About St. Joseph · Berwick, Pennsylvania
St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Berwick, Pennsylvania is a Catholic parish in the Diocese of Harrisburg that has served the West Berwick community since 1928. Originally founded as an Italian ethnic parish to serve Italian-speaking Catholics in the area, it became the district parish for West Berwick in 1995 when all ethnic parishes in the diocese were suppressed. Today the parish is led by Father William T. Barbee (Pastor) and Father Dominic O. Azagbor, O.P. (Parochial Vicar), and continues its nearly century-long tradition of worship, faith formation, and outreach to neighbors in need. The parish offers weekend and weekday Mass, the Sacrament of Penance on Saturdays, a music ministry, religious education for K–8, and active parish fundraising and community-support programs.
- Established
- 1928
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. William T. Barbee
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
St. Joseph's is a parish where the sacraments are clearly 'at the heart of who we are,' with multiple weekly Masses and Saturday confessions. Parishioners actively care for one another and the wider Berwick community — feeding the hungry, supporting local soldiers and charitable organizations, visiting the sick, and giving to those in spiritual or emotional need. With an active religious-education program for K–8, a long-standing adult choir, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, the Italian Kitchen fundraising group, and semi-annual craft fairs, there are many ways to belong and serve.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM (and by appointment)
Who We Are
St. Joseph Parish describes itself as a thriving faith community whose parishioners have cultivated a strong support network for their friends and neighbors. The sacraments are at the heart of parish life, and the community comes together each week to celebrate the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The parish also deepens faith through devotions and study, and responds to neighbors in need by providing pastoral care at all stages of life, helping minimize food and shelter insecurity, supporting community members in spiritual or emotional need, supporting soldiers and local families, and backing local charitable organizations and businesses.
Parish History
The parish traces its roots to 1917, when Father Leonard S. Baluta (pastor of St. Mary's) found Italian-background Catholics in West Berwick struggling with language. He opened St. Joseph Chapel in a rented hall in 1921; a new church was dedicated by Bishop Philip R. McDevitt on August 15, 1926, and Father Francis A. Albanese became the first resident pastor when the parish was canonically established in August 1928. On January 5, 1955, the church was destroyed by fire; while it was rebuilt, Masses were held in the Temple Theater. Bishop George L. Leech re-dedicated the rebuilt church on March 24, 1957, the same day a parish school staffed by the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy was blessed. In 1995, with the suppression of ethnic parishes in the diocese, St. Joseph's became the district parish for all of West Berwick.
- 1921 – St. Joseph Chapel opens in a rented hall
- August 15, 1926 – Church dedicated by Bishop Philip R. McDevitt
- August 1928 – Fr. Francis A. Albanese named first pastor; parish canonically established
- January 5, 1955 – Original church destroyed by fire
- March 24, 1957 – Rebuilt church re-dedicated by Bishop George L. Leech; parish school blessed
- 1995 – Becomes district parish for West Berwick
Our Staff
The parish is led by Father William T. Barbee, Pastor, and Father Dominic O. Azagbor, O.P., Parochial Vicar. Lay staff include Diane Kowalski (Coordinator of Religious Education), Debbie Mowery (Parish Administrative Assistant), and Mrs. Jill Trapane (Director of Music Ministry).
- Rev. William T. Barbee — Pastor (ordained Diocesan priest, October 2020, at St. Patrick Cathedral, Harrisburg; retired U.S. Army chaplain 1987–2015)
- Rev. Dominic O. Azagbor, O.P. — Parochial Vicar (Dominican friar from Nigeria; 25th anniversary of ordination, April 8, 2025)
- Diane Kowalski — Coordinator of Religious Education
- Debbie Mowery — Parish Administrative Assistant
- Mrs. Jill Trapane — Director of Music Ministry
I'm New Here — Visitor Guide
The parish's visitor guide answers common practical questions for first-time guests: where to park, where to enter, accessibility, what to do with children, when Mass and confession are offered, and whether an offering is expected. Visitors are not expected to give money, but donations are appreciated; the parish offers online giving for registered members.
- Parking lot on the corner of Monroe Street and Center Street
- Handicap parking behind the church; elevator on the Shrine side (under repair at time of latest guide)
- One front entrance (accessible from both sides) plus two side entrances near the front
- Children welcome at Mass; children's religious books in basket at rear of church
- Religious Ed classes meet in the school building after the 8:30 AM Sunday Mass when in session
Religious Education (K–8)
Religious Education for children in Kindergarten through 8th grade runs from September through May each year. Classes are held in the parish school building on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM, immediately following the 8:30 AM Mass. Families must register their children each August through the Church Office; registration forms are available in the rear of the church or at the office. Teachers donate their time, and students are taught to care for the needy — collecting hundreds of hats, scarves, and gloves at Christmas, plus canned soups and Ramen for local food pantries and shelters.
- Coordinator: Diane Kowalski (Tuesday/Thursday, 570-752-7000, ext. 2)
- Grades K–8
- Sundays 9:30 AM in the school building
- Annual August registration required
- Volunteer teachers always needed
Music Ministry
St. Joseph's Music Ministry, directed by Mrs. Jill Trapane, has been part of parish life for more than 58 years. The Adult Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7:15–9:00 PM in the church, sings at the 8:30 AM Sunday Liturgy and at special celebrations throughout the year, and welcomes new members with a pleasing voice, ability to read music, and a desire to serve.
- Director of Music Ministry: Mrs. Jill Trapane (570-752-7000)
- Adult Choir rehearsals: Thursdays 7:15–9:00 PM in the church
- Choir sings at 8:30 AM Sunday Liturgies and special celebrations
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Extraordinary Ministers assist the priest at Mass by sharing the Blessed Eucharist with the faithful. The parish invites parishioners to join this ministry, describing it as a sacred, rewarding way to share a gift that brings joy to both giver and receiver.
- Assist the priest in distributing Holy Communion at Mass
- Open to new volunteers — contact the parish office to join
Fundraising & Parish Events
St. Joseph's Italian Kitchen — staffed by the 'Holy Roller & Holy Fryer' volunteers — prepares Italian specialties for parish events and was voted the Press Enterprise 'Best of the Best' Church Food in 2023 and 2024. The parish hosts semi-annual Craft, Vendor and Food Fairs (Spring and Fall) and Summer/Fall Food Paloozas, offering takeout favorites such as stuffed shells, meatball dinners, fireballs, porketta, meatball and sausage sandwiches, haluskis, and hotdogs.
- St. Joseph's Italian Kitchen — Press Enterprise 'Best of the Best' Church Food 2023 & 2024
- Semi-annual Spring and Fall Craft, Vendor and Food Fairs
- Summer/Fall Food Paloozas
- Volunteer cooks ('Jeff the Chef') always needed
Outreach & Community Support
The parish takes seriously its call to support neighbors in need. Beyond sacramental life, parishioners provide pastoral care at all stages of life, contribute to minimizing food and shelter insecurity, support community members in spiritual or emotional need, support soldiers from local families, back local charitable organizations, and support local businesses. Religious Education students lead yearly collections of hats, scarves, gloves (Christmas) and canned soups and Ramen (local food pantries and shelters). Father Barbee has also led visible tributes to veterans, including a 150+ flag display across the Berwick parishes.
- Food and shelter support (food pantries, shelters)
- Pastoral care across all stages of life
- Spiritual/emotional support for community members
- Support for local soldiers and veterans (with Father Albanese Catholic War Veterans Post 1419)
- Support for local charitable organizations and businesses
- Religious Ed student drives: hats/scarves/gloves at Christmas; canned soup and Ramen year-round
Weekly Bulletin
St. Joseph publishes a weekly bulletin — the go-to source for the latest parish news, events, and spiritual reflections — and offers an email sign-up so parishioners receive a link to the current week's bulletin.
- Weekly bulletin with news, events, and reflections
- Email sign-up available through the parish website
Contact & Office Hours
Parish office hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM; Friday and Saturday are by appointment. The parish can be reached by phone at (570) 752-7000, and the mailing address is 721 Monroe Street, Berwick, PA 18603-1818.
- Office: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday: by appointment
- Phone: (570) 752-7000
- Address: 721 Monroe Street, Berwick, PA 18603-1818
- Website: http://www.stjosephberwick.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Leonard S. Baluta1917–1925 (at St. Mary's; organized Italian ministry leading to chapel and church)
Organized the Italian-speaking Catholics of West Berwick; rented the first St. Joseph Chapel in 1921; planned the 1926 church before his death in 1925.
- Rev. Francis A. Albaneseappointed August 1928 (first pastor of the new parish)
First pastor of the newly established St. Joseph parish for the Italian people of West Berwick. The Father Albanese Catholic War Veterans Post 1419 (est. 1947) in Berwick is named for him.
- Rev. Dominick Mammarella
Longtime pastor (late, deceased); a WWII veteran who flew 30 combat missions on B-24 bombers before entering the seminary. Under his pastorate, the parish developed strong traditions honoring veterans.
- Rev. William T. Barbeeappointed pastor of Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph parishes (recent, on or before late 2024)
Former U.S. Army chaplain (1987–2015, 28 years); ordained a Diocesan priest by Bishop Ronald Gainer at St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg in October 2020.