St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church at 322 Third St. S.E., Massillon, OH 44646 US - Our Patron Saint

As we continue in the new millennium, let us not forget our past. From the beginning of the Christian Community in Bethlehem to our local parish of St. Joseph Community. As a newly formed parish in 1852, made up primarily of the Irish who left St. Mary's parish (after a fire gutted that church) Bishop Amadeus Rappe named our church in honor of Saint Joseph. March 19th marks the Feast Day of our Patron Saint. Each of us might reflect on what St. Joseph means to us and to our parish. We tend to think only of St. Joseph as being Jesus' Father, but his importance goes much deeper than that. Give some thought to the following facts: Joseph, the carpender, was a common working-man, a humble man, not a king. He shows us that hard work can be honorable and that all men are loved and created equal in the eyes of God. He reminds us that the simple things in life, nor our material wealth, are the purest forms of expressing our faith and love. An angel appeard to Joseph telling him to be the head of the Holy Family. Although he had doubts about the birth of Jesus, his unyielding faith gave him the strength to obey God. If only we could have such powerful faith and devotion! An angel again appeared to Joseph instructing him to take his family into hiding, into Egypt, away from King Herod. For this Joseph is now known as the Protector of the Church. Without him, Christianity would never have transpired. Joseph, son of Jacob, was chosen by God to marry the most perfect person on earth, Mary the Virgin Mother of God. He was to protect her honor, to be God's representative on earth as the foster father of Jesus Christ, and to provide legal ancestry for Jesus as "The Son of David." He knew, even then, the importance of his role for the good of humanity. Jesus, in his youth, was obedient to Joseph, was attentive to his commands, and paid him every honor and respect that all children should render to their father. Mary put her life and the life of their child in the hands of Joseph for love, protection and for just treatment. Saint Joseph should be revered by us as a perfect model, showing that honor, faith, and hard work must be a way of life. He was chosen above all men to provide for God's only begotten Son. Joseph is to be placed above all other Saints except his beloved wife, Mary, the Mother of God. He was the man nearest to Jesus.

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