The church building of St. Joseph, located on Fourth and Howard streets, Pottsville, and established in 1906, was first the parish of St. John the Baptist for German immigrants and later became Immaculate Conception for the Slovak.

"Being a parish for a century is about being incorporated into Jesus Christ and His mystical body in baptism and being united to Him in His resurrection," said the Rev. Edward B. Connolly, Pastor of St. Joseph, Pottsville, during a Mass commemorating the 100th anniversary of the parish.
Fr. Connolly, the seventh pastor assigned to the parish since it was established in 1906, served as homilist at the Eucharistic Celebration.
The Most Rev. Edward P. Cullen, D.D., Bishop of Allentown, was principal celebrant.
Concelebrants were the Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Biszek, Pastor of Holy Infancy, Bethlehem, and the Rev. Msgr. Edward J. O'Connor, V.F., Pastor of St. Patrick, Pottsville and Vicar Forane of the South Schuylkill Deanery.
Other concelebrants were the Revs. John W. Bambrick, Pastor of Mary, Queen of Peace, Pottsville; James N. Drucker; Chaplain, V.A. Medical Center, Lebanon; John J. McNamara, Pastor of St. Stephen, Port Carbon; and Christopher M. Zelonis, Assistant Pastor of St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield.
In his homily, Fr. Connolly reviewed the history of St. Joseph and noted that the church building is 164 years old, while the parish has existed for 100 years.
"We are the oldest church building in Schuylkill County and this building was first the home of German Catholics," he explained.
Historical records reveal that the Church building, located on Fourth and Howard streets, was erected in 1841 under the name St. John the Baptist to serve the German Catholic community.
At the turn of the century the parish built a new church on Mahantongo Street and the building was acquired by the Slovak Catholic community, who named the parish Immaculate Conception.
"Shortly later the Slovaks migrated north to St. Clair," said Fr. Connolly. "Then the Italians moved in and called it St. Joseph."
For 100 years, he said, the parish has been about incorporating people into the paschal mystery of Jesus Christ so death will not have dominion over them.
"We have been hearing confessions for 100 years and offering forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ. The Holy Eucharist has been celebrated here each and every week where we offer oblation up to Him," related Fr. Connolly.
He also explained the parish has been celebrating marriages, Holy Communions and baptisms, and performing funeral rites for a century.
"I think these are very good reasons to celebrate," he said.
Along with the holy sacraments, Fr. Connolly explained, the parish has relentlessly performed works of mercy year after year.
"We give food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty and clothe the naked. Sometimes we shelter the homeless or provide temporary shelter to an abandoned wife and children. We have even helped pay to bury the dead," he said.
Parishioners have also been devoted to visiting prisons, instructing the ignorant, counseling the doubtful and comforting the sorrowful.
"We have done many works of mercy, but we are going to do them better with the time left to us," he vowed.
Fr. Connolly emphasized that the parish will carry out more works of mercy and continue to celebrate the sacraments in the name of Jesus Christ.
"That is because we are St. Joseph and we are the Church. We are all here and this is the Catholic Church. This is the Body of Christ and a place of compassion. We are God in the world. Long live the holy Catholic Church," he proclaimed.
In his remarks, Bishop Cullen congratulated parishioners and lauded Fr. Connolly for 20 years of devotion to the parish.
"One of the realities of St. Joseph parish in the present moment is that you do have a wonderful pastor who has been a great blessing to all of us," he shared.
"You are very much nourishing the Diocese of Allentown and that has a lot to do with Fr. Connolly being your pastor."
He also maintained that the parish has lived up to their responsibilities as a disciple of Christ by carrying out the works of mercy.
"That life in reaching out as Jesus taught us with corporal and spiritual works of mercy is very evident in this parish," he said.
Like Jesus, who was a person of the Holy Trinity and an advocate for the Holy Spirit, Bishop Cullen asked parishioners to become more deeply aware that they carry the spirit wherever they go.
"It is my prayer that the gift of the Holy Spirit will become more alive," he relayed.
"I pray that you draw on the power. Let it into your life and it will bring you joy, understanding and a heightened love."

Bishop Cullen offers remarks after the Liturgical Celebration. Behind him are concelebrants, from left, Fr. Connolly, Msgr. Biszek, Fr. Drucker and Fr. Bambrickishop Cullen offers remarks after the Liturgical Celebration. Behind him are concelebrants, from left, Fr. Connolly, Msgr. Biszek, Fr. Drucker and Fr. Bambrick

The Most Rev. Edward P. Cullen, D.D., center, Bishop of Allentown, prepares the sacrifice of the Mass at during the 100th Anniversary celebration at St. Joseph, Pottsville. Clergy participating in the ceremony are, from left, the Rev. Edward B. Connolly, the Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Biszek, the Rev. James N. Drucker, the Rev. John W. Bambrick, Deacon John E. Quirk, the Rev. Mr. Christopher S. Butera, the Rev. Msgr. Edward J. O'Connor, V.F., the Rev. John J. McNamara and the Rev. Christopher M. Zelonis.

Photos courtesy of Mrs. Susan Thye
October 2006