Contact the Rectory at 631-588-8456 or michele@stjoronk.org if you are interested in joining any of these ministries.

Altar Servers

Altar servers actively participate in Mass, prayer services and Sacramental celebrations.  Young boys and girls should be in the fourth grade or above, have received the Catholic sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and First Holy Communion and commit to coming to Mass regularly to fulfill their assignments, generally twice a month.  

Training will be provided and is overseen by Deacon Ed and Deacon Matt. Typically, we have 2 training periods a year, consisting of four sessions each.

Current health and safety protocols required that we temporarily suspend the Altar Server ministry, and we miss the loss of participation of our Servers. Altar Servers have one of the more important roles in the Catholic liturgy, and the parish is grateful to have boys and girls serve at the Altar of the Lord.  

God bless you and your families!

For the protection of all God’s children, every minister 16 or older must have a background check.  All ministers 18 and older must have VIRTUS training.

Eucharistic Ministers

Eucharistic Ministers facilitate the distribution of the Eucharist at Mass and bring the Eucharist to the homebound.  You must have received the Sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation). If you wish to join this ministry you must send a letter of request to the pastor.

Lectors

Lectors proclaim the Word of God at Mass. You must have received the Sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation), You must also be a registered member of the parish. Training will be provided. We also have a junior lector program for students from fourth through twelfth grade.

Hospitality & Safety

Ushers and Greeters are called to be Ministers of Hospitality. They are entrusted with promoting a sense of welcoming and belonging to all the faithful assembled for worship. They are the first point of contact for the communal celebration of the Liturgy and because of this, should take special steps in being living representatives of the Parish Mission Statement. Ministers of Hospitality minister to the entire community in a continually active way. By freeing each person of their own personal impediments to the Mass through a welcoming atmosphere, ministers of hospitality take an active role in enabling each person to come to a freer expression of God in the Liturgy.

Marriage Preparation

The Sacrament of Marriage is both a joy and a challenge, and it can be supported with the strength of faith and support of others. Marriage can be more fulfilling when it includes preparation.   Our parish Marriage Preparation program includes Pre Cana-Workshops, along with the use of the FOCCUS Pre-Marriage Inventory exercise.  

Pre-Cana workshops aim to:

  • Help engaged couples feel more secure in their roles as wife and husband,
  • Provide an awareness of some of the common pitfalls that can interfere with Marriage Happiness, 
  • Offer insight to conflict resolution that can help keep small problems from becoming major ones, 
  • Help create a Catholic Marriage lifestyle that is satisfying and healthy.

If you are interested in enrolling in the program as a recently engaged couple or considering joining our ministry please contact Deacon Ed Grieb in the Rectory Offices. There is no minimum or maximum years of marriage, we are looking for couples that will honestly share their marriage experiences and will work with couples interested in joining the ministry.

Eucharistic Adoration

Eucharistic Adoration is the worship of the Eucharist outside of the Mass. The Eucharistic Host is displayed in a monstrance on the altar so that all can see and pray in the presence of Christ. The Eucharist, also referred to as the Blessed Sacrament, is typically kept in a tabernacle at your parish church. While it is true that you can pray to God anywhere and that He is always within you, it is especially powerful to adore Jesus in the Eucharist. In the presence of the Eucharist, we pray to the power and sacrifice that it represents — the body of Jesus, who gave His life so that we may live.

During this time with Jesus, you can recite your favorite prayers, read the bible, pray a rosary or other types of prayerful devotions. You can talk to God or sit in total stillness. All are invited for as much time as you wish to spend. If you feel called to commit to a scheduled half hour of adoration, please contact Michele Nappi michele@stjoronk.org to coordinate the schedule and start receiving blessings.

Baptism

Some members of this ministry prepare parents to have their children baptized by teaching classes prior to the Baptism date.  Others assist the priest or deacon at the Baptism by preparing materials and greeting families and answering their questions.  Finally, some members of this ministry hand embroider the sacramental white cloths given to each child who is baptized. Training will be provided as needed.  VIRTUS training and background checks will be required. **New volunteers are critically needed and welcomed!

Consolation

Members of this ministry assist families with planning funeral Masses for their loved ones including choosing hymns and readings from scripture.  They also discuss the life of the deceased with the family to leave notes for the priests and deacons who will be conducting the wake service and celebrating the Mass. They then attend the funeral Mass to help the family with their participation and to serve as Lector and/or Eucharistic Minister as needed.  Members must be 18 years or older, complete VIRTUS training and a background check.  Training will be provided.

Men's Prayer Group

The St. Joseph Men’s Prayer Group welcomes men of all ages. We meet on Tuesdays at 7:30PM to pray the rosary and enjoy fellowship.