Tomorrow is November 12th, the feast day of our patron saint, St. Josaphat.

In 1584, St. Josaphat Kuntsevych was born to a respectable Polish family in current day Volodymyr-Volynsky, Poland. After noticing growing divisions in the church, St. Josaphat decided to study philosophy and theology under two Jesuits. Inspired by the Jesuits, St. Josaphat entered the religious life and became ordained as a priest.

In 1617, when he was 38 years old, St. Josaphat became the Archbishop of Polotsk. As bishop, St. Josaphat recognized many issues with the church. The church was falling apart both literally and physically. Many members of the clergy were marrying multiple times and didn’t set strong models for others. In three years, St. Josaphat was able to rebuild the church. He held religious meetings, began enforcing rules of conduct for members of the clergy, and published a catechism.

Despite his strong efforts to unify the church, many other influential religious figures at the time opposed St. Josaphat. When the King of Poland declared St. Josaphat as the only legitimate archbishop, many people broke into riots. Leo Sapiah, the chancellor of Lithuania, believed stories about St. Josaphat that said St. Josaphat tried to stir up violence within the church.

In October 1623, St. Josaphat returned to Vitebsk to clear up issues about himself. He boldly stated, “If I am counted worthy of martyrdom, then I am not afraid to die,” proving his commitment to the church. Those who didn’t agree with St. Josaphat saw this as an opportunity to get rid of him.

On November 12, 1623, an angry mob crowded a courtyard and began beating and trampling the friends and servants of St. Josaphat. When St. Josaphat went outside to fix the situation, the angry mob shouted “Kill the papist,” and they struck St. Josaphat with a stick and axe, killing him. St. Josaphat became a martyr and is remembered as the patron saint of unity.

Martyrdom of Josaphat Kuntsevych (c. 1861) by Józef Simmler, National Museum in Warsaw

we celebrate St, Josaphat's Feast Day at the 10:00 am Mass. We will also announce our 2021 Parish Service Award recipients - please join us!

Oplatki Wafers are available for $5 from the Parish Office while supplies last. What's an Oplatki Wafer? Read More >

We have a limited supply of St. Josaphat ornaments for sale in the Parish Office! You can own your very own St. Josaphat Church blue ornament for $5 or a large St. Josaphat Parish heirloom ornament with our church hand-painted on the front and our community park on the back for just $15. Get them before they're gone!

Save the Date for Unity Gala 2022

Next week our special collection will support the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Read More >

Attend our Virtual Leadership Summit

We invite you - yes, YOU - to join us on Wednesday, Nov 7th from 7-8 pm over Zoom. Read more >

is Sunday, Nov 28th from 6-7p. This year we will gather in the gym to assemble our wreaths and learn the true meaning of the Advent Wreath. We supply all the materials! Sign Up

Wait...what is Advent?

By participating in this retreat you get daily reflections on your purpose in God's plan, weekly spiritual direction in person or online and group events with other retreatants to build community. Sign Up

Our Holy Hour of Prayer on Tuesday evenings is on hiatus for two weeks. Please join us for Nativity Nights beginning Tuesday, Nov 30th at 7pm in the church. Read More >

Are you currently a greeter at St. Josaphat, or considering joining our greeting ministry? Please join us for a Greeting Ministry Training update on Sunday, Dec 12th at 11 am in the Church. We'll have coffee, donuts, and fruit and will share time together in prayer along with discussion of best practices for our Greeting Ministry. We ask current greeters to join us, and invite interested future greeters as well.

Fr. Francis collects Christmas Cards and stamps to bring to Kolbe House Jail Ministry to give those imprisoned the opportunity to send cards to their friends, family and loved ones. Please drop off your donations at the rectory or back of church no later than Monday, Dec 13th.

are due Sunday, Jan 9th.

We are looking for Weekend Office Associates. Read More >