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!

Children's RE Program We are pleased to announce that our Children's RE program for preschool through 12th grade will officially begin on Wednesday, September 9th, at the Parish Hall. On-site enrollment starts at 6:00pm and classes will run from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. If you would like enrollment forms sent via email or text please contact Debbie at 850-340-3045 or office@stjosephpsj.org. If you would like to volunteer for the Children's RE team we will have a meeting on September 2nd at 6:00pm in the church hall. Everyone is welcome to attend and bring your wonderful ideas for our program this year!

Adult Religious Education Please join us as we present The Art of Living video series by Dr. Edward Sri. We will begin this series on Tuesday, Sept 8th at 6:00 pm in the Church Hall. This is a six-part video series on understanding and implementing the 4 Cardinal Virtues. If you have any questions call Tim at 281-254-4204. All are welcome!

Fr. Mathew's Account Fr. Mathew's email account has been hacked. Several people in our parish have been contacted through his email and or text under false pretences. Fr. Mathew would like everyone to know that he will only contact you with a request personally or through the parish office. If you have any questions about a request received via email or text regarding Fr. Mathew or the parish office please contact Debbie McCall at 850-340-3045. If I do not answer please leave a message and I will contact you.

Notes From Choir Loft and Organ Bench Are you interested, even a little bit, in singing with the musicians on Sunday mornings? This fall, we will gather to practice for Sundays and Holidays. Please talk to Betty or Carolyn after Mass. The schola group practices Thursdays at 5pm in the church. We typically accompany the 11am Mass, but the schedule occasionally changes. We're starting to work on general music, the requiem mass for All Souls Day, and pieces for Advent/Christmas. You are welcome to check out a practice any time! Questions, contact Carolyn at 850-899-0022.

Divine Mercy Chaplet Next Sunday, September 6th at 3:00 PM, we ask everyone to join together in praying The Divine Mercy Chaplet, immediately followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. If you have not had an opportunity to pray this chaplet please take the time now to be introduced to this powerful devotional. We begin at 3:00 PM because this is the Hour of Great Mercy when Christ's heart was pierced creating a "fountain of mercy" where blood and water poured out for humanity. The Divine Mercy Chaplet was revealed to St. Faustina wherein believers offer Christ's sacrifice to the Eternal Father to implore mercy and forgiveness for themselves and the whole world.

Legacy Sunday This weekend, we celebrate Legacy Sunday in our diocese, recognizing and expressing gratitude to those who have made a gift in their will or trust to benefit the church. May God bless you and your family abundantly.

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-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

 A Stark Contrast  “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Matthew 16:23

Reflect today on Peter’s and Jesus’ words: “God forbid, Lord!” and “Get behind me, Satan!” In this exchange, Jesus is also speaking to each of us, saying, “Never run from the Cross!” We must never flee from a selfless and sacrificial embrace of suffering, even when that suffering is unjust. God can and will transform all freely embraced suffering into a means of His eternal glory and our sanctification. With our Lord, reject the evil one’s false empathy. Reject the lie that suffering is meaningless. Choose instead to lay down your life in love with Christ, and in doing so, you will rise with Him, victorious over every sin and diabolical lie, overcoming even the sufferings of this life through your free and faithful embrace.

My compassionate Lord, Your firm rebuke of Peter was direct, powerful, and loving. Rather than offering false comfort or misleading empathy, You spoke a hard truth to awaken Peter—and all of us—to the spiritual necessity of the Cross. Grant me the grace, dear Lord, to say “Yes” to the suffering I must face. May I embrace it not with fear or resistance, but with a heart filled with Your love and unwavering courage. Jesus, I trust in You.

 - My Catholic Life

Cover Art: Get Thee Behind Me, Satan by Ilya Repin

Come celebrate Mass with us.