Ministries
& Committees
CATHOLIC
WOMEN’S LEAGUE
The St. Joseph’s Women’s Catholic League is a fellowship of women within the Archdiocese of Kingston, Jamaica. The Catholic Women’s League seeks to unite Catholic women in the Archdiocese and beyond in a bond of Christian fellowship, to use their talents and skills in the service of the church and the wider community.
President - Ms. Claudette Bernard
stjoseph1866@gmail.com.
THE CHOIR
The St. Joseph Chorale is a vibrant and energetic group of individuals between 18 and 75 years of age, who have been long-standing members of the church. The chorale consists of 18 individuals, classified in two sub-groups: the chorale which ministers in song at the 7.30 am Mass and the youth chorale, which leads the congregation in music at the 9.30 am Mass. Both sub-groups rehearse together on Saturdays at 3.00 - 5.00 pm.
Director - Tina Beale
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul began in Paris, France, in 1833 when a young law student at the Sorbonne, Frederic Ozanam, was challenged during a debate to demonstrate what he and his fellow Catholic students were personally doing to help the poor in Paris. Internationally, the St. Vincent de Paul Society has been serving the poor in Jamaica since 1903, and in the year ended in September 30, 1971, there were 565 members in 37 Conferences; 18 in Kingston and St. Andrew, and 19 in the other parishes.
The St. Vincent de Paul at our church serves hot meals every 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month to the needy. Approximately 75 meals are served on both days. In addition, packages of groceries, personal care items and warm clothing are shared with the needy in the parish.
President:
THE SACRISTANS
Under the direction of the clergy, these individuals are tasked with the responsibility of arranging the books needed for masses, including the marking of all divisions, the laying out of vestments, cruets, chalices, ciboria, linens, oils, candles and torches, ensuring the supply of the hosts and washing/cleaning of purificators, corporal, hand towels, and altar linens
President - Ms. Jennifer Miller
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
The Sunday School seeks to provide religious instructions to the students of the parish and prepare them for the reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Penance, Holy Communion and Confirmation. It also trains adults desirous of becoming members of the Catholic Church on the teachings of the church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults(RCIA) programme, upon completion of which individuals become baptised and confirmed Catholic Christians. Thirdly, the ministry provides spiritual enrichment to adult members of the parish through its Adult Sunday School programme.
President - Ms. Audrey Byfield
READERS
Set apart and chosen to proclaim the Holy Word of God, these individuals introduce the mass, take part in the procession to and from the altar (prior to the Covid-19 Pandemic) and lead congregants with the General Intercessions and Prayer for Families and Vocation.
Chair - Ms. Julie Bennett
ALTAR SERVERS
At St. Joseph, the members of the Altar Guild serve as lay assistants to the members of the clergy. In this regard, at the start of the mass they carry the processional cross, hold the liturgical books for the priest, assist in arranging the corporal, the purificator(s), the chalice(s), the pall(s), and the Missal on the altar, the distribution of Holy Communion and leads the clergy at the recessional procession, as he/she does at the start with the entrance procession.
President - Delroy Anderson
THE USHERS
Also referred to as Ministers of Hospitality or the Greeters, our ushers undertake the following at masses:
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Seat congregants,
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Attend to the needs of those with disabilities, those who are elderly and sick.
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Prior to the Covid-19 Pandemic, ensure that the bread and wine are in their proper places before the mass and assist with the offertory procession;
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Check the church to ensure it is free from clutter and congregants are adequately spaced apart.
President - Mr. Omar Dobson
THE MEN’S FELLOWSHIP
The Men’s Fellowship seeks to enrich the men of the parish spiritually by enabling them to realise the role God wants them to fulfill in society. It therefore aims to hone in the males of the parish, leadership skills and biblical fatherhood, demonstrate the importance of men showing love towards their wives, children and other family members, thereby indicate that men play an important role in the creation of a home grounded in the love of God, the truth, trust and accountability.
Chairs - Mr. Badiah Handal and Mr. Ian Mears
THE COUNSELLING MINISTRY
The St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church Counselling Ministry aims to provide free, Christ-centred in-person counselling to individuals in the church and our community who are seeking guidance on a variety of issues including, but not limited to: marital and family relationships, communication and intimacy, grief and loss, anger and bitterness, interpersonal struggles, and parenting - with an overall emphasis on spiritual development.
THE BUILDING COMMITTEE
This committee serves as an advisory committee to the clergy on all matters related to the construction and development, surveying, valuation and maintenance of properties owned by the church. As such, this committee seeks to:
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conduct annual building inspections and audits on the church’s properties
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Create and maintain a property maintenance plan and schedule for the church
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Oversee the execution of refurbishment and construction works associated with the church’s properties.
Director - Tina Beale
THE INFOTECH & DATA ANALYTICS MINISTRY
The Information Technology and Data Analytics Ministry’s primary objective is to create a Technological Pathway to Christ. This is accomplished by undertaking activities and initiatives that are geared towards the ICT growth and development of the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, the Ministry Members and the wider church community.
Our Vision is to be a Ministry dedicated to bridging the gap between faith and technology. Meetings and working sessions are held remotely via Zoom.
Chair - Mrs. Norma Winkle
MARKETING & FUNDRAISING
As its name suggests, the Fundraising and Marketing Committee is tasked with the responsibility of coordinating the marketing and fundraising activities of the church. To this end, the ministry’s role focuses primarily on:
The development and implementation of strategies that promotes the visibility of programmes, committees and ministries in the church. Building and executing successful marketing and fundraising campaigns through channels such as email, social media and print media with assistance from the IT Ministry when required.
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Produce valuable and engaging content that relates to and connects with target audiences & measure and report on the performance of marketing and fundraising efforts of the church.
Finance
Committee
The Parish Finance Council is the consultative body that aids the parish priest in the execution of his responsibilities as the manager of the parish’s financial and temporal resources.
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The main duties of the Finance Council include, the creation and monitoring of the church’s annual capital and operating budgets, reviewing of financial statements, preparing and presenting reports on the church’s financial position, strategic planning, and the development and monitoring of internal controls.
Chair - Verona Graham