125 Years on the East Bench
Saint Joseph Catholic Church stands on 24th Street in the heart of Ogden, Utah, a parish whose roots stretch back to 1901 and whose stone presence has anchored the city's east bench for more than a century. The parish marked its 125th anniversary on May 1, 2026, with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Oscar Solis of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, joined by priests and deacons who have walked with the community across the years and by students from the parish's own Catholic schools. The parish's identity is shaped both by that long history and by a present-day congregation made up of families from many cultures and generations. In its own words, Saint Joseph is a community of different cultures, backgrounds, and traditions, a place where Mass is celebrated each week in both English and Spanish.
A Gothic Landmark Designed for Reverence
The church building was dedicated in 1902, designed in the English Gothic style by local architect Francis C. Woods and constructed under the leadership of the Right Reverend Patrick M. Cushnahan, a figure remembered as a force both in raising the building and in the early development of the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Its exterior of buff and salmon sandstone gives it the look of a true cathedral, and the parish itself takes pride in being called Utah's Cathedral of the North. The parish notes that great care goes into preserving the architecture and legacy of this historic building, treating the structure itself as part of the parish's ministry. Visitors stepping through the doors are met by the height of the sanctuary, the woodwork, and the sense that they have walked into a place of prayer that has hosted generations of Ogden Catholics.
Mass in Two Languages, Every Day
Saint Joseph's schedule of Masses reflects the bilingual rhythm of its community. On weekdays, Monday through Friday, the parish gathers at 8:30 AM for an English Mass. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, an additional 6:00 PM Mass in Spanish gives working families and students a chance to attend after the workday. Saturday evening brings the vigil: 5:30 PM in English, followed by 7:00 PM in Spanish. Sunday is the busiest day, with four Masses, 8:30 AM and 11:30 AM in English and 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM in Spanish, so that the assembly at any given hour is itself a small slice of the larger parish. Visitors of any denomination are welcome, and a guide to following the Mass is available by request from the parish office.
Confession and the Healing Mass
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered twice a week on a regular schedule: on Thursdays from 5:00 PM to 5:45 PM and on Saturdays from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, in the hour before the vigil Mass. Confessions are also available any time by appointment with a priest, particularly for those who need extra time or cannot make the standing times. On the first Friday of each month the parish gathers for a Healing Mass with the Anointing of the Sick available for anyone seeking physical or spiritual healing. The parish urges families not to wait until the last possible moment to call a priest in a medical emergency. Under HIPAA rules, hospital and nursing facility staff must be told by the patient or family that a Catholic visit is desired, or clergy will not be notified.
The Seven Sacraments
Saint Joseph's sacramental life runs through the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, and the parish has set out clear pathways and expectations for each.
Baptism is offered throughout the year in both English and Spanish, with separate preparation classes and baptismal days scheduled for each language. For infants and children up to age six, parents are required to attend a Baptism Preparation Seminar and to present birth and, where applicable, marriage certificates. Children who have reached the age of reason, generally by their seventh birthday, follow a different track through RCIC classes. Adults preparing for Baptism move through the OCIA process. At least one Catholic Godparent is required for any baptism, and Godparents must be confirmed, at least sixteen years old, actively practicing the faith, and willing to help teach the Catholic faith to the child.
Confirmation marks the deepening of the gifts received at Baptism and is described by the parish as the moment when the Holy Spirit descends upon the individual, affirming their commitment to the Church and empowering them to be witnesses to Christ.
First Holy Communion is treated as the central act of Catholic worship. The parish teaches that in the Eucharist the faithful receive the true presence of Jesus Christ, his body, blood, soul, and divinity, and offers a guide to the reverent reception of Communion drawn from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Catholics not in a state of grace and visitors of other faiths are welcome to remain in the pew but are not to receive the sacrament.
Matrimony begins with a conversation with a priest, well before any venue is booked. Couples are asked to take Marriage Preparation classes, complete paperwork with the parish office, and meet all diocesan requirements before a date is set.
Holy Orders is presented as a continuing call to serve, with the priesthood, the diaconate, and religious life each having their own page and inquiry form for men and women discerning a vocation.
Anointing of the Sick is offered not only at the end of life but at any moment of serious illness, with the parish encouraging early notification so priests can accompany the sick person and family in prayer.
Music Across Five Choirs
Music is woven into every Mass at Saint Joseph. The parish lists five choirs serving the various Masses, with cantors, organists, pianists, and instrumentalists drawn from the congregation. Singers and musicians serve both the English and the Spanish Masses, and the choirs span a range of traditional and contemporary styles. Three Spanish-language choirs in particular carry the Sunday and Saturday evening liturgies: a Saturday 7:00 PM choir, a Sunday 10:00 AM choir, and the Sunday 1:00 PM choir. The Music Director, Michael Wooden, oversees the program and welcomes new members at any time. The parish draws on verses like Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord from Psalm 89 and Praise him with trumpet sound from Psalm 105 as a reminder of the call.
Adoration Around the Clock
Inside the main entrance to the church, just before the glass doors and to the right, sits the Perpetual Adoration Chapel, dedicated on March 19, 2010, the Feast of Saint Joseph, by the Reverend Fr. Kenneth Vialpando. The chapel has been open twenty-four hours a day ever since, with parishioners signing up for regular one-hour watches and visitors welcome at any time. A coordinator organizes the schedule so that the Blessed Sacrament is never left alone. Members describe the chapel as a place of peace, miracles, and answered prayer. The parish regularly seeks additional adorers to fill empty hours in the rotation.
Faith Formation for Children, Teens, and Adults
Religious education at Saint Joseph serves the parish's children, high-school youth, and adults, with catechists needed each year for sacramental preparation in Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. A dedicated ministry for Children of St. Joseph Adoration introduces younger children to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, encouraging a daily sense of living under his gaze. The Youth Group, for teens ages 12 to 18, meets other Catholic young people for faith, service projects, and fellowship. Young adults, including college students and young professionals, gather every Wednesday at 7:00 PM at the Weber State Newman Center for faith-sharing suited to their stage of life.
For adults considering Catholicism, the parish hosts the OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly known as RCIA. Weekly gatherings allow inquirers to ask questions, learn about Catholic teaching and tradition, and discern whether to enter full communion through the Sacraments of Initiation. A parallel track in Spanish, RICA, prepares adults, youth, and children over the age of seven who are not yet baptized, with classes held on Sundays from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM over roughly two years, ending with the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. Bible study groups also meet weekly, led by facilitators who walk through a particular book of the Bible or another topic.
A Multilingual Web of Ministries
Beyond the Mass itself, the parish runs an extensive ministry network. In English-language ministry, the Council of Catholic Women supports spirituality, leadership, and service among the women of the parish. The Knights of Columbus raise funds for those in need and host brunch after some Masses. Couples for Christ, also meeting as Parejas para Cristo in Spanish, walk couples through renewal and strengthening of Christian family life. The Homebound Ministry brings the Gospel and Communion to the sick and housebound. Prison Ministry reaches out to those in jails and correctional facilities. Respect for Life prays the rosary monthly in front of the local Planned Parenthood and supports the Pregnancy Medical Center and the Lamb of God ministry. The Promoters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Prayer Group gathers for First Fridays Devotion, the Litany of the Sacred Heart, and recitation of the rosary at funerals when requested. The parish also runs a Priestly and Religious Life Promotion ministry to encourage vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life.
Spanish-language ministries mirror and expand that work. A Grupo de Oración meets each Tuesday after the 6:00 PM Mass for rosary, praise, and reflection on the Word of God. Adoración Nocturna gathers on the last Saturday of each month for prayer and adoration. Parejas para Cristo meets the second and fourth Saturday of the month at 4:00 PM in the Monk's Room. The Monaguillos train altar servers for the Spanish Masses. Ujieres welcome and seat the assembly, while Ministros de Eucaristía y Lectores proclaim the readings and assist with the distribution of Holy Communion.
Welcoming Newcomers
The parish sets out a clear path for first-time visitors. Anyone is welcome to attend Mass, regardless of denomination, and visitors are encouraged to introduce themselves to the priest after Mass. Ushers and the Welcoming Committee help seat those attending, distribute and collect missalettes, take up the collection, lead the assembly to Communion, and provide a bulletin on the way out. For those who have never attended a Catholic Mass, the parish offers to connect newcomers with a parishioner who can walk them through the experience. The office also notes that special accommodations can be arranged with advance notice so that the community remains accessible to all.
Schools, Mission, and the Holy Nook
Saint Joseph Parish is closely tied to two parish schools, Saint Joseph Elementary and Saint Joseph High School, whose students joined the 125th anniversary Mass and remain a visible part of parish life. The parish also maintains a relationship with Saint Florence Mission, a sister community that shares in the parish's outreach. The Holy Nook, the parish bookstore, carries Bibles, prayer books, and sacramental gifts and operates before and after the Saturday vigil and Sunday morning Masses.
Parish Staff and Pastoral Care
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Fr. Joshua Maria Santos, with Parochial Vicar Rev. Fr. Juan Garcia-Membreño assisting. Two retired priests, Rev. Fr. Bill Wheaton and Rev. Fr. Charles Cummins, remain connected to the community. Rev. Mr. Honorio Moreno and Rev. Mr. Howard Schuyler serve as deacons, with Deacon Howard coordinating the ushers and the Priestly and Religious Life Promotion Ministry. Judy Franquelin serves as Finance Manager and Patricia Siliezar as Office Manager. The parish offices, located at 2350 Adams Avenue in Ogden, are open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and again from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM. The phone number is 801-399-5627, and giving is available online.
Around the Parish
Saint Joseph's life extends well beyond Sunday Mass. The parish hosts a Healing Mass on the first Friday of every month, observes First Fridays Devotion with the Promoters of the Sacred Heart, and gathers for a monthly bilingual Rosary for Life as part of the Respect for Life ministry. The Knights of Columbus host brunch after some Masses, providing a chance for the assembly to linger and connect. Annual events like the parish's 125th anniversary Mass in 2026 mark the rhythm of the year, while regular programming, OCIA, Bible study, altar server training, choir rehearsal, and ministry meetings, fills the rest of the calendar. Live-streamed Masses are available for those who cannot be present in person, the parish bulletin is published weekly, and prayer intentions can be submitted through the parish's online Prayer Room. The parish invites anyone curious about the Catholic faith, any returning Catholic looking for a new home, and any longtime member seeking deeper involvement to find a place at the table.