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Living the Gospel Message Since 1890 • Farmington, Missouri
phone: 573-756-4250 • fax 573-756-6938 • 10 North Long Street • Farmington, MO 63640
St. Joseph Parish Office hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 am until 4:30 pm
Baptism
Infants: For children to be baptized at St. Joseph, their Catholic parents must have been registered and practicing members of the parish for at least three months prior to the baptism. By “practicing” is meant regular participation in Sunday worship in our parish church and support for the parish through the stewardship of time, talent and/or treasure. This policy is being followed because we need reasonable assurance that children baptized into the Catholic Church will be raised in the faith. The faithful fulfillment of these responsibilities by parents provides such assurance. Parents who have not been sacramentally married in the Catholic Church need to speak to one of the priests or deacons of the parish before they can register their child for baptism. To ensure that parents are aware of the meaning of baptism in Christian life and of the commitment they are making, they are expected to participate in a Baptism preparation session. This session is held on the third Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm. Parents are requested to register with the rectory in advance. Godparents, while not required to participate, are welcome to attend. Parents are asked to choose someone to serve as godparent for their child. Since the sponsor’s role is to assist the parents in passing on the faith in which the child is being baptized, parents should choose someone who will take the role seriously and who will be a good example for the child. Church law sets minimum requirements for godparents: at least sixteen-years-old, already confirmed and a practicing Catholic. If there are to be two sponsors, they should be one male and one female. While it is preferable that both godparents be practicing Catholics, one must be a practicing Catholic, the other must at least be a baptized and practicing member of another Christian denomination. The sacrament of Baptism is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month following the 10:30 am Mass. Parents need to register with the parish center office in advance of the ceremony.
Adults: If an adult wants to join the Catholic Church, he/she is invited to participate in the Catechumenate Program within which are celebrated the Rites for the Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The group sessions are conducted on a regular basis from October through Pentecost. The sessions focus on the understanding of faith, the living of faith and the celebrating of faith in worship. The members of the Pastoral staff and the parishioners who facilitate the sessions make every effort to relate the topics to real-life experiences and to demonstrate through a spirit of community how our relationships can strengthen and enrich our faith life. Various stages in the process are marked by celebrations during the Sunday Liturgy: Enrollment during the Season of Advent, Election the first Sunday of Lent and Scrutinies on the other Sundays of Lent. The process culminates at the Easter Vigil Service during which the individual is baptized (if he/she has not been baptized previously) or makes a profession of faith (if he/she has already been baptized), confirmed, and welcomed to the Eucharist for the first time in the Catholic Church. The parish Sunday bulletin will include announcements of when and how to register for the Catechumenate program. If you have any questions, please call the parish center office.
Celebrating the Eucharist
Sunday: This Catholic community gathers every week to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. We do so through the Liturgy of the Eucharist at 5:00 pm on Saturday, and 7:30 am, 9:00 am, and 10:30 am on Sunday. Because styles of participation vary from one individual to another, we try to accommodate everyone’s preference by offering various types of music at our weekend liturgies. Adult choirs accompanied by organ music sing at the 5:00 pm Saturday and 9:00 am Sunday liturgies. A contemporary choir with guitar and other instruments provide the music at our 10:30 am Sunday mass. The 7:30 am Sunday liturgy is celebrated without music. The serving program welcomes both boys and girls from grades four through eight to assist at all Masses. Parishioners share their gifts and talents with the faith community by ministering as greeters, ushers, lectors, and Eucharistic ministers.
Daily: Mass is celebrated Monday through Friday at 7:00 am. During the school year the students and faculty plan and participate in one weekly liturgy usually on Friday at 8:00 am, though this may change due to special celebrations. Please check the bulletin each week.
Initiation To The Eucharist
Children are generally welcomed to join the community in receiving the Eucharist during their second grade year. Children must have been enrolled in a religious education program for at least one year before the year in which they wish to receive the Eucharist for the first time. If a child has completed second grade and has not as yet made his/her first Eucharist, the parents should contact the Coordinator of Religious Education to make the appropriate arrangements.
Reconciliation
Weekly Celebration: The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered in the church every Saturday from 4:00 - 4:30 pm, and on Sunday from 7:00 - 7:15 am. If it is not possible for an individual to come at that time, he or she should feel free to call one of the priests to arrange a time that would be mutually convenient.
Advent and Lenten Reconciliation: Twice yearly, during the seasons of Advent and Lent, the sacrament of reconciliation is offered all day for parishioners. Emphasis is placed on the healing power of the sacrament and our experience of God’s saving love.
Initiation to Reconciliation: As part of their preparation for the reception of First Eucharist, the children are invited with their families to experience God’s loving acceptance through a communal celebration of Reconciliation. This sacrament is usually scheduled during the season of Advent.
Confirmation
For Youth: Confirmation for youth generally takes place during their eighth grade year. In order to be confirmed, an individual must participate in a religious education program for at least one year prior to the year in which he/she will be confirmed. In addition to reflecting on their faith in these classes, candidates participate in the parish-sponsored formation program, which consists of a self-directed course of service project, group activities, a day of recollection, and a personal conference with one of the parish priests or deacons. If an individual has completed his/her eighth grade and has not as yet been confirmed, he/she is asked to contact the Director of Religious Education to make the appropriate arrangements. The sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated here in the parish in the Spring.
For Adults: Any adult who has not as yet been confirmed is invited to participate in the R.C.I.A. program.
Anointing Of The Sick
Individual Anointing: The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is for those who are in danger of death from a chronic condition, a specific illness or advancing years. Our hospitals contact us in case of emergency and we are on call to give the sacraments to those gravely ill. Individual anointing here in the parish is administered to all of our nursing homes and shut-ins each year during the Lent & Easter Seasons and upon request in case of emergency.
Communal Anointing: During the month of November the Anointing of the Sick is celebrated during a morning Mass, followed by a luncheon. This sacrament is available for all those who are in need of this grace to cope with the conditions previously mentioned.
Marriage
Engaged couples planning to be married at St. Joseph should contact one of the priests or deacons at least six months in advance, but should be aware that many couples do so at least a year in advance of their preferred date. Definite plans for a particular date should not be made until such contact has been completed. Only when a priest or deacon has decided that he will officiate at the marriage, will a definite date be set. There is a requirement for marriage preparation classes. Options for these will be discussed when you meet with the priest or deacon you have chosen as your celebrant.
Priesthood And Religious Life
'The harvest is rich, but laborers are few.' We all know of the crisis in vocations to the priesthood and religious life. All are encouraged to pray daily for an increase in vocations. We must do whatever we can at home to encourage our young people in discerning the Holy Spirit's call to choose a vocation in life. If there are questions about vocations, please contact the rectory. We will be happy to provide you with a vocation handbook. The Archdiocese also provides information through its website at www.archstl.org
Devotions
Eucharistic Adoration: Private devotion to Our Sacred Lord in the Eucharist is held every Thursday. It begins at 8:00 am and closes with evening prayer and benediction at 5:15 pm.
First Friday: Private Eucharistic Adoration begins after morning Mass (8:00 am during the summer months and 9:00 am during the school year.) It concludes at 5:15 pm with benediction and a communion service.
Mother of Perpetual Help: Devotions to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and the Litany of St. Joseph are prayed every Tuesday after the 7:00 am Mass.
Stations of the Cross: During the Season of Lent, Stations of the Cross are celebrated with the school children on Fridays at 2:15 pm.
