Parish Pastoral Council
The parish pastoral council is a council "over which the pastor presides and in which the Christian faithful, together with those who share in pastoral care by virtue of their office in the parish, assist in fostering pastoral activity." (Code of Canon Law, canon 536)
St. Joseph’s Pastoral Council consists of all clergy assigned to the parish as well as ex officio, appointed/elected members, and representatives from the Parish Finance Council as well as social concerns committee; liturgy committee; home and school; school advisory council; cemetery committee.
Current members:
Joyce Brandt (2022-25), president and Finance Council representative
Deacon Jim Haaf (ex officio)
Dawn Haslag (ex officio)
Jeremy Horvath (ex officio)
Kathryn Badami (2023-26)
Charles Williams (2023-26)
Becki Orscheln (2024-27)
Committee Representatives for 2024-25:
Margie Luebbert (Social Concerns)
Chris Massman (Cemetery)
Amy Luecke (Liturgy)
St. Joseph’s Pastoral Council consists of all clergy assigned to the parish as well as ex officio, appointed/elected members, and representatives from the Parish Finance Council as well as social concerns committee; liturgy committee; home and school; school advisory council; cemetery committee.
Current members:
Joyce Brandt (2022-25), president and Finance Council representative
Deacon Jim Haaf (ex officio)
Dawn Haslag (ex officio)
Jeremy Horvath (ex officio)
Kathryn Badami (2023-26)
Charles Williams (2023-26)
Becki Orscheln (2024-27)
Committee Representatives for 2024-25:
Margie Luebbert (Social Concerns)
Chris Massman (Cemetery)
Amy Luecke (Liturgy)
Parish Finance Council
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?
(Luke 14:28-30)
The finance council exists to "assist the pastor in the administration of the goods of the parish, without prejudice to the prescript of can. 532." (Code of Canon Law, canon 537)
Current members: Jeremy Horvath (ex officio), Dawn Haslag (ex officio), Joyce Brandt, Benjamin Holterman, Kelly Kampeter, Steve Massman, Barbara Reichart, Lisa Verslues
Current members: Jeremy Horvath (ex officio), Dawn Haslag (ex officio), Joyce Brandt, Benjamin Holterman, Kelly Kampeter, Steve Massman, Barbara Reichart, Lisa Verslues
St. Anne's Sewing Circle
For decades, ladies of St. Joseph Parish have gathered in the basement of St. Joseph School each Wednesday to hand-quilt works of American art. Originally, custom quilting was the main source of the group’s income. For some time now, though, quilts are made by the sewing circle for the quilt-of-the-month club and for the quilt auction at the annual parish picnic, held on the first Sunday of August, to benefit St. Joseph Parish.
The quilt-of-the-month club awards a quilt to a member each month of the year. Beginning with the parish’s fall supper on the third Sunday in October, people are invited to become members in good standing of the quilt-of-the-month club. For more information on how to join this club, contact any member of the parish or contact us at stjosephwestphalia.org.
The quilt-of-the-month club awards a quilt to a member each month of the year. Beginning with the parish’s fall supper on the third Sunday in October, people are invited to become members in good standing of the quilt-of-the-month club. For more information on how to join this club, contact any member of the parish or contact us at stjosephwestphalia.org.
Osage County Men's Group
Men of Osage County (high school age or older) meet monthly (usually the first Wednesday of the month from 6:00pm-7:00pm at St. Joseph church) for prayer, formation, and fellowship. If you have any questions or would like to be added to our email distribution list, contact Charles Williams. Call/text: (573) 690-3526 or Email: [email protected] .
Social Concerns Committee
2022-2023 members of the social concerns committee are: Margie Luebbert, Jane Schaben, Gretchen Berhorst, Theresa Rehagen, Lori Markway, Wanda Rehagen, and Allie Hale.
Past activities include: 2021 Kentucky Tornado collection sent to the Diocese of Mayfield, KY., Food Drive in Fall 2021, Osage County Good Shepherd Ctr., Christmas Giving Tree for Osage County, St. Raymond's Society Drive (Jefferson City) for Baby Supplies, and in April a food drive for Catholic Charities and Osage County Good Shepherd Pantry.
Past activities include: 2021 Kentucky Tornado collection sent to the Diocese of Mayfield, KY., Food Drive in Fall 2021, Osage County Good Shepherd Ctr., Christmas Giving Tree for Osage County, St. Raymond's Society Drive (Jefferson City) for Baby Supplies, and in April a food drive for Catholic Charities and Osage County Good Shepherd Pantry.
Women's Ministry
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Michael McGlinn is an international award-winning filmmaker. He is the
founder of Sistine Films and Face of Mercy, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to promoting the message of Jesus, The Divine Mercy message, and helping people become confident in God’s goodness. Michael has produced films all over the world and original soundtracks for Catholic film productions. He is also a music recording artist who has worked with legendary musicians from Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine, The Allman Brothers Band, John Tesh and Genesis. Michael was an offensive lineman under legendary coach Lou Holtz and played in all four major bowl games in consecutive years: Orange, Sugar, Cotton and Fiesta. Michael’s work is focused on revealing the Sacred Heart of Jesus to audiences through his films, spoken word audio productions, talks, concerts and materials. In 2020, Michael launched AdoreHimDaily.tv, an online platform that features short films, podcasts and materials to help families to seek holiness through Eucharistic Adoration. |
Pro-Life
The "Rose" illustration was drawn courtesy of Jackie Otto, parishioner of St. Joseph Church
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We, the members of St. Joseph Parish, Westphalia, Missouri, in union with the United States Catholic Bishops, proclaim that human life is a precious gift from God, that each person who receives this gift has responsibilities toward God, self and others, and that society, through its laws and social institutions, must protect and nurture human life at every stage of its existence.
St. Joseph parishioners will promote respect for life through educational, spiritual, and pastoral activities. They will work to develop public policy that supports the right to life from the moment of conception to natural death. Pray for the Unborn! |
Pro-Life Action
Spiritual
An annual Respect for Life Mass is held in October. Pro-life leaders are invited to address important topics following Mass. Prayers are offered for the protection of all life from conception to natural death. Students in the CCD program participate in the liturgy.
January activities commemorate the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision of the United States Supreme Court that legalized abortion on demand. The rosary, special prayers and intercessions are offered for the unborn.
The Family Pro-Life Rosary Project is an on-going activity that encourages parish families to pray the rosary in their homes for an end to abortion, protection of the unborn, and for world peace. Additional pro-life prayers are included in the Project packet.
Students from St. Joseph Parish School attend the annual Rosary for Life at the State Capitol Building on January 22 in Jefferson City to commemorate the Roe v. Wade decision.
Pastoral
Parish organizations support Birthright, an organization that helps women facing unplanned/unwanted pregnancies to bring their babies to term. Some of the organizations have held "Baby Showers" to provide baby clothing, diapers, and many other needed supplies which enable these mothers to care for their little ones.
The annual Thanksgiving food drive provides large quantities of non-perishable items for the Good Shepherd Center food pantry in Linn, Missouri.
Educational
Church bulletins periodically provide Catholic teaching on topics related to abortion, stem cell research, human cloning, and euthanisia ("mercy killing"). Brochures presenting the Catholic position on many issues, including pro-life concerns, are available in the vestibule of the church.
The parish web site has a pro-life link that was developed in order to expand the parish's educational efforts that promote the protection of human life from conception to natural death.
Eighth grade students in St. Joseph Parish School participate in the diocesan program known as "Right Start." These classes, that promote pro-life attitudes, provide information about prenatal development, abortion, chastity, and respect for self and others.
Teachers of the St. Joseph CCD program promote pro-life attitudes among our high school students using videos, prayers, and educational materials that are specifically designed to encourage teenagers to choose life and to promote sexual abstinence.
Travelers driving through Westphalia along Highway 63 will be reminded, by our parish sign, that "ABORTION STOPS A BEATING HEART."
Public Policy
Attachments to the parish bulletin provide details about national and state legislation that pertain to respect life issues. Parishioners are encouraged to write letters to public officials expressing their opinions on these matters.
The parish bulletin also includes information on the "Pro Life Lobby Day" and "Rally for Life." Parishioners are encouraged to personally visit their state Senator and Representative at the Capitol Building in Jefferson City in order to express support for all life -- born and unborn. This is also an opportunity to ask their Legislators to support or oppose specific legislation.
Parishioners from St. Joseph parish attend the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., that commemorates the January 22, 1973, decision by the United States Supreme Court which allows abortion on demand, at any stage of fetal development. For more "March" information, please contact the parish office.
"Vote Pro-Life" yard signs are available by contacting the parish office.
Pro-Life Links
vitaecaringfoundation.org Provides information and educational pro-life messages through the printed word and television advertising.
usccb.org/prolife Unites States Bishops' pro-life activities that teach respect for all human life from conception to natural death, and organize for its protection.
hopeafterabortion.com Project Rachel reaches out to women experiencing grief from the loss of a child by abortion and offers them reconciliation and healing.
birthright.org Birthright helps women in crisis pregnancies to bring their babies to term.
creightonmodel.com A natural family planning (NFP) service providing standardized instructions and follow-up services.
ccstl.org Catholic Charities of St. Louis Archdiocese provides information to couples seeking to adopt a child.
mocatholic.org Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC) resources, viewpoints, current legislative status, and how to contact legislators.
nrlc.org National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) presents a non-sectarian, non-partisan approach to pro-life issues.
missourilife.org Missouri affiliate of NRLC.
lovematters.com Education regarding chastity for youth.
An annual Respect for Life Mass is held in October. Pro-life leaders are invited to address important topics following Mass. Prayers are offered for the protection of all life from conception to natural death. Students in the CCD program participate in the liturgy.
January activities commemorate the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision of the United States Supreme Court that legalized abortion on demand. The rosary, special prayers and intercessions are offered for the unborn.
The Family Pro-Life Rosary Project is an on-going activity that encourages parish families to pray the rosary in their homes for an end to abortion, protection of the unborn, and for world peace. Additional pro-life prayers are included in the Project packet.
Students from St. Joseph Parish School attend the annual Rosary for Life at the State Capitol Building on January 22 in Jefferson City to commemorate the Roe v. Wade decision.
Pastoral
Parish organizations support Birthright, an organization that helps women facing unplanned/unwanted pregnancies to bring their babies to term. Some of the organizations have held "Baby Showers" to provide baby clothing, diapers, and many other needed supplies which enable these mothers to care for their little ones.
The annual Thanksgiving food drive provides large quantities of non-perishable items for the Good Shepherd Center food pantry in Linn, Missouri.
Educational
Church bulletins periodically provide Catholic teaching on topics related to abortion, stem cell research, human cloning, and euthanisia ("mercy killing"). Brochures presenting the Catholic position on many issues, including pro-life concerns, are available in the vestibule of the church.
The parish web site has a pro-life link that was developed in order to expand the parish's educational efforts that promote the protection of human life from conception to natural death.
Eighth grade students in St. Joseph Parish School participate in the diocesan program known as "Right Start." These classes, that promote pro-life attitudes, provide information about prenatal development, abortion, chastity, and respect for self and others.
Teachers of the St. Joseph CCD program promote pro-life attitudes among our high school students using videos, prayers, and educational materials that are specifically designed to encourage teenagers to choose life and to promote sexual abstinence.
Travelers driving through Westphalia along Highway 63 will be reminded, by our parish sign, that "ABORTION STOPS A BEATING HEART."
Public Policy
Attachments to the parish bulletin provide details about national and state legislation that pertain to respect life issues. Parishioners are encouraged to write letters to public officials expressing their opinions on these matters.
The parish bulletin also includes information on the "Pro Life Lobby Day" and "Rally for Life." Parishioners are encouraged to personally visit their state Senator and Representative at the Capitol Building in Jefferson City in order to express support for all life -- born and unborn. This is also an opportunity to ask their Legislators to support or oppose specific legislation.
Parishioners from St. Joseph parish attend the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., that commemorates the January 22, 1973, decision by the United States Supreme Court which allows abortion on demand, at any stage of fetal development. For more "March" information, please contact the parish office.
"Vote Pro-Life" yard signs are available by contacting the parish office.
Pro-Life Links
vitaecaringfoundation.org Provides information and educational pro-life messages through the printed word and television advertising.
usccb.org/prolife Unites States Bishops' pro-life activities that teach respect for all human life from conception to natural death, and organize for its protection.
hopeafterabortion.com Project Rachel reaches out to women experiencing grief from the loss of a child by abortion and offers them reconciliation and healing.
birthright.org Birthright helps women in crisis pregnancies to bring their babies to term.
creightonmodel.com A natural family planning (NFP) service providing standardized instructions and follow-up services.
ccstl.org Catholic Charities of St. Louis Archdiocese provides information to couples seeking to adopt a child.
mocatholic.org Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC) resources, viewpoints, current legislative status, and how to contact legislators.
nrlc.org National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) presents a non-sectarian, non-partisan approach to pro-life issues.
missourilife.org Missouri affiliate of NRLC.
lovematters.com Education regarding chastity for youth.