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We are a Catholic community of Christians who have come together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to give witness to Jesus Christ. Our mission is to celebrate the Eucharist, to proclaim the Good News, to encourage stewardship as a way of life, to form missionary disciples, and to grow in faith, justice, love and service to others.

 

We are One Family in Christ who encounters Jesus, accompanies one another, forms community, and is sent forth to live the Gospel.

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Our History

On the south shores of beautiful Lake Erie, nestled in the easternmost corner of Lorain County, home to vineyards that have been "in the family" for nearly a century as well as to businesses that even now continue to sprout, Avon Lake, Ohio claims the vibrant stewardship Roman Catholic parish of Saint Joseph. And while a newcomer or visitor will see state-of-the-art technology and ADA compliance with each glance, this parish is firmly rooted in the history of our faith and family and is a haven of fidelity to our Holy Mother Church and to our deeply-seated Christian values.

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From its very inception in 1949, Saint Joseph Parish has indicated its dedication to spreading the Christian message through Catholic education. In fact, the original church first served as classroom to eight grades of students, who entered the brand new St. Joseph School in September of 1950 under the tutelage of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland. Parishioners attended Mass in the old Avon Lake Theater while the school was being completed, then moved into the original church, which now serves as St. Joseph Hall. Today, parishioners continue to support the efforts of Catholic education in St. Joseph School , a benchmark school in the diocese, presently educating 250 children from kindergarten through eighth grade. And for those who choose public school, the parish provides sacramental preparation for children as part of the Parish School of Religion (PSR) program, which serves students in grades Pre-K through 8.

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A parish of the Diocese of Cleveland,  Saint Joseph 's has been served by six pastors in its history.  Father Carl Wernet was succeeded by Father Edward Dickard, Father Albert Kunkel, Father J. Norman Riley, Father Timothy O'Connor, and its current pastor is Father Ronald J. Wearsch who has Avon Lake roots and is glad to be home again!  Father Wearsch arrived June 15, 2013 and was installed as Pastor of St. Joseph Parish on July 28, 2013.  Under Father O'Connor's leadership, this parish has grown, over 18 years, from 800 to nearly 1800 families and has built and dedicated a beautiful new worship space, as well as doubling the classrooms in the school building. In 2013, Saint Joseph is completing its eigth year as a Stewardship Parish , continues a sister relationship with St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Nassau, the Bahamas and is in the Diocesan-mandated Clustering initiative with its partners, Holy Spirit Parish in Avon Lake and St. Raphael Parish in Bay Village.

History

Parish & School Leadership and Staff

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Rev. Ronald J. Wearsch 
Pastor
440.653.5610

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Deacon Keith Jenkins
Permanent Deacon

440.933.3152

Ordained Ministers

Parish Ministry Leaders, Business Office, and Maintenance

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Jim Adamowicz
Account & Business Manager
440.653.5612

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David Aslaksen
Maintenance Director
440.653.5614

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Lorene Coughlin
Liturgy and Music Director,

Caring Minister
440.653.5615

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Angela Gibbons

Parish Office Receptionist 

440.653.5611

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Tamara Burge
Director of Communication

& Marketing
440.653.5619

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Michael Grecol
Junior High & High School Youth Minister 
440.653.5618

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Phil Lewandowski
Pastoral Assistant
440.653.5638

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Cheryl Monschein
Accounting & Contributions
440.653.5628

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Rozann Swanson
Director of Religious Education
440.653.5616

Parish School Leadership and Staff

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John Stipek
Principal
440.653.5620

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Lori Foutz
Preschool Director
440.653.5637

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Sharon Scrivens
School Admissions
440.653.5622

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Sue Zelasko
School Secretary
440.653.5621

Staff
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Cluster Parish Mass Times

St. Joseph (this location) - 32929 Lake Road, Avon Lake

  • Saturday 4:30 PM (also livestreamed)

  • Sunday 8:30 AM (also livestreamed) 

  • Sunday 11 AM & 

  • Sunday 5 PM

  • Daily Mass: Mon, Wed, Friday 8 AM (also livestreamed)

  • Confessions: Saturday 3 to 4 PM in the confessional.
     

Holy Spirit - 410 Lear Road, Avon Lake

  • Saturday 5:00 PM

  • Sunday 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM & 12:00 PM

  • Daily Mass: Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 8:30 AM

  • Confessions: Saturday from 3:30 to 4:30 PM
     

St. Raphael - 525 Dover Center Road, Bay Village

  • Saturday 4:30 PM

  • Sunday 8 AM, 10 AM & 12 PM

  • Daily Mass: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday Mass: 7:45 AM

    • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Mass:  9:15 AM

  • Confessions: Saturday from 3 to 4 PM

Cluster Masses
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