Baptism
Sacrament of Baptism
Baptism is a sacrament of rebirth by which one becomes a member of the Church and a new child in Christ.
from “Catholicism” by Richard P. McBrien
Baptism initiates us into the Church, gives us a rebirth as children of God, and orients us to the worship of God. At Baptism a person is immersed in water to the words, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” The person is clothed in a white garment, receives the “light of Christ”, and is anointed with sacred chrism (holy oil.)
St. Joseph Parish Baptism for Infants
Infant Baptism for Children from Birth to Seven Years
The Sacrament of Baptism is ordinarily celebrated on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at the weekend liturgies. Please note that the Sacrament of Baptism is not celebrated during Lent. It is our practice to baptize one child during Mass: 5:00 pm on Saturday; 9:00 am and 11:00 am on Sunday. Registration in the parish and attendance at one of our bi-monthly Baptism Preparation workshops is required.
Baptism Preparation workshops for the parents are held on the 2nd Thursday of July, September, November, January, March, and May. Once you have attended the Baptism Preparation workshop you will be able to schedule your child’s baptism.
To register for your Baptism Preparation workshop and to schedule your child’s baptism, please call the Parish Office (734) 426-2674.
Godparent Information:
Godparents play a significant role in the life of a child. The Catholic Church has set requirements for those who serve in this role. Those requirements are:
- You Must have at least One Godparent. You may have two – one man and one woman- if you wish.
- The Godparent must be Confirmed, a registered member of a Catholic Parish, and receiving Eucharist (Communion) on a regular basis.
- The Godparent must be mature enough to understand their obligations as a Catholic Godparent.
- The Godparent must be a person who will be present at and participate in the child’s life, especially at other sacramental celebrations, i.e., First Communion, Reconciliation, Confirmation, and Marriage.
- If married, the Godparent must be in a valid marriage in the Catholic Church.
If you only have one Godparent, you may also choose a Christian Witness for your child. A Christian Witness is a person who is of another denomination than Catholic and not baptized Catholic. It is recommended that they are active in their faith. No letter is necessary.
For questions, please contact Marinell High at (734) 426-2674.
Email Marinell Here
On this day we place our child in God’s care forever more.
For information on baptism for persons over the age of seven through adulthood please click:
Becoming Catholic
Reconciliation
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Through God’s mercy and forgiveness, the sinner is reconciled with God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It makes sacramentally present Jesus’ call to conversion, the first step in returning to the Father from whom one has strayed by sin.
from “Catechism of the Catholic Church”
First Reconciliation
“Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them;
and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.” John 20:23
Preparation for the reception of First Reconciliation is part of the second-grade faith formation program. The preparation begins in the fall, with First Reconciliation occurring before Advent Time. The preparation includes classroom work, a rite of enrollment, and a retreat experience. First Reconciliation is a family reconciliation liturgy experience, with individual confession for each child. For more information contact the religious education office at 734.426.2674.
Reconciliation:
Saturday, 4:00-4:30pm
Country Church
or by appointment with Fr. Brendan
Email Fr. Brendan Walsh
Eucharist
Sacrament of Eucharist
Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation together constitute the “sacraments of Christian initiation.” The sacrament of Confirmation completes the graces received in Baptism. The baptized are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1285
The rite includes calling on the Holy Spirit, laying on of hands, and being sealed with the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, courage, reverence, strength, and wonder and awe. By Confirmation Catholic Christians are empowered for the ministry of living one’s belief in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
First Eucharist
Preparation for the reception of First Eucharist begins in the fall with the preparation and reception of First Reconciliation. This occurs during second grade Faith Formation sessions. The preparation includes classroom work, a rite of enrollment, and a retreat experience. First Communion Liturgies are celebrated in the spring.
“The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of the sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.”
-Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium
2024-2025 First Reconciliation – First Eucharist Preparation & Mass Dates to Know
Confirmation
Sacrament of Confirmation
Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation together constitute the “sacraments of Christian initiation.” The sacrament of Confirmation completes the graces received in Baptism. The baptized are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1285
The rite includes calling on the Holy Spirit, laying on of hands, and being sealed with the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, courage, reverence, strength, and wonder and awe. By Confirmation Catholic Christians are empowered for the ministry of living one’s belief in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Quick Links
Confirmation Interview Sign-up Sheet
Confirmation 2024-25 Schedule – Sunday
Confirmation 2024-25 Schedule – Wednesday
Confirmation Service Hour Opportunities
Confirmation
Candidates for the Confirmation program can begin the process in the fall of 9th, 10th, or 11th grade. Candidates will now have the flexibility and option to start and finish the Confirmation Program anytime during their High School career. This change began in the Fall of 2016 in response to a request by our Bishop and with the approval of our Education and Formation Commission and our Parish Council.
Our preparation uses the “red folder” which contains the necessary materials for the immediate preparation of the Sacrament. It includes both diocesan and parish requirements and materials that will help the candidates, as well as their parents and sponsors, understand this Sacrament for which they are preparing.
If you are a High School student who has not yet been confirmed, we invite you to learn more about this program by attending one of the fall meetings or by contacting Don Dalgleish. Contact Don
General Information
Classes for the Confirmation program will be taught by catechists who will follow the Decision Point and Chosen programs (links to these online resources can be found below).
Attendance is required at class, at weekly Mass, and for at least one of the two overnight retreats (one in the Fall and one in the late Spring). In addition, there are several classes where the candidate and their sponsor are required to attend together. Finally, outside of class, 20 hours of service are required (5 of these hours are to be completed with the candidate’s sponsor).
Sponsors:
Confirmation candidates will be asked to select a sponsor. The sponsor must be a practicing Catholic who has already been confirmed and should be at least 21 years old. According to Canons 893.1 and 874.5, parents cannot be sponsors. The sponsor will be asked to be a role model for the candidate by offering guidance and support, attending selected classes, being present at the Rite of Enrollment (in November), helping with service projects (5 hours are expected to be done jointly by both the candidate and the sponsor), and being present at the ceremony for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Finally, a sponsor must have a permission form signed by their pastor to fill this role. More will be discussed about sponsors and their role at the information meeting.
Confirmation Liturgy
In the Fall following the completion of all the Confirmation program requirements, the candidate will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation by our Bishop. The Bishop’s Office will notify our parish of the date sometime in late summer prior to the liturgy.
Internet Resources for Confirmation Program
Red Book Pages
Service Journal – With Sponsor
How to Write A Letter to the Bishop
For any questions regarding Confirmation in High School, please contact Don Dalgleish, Director of Youth Ministry. Contact Don
For questions about Adult Confirmation, please contact Marinell High, Director of Adult Faith Formation, to learn more about the RCIA process. Contact Marinell
Marriage
https://stjos.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Confirmation-2024-25-schedule-for-Sunday-R.pdf
https://stjos.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Confirmation-2024-2025-schedule-for-Wednesday-R.pdf
Sacrament of Matrimony
The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman. By their marriage, the couple witnesses Christ’s spousal love for the Church.
“It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him … The two of them become one body.”
(Gn 2:18,24)
Congratulations on your Upcoming Wedding!
We, at St. Joseph, are excited to share this joyful time with you. We pray that God may bless you and guide you during your engagement and continuing years of your marriage. May this time of preparation for your life together be one of prayer and gratitude for the love you have for one another.
At St. Joseph, Fr. Brendan Walsh, Deacon Randy Desrochers, Deacon Larry Deford or Deacon John Goff will witness your marriage. Your meeting with one of them is the first step in your preparation. They will give you an overview of the marriage preparation process and your obligations and responsibilities. This is to ensure your wedding proceeds without any unexpected delays.
The Catholic Church of the Diocese of Lansing and St. Joseph Parish ask for an appropriate period of preparation before the date of the wedding. This is to ensure enough time to complete the responsibilities and planning necessary for your marriage in the Catholic Church. Your steps in the preparation include:
- Call the Parish Office, 734-426-8483, to schedule an appointment
- Meet with a mentor couple to complete FOCCUS, a compatibility and communication profile
- Marriage Preparation Retreat and Encounter Experience
- A Lasting Promise – a communication Program (a formation session)
- Introduction to Natural Family Planning ( a formation session)
- Ceremony planning with Presiding Priest or Deacon ( a formation session)
- Music planning (a formation session)
- Pre-Rehearsal and Rehearsal (provide marriage license at this time) (a formation session)
- Wedding Celebration
Marriage Ceremony Options
Sacrament of Marriage within the Nuptial Mass: This is recommended when both parties are Catholic. This joining of the Sacrament of Eucharist and Marriage expresses a unity of Christ’s love with those who share the same faith. This liturgy takes forty-five to sixty minutes. A priest must preside at this liturgy.
Sacrament of Marriage: For persons who come together and share different religious backgrounds. For example, a Catholic enters into marriage with a Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Episcopalian, etc. This ceremony includes the full wedding ceremony, but not the Eucharistic prayers nor distribution of Eucharist. When more than half of the invited guests are not able to receive Eucharist, you may choose not to have the Eucharist liturgy simply due to their lack of knowledge of the prayers and meaning of Eucharist in the Catholic Church. This liturgy takes thirty-five to fifty minutes. A priest or deacon can preside at this liturgy.
Wedding Music and Programs
Once marriage preparations are completed you will meet with our music director to discuss wedding music selections and worship aid program details.
Photos of each Church
Click a church to view photos: Village Church Country Church
Holy Orders
Sacrament of Holy Orders
Those who receive the sacrament of Holy Orders — as a deacon, priest or bishop — are consecrated in Christ’s name “to feed the Church by the word and grace of God.”
Diocese of Lansing OFC of Vocations
Anointing of the Sick
Anointing of the Sick
The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is administered to bring spiritual and even physical strength during an illness, especially near the time of death. The sacrament includes reading from Scripture and a penitential prayer, followed by individual prayer over the person and anointing the forehead and hands with the Oil of the Sick.
At St. Joseph Parish, an Anointing Mass and luncheon is celebrated annually in October. Several times throughout the year the sacrament is administered following the Saturday evening liturgy.
Fr. Brendan can be contacted at 734.426.8483 to make arrangements for administering the sacrament to the hospitalized or homebound.
Funeral Planning
Funeral Planning
We Christians find bright rays of hope even in the midst or our darkest times. We believe that death is not only an end, but also a beginning. Our loved one has passed from this present, temporary life to a perfect, permanent one. He or she who knew God in faith on earth new sees the Lord face-to-face in heaven. While death separates us, we will one day be reunited with all those we love in a “dwelling provided for us by God, a dwelling in the heavens, not make by hands but to last forever.” (2 Corinthians 5:11)
When a Catholic dies, the Church celebrates a particular set of liturgical rites to help us through the immediate days of our grieving, to express our belief in eternal life, and to help us pray for the one who has died. The Order of Christian Funerals provides prayers for loved ones as they gather in the presence of the body, for the wake or scripture service, funeral, final commendation (prayer of farewell), and the Rite of Committal (which we celebrate at the final resting place.)
-from Through Death to Life by Joseph M. Champlin
Please contact Fr. Brendan Walsh to make and plan funeral arrangements. He can be reached at 734.426.8483 or Email Fr. Brendan Walsh Here
Suicide
Redeeming the Memory of a Loved One