Meet Our Own

Father Joseph Williams, CM

A product of a large family from Topeka, Kansas, as the sixth born of seven children (and now boasting 16 nieces and nephews and 12 great nieces and nephews), Father Joseph Williams, CM, became a Vincentian when his search to follow God’s call led him to the charism to serve the poor and be attentive to minister with and for the clergy.

Fr. Williams was educated in Cath­olic grade school and high school. Because of that and good mentors, he was attracted to the life of the priesthood. His journey took him to the seminary in Denver, Colorado where he met the Vincen­tians. His initial interest was in being a teacher and so he went to graduate school. But, with the close of St. Thomas Seminary in Denver and Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, Fr. Williams was unable to finish his degree. “However, I have a strong background in Scripture and still find time to have bible studies as that is important to me to share what I have learned with others,” he states.

After leaving school, Fr. Williams was assigned to parish work. He has served at St. Vincent de Paul parishes in Chicago, Cape Girardeau,
St. Louis and Perryville. He says, “Through all of these experiences, I learned a lot about parish life and pastoral life while still being able to share my knowledge of Scripture.”

Since July 2005 (and until July 2007), Fr. Williams has been in Salida, Colorado as the pastor at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. “Now, the best part of Salida is the beautiful blue skies of this little town in a valley surrounded by mountains sitting at 7,200 feet,” shared Fr. Williams. He adds, “The beauty of nature is spectacular and if you don’t believe in God, just come to Salida!”

Salida, Colorado is a small town with approximately 8,000 residents. The parish has 600 families, many are senior citizens as the town is transitioning into more of a retirement community. “This is a parish with people who are ‘very Catholic’ and have a Catholic identity,” says Fr. Williams. His time is primarily spent celebrating the Sacraments, with offerings of Scripture study. “I have been very blessed that people invite me to their homes for meals which is such a great way to get to know people. A large part of ministry is going into people’s homes, eating dinner, being with them and listening to them,” he says.

After 2007, Fr. Williams’ future is still uncertain although he feels confident that another exciting opportunity awaits.

“In my life as a Vincentian, one of the things that I learned very vividly at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in St. Louis is the reality of serving the poor and how very important that is to our life,” shares Fr. Williams. “I always need to remember that one of the main reasons that I am a Vincentian is our call to serve the poor. That is a value for Vincentians and for me in that service and in seeing God’s presence in, and with, the poor. If I can keep that alive in what I do, whether it is poverty through loss of a spouse or in a monetary way, and connect with the poor and in that connection recognize God’s presence and God’s call…that is an important piece of who I am and who we are as Vincentians,” he concludes.