Parish:  St. Joseph Catholic Church

Located: We are located on the corner of D. Salinas Blvd. and Fordyce Avenue, approximately 3 blocks from Business 83 in Donna

Pastor:  Rev. Alberto T. Treviño, Jr., MSF

Other Clergy:  Rev. Franciscus Asisi Eka Yuantoro, MSF, Parochial Vicar; Rev. Simon Brzozowski, MSF, In Residence

Parish Established:  1928

Population:  2,200 Registered Families

History: St. Joseph Church in Donna dates back to the early 1900’s.  It was built by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and dedicated on June 18, 1916.  Twelve years later on November 12, 1922 it was replaced with a new church.

It became an independent parish in 1928 under the direction of Father James Smith, O.M.I.  Father Smith built a parochial school, which was directed by the Holy Ghost Sisters from San Antonio.  For a time in the 1950’s, the parish was placed under the guidance of the Holy Family Fathers.  To meet the needs of a growing community, and replace the aging building, a new church was built in 1979.

Its mission church, Christ the King in Colonia Nueva, provides for the spiritual needs of the community in the colonia.

Festivals/Feast Day Celebrations:
1. Annual Fall Festival (Bazaar):  Held on the first weekend of November over the weekend (Saturday and Sunday), held both indoors and outdoors.  We have a variety of different booths such as:  food and desserts, arts & crafts, Chalupa Bingo, Cake Walk, lots of games for the kids, raffle, etc.  This year for the first time we raffled a new car which helped boost our revenue.  We are hoping to continue raffling a car in our future raffles.
2. Chicken BBQ Plate Sales:  The parish holds 2 annual BBQ plate sales.  One is held in September and one is held in February.  The BBQ plate sales along with the annual Fall Festival are the main fundraisers for the Parish.
3. St. Joseph Feast Day (Our Patron Saint):  On the Saturday closest to St. Joseph Feast Day (March 19th), the parish has an annual parade from the City Park to the Church.  Upon arrival at the church, a special mass is held and then everyone present is invited to the Parish Hall for food and fellowship.
4. Feast of the Virgen de Guadalupe:  Beginning the evening of December 11th, the Parish has starts a vigil in honor of the Virgen de Guadalupe.  We have prayers, singing and even the Danza’s performing outside the church.  This culminates at midnight with parishioners signing the Mañanitas to the Virgen de Guadalupe.  Processions take place before both masses of the day. Masses with Mariachis and are held at 6:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. in honor of the Virgen de Guadalupe.  This year we were blessed to have three (3) different Danza’s participating in our festivities.
5. Christmas Posadas:  The parish has been hosting Christmas Posadas for several years.  Posadas take place from December 16th through the 24th on the Parish grounds.  Organizations and individuals volunteer to assist with the posadas.  Many individuals attend this annual event and enjoy participating in the actual posada, by helping to pray the rosary, donating items for the refreshments, etc.
6. Feast of Christ the King:  A procession is held annually from Cristo Rey Mission to St. Joseph Church.  This year with had the Knights on Bikes leading our Procession.  All organizations join together for this special procession.
7. Stations of the Cross:  Stations of the Cross are held every Wednesday and Friday during Lent.  As of 2012, we began holding the Stations of the Cross in the church Parking lot.  Each organization carries a “cross” from one station to the other.  It is a great way to involve more individuals in the Stations of the Cross.
8. Fourth of July Family Celebration:  This past July 2012, for the first time ever, the Parish sponsored a Family Fourth of July Celebration.  There was games for kids, volleyball for teenagers and young adults, free food, chalupa bingo, piñatas for the kids, then we ended the day with a the family movie “Courageous”.  A great and time was held by all that attended.  Plans to continue this event are in place.
9. Children Eucharistic Holy Hour:  A procession and adoration is held every year where children of all ages are invited to attend and participate. 

Parish Organizations:
1. ACTS
2. Altar Servers
3. Altar Society
4. Caballeros de Cristo Rey
5. Catholic Daughters of the Americas
6. Children’s Choir
7. Cursillistas
8. Divine Mercy Prayer Group
9. Guadalupanas
10. Knights of Columbus
11. Legion of Mary
12. Movimiento Familiar Cristiano
13. Voluntarios de la Sagrada Familia
14. St. Vincent de Paul
15. Valley Interfaith
16. Young Adult Ministry
17. Youth Ministry