Committees & Groups

Committees & Groups

St. Joseph Parish Pastoral Council

Our parish council was formed in an effort to cooperate with the pastor to carry out the mission of the church. Together, members make decisions on behalf of the people in the parish regarding policy, goals, objectives and action plans. The Parish Council does not have regularly scheduled meetings, but rather meets whenever necessary as determined by the pastor or by the Council.  Sometimes, the Parish Council will meet with the Finance Committee if the reason for a meeting involves any type of expenditures.

Parish Council Members:

Bill Bertetto – bill.bertetto@gmail.com

Donna Dopuch – davdon28@hotmail.com

John Fassero – jfassero32@gmail.com

Ruth Gill – ategill@gmail.com

Cindy Saracco – esaracco4@gmail.com

St. Joseph Finance Committee

Our Finance Committee was formed in 2016. It consists of  three members. While we do not have regularly scheduled monthly meetings, we meet at the end of each fiscal year, at the end of the first quarter of each fiscal year, and when we receive our Foundation disbursements each year.  We meet at times with the pastor or with the Parish Pastoral Council and pastor if necessary. The Finance Committee’s major duties are to monitor parish finances and investments and to adjust the budget and income statements throughout the year.

Finance Committee Members

Ed Saracco, chairman – esaracco4@gmail.com

Jerry Marcacci – jmarcacci@frontiernet.net

Jerry Saracco – jgsaracco@yahoo.com

St. Joseph Altar & Rosary Society

St. Joseph Altar & Rosary is one of the most enduring organizations of the parish. Established in 1928 by Reverend George Link, the society dedicates itself to maintaining linens and flowers for the altar and to providing other necessary supplies.


Apart from maintenance of the altar, the Society is dedicated to fostering fellowship among the parishioners by hosting religious, spiritual, and social functions. Also, when asked, we usually are available to serve funeral dinners for our parish members and their families.


The Society works to stay involved in public activities and reaches outward to support various projects and charities some of which include Water for Life, Catholic Charities, the Children’s Home in Alton, the Seminarians, Stock the Boxes, and our local Caring Center.


The Society belongs to the Jerseyville Deanery which meets three times a year: in March, August, and November. The purpose of these meetings is to “support, empower, and educate all Catholic women in spirituality, leadership and service” as outlined in the mission statement of the National Council of Catholic Women.


All women of the parish are welcome to join our group. When scheduled, meetings usually take place on the last Wednesday of the month at 10:00AM in our church hall. For more information, please contact Cindy Saracco at esaracco4@gmail.com or at (217)-341-2085.

Current Officers:

Cindy Saracco, President - esaracco4@gmail.com

Denise Cadmus, Vice President

Stephanie Kochinski, Secretary

Toni Janus, Treasurer

St. Joseph Homebound & Nursing Home Ministry

Homebound Ministers visit shut-ins bringing them bulletins and communion, adding a little “sunshine” to their day. Additionally, many of these volunteers visit the local nursing home (the Gillespie Health and Rehab Center) giving Catholic residents communion and/or praying the Rosary. On most 3rd Fridays of the month, they assist the pastor with Mass for the residents.


Anyone interested in volunteering for this ministry should contact Stephanie Kochinski at skochinskis@yahoo.com.

Knights of Columbus 2076

Men from both St. Joseph parish and Ss Simon & Jude parish in Gillespie are encouraged to join the Knights of Columbus Council 2076. Meetings are held once a month with meeting

locations alternating between Benld and Gillespie. For more membership information, inquire through the following email address: kofc2076@gmail.com.

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