Baptism preparation is central in the faith formation of parents to raise their children in the practice of the Catholic faith. It is held every other month and covers:
The theology, ritual and symbols of baptism,
How children form concepts of God and Christian values,
Ways to pray and develop a personal relationship with God.
Sessions are conducted by Br. Ray. Classes are scheduled every other month in: January, March, May, July, September & November as needed on the second Thursday of the month starting at 6:30 pm in Room 209.
Because young parents are in a very formative period in their lives, baptism preparation happens with the birth of each child, but the content is different each time.
Baptism times and dates are set according to your family's schedule and parish events. Please contact Dana Schmidt at 920-734-7195 with questions or to sign-up for a session.
At St. Joseph Parish, children receive their First Holy Communion in second grade. They attend a retreat prior to the reception of the sacrament. The 2024-2025 parent meeting and retreat schedule will be posted this fall. Please contact Faith Formation Coordinator, Ben Wolf, email: [email protected] if you have additional questions about First Eucharist.
First Reconciliation
Children receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation in second grade. The celebration of the sacrament takes place during the evening in November. Parents attend a meeting prior to their children’s reception of the sacrament. For more information, please contact Ben Wolf at 920-734-7195.
Private reconciliation is celebrated on Saturday mornings at 9 AM at St. Joseph Church or by appointment. The reconciliation room is in the back of the sanctuary. Check the parish calendar or bulletin for any changes.
At St. Joseph Parish, the celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation takes place sometime between mid-September and early November for those students beginning their senior year of high school. Candidates are required to have an interview and make a retreat prior to the reception of the sacrament. For more information, please contact Faith Formation Coordinator, Ben Wolf.
RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
RCIA is the process for adults who are not baptized, those who are baptized in a different Christian denomination and baptized Catholics who seek Confirmation and Eucharist. Preparation sessions are held Sunday morning beginning in mid to late September. Sessions give an in-depth overview of the Catholic Church and provide skills in scripture, prayer and Christian living. The process is enhanced by the companionship of an RCIA Team, sponsor, personal visits and support of a Catholic community. Catechumens and candidates are received into the church and celebrate the Easter sacraments at the Holy Saturday Easter Vigil. Contact Br. Ray with questions or to register, 920-734-7195.
Adult Confirmation
Adult confirmation (for those who received the sacraments of Baptism and Communion) takes place in the Fall. For more information, please contact the Parish Office.
Congratulations on your engagement! We are thrilled you are interested in getting married at St. Joseph Parish. Please contact Br. Ray by calling the parish office at 920-734-7195 with any questions on the following information or to set up an appointment.
Marriage preparation involves:
Meeting with the pastor
Attending one of the marriage preparation workshops provided by St. Joseph
Meeting with a FOCCUS Couple (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study)
Planning the wedding ceremony with or without communion, with the help of the pastor or music director
Please allow at least six months for preparation.
Are You Hearing the Call?
“God calls. We respond. A vocation is a response to a specific call that Jesus Christ places on our hearts. It is our individual way of living discipleship in the Church. Our primary call, through the Sacrament of Baptism, is to be a follower (disciple) of Jesus Christ. It is to be a holy person. Within that first call to follow Christ, God calls us in specific ways to live a vocation to the married life, the single life, the consecrated religious life, or the ordained life.”
~Fr. Dan Schuster, former Vocations Director, Diocese of Green Bay
If you believe you are called to a life of serving God’s people within the parishes and diocese by being a visible sign of the presence of Christ, please feel free to speak with our pastor for direction. Or contact Rev. Mark Mleziva (920-272-8293), Vocations Director for the Diocese of Green Bay or Rev. Adam Bradley (920-272-8296.)
If you believe that your gift is following Christ’s call to serve the Church as a Deacon through service of the word, service of the liturgy, and service of charity, justice and pastoral outreach, please speak with our pastor for direction. Or contact Diaconate Office at for the Diocese of Green Bay at 920-272-8290 or 920-272-8316.
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is for those whose health is complicated by sickness, aging. illness, surgery, birth trauma, relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, addictions.
The spiritual gifts are:
forgiveness of all sin,
strengthening of faith and hope in God’s presence and healing,
inner peace and courage in the midst of uncertainty and suffering,
support of family and community as we pray together.
Touch through the laying on of hands and anointing of the forehand and palms are a sign of the healing presence of the Spirit. Oil of the Infirm is a symbol of spiritual nourishment and inner strengthening,
The words of anointing speak to our hearts: “Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord , who frees you from sin, save you and raise you up.”
This Sacrament is for the living and can be celebrated in homes and health care facilities. It can be repeated as often as a person feels the need for healing and comfort physically, spiritually, emotionally and mentally. Anointing in the presence of those who love and care for us says that we are cherished especially in times of sickness and suffering.
Anointing is celebrated each year with a special Mass in the fall.
Individual Anointing may also be celebrated at home or in a health facility. Call the parish at 920-734-7195 to arrange a visit.
We no longer call this sacrament the “last anointing.” It is often helpful for a person to be anointed sooner than later – while they are aware of the sacrament so they can feel the presence, comfort and support.