About St. Joseph · Raleigh, North Carolina
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a multicultural, faith-centered parish in east Raleigh, North Carolina, founded in 1968 by Bishop Vincent S. Waters of the Diocese of Raleigh. The parish was born from the closure of St. Monica Parish, a historically Black Catholic congregation that had served the community from 1930 to 1968, and today embraces worship in English, Spanish, Igbo, and French. Located at 2811 Poole Road, St. Joseph is currently pastored by Reverend Peter C. Devereux, L.C., a priest of the Legionaries of Christ appointed in July 2020. The parish is known for its social consciousness, liturgical richness, and welcoming spirit — a place where many cultures, languages, and traditions share one Catholic faith.
- Established
- 1968
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Reverend Peter C. Devereux, L.C.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Raleigh
Why belong here
St. Joseph is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse parishes in the Diocese of Raleigh, with weekly Mass offered in English, Spanish, Igbo, and French — a place where many cultures share one Eucharistic table. The parish takes seriously its call to serve: an active Outreach Ministry prepares and delivers meals to the homeless every Sunday morning and after Saturday Mass, ESL classes welcome neighbors, and a Respect Life ministry keeps pro-life intentions in the daily Mass schedule. Strong devotional life (weekly Adoration and Benediction, First Friday all-night Adoration, Novena to Our Lady of Czestochowa, Legion of Mary, a Polish Prayer Group of St. Faustina, and a thriving OCIA process for new and returning Catholics) makes it a true home for any family seeking to grow in faith.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 5:30–7:00 PM (Adoration and confessions before 7:30 PM Mass)
- Saturday 9:00–10:00 AM
Adoration times
- Wednesday 5:30–7:00 PM (Adoration and confessions, 6:45 PM Rosary)
- Friday 7:00–8:00 PM (Adoration and Benediction; cancelled during Lent)
- First Friday all-night Adoration: Friday 8:00 PM – Saturday 7:30 AM
- First Saturday 9:00–10:00 AM
Welcome to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Raleigh
St. Joseph is a multicultural, deeply faith-centered parish in east Raleigh, founded in 1968 and now serving worshippers in English, Spanish, Igbo, and French. The parish describes itself with this line: 'Since our founding in 1968, St. Joseph has been a multi-cultural, deeply faith-centered parish… various backgrounds, languages, and traditions enhance our walk, with one heart, as we focus together on serving God.' Newcomers are welcomed to register through the parish office, and the OCIA process is offered for those considering becoming Catholic or returning to full communion.
- Register as a new parishioner through the parish office
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those considering Catholicism or returning
- Returning Catholics invited to schedule a meeting with the pastor
Parish History
St. Joseph's roots reach back to St. Monica Catholic Church (1930–1968), a historically Black parish that Bishop William J. Hafey dedicated in September 1930. As Raleigh's Catholic population grew and parishes were reorganized in 1968, Bishop Vincent S. Waters established St. Joseph at Poole Road and Peartree Lane and named Reverend Cranor Graves the founding pastor. Founding families carried St. Monica's brass bell and faith into the new integrated parish. The church was built in 1967–1968 with the altar deliberately pulled forward to allow community gathering space behind it; Bishop Waters formally dedicated it on October 11, 1968.
- September 1930 – St. Monica Church and School dedicated by Bishop Hafey
- March 1968 – Bishop Vincent S. Waters creates St. Joseph Parish
- October 11, 1968 – formal dedication of St. Joseph Church
- October 2018 – 50th anniversary celebrated with Mass concelebrated by Monsignor John Williams
- Dedication of new parish center, with main hall named St. Monica Hall in honor of the founding community
Parish Clergy and Staff
St. Joseph is pastored by Reverend Peter C. Devereux, L.C., a priest of the Legionaries of Christ appointed in July 2020 by Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama, who entrusted the parish's pastoral ministry to the Legionaries. He is assisted by two priests-in-residence — Reverend Paul Alger, L.C., and Reverend Thomas S. Duggan (who also serves as Minister to the Sick and Dying) — and by Deacon Stephen Lewandowski, who in 2019 marked 25 years of diaconal ministry. The parish staff includes Parish Secretary Marisette Grant, Financial Administrator Rhonda Milkovich, Office Assistant Kay LeMoine, Director of Religious Education Ana Maria Fraticelli, OCIA coordinator Michael Mosher, Organist/Director of Music Preston Smith, Music Minister Kathy Pittman, Director of Youth Ministry Ashley Jermusyk, Grounds keeper Mike LeMoine, Event Director Patsy Conley, and Spanish Ministry coordinator Monica Flora.
- Pastor: Rev. Peter C. Devereux, L.C.
- Priest-in-Residence: Rev. Paul Alger, L.C.
- Priest-in-Residence & Minister to the Sick and Dying: Rev. Thomas S. Duggan
- Deacon: Rev. Mr. Stephen Lewandowski
Faith Formation and OCIA
Adult faith formation at St. Joseph centers on OCIA — the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults — which meets weekly on Sundays from September through May. The process welcomes adults who are unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or Catholic and seeking First Communion, Confirmation, or full return to the sacraments. Children's faith formation (CCD) is coordinated through the parish's Director of Religious Education, and a Youth Group led by Ashley Jermusyk offers prayer and activities for teens.
- OCIA Sundays, September–May (Michael Mosher)
- Children's Religious Education / CCD (Ana Maria Fraticelli, DRE)
- Youth Group (Ashley Jermusyk)
Parish Ministries and Apostolates
St. Joseph has a particularly active lay life: the Legion of Mary meets twice monthly for works of mercy; the Knights of Columbus gathers the first Sunday of each month; the Women's Gospel Encounter, Respect Life Ministry, Hospitality Ministry, and Outreach Ministry all serve the parish and neighborhood. ESL classes welcome Spanish-speaking neighbors, and the Spanish Ministry and Polish Prayer Group sustain the parish's linguistic and cultural diversity. The parish also organizes an annual Mission trip to Mexico (Monterrey region).
- Legion of Mary — Tuesdays 7:00 PM
- Knights of Columbus — first Sunday, 10:15 AM
- Women's Gospel Encounter (twice monthly)
- Respect Life Ministry
- Outreach Ministry
- Hospitality Ministry
- ESL classes (Spanish-speaking neighbors)
- Spanish Ministry / Polish Prayer Group of St. Faustina
- Parish Mission to Mexico
Outreach and Service to the Neighboring Community
Service to the surrounding east Raleigh neighborhood is at the heart of St. Joseph's identity. Every Sunday morning at 7:30 AM, parishioners meet in front of the church to bring hot meals and coffee to the homeless, returning in time for the 9:00 AM Mass. On the third Saturday of each month, the group delivers roughly 60 meals to a neighborhood (recently Neuse Estates), and the Outreach building is open every Sunday afternoon from 3:30 to 5:00 PM for additional service.
- Sunday 7:30 AM homeless outreach (John Perlin)
- Third Saturday ~9:30 AM neighborhood meal outreach (Ken Sweet)
- Sunday 3:30–5:00 PM Outreach building open (Julie Gilmore)
- ESL classes resuming each September (Betha Drier, Ken Sweet)
Music and Liturgy
Music at St. Joseph is led by Organist/Director of Music Preston Smith and Music Minister Kathy Pittman, supported by an active choir. Liturgical life is supported by a Spanish-language Mass with its own music tradition, an Igbo community Mass on the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Sundays, and a Francophone Mass on the third Sunday — a fitting expression of the parish's multicultural vocation.
- Organist/Director of Music: Preston Smith
- Music Minister: Kathy Pittman
- Parish choir supports English, Spanish, Igbo, and French liturgies
Contact, Office Hours, and Visit
Parish office: 2811 Poole Road, Raleigh, NC 27610. Telephone (919) 231-6364; fax (919) 231-9884. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM and Friday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. The parish secretary may be reached at [email protected] and the bilingual administrative assistant at [email protected]. New parishioners are encouraged to stop in the office or register online through the parish website.
- Address: 2811 Poole Road, Raleigh, NC 27610
- Phone: (919) 231-6364
- Office: [email protected] / [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–2:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Cranor GravesFebruary 1968 – January 1970
First pastor; helped found the parish after St. Monica closure and reworked the church plans to bring the altar forward.
- Rev. Kenneth ParkerJanuary 1970 – October 1971
Early pastor.
- Msgr. Thomas Paul HaddenOctober 1971 – February 1973
Returned to mark the parish's 25th anniversary in 1993 with a letter recalling family work-days.
- Rev. Francis R. MoesleinFebruary 1973 – September 1976
- Msgr. James P. KeaneySeptember 1976 – July 1980
- Msgr. Michael P. ShugrueJuly 1980 – January 1983
- Rev. James F. KeenanJanuary 1983 – July 1986
- Rev. James M. LaboskyJuly 1986 – July 1989
First served the parish as a seminarian.
- Rev. JaVan J. SaxonJuly 1989 – June 1997
- Rev. Thanh N. NguyenJuly 1997 – December 2002
- Msgr. John WilliamsDecember 2002 – June 2014
Preached at the 50th anniversary Mass in October 2018.
- Msgr. Jeffrey A. Ingham, V.F.June 2014 – June 2020
Led the parish through its 50th anniversary; previously a seminarian at St. Joseph; championed the St. Monica Hall dedication.
- Rev. Peter C. Devereux, L.C.July 2020 – Present
Priest of the Legionaries of Christ; previously assistant chaplain at NC State Catholic Campus Ministry; appointed by Bishop Zarama at the Legionaries' acceptance of pastoral ministry at St. Joseph.