The Children of Mary Sodality dates back to the earliest foundational years of our parish. As an organization of young girls, it was and still is an integral part of St. Joseph School. The Children of Mary Sodality members strive to honor Mary, the Mother of God, in their daily life by imitating her many virtues.
Membership is open to girls in grades 3-8 who attend St. Joseph School or St. Joseph Religious Education classes. New members are accepted into the Soldality on the first Sunday of Advent during a parish family Mass.
As members of the Sodality, the girls actively participate in various parish activities such as processions for important feast days and the Fatima processions on the 13th of the month from May to October. During the processions, they have the privilege of carrying the statue of Our Lady. The girls also participate after school in First Friday adoration where they say the rosary in front of the Blessed Sacrament. At Christmas, during Midnight Mass, the president has the privilege of carrying the statue of the Infant Jesus and placing Him in the manger. In May, during the Coronation of Mary Ceremony, she also has the honor of crowning the statue of the Blessed Mother.
The members of the Soladality are involved in a variety of service activities that include organizing and preparing the parish Advent Angel Tree as well as sorting the donated gifts that are then distributed to those in need. Keeping with meaningful traditions from years past, the girls prepare envelopes with chalk and incense for the Feast of the Epiphany and they mark the the school doors with (20 K + M + B 12) in honor of the Three Wise Men. At Easter time, the members make palms crosses for Palm Sunday and these become part of their annual flower sale. Socially, the girls have the opportunity to visit the National Shrine of Our Lady of LaSalette in Attleboro, MA during the Festival of Lights before Christmas.