St. Joseph Parish, where sacred music from diverse cultural traditions—from Gregorian chant to Polish hymnody to recent compositions—enriches the liturgies while promoting “full, conscious and active” participation of the assembly in song.
​Adult ChoirThis volunteer ensemble sings at the 11 a.m. Mass and for special liturgies from September through May, with weekly rehearsals on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.  
The choir averages 18-22 members and is open to singers age 14 and older.  New members are always welcome and the ability to read music, while helpful, is not required.
​Cantorial MinistrySt. Joseph Parish’s cantors proclaim the Psalm, the Gospel acclamation and verse, and lead the assembly in hymns and responses.  Male and female cantors of all ages are welcome and need not be members of the adult choir. 
A pleasant singing voice and some prior vocal experience are required; training is provided for those new to this ministry.
​Instrumentalists​Parishioners with instrumental gifts are encouraged to share their talents with the church family through playing preludes and offertories throughout the year, as well as participating in major liturgies either as soloists or as part of our instrumental ensemble.
Children’s Choir​The Children’s choir serves for Easter and Christmas as well as weekend Masses and is integrated with the Adult choir. Our Children’s choir serves as a training ground for the next generation of Cantors and choir members.
Hospital VisitsThe Catholic Chaplain for Uniontown Hospital is available to our parishioners for both emergency calls and visits. He can be reached through the hospital operator.