275 W. North St.  Manhattan, IL 60442  815-478-3341
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Pastor, Rev John T. McGeean
Deacon, John Putman
Deacon, Patrick Forsythe
St Joseph's Church Information

Why should you register?...To become a part of the St. Joseph Church Family.  If a parishioner is not registered, it is difficult
for us to issue testimonial letters, recommendations, references, etc.  If we are to testify to your ability for sponsorship in
Baptism, Confirmation, or witness at a Catholic Marriage, you need to be registered. This should be done as soon as possible.
 If you are new in the parish and wish to become a registered member, please call the rectory and let the secretary know or
there are registration forms on the cabinet in the back of Church.

Marriage Preparation

St. Joseph Parish requires that you must be a parishioner of our Church for at least six months before making your wedding
plans.  The Diocese of Joliet requires a 6-month preparation period for all couples contemplating marriage.  So, if you are a
year from the time of your wedding, please make an appointment to meet with Fr. McGeean.

Married in the Church

Many times when Father reads over the registration forms of the parish, he notices that a marriage did not take place in the
Catholic Church.  Perhaps there is no reason why the marriage could not be celebrated (validated) in the Church.  Or perhaps
more than happy to discuss any marriage situation, and help people work towards the validation of a marriage in the Catholic
Church.

Baptisms

The current policy of St. Joseph Parish is that we have baptisms on the first and third Sunday of each month.  To plan a
Baptism, you must be registered with St. Joseph and attend a Baptism Class.  If you are not registered, you must do that first.
If you have not attended a Baptism Class, you need to call the rectory and set up an appointment.  After we have received your
registration form and know that you have attended a class, we can then set up the baptism.  You must call the rectory to do
this.  We currently have up to six baptisms on a particular Sunday.  It is good to plan early.

Anointing the Sick

Please contact the rectory to make arrangements for a pastoral visit of the sick.  If you have a relative living with you who is
unable to get to church for the Sacrament of Communion, please call the rectory.  Father or one of our Eucharistic Ministers
makes "Communion Calls" to our parishioners who are shut in and he will offer to assist anyone who might be interested in
having him call on someone who would like to receive Communion.

Patronize Our Advertisers

The Parish Staff wishes to thank the many neighborhood merchants who are so graciously supporting our bulletin with their
advertising.  It is our deepest hope that all parishioners will patronize these generous benefactors whose faith in the advertising
media makes our Sunday bulletin possible.