The Church of Saint Joseph of the Holy Family is a vibrant community filled with faith and fraternity. The Parishioners have a sense of unity that extends to everyone who enters the Church. There is an emphasis on the liturgical year, for participation and focus, while pertinent events and Holy Days continuously bring the people together in prayer. Serving the Harlem community since 1860, St. Joseph’s continues to be a refuge for the local population, as well as all the visitors who bring international diversity to the community when visiting for mass. As a tri-lingual Church, offering masses in English, Spanish, French, and sometimes combined, many feel welcome to worship all in one space. On Sunday, there is a separate mass in each language, keeping the Church active all day.
Every two weeks, the food pantry serves about 300 families who rely on the uninterrupted distribution. The pantry brings together a great group of volunteers who are dedicated to feeding the hungry. For Thanksgiving 2023, thanks to a generous donor, families received 300 turkeys as well as dinner packages. Then another miracle happened when 100 turkeys were donated for Christmas. St. Joseph’s has built a foundation of charity and giving to those in need. In the winter there are coat drives, a toy drive for children, and resources that are distributed throughout the year.
The Religious Education program makes a huge impact on the church community! On Sunday mornings, Children’s mass starts the day, and is followed by catechism classes for those who are receiving sacraments and learning about faith in Jesus during the school year. The children learn how to pray, how to serve the Lord, and how to serve one another. Every year the students participate in the Christmas Pageant. This past year, with the newly developed Youth Music Ministry, they also presented an Easter Musical and a Pentecost Concert. They appreciate the celebrations for Holy Days and birthdays that bring them a sense of joy, unity and fun, while worshipping the Lord. Some children have expressed interested in Youth Choir and continue to participate through the summer. The French mass featured the youth on the Feast of the Epiphany, bringing ceremonial tradition to the Church, a comfort for many families rooted in West African Catholicism. The children also helped clear and plant the Church’s Garden in the Fall, and the flowers rose in the Spring. They are guided through community service. There is no comparison to the ceremonies of Baptism, Confirmation, and Communion at Easter. It is a joyous occasion for everyone involved. The children, parents, sponsors, and parishioners all celebrate together. Faith is discovered and renewed for everyone. The RCIA Program ensures that adults who want to join the Catholic Community can have the necessary education and receive all the sacraments for full conversion through studying in the program.
Throughout the weeks, the prayer continues beyond daily mass. Retreats are a very important part of building faith within a Church community, and there are many retreats in each language, and sometimes tri lingual. Visiting Pastors and Church leaders join St. Joseph’s to congregate in faith, and sometimes for important issues affecting the Harlem community. Charismatic prayer is offered in all three languages and gives parishioners the opportunity to join in smaller groups and evangelize. The rosary groups keep prayer in the Church every Saturday, with Spanish and French groups after Vigil Mass. The Church community can rely on these groups, retreats, and events, as they are continuous throughout the year. Feast Days and Holy Days of obligation, such as The Feast of the Holy Family, and Mary Mother of God, as well as Saints Days are celebrated, reminding Catholics of these days of deep prayer, and those before us who made progress in society for Jesus Christ.
Music and Ministry guides worship from the Priests who Cantor, to the Choristers, and all the parishioners and visitors who follow along with the hymns of the liturgy. With the world renown English Gospel Choir, the uplifting Spanish Choir, and the eclectic French Choir, worshippers feel guided throughout mass welcome to sing along. The Choirs are inviting to all those who feel they have the inspiration to sing or play music in the Church. In turn, this inspires the Children to do the same and be the future leaders of Music Ministry.
Advent, Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Good Friday, Easter, the Assumption, and more, are liturgical milestones that are venerated and taught thoroughly. All who participate cannot depart without feeling the love of Christ, and closer to understanding God. This year, the Church celebrated a very special day for the Pastor Administrator, Father Joseph, and his Silver Jubilee, the 25th Year Anniversary of his ordination into Priesthood. In this “Year of Prayer”, the Church prays more members of the community feel drawn to worship with others and get more involved with the Church.