St. Joseph's Transportation Ministry

Ministry Structure

The Transportation Ministry consists of three main divisions:

· Tram Division: Consists of two trams that provide shuttle service to and from the main parking area and the Church.  These trams service all weekend masses and most holy days of obligation.  Volunteers for this division must be 18 years of age or older and have a Class E Driver's License (standard license).  Volunteers may chose which Mass they will serve and are usually scheduled once or twice a month.

· Parish Bus Division: This division provides transportation to and from Church for the elderly and those who do not have a ride to Mass. The Parish Bus is a sixteen passenger vehicle with a wheelchair bay and elevator.  Volunteers for this division must be 21 years of age or older and carry a Class C Commercial Driver's License with a Passenger Endorsement.  Training for this license is provided by the Transportation Ministry.  Volunteers are scheduled usually once or twice a month.  The Parish Bus serves the 5:30 & 10:00 Masses.

· Traffic Division: This division consists of volunteer traffic directors that help coordinate the flow of traffic in the Church parking areas for the 10:00 Mass on Sundays and on special occasions, Holy Days of Obligations, etc.  Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older.

Mission and Philosophy

The mission of the Transportation Ministry is to safely provide a service to the parishioners of St. Joseph's Catholic Church through Tram and Bus transportation and safe traffic coordination.

History of the Transportation Ministry

1995 - The first 8-seat tram was donated to St. Joseph's by Lift Power, Inc.  This tram served the 10:00, 10:15 & 12:00 Masses at the former Main Church and Historic Church.

Fall 1997 - Michael Broach appointed by Father Cody as ministry director; formal ministry begins in 1998 in preparation for the new church.

Fall 1998 - St. Joseph's "Tram Ministry" begins with the addition of new drivers.

March 1999 - New Church opens; Tram Ministry expands to two trams (including trailers) that seat 20-30 people each.  The new Tram Ministry begins to service all weekend Masses.

November 1999 - The Parish Bus is purchased from First Class Coach of Winter Park, FL

December 1999 - Initial training of Parish Bus drivers takes place.

March 2000 - The Parish Bus begins the first weekend passenger routes (5:30 Saturday Vigil and 10:00 Sunday Mass); both tram and bus operations form the “Transportation Ministry”

September 2000 - Due to increased traffic at St. Joseph's and the surrounding area, it becomes necessary to add a division of traffic directors to coordinate the traffic at the 10:00 Mass and on special occasions and holy days of obligation.

April 2002 - Michael Broach passes responsibility as Director of Transportation to parishioner Michael Fiano, while remaining to coordinate the Parish Bus.

March 2005 - after 3 years of service, Michael Fiano steps down as Ministry Director and remains as a volunteer tram driver.  Transportation ministry is now directed by Ed Walsky and Michael Broach.

Future – St. Joseph’s Transportation Ministry is planning to add a second bus route to meet the growing demands of our current bus program in order to serve the elderly and those in need of a ride to church.