Bereavement
Bereavement ministry requires no special talents. Any caring person can find a place here. Bringing comfort to those who mourn is a most rewarding experience.The entire St. Joseph community is called to serve and to share their God-given gifts with others.Training will be provided for those who feel called to extend the love of Christ to the bereaved. The initial visit is made to extend the condolence of the parish, and to assess the needs of the family.Services offered through this ministry are: planning funeral liturgy; attending the Wake and/or the funeral services; helping with a luncheon after the Mass; making telephone calls; transportation to pick-up relatives at the airport; and occasionally accompanying the family to the funeral home to make the arrangements, etc.
Contact: 863 - 646 - 4872 or 863 - 682-0555 x 255 Rita Powella
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Blood Bank
In the early 1970's St. Joseph's Church invited Citrus Blood Center, now known as "Blood Net", to come to the church for Blood Donor Drives. We started serving breakfast consisting of eggs, toast, sausage and coffee to donors. The bloodmobile comes to the Parish three times during the year. If you are in need of blood, please call the Parish Office.
Contact:863 - 682 - 0555, home: 863 - 683 - 2286, Marguerite Mazurek
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Book and Gift Shoppe
Come on in and see our wonderful selection of Catholic books, videos, holy cards, bibles, pictures, rosaries, statues, sacramental gifts for Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion (including ties, veils and prayer book sets), Confirmation, Marriage, and a lot more!
Store Hours: Sunday 8:30am to noon and Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 11:30am to 3pm. Closed the 1st Sunday of the month. Please call and leave messages and your needs will be addressed as promptly as possible. Inquire at the Pastoral Office for ABSOLUTE emergency situations.
Contact:863 - 686 - 4883 (leave message), Joan Vashon and Chuck Henry,book.shoppe@stjosephlakeland.org
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Catholic Charities
1801 E. Memorial Blvd., Lakeland 33801
Counseling Services : 863 - 683 - 9775
Licensed Mental Health Counseling
Individual, Family and Marriage Counseling
Adoption Services
Pregnancy Counseling and Casework
Social Service Programs : 863 - 686 - 7153
Emergency Family Services
Food Pantry
Lake Morton Senior Center
Family Foundations: Family Foundations offers emergency
family services for women and children that provide counseling, job training, pregnancy and adoption services...a continuum of care.
AGAPE Food Bank: 863 - 665 - 7074, www.cflcc.org.
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Catholic War Veterans
For all Catholic Veterans! Catholic War Veterans was started in the 1930s and were officially chartered by the U.S. Congress in August of 1984 and remain the only Catholic Organization recognized by the U.S. Congress (Public Law 980382). Post 1917 in Lakeland is one of two active Posts in Florida and we are growing and working for a better America. The CWV can best be summed up by their objectives: 1) for God; 2) for Country; and 3) for Family. We aid in the development of an enlightened patriotic American youth, assist veterans and widows and dependents of deceased veterans. We provide flag services for Catholic Veterans funerals. You are invited to join our group right here at St. Joseph's Church. We meet on the 3rd Monday of each month in the Parish Hall at 6:30pm for a business meeting and social time (which usually includes dinner). Please contact us for more information on the
Catholic War Veterans and its Auxiliary.
Contact: Hal Alves, Post Commander or 863 - 688 - 8787, Steve Jones, Officer of The Day
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Council OF Catholic Women
CCW is an active group of spirit-filled women serving God and dedicated to the Blessed Mother. Through our affiliations on the national, state and local levels, we seek to keep the women of our parish informed on issues facing our families, social concerns, peace and justice and the environment. The ladies, when called upon, serve as hostesses for various parish functions.
Contact:863 - 815 - 2586, Ethyle Fackler, President , Missethyle@hotmail.com
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Funeral Planning
This is available through the church Bereavement Ministry. We can answer any questions about Catholic Church funerals, cremation, burial and other details. By planning ahead, you are assured of the type of service you would like to have after your death. Please don't hesitate to call us for any information!
Contact:863 - 646 - 4872, or 863 682-0555, x 255 Rita Powella
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Grief Support Group
The main purpose of the group is to bring together those in the grief process who have recently suffered a loss and also those continuing their journey through the grief process. Everything shared is confidential and should not be discussed with anyone outside of the group. Each person will be encouraged to speak, but no one will be forced to speak. We must always be considerate of the feelings of the recently bereaved since those who lost someone some time ago are in a different stage. We meet on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, from 7:30pm - 9pm in the Pastoral Center Conference Room to share feelings - we do not give advice or tell anyone how to handle their situation. Everyone goes through the grief process differently and there is no right or wrong way. We hope that by sharing with each other, we will be able to help each other work through their grief.
Contact:863 - 646 - 4872, or 863 682-0555, x 255 Rita Powella
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Knights Of Columbus
St. Joseph Council 2505, is a Catholic men's fraternal organization that is committed to the exemplification of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism and defense of the priesthood. The Knights of Columbus is firmly committed to the protection of human life from conception to natural death. In addition, the Knights of Columbus is committed to the preservation and defense of the family. Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to men at least eighteen years of age and are practicing Catholics. One of the great benefits of being an active member of the Knights is getting to know other men in the parish and to associate with a great group of people. A business meeting is held the second Thursday of each month at 7:30pm. A social meeting is held the fourth Thursday of the month starting with dinner at 6:30pm. The Knights of Columbus Hall is located at 2014 Lakeland Hills Boulevard.
Council 2505 sponsors Bingo sessions twice each week as a fundraiser for the Council's charity projects. Bingo sessions are on Wednesdays and Saturdays with the doors opening at 9:00am and Bingo starting at 11:00 am. We are always looking for new members!
Contact: 863 - 688-8787, Steve Jones, Grand Knight: Knights of Columbus 2505@earthlink.net
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Legion of Mary
Legion of Mary is a world-wide organization through which Catholic men and women form an army for Mary to do spiritual work for the glory of God and His church.
Some of the apostolic work includes visiting the homebound, distributing the Eucharist, transportation, volunteer work at the church, participation in R.C.I.A., attending funerals and wakes and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
St. Joseph's Faith Community has two Legion of Mary Praesidiums. Weekly meetings are held on Mondays at 2:00 pm for Our Lady of Sorrows Praesidium and on Thursdays at 6:00 pm for the Queen of the Universe Praesidium. Both meetings are held in the Pastoral Center Conference Room. Please consider joining us in honoring Our Blessed Mother at one of the meetings. If interested, please contact either of the names below.
Contact:863 - 686 - 8716, Johanna Emory,863 - 683 - 2076, Margaret Williams, margwill227@juno.com
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Ministry to the Sick
A Minister to the Sick must be a practicing Catholic, at least 18 years of age and must feel compassionate towards those who suffer or are confined. After a period of training and spiritual development, the minister is assigned to visit in one of the following settings: hospitals, nursing and/or retirement homes and shut-ins in private homes. Those chosen to be a Minister to the Sick must be ready to make a caring visit with time to listen to and pray about concerns of the sick or shut-in person, and to bring them Holy Communion.
In order to become certified as a Minister to the Sick, a one-day workshop must be taken which is held on a given Saturday, and is offered through the Diocesan Office of Liturgy. After this one-day workshop, the minister receives a certificate mandating him/her to serve as a Minister to the Sick.
After receiving this initial certificate, the minister must be recertified every three years which requires continuing education consisting of no less than 9 hours of development of a spiritual nature as well as no less than 9 hours of development of an educational nature. This development is geared toward understanding God, ministry, illness, health, psychology, theology, or the like.
Contact: 863 - 682 - 0555 x 245, Janet Scarcia
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Parish Office Volunteers
Volunteers are often needed to come in during the week to help with various office mailings and projects.
Contact: 863 - 682 - 0555, x 205 or x 210 Cary Gomez/Christina Coffey, parish.administration@stjosephlakeland.org
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P.E.A.C.E. - Polk Ecumenical Action Council for Empowerment
The Polk Ecumenical Action Council for Empowerment (P.E.A.C.E.) is a direct-action organization working to effect institutional change on a variety of community issues. PEACE is a local county-wide organization incorporated in the state of Florida. It is composed of 29 religious congregations and community ministries that have united across denominational and racial lines in the belief that, together, they can become a powerful voice for ensuring fairness and justice in Polk County. As it works to build relationships in and for the community, PEACE offers opportunities for faith and leadership develop-ment. In the past, PEACE has worked on issue campaigns concerning drugs and crime, education and public health.
The idea for PEACE began in 1996, when a group of Caucasian and African-American pastors in Lakeland came together to discuss how to unite their communities in an effort to build God's kingdom and address common concerns. Father John Caulfield was one of those original pastors. In fact, it was he who came up with the acronym PEACE!
Are you interested in building strong relationships in your church and community? Are you willing to work for justice and achieve real change? Become part of St. Joseph's PEACE ministry!
Contact:863 - 802 - 8757, The PEACE office
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Polk Core Group For Divorced And Separated Catholics
This program includes classes, discussions & one-on-one conversations pertinent to finance, legal, social, emotional, & spiritual issues. Activities through the Diocesan Family Life Office are also available. See phone numbers below.
Contact: 863 - 670 - 0912, Amy Decker , 407 - 246 - 4882, Digna Montanez,
Diocesan Family Life Office
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Pregnancy Counseling
Catholic Charities of Central Florida offers pregnancy counseling at no charge for women facing unplanned pregnancies before or after the birth. This counseling is also extended to the whole family.
Contact:863 - 686 - 7153, x 18, Lessa Elliott
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Pregnancy Help Center
The Pregnancy Help Center of Lakeland, Inc. opened in October of 1998. The mission of the Center is to erase the need for abortion, through effectively serving pregnant at risk women, by transforming their fear into confidence. Services include pregnancy testing, ultrasound exams, selected STI screening, pregnancy options consultation, Personalized Solutions Assessments (PSA) providing a roadmap of community referrals and helpful information and follow-up throughout the decision-making process. Our volunteer needs revolve around a team of four individuals who serve each woman: receptionist, advocate, nurse and sonographer. We also need board members and office assistants. The Pregnancy Help Center is located at 120 West Hickory Street in Lakeland. Operating hours are Monday- Friday, 11am - 4pm.
For information or to volunteer call #863-682-5763, or visit
www.prghelpcenterinfo.com. If you need our services call #863-383-6988 for an appointment, or visit
www.preghelpcenter.com
Contact: 863 - 682 - 5763, Mary Rutherford, Director jm@preghelpcenter.com
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Prison Ministry
Visiting the imprisoned is one of our Corporal Works of Mercy. Ministers are trained by the Prison System to provide fellowship to the imprisoned. The Diocese is beginning a process of certification in addition to the training already in place through the state and county jails. Sr. Rose Christina Momm along with our priests and some parishioners have been active in this ministry for years tending to their social and spiritual needs.
If you would like to join them in bringing Christ to the imprisoned, please contact the number below.
Contact: 863 - 648 - 5933, Sr. Rose Christina Momm, S.N.J.M.
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Respect Life
Respect life encompasses four areas: Respect Life, Elderly, Social Justice and Disabilities. Respect Life means from conception to natural death. This includes Life Chain the first Sunday in October, Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision on January 22nd (walk in Washington, DC), Pregnancy Help Center and the Respect Life Conference.
Contact: 863 - 815 - 2586, Ethyle Fackler, MissEthyle@hotmail.com
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Respite Care Ministry
Many of our parishioners are elderly or ill and confined to their homes. They are cared for by devoted family members. Our Respite Care Ministry would allow a volunteer to come into the home and relieve the caregiver for an hour or so. The volunteers are insured and fingerprinted. This is a wonderful ministry to volunteer for! If you NEED help, or WANT to help, please call!
Contact: 863 - 683 - 2286, Marguerite Mazurek
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Saint Joseph's Outreach
The purpose of St. Joseph's Outreach is to assist the poor of our community with the necessities of life, and to further our spiritual understanding of our personal roles in accomplishing this work.
St. Joseph's Outreach accepts requests for assistance through the pastoral office. We also receive referrals from other churches, social service agencies, and some government offices. Help is usually given on a one-time basis. We assist with food, utilities, clothing, medicine, etc. Additionally, we are blessed with a number of volunteer workers who contribute their time regularly to the operation of our Thrift Store at 630 N. Ingraham Ave. Without their tireless work, we could not undertake the works we do.
Contact: 863 - 682 - 2757, Jerry Wagner
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Saith Joseph's Senior Friendship Club
Senior Friendship Club provides a place for seniors to meet for fun and fellowship. They play cards and have refreshments. Meeting times are the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 12:30pm at Lake Morton Senior Center.
Contact: 863 - 682 - 5579, Virginia Powers, 863 - 688 - 0198, Dorothy Baxla
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Sunday Morning Coffee and Donuts
This is a ministry of the church to provide donuts, coffee and smiles after 7:30am, 9am and 10:30am Masses September through June. Come and join us for some fellowship! If you’d like to volunteer your time and smile, please call!
Contact: 863 - 815 - 2586, Ethyle Fackler & Karen Buckley, MissEthyle@hotmail.com
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Talbot House Ministries
Talbot House Ministries provides an umbrella of services - food, shelter, clothing and medical care - to members of our community who find themselves in a life crisis. Realizing the importance of providing more than just temporary solutions, Talbot House programs also incorporate services that will assist persons and families to become self-sufficient.
We invite persons receiving services through our Emergency Shelter to join our Renewal Program. For these homeless persons who wish to be independent and productive, the Trustee Renewal Program offers job training and life skills classes, as well as individual and group counseling.
Contact: 863 - 687 - 8475, Paula Beikirch, 814 N. Kentucky Avenue
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