To begin our 100-Year celebration, St. Joseph Parish family "welcomed home" a very special link to past memories of parish life. This "old friend" of St. Joseph Church has become our newest stained glass window. A new frame and encasement with lighting was visioned and built over many months by five parishioners—Dan Bleck, Steve Delia, Gene Gaiser, Steve Richards and Tim Smith—whose carpentry and electrical work, dedication, and response to God’s Call appropriately reflect that of our patron saint. It was installed in time for our Opening Weekend of the 100-Year celebration, and was blessed by Fr. Hennessey on May 29, 2004 at 5:00 p.m. Mass, the feast of Pentecost.

Its history began when parishioners donated funds to purchase the stained glass windows for the parish dedicated in 1905 that first carried the name of "St. Joseph." The church preceding this, built in 1886, had been named Sts. Peter and Paul and was destroyed by fire. In the old St. Joseph Church, one was struck upon entering by the light and beauty shed by a beautiful round stained glass window above the sanctuary that depicted the Holy Family. A bride waiting to walk down the aisle or parents bringing a baby to be baptized were welcomed with light and color from its "front and center" location.

When the old church was to be demolished to make way for our present church which was finished in 1966, its stained glass windows were offered for sale: for the price of removal, one could obtain a window. The round stained glass depicting the Holy Family remained with the parish. It was in the rectory for a number of years and then removed during some remodeling. Upon the occasion of the 100-Year Anniversary of St. Joseph Parish, it was decided to "bring it home" to the church building for the benefit in prayer of all who come to worship. You are invited to come and take a closer look where it resides in the east part of the church within the shrine area of the Holy Family.

This window evokes strong memories for our older parishioners of liturgies, baptisms, weddings and the vibrant parish life from which our present parish has evolved. To those of us who have worshipped only in our present church, it provides a glimpse and connection to the Word, Worship, Service and Community efforts of the many who preceded us as the family of St. Joseph Parish. We are grateful to all those who have lived in God’s Spirit as parishioners and staff of St. Joseph during the past 100 years! We are aware that God’s Spirit continues through our gift of involvement and as we build upon a legacy that will be left to others in the future.