|
Welcome to the Catholic Community of St. Joseph The Worker Online! We are a vibrant and active faith community located in Chatham, Illinois within the Diocese of Springfield.
The Year of St. Paul
 Periodically, the Church sets aside an entire year to encourage all of us to focus on some particular and important aspect of our faith. This year, we are given an opportunity to honor one of the great saints and founders of the early Church — the Apostle Paul.
St. Paul, a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, was born in Tarsus of Cilicia and died in Rome, Italy. At dedication he received the name of Saul, but since he was also a Roman citizen, he came to be known among the Gentiles as Paul. At an early age he was sent to the Jewish school of Gamaliel. He also learned the trade of a tent-maker. He became a violent persecutor of the Christians and took part in the martyrdom of St. Stephen.
After his miraculous conversion on the way to Damascus he made three missionary journeys evangelizing both Jews and Gentiles. He wrote fourteen Epistles now found in the New Testament. He was finally brought a captive to Rome, imprisoned and then beheaded near the Ostian Way.
St. Paul's letters are a primary source of information about the life of the early church and have strongly influenced church thinking through the centuries
Our Mission
We, the Catholic community of St. Joseph the Worker parish,
United by:
- Common Faith
- Shared Hope
- Mutual Charity
Are called to:
- Worship God through prayer and the Sacraments
- Seek God's revelation in scripture and tradition
- Minister and Evangelize our world through love and service.
The Celtic Cross
 The Celtic Cross is a symbol of eternity that emphasizes the endlessness of God’s love as shown through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. It also symbolizes the unending mystery of how through the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus Christ continues to offer the hope of salvation to the faithful throughout all of time.
|
