Send forth your spirit; they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. - Psalm 104:30

Please consider supporting the Shrine with your generous Centennial gift, thank you!

You may also mail your gift to the Shrine of Saint Joseph, 1050 Long Hill Road, Stirling, NJ 07980.

 
 

Centennial: 100 Years of Missionary Service to God’s People

The Shrine Celebrates the Opening of the Centennial

Over a 1000 people attended the Masses offered on March 19, the Solemnity of St. Joseph at 8:00 am, noon and 6:00 pm. The 6:00 pm Mass opened our year-long centennial celebration honoring 100 years of missionary service to God’s people here at the Shrine. The Shrine was grateful to have The Most Reverend Bishop Sweeney presiding at the 6:00 pm Mass. This special Mass was Multilingual in representation of the Catholic cultural diversity that is present in God’s holy Church. St. Joseph’s Table immediately followed the Mass. View the images below.

A note from the Director

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Dear Friends of the Shrine of Saint Joseph,

May the grace and peace of the Holy Spirit be with us forever!

It is with great joy that I invite you to celebrate with us as we enter our Centennial year.  As we stand on the brink of a momentous milestone, the 100th year of the existence of our beloved Shrine of Saint Joseph, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and awe as we remember our past, rejoice in God’s faithfulness, and are renewed in spirit to God and one another. 

When Fr. Thomas Augustine Judge, C.M., founder of the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, came to Stirling, he sensed that God had a special purpose. He heard God saying to his heart, “I want to inhabit this hill where I can give those who labor and are burdened, both the living and the departed, a place of healing and peace. ”

The Shrine has been a beacon of hope, a place of solace and spiritual nourishment for countless souls for a century. From the diverse cultures we serve to the peace that pervades our sacred spaces, the Shrine is more than just a place—it's a testament to God's faithfulness and our collective commitment to serving His children.

Every visitor, every prayer whispered in the hallowed halls of the Shrine, and every smile exchanged on our sacred grounds tells a story—a story of a community united in faith, hope, and love. As we remember our past, we not only celebrate the legacies that have been built but also rejoice in the living legacy we continue to create each day.

"Every Catholic an Apostle." Fr. Judge’s vision has guided us for a hundred years and is as vital today as ever. In a world that can often seem broken, the Shrine stands as a pillar of hope and a source of peace. We are called to be missionary disciples of Christ, to reach out with love and compassion to those on the margins, to be instruments of change in a world that thirsts for hope. 

As Director of the Shrine, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of our mission. I have seen lives changed, spirits healed, and hearts set ablaze with the love of Christ.  We invite you to partner with us in this life-giving ministry of Christ as we look forward to the next hundred years. Under the abiding presence of the Most Holy Trinity, our work will continue into the next 100 years. Thank you for your continued support.  Please know of my prayers for you and your loved ones,  

In the Most Holy Trinity,

Fr. Seraphim Molina, S.T., Director

Centennial Prayer

Oh, Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we thank You for enabling us to rejoice in this centennial anniversary of the Shrine of St. Joseph, where we celebrate the earthly father of Your Son and the husband of Mary, the Mother of us all.

We thank You for the one hundred years that You have blessed us–pilgrims, patrons, and servants in this sacred place–to spread God’s glorious presence and message of joy, peace, communion, and service.

Fill us with Your Spirit to continue to welcome all God’s people, especially those on the margins of society, to encounter You, to be spiritually encouraged and renewed as apostolic witnesses to Christ, and to go forth and bring Your holy love to all the world.

Through the intercession of our dear St. Joseph, our patron saint, make us humble, prudent, inclusive, and an ardent power for good in Christ and the Holy Spirit, now and in the many years to come. 

Amen

Centennial Event Schedule

March 19, 2024: Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of Mary: 6:00 pm Centennial Opening Mass with Bishop Kevin Sweeney presiding, followed by Saint Joseph's table.

April 19, 2024: Special Guest Speaker, Fr. Raphael Pizzo, ST will present in Spanish on our patron St. Joseph.

April 20, 2024: Special Guest Speaker, Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR, will preside at the 8:00 am Mass followed by a light breakfast and presentation on St. Joseph.

May 19, 2024: Pentecost Sunday 11:45 am Multicultural Mass will be offered, followed by a community luncheon.

June 2, 2024: Solemnity of the Most Precious Body and Blood of Christ, Corpus Christi, with Eucharistic procession following each Mass and a Sacred grounds Eucharistic procession following 11:45 am Mass.

July 14, 2024: Family Picnic: All are invited to gather on the grounds after the 11:45 am Mass.

October 10, 2024: Centennial Gala: 5:30 pm Centennial Mass: 6:30 pm Centennial Gala Celebration

November 24, 2024: Feast of Christ the King, Founders Day 11:45 am Multicultural Mass followed by a History Speaker Panel.

March 19, 2025: 7:00 pm Multicultural Centennial Closing Mass followed by Saint Joseph's table.

Historical Timeline

COMING SOON!