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Why a new Vision and Mission now?For years, St. Joseph Catholic Church has been a beacon of faith. But a healthy church is a living organism, not a museum. As we looked toward the next decade, Fr. Jake and our leadership felt a “holy restlessness” to ensure we weren’t just "doing church," but being the Church Jesus called us to be.
This isn't a change in who we are, but a clarity of where God is leading us over the next 10+ years. It is an inspirational, long-term horizon that remains stable even as the world around us changes.
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Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
- Isaiah 43:19
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wHY THESE STATEMENTS?
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VISION
An ever-expanding community where every person encounters Jesus, follows Him, and shares His love.
What is a Vision
Statement? Our Vision is our "North Star." It describes the long-term horizon: what, by God's grace, St. Joseph Parish is becoming over time.Understanding Our Vision
Ever-Expanding: We are a vibrant, growing family with an open heart and a seat at the table for everyone. We believe a healthy thing grows. We aren't a closed club; we are a growing movement. In Luke 14:23, Jesus tells a story about a King throwing a massive wedding feast. When some guests couldn’t make it, the King didn't cancel the party; he told his servants to go out into the streets and "compel people to come in" so his house would be full. We believe God’s house is never "full enough" - there is always room for one more. "Ever-expanding" means our growth isn’t about numbers; it’s about reaching every soul that Jesus died for.
Encounter, Follow, Share: This is the roadmap for the Christian life.
Encounter: A personal, life-changing meeting with Jesus in the Eucharist, Sacraments, community, and prayer. This isn't just knowing about God; it’s knowing God. It is the moment where "religion" becomes a "relationship." In Luke 24, two discouraged disciples were walking to a village called Emmaus after Jesus’ death. A stranger joined them and explained the Scriptures. It wasn't until they sat down for a meal and he "broke the bread" that they realized it was Jesus himself. They said, "Were not our hearts burning within us?" We want everyone at St. Joe’s to have that same "heart-burning" moment of realizing Jesus is truly alive and with them.
Follow: We are a community of lifelong learners, walking the path of discipleship together. When Jesus walked along the Sea of Galilee in Matthew 4:19, he didn't ask the fishermen to sign a petition or join a club. He gave a simple invitation: "Follow me." Those men dropped their nets and changed the course of their lives. We believe following Jesus is a daily adventure of leaving our "old nets" behind to become who He created us to be. This is where we learn to connect, invite, pray, worship, serve, learn, and grow like Jesus.
Share: We are the hands and feet of Christ in our world, making His goodness tangible to all. In the book of Genesis (12:2), God told Abraham, "I will bless you... and you will be a blessing." This is the "Covenant of Blessing." God doesn't give us love just so we can keep it; He pours it into us so it can overflow to our neighbors. We are a "conduit" of His grace to the world.
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MISSION
We give our all to love God, love our neighbor, and make disciples.
What is a Mission Statement? A Mission Statement defines our present purpose, focusing on what we do, who we serve, and how we operate. It guides our ministries, our budget, and our daily decisions.
Understanding Our Mission
Giving Our All: Faith isn't just once a week on Sunday's; it's a whole-life commitment. We are moving from maintenance to mission, striving for excellence in everything we do because God gave His all for us. In Colossians 3:23, the Apostle Paul tells the early Christians to work with "all their heart," not for human bosses, but as if they were working directly for God. At St. Joe's, "Giving our all" is our act of worship. Whether we are singing a song, greeting a guest, or even washing dishes, we do it with excellence because we are doing it for Him.
Love God: We place God at the center of our lives, making worship our highest priority. When a religious authority asked Jesus what the most important rule was, Jesus didn't hesitate. In Matthew 22:37, He said: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment.” This is our "North Star" - if we get this right, everything else follows.
Love Your Neighbor: We practice radical hospitality and genuine care for everyone we meet, recognizing that our love for God is proven by our love for one another. Again, when Jesus was asked what the most important rule was, He gave a two-fold answer: Love God with everything you have, and "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). He then told the famous story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) to show us that a "neighbor" isn't just someone who lives next door or looks like us - it is anyone in need. Whether it’s a warm smile at the door, a meal for a grieving family, or standing up for the vulnerable in our community, we seek to love others with the same radical, sacrificial, and "no-strings-attached" love that Jesus has shown us.
Make Disciples: The very last thing Jesus said before He returned to Heaven is found in Matthew 28:19, known as the Great Commission. He told His friends to go and "make disciples of all nations." He didn't want the story to end with the Apostles; He wanted a chain reaction of faith that would reach us today. We are simply keeping that chain going. We invest in people, equipping one another to go out and share the Gospel everywhere.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ'S)
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This was a communal act of deep discernment. In March of 2025, Fr. Jake invited a group of parishioners and staff to join him in listening to the Holy Spirit about “what’s next” for St. Joe’s. He hoped to hear where God is calling St. Joe's over the next 10 years. For eight months, this team listened to the Holy Spirit, poured over years of parish feedback and formal listening instruments, prayed over Scripture, dwelled on the gifts/successes/challenges of St. Joe’s, stood on the shoulders of our prior Vision, Mission and Parish Covenant, and relinquished our individual egos and agendas to the will of the Holy Spirit. We also ensured this aligns perfectly with the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Renew My Church initiative and the global call to Synodality, walking together as one Body of Christ.
Surprisingly, there was little struggle since this process made it clear that it was the voice of the Holy Spirit that spoke of its Vision for and the Mission of St. Joseph Catholic Church. We believe this was truly a divine gift from the Holy Spirit.
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Our Vision is our "North Star."
It describes the long-term horizon: what, by God's grace, St. Joseph Parish is becoming over time.
Our Mission is our "Work Order."
It explains what the parish actually does in daily life to move toward that vision. It guides our ministries, our budget, and our daily decisions.
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It’s still our primary tool! Following Jesus is directly rooted in our new Vision and Mission. Think of the Vision/Mission as the fuel and the four dimensions (Serve, Learn/Grow, Connect/Invite, Pray/Worship) as the engine. The pie chart remains our practical guide for how you live out this new Mission every day. Click here to learn more about Following Jesus!
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The St. Joseph Parish Center is more than just a building; it is our Mission Base. It serves as one of the 'front porches' of our parish - a place where encounters with Jesus happen, where we equip one another to follow Him, and where we mobilize to go out and share His love. Every square foot is designed to help our ever-expanding community find a true home.
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Yes! Through discernment and research, we are developing a Strategic Plan that outlines specific steps for what it will take to be an ever-expanding community where every person encounters Jesus, follows Him, and shares His love. This plan ensures that our Vision isn't just words on a wall, but a lived reality that shapes every part of St. Joseph - from our ministries and budget to our staff and daily operations.
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- Clarity: You no longer have to guess what "being a good Catholic" looks like. It’s about being a well-rounded follower of Jesus who prays, worships, learns, grows, connects, invites, and serves.
- Purpose: You are part of an "ever-expanding" story. Your life and your gifts have a specific place in God’s plan for St. Joseph. Let’s discover where God is calling you to be a part of this together.
- Simplicity: In a noisy world, we are offering a simple, powerful way to live: Love God. Love Your Neighbor. Make Disciples.
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Absolutely. We aren't interested in being a "social club" for the perfect; we are a "field hospital" for the weary. Our "ever-expanding" Vision means we are constantly making more room at the table. Whether you are skeptical, hurting, or just curious, you can belong here before you even believe. We invite you to encounter Jesus at your own pace, without judgment.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." (Luke 15:20)
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get involved
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Take advantage of the many parish opportunities to give our all to love God, love our neighbor, and make disciples.
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