Community Life Commission

Ministries and organizations within the Community Life Commission provide opportunities for the St. Joseph Parish Community to grow together in fellowship. Its activites include opportunities to foster a spirit of togetherness and community among parishioners of all ages. Our Guidelines assist us in providing direction for our commission.

 

  • Jeff Branic, Turn on JavaScript!

 

 

 

75th Anniversary

182 years ago this month (June 2022) – in June 1840 – seven years before the 1847 founding of the Diocese of Cleveland, an early record of Catholics in Strongsville Township, noted a visit by Bishop Purcell, of the Diocese of Cincinnati, to the two Catholic families in the township. Bishop Purcell was on his way from dedicating St. Mary-on-the-Flats in Cleveland and stopped here before going onto Valley City. He visited two Catholic families. Two. Yet in June 2022, just counting our parish, we have 2,626 registered families.

 

It is doubtful that Father McGraw and our earliest parishioners could have imagined what the future would bring for this community. Our celebration was joy-filled, for many things, but particularly tonight for the life of our parish – for what has been, what is, and together, what we can still be over the course of the next 182 years. Since that first record of Catholics in 1840, through the founding of our parish now-76 years ago, and continuing through today, the Strongsville community has been enriched by our Christ-filled presence. 

From the days of Fr. Joseph McGraw, whose chalice continues to be used regularly for special Masses, through the building of our current church under Fr. McDonough, the ingenuity of Fr. Donohue, the spirituality of Fr. Dodd, and the compassionate-care of Fr. Sanson, and my own health challenges, Christ has been present and active here through the lives of parishioners and staff and all who have experienced his presence through our own words and actions.. Not even the destruction of our first Quonset Hut church and half the school by the powerful 1965 Palm Sunday Tornado, nor the experience of our communal heartbreak and betrayal in December 2019 crushed our spirit. These events shaped us, but our definition as a community is far beyond any one event. We are people filled with many gifts and great resilience.

 

During Fr. Joe's COVID Easter, aka Easter 2020, homily, he used a quote “the comeback is always stronger than the setback”…little did he know what that was going to mean for him, personally, but he had a sense what it would mean for us as a parish. We are alive, we are coming back, and we will continue to do so! We are grateful for those who have gone before us to provide us with the community that we have today and we pledge to continue what began in 1946, so our children, and their children, and even their children’s children, will have what we have had. Let us strive, with Jesus’ divine assistance, to give them the best! We cannot wait to see what God still has in store for us. When you can be easily be in other places and in other parishes, Fr. Joe remarked "thank you for choosing to be a part of our community. I hope you will stay along for the ride!" May God continue to bless our community, each one of us, and those we love…

Watch our Opening and Closing 75th Annviersary Masses on YouTube
View pictures and read the homily and remarks from our three major 75th Anniversary events

Clambake

2023 Clambake Electronic Registration has ended.

Our Annual Clambake is held each September. This year, it will be Saturday, September 23, 2023. Our event promises an evening of good food, music, and great conversation. A full clambake is $35/person, kids meal (mac and cheese for 12 and under) $5/person, and extra clams are available for $12/dozen. Our evening also features a 50/50 drawing.

  • Parish Office, 440.238.5555

 

    Funeral Luncheons

    The St. Joseph Funeral Luncheon Committee offers pastry and coffee or lunch in the Holy Family Center. This is available to any family who wishes to offer refreshment to their relatives and friends following a funeral (or Memorial Mass) celebrated at St. Joseph. Volunteers are needed to assist this ministry as hostess or to provide food items upon request. It's a great way to help out on an as-needed basis.

    • Regina Cardello, 440.846.0055

    Golf Committee

    St. Joseph Golf Committee consists of a group of parishioners whose purpose is to organize the annual St. Joseph Golf Outing. This annual outing is primarily a social event and at times, a fundraiser for St. Joseph Parish.

    • Tom Bender,, Turn on JavaScript!

    Health and Wellness

    The Health and Wellness Ministry is a group interested in the health of our parishioners by coordinating events throughout the year. Main events include the annual health fair and the SOUL 5k run/1-mile walk. Meetings are scheduled on an every other month basis and more depending on the event planning. Health professions or other parishioners just interested in health are always welcome. We welcome new ideas for other parish events.

    • Marie Kuchynski-Burdick, 440.878.0902, Turn on JavaScript!

    Hospitality

    Coffee and donuts are served the first Sunday of the month after the 8:00AM and 10:30AM Masses. This hospitality ministry enables parishioners to socialize after Mass. One Sunday per month, volunteers serve coffee and clean up after the Mass they attend. If you would like to help, contact Monica Ali, below.

    • Monica Ali, 440.572.0860

    Knights of Columbus

    Founded on the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism, the Knights of Columbus is the largest order of Catholic Laymen in the world and provides insurance benefits to its members and their families. The St. Francis of Assisi Council primarily volunteers for activities and raises funds that serve the Strongsville Community, including the parishes of St. Joseph and St. John Neumann.

    Ray Bilecky, Turn on JavaScript!

    Visit the St. Francis of Assisi Council's Home Page

    Lenten Dinners

    Our Lenten Dinners usually occur twice during Lent. We have a dinner on the Friday immediately after Ash Wednesday and then again, sometime later, usually close to St. Joseph Day (March 19). Volunteers are needed to staff the kitchen, staff serving lines, offer hospitality, serve tables, handle take-outs, clean, and collect bills. 

     

    • Parish Office, 440.238.5555, Turn on JavaScript!

    Living Hope/NAMI

    As a ministry of our Health and Wellness Ministry, our Living Hope/NAMI Support Group strives to be a resource for all those who are affected by mental illness. Our group meets once a month on the first Tuesday of each month.

    Parish Picnic

    Sign-up to help for Picnic 2023 - Sunday, July 30, 2023

    The Picnic Committee is responsible for planning the Annual Parish Picnic, which occurs on the last Sunday in July. The group meets on an as-needed basis throughout the year. Committee chairpersons and volunteers are needed in various aspects of the events, including games, entertainment, set-up and clean-up.

    • Jeff Branic, Turn on JavaScript!

    Prayer Shawl Ministry

    Prayer Shawls are knitted or crocheted by members of this ministry while offering prayers and blessings for the recipient. Intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. When the shawl is completed it is offered with prayer to the recipient. You don’t have to be an experienced knitter to join. We have a beginner pattern, or you can use one of your own. We meet on Tuesday evenings during the school year.

    • Carole Kender, Turn on JavaScript!, 440.572.0773


    For information about Prayer Shawls, please visit: www.shawlministry.com

    SOUL Race

    Our Annual SOUL Race provides an opportunity for parishioners and community members to challenge themselves and have fun, while supporting great causes. The SOUL 5k race and 1-mile walk is held every fall.

    St. Joseph Carpenters

     

    The St. Joseph Carpenters senior group is open to anyone aged 50+.  Parishioners and non-parishioners are always welcome.  Our next gathering is on Thursday, August 17, to play Bingo.  Cost is $15 which includes your $5 annual membership fee (August 2023 through July 2024).  Doors open at 2:30.  Enter through the rear doors by the green canopy.  Bingo will start around 3:00 with dinner to follow.  There will be side boards and a 50/50 raffle.  New this year:  Payment is due in advance to the St. Joseph Church office by Thursday, August 10.  We are no longer accepting payments the day of the event. You must go to the church office during regular office hours to make your payment in cash (exact change) or check payable to St. Joseph Church.  This new payment method will be for all future events as well.  No need to call to make your reservations!  However, if you have any questions, please call Judy at 440-503-6229.

     

    Enjoy the outdoors by coming to our Spiritual Walks.  We meet at the Coe Lake pavilion in Berea at 9:15 a.m.  Remaining dates are July 24, August 28, and September 25. If you have any questions, call Vicki at 440-666-3591.

     

     

     

      WinterThaw

      Hosted by Knights of Columbus and St. Joseph Community Life Commission one Saturday evening in January immediately after the 4:30pm Mass. Proceeds will go to support our Heritage College Scholarship Fund, which awards up to three college-age parishioners $500 scholarships each year. Cost is $5 per person. Come and sample soups and chili and also enjoy appetizers, desserts, and soft drinks. Think you have the best recipe? For soup entries, contact Mary Krenciz by phone 440-773-1953 or email Turn on JavaScript! and for Chili entries, contact Joe Cianciolo by phone 440-532-2134 or email Turn on JavaScript!. Winning soup and winning chili entry will receive a prize! Come join us and bring a friend!