St. Joseph's Catholic Church
149th AnnivERSARY
Evangeliation at Work

Our work continues to spread the Good News. On Wednesday, August 23, 2023, Kristi and Fr. Bill, with the help of Catholic Charities, participated in the New Student Orientation Fair at North Central Missouri College. Please pray for these new college students and welcome them when they come to Mass!

On Saturday, September 2, 2023, we had a table at the Five Points Festival in Trenton as part of our evangelical efforts. Many thanks to all who stopped by all who are praying for our outreach!
Envisioning Our Future

The Deanery Planning Committee has concluded its work.
After a long Spring of difficult, and often contentious and painful, work, the plan for our deanery, Deanery IX, as well as Deanery X and the northern part of Deanery XII, was promulgated. At a meeting at St. Munchin Church in Cameron on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, the plan was explained, and Bishop Johnston indicated his approval.
The complete plan can be found here: https://kcsjcatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/Pastoral-Plan-Deaneries-IX-X-XII-June2023.pdf
A video recording of the presentation can be found here: https://fb.watch/ltm6MIvbkX/
For more information about how this plan fits into the larger diocesan vision, click here: https://kcsjcatholic.org/our-vision/
The key part of the plan for our three churches is as follows:
The Mission of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Princeton will merge with the parish of St. Joseph in Trenton. The parish of Sacred Heart in Hamilton will merge with the parish of Mary Immaculate in Gallatin. The parishes of St. Joseph, Mary Immaculate, and Blessed Sacrament in Bethany will develop a collaborative relationship.”
The specific recommendations for each church are as follows:
For Immaculate Heart of Mary:
1. Immaculate Heart of Mary will merge with St. Joseph in Trenton by June of 2024.
Parishioners are encouraged to become members at St. Joseph Parish but are
free to join any other parish in the area.
2. The disposition of the Mission’s facilities will be the responsibility of the diocesan
merger team in dialogue with mission leadership.
For Saint Joseph:
1. Prepare to welcome parishioners from other parishes which may be merging
and closing, especially from Immaculate Heart of Mary in Princeton.
2. Develop a strategy to serve the students at the local college as well as
Spanish-speaking Catholics who may be in the area.
3. St. Joseph in Trenton should develop a collaborative relationship with
Blessed Sacrament in Bethany and Mary Immaculate in Gallatin, served
by one pastor, to increase membership and improve the ministerial activity
among the parishes.
For Blessed Sacrament:
1. Develop a strategy to welcome new parishioners from the surrounding
communities which may be merging or closing.
2. Blessed Sacrament in Bethany should develop a collaborative relationship
with Mary Immaculate in Gallatin and St. Joseph in Trenton, served by
one pastor, to increase membership and improve the ministerial activity
among the parishes.
For the combined communities:
1. Advocate for an Office for Rural Ministry at the diocesan level.
2. Create a committee of representatives from each parish to organize
and host social events as well as to focus on ministerial outreach and
collaboration among the parishes.
3. Explore the potential to adopt a seminarian program which engages
the members of the parishes in the support of diocesan vocations to
the priesthood.
4. Create an evangelization plan.
In his letter attached to the plan, Bishop Johnston wrote: “Mindful of the challenges that the deanery parishes and missions are facing, the implementation of this plan will not be easy. It will require dedication, perseverance, and challenging work, not just on the parts of our priests, deacons, parish staffs, and parish leaders, but from all present and future parishioners. Over the centuries, the Church has faced many challenges which were met by those who have gone before us in faith. We have great hope for success because Christ has promised ‘to be with us always.’ This planning effort serves as a call to every parish member to commit anew to help build up the Church.”
Below, please find a transcript of Bishop Johnston's comments on June 28, 2023:
After a long Spring of difficult, and often contentious and painful, work, the plan for our deanery, Deanery IX, as well as Deanery X and the northern part of Deanery XII, was promulgated. At a meeting at St. Munchin Church in Cameron on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, the plan was explained, and Bishop Johnston indicated his approval.
The complete plan can be found here: https://kcsjcatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/Pastoral-Plan-Deaneries-IX-X-XII-June2023.pdf
A video recording of the presentation can be found here: https://fb.watch/ltm6MIvbkX/
For more information about how this plan fits into the larger diocesan vision, click here: https://kcsjcatholic.org/our-vision/
The key part of the plan for our three churches is as follows:
The Mission of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Princeton will merge with the parish of St. Joseph in Trenton. The parish of Sacred Heart in Hamilton will merge with the parish of Mary Immaculate in Gallatin. The parishes of St. Joseph, Mary Immaculate, and Blessed Sacrament in Bethany will develop a collaborative relationship.”
The specific recommendations for each church are as follows:
For Immaculate Heart of Mary:
1. Immaculate Heart of Mary will merge with St. Joseph in Trenton by June of 2024.
Parishioners are encouraged to become members at St. Joseph Parish but are
free to join any other parish in the area.
2. The disposition of the Mission’s facilities will be the responsibility of the diocesan
merger team in dialogue with mission leadership.
For Saint Joseph:
1. Prepare to welcome parishioners from other parishes which may be merging
and closing, especially from Immaculate Heart of Mary in Princeton.
2. Develop a strategy to serve the students at the local college as well as
Spanish-speaking Catholics who may be in the area.
3. St. Joseph in Trenton should develop a collaborative relationship with
Blessed Sacrament in Bethany and Mary Immaculate in Gallatin, served
by one pastor, to increase membership and improve the ministerial activity
among the parishes.
For Blessed Sacrament:
1. Develop a strategy to welcome new parishioners from the surrounding
communities which may be merging or closing.
2. Blessed Sacrament in Bethany should develop a collaborative relationship
with Mary Immaculate in Gallatin and St. Joseph in Trenton, served by
one pastor, to increase membership and improve the ministerial activity
among the parishes.
For the combined communities:
1. Advocate for an Office for Rural Ministry at the diocesan level.
2. Create a committee of representatives from each parish to organize
and host social events as well as to focus on ministerial outreach and
collaboration among the parishes.
3. Explore the potential to adopt a seminarian program which engages
the members of the parishes in the support of diocesan vocations to
the priesthood.
4. Create an evangelization plan.
In his letter attached to the plan, Bishop Johnston wrote: “Mindful of the challenges that the deanery parishes and missions are facing, the implementation of this plan will not be easy. It will require dedication, perseverance, and challenging work, not just on the parts of our priests, deacons, parish staffs, and parish leaders, but from all present and future parishioners. Over the centuries, the Church has faced many challenges which were met by those who have gone before us in faith. We have great hope for success because Christ has promised ‘to be with us always.’ This planning effort serves as a call to every parish member to commit anew to help build up the Church.”
Below, please find a transcript of Bishop Johnston's comments on June 28, 2023:

Bishop Johnston Comments June 28, 2023 | |
File Size: | 152 kb |
File Type: |
MASS TIMES
Tuesday - 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday through Friday - 9:00 a.m. Sunday - 8:30 a.m.
Confessions: Sunday 8:00 a.m.
Adoration: Tuesday 6:00 p.m. to 6:25 p.m.
Tuesday - 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday through Friday - 9:00 a.m. Sunday - 8:30 a.m.
Confessions: Sunday 8:00 a.m.
Adoration: Tuesday 6:00 p.m. to 6:25 p.m.
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Mission Parish - Immaculate Heart of Mary
606 N. Broadway Princeton, MO 64673
(660) 359-2841
(660) 359-2841
Mass Time Sunday 10:30 a.m. Confessions: By appointment |