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 the Priest

Pope Benedict XVI declared a year of the priest in an effort to encourage "spiritual perfection" in priests.

This year was chosen because it marks the 150th anniversary of the death of the saintly ‘Cure of Ars’, Jean Marie Vianney, who the pope called “a true example of a pastor at the service of Christ’s flock.” 

The Pope described the three dimensions to the priesthood:  the ecclesial, communional  and hierarchical, calling them “absolutely indispensable for any authentic mission, and this alone guarantees its spiritual effectiveness.”  The ecclesial mission of the priest is necessary “because no-one announces or brings themselves … but brings Another, God Himself, to the world. God is the only wealth that, definitively, mankind wishes to find in a priest.”
 
The mission is “communional” because it takes place in a communal or social setting.  It is “hierarchical” and “doctrinal” because it “emphasizes the importance of ecclesiastical discipline (a term related to that of ‘disciple’) and of doctrinal (not just theological, initial and permanent) formation.”

“The centrality of Christ leads to a correct valuation of priestly ministry, without which there would be no Eucharist, no mission, not even the Church.”

Please make a general intention to pray for all priests and especially for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

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.