History

Who was St. Joseph?
"Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." --Matthew 1:20

St. Joseph's part in the Nativity story is a familiar feature of every Christmas pageant. But for many centuries the Church paid him scant attention. This is especially obvious compared with the the extraordinary concern for the role of Mary in the economy of salvation. So eager was the Church to emphasize Jesus' divine paternity that Joseph, the surrogate father, was consigned to the shadowlands. It was only in the sixteenth century that any official encouragement was extended to his supporters. Around that time St. Joseph, in a somewhat romanticized image of the Holy Family, began to figure more widely in popular preaching as the ideal "provider and protector." In 1870 Pius IX declared him Patron of the Universal Church.

Besides his feast day on March 19, an additional feast, for St. Joseph the Worker, was assigned by Pope Pius XII on May 1. Aside from his virtues as a father or a man of faith, it is also worthwhile to note Joseph's status as a poor working man - a detail not without significance in the gospel. Although he is linked to the house of King David, Joseph remains a carpenter from a Galilean town so miniscule that it serves as the butt of jokes. His wife gives birth in a stable. Warned in a dream of King Herod's murderous intentions, Joseph must lead his family into exile in Egypt. And then, having returned the family to the town of Nazareth, Joseph effectively disappears from the story. By receding before the inauguration of Jesus' public ministry he does not interfere with Jesus' privileged relationship with God.

By taking into his home his wife "found with child through the Holy Spirit," Joseph gave Jesus his legitimacy in David's lineage (Matthew 1:16-21), he saved the child from Herod who wanted to kill him, and lastly he brought him back from Egypt and settled in Galilee with the child and his mother (Matthew 2:19-23). In Matthew's gospel, Joseph appears as the direct and personal representative of the Father at the side of his Son come to earth, the guardian whom the Father chose because he could totally trust him and with whom he remains in close touch to show him what he must do.

Excerpted from All Saints by Robert Ellsberg, New York: Crossroad Publishing 1997, and Days of the Lord, edited by Robert Gantory and Romain Swaeles, Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1997.

OUR HISTORY
1877 Our Parish was established with Rev. Joseph J. Coughlin as Pastor. Boundaries extended from the Great South Bay on the south to the Huntington Town line on the north.

1878 Our first Church - a simple wooden structure - was erected on the north side of Grove Place. The Parish community was small and religious instructions were held in the basement of the church.

1911 Rev. James J. Higgins was appointed Pastor. Groundbreaking was held for the new church, which is our present church.

1912 On July 28, the first Mass was held in the new church. It was the only church of its kind in the United States because of its unique all-brick structure.

1919 Msgr. James F. Casey was appointed Pastor. A new organ was added.

1925 Plans began for a Parochial School.

1927 St. Joseph School is opened. The Sisters of Mercy from Dallas, Pennsylvania staffed grades 1 through 5.

1931 Rev. Ulick O’Sullivan Buckley was appointed Pastor.

1932 The northwest section of the Parish was given to the newly formed Parish in Wyandanch, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

1937 The section of the Parish north of the Southern State Parkway was given to the newly formed Parish of Sts. Cyril & Methodius in Deer Park.

1940 Msgr. Joseph I. Foley was appointed Pastor. Bingo was introduced to the Parish.

1950 St. Joseph School enrollment was increasing. A Parish Fund Drive was planned.

1950 Msgr. Peter L. Nolan was appointed Pastor.

1954 Extension to the school was completed. A Boys Department was added and staffed by the Franciscan Brothers.

1954 The Madonna Room was dedicated. The Madonna Room became the scene for weekly dances for the 18 and over crowd.

1955 Part of the Parish in West Islip and in Babylon north of the Sunrise Highway became part of the newly formed Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes. During the 1950’s and 1960’s parish enrollment was at a high of 5,500.

1962 St. Joseph Parish was sectioned off again. The most western area became part of the new Parish of Our Lady of Grace.

1972 St. Joseph continued to expand, necessitating the building of a new auditorium, additional classrooms and a cafeteria.

1974 Rev. John J. Gorman was appointed Pastor. Msgr. Nolan became Pastor Emeritus. The new auditorium was dedicated in his honor.

1984 Rededication of St. Joseph Church.

1990 Rev. Donald M. Hanson was appointed Pastor.

1991 St. Joseph Parochial School was closed.

1992 Rev. Ronald A. Richardson was appointed Pastor.

1993 St. Joseph Parish Center was dedicated. Parish offices were moved from the rectory to the new center. Parish opened the St. Joseph’s Thrift Shop.

1995 The Friary became the Virdone Residence for mentally challenged working adults. St. Joseph Church sign was placed on front lawn.

1997 An elevator was installed in the Parish Center making the building accessible to all.

1998 Rev. John J. Barrett was appointed Pastor. The church roof was restored to its original Spanish tile.

1999 In partnership with Catholic Charities, the former convent provided temporary housing for refugees from Kosovar.

2000 A ramp was installed making the Nursery School handicapped accessible. The O'Connell Room and Kelly Plaza were dedicated. Two meditative gardens were constructed - one in the parish cemetery; one at the entrance to the Chapel.

2001 The new Hospitality Center and handicapped accessible restrooms were opened. New signage was installed throughout the facilities. The Church and O'Connell Room/Hispanic Chapel were air conditioned. 

2004 Msgr. Christopher J. Heller was appointed Pastor.

2006 The Parish contracted with the Gallup Organization's Faith Practices Division to increase members' engagement in Parish Life.

2008 The Parish launched a Welcoming Ambassadors Committee whose members were nominated by Parish and organization leaders. Its purpose is to provide a personal orientation to the Parish for newcomers.