FAQ

We are a progressive Catholic faith community under the episcopal jurisdiction of our local bishop in union with The Old Catholic Church, Province of the United States.

We view gender, race, nationality, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical ability, and marital status including divorced or remarried as part of God’s beautiful tapestry of life. Each and every person is precious in God’s eyes and welcomed in God’s house.  We joyfully welcome all who believe in Christ to the Table of the Lord.   

We believe that The Old Catholic Church is called to be a sign of God's unconditional love, and therefore we open our doors and our hearts to all who are seeking a spiritual home.

We also perform same sex weddings, and remarriages, as well as first time weddings.

Simply put, we are not under the jurisdiction of the Roman Church. We are a separate Catholic Church, and our polity is markedly different than that of the RCC. For example, all baptized Christians are welcome to receive Holy Communion without regard to any previous pastoral boundary such as divorce and remarriage, or sexual orientation. Our Church patterns itself after The Old Catholic Church of Utrecht which has been in existence since the 1800’s. (Please see our Church’s website toccusa.org for further information.)

Anyone attending our Masses will feel right at home if they were raised Roman Catholic. Our liturgies are very similar, the vestments and altar appointments are traditional; there are statues, candles and holy water! We have bishops, priests and deacons as well. However, our ordained clergy may be male or female, gay or straight, single or married, divorced or remarried.

All seven traditional sacraments: Baptism, Reconciliation (Confession), Confirmation, Eucharist, Marriage, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick, are validly celebrated.

All are welcome to celebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist (Mass). Holy Communion is offered to all baptized Christians who believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Sacrament.

All matters concerning the operation of the Parish (excluding pastoral situations which are kept confidential and decided upon exclusively by the pastor) are voted on by a Parish Council of elected members of the parish (according to the Parish By-Laws). The National Assembly (comprised of both lay and ordained members of the Church), in conjunction with the House of Bishops and the House of Delegates (laity and clergy), governs our national Church: The Old Catholic Church, Province of the United States.

If you are interested in membership in the Parish Community of Saint Joseph of The Old Catholic Church, join us at Mass!  Members of our parish and our clergy will be happy to answer any questions you might have about our Church.