About St. Joseph · Somers Point, New Jersey
St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church is a vibrant Roman Catholic parish in Somers Point, New Jersey, within the Diocese of Camden, serving roughly 1,600 families on the Jersey Shore. The parish's story began with the first Mass celebrated in Somers Point in 1908, became a mission church in 1922, was formally established as a parish in 1946, and worships in its current church building constructed in 1956. Today St. Joseph offers daily and Sunday Mass in both English and Spanish, a Parish Religious Education Program (PREP), the parish-supported St. Joseph Regional School (founded 1958), Eucharistic Adoration, a Knights of Columbus council, the Altar Rosary Society, a Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference, and outreach through food drives and the Grace Place Food Pantry — all guided by Pastor Fr. Jaromir Michalak and a team of clergy, deacons, and lay staff.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Jaromir Michalak, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Camden
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a parish that describes itself as 'a community of ordinary people seeking to follow Jesus Christ in the fullness of the Catholic faith,' rooted in Scripture and the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. It offers the full rhythm of parish life — a robust PREP religious education program for K–8, the parish-supported St. Joseph Regional School (PK3–8), daily and Sunday Mass in English and Spanish, monthly Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation before every Saturday Mass, and ministries for every age from Young At Heart seniors to the Knights of Columbus. With roughly 1,600 families on the Jersey Shore, it is large enough to offer many ministries and small enough to know its people.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM (before the 4:30 PM Mass)
- By appointment — call 609-927-3568
Adoration times
- First Wednesday of each month, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Parish History
Catholic life in Somers Point began with the first Mass in 1908; a mission church was established in 1922, and St. Joseph became a parish in 1946. The current church building was constructed in 1956, alongside a parish school, convent, and rectory. The parish's original earlier church building now serves as the parish office. By its 70th anniversary (2016), the parish had grown to approximately 1,600 families and launched the capital campaign 'Embracing the Mission, Continuing our Tradition' to support its facilities.
- First Mass in Somers Point: 1908
- Mission church established: 1922
- Parish formally established: 1946
- Current church building constructed: 1956
- Parish school (St. Joseph Regional) founded: 1958
- Approximately 1,600 families
Clergy and Parish Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Jaromir Michalak, V.F., who came to St. Joseph in 2017 and also serves as Dean of the Atlantic County Deanery. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Timothy Mulranen (ordained a priest after serving as a deacon at St. Joseph's), a permanent deacon (Deacon Robert), Parish Administrator Adina Decker, PREP Coordinator Susan Sless, and Assistant PREP Coordinator Robert Phillips.
- Pastor: Rev. Jaromir Michalak, V.F. (since 2017; ordained 1991)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Timothy Mulranen
- Deacon: Deacon Robert
- Parish Administrator: Adina Decker
- PREP Coordinator: Susan Sless
- Assistant PREP Coordinator: Robert Phillips
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Children in grades K–7 attend weekly Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) classes on Monday evenings from 5:45–7:00 PM, held at St. Joseph Regional School (11 Harbor Lane, Somers Point). Families are expected to attend at least six parish family events throughout the year. Susan Sless coordinates the program and directs the preparation for First Communion; Robert Phillips assists with catechist recruitment, registration, parent meetings, and sacramental preparation.
- Weekly PREP (Grades K–7): Mon 5:45–7:00 PM at St. Joseph Regional School
- 8th Grade Confirmation track: parent meeting, October enrollment Mass, 5 evening workshops, Confirmation retreat, parish family events, 10+ hours of service, spring Confirmation Mass
- Contact: [email protected] or 609-927-3568 ext. 24
St. Joseph Regional School
Saint Joseph Regional School has provided a Catholic education for grades PK3 through 8 since 1958. The school is staffed by the Sisters of Saint Joseph and experienced lay teachers, and its mission is to foster the development of the whole child within a gospel-centered environment — encouraging students to question, seek understanding, and practice acceptance. Applications for the 2026–2027 school year opened on January 2nd. The school is located at 11 Harbor Lane, Somers Point, and shares a campus with the parish.
- Grades: PK3 (Age 3) and PK4 through Grade 8
- Founded 1958
- Staffed by Sisters of St. Joseph and lay teachers
- Address: 11 Harbor Lane, Somers Point, NJ
- Website: sjrs.org
Becoming a Parishioner and Sacraments
St. Joseph's describes parishioner life as a real and ongoing journey of faith: faithful Sunday Mass attendance, regular reception of the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, adherence to the Church's teachings, daily prayer, and ongoing formation. The parish offers a registration form through the 'Become a Member' page. Sacramental preparation is available for Baptism (children and adults), First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and the Anointing of the Sick.
- Parish registration via the 'Become a Member' form
- Baptism preparation sessions: 7:00 PM on the second Wednesday of each month
- Baptisms scheduled on Sundays at 1:15 PM
- Marriage preparation through the parish office
- RCIA preparation for adults entering the Church (coordinated through the deacon)
Parish Ministries and Outreach
St. Joseph's is supported by a wide range of parish ministries that serve every age and life situation. The parish's social outreach is anchored by its Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference (including the annual Giving Tree), the Grace Place Food Pantry partnership (with a Thanksgiving Drive-and-Drop), and the Lent-a-Hand Service Project which has supported the Jersey Shore Women's Center, Marie Adelaide Center, Atlantic City Rescue Mission, and Fr. Benedict House.
- Knights of Columbus Council #10220 (Faith in Action programs, assists at Baptisms)
- Altar Rosary Society (supports Baptisms with rosaries)
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Giving Tree, family assistance at 609-277-6417)
- Young At Heart Senior Ministry
- Grace Place Food Pantry (Ecumenical Food Pantry at Grace Lutheran Church)
- Lent-a-Hand Service Project
- Drive-and-Drop Thanksgiving Food Drive
Visit, Contact, and Practical Information
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM and on Fridays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon, with an after-hours drop box at the top of the rear office stairs. The parish office sits at 606 Shore Road in Somers Point, in the parish's original earlier church building. Mass is livestreamed on Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM for those unable to attend in person.
- Parish Office: 606 Shore Rd., Somers Point, NJ 08244
- Phone: 609-927-3568 (Pastor ext. 10; PREP ext. 24)
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM; Fri 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon
- After-hours drop box available
- Sunday 10:00 AM Mass livestreamed online
- Facebook: facebook.com/stjosephsomerspoint
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Edward F. Namiotka
Pastor at the time of the 2016 70th anniversary capital campaign booklet 'Embracing the Mission, Continuing our Tradition'.
- Rev. Jaromir Michalak, V.F.2017–present
Ordained April 13, 1991 at St. Margaret, Woodbury Heights; came to St. Joseph Somers Point in 2017; also serves as Dean of the Atlantic County Deanery.