Whether you are local, a seasonal visitor, or someone enjoying a weekend on the Gulf Coast, St. Joseph Parish is a place to encounter Jesus. Join us for Mass, Adoration, Bible Study, social events, or simply stop by to offer a prayer.

If you are new to the area, a returning Catholic, or if you wish to become Catholic you are welcome to attend Mass and to become involved in parish activities. If you require more information We encourage you to speak with the Parish Secretary or the Pastor. Please Call 850-227-1417.

If you wish to donate On-Line  Click HERE! 

100th Anniversary Directory The 100th Anniversary Directory is available NOW! With a lot of hard work and determination the directory has been completed and is ready for you to enjoy. You may pick up a copy from the foyer of the Church or the Parish Office; Mon/Wed/ Thu 8-5. We would like to give a very big "THANK YOU!" to all the volunteers and supporters of this endeavor; it is beautiful!

Baptism This Sunday at the 9:00 Mass, we will be celebrating the baptism of Lillian Ruth Mercer daughter of Jacob and Emily Mercer. Please join them along with the Godparents and family as we welcome her into a forever relationship with Christ and His Church.

Burse Club We are grateful to all who participate in the Burse Club. Your support, prayers and assistance are a tremendous and continual blessing to those whom the Lord is calling to the priesthood while continuing the work of Jesus Christ and his Church. As a Burse Club member, your prayers and generosity help provide the educational formation necessary for our future priests. The educational formation provides the necessary training and tools to be effective ministers of Christ. If you are not yet a member of the Burse Club, we encourage you to enroll today. Applications to enroll can be found in the burse club pamphlets located at both church entrances. We know the Lord will bless you for your kindness and help in this important work. To learn more about vocations in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, visit ptvocations.org.

Legacy Sunday Next weekend, we celebrate Legacy Sunday in our diocese, recognizing those who have made a gift in their will or trust to benefit the church. When you share your intention to make this type of gift, you are welcomed into membership in the Lumen Christi Legacy Society. Visit legacygifts.org to learn more or to share your intention.

Liturgical Ministers Retreat On October 24th the Office of Liturgy is hosting a day of reflection for all liturgical ministers: sacristans, ushers, greeters, altar servers, readers, music ministry, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. This event will be held at Our Lady of the Rosary in Panama City. The day will be spent reflecting on the Eucharistic liturgy and Sacraments, as well as the dignity of our ministries in service to all encountering Jesus. Updates on new guidelines for communion ministry will be provided. Light breakfast and lunch are included. Registration is required. Visit the website at www.ptdiocese.org/ liturgy. For more information contact Dr. Christopher Gawel at 850-304-7580 or gawelc@ptdiocese.org.

New Online EMHC Training The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee now requires all current and new Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs) to complete a free online training through the My Catholic Faith Delivered (MCFD) site. After navigating to the Diocese of Pensacola page on the MCFD site, they should add the EMHC course to their cart. During checkout, they will be prompted either to create a new account or to log in with their existing credentials. Parishes may host a training for people who cannot access the internet or lack email. We also encourage all priests and deacons to complete the online training so they are aware of some of the changes. We ask that all EMHCs complete this training by the First Sunday of Advent, November 29, 2026.

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Franciscan At Home We are a partnering diocese so all of our parishes and school are already registered and all parishioners can take courses for free. There are a variety of courses for your convenience:
 » 1. FREE unlimited access
 » 2. Lifelong learners, Parents, Mentors, Facilitators, Leaders, Pastoral Care Workers, Social Outreach, Lay Ministers, and Mentors
 » 2. Diocesan Certification Process for Catechists, Parish Catechetical Leaders, Youth Ministers and RCIA Ministers.

Register Today! Follow these steps:
 » 1. Click Here:
 » 2. Click on the bottom blue button.
 » 3. The Sign Up for Free Through Your Institution page will appear.
 » 4. Choose Country — United States, Diocese — Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee and Institution — Your Parish/School.  » 5. Click the Sign-Up box at the bottom.
 » 6. Complete your personal information (look for choice of receiving emails).
 » 7. Start your first workshop!
For more information, contact: Sister Margaret Kuntz at 850-435-3523 or kuntzm@ptdiocese.org

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Can We Help? If you or someone you know needs help with meals, a visit, or anything else, let us help! Contact the church office.

Communion to the Homebound Sacraments are available to all Catholics who would like to receive, but are unable to attend Sunday Mass due to injury, illness or advanced age. If you are in need of a visit, please call the office and request Communion at home, in the hospital, nursing home, or assisted living facility.

Rosary Please take time and join us as we say the Rosary every Tuesday at 10:00am. The group Rosary is powerful and the benefits are endless. Let the simple and repeated prayers of the Rosary allow us to really focus on what Jesus did and said as we receive peace of mind, an increased love for Jesus, unity with our church and understand better the will of God in our lives. There is no better time than during Lent to embrace these mysteries and, with Mary's help, let them transform our lives.

Church Registration We are delighted that you have chosen to become a member of our church family. Please register by stopping in or calling our office  850-227-1417 .

Food Donations Don't forget our food basket at the entrance of the church which is open daily. It is there all year for dropping off nonperishable Food. If you're visiting the area, and have nonperishable food that you didn't use, consider donating these items before you make your trip back home. Thank you for thinking of those in need.  No open parcels please! 

Altar Flowers If you would like to donate altar flowers for a special occasion or a loved one's memorial Mass, please contact the office in advance to coordinate with our dedicated volunteers. Our volunteers preplan altar flowers for every weekend mass, holy day, and special occasion, and we are very grateful for their time. Call: 850-227-1417

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

 Overcoming the Gates of Hell  Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:13–16

Reflect today on the significance of the papacy. Even now, in the successor of Saint Peter, the words of Simon continue to echo throughout the world: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This is the pope’s first and most important duty—to bear witness to Christ, the Son of God. Despite the personal weaknesses of some popes and the saintliness of others, it is Jesus who established Peter and his successors as the visible foundation of the Church. Pray for the Holy Father, and trust in the timeless witness of every pope since that first moment in Caesarea Philippi—a witness upheld not by human strength, but by Christ’s own promise. To profess faith in the papacy is to profess faith in the One who instituted it and endowed it with His divine authority.

My Lord, You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. With Simon, I profess this truth and place my faith in You, who established Simon, son of Jonah, as Peter—the rock and foundation of Your Church. I believe and profess that the gates of hell shall never prevail against the Church, not because of human strength or perfection, but because of Your eternal promise. I pray for our Holy Father, the pope, and for all his successors. Make them true and faithful witnesses to the confession first spoken by Saint Peter. Jesus, I trust in You.

 - My Catholic Life

Cover Art: Pope Peter ~ Rubens

Come celebrate Mass with us.