St. Joseph’s Ministry
Supporting our children through church and faith
Saint Joseph’s Ministry is an outreach initiative offered by DCCH Center for Children and Families, Therapeutic Foster Care Program, with support from the Diocese of Covington. It was created to raise awareness of the many ways the church and faith communities can support children in Kentucky’s public child protection system.
As St. Joseph accepted the task of fostering Jesus, we as Christians are called to follow his example. This can come in mvany forms: Perhaps fostering or adopting a child in need. Maybe providing support for a foster/adoptive family with tutoring, transportation, or a meal. Possibly offering tangibles, such as diapers, furniture, or clothing.
Saint Joseph’s Ministry is an outreach initiative offered by DCCH Center for Children and Families, Therapeutic Foster Care Program, with support from the Diocese of Covington. It was created to raise awareness of the many ways the church and faith communities can support children in Kentucky’s public child protection system.
As St. Joseph accepted the task of fostering Jesus, we as Christians are called to follow his example. This can come in many forms: Perhaps fostering or adopting a child in need. Maybe providing support for a foster/adoptive family with tutoring, transportation, or a meal. Possibly offering tangibles, such as diapers, furniture, or clothing.
Commissioned by Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC
www.consecrationtostjoseph.org
St. Joseph Ministry calls the rest of the church to wrap a loving embrace around the families who are or will be taking on this difficult calling. Know that DCCH will try to coordinate the support offered from your own church. DCCH seeks a volunteer from each church to become a liaison or an ambassador to assist DCCH with these efforts.
If you are interested in learning more about the unique support St. Joseph Ministry offers to youth and foster/adoptive parents, please contact www.DCCHCenter.org or call 331-2040.
| Name | Parish |
|---|---|
| Sarah Lusher | St. Joe Camp Springs |
| Peggy Renchen/Lisa Cropenbacker | St. Philip Melbourne |
| Suzanne Ritchie | St. Augustine, Covington |
| Mary Finke/ Katy Sullivan | St. Tim |
| Janet Bertsch | St. Therese |
| Nancy Marcos / Mary Cooper/ Dan & Kara Heck | IHM |
| Tammy Litzler | St. Joe Crescent Springs |
| Debbie Vogt | St Barbara |
| Debbie Kuntz | St. Mary |
| Tim & Tina Ryan | MQH |
| Pearl Duncan | Bethesda Community |
| Hanna McGuire | Vineyard Florence |
| St Joe Cold Spring | |
| St Catherine | |
| St. Thomas | |
| Holy Spirit | |
| St. Pius | |
| Blessed Sacrament | |
| St. Agnes | |
| St. Paul | |
| St. Henry | |
| St. James Brooksville & St. Augustine Augusta | |
| Mother of God |
A prayer for foster children
Dear Joseph, foster father of Jesus and protector of the Holy Family, in you we contemplate a model of courage and compassion.
Help us be more courageous in making space for God in our lives, so we may be better guardians of the vulnerable, especially the children and their families seeking our care.
As we contemplate your role, alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary, as first teacher of the faith to Jesus, may we recognize our own call to live with conviction and fidelity God’s mercy and faithfulness.
Help us to be more compassionate, so we may be present and faithful to all, but especially to those children whose lives are chaotic, anxiety-filled and too often marred by violence.
As we contemplate the Holy Family’s moments of stress in Jesus’ young life — your betrothal to the Blessed
Virgin Mary, your flight to Egypt, losing Jesus in the Temple — may we recognize our own call to give tender care and protection to those whom God brings to us.
Help us to be strong and wise in our faith, yet tender and open to love, as you were. May God grant that our families, including our parish family, be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel.
Amen.
Franciscan Father Nathanael Theuma