Go to Joseph!

Western Washington loves St. Joseph! More parishes in the Archdiocese of Seattle are named for St. Joseph than for any other saint — except Mary. From Ferndale to Vancouver, from Sequim to Yacolt, a dozen parishes and missions are named in honor of the saint Pope Francis calls the guardian of Jesus and Mary.

During this Year of St. Joseph, make a pilgrimage to one or more of these local churches, pray the St. Joseph prayer (see page 18) and then explore nearby activities to create a fun summer day or weekend trip with family or friends. (Because of COVID, check to make sure the attractions are open.)

St. Joseph, Elma

St. Joseph Church, Elma. Photo: Maria Laughlin

Pray: At the St. Joseph shrine, you’ll find a wooden statue, carved by an Ocean Shores man, that was purchased with support of parishioners and the parish. After praying at the shrine, visit and pray at the parish cemetery.

Explore: Bring a picnic, fishing gear and your swimsuit and stop by Vance Creek Ponds (some call them the Elma Ponds) or Sylvia Lake in nearby Montesano.

St. Joseph, Vancouver

St. Joseph Church, Vancouver. Photo: Maria Laughlin

Pray: The parish’s outdoor St. Joseph shrine is adjacent to the church’s main entrance. If the church is open, you can view a beautiful wood statue of St. Joseph the Worker, on an upper ledge toward the back of the church, visible as you exit.

Explore: Father Gary Lazzeroni, pastor, recommends visiting the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, the original Providence Academy built by Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart in 1873, and Mother Joseph Catholic Cemetery (about three blocks west of Interstate 5), the final resting place of Mother Joseph and 169 Sisters of Providence.

St. Joseph, Ferndale

St. Joseph Church, Ferndale. Photo: Stephen Brashear

Pray: Seven pioneer families petitioned for a church to be built here in 1893; the current church was dedicated in 1967. Stop in front of the church, where a large image of St. Joseph adorns the façade above the main entrance.

Explore: Visit the 350-acre Hovander Homestead Park, where you can see farm animals (May through October) and walk and bicycle along the Hovander River Trail. See care for creation at the Sardis Raptor Center (open most Saturdays), where eagles and other raptors are being rehabilitated. Visit a village of historic log cabins at Pioneer Park.

St. Joseph, Issaquah

St. Joseph Church, Issaquah. Photo: Maria Laughlin

Pray: A statue of St. Joseph greets visitors at the main entrance of the church, and the Marian garden dedicated to the unborn is another place to stop and pray. Inside, the church’s crucifix and statues of St. Joseph and Mary were donated by chocolatier Julius Boehm.

Explore: Father Todd Strange, pastor, recommends visiting Boehm’s Chocolates, a Bavarian-style village developed by Julius Boehm (a 1924 Olympian who later escaped Austria during World War II), stopping at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (just down the hill from the church), and hiking on Squak Mountain, Tiger Mountain and Cougar Mountain.

St. Joseph, Sequim

St. Joseph Church, Sequim. Photo: Mary Bollard

Pray: The parish began as a mission in 1916. Visit the St. Joseph statue, east of the front doors, or pray at the Mary statue in the courtyard east of the church. When the church is open (M–F, 9–3:30), stop by the small alcove with a statue of St. Joseph the Worker.

Explore: Enjoy the outdoors — visit lavender farms, family farms and lighthouses; take the one-hour drive up to Hurricane Ridge to enjoy the mountain views, picnic and hike the trails.

Prayer for the Year of St. Joseph

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted 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.