TIME, TALENT, TREASURE
It is each person's responsibility to allocate his or her time properly to have time to work, to rest, to play and to pray. The way we choose to use our time indicates our progress in a life of Christian discipleship.
When we volunteer to help others by sharing our talents with them, we give them something of ourselves, an intimate sharing of who we are for the good of others.
We are asked to care for and share our treasure for it is a gift from God. Therefore, giving money is good for the soul and because we need to return thanks to a loving God for all the many blessings each of us has received.

If you would like to become involved
in the life of St. Joseph Parish,
please contact the Stewardship Way of Life Committee
through the Parish Office (330.274.2253).

PARISH GROUPS • ASSOCIATED GROUPS • RELATED GROUPS

APPALACHIAN EXPERIENCE ~ Coordinator - Kathi Trares
Meetings: As needed; monthly bake sales held Sept.-June.
Adults & teens annually volunteer in the Housing Repair Program based out of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Clintwood, VA.

BINGO PROGRAM ~ Coordinator - Beth Frank
Potentially providing one of the highest sources of income for the parish school, the Bingo Program offers a regular and relatively inexpensive form of entertainment and camaraderie for members of the general community. Held in Hughes Hall each Friday & Saturday (not held Christmas, Holy Week/Easter weekend, or Ox Roast Fair weekends). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Games begin at 7:00 p.m.

FINANCE COMMITTEE ~ Chairperson - Rob Kasubick
The committee works closely with the Pastor, the Pastoral Council, and the School Principal in allocating funds for short and long term obligations and plans to help the parish carry out its overall mission. 
Meetings: Bi-monthly/as needed (2nd Monday of month) at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Center.

FOOD SERVICE ~ Food Service Supervisor - Al Roberts
Providing School Lunches, Bingo Snack Bar, Market Day, and catering for special events.

GARDEN CLUB ~ Contact - Phyllis Fussaro
Founded in September, 1982, the aim of the St. Joseph's Garden Club is to beautify the parish grounds, assist the Worship Committee, and gain knowledge of all aspects of gardening through education, experience and mutual friendship.
Meetings: 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Center.
Events: Christmas Boutique and Mother's Day Flower Sale.

GENERATIONS OF FAITH COMMITTEE ~ Reforming
A new approach to Faith Formation involving everyone in the parish community in learning and growing through their experience and participation in church life.
Meetings: As needed.

HOMEBOUND MINISTRY ~ Chairperson - Sr. Rose Anne Krantz
Offering prayer, Holy Eucharist, encouragement and friendship to the homebound of our parish.

LITURGICAL & SUPPORTIVE MINISTRIES ~ Contact - Parish Office
A variety of people lending their talents to help provide a meaningful worship experience in many ways.

MUSIC MINISTRY/CHOIR ~ Music Minister - Bill Davies
Active throughout the year, the music ministry invites anyone who has a love and/or talent for music to please consider joining this friendly group and participate in one or more aspects of Music Ministry. 
Rehearsals: Thursday of each week, 7:00 p.m. in the Church (additional practices during Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter seasons as needed).

PARISH FAMILY LIFE COMMITTEE ~ Chairpersons - Brian & Jennifer Hirsch
The Parish Family Life Committee strives to promote enrichment of family life, to provide social opportunities for parishioners to meet and interact, and to develop an awareness of the needs of singles, couples, parents and retired members of our community. Currently, the group's main focus is helping to coordinate the Lenten Soup Suppers, St. Joseph Feast Day Celebration, the Easter Egg Hunt, and monthly Doughnut Socials. Meetings: As needed

PARISH COUNCIL ~ Chairperson - Fr. Michael Balash
The purpose of this Council is to respond to the movement of the Spirit in the People of God, to work for a unified mission among its members, and to plan, coordinate, and implement the pastoral goals and vision of the parish and the Church. The Council serves as consultative and advisory group to the Pastor.
Meetings: 7 times per year; 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Center

RECEPTION COMMITTEE ~ Chairpersons - Annette Carlisle & Judy McGreal
Serving the parish community with delicious refreshments at various events and liturgical celebrations. Meetings: As needed

ST. JOSEPH CARES ~ Chairperson - Fr. Michael Balash
Setting aside a portion of the parish budget to help needy members of St. Joseph's and the surrounding communities, this committee helps the parish to share with those less fortunate among us. Meetings: As needed

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY ~ Chairperson - Irene Welling
Established in the Fall of 1997, this group responds to the corporal works of mercy through action, service, and prayer.
Meetings: 1st Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the All-Purpose Room
Activities: Portage County Clothing Center, 2nd & 5th Tues. of each month; Maplewood Care Center Bingo, 3rd Wed. of each month
Collections: Second full weekend of each month as parishioners exit from Masses.

STEWARDSHIP WAY OF LIFE COMMITTEE ~ Chairperson - Sr. Rose Anne Krantz
Promoting the use of time, talent, and treasure by all parishioners, this group strives to provide continuing education to all parish members so that all realize that stewardship is not a program, but a way of life.
Meetings: 4th Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Center

TRUST FUND COMMITTEE ~ Chairperson - Fr. Michael Balash
The St. Joseph School Educational Trust Fund was established February 20, 1984, with the purpose to establish financial stability for our school now and in the future. Meetings: Annually or as needed

WELCOMING COMMITTEE ~ Chairpersons - Cyndi & Gary Keefer
Nurturing the Parish's Mission Statement, the Welcoming Committee strives to make everyone feel at home and comfortable at St. Joseph’s.
Meetings: As needed

WORSHIP COMMITTEE ~ Chairperson - Jan Huter
Striving to prepare liturgical celebrations which are ‘truly the source and summit of Christian life’, the main purpose of the Worship Committee is to enhance the liturgy at St. Joseph's.
Meetings: 1st Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Center

ASSOCIATED GROUPS:

C.Y.O. ATHLETICS ~ Athletic Director - Mary Truax
The Catholic Youth Organization sports program offers young people of the parish the opportunity to learn teamwork and sportsmanship, as well as the fine points of the games in a Christian atmosphere. St. Joseph's offers CYO Basketball, CYO Soccer, CYO Volleyball, CYO Cross Country, CYO Track, and CYO Football programs.

BOY SCOUT TROOP #575 ~ Scoutmaster - Tom Smith
As a part of the largest youth volunteer organization in the world, St. Joseph's Boy Scout Troop #575 has been in existence since 1969.
Meetings: Tuesdays 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Hall or outside, year round

CUB SCOUT PACK #3575 ~ Cubmaster - Aaron Gula
Offering this phase of Boy Scouts of America for 1st through 5th grade (or 7-10 year-old) boys and their parents, St. Joseph's Pack #3575 offers a year round Cub Scouting program.
Meetings: September through mid-May, meetings are held Mondays 7:00-8:00 p.m. at St. Joseph School in classrooms and Hall (there will be no meetings on holidays, during school vacations, or if schools are closed due to inclement weather). During the summer, May through August, monthly Pack activities are planned.

GIRL SCOUTS ~ Contact - Sandi Kotkowski
St. Joseph’s is part of the council known as Girl Scouts of North East Ohio which serves girls and adult volunteers in Ashtabula, Carroll, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Sandusky, Seneca, Stark, Summit, Trumbull and Tuscarawas Counties (which is divided into five service centers). Each school district organizes troops for their area. For more information, please call your daughter’s school office or the GSNEO Central Service Center at 1.800.864.9933 or visit their website @ www.girlscoutswr.org

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL #3766 ~ Grand Knight - Terry Kulka
Meetings: 1st and 3rd Mondays 7:30 p.m.
Club Room: Open to members and friends every Friday evening, 7-11 p.m.
Knights of Columbus Hall, 11845 St. Rt. 44, Mantua, OH 44255 (just 1/4 mi. north of the State Routes 44 & 82 intersection).
Women's Auxiliary (Isabellas) - Open to ALL Catholic women, age 16 and over. Meetings are held the third Monday of each month at the Mantua Knights of Columbus Hall at 7:00 p.m. in the upstairs clubroom. (Contact: Cyndi Keefer)

RELATED GROUPS:

EXERCISE GROUP ~ Contact - Lori Duriak
Informal aerobic exercise for a $2.00 per session. Participants are asked to bring a mat. Held Mondays and Thursdays (Sept.-May) 6:30-7:30 p.m., Back ½ Hughes Hall (pleae refer to weekly bulletin for schedule changes).

CREDIT UNION ~ Contact - Karen Helbig
The St. Joseph, Mantua, Federal Credit Union was founded in 1964. In October, 1992, to provide better and more efficient service, our credit union merged with SS. Margaret & Gregory Federal Credit Union in South Euclid. The credit union, which is owned by its members, has a three-fold purpose: to encourage regular savings by its members; to provided low interest loans to it's members for any good reason; and, to provide financial information & advice to its members. Any parishioner of St. Joseph or member of their immediate family is invited to join the SS. Margaret & Gregory Federal Credit Union. For more information, please contact Karen Helbig (216.691.0242).

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS ~ Contact - Parish Office
Although St. Joseph's does not directly sponsor an A.A. chapter, the parish provides a meeting place on Wednesday evenings in Hughes Hall. This program of total abstinence helps members maintain sobriety through sharing experience, strength, and hope at group meetings and through the suggested Twelve Steps for recovery from alcoholism. For more info., visit the Alcoholics Anonymous site @ http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

CRESTWOOD YOUTH BASEBALL ~ Contact - Bob Lieberth, President (330.274.8635) Use of fields. Visit http://www.crestwoodyouthbaseball.com.

CRESTWOOD GIRLS SOFTBALL PONYTAIL LEAGUE ~ Contact - ?
Use of fields. Everybody Plays! Open to all girls between the ages of 7 and 17 years old on or before June 1, living in the Crestwood School District.

MANTUA SOCCER ASSOCIATION ~ Contacts - Bob Davies, President (330.274.8474 or 330.389.0868) or Carl Zeleznik, Vice President (330.274.0375), Greg Smith, Coaches & Secretary (330.274.1019). Field use.
For boys and girls ages 5-14 (must turn 5 during the season and must be younger than 14 on 8/1/08 or in the 8th grade).

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