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 Thank you for
visiting St. Joseph Parish of Appleton. I would like to share with you
what St. Joseph’s is all about.
St. Joseph’s is a
down town parish. It is also the second oldest parish in the city
of Appleton. It was founded in 1867 by German speaking settlers.
Capuchin Franciscans have staffed the parish since 1877. Over the years the
ministry of St. Joe’s has changed and adapted to the needs and the call
of this down town community.
St. Joseph’s is
made up of people from every age group. We have Senior members, empty
nesters, young families, newly married, and singles. Teens and children
are very evident at our 9:00 and 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM Liturgies on
Sundays. Due to our location we have many people from the Appleton
business community who come to our daily 12:05 liturgy. Many of the
visitors to the Fox Valley also find a welcome at St. Joseph’s and
choose to worship with us.
Schools and
Religious Education have always been an important part of our ministry.
For many years we operated a school that went through 9th
grade. St. Mary’s is our neighboring parish and since the late ‘70’s
and early ‘80’s we have worked together in many areas, but especially in
education. We have worked together in Religious Education and
Sacramental preparation for the past twenty years. There are eight
parishes in the city of Appleton, and with all of them we sponsor the
Appleton Catholic Educational System. This is a system that deals with PreK through 8th grade. It is known by the acronym of ACES.
Together with the other parishes we also sponsor Xavier High School.
Check out the links to these educational possibilities.
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Together with St. Mary’s Parish we sponsor
our Inter-Parish Religious Formation Program. Both parishes are committed
to providing the best religious formation possible. Hundreds of people
from the two parishes are involved in the program. Religious formation
does not stop with the children. We also have many programs for Adult
enrichment. Programs for Moms and Dads, Scripture studies and book study
clubs, etc.
A number of
programs that are now citywide have their roots at St. Joe’s. St. Joe’s
Food pantry and Leaven – a program to lend assistance to those with
financial need – have their roots in St. Joe’s. More recently the Open
Door transitional housing center was provided by St. Joseph’s Parish.
As a parish we attempt to remain socially aware of needs within and
beyond our city.
Our weekend worship together is the most
important thing we do. We come together to give praise to God as the
unique family of St. Joe’s. When asked why people come to St. Joe’s to
celebrate we invariably hear: “We feel welcome here” or “we feel
invited” or simply, “we feel at home here.” If you have the opportunity to
come to Appleton, know that you are truly welcome at St. Joe’s.
Click your way through our site. Let us know what you think.
Send us your questions and your suggestions. May you be surrounded
with God’s love expressed in the love of those around you.
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