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Looking back . . . we remember the programs and organizations that were once a part of St. Joseph's.
We thank all those who gave of their time, talent, and treasure throughout the years.
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Appalachian Experience
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Members of St. Joseph's in Mantua had been participating in this outreach effort since 1998. Participants volunteered for a variety of household repairs at owner occupied homes of low-income residents of southwestern Virginia.
Following trip cancellation in 2020 & 2021 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, this outreach organization was ended (parish coordinators also moved out of parish).
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Remaining funds will be put toward a local effort for emergency needs by way of a Parish Service Day.
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Garden Club
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THIS GROUP DISBANDED AT THE END OF 2019 DUE TO DWINDLING MEMBERSHIP AND AGING MEMBERS
The aim of the St. Joseph's Garden Club was to beautify the parish grounds, assist the Liturgy Committee, and gain knowledge of all aspects of gardening through education, experience and mutual friendship. The organization was founded in September, 1982, under the leadership of Reverend Joseph Fata. The aloe vera plant was been adopted as the club symbol. Since 1985 through 2019 the group sponsored a highly successful arts and crafts show each November. The Sisterhood of St. Joseph continues this tradition by hosting the Christmas Boutique beginning in 2021 (not held in 2020 due to restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic).
Members of the Garden Club routinely provided colorful plantings and care to the flower beds in front of the church, school, parish center and entrance sign. Seasonal spruce ups include weeding, planting and care of annuals and mums. -
In Loving Memory
You may have noticed that the diseased ash tree in front of the Parish Center has been removed (October 10, 2017). Thank you to St. Joseph’s Garden Club for facilitating and funding this necessary task. Another tree has been planted in this area next to our sign in memory of Bernice Heritage who was a long time member of the Garden Club. The Lemon Drops Dogwood will have dark green glossy foilage with saffron yellow flowers in the Spring and develop yellow fruit in early Fall along with burgundy, red, and orange foliage (since replaced with a dogwood after original tree didn't survive). In addition, a Coral Burst Crabapple tree has been planted near the front of the Parish Center in memory of Elaine Fetsko (from the Fetsko family). We thank Bill Fetsko for helping select and then plant these nice additions to the property.
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Church Entrance & Artwork
In 1999, the group planned, funded and coordinated the completion of the new brick entrance to the church with the help of many parishioners who gave of their time and talent.
2001 brought the addition of a wonderful piece of artwork by world famous sculptor Joseph Turkaly, entitled "Joseph & the Children", mounted in the covered entranceway in an alcove especially designed for it.Landscaping Improvements (Phase I)
Thanks to the hard work and organization by St. Joseph Garden Club, on October 12, 2002, an army of thirty people with energy, willingness, tools and machines removed most of the "overgrowth" that had cropped up in the last twenty years. New dirt plus a few small trees is the new look for the Fall of 2002. Trees and shrubs were added to the front of the church and school in the Spring of 2003 (thank you to Norm Erickson for the generous cash donation that paid for all the shrubs in the front of the Church and to Sargiovanni's for all the mulch that has helped beautify the front of our Church).
Landscaping Improvements (Phase II)
During October of 2006, Garden Club members with the help of a number of Knights of Columbus members and parish volunteers came together to plant trees and shrubs and mulch the areas in front of the Parish Center and school. The new landscaping project is a welcomed new look to our property. Many thanks to these fine people for their kind assistance. The landscape design, plants and mulch were provided by Romano & Sons (Garden Club funded half of this project).
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Eucharistic Bread Bakers - This group was active during Fr. Fata's pastorate in the 1980's until the beginning of Fr. Stafford's time as pastor. It provided home baked bread for communion at the weekend Masses by following a specific recipe that conforms to the liturgical guidelines, volunteers were scheduled on an alternating basis for two or three weekends a year. Training for bakers took place on an annual basis. Siting the issues of crumbling and possible spoilage, it was decided to use only host wafers.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing - Parishioners took part in this annual Christmastime campaign, many of them choir members, manning the Mantua Station Drug site.
Vacation Bible School - For many years, the parish held a summer VBS opportunity for children with a themed, week-long program that included crafts, singing, snacks, and interaction. Parishioners are now encouraged to take part in programs in nearby parishes.
Youth Ministry - Over the years, the parish has held various forms of sharing faith, fellowship and fun with teens. Currently, there is not an organized program making it a priority on our "wish list" of ministries.
Funeral Luncheon Committee - Due to aging of volunteers and availability of new people to serve, this service for families in their time of mourning was ended. Currently, Hughes Hall is available for funeral luncheons with families providing their own meal through family, friends or a caterer.Food Service - During the school's existence this program provided a variety of meals in Hughes Hall, including school lunches, breakfast and after-school snacks for school children, Bingo snakc bar, and special event catering. When the school closed in 2010, this program was ended as coordinator Al Roberts' position was eliminated.
CYO Athletics - The Catholic Youth Organization sports program offers young people the opportunity to learn teamwork and sportsmanship, as well as the fine points of the games in a Christian atmosphere. St. Joseph's offered basketball, soccer, volleyball, cross country, track, and football programs until it's closing in 2010.
Home & School Association - This was the official school parent organization designated to support the school as well as provide opportunities for Home and School communication. The role of this group within the parish and school was to foster a cooperative partnership between the student, parent, teacher, school administrator, and parish leadership. The parents of all students who attended St. Joseph School were members. Many activities were run by the organization.
Trust Fund Committee - Established in 1984, the St. Joseph School Educational Trust Fund's purpose was to establish financial stability for our school. It was controlled jointly by Pastoral Council, the Trust Fund Committee, and the Pastor of St. Joseph's (under Fr. Garvey's pastorate, the Finance Council members serve as the Trust Fund Committee). Upon the decision to close St. Joseph School in 2010 due to declining enrollment, the pastor, Fr. Michael Garvey, requested permission from the Parish Council and the Finance Council to use the principal as well as any interest to help pay school bills. In April of 2010 he then asked for official approval to close out the School Trust Fund (referring to Declaration and Agreement of Trust document's termination section). St. Joseph School closed in June of 2010 due to declining enrollment.
Welcoming Committee - Striving to make everyone feel at home and comfortable at St. Joseph's, this group met periodically to coordinate their efforts.
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Temporal Concerns Committee - This sub-committee of the Finance Committee was in charge of the buildings and grounds of the parish. Working on long and short range plans for maintenance, alterations, remodeling and additions to the buildings of the parish, this task has been taken on by the Maintenance & Grounds Ministry.
Christian Service Organization - This "umbrella" service group coordinated the many sub-committees that responded in a variety of ways to the social concerns and needs of our community. They included participation in Catholic Relief Services, Center of Hope, 4C's, Right to Life, American Red Cross Blood Drives, Salvation Army Bell Ringing Campaign, St. Vincent de Paul Society. Much of this work is now handled by St. Joseph Cares.
Bell Choir (1998 directory)
Family Life Council - This committee maintained a broad parish vision, developing an awareness of the needs of singles, premarrieds, couples, parents, developing families, hurting families, etc. It then provided leadership and various programs to help meet the needs that emerged.
Autumn Leaves (Senior Citizens)
Damp Campers - Families who enjoyed camping together.
Divorced/Separated/Remarried Support Group - This group ministered to each other in this special time of need through informational meetings.
Infant of Prague Guild - This prayer ministry acted as the voice and hands of the Infant Jesus. The Guild’s purpose was to bring people closer to the Infant so they will receive His peace and blessing. When a child was baptized, they provided the child with a statue of the Infant. They also responded to the needs of infants of needy families. In addition, they provided for ladies of the parish to be involved in some arts & crafts projects and offered a raffle at the Ox Roast Fair. It slowly dispanded in the 1980's.
Marriage Preparation Program - Married couples served in this ministry to help engaged couples prepare for married life. Currently, the pastor and deacon handle these tasks.
NAIM (Widows/Widowers) - This Catholic ministry is named after the widow of Naim whose son Jesus had raised from the dead (Luke 7:11-17). Observing a funeral of the son of the widow of Naim, Jesus was filled with empathy: he restored life to the son and helped the grieving mother. This was group of men and women who have lost a spouse either through death or divorce. Informal gatherings provided emotional, spiritual, and psychological support for one another.
Aspirgrow (Adult Spiritual Growth) - Members were deeply committed to the principle that growth in faith and understanding of one's faith is on-going. It was in existence during Fr. Fata's pastorate in the 1980's.
Altar & Rosary Society - Popular until the mid-80's, this organization's objective was the care and up keep of the altar and all things pertaining to the altar. All women of the parish were eligible for membership. Our sacristan, Mass set-up volunteers, and members of the Liturgy Committee have taken on this role.
Mens Club - Listed in 1973 parish directory
Sunday Night Roller Skating - Listed in 1973 parish directory.
Sunday NIght Square Dancing - Listed in 1973 parish directory.
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Bingo Program
The Bingo Committee, along with the In-Charge and Cashier persons, met on January 14, 2010, to make a recommendation about Bingo here at St. Joseph's. After studying the profit and loss figures from these past several years, it was recommended to discontinue Bingo and this recommendation was accepted. Therefore, St. Joseph's Last Bingo Game was Saturday, January 23, 2010.Did You Know? . . .
The Bingo Program at St. Joseph's was originally run by the Mantua Knights of Columbus at Round-Up Hall located at Round-Up Lake Campground (aka as Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park on St. Rt. 82 in Mantua). The K of C donated most of the profits to St. Joseph Church (this was before the existence of St. Joseph School).
Around 1964 and the time when Fr. Francis Hughes was building the campaign for the new school, the Portage County prosecutor cut all Bingo fundraising in the county. This is when Fr. John Wirtz, Associate Pastor, started the Ox Roast Fair, roller skating, and the 300 Club as fundraisers to support the new school.
During Fr. Francis Snock's time (around 1967), Bingo was once again allowed and the church brought back Bingo as a fundraiser in the parish hall. Parishioners from the Men's Club ran the program at this time. Around 1995 the school took over St. Joseph's Bingo program, providing most of the volunteers. All of the proceeds from this school fundraiser went toward the operation of the school and its success helps to keep tuition costs down.Due to declining attendance and revenue, the decision was made to end the program on January 23, 2010.
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