About St. Joseph · Claremont, New Hampshire
St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church is a Polish-American Catholic parish at 58 Elm Street in Claremont, New Hampshire, in the Diocese of Manchester. Founded by Polish immigrants (many from the Wilno region) and originally placed under the patronage of Our Lady of Ostrobrama, it has served the Upper Valley community since 1920. Today it shares its pastor, Rev. Maria Sebastian Susairaj, HGN, with neighboring St. Mary Parish in Claremont and offers Sunday and weekday Mass, a Homebound Ministry, the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and a parish choir.
- Established
- 1920
- Patron
- St. Joseph (originally Our Lady of Ostrobrama; name changed by Rev. Bernard M. Skulik on June 29, 1923)
- Rector
- Rev. Maria Sebastian Susairaj, HGN (Holy Ghost Fathers; also Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Claremont, since March 1, 2022)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire (Upper Valley Deanery, Sullivan County). Bishop: Most Rev. Peter A. Libasci.
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a small, faith-filled Polish-American parish where parishioners are known by name and pastoral care is hands-on. With Sunday Mass at 9:15 a.m., a Wednesday evening Mass, and a faithful Homebound Ministry that visits the sick on the second Monday of each month, the parish keeps a tight-knit sacramental rhythm. It also runs shared ministries with neighboring St. Mary Parish — Knights of Columbus Council #1820, the Fourth Degree Assembly #0635, and Catholic Daughters Court Virgil H. Barber #892 — and a welcoming choir directed by Richard Brown, giving newcomers easy ways to get involved.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:45 pm at St. Mary Church (shared with St. Mary Parish; see parish bulletin)
Welcome from the Pastor
On the parish website, Rev. Maria Sebastian Susairaj, HGN writes: 'It is with great pleasure as Pastor of St. Joseph Parish Claremont, New Hampshire that I introduce you to our St. Joseph Parish Website. This website is intended to provide general information including some history of our Parish while providing you with events and activities taking place as well as having access to our Mass Schedules and a link to our weekly parish bulletins.' He signs off with the prayer that through Mary our Mother and St. Joseph our Patron, the website will be a 'great resource for you on our Spiritual Journey to the Father.'
- Pastor: Rev. Maria Sebastian Susairaj, HGN
- Direct line: 1-603-504-5430
- Pastor email: [email protected]
Parish History
St. Joseph Parish traces its origins to 1919, when the Thaddeus Kosciusko Society bought land on Elm Street and deeded it to the Diocese of Manchester in 1920. Bishop J. F. Guertin, D.D. recruited Polish priests to serve the immigrant community, which had grown to 67 families — many from the Wilno region — by 1921. The parish was first named Our Lady of Ostrobrama and was renamed St. Joseph on June 29, 1923.
- Land purchased February 6, 1919 by the Thaddeus Kosciusko Society
- Deeded to Diocese of Manchester on March 22, 1920
- First pastor assigned June 30, 1920 (Rev. Marjan Godlewski)
- Original basement chapel: Christmas Day, 1921 — cost $14,000
- Main altar blessed December 22, 1925; formal dedication May 31, 1926
- First wedding in new church: Joseph Madeja & Amelia Yurek, September 6, 1926
- Golden Anniversary celebrated October 5, 1975
Homebound Ministry
The parish maintains a Homebound Ministry for parishioners unable to leave their homes. Father Sebastian visits on the second Monday of each month, accompanied by Lay Ministers of the Holy Eucharist.
- Visits: 2nd Monday of every month
- Director: Steve Denis — 603-558-5209
- Lay Ministers of the Holy Eucharist: Steve Denis, Jackie Merrill, Bill Pamplin
- Additional assistant: Gary Lambert
Parish Organizations
St. Joseph shares several longstanding Catholic fraternal and devotional organizations with neighboring parishes, including the Knights of Columbus Council #1820, the Fourth Degree Assembly #0635, and Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Virgil H. Barber #892.
- Knights of Columbus Council #1820 — men of St. Joseph & St. Mary Parishes; Grand Knight Louis Millette; meets 2nd Monday at St. Mary gymnasium
- Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assembly #0635 — Faithful Navigator Louis Millette; meets 1st Monday in St. Joseph church hall
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Virgil H. Barber #892 — Court Regent LizaMarie Kupp; instituted June 24, 1924 in Claremont; meets 3rd Tuesday in St. Joseph church hall
Music & Liturgy
Music has been central to St. Joseph since the parish's founding — the St. Cecelia Choir first sang at the basement chapel's inaugural Mass on Christmas Day, 1921. Today the parish choir continues the tradition under Music Director Richard Brown, with organists Sharon Wood, Tristan Smith, and Deborah Stone. Choir rehearsals are held on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and new members are welcome.
- Music Director: Richard Brown
- Organists: Sharon Wood, Tristan Smith, Deborah Stone
- Choir rehearsal — Wednesdays 6:30 pm
- St. Cecelia Choir founded Christmas Day, 1921
Parish Staff & Councils
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Maria Sebastian Susairaj, HGN, with support from a Parish Finance Council, a Parish Council, and lay liturgical ministers.
- Pastor: Rev. Maria Sebastian Susairaj, HGN
- Parish Finance Council: Rick Logan (Chairman), David Smith, Sharon Wood
- Parish Council: open call for registered parishioners
- Office contact: Sherri Smith (registration)
Our Lady of Ephesus House of Prayer
A satellite devotion site connected with the parish, the Our Lady of Ephesus House of Prayer at 35 Fawn Ledge Lane, Jamaica, VT 05343 (802-896-6000) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for private prayer and meditation.
- Address: 35 Fawn Ledge Lane, Jamaica, VT 05343
- Phone: 802-896-6000
- Open 24/7 for private prayer and meditation
Sacraments & Registration
St. Joseph offers the Sunday and weekday Mass schedule above, with Reconciliation at neighboring St. Mary Church on Saturday afternoons. To stay connected to parish life, parishioners are asked to confirm or complete a registration form kept in the green notebook in the Church Hall after Mass, or contact Sherri Smith. Bulletin content can be emailed to [email protected] or phoned to Sharon Wood at 603-542-6454.
- Parish registration: green notebook in the Church Hall after Sunday Mass
- Registration contact: Sherri Smith
- Bulletin submissions: [email protected] or Sharon Wood 603-542-6454
Diocese & Civic Engagement
St. Joseph Parish is part of the Diocese of Manchester (Upper Valley Deanery, Sullivan County), under the leadership of Bishop Peter A. Libasci. The parish participates annually in the New Hampshire Catholic Appeal (NHCA) supporting diocesan ministries, retired clergy, seminarians, Catholic schools, and parish needs.
- Diocese: Diocese of Manchester, NH
- Deanery: Upper Valley
- Bishop: Most Rev. Peter A. Libasci
- 2025 NHCA parish goal: $9,116.00
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Marjan Godlewski1920
Ex-Polish Army Chaplain; first pastor assigned; canvassed 40 families and raised $1,500 to start the building fund.
- Rev. Adam A. Oraczewski1921–1922
Built the original basement chapel (cost $14,000); parish was originally named Our Lady of Ostrobrama under his tenure.
- Rev. Bernard M. Skulik1923
Purchased the adjoining rectory at 58 Elm St; changed the church's name to 'St Joseph Church' on June 29, 1923.
- Rev. Maurice Sekiewicz1924–1936
Built the Gothic superstructure on top of the basement chapel; main altar blessed December 22, 1925; formal dedication May 31, 1926. Taught Polish-language classes.
- Rev. Msgr. Frederic R. Kaznocha1936–1952
Reduced parish debt to $18,500 over 15½ years; reassigned to St. Hedwig, Manchester on May 16, 1952.
- Rev. Henry A. Ustaszewski1952–1965
Succeeded Fr. Fred; passed away July 4, 1965.
- Rev. Leonard R. Foisy, S.S.1965 (July–September)
Administrator of the parish between Fr. Henry's death and September 1965.
- Rev. Edward J. Zalewski
Listed among the priests who served St. Joseph.
- Rev. Stanley E. Skora
Managed the Lawn Party from 1965 to 2000; eliminated parish debts and established a surplus; oversaw 1975 Golden Anniversary.
- Rev. Stanley J. Piwowar
Listed among the priests who served St. Joseph.
- Rev. George Majka
Listed among the priests who served St. Joseph.
- Very Rev. Shawn M. Therrien, VGbefore 2022
Pastor of St. Mary Parish and Administrator of St. Joseph Parish, Claremont; reassigned March 1, 2022.
- Rev. Arockia Antony, HGNbefore 2022
Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph and St. Mary Parishes, Claremont; reassigned March 1, 2022.
- Rev. Maria Sebastian Susairaj, HGNMarch 1, 2022–present
Appointed Pastor of St. Mary and St. Joseph Parishes, Claremont, effective March 1, 2022.