Liturgical Ministries
Extraordinary Minister of Communion is one of the most visible ministries in the parish. These commisioned parishoners assist the priest in distributing the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass.
Contact the Parish Office at (260) 357-3122.
Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick receive the consecrated Host at the end of Mass and take it to the homebound, hospitalized, or members of the parish in local nursing homes. The minister shares Scripture, prays with the person receiving and often with their family, and gives him or her Communion.
Contact the Parish Office at (260) 357-3122.
Minster are needed during each Mass every weekend of the year, welcoming parishioners. They help parishioners find seating during crowded Masses, pass the collection baskets for the offertory and special collections, arrange for gifts to be brought to the altar and hand out bulletins at the end of Mass.
Contact the Parish Office at (260) 357-3122.
Altar servers assist the priest in the celebration of the Mass, Stations of the Cross and other liturgies. Children who are currently in fifth grade or older, including high school and college students are eligible for training.
Contact the Parish Office at (260) 357-3122.
Lectors proclaim the Scripture readings and the prayers of the Faithful during the Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses. The role of this minister is to bring the Word to life.
Contact the Parish Office at (260) 357-3122.
A great way for anyone to serve the church by using a camera to stream Mass and other special events to the Parish Facebook page from the choir loft.
No previous training or experience is necessary.
Contact Bill Thomas at (513) 312-5451.
Share your vocal and instrumental gifts God has given you by joining our music ministry. You can share your talents as a musician or cantor at any of the weekend liturgies. We have both an Adult Choir and Children's Choir. What a wonderful way to spend our time praising God through music and song.
Contact Kit Miller at (260) 402-1643.
Service Ministries
The church is cleaned on the 3rd Friday of every month at 10 a.m. and prior to special events. Cleaning supplies are provided.
Contact Deb Saylor at (260) 357-4925.
Seasonal planning of liturgical art and decorating of the Church.
Contact Chrissy DePew at (260) 357-5755.
Our parish is devoted to continued prayer opportunities for everyone. Two such wonderful times come during the months of May and October.
May is devoted to Mary and October is the month honoring the Rosary. The Rosary is also often lead during Lent. During these times, the Rosary will begin 30 minutes prior to Saturday mass and 30 minutes prior to 8:00 a.m. Sunday mass.
Contact the Parish Office at (260) 357-3122.
The prayer line is a group of people who pray for those in need. Any parishoner can request prayer for himself/herself, a family member or friend. Prayer-chain information is dispersed by both phone and email.
Contact Mary Rose Kimmel at (260) 357-0360.
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic family and fraternal organization. Practicing Catholic men age 18 and older are eligible to join the great organization. On a local level, the Knights of Columbus Council #1790 are a major supporter of our church, school, and the Garrett community. In addition to helping other parish committees, the K of C sponsors the 4th of July Chicken BBQ, Lenten Fish Fry, and a Tootsie Roll Drive, just to name a few.
Contact Bob Novy at (260) 357-5550.
Building and Grounds
Volunteers are needed for a variety of parish tasks throughout the year to maintain our facilities; parish, grotto and cemetery.
Contact Dave Dekoninck at (260) 570-6802.
Evangelization
This ministry provides weekly religious education classes during the school year for children in the parish in grades preschool through grade 8. Volunteer teachers are needed to support this ministry. Adults, college and high school students are invited to participate.
Contact Eileen Sarrazine at (260) 357-3122.
This ministry supports special activities related to sacramental preparation for students in grades 1, 2, 7, & 8 who will be preparing to receive the Sacraments of First Holy Communion, First Reconciliation and Confirmation from both Catholic School and the parish Religious Education. Volunteer opportunities include: planning, leading, office help, and hospitality.
Youth ministry for teens and tweens provides structure for building social, service, and spiritual activities for students in grades 7-12 in a fun and friendly atmosphere. These gatherings will always include food for the stomach as well as food for the soul. The Leadership Team will need volunteers to assist in with each event, and to share your love of our faith.
Bible Study and other adult programs play an important role in the spirituality of our parish.
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is open to all non-Catholic adults, teenagers, and children (third grade and older) seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. It is also open to baptized Catholics wanting to receive the Sacraments of Eucharist and/or Confirmation. Volunteers are always needed to serve as facilitators, sponsors, and to help with the ministry.
Contact Eileen Sarrazine at (260) 357-3122.
Community Ministries
We are a St. Joseph parish soup kitchen serving any persons in Dekalb County who come in need of food. On Mondays and Thursdays a hot meal is cooked and served along with any produce, fruit, bread, etc. Meals are picked up by clients on those days, delivered to the homebound or distributed through the clothes closet on the days following our cooking/serving. It takes many volunteers to cook, serve, load and unload donated food. Volunteers for planting, weeding, and harvesting our garden are also needed.
Contact Jerry Murphy at (260) 357-3122.
St. Martin’s Clothes Closet is a ministry of St. Joseph Church serving the needy of DeKalb County. The ministry gives clothing, bedding, and household items free of charge. The Clothes Closet is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 am- Noon and Thursday from 4pm-6pm. Volunteers are needed to work at the Clothes Closet. Volunteers are also needed to prepare the clothing for distribution including, laundering, mending, bagging, pairing socks, etc. Many volunteer opportunities are available.
Contact Mary Lou Dewitt at 260-553-6757.
Our mission is focused on the respect and love for every life from conception until natural death. It is our goal to build awareness of the many resources available through the Catholic church as well as other prominent organizations, to those who find themselves in vulnerable, life-changing situations. We reach out to the parish with information when it’s received and promote opportunities for parishioners to become involved in these various areas. We also support the Women’s Care Center in Auburn.
A new ministry responsible for the planning and execution of social events for all ages within the parish. Many volunteers will be needed to see this ministry succeed.
Contact Erin Tuttle at 260-927-5170.