Pastoral Ministry

God Calls; We answer.

Welcome to Saint Joseph High School pastoral ministry!  It is an honor to serve as director of pastoral ministry at Saint Joe.   Our school was founded in 1953 in the Holy Cross tradition of education that seeks to transform the hearts and minds of students in order to prepare them to serve God, the Church, and the world. It is the purpose of pastoral ministry to help foster this transformation with hope and Christian zeal in response to the spiritual and formative needs of our community. Jesus said,

"I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). 

Pastoral Ministry, along with the Theology Department and school chaplains, seeks to help students realize and respond to this call to live life to the fullest by showing them that life with Christ is not dull and boring, but full of joy and adventure. We provide opportunities to grow in communion and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, to foster Christian discipleship, and to live in Christian community. Our goal is to serve each individual where he or she is on the faith journey, challenging each to deepen his or her relationship with God. We also seek to empower students by giving them opportunities to lead others in their faith and to let their lights shine.     

Saint Joe offers 7:30 a.m. Mass two to three times per week which is open to the entire school community - parents, guardians, students, teachers and staff.  All-School Masses are celebrated monthly.  Confessions are offered once or twice each week, during our monthly adoration days (two days each month), by appointment, and during Advent and Lenten Penance Services. Every student participates in a minimum of twenty hours of Christian service each year, and every student participates in an annual retreat. 

Saint Joe offers a vibrant sacramental preparation program for students who are interested in becoming Catholic, or completing their sacraments of initiation.  There are many opportunities for student involvement in ministry including serving at Masses, leading daily prayer, and through involvement in faith and service clubs.  Saint Joe is blessed to have two extraordinary chaplains who are fully engaged in the life of the school.

Please pray for the community at Saint Joe to faithfully hear and respond to the call of God.  We entrust ourselves to Saint Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, and to Our Blessed Mother Mary, Queen of Peace.  God bless you and thank you for stopping by!

Christine Kelly Baglow, MAPL

Director of Pastoral Ministry