From the Pastor's Desk
Since the arrival of Fr. John Connell in 2023 he has communicated to the parish through a series of Pastoral Desk Issues. If you would like to read and discover his thoughts look below :
2026, current issue
Release Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS
Now that Father Booker has arrived, I finally have the help needed to give myself a break from the 24/7 ministry I have been doing the past 12 weeks. To be honest, it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. The second quarter of the year in a parish with a school is hectic even with an associate! The Masses seemed endless, meetings long, and with my ministry at the diocese, this 69-year-old priest was pushing his limits.
I could not have done this without the support and prayers of all of you, my parishioners. There was a prayer book put together by Anna Schichtl, our pre-school director in which different parishioners took a day and prayed for me with either a holy hour or rosary. I felt your prayers and prayed for the person praying for me as I flipped the pages daily from my birthday, March 5 through today, July 1. Again, thank you all!
I also want to thank those who brought me meals from time to time or took me out to dinner. That means a lot to me. Thank you.
In the weeks ahead, I look forward to sleeping a little later in the mornings and maybe taking a day off here and there before things start again, full throttle, with our Bazaar on
July 31.
St Joseph is a wonderful parish, and I am honored to be your pastor. I plan to be here a long time, until my retirement. Please continue your prayers for me in the weeks and months ahead. I have a special intention of mine that needs your prayers. God bless each of you.
Saint Joseph, pray for us
Father John Connell
