About Saint Joseph · South Bend, Indiana
Saint Joseph Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend, located in the East Bank neighborhood near downtown South Bend, Indiana. Founded in 1853 by Fr. Edward Sorin, C.S.C.—the same Holy Cross priest who founded the University of Notre Dame—it is the oldest Catholic worshiping community in South Bend. Affectionately known as "St. Joe," the parish has been continuously led by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross for more than 170 years and serves about 900 registered families. The parish combines a vibrant liturgical life, daily and Sunday Mass, weekday Eucharistic adoration, a National Blue Ribbon grade school and preschool, and ministries spanning formation, youth, community life, and outreach.
- Established
- 1853
- Patron
- Saint Joseph
- Rector
- Fr. Matt Fase, C.S.C.
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend
Why belong here
Saint Joseph offers the rare combination of deep historical roots and a thriving, intergenerational parish life. Members participate in daily Mass, weekday and Saturday Eucharastic adoration, a robust Christian Formation program for children, teens, adults, and families, two youth groups (middle and high school), and communities for seniors, empty nesters, young adults, women, and youth. The parish also operates Saint Joseph Grade School (a National Blue Ribbon School) and Saint Joseph Preschool, educating around 500 children in the Holy Cross tradition. With about 900 registered families and a welcoming culture that invites all with Jesus' words "Come and see," St. Joe is a close-knit Catholic community in the heart of South Bend.
Mass times at Saint Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 8:35 AM – 9:30 AM (during Saturday Holy Hour)
- Sunday: 30 minutes before each Mass
Adoration times
- Thursday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM (Eucharistic Holy Hour, including Confession)
History of Saint Joseph Parish
Founded in 1853 by Fr. Edward Sorin, C.S.C. as St. Alexis Chapel, a mission of Notre Dame, the parish has been led by the Congregation of Holy Cross for more than 170 years. Fr. Julius Frere, C.S.C., became the first resident pastor in 1868, when the parish counted 34 French families, six German families, and six Irish families. After two earlier church buildings and a Gothic fourth church (cornerstone 1881) that had to be demolished due to structural weaknesses, the current church was erected in 1965. The parish school — the oldest continuously operating school in South Bend — was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 2011 and 2019, and its building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
- 1853: Fr. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., founds St. Alexis Chapel in Lowell (Hill & LaSalle)
- 1854: Sisters of the Holy Cross begin teaching in the chapel-school
- 1866: First structure replaced by the Church of the Assumption
- 1868: Fr. Julius Frere, C.S.C., becomes first resident pastor
- 1872: Second church burns down; third church built nearby
- 1881: Cornerstone laid for fourth church on current site; parish known as Saint Joseph
- 1926: Present Saint Joseph Grade School building constructed
- 1965: Current church building erected
- 1999: School building placed on National Register of Historic Places; $1.7M renovation/expansion
- 2013–2016: $4.2M school expansion including preschool (Living Our Faith, Building Our Future Campaign)
- 2025: Pastoral & Strategic Plan 2025–2030 unveiled on the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19)
Holy Cross Heritage & Identity
Saint Joseph Parish has been entrusted to Holy Cross priests and brothers since its establishment in 1853, drawing its distinctive identity from the charism and Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross. The parish mission is to be a vibrant, intergenerational community inviting all with Jesus' words, "Come and see," making God known, loved, and served. The vision is to be a welcoming community of disciples boldly living the faith through full sacramental participation, formation in God's Word, and zeal for service. The Congregation's motto, "Ave Crux, Spes Unica" (Hail the Cross, Our Only Hope), anchors the parish's spiritual life.
- Congregation of Holy Cross: priests and brothers committed to common table, common prayer, and a common mission
- Motto: Ave Crux, Spes Unica — Hail the Cross, Our Only Hope
- Holy Cross ministers as "educators in the faith" on five continents
- Pastoral & Strategic Plan 2025–2030 guides parish mission and vision
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is pastorally led by Fr. Matt Fase, C.S.C. (Pastor) and Fr. Peter Puleo, C.S.C. (Associate Pastor), both members of the Congregation of Holy Cross. A full team of lay staff directs operations, formation, worship, communications, facilities, and the school.
- Fr. Matt Fase, C.S.C. — Pastor ([email protected], ext. 116)
- Fr. Peter Puleo, C.S.C. — Associate Pastor ([email protected], ext. 121)
- Melissa Green — Principal, Saint Joseph Grade School
- Sabrina Zalas — Preschool Director
- Julie Hallenius — Parish Secretary ([email protected], ext. 110)
- Jennifer Fortener — Director of Business Operations
- Tim Cleaver — Director of Stewardship
- Theresa Slott — Director of Music & Liturgy
- Sean Driscoll — Director of Faith Formation
- Megan Boyington — Director of Youth Ministry
- Sean Kennedy — Director of Communications
- Nic Circosta — Facilities Manager
- Peggy Gizzi — Safe Environment
Saint Joseph Grade School & Preschool
Founded in 1854 by Fr. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., Saint Joseph Grade School (SJGS) is one of the parish's flagship ministries, continuing a tradition of excellence in educating hearts and minds in the Holy Cross tradition. Named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education in 2011 and 2019, SJGS prepares students for success in high school and beyond while attending to spiritual and moral growth. Saint Joseph Preschool, opened in fall 2013, is a Level 4 Paths to QUALITY™ provider and a nationally accredited early learning program through AdvancED, with full and half-day options for children aged three to five.
- Saint Joseph Grade School (216 N. Hill St., 574-234-0451) — oldest continuously operating school in South Bend
- National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (2011, 2019)
- Building on the National Register of Historic Places (1999)
- $1.7M renovation/expansion in 1999; $4.2M expansion 2013–2016 including preschool
- Saint Joseph Preschool — Level 4 Paths to QUALITY™; nationally accredited through AdvancED
- Preschool housed in the Ackles Parish Life Center, 711 E. Colfax Ave.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Christian Formation Commission supports continual conversion and growth in faith for parishioners of all ages, collaborating with other commissions to build a transforming community that points to and embodies the Kingdom of God. Programming includes Children's Faith Formation (pre-K through grade 7) on Sundays from 11:15 AM to 12:30 PM in the Ackles Parish Life Center, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for ages 3–6 (Montessori-based), and adult and family offerings including evenings of reflection, retreats, and seasonal resource tables.
- Children's Faith Formation (formerly CCD): Sundays 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM, Ackles Parish Life Center
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3–6): Montessori-based
- Mandatory for First Eucharist and Confirmation preparation
- Director of Faith Formation: Sean Driscoll
Youth Ministry
Saint Joseph Catholic Church is dedicated to forming youth into faith-filled young men and women who make God known, loved, and served. Two youth groups run during the academic year — one for middle school and one for high school — meeting weekly to explore the lives of the saints through art, games, small-group discussion, and prayer, with service initiatives, films, mini pilgrimages, saint-themed snacks, small-group Masses, and adoration time.
- Middle school youth group
- High school youth group
- Service initiatives, mini pilgrimages, small-group Masses and adoration
- Director of Youth Ministry: Megan Boyington
Adult & Family Faith Communities
Several peer communities at Saint Joseph provide opportunities for parishioners to encourage one another in living as disciples of Jesus Christ, including ministries for seniors, empty nesters, women, and young adults. The parish also offers prayer, reflective talks, retreats, and intensive study on aspects of the Catholic faith so that parishioners can continually grow in their relationship with God.
- Seniors ministry
- Empty nester ministry
- Young adult ministry
- Women's ministry
- Adult formation: prayer, reflective talks, retreats, study
Parish Life, Outreach & Councils
Saint Joseph is organized around four commissions — Liturgy, Christian Formation, Community Life, and Christian Action — supported by the Pastoral Council and an Operations Council covering technology, development, marketing, and buildings. A School Advisory Board assists the pastor and principal in the governance of Saint Joseph Grade School. The Community Life Commission fosters care, welcome, fellowship, and hospitality among parishioners.
- Liturgy Commission
- Christian Formation Commission
- Community Life Commission
- Christian Action Commission
- Pastoral Council (lay-elected, staggered 3-year terms)
- Operations Council (technology, development, marketing, buildings)
- School Advisory Board
Sacraments & Sacramental Emergencies
Parishioners can arrange preparation for Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Marriage through the Parish Office. Reconciliation is offered weekly on Saturdays (8:35–9:30 AM, during the Saturday Holy Hour) and Sundays (30 minutes before each Mass). For sacramental emergencies outside office hours, the rectory line (260-267-0672) is available.
- Baptism — contact Parish Office
- First Eucharist & Confirmation — preparation via Children's Faith Formation
- Reconciliation — Saturday 8:35–9:30 AM; Sunday 30 minutes before each Mass
- Marriage — contact Parish Office
- Anointing of the Sick / sacramental emergencies — 260-267-0672
Visit, Join & Contact
Parishioners are invited to register as members of Saint Joseph by contacting the Parish Office for a registration packet, which contains forms and information about the church and school. The Parish Office is located in the Ackles Parish Life Center at 711 E. Colfax Avenue; the church itself stands at 226 N. Hill St. in the East Bank neighborhood near downtown South Bend. Normal parish office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Parish Office (Ackles Parish Life Center): 711 E. Colfax Ave., South Bend, IN 46617
- Church: 226 N. Hill St., South Bend, IN 46617
- Phone: 574-234-3134
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sacramental emergencies: 260-267-0672
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Edward Sorin, C.S.C.1853 (founder)
Established St. Alexis Chapel as a mission chapel of Notre Dame; founder of the University of Notre Dame.
- Fr. Julius Frere, C.S.C.1868
First resident pastor of the parish.
- 24 subsequent Holy Cross pastors1868–present
Since Fr. Frere, twenty-four other members of his religious community have served as pastor; current pastor (as of 2025) is Fr. Matt Fase, C.S.C.