St. Joseph

About St. Joseph Parish

St. Joseph Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Watervliet, Michigan, in the Diocese of Kalamazoo. It carries the name of St. Joseph, whom the parish venerates as its patron — 'Protector of the Holy Church and Pillar of Families,' and patron of the Universal Church, unborn babies, families, fathers, immigrants, carpenters, foster families, those seeking employment, and a happy death. Today the parish is served within a collaborative structure: Fr. John Fleckenstein is the canonical pastor, while Fr. Patrick Craig serves as the resident priest.

Parish History

Founded in 1896 by Fr. J. Joos, the parish was served in its early decades by Fr. William Hayden (the first resident pastor), Fr. Pete Ryan (1903–1913, who founded a mission in Hartford), Fr. John Griffin (from 1913), and Fr. J. Lahey (1928–1946). In 1949 Fr. R. Thelen became pastor, and Bishop Albers blessed the new parish school in 1952. The Sisters of St. Joseph taught at the school from 1952 to 1975, and the present church was dedicated on May 17, 1961. With the establishment of the Diocese of Kalamazoo in 1971, St. Joseph joined as a founding parish under Bishop Paul V. Donovan. In 2017 the parish entered a collaborative with neighboring parishes, and it now shares pastoral leadership across the collaborative while retaining its own resident priest.

• 1896 — Parish established by Fr. J. Joos; original church built.
• 1903–1913 — Fr. Pete Ryan establishes a mission church in Hartford.
• 1949 — Fr. R. Thelen appointed pastor.
• 1952 — Bishop Albers blesses the new school; Sisters of St. Joseph staff it.
• May 17, 1961 — Present church dedicated.
• 1971 — Parish joins the newly created Diocese of Kalamazoo under Bishop Paul V. Donovan.
• 2017 — Parish enters a collaborative; Fr. Robert Creagan named canonical pastor with Fr. Patrick Craig as resident priest.

Sacraments

The parish celebrates the standard Catholic sacraments and provides preparation tailored to each. Baptisms are usually scheduled during a weekend Mass after a baptismal preparation session. The Anointing of the Sick is offered upon request for those facing serious illness, surgery, or the elderly, and the parish will arrange home Communion or hospital visits. Marriage preparation requires the couple (or their parents) to be active parishioners; a six-month preparation is standard (one year if either party had a previous marriage), and includes meeting with the priest, a Couples Weekend Retreat, and a Natural Family Planning class.

• Baptism — weekend Mass with prior baptismal preparation; Catholic godparent with parish proof required.
• Anointing of the Sick — by request; home Communion and hospital visits available.
• Marriage — active membership required; six months prep (one year after prior marriage); includes priest meeting, Couples Weekend Retreat, and NFP class.

Faith Formation & Religious Education

St. Joseph offers Family Faith Formation with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program and Confirmation preparation. Registration is available through forms on the parish website. Adult Faith Formation is also active, with sessions such as 'Meet Mary.'

• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Family Faith Formation)
• Confirmation Preparation
• Adult Faith Formation sessions (e.g., 'Meet Mary')
• Bible Study Group

Parish Ministries and Groups

Lay ministries form a central part of parish life, from liturgical service to outreach and fellowship. The Knights of Columbus and the Altar and Rosary Society are longstanding parish organizations, joined by the Rosary Makers Ministry Group and a Bible Study Group. Seasonal outreach includes Christmas Food Baskets and the Saint Joseph Table, and the parish gathers socially for the annual Parish/K.C. Picnic.

• Knights of Columbus
• Altar and Rosary Society
• Rosary Makers Ministry Group
• Bible Study Group
• Christmas Food Baskets
• Saint Joseph Table
• Parish/K.C. Picnic

Devotions and Seasonal Events

Beyond the weekly schedule, the parish keeps a calendar of beloved traditional and seasonal gatherings. Advent by Candlelight sets a reflective tone for the Christmas season, the Saint Joseph Table honors the patron, and in summer the Rosary moves outdoors to Hagar Beach.

• Advent by Candlelight
• Saint Joseph Table
• Summer Rosary Evening at Hagar Beach
• Christmas Food Basket outreach

Missionary Partnership: Diocese of Lodwar, Kenya

St. Joseph maintains a twinning relationship with the Diocese of Lodwar in Kenya. The partnership was highlighted by the summer 2014 visit of Bishop Dominic of Lodwar and by a parish pickleball fundraiser whose proceeds were presented to a priest of that diocese.

• Summer 2014 — Visit of Bishop Dominic of the Diocese of Lodwar.
• Pickleball presentation to Fr. Joseph of the Diocese of Lodwar.

Parish Staff and Office

The parish office is staffed by Fr. Patrick Craig (resident priest, extension 200) and Breanna (parish secretary, extension 100). The parish Facebook page is run by parishioner Michaela Beckman. Office hours run Monday 11:00 AM–3:30 PM and Tuesday–Thursday 8:00 AM–3:30 PM; the office is closed Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and on holidays and holy days of obligation.

• Fr. Patrick Craig — resident priest, x200
• Breanna — parish secretary, x100
• Michaela Beckman — parishioner who runs the parish Facebook page

Visiting and Contact

St. Joseph Catholic Church is located at 157 Lucinda Lane, Watervliet, MI 49098, with phone (269) 463-5470, fax (269) 463-4642, and email [email protected]. The website at stjcatholic.net is the central hub for the Mass schedule, ministry schedule, registration forms (parish registration, baptism request, sacramental certificate request, Family Faith Formation, and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd / Confirmation), the annual Diocesan Appeal tracking, and parish calendar updates.

• Address: 157 Lucinda Lane, Watervliet, MI 49098
• Phone: (269) 463-5470
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://stjcatholic.net/