About St. Joseph · Newton, North Carolina
St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church is a bilingual (English/Spanish) parish located at 720 West 13th Street in Newton, North Carolina, serving the western foothills of Catawba County in the Diocese of Charlotte. The community began as a mission church established by St. Aloysius Parish in Hickory and became a parish in its own right in 1980. Today it celebrates three Sunday Masses (two in Spanish and one in English) plus daily Masses, runs St. Joseph's Good Samaritan Clinic as a Saturday outreach to the medically uninsured, and is home to a strong Hispanic ministry alongside traditional parish groups such as the Knights of Columbus, Ladies Group, Charismatic Renewal, Emaús, and OCIA. In July 2025 the parish welcomed Very Rev. Julio Dominguez, V.H., as its new pastor — the former Episcopal Vicar of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Charlotte — succeeding the retiring Fr. James M. Collins.
- Established
- 1980 (parish); 1978 (mission)
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Very Rev. Julio Cesar Dominguez, V.H.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Charlotte
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a warm bilingual parish where newcomers are genuinely welcomed, with two Sunday Masses in Spanish and one in English plus daily Mass Monday through Friday. It is the spiritual home of St. Joseph's Good Samaritan Clinic, a Saturday-morning outreach that provides low-cost medical care to uninsured neighbors in Catawba County — a tangible sign of the parish's mission of mercy. Active apostolates include Faith Formation for children, OCIA for adults, the Knights of Columbus Council 9746 (St. Joseph the Worker), the Ladies Group, Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Emaús Family, Rosary Group, Youth Group, Respect Life Committee, Ministry to the Sick and Homebound, and a robust Hispanic liturgy team, making it easy for any Catholic — lifelong or newly arrived — to find a place to belong.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Friday 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM (preference given to Religious Ed parishioners)
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- First Friday of the month: 9:00 AM Friday through 7:00 AM Saturday
Mass & Liturgical Schedule
St. Joseph offers a robust weekly liturgical schedule, with three Sunday Masses — two in Spanish and one in English — plus a Saturday Vigil Mass and daily Mass Monday through Friday. Confessions are heard three times a week and by appointment, and Eucharistic Adoration is offered every Thursday evening and during an overnight First Friday vigil.
- Saturday Vigil — 5:00 PM (English)
- Sunday — 8:00 AM (Spanish), 10:00 AM (English), 12:00 PM (Spanish)
- Monday — 8:30 AM
- Tuesday — 12:10 PM
- Wednesday — 12:10 PM
- Thursday — 12:10 PM
- Friday — 8:30 AM
- Reconciliation: Thursday 6–8 PM, Friday 5–8 PM, Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM (or by appointment)
- Adoration: Thursday 6–8 PM; First Friday 9:00 AM Friday – 7:00 AM Saturday
Parish History
St. Joseph originated as the mission of St. Joseph the Worker, established from St. Aloysius Parish in Hickory by Msgr. Eugene Livelsberger. The first Mass was offered on Labor Day 1978, and the mission became an independent parish in 1980. It has grown into a vibrant bilingual community, particularly under the leadership of its 2025 pastor who previously led Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Charlotte.
- 1973 – Msgr. Eugene Livelsberger becomes pastor of St. Aloysius, Hickory
- 1978 – Property in Newton acquired; first Mass offered on Labor Day, September 4, 1978
- December 1978 – Fr. John Murray assigned as first parochial vicar, spends time at Newton mission
- 1980 – Mission is established as a parish in its own right: St. Joseph Parish, Newton
- May 2015 – Then-pastor Fr. James M. Collins recognized for ordination anniversary
- May 30, 2025 – Bishop Michael Martin announces Fr. Julio Dominguez as next pastor
- July 8, 2025 – Fr. Julio Dominguez installed as pastor; Fr. James Collins retires
Clergy, Staff & Pastoral Team
The parish is led by Very Rev. Julio Cesar Dominguez, V.H., and served by Deacon Scott D. Gilfillan. Office and program staff support faith formation, communications, and parish operations.
- Pastor — Very Rev. Julio Cesar Dominguez, V.H.
- Deacon — Rev. Mr. Scott D. Gilfillan (also offers Spiritual Direction: 828-261-6375)
- Office Manager & Director of Religious Education — Kara Antonio
- Director of Technology & Communications — Alex Diaz
- Faith Formation Coordinator — Gustavo Rojo
- Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry — Marcelino Lopez (514-3039)
- Minister of Music — Eileen Crider & Mariah Richardson
Parish Office & Contact
The parish office serves visitors and parishioners in person and by phone and email. Office hours vary by day, with extended evening hours midweek to accommodate working families.
- Address: 720 W 13th St, Newton, NC 28658
- Phone: (828) 828-464-9207
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.stjosephdoc.org/
- Office Hours — Tuesday 9:30 AM–5:30 PM; Wednesday–Friday 1:00 PM–8:00 PM (Monday closed)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation for children and youth runs annually with registration open June 1–30 each year (a separate registration must be completed for each child). The parish also partners with FORMED for at-home Catholic content and offers OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for adults seeking to become Catholic or complete their sacraments.
- Faith Formation for children (registration June 1–30)
- Faith Formation Coordinator — Gustavo Rojo
- Youth Group
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (Becoming Catholic)
- FORMED digital subscription for parish families
- Spiritual Direction with Deacon Scott Gilfillan
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Parents prepare for Baptism through classes (in Spanish, the second Sunday of each month at 3:30 PM in the Family Hall), and engaged couples are asked to begin marriage preparation at least six months in advance. Reconciliation is offered three times weekly.
- Baptism — by appointment, following instruction
- Confirmation
- Eucharist / First Communion
- Reconciliation — Thu/Fri/Sat, or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick
- Marriage — arrangements 6 months in advance
- Holy Orders — vocations support
Parish Ministries & Apostolic Groups
St. Joseph supports a wide range of lay-led ministries and apostolic groups. They include traditional parish groups (Knights of Columbus, Ladies Group), Hispanic and charismatic movements (Emaús, Spanish Charismatic group), and devotional groups (Rosary Group).
- Knights of Columbus Council 9746 'St. Joseph the Worker' — Richard Timmons Sr., Jonathan Corona
- Ladies Group — Kim Gilfillan
- Catholic Charismatic Renewal
- Spanish Charismatic group — Jesus Ruiz
- Emaús Family
- Rosary Group
- Ministry to Sick and Homebound — Donna Sharman (459-2605)
- Hispanic Liturgy Ministry — Pedro & Carmen (469-8562)
- Baptism coordination (Spanish) — Alejo & Wendy Diaz (291-6462)
- Marriage coordination (Spanish) — Maria Dosamante & Hugo Dominguez (962-9035)
- Respect Life Committee
- Annulment advocacy — Selina Diaz
- St. Joseph Workmen Group
- Grounds Maintenance — Ransom Graham
St. Joseph's Good Samaritan Clinic
St. Joseph's Good Samaritan Clinic is one of the parish's most visible works of mercy, providing primary medical care to adults without a regular doctor. It operates out of Holy Family Hall on the parish campus, and is staffed largely by volunteer medical professionals and parish volunteers. The clinic reflects the parish's commitment to the corporal works of mercy and reaches uninsured residents across Catawba County.
- Operates Saturdays — doors open at 9:00 AM; first 20 patients are seen
- Fee: $5.00 suggested (donations gratefully accepted)
- Located in Holy Family Hall on parish grounds
- Services NOT offered: prenatal services, immunizations, school physicals, legal-form assistance, lab work
- Medical volunteers welcome — coordinator contact 828-328-9126
Bulletin, Communications & Online Giving
The parish publishes a weekly bilingual bulletin ('St. Joseph Catholic Church / Iglesia Católica San José') available on stjosephdoc.org, and maintains Flocknote/email updates for emergencies, the bulletin, Sunday homily, and faith formation notices. Online giving is available through the parish website.
- Weekly bilingual bulletin (PDF) on the website
- Parish calendar
- Parish news / announcements
- Email and Flocknote sign-up for parish updates
- Online Giving link on the parish website
- Diocese of Charlotte link to broader diocesan communications
Visit, Connect & Get Involved
Newcomers, returning Catholics, and those discerning the faith are warmly welcomed at St. Joseph. The parish's mission statement reads: 'We, the Catholic Community of St. Joseph's, embrace Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior, and center of our lives. We commit to fostering belief through education, faith, through action, and fellowship through love and reconciliation. In the spirit of unity, we shall proclaim and bring to all, Jesus, the Light of the world.'
- Parish registration available online
- Room reservations for parish groups
- Get Involved page on stjosephdoc.org
- Hispanic Ministry outreach
- Volunteer opportunities through Good Samaritan Clinic, Faith Formation, and liturgical ministries
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Eugene Livelsberger1973–1984
Pastor of St. Aloysius, Hickory; acquired the Newton property and established the mission of St. Joseph the Worker; celebrated the first Mass on Labor Day 1978.
- Rev. John Murray1978–1979
First parochial vicar of St. Aloysius assigned to spend time at the Newton mission.
- Rev. James M. Collinsthrough July 8, 2025
Long-serving pastor of St. Joseph, Newton; retired July 8, 2025, as announced by Bishop Michael Martin. Celebrated a 2015 ordination jubilee milestone.
- Very Rev. Julio Cesar Dominguez, V.H.July 8, 2025–present
Former Episcopal Vicar of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Charlotte; named pastor on May 30, 2025 by Bishop Michael Martin, effective July 8, 2025.