What to Expect

What is Mass like at St. Joe’s? We have Masses all week long, and they all have their own feel. Sunday morning Masses are followed by a time of fellowship with coffee and doughnut holes in Marian Hall (across the hall from the main church doors).

Daily Mass
Daily Masses last about 40 minutes and are generally quiet and reverent, unless it’s on a Friday during the school year... On Friday Masses from mid-September through the beginning of June we are joined by the students of St. Joseph School (grades preK–8). These Masses use the children’s version of the readings and the Gospel and are especially joyful, as the students LOVE to raise their voices in song!

Weekend Mass
Weekend Masses generally last an hour (can be a little longer on holidays or special liturgy days). We're pretty casual here, so jeans are A-OK, but some people dress up too! We do have a small cry room, but we have lots of young families so the busyness and occasional joyful noise of children is never a problem. :)

Sunday Preschool & Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Children in Preschool (ages 3-4) or Kindergarten have the opportunity to attend Sunday preschool from October through April at the 10:00 a.m. Mass. For Children’s Liturgy of the Word (10:00 a.m. Masses only, Oct–Apr), the presider will call children (1st grade – 5th grade) forward for a blessing just before the readings. The children’s Lector leads them to a meeting room. The Lector reads the Gospel and gives a short homily. The children are led in the Creed and Prayers of the Faithful and then return to Mass during the Offertory.

About the Catholic Mass
The Catholic Mass is a very participatory event. There are many times when the congregation will recite prayers, sing/speak responses, stand, kneel or sit, all together. Download a printable guide to prayers and responses here. To learn why Catholics do what they do, read here. For a deeper explanation of the Mass parts, watch the videos below.