“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him. Worship the Lord in holy splendor.” – I Chronicles 16:29
The celebration of the Holy Mass and other liturgies of the Church is our primary focus at Saint Joseph Parish. All that we do as Christians has its source at the Sacred Liturgy, most especially when we encounter Jesus the Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament and in His Word. The chief ends of liturgy are praise, petition, penance, and thanksgiving. When the Christian assembly gathers for worship, we come together to worship Almighty God and we strive to offer Him our best gifts – in our outward appearance, in our music and song, and in our attention to the details of the Sacred Liturgy.
At Saint Joseph Parish, each Mass has its own unique character while still utilizing the same style of worship at each Mass. Our Sunday 10:00 A.M. Mass is our principal weekend liturgy; this Mass is given greater solemnity by the presence of the choir and the chanting of prayers. Most elements of this Mass are sung. The Saturday 4:30 P.M. Mass is similar to the Sunday 10:00 A.M. Mass, but has music led by a cantor and the organ and does not have sung prayers. The Sunday 8:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. Masses are simpler liturgies with some music, but with most elements spoken. The Sunday 5:30 P.M. Mass is an entirely spoken liturgy, offering a more contemplative atmosphere for prayer. We hope that one of our opportunities for worship will meet your spiritual needs.
Liturgy and Devotions
In addition to the celebration of Holy Mass, Saint Joseph Parish offers a number of liturgical and devotional services.
Liturgy of the Hours – On Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8:15 A.M., we pray the office of Morning Prayer (commonly known as Lauds) as a group. This brief liturgy consists of two psalms and an Old Testament canticle, a reading, the responsory, the Canticle of Zachariah (the Benedictus, cf. Saint Luke 1: 68-79), and intercessions. This liturgy only lasts about ten minutes, so don’t worry if you’re in a rush to get to work or school. Lauds is just one small part of the Liturgy of the Hours that clergy and religious are required to pray daily. Breviaries are available in the basket in the center of church. If you’re new to the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, feel free to sit next to one of our more seasoned attendants, and they will be more than happy to help you navigate the breviary.
Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament – On Tuesdays from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. to 5:30 P.M., our Eucharistic Lord is exposed in the monstrance for adoration and private prayer. Venerable Fulton J. Sheen is quoted as saying that “the greatest love story of all time is contained in a tiny white Host.” Consider taking some time out of your day to spend in prayer with our Lord.
The Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary – The Holy Rosary is prayed one half hour before each weekend Mass. The recitation of the Rosary assists us in entering into a prayerful spirit before the celebration of Holy Mass. All are invited to come early to offer our prayers to Jesus through Mary.
Chaplet of Divine Mercy – The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is based on the visions revealed to Saint Mary Faustina Kowalska, a Polish sister. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is prayed after the 8:30 A.M. Mass on Thursdays. For a guide on how to pray the chaplet, follow this link.
The Traditional Latin Mass – The Mass according to the Missal of Saint John XXIII (commonly known as the Traditional Latin Mass or Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite) is the form of the Mass used between the Council of Trent (1563) to the Second Vatican Council (1965). Please check the bulletin for dates when this Mass is offered. Resources for the Traditional Latin Mass may be found by following this link.
Liturgical Ministers
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion – Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are lay persons who assist the clergy (the Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion) in the distribution of the Blessed Sacrament. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are commissioned by the Diocese and the Bishop. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must be Confirmed Catholics. Training is available for new Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.
Reader – Readers assist at Mass in the proclamation of the Old and New Testament lessons and lead the faithful in the intercessory prayers. Readers should be comfortable speaking in front of groups and able to project their voices so that they may be heard by the assembled faithful at Mass. Training is available for new readers.
Server – Altar servers assist the priest celebrant by carrying out various liturgical duties during Mass by bearing the Missal at the priest’s chair, assisting in the preparation of the altar, and by leading the procession as the Crucifer. Children who are in the fifth grade and older are eligible to become altar servers. Adults of any age are also invited to serve at the altar. Training sessions for new servers are held at various times throughout the year.
Master of Ceremonies – Masters of Ceremonies are more experienced servers who assist in directing the altar servers and the flow of the liturgy at more solemn celebrations, such as Christmas and Holy Week.
Music
“The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy. Holy Scripture, indeed, has bestowed praise upon sacred song, and the same may be said of the fathers of the Church and of the Roman pontiffs who in recent times, led by Saint Pius X, have explained more precisely the ministerial function supplied by sacred music in the service of the Lord. Therefore sacred music is to be considered the more holy in proportion as it is more closely connected with the liturgical action, whether it adds delight to prayer, fosters unity of minds, or confers greater solemnity upon the sacred rites. But the Church approves of all forms of true art having the needed qualities, and admits them into divine worship.”
– Sacrosanctum Concilium (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Second Vatican Council), paragraph 112
Cantors – Cantors are experienced singers who serve as psalmist and sing the propers of the Mass when the choir is not present. Cantors are selected by audition and interview with the Director of Music.
Parish Choir – The Parish Choir of men and women is open to anyone high school age or older. The choir sings a wide variety of music, including the propers of the Mass in various forms, as well as appropriate choral repertoire. The choir rehearses and sings at Mass from September through Pentecost.
Useful Links
Sacrosanctum Concilium – Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy
General Instruction of the Roman Missal
USCCB Committee on Divine Worship
Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments
Musica Sacra (Church Music Association of America)
Royal School of Church Music in America