The community of St. Joseph Catholic Church is a welcoming Family of Faith, supporting every member in their spiritual journey to worship God through the Sacraments, Fellowship, and Service to others.

Mass Schedule

Weekend Masses:

Saturday 5:00 pm

Sunday 10:00 am

Weekday Masses:

Tuesday 6:15 pm

Wednesday 8:00 am

Friday 8:00 am

Saturday 9:00 am

Eucharistic Adoration

Tuesdays 11 am - 6 pm

Benediction at 6 pm

Reconciliation

Saturday 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm or by appointment

2026 Lenten Masses

Feb 18: Ash Wednesday 12:10 pm, 7:15 pm

Apr 2: Holy Thursday 7:00 pm

Apr 3: Good Friday 7:00 pm

Apr 4: Holy Saturday/Easter Vigil 8:00 pm

Apr 5: Easter Sunday 10:00 am

BISHOP WILLIAM JOENSEN STATEMENT ON IRAN

We are struck and sobered by the initiative and scale of United States military operations in recent days in Iran. As Catholics, we look to our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, for moral and spiritual guidance. At his public audience this past Sunday, one day after the initial U.S. attacks in Iran, Pope Leo XIV offered this exhortation:

Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of immense proportions, I make a heartfelt appeal to all the parties involved to assume the moral responsibility of halting the spiral of violence before it becomes an unbridgeable chasm. May diplomacy regain its proper role, and may the well-being of people, who yearn for peaceful existence founded on justice, be upheld. And let us continue to pray for peace.

Further, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, spoke on behalf of all our nation’s bishops and echoed the Holy Father’s remarks: “All nations, international bodies, and partners committed to peace must exert every effort to prevent further escalation.” Archbishop Coakley continued:

At this critical moment, I invite Catholics and all people of goodwill to continue our ardent prayers for peace in the Middle East, for the safety of our troops and the innocent, that leaders may seek dialogue over destruction, and pursue the common good over the tragedy of war. We implore the intercession of our Blessed Mother, Mary, Queen of Peace, to pray for our troubled world and for a lasting peace.

Learn what the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches about conditions necessary for legitimate defense using military force (CCC #2309 & 2310).

In this Lenten season of repentance and renewed humility of heart, and mindful of the scriptural admonition, “When they sow the wind, they will reap the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7), part of our prayer imitates Azariah’s prayer in the Book of Daniel, Chapter 3: 37-45: We are reduced, O Lord, beyond any other nation, brought low everywhere in the world this day because of our sins. We have in our day no prince, prophet, or leader, no burnt offering, sacrifice, oblation, or incense, no place to offer first fruits, to find favor with you. But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received. . . . So let our sacrifice be in your presence today and find favor before you; for those who trust in you cannot be put to shame. And now we follow you with our whole heart, we fear you and we seek your face. Do not put us to shame, but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy.

May the God who stands over all nations convict us, convert us, and draw us together as sisters and brothers united on the path leading to the peace only Jesus Christ can give. I commend you in this Lenten season of repentance to offer one additional day of fasting for peace.

Prayer to St. Joseph. “Hail, Guardian of the redeemer, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God en-trusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen”

A Brief History of St. Joseph Church

Madison County and the ground upon which St. Joseph's Church, Rectory and Parish Hall now stand was once native ground of the Fox and Sac Indians. Because of a treaty in 1842, these Indians agreed to move westward and the land was ceded to the U.S. government. Irish Catholic families were well represented among the first settlers eager to lay claim to this land. Their spiritual needs were periodically tended by circuit rider priests. Among these was Fr. John Brazill, famed pioneer, explorer, founder and builder, who built no less than ten churches outside of Des Moines. He and others came from the city at regular intervals and celebrated Mass in the homes of parishioners.

In 1878 land was purchased for the building of the first Catholic church in Winterset. The cost to build this wooden church was $1,500. Our second church was constructed in 1911 at a cost of $8,000. The beautiful stained glass windows depicting gospel stories were brought here from Munich, Germany. Our bell was a gift from Mary Monaghan and her brother, John. Sadly, the first funeral for whom this bell tolled was that of Mary Monaghan.

The priest at the time of the construction of the second church was Fr. James Troy. Mary McNamara wrote, "My father tried his best to have a spacious basement put under the church for future use on account of the heavy tile roof which he was not in favor of. My father knew what he was doing, for he was a heating and plumbing contractor for many years and had the contract for such large buildings as Fort Leavenworth Penitentiary and the buildings at Conception Abby. Anyhow, Fr. Troy wanted to build a church for show instead of for the future so there was just a hole instead of a basement."

"The church had an old pot-bellied stove in the back on the west side and the choir loft was on the east side and raised several steps. They had an old pump organ and outside was a long hitch rack north of the rectory and church for those who drove a team of horses to Mass."

Excerpt was taken from the Madison County Cookbook With Stories & Traditions pages 35-37.

Page updated

Report abuse