Clubs & Groups

The groups and clubs here at St. Joseph's offer something for everyone. We encourage you to join one or more of our organizations. Read through the descriptions to find that perfect fit for you!

Support for Widowed, Divorced or Separated
St. Vincent de Paul
Knights of Columbus
Women's Group
Ladies of Charity
Music Ministry

Beginning Experience

Widowed, divorced or separated? Beginning Experience offers help to hurting “single again” folks. The weekend and optional post weekend sessions focus on a personal inward journey to begin a new life with renewed courage and hope. Grief, regrets, confusion, self doubt? You don’t have to go through this alone. There are others walking this hard road. We know the pain. Come to a safe place. Weekend retreats are held twice/year around March and September,and are held at the Gilmary Center in Moon Twp, PA.  Payment arrangements and possible financial assistance are available. For more information go to www.BeginningExperience.org or make a confidential call to Steve Smith at 412-367-4948 or Mary at 412-523-2405.

Men, women and high school students of this charitable organization visit parishioners at home, in hospitals and in nursing homes. They also provide assistance (food, clothing, etc.) to people in need. Funds are raised through the voluntary contributions of the faithful to the poor boxes located in front of the doorway into the church, and in an offertory envelope several times during the year as well as through fundraisers. To join this organization, contact the Parish office.

WHO WE ARE:
The Knights of Columbus (K of C) is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization. There are more than 1.8 million members in 15,000 councils, with nearly 200 councils on college campuses. Our founder is the venerable Father Michael McGivney, a Jesuit priest who instituted the first council in 1882 at St. Mary’s in New Haven, CT.

OUR MISSION:
The Guyasuta council of the Kof C seeks to be a quality institution that genuinely lives out the objectives of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.

WHAT WE DO:
Through activities and events we raise money to distribute to a variety of local, national and international charities. These charities include Special Olympics, Achieva, Haitian Relief, McGuire Home and St. Anthony School. The K of C also awards educational scholarships, funds our own projects and contributes to other local charities.

HOW YOU CAN BECOME INVOLVED:
You can join us by filling out an application form and attaining the 1st degree. Only members may participate in our meetings. Obtain a membership form by contacting any member of your local council. Membership in the K of C is open to men 18 years of age or older, who are practicing Catholics in union with the Holy See. This means that an applicant accepts the teaching authority of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals, aspires to live in accord with the precepts of the Catholic Church, and is in good standing in the Catholic Church.

 ACTIVITIES:

• Father’s Day Hoagie Sale
• Annual Spaghetti Dinner
• Chance of a Lifetime (C.O.A.L.) Raffle

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact the Parish Office - 412-963-8885.

In Service to one. In Service to all.

Who We Are:

The St. Joseph Women’s Group is a group for all women of the parish, aged 18 and older. The ages of our current membership spans several decades.

Our Mission:

The purpose of the Women’s Group is threefold: to share faith, grow in fellowship, and provide service to the Parish and local community.

What We Do:

Some activities include baking for Meals on Wheels, bake sales and other fundraisers, speakers on health topics pertinent to women, spirituality opportunities, helping at the Parish Picnic, hosting covered dish and ice cream socials, sponsoring various drives to collect items for the needy, donating baskets to raffles for fundraisers, and more.

How You Can Become Involved:

Simply come and attend our meetings! The group meets on the third Thursday evening of each month in the St. Joseph Hall at 7:00pm. New members and new ideas are always welcome! Watch for bulletin announcements or check out the parish website for more information.

To Serve, Rather Than Be Served

Origin of the Ladies of Charity:

The story begins with a tiny old woman named Anna. When she died in a Pittsburgh institution, she had not a friend in the world, and no one to mourn for her. Anna was as unimportant in man’s eyes as a human can be. The story goes on to say that a woman named Margaret O’Konski, who decided to stay after attending the last Mass, watched unbelievingly as the solitary funeral began. After Anna’s funeral in St. Bernard’s Church (Mt. Lebanon) Margaret was concerned that no one would whisper a prayer for Anna. She decided to approach the pastor to discuss a solution. She organized a group of women to attend the funerals of these unclaimed dead. This ministry was the birth of the Ladies of Charity of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

St. Joseph Parish Ladies of Charity:

The ministry of the Ladies of Charity (LOC) here at St. Joseph reaches out to the sick and shut-ins of the parish. Each Lady of Charity is assigned one or more shut-ins. During the Christmas and Easter season, gifts are purchased through the parish and then delivered by the ladies. Birthday cards are also sent, and phone calls can be made.

The LOC also participate in the funerals of the parish. If they are able and their schedule allows, the  ladies bring support and comfort to the bereaved family by participating in a wake prayer service at the funeral home, and attending the funeral liturgy.

On All Souls Day, the LOC participate in the annual 7:00PM All Souls Remembrance Mass as greeters, lectors, and candle bearers. Following the Mass, there is a social in which the LOC are responsible for set-up and clean-up.

Meetings and workshops occur in the Diocese in which the ladies can also participate if their schedule allows.

In order to become a full-fledged member of the LOC, one must work with their parish moderator for at least one year and have a sincere interest in becoming a member. An application must be filled out that is signed and approved by the pastor. Once the year of experience is completed, an investiture Mass is held at St. Paul Cathedral, followed by a luncheon.

Current Information on Diocesan Ladies of Charity:

The Diocese of Pittsburgh LOC is composed of women from 81 parishes, giving them an active membership of over 1,500 members.This structure, always changing to meet the needs of the times, has insured that the diocese has a strong and vibrant working and praying group of women committed to the service of the poor as taught to us by St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac.

Each year, a nominating committee chosen from members on the Diocesan Executive Board searches among LOC groups throughout the Diocese to find interested and qualified ladies to fill open positions. The Diocesan Executive Board consists of Father Robert Boyle (Spiritual Advisor); Sister Rosemary Fleming (Sister of Charity-Sister Advisor); six elected officers; and various committees which include: Membership, Communication, Literacy, Spiritual, Nursing Home Network, Society for the Unclaimed Dead, and Junior Ladies of Charity.

It is truly a blessing to have such strong, caring, spiritual ladies who graciously give of their time, talent and treasure to serve our Heavenly Father and the people of God.

Please give some thought and prayer to this ministry. Maybe the Lord is calling YOU!

Please call the Parish Office for more information.

Thank you, and God Bless You.

Ladies of Charity ~ Bridging Hope, Service & Love

Who We Are:
Through our music ministry, we strive to meet the needs of our parishioners by creating a beautiful, prayerful and supportive musical environment for our liturgical Masses and events. Whether it be the joy of a wedding, consolation at a funeral, or the varied Masses of the liturgical year, our ministry is there for the subtle, yet profound support and expression of prayerful intent and the beauty of God’s great gift of music.
Our ministry consists of the Adult Choir, Contemporary Choir, Funeral Choir, Hand Bell Choir, Youth Choir, Cantors, and budding musicians who lead our liturgical celebrations.

What We Do:
The Adult Choir is the backbone of all the choirs and sing on Sundays at the 11:00am Mass the second, third and fourth Sundays from September - June, and either the 4:00pm or the 9:00am Mass the first Sunday of the month. We are looking for new members from ninth grade to adult. Rehearsals are flexible! The choir enjoys a close fellowship and support for each other. They enjoy singing favorite traditional hymns, contemporary hymns and special anthems. They are a devoted, warm and welcoming group.

The Contemporary Choir is an eclectic group of musicians of all ages that thoroughly enjoys bringing a broad range of musical styles to the liturgy. Folk, blues, gospel, contemporary Christian, traditional and even classic hymns all find their way into the choir’s repertoire, as long as they are fitted to the readings and the liturgy. Instrumentation includes guitar, piano, violin, acoustic and electric bass, drums, percussion instruments and others. The choir enjoys trying new approaches in making “a joyful noise unto the Lord!”.Contemporary Choir provides music for two Masses each month, often at the 4:00pm Vigil Mass.

The Youth Choir consists of members who are loaded with musical talent. They sing once per month during the school year at the 11:00am Mass. Their repertoire is varied, including upbeat music to formal choral works. They also sing prelude music before the Christmas Eve Mass. Several instrumental musicians who play piano and string instruments also play at various times during the year. Hand chimes have recently been added to enhance their sound.

Cantors are a very special group at the church. Individuals with a  strong singing ability who can lead others to sing are rare indeed! We are seeking new cantors to join us.

How To Join Us:
Speak to our music director after any Mass.

ALL ARE WELCOME!