Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church Reviews
Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church
Longboat Key, FL5.0 out of 5 rating, 168 reviews
Reviews
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Awards
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![Shanna]()
Shanna Sent on 05/30/2026A Ceremony Our Guests Are Still Talking About
We cannot say enough wonderful things about Father Joe. From the moment we began working with him, it was clear that he is not only an incredible priest, but also an extraordinary person.
One of the most meaningful aspects of our wedding was that Father Joe was able to perform our ceremony at our reception venue while still keeping it recognized under the Catholic Church. This allowed us to have the wedding we had envisioned without sacrificing the faith and traditions that were important to us.
The ceremony itself was everything we could have hoped for—beautiful, heartfelt, and meaningful while remaining concise and engaging. My husband and I found it nearly impossible to hold back our tears throughout the ceremony. Father Joe has a remarkable gift for making every word feel personal and sincere, and his homily was especially moving.
After the wedding, countless friends and family members approached us to compliment the ceremony. Many shared that it was one of the most beautiful, touching, and memorable ceremonies they had ever attended. Several people specifically mentioned how impactful Father Joe's homily was and how genuinely moved they felt by his words.
Father Joe helped create one of the most meaningful moments of our lives, and we will forever be grateful for the care, warmth, and faith he brought to our wedding day. We wholeheartedly recommend him to any couple looking for a ceremony that is personal, heartfelt, and deeply meaningful.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Shanna & John - this was not work at all - you both showed so much love and kindness, and that is what made your wedding so wonderful. Thank you so much for your for kind words, your faith, and please remember I am your priest if you need anything. Would love to see you at Mass next Sunday June 7 at 3pm at Ascension Church 1 Kinglsey Ave., Staten Island and do a special blessing there for you! Love and joy always, Fr Joe -
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Gia Sent on 05/20/2026
Thank you for making our wedding day so special & perfect
Father Joe is absolutely amazing! Our wedding day was beyond perfect and we will cherish it forever! Father Joe went above and beyond making our ceremony so special and so uniquely personalized to the each of us, it was absolutely beautiful. We were so blessed to have him be apart of our day and cannot thank him enough! Thank you for making our day so special it was truly an honor to have you there.
Gia&TylerSaint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Gia & Tyler - both of you and your family (which I love) made the day so very special. This is indeed true love! Keep protecting us all and making the world more beautiful! Fr Joe -
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Jimmy Sent on 01/28/2026
The Amazing Father Joe
Father Joe and St. Joseph Mission Church helped make our October 2025 wedding at Indian Trail Club everything we could have ever hoped for. Father Joe is the best in every way. He has such a joyful, charismatic personality and makes everyone around him smile and feel comfortable.
From our initial meeting, to virtual Pre-Cana meetings, attending couples’ Mass, and our wedding rehearsal, Father Joe made the process leading up to our wedding easy and fun. He made us feel like family; it felt as if we had known him our whole lives. Father Joe was great with communication and was always available via phone or email to help us prepare for our big day.
On our wedding day, he arrived early and checked in on us prior to the ceremony. He held a private Communion ceremony for us and our immediate families prior to the wedding ceremony, which added a special touch to the day. The wedding ceremony was perfect in every sense. Father Joe made the ceremony beautiful and included some fun surprises. So many of our friends and family complimented how amazing he was and were surprised to learn we had only known him for a few months, as he made the ceremony feel so personal. We feel so blessed to have had Father Joe marry us and cannot recommend him enough!!!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Jimmy & Shannon - I am beyond grateful for both you! Your faith and grace over this journey of love has been amazing. And Jimmy after over 800 wedding we have done - you are literally only the 3 groom to take the time and share so much. I am so happy for this and for each of you! Hope to see you at church, and if you need anything - reach out - God bless you both! Fr Joe
Here are our next masses:
April 12 at 3:00 pm -Orthodox Easter at Church of the Ascension 1 Kingsley Ave., Staten Island NY
May 17 at 3:00 pm – Church of the Ascension 1 Kingsley Ave., Staten Island
June 7 at 3:00 pm - Church of the Ascension 1 Kingsley Ave., Staten Island
Aug. 16 at 3:00 pm - Church of the Ascension 1 Kingsley Ave., Staten Island
Oct. 4 at 3:00 pm - Church of the Ascension 1 Kingsley Ave., Staten Island
Nov. 22 at 3:00 pm - Church of the Ascension 1 Kingsley Ave., Staten Island
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Taylor Sent on 11/23/2025
Our Dream Wedding Thanks to Father Joe and Saint Joseph Mission Church!
We are incredibly grateful to have met Father Joe and feel truly blessed to have him officiate our wedding! He delivered our dream ceremony, which was personal, spiritual, and heartwarming. From our initial conversation to the pre-ceremony preparations and our wedding day, he was incredibly helpful, caring, and genuinely took the time to get to know us and our families. This marks the beginning of a wonderful relationship, and we sincerely hope that Father Joe will be present for each sacrament in our lives!
Many of our guests expressed that Father Joe and the ceremony were the highlight of our wedding day!
Thank you Father Joe and Saint Joesph Mission Church!
-Taylor & Danny RiveraSaint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Taylor and Danny - Bless you both for everything you have done! Your spirit and love are so real. It was a honor to be part of your special day! Danny - stay safe and thank you for protecting and serving the City of NY - you are truly a hero in every way! Hope to see you both soon - we have a BLUE Christmas Mass at Church of the Ascension on Dec. 14 at 3pm - please come! Fr Joe -
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![Lauren]()
Lauren Sent on 11/12/2025Father joe is amazing!
Since first meeting Father Joe, we knew he was the perfect fit for us! We were having our ceremony at our Venue, and since we were both raised Catholic we wanted to find an officiant that would be able to give us a ceremony to reflect our faith. Father joe was able to provide us with the best of both worlds a ceremony that reflected our faith at our new favorite place! He was able to give us communion privately prior to our ceremony with our families and really was just so warm and welcoming making all of us so comfortable!
Our families and guest are still raving about him!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Lauren & Dominick - BLESS you both and thank you for all of your kindness and your amazing faith. It was an honor to be on this journey with both of you and your wonderful families! Fr Joe -
![Julia]()
Julia Sent on 11/06/2025The BEST!!!! Thank you Father Stephen & Father Joe!!!
We had the absolute best experience with Father Stephen and Father Joe. They both led our Pre Cana and then Father Stephen was our officiant / the one we met with throughout the entire process. Both of them are GREAT people. Since the day we met, we felt that we had know Father Stephen for our whole lives. He was so easy to talk to, welcoming, informative/helpful, kind, personable, and professional. He is a great communicator and is always available via text/call/email. We really appreciated the special add-ons to the ceremony that allowed our guests to get a deeper look into the love between my husband & I. We have received a ton of compliments on how beautiful our ceremony was. I cannot recommend Father Stephen enough!!!!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Julia - THANK YOU so much for allowing the Mission to be part of your holy day! Blessings to both of you! Saint Joseph Mission Church! -
![Kerry]()
Kerry Sent on 11/03/2025Father Joe is amazing
Father Joe made our day so special. From masses to pre Cana, he made every moment incredible. We truly appreciate his dedication and thoughtfulness. It was an amazing day and we couldn’t have done it without him. We received so many compliments. Father Joe is the best!😊Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Kerry & Aaron - YOU BOTH are the BEST! Thank you for your kind words....blessings always, Fr Joe -
Meghan Sent on 10/01/2025
Best Ceremony We Could Ask For
Father Joe is the most amazing, kind hearted Priest who created the most perfect beach wedding ceremony and brought God right to the altar with us at ICONA Diamond Beach Resort. Our families and friends were astonished at how incredible Father Joe told our love story with our “homework” assignments and really made it feel just like we were at church. Thank you Father Joe!!!! We are so lucky to have not only had you as our priest to marry us but also witness you marry our friends as well.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Meghan & Howard I can never thank you both enough for all of your kindness and grace. And the blessings of your family is second to none. When the Sun broke through those clouds onto your face, I truly saw the face of God. And the seagull (that looked like a Dove) that hovered above you both was a gift from above. Thank you both so much! Love and blessings always, Fr Joe -
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![Mady]()
Mady Sent on 08/24/2025Couldn't have asked for a better officiant and ceremony!
Father Joe was truly the best priest we could have asked for to guide us throughout our engagement and to officiate our wedding. He truly embodies all of the values of christianity and catholicism that are so important to us: that God does not exist within the church, but rather through love and our actions toward others. With his guidance, we were able to create a ceremony that was perfectly meaningful to us as individuals and as a couple. Although our wedding day was absolutely perfect, our ceremony was our favorite part, and all of our guests were blown away at how beautifully personal and meaningful every detail was. We are endlessly grateful for Father Joe and The Mission Church for making our wedding day so very special! He is truly the best!!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Mady & Mitch - YOU are the reason that wedding was so wonderful. Your love, light and faith shows the world how important marriage really is. Your families are the best! Hope to see you at Mass, Fr Joe -
![Michael]()
Michael Sent on 05/01/2025Father Joe is the best, would pick him all over again!
Father Joe is the absolute best!!! It was truly a personal and heartwarming wedding ceremony. He made sure we were comfortable and that it met our needs from planning to the day itself. He created a beautiful ceremony that that reflected on out love story as a couple. The whole Saint Joseph Mission team goes above and beyond to ensure a memorable and stress-free ceremony and all that goes into it. We would pick Father Joe all over again, he made the day truly special and our guests even made sure to tell us how much they enjoyed the unique personal nature of the ceremony.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Mike & Jessica - BLESS you both for your great kindness and love! What a great photo - and what a great holy water blessing - you are the best sport ever! Hope to see you at mass and call upon me if you need anything at all. Prayers and joy forever, Fr Joe -
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![Amanda]()
Amanda Sent on 05/01/2025Wedding day
Having Father Joe marry my husband Mark and I was a dream. It was very important to both of us to have this type of ceremony but in a place special to us and Father Joe made that possible. He was compassionate, romantic, and had a beautiful sense of humor which made our ceremony all the more perfect. The compliments we received after our big day was a true testament to his work. I am so happy we had Father Joe there and I wouldn’t want anyone else to have married us.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Amanda & Mark - YOU both are a dream and bringing dear friends back together again on this faith journey was a gift from God! I can't thank you both enough. Come to Mass any time - I would love to bless you both again at church. THANK YOU for this! Fr Joe
Join us in 2025 for Worship & In Person Pre-Cana
May 4 at 3:00 pm - Church of the Ascension 1 Kingsley Ave., Staten Island NY
May 25 at 12:15 pm – Baptism Sunday Bethany/All Saints Church - 262 Joralemon St. Belleville, NJ
June 8 at 3:00 pm - Church of the Ascension 1 Kingsley Ave., Staten Island NY
June 22 at 12 noon - Bethany/All Saints Church - 262 Joralemon St. Belleville, NJ
Sept. 21at 12 noon – Bethany/All Saints Church - 262 Joralemon St. Belleville, NJ
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![Kaitlyn]()
Kaitlyn Sent on 11/16/2024Personal Wedding Ceremony
We had the most amazing wedding ceremony all thanks to Father Joe. Our guests cannot stop gushing over the way that Father Joe was able to tailor our ceremony to who we are as individuals and as a couple. We ultimately chose this Mission because they bring God out of the Church and to the place where you want to start your next chapter together. -
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![Phil & Jill Masi]()
Jillian Sent on 10/11/2024The best of the best
Father Rix and Father Joe were truly the best part of our wedding journey. We had so much fun during our Pre-Cana classes, the rehearsal and the final ceremony. They are the sweetest people to work with and are so attentive and caring. Working with them was truly a blessing from god himself. They are so attentive and really care about getting to know each and every one of their couples. The ceremony was truly so special and so many people are still talking about it. I LOVE THEM!!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Jill and Phil - BLESS you both for your wonderful spirit and love. Thank you for your great kindness and also thank you for your serve in protecting and serving humanity! Wishing you both every joy! Fr Joe & Fr Rix -
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![D D]()
D D Sent on 07/14/2024Could not have selected a better priest
Father Ciccone was truly a gem. He supported us throughout the process of planning leading up to our special day. Our ceremony was unique because we had both Indian and Catholic ceremonies. And Father Ciccone acknowledged as such and brought such a wonderful touch to our vows. Our relatives were so moved that they were lining up to take photos with him afterwards! We couldn't have picked anyone better to make our ceremony more beautiful and memorable. Would highly recommend. -
![Taylor]()
Taylor Sent on 07/09/2024Perfect Addition
Fr. Joe is amazing, & the perfect addition to any ceremony. Highly recommend -
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![Jessica]()
Jessica Sent on 06/05/2024A true blessing in our lives
There are not enough words to put down that could convey how grateful my now husband and I are that we came across the Saint Joseph Mission Church and Father Joseph. Father Joseph recently officiated our wedding and he went above and beyond in ways that blew us away and we will truly cherish for the rest of our lives! From the zoom meetings prepping us and making us feel comfortable for our wedding day, his amazing book, Happily Ever After, and the calm he brought on our wedding day was more than we ever expected. And the ceremony makes me cry just thinking about it. Father Joseph not only gave the best and most meaningful ceremony by bringing the church to us at our wedding venue but he personalized so much of it for Nick & I that meant the world to us! We got endless compliments about his service. And if that wasn’t enough, days after the wedding we had a very sick family member. Father Joe personally came to our home to do a blessing and we can say he saved my mother in laws life. Meeting Father Joseph is one of the best things in our lives and we are blessed to have him as what we consider our family now forever. THANK YOU, Father Joe and the Saint Joseph Mission Church!!! 🙏🏻❤️Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Jessica & Nick - the thanks belongs to both you and Nick. Your kindness and goodness made the day so special and I can't wait to see you at church and continue the blessing of love that both of you bring to the world. Prayers of love and joy to both of you and your amazing family! Fr Joe -
Alberta Sent on 02/27/2024
Absolutely amazing
Words cannot describe how much we loved working with Father Joe. We ask God to continue blessing him and working thru him. He made an already joyous occasion that much more special. From the first encounter to the end he was just an amazing person to work with. He incorporated so much detail into our time constraints and made it look flawless. Thank you so much to Father Joe and the church.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Alberta - thank you, the Mission was honored to help and be there in Tampa FLA - a wedding on a ship, wow. And Blessings to Rev. Fr. Rix Thorsell for flying down to make this wonderful day happen for God's Church. Fr Rix LOVED being there for all of you! God Bless! -
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![Rachida]()
Rachida Sent on 02/22/2024We are so blessed to be Married by Father Joe!!
I can’t tell you how thankful I am that we found Father Joe and how incredible his Mission is. Not only did he craft the perfect Wedding ceremony for us, he included references to my Husband’s Faith… it was beautiful and perfect!
Thank you for bringing God and Love everywhere Father Joe - you are truly a GIFT!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Rachida you and Mike found the most beautiful setting at Kirkpatrick Chapel at Rutgers University, what a grand experience with amazing people. Blessings to both of you, your wonderful family and I truly hope to see all of you again at Church, we are back at Saint Matthew's in Union City on Palm Sunday! God love you all! -
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Brian Sent on 11/11/2023
The Best Choice
We cannot say enough good things about Father Joe Ciccone, along with Father Rick and the Saint Joseph Mission Church. We asked Father Joe to be the priest and officiant for our wedding after seeing him at a friend's wedding, and could not have been happier. Fr. Joe was not only a true professional in the planning and preparation process, but also an amazing spiritual guide for us as we brought our lives together. On the big day, Fr. Joe came to our location and delivered a genuinely warm and moving ceremony, complete with laughs and a few tears. He kept everyone engaged and offered us, as the bride and groom, profound spiritual guidance for our lives together going forward. Fr. Joe is as genuine as they come and we look forward to attending mass at the Church and keeping in touch with him going forward. We couldn't have made a better choice for our wedding day.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Brian & Lauren - BLESS you both, and thank you on this wonderful Sunday morning for sending another gift to love to the Mission and helping support Saint Joseph! Both of you are beyond kind, good and so joyful - I am so looking forward to seeing you both at church in the spring. The Mission in on Retreat - PLEASE Join us in 2024 for Worship At Saint Matthew Church at 2201 New York Ave., Union City NJ at 1:00 pm for Mass – Wedding PREP & Baptisms - starting on (Palm Sunday) March 24, April 14, May 5 (Orthodox Easter), June 9, July 21, Sept. 8 & Oct. 6, 2024
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![Gianna]()
Gianna Sent on 09/08/2023Bringing Catholicism Into Our Wedding
I just wanted to take a moment to share with you the absolute adoration and love my husband and I have been receiving for our marriage ceremony. Father Joe is an absolute force and many relatives and friends have expressed that they have never felt so spiritually connected to their Catholicism as they were at our wedding ceremony. From the Grandpa Vito jokes to just understanding how important it was to connect our religion to our joyous occasion, we have all agreed that he is truly doing "God's Work" and his mission to spread God's love through tradition and modern practice has relit an inspiration in countless guests' lives; needless to say, my husband and mine too. You deserve to know how highly you are praised and revered Father Joe is. during our ceremony, we had our first kiss holding rosary beads he blessed. We have displayed our rosary beads along with our Blessed Mother statue where we can see them and remember our special day, every single day. Father Joe made our wedding ceremony more perfect than I could have ever imagined and finding the Catholic mission church that is helping modern day Catholics connect with their religion is the biggest blessing of all.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Gianna & Sal - thank you for your kind and wonderful words, but more importantly for your amazing spirit and faith. I truly had so much fun on your holy day, and it was the first time I got to witness a wedding "High Five"....that was so cool! Blessings to both of you and hope to see you at Church. We are back at Saint Matthew Church - 2201 New York Ave., Union City on Sept. 17 at 1pm! Prayers for love forever, Fr Joe -
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![enza]()
Enza Sent on 07/31/2023Father Rix made our day!
Father Rix, made our ceremony so personal, funny, touching, and so much more. It was truly our favorite part of the entire wedding!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
It was such a blessing to walk with you on this journey! You both made the day such an incredible moment at the Park Chateau, blessed to be along for this incredible time in your lives. Thank you for your kind words and I look forward to seeing what the future has in store for you both! - Father Rix -
Alessandra Sent on 06/27/2023
Such a meaningful, personable ceremony!
Our wedding ceremony was absolutely perfect with the help of Father Joe. Such an amazingly sweet man, who made my entire family and friends laugh and cry at the same time. He made our ceremony so meaningful and personable my guests could not stop raving about him! I would highly recommend father Joe to do your wedding you will not be disappointed (:Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Ally what a kind thing to say - but it is you and Brian that are indeed a kind and loving couple. Bless you always! Fr Joe -
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![Joan]()
Joan Sent on 06/01/20231000000/ 10!!
We are extremely happy and blessed to have Father Joe as our Celebrant. Everyone loved our ceremony and mentioned how great our priest was at officiating our marriage. He kept our guests engaged until the end and some of them even asked for his information- that's how good he is!! Our ceremony was religious and personalized to us which made it feel even more meaningful. He is very responsive and answered all questions we had promptly. I highly encourage everyone to avail the custom wedding package because it was so worth it. We were told by so many that our ceremony was the best part, and words are not enough to thank Father Joe for making this possible! He truly is the best!! 100000/ 10!!! -
![Estefany]()
Estefany Sent on 05/21/202310/10 Experience!
The moment we met Father Joe and Father Rix via Zoom we knew we found the people to marry us. Every event we attended with them felt very warm, authentic and very COVID-safe. We attended the retreat they held and it was the most chill and enjoyable retreat I have ever attended. Everyone we met talked about how welcomed they felt from all aspects of life. For untraditional couples with different faiths or even divorcees felt they belong there. The retreat was very intentional to make us feel we all were welcomed by GOD. We got married on April 28th and Father Rix was very diligent in ensuring the day went as planned. Thank you Father Rix for planning and organizing all the logistics for our big day. Father Joe delivered a heartfelt and special ceremony that left our guests raving about it during the cocktail hour. Anyone who reaches out to us about our wedding always begins with "Your ceremony was the BEST ceremony we have ever been to. Your vows, Father Joe, just WOW. A truly memorable experience 10/10!"Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
You both have truly made God smile and both of us as well. Thank you for being part of our Church and coming to the Wedding Retreat, you brought so much joy and fun. And I will NEVER forget that amazing dress and the words of our book "Happily Ever After" and that indeed is my prayer for your life! Blessing abound and hope to see you at Mass - come for Father's Day - Saint Matthew Church 2201 New York Ave., Union City at 1pm - so I can bless all of you on the altar! Fr Joe -
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![Kimberly]()
Kimberly Sent on 12/12/2022Highlight of Our Wedding
Not only do we think we had the most beautiful wedding ceremony, but we have gotten flooded with compliments from our wedding guests on how wonderful it was. When we first met Father Ciccone at pre-cana we knew how blessed we were to have found him and to have him officiate our ceremony. It was so personal and special to us. He was able to do a special blessing for us before the ceremony which was a private moment for our immediate families. We also had to move our wedding indoors last minute and in the chaos he made sure to find us and keep us calm. I can't speak enough about how thankful we are and how much we will cherish this day.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Kim thank you for those kind words and even with the weather it was still the best day ever! Bless you both and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! -
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![Jamie]()
Jamie Sent on 11/25/2022Father Joseph Ciccone is the most amazing priest we could have ever asked for!
It all started when we attended a wedding where Father Joe was the priest- we immediately fell in love and knew we needed him there on our special day. Father Joe went above and beyond- he is family now! He is so kind, dedicated, caring, and has the most fun-loving personality. Everyone at our wedding was raving about how amazing he was (still to this day!) and was asking about how we found him!! Before our wedding, Father Joe took the time to work with us in Pre-Cana and we loved every second of it- we continued to go often. We love going to church and listening to him talk about our Lord! He really made it that much more known that God was with us on our special day! Father Joe did an excellent job at our ceremony- he made it beautiful, heartfelt, and kept everyone laughing. He painted the picture of our marriage in the most beautiful way with the three things Mike and I love about each other. I highly recommend him and the whole team at Saint Joseph's Mission Church. They are an inspiration and will make your day unforgettable.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dean Jamie & Michael - GOD love you both and thank you for these amazing and so very kind words. But truly it was both of you coming to Mass and doing so much with Pre-Cana to make not only your wedding day wonderful but your life together. Hope to see you both in the Spring at Church - Have a wonderful Advent & Christmas. Love and prayers, Fr Joe -
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Jennifer Sent on 10/14/2022
The best!
I absolutely love Father Joe!!! We chose him to officiate our wedding & he made our ceremony so special and memorable. Our ceremony was my favorite part of our wedding and it was all anyone was talking about during cocktail hour!!! Our friends and family are still raving about what an extraordinary job he did and I really can’t thank him enough!!!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Jennifer thank you. It was you and James who made that day in NYC so special. Thank you for allowing me to also bless your family, it was truly both a holy and special day full of love, hope, and joy! Blessings, Fr Joe -
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Nick Sent on 10/04/2022
An Amazing Wedding Officiant
My Wife and I wanted to keep an element of our faith within our wedding ceremony. Seeing as how we didn’t get married inside a church, that seemed to be a challenge. Father Joe helped us to bring Christ into our wedding in the most sentimental and poetic way. It was genuine, it was real, it was thoughtful. Even though we put together our custom ceremony, I can’t imagine it having been performed by anyone else. He really takes the time to get to know you as best he can in the times you get to meet, and he is able to put together an amazing ceremony that will leave every guest complimenting you on how beautiful it was. He genuinely cares and it shows. I highly recommend to all future newly weds that want to keep the Faith within their ceremony. Thank you Father JoeSaint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Nick & Daniella it was both of you that shared the poetry of love to the world, thank you for allowing me to be a small part of that holy day. Thank you also for your kindness and grace. I hope to see you both at Mass and please know you can call upon me at anytime. Blessings and love always + Fr Joe -
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![Ana]()
Ana S. Sent on 09/09/2022Simply Amazing
We renewed our wedding vows after 17 years in August 2022 and had Father Joe facilitate our ceremony. His delivery was simply amazing. He shared a story about our life together and how we overcame obstacles. It was important to me to have a Catholic ceremony and the blessing, and he delivered just that and more. He brought the word to life n front of our family and friends. Our guests could not stop talking about the ceremony and how touching it was. His words were very powerful, meaningful and truly brought to life our relationship of 17 years and how we’ve kept the love going. He is simply amazing.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Ana & "Sgt" to be - God bless you both and thank you for all of your faith and goodness. You truly brought great joy to this wonderful day! I was honor to be a small part of it. Come to Mass next Sunday 9/18 at 1pm Saint Matthew Church 2201 New York Ave., Union City I would love to bless you on the Altar +++ Fr Joe -
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![Stephanie]()
Stephanie Sent on 08/27/2022The absolute best!
Father Joe is the absolute BEST and we cannot say enough great things about him! He made our ceremony so special and beautiful. We are both catholic and wanted a catholic priest to officiate our small/intimate ceremony at the restaurant we booked for our wedding. It worked out SO perfectly and Father Joe was there for us every step of the way to help us plan and prepare for our day and journey as a married couple. The Pre-Cana class and mass were also wonderful and helpful. Not only did we have such an incredible experience, we also gained a friend and amazing priest. We highly recommend The Saint Joseph Mission Church and Father Joe!!!!!!!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Both of you are the reason that everything was so wonderful. When 2 or more are gathered God is indeed there! Thank you both for your great kindness and love. I am actually recovering from surgery this week and will be back at Church in Union City on Sept. 18 - please come and visit - I would love to bless you on the Altar! Fr Joe -
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Kristin Sent on 07/21/2022
Our wedding / our priest
We couldn’t be more happy with our priest, Father Joe. He married us July 8th and it was the most amazing ceremony I’ve ever seen. He had us crying, laughing & smiling the whole time. I couldn’t be more grateful for him. -
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![Daniel]()
Daniel Sent on 03/15/2022Father Joe is a a true blessing and a dear friend
Father Joe is truly one of a kind. My wife and I were married by Father Joe in November 2021 and from our first meeting to this very day he has been nothing short of a true blessing and a dear friend. It only took 5 minutes in our first meeting together to know Father Joe would make this journey for us a special one. From our wonderful Pre-Cana classes with him, to rehearsal, to our wedding day Father Joe answered any and all questions we had and most importantly made our wedding day one that we will never forget. He is so incredibly detail oriented, genuine and really took the time to get to know us. This has made an everlasting impression on us as well as our families! We repeatedly were asked how long we knew Father Joe and even though we had only met a few months prior it seemed we knew each other our whole lives. He brings a warm welcoming feeling that is rare to find that radiates to all that are around him. We both grew up going to Catholic school and it was very important to us to have a priest officiate our wedding even though we were getting married at the venue. Saint Joseph's Mission Church and Father Joe provided us with a loving and spiritual wedding ceremony and we couldn't have asked for anything better.
Father Joe thank you so much for everything you have done for us during our journey. The genuine love and care you have for your couples is something we will never forget. We look forward to seeing you at Church!
To all the brides- and grooms-to-be, Saint Joseph's Mission Church is the truly the best place you can go for your wedding prep, ceremony, and continue your Catholic journey.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dan - you and Amanda are the true gift from God, you made this journey of faith so strong (that could be because of all the Catholic Schools you both went to, lol)...but really - I am so humbled to be part of this holy experience because of you. Thank you both for coming to mass and also being mentors at Sunday's Pre-Cana Session - you both are amazing. Love and prayers, Fr Joe -
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![Bianca]()
Bianca Sent on 03/12/2022Father Joe is the best!
I'm honestly not even sure where to start with Father Joe. He was truly the best officiant and made our journey with him so easy and fun! I knew from the first conversation I wanted him to be our priest at our wedding. He was so genuine and truly took the time to get to know us, our story, and help us with this new journey we were going to begin. He made everything so easy and our guest LOVED him. Our ceremony was so beautiful and Father Joe made everyone smile, laugh, and shed a couple of happy tears! We would recommend him a million times!!!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Bianca bless you both - and thank you for everything! It was such an honor to bless you both and hope to see you at Mass - at Saint Matthew Church – 2201 New York Ave., Union City NJ t 1pm on March 13 - April 10 (Palm Sunday), May 15, June 5, July 10, Aug. 7, Sept. 18, and Oct. 9th – God love you all + Follow us - on TikTox @saintjosephmission or on our Facebook page (@facebook.com/saintjosephmissionchurch) we can’t wait to see you at Church! GOD LOVE YOU BOTH + -
![Fiona]()
Fiona Sent on 01/26/2022Heartfelt and Memorable Ceremony
Words cannot begin to describe how wonderful Father Joe is and his entire ministry. From the very first phone call I had with Father Joe, to the end of our ceremony, it was just peaceful and smooth working together. We knew from our first call with Father Joe that he was the officiant for us. We wanted a religious aspect to our ceremony and wanted specifically a priest. Father Joe made us feel so comfortable and welcoming. He was funny and made the pre-wedding counseling impactful and memorable. We received so many compliments about our ceremony and how Father Joe made everyone feel a special part of the day. Many of our guests loved how Father Joe knew us and incorporated many details into our ceremony. Father Joe is a part of our lives that we will cherish forever. We couldn't have pictured our wedding without Father Joe. God bless him and his ministrySaint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Fiona bless you both and thank you for these kind words, but more for your holy presence. You were both so wonderful to celebrate with and I look forward to seeing you both in Church (we are back in Union City at Saint Matthew's on March 13 - 1pm) there are still more things to do with God - Bless you always, Fr Joe -
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![Jacqueline]()
Jacqueline Sent on 01/24/2022Fantastic, authentic and loving ceremony!
We asked Fr. Joe to officiate our wedding after searching for a long time for someone who understood our faith and commitment to our love of each other. My husband and I were so impressed by the authenticity that Father Joseph Ciccone Helped bring out in us. He helped make us feel so comfortable exchanging vows in front of our loved ones that it felt we were the only two in the room. His sincerity and loving personality with the perfect twist of laughter helped make our wedding memories the best they could possibly be and will last not only our lifetime but our family as well. I would recommend Fr. Joseph Ciccone highly to anyone who is looking for the right mixture of love, laughter, authenticity and faith.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Jacquie & Dave - BLESS YOU BOTH and thank you so much for not only your kind words - but for making that day so holy! Your loving presence is a gift from God! And as much as I would love to share what your husband wore on that special day- I will only say, he was the coolest dressed groom ever! Love and thanks, Fr Joe -
Tara Sent on 10/22/2021
We could not have asked for a better experience!
Words cannot express how wonderful our experience with the Church, and indeed, with Father Joe has been from start to finish. From the immensely useful pre-cana, which truly helped us talk through some of the larger questions of our marriage, to the grace, love, and flexibility we were shown through the process, we could not be more grateful. Father Joe prepared the most beautiful ceremony that had our guests in tears (including some of laughter!) and we could not have ever imagined a more perfect, special evening from start to finish. Every single guest came away saying just how poignant and meaningful his words were, and he found a way to make it sentimental, funny, and unforgettable. Most of all, Father Joe went above to make the brides family, who were thousands of miles away due to covid travel restrictions feel like they were there in person, and found several ways to include them in the ceremony. We are so grateful for his kindness, flexibility, and guidance through what could have been a stressful and difficult process. We wholeheartedly recommend working with Father Joe and his team, we can promise you will not regret it!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Tara and Andrew - bless you both for your kindness and showing the world what hope is - it is indeed LOVE. Thank you for bringing me so close to the Heaven atop of that amazing building overlooking "Freedom Tower" and the new life of possibilities both of you have. Prayers and love always, Fr Joe -
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![Allie]()
Allie Sent on 10/18/2021Absolutely amazing experience!
My husband and I recently held our wedding on 10/10/21 and had Father Joe as our priest to perform the Sacrament of Marriage for us. We absolutely loved having Father Joe as part of our wedding both leading up to and including our marriage ceremony! Especially given that we have experienced such challenging times recently due to the pandemic, working with Father Joe was such a breath of fresh air and allowed for a level of comfort knowing that we had his love and support to get us through!
The entire experience of working with St Joseph Mission Church was absolutely incredible. From the moment that we reached out to the church we felt the love and excitement radiating from our email. Every single interaction since then far exceeded our expectations. We were thrilled to get to know all of the priests during our attendance at mass, precana and virtual meetings. We worked most closely with Father Joe as he was the one to perform our Sacrament. We could not say enough positive things about him- he was truly amazing.
We have to say- the amount of compliments and praise that we received after our ceremony about Father Joe was outstanding! Every single person that we spoke with in attendance could not say more kind words about Father Joe. Everyone loved his involvement and several people even requested his information, which we were more than happy to share with them for their own weddings or children's weddings.
Father Joe also went above and beyond to stay after our ceremony to sit with and talk to my grandmother as she has not been able to attend church several years due to mobility issues. It meant the world to her and he truly helped restore some happiness and positivity in her life!
We truly enjoyed getting to know Father Joe and look forward to staying connected with him in the future!!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Allie & Vinny - BLESS you both for everything, your kind words, you true happy spirit and a wonderful day full of love - is all because of both of you! I was honored to be a small part of it. Spending time with a beloved grandmother and giving communion was truly a gift from God +++ Hope to see you at our Christmas Concert - Sunday Dec. 5 at 1pm - Saint Matthew Church - 2201 New York Ave., Union City NJ - Peace & Love, Fr Joe -
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![Jac]()
Jac Q. Sent on 10/11/2021If we could give Father Joe 100 stars we would!!!
We couldn't have done this without Father Joe! Being Catholic, we wanted to be married by a priest but also believe that love is love and were looking for more progressive views. Father Joe was so supportive during the entire process, and helped ease our anxiety while planning a wedding during a pandemic. We truly enjoyed our Zoom pre-cana session as well as the in person one when church reopened with other couples going through the same worries. The pre-cana was fun and stress free and focused on what was really important-our love for each other.
Cue to the ceremony! I cannot thank Father Joe enough for such an amazing ceremony. He arrived early and spent time talking to and comforting my mom (I had just lost my uncle a month ago) as well as members of the bridal party. He offered communion, did a run through of what to expect, and even got me some tissues when I started to get overwhelmed. He also made sure to hide me in the kitchen as my guests started walking in before I could hide. He truly was such a positive and calming presence during a time of craziness!
The ceremony was BEAUTIFUL. It was outside, but even so, Father Joe made sure to discuss mask wearing prior and what our comfortability levels were. We love that it was a perfect blend of seriousness but also lightheartedness and laughs-which was perfect for us. He incorporated our "homework assignment" into his message and had all of our guests in tears. When a shuttle full of guests arrived a little late, he invited them to come sit down, which I later found out everyone was so happy about because the venue told them they were not allowed to go sit down until the ceremony was over. Every single guest came up to us after the ceremony was over to talk about how amazing Father Joe was. They wanted more information on who he was and they all raved about how it was the best ceremony they've ever been to. My bridal party is still telling me how much they loved it!! This truly will be one of our favorite memories forever. would recommend him in a heartbeat-especially to any couple currently dealing with the weight of the pandemic. We have found our priest and look forward to more celebrations with Father Joe! I
Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
I had so much fun at your wedding - there is nothing like hiding is the kitchen with the best School Teacher ever - bless you both for your kind words and truly for such a real sense of joy and love that you showed the world - hope to see you at church and PLEASE call upon if you need anything +++ blessings, Fr Joe -
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![Iris]()
Iris Sent on 10/06/2021A very happy bride!
My husband and I got married post covid on September 26th, 2021. We were the first couple to get married in St. Joseph’s church since closing their doors during the pandemic. We couldn’t have wanted our ceremony any different and we cannot thank this perish enough…Father Joe, the deacons and other staff of the parish that went great lengths to make our ceremony safe, intimate, and beautiful! They followed proper safety precautions during our service and communion. My friends and family felt safe and have been talking about our beautiful service now for two weeks!
My husband and I were discouraged about the wedding process before meeting Father Joe. We wanted to get married in the Catholic Church this year but didn’t have many options. Once we met, he didn’t make the process complicated whatsoever. I just remember the entire process leading up to our special day being so stress free. Hallelujah!!
Father Joe was there for us every step of the way, answering our emails, texts and calls to try his best to make sure we had everything we needed leading up to our wedding. We had the option to customize our ceremony to our liking and got to pick our our own music! It was truly something special. Father Joe even gave us a few recommendations of vendors to use for our special day (which we used!)
Father Joe was so helpful and I thank god we connected. We’re lucky to say that he will be our priest for years to come!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Iris and Doug - I can't thank you enough for your kind words and also for your great goodness and love. It is both of you that made this Mass in Church so wonderful - and also getting to meet Doug's grandmother who as Married on that same altar truly was a gift from God - please come back to mass anytime - we are back at Saint Matthew Church on Oct 17 - 1pm - GOD bless you both +++ Fr Joe
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![Christina]()
Christina Sent on 09/24/2021So grateful to have found St. Joseph Mission Church
We are so grateful to have had Father Joe marry us. We were on the search for a while for the perfect church to become part of and raise our future children in- a place where everyone is accepted and welcomed. Father Joe helped us through this very difficult time of having to reschedule our wedding due to covid and was there for us every step of the way. He got to know us as well as our family. Because of him our ceremony was exactly how we always pictured it. We look forward to continuing to attend mass and being part of St. Joseph’s for years to come.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
The most fun Disney wedding I have ever done - the readings alone that you picked Christina made the day so special - in addition to both of you making the day so bright and wonderful - forever grateful - blessings and love, Fr Joe -
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Merissa Sent on 09/19/2021
Jason and Merissa Manos
Wow - what an amazing experience working with Father Joe for our August 2021 wedding. During such unprecedented times with the pandemic, Father Joe was so encouraging and flexible with our journey together. We met and spoke with Father Joe several times prior to our wedding and we knew immediately he was going to be the perfect addition to our wedding. Aside from helping us with preparing to wed and facilitating important conversations between my husband and I, Father Joe also listened to some of my emotionally charged stories from working as a nurse during the height of the pandemic in NYC. We felt so comfortable with him and it showed during the ceremony as he made our ceremony so beautiful and personal. He even suggested a beautiful Jewish wedding blessing to have read during our Catholic ceremony in honor of my Father’s religious background which was a beautiful way to tie in part of my upbringing. All of our guests raved about the ceremony that Father Joe gave us and we will absolutely continue to keep in touch with him as we continue our journey as a married couple! Thank you Father Joe and Saint Joseph’s Mission Church!!!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
GOD bless you both and all the nurses in the world who have done so much this year! You are truly the hands and heart of God - Merissa you and Jason blessed me on this holy day, thank you for taking me of this amazing journey of faith - hope to see you at Mass! Call upon if you need anything! Peace and joy always, Fr Joe -
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![Gabby]()
Gabby Sent on 08/03/2021Beautiful Ceremony
We are so happy we found Father Joe and Saint Joseph Mission Church. My husband and I wanted to have an outdoor ceremony at Park Savoy in the traditional Catholic style that we were brought up upon. We were having a hard time finding a priest that would be willing to do a service outside the church and after some research, found Father Joe. This was one of the best decisions to have him and his team be a part of our special day and our journey from becoming engaged to becoming husband and wife. Father Joe is kind, patient, easy to work with, and just makes you feel at ease. He put together the perfect ceremony that had everyone engaged throughout the entire time. Our ceremony was the right balance of traditional Catholic style with a few modern elements and even some humor and personality. This was the first wedding I’ve been to where guests remembered and could not stop talking about the ceremony, which says it all. We received so many compliments about Father Joe and our ceremony. Most of all, we were so happy with the experience. Everything was beautifully and eloquently said and it really felt personal. There were many happy tears shed. One of the parts of our ceremony we enjoyed the most was my husband and I sharing the “3 reasons why we love each other”. It was so different from other wedding ceremonies and set the tone for the day beautifully. What a standout moment and something we will never forget. My husband and I were fortunate in that we were able to keep our original wedding date and did not have to reschedule it due to COVID. However, Father Joe was wonderful in hosting monthly check-ins with all of his couples to see how everyone was doing and offering any help and guidance as we all navigated the pandemic. Father Joe was always available to answer any questions over email and we enjoyed our one-on-one meetings with him as well. He made us feel very prepared for entering into marriage and we felt like he was there for us every step of the way. We feel like we have a priest for life and are so blessed to have had him be a part of our special day. Thank you Father Joe for everything. Our wedding would not have been the same without you!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Gabby & Brian - THANK YOU for all of your kindness and grace during this year and planning through a pandemic - it is your love that showed the world - that God, Faith, Hope and LOVE always wins. The day was truly wonderful because of both of you and your family! And of course the "doves" were great +++ Bless you both, please come to Church we are back at Saint Matthew Church -2201 New York Ave., Union City on Aug. 22 - at 1pm. Love and great thanks again! Fr Joe -
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![Michael]()
Michael Sent on 07/03/2021Father Joe is the best!!
Our ceremony was better than we could have ever imagined all thanks to Father Joe!! He was fantastic from beginning to end. He helped us and was a great resource not only in helping create “the most beautiful ceremony“ many of our guests ever had been to but also in guiding us in other aspects of the wedding planning process. Father Joe clearly loves what he does and it shows. He really cares and wants to put on the best ceremony because he really cared about us and other couples. All of our family and friends have been talking about how amazing our ceremony was. He makes an effort to get to know them and makes the ceremony so personal - he’s such a professional. It rained during our ceremony so we needed to go under a tent and he didn’t skip a beat even directing some of the event personnel on what was needed. In speaking with our parents before the ceremony he was able to incorporate some of his discussions in his homily and ceremony(it rained during when my parents got married as we and he incorporate that) It’s hard to put it into words - he's amazing. We are so happy we were fortunate enough to have father Joe marry us. We will stay very close to Father Joe not only because he now has a special place in our hearts but also because all of our family members and friends are asking for his contact info not only for weddings but for other ceremonies. Thank you and Father Joe we love you
Mike and BrittanySaint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Mike & Brittany - I love you both!!! Thank you so much for those amazing and kind words - but both of you did all of this by showing the world the power and how important love and faith are - thank you for teaching me at lesson as well ! I hope to see you at church - anytime you are able - here is the info - and call upon me if you need anything +++ bless you both! We return to public Mass at Saint Matthew Church at 2201 New York Ave., Union City on the following dates at 1:00 pm with Pre-Cana to follow
July 4 – A special Blessing Mass to welcome us back and gifts “ HAT day” to all who attend will be given – thank you for supporting us and we are here to support all of you!
July 25 – Aug. 22 - Sept. 19 - Oct. 17 - Nov. 21 - Dec. 5, 2021
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![Jana]()
Jana Sent on 06/23/2021Father Joe is the BEST!
A friend of ours who got married before us recommended Father Joe to us while we were planning our wedding and we could not be happier with him as our wedding officiant and priest! We had to postpone our wedding twice due to Covid - and he was easy to communicate with during that process. Leading up to the wedding, we got to spend some "zoom" time with him and he's just so friendly and welcoming. My *husband* was raised in the Catholic church and I wasn't - but I never felt weird about that around Father Joe. Finally, on the day of our wedding (after a really thorough rehearsal the night before!) Father Joe started our wedding on the best note. He went out of his way to include my Mom who passed away in our ceremony which was really special to me and my family. Our guests RAVED about him and we just couldn't recommend him enough.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Jana & Ricky - YOU are the ones who made the day so very special and holy - it was both of you - who showed such strong faith and your kindness and love to both each other, God and even me - shall never be forgotten. Prayers continue for Mom who is watching from Heaven and always will. Hope to see you at Mass - we are back at Saint Matthew Church, 2201 New York Ave., Union City starting on the 4th of July at 1pm - Bless you both! And thank you both again for everything +++ -
Norah Sent on 05/30/2021
5/22/21 Sandy Hook Chapel (NJ) Wedding
Our day simply wouldn't have been the same without Father Joe!! He brought such a special quality to our ceremony. All of our guests loved him and talked about how much they enjoyed the ceremony. All of the elements of our ceremony reflected our personality, our love story, and what we had envisioned for our day.
We also made it a point to attend as many Pre-Cana sessions as possible. From the start, Father Joe made us feel at ease and welcomed. The sessions were great sources of marital advice; in addition, they were great opportunities to exchange stories and experiences with couples who were also planning their weddings during COVID-19. While we did get to have the party we envisioned, these sessions helped us stay grounded by reminding us that at the end of the day, the act of marriage, and not the party itself, is the most important part of a wedding.
We could not be more grateful for Father Joe's kindness, support, and thoughtfulness. When we got home and unpacked, we even found a note from Father Joe amongst our cards and a Rosary inside our ring box. It was just a beautiful day and we are so happy Father Joe was part of it!!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
I cannot THANK YOU both enough - you indeed made this day so full of tradition, love, hope and fun....the band was amazing - but not as amazing as your family and all of the great joy that was on that beach+++ bless you always! -
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![Peter]()
Peter Sent on 05/13/2021Father Joe went above and beyond what we expected from our priest in receiving the sacrament of marriage.
Father Joe has been more than helpful in making our marriage special and safe during a delicate time in this pandemic. It’s been a true blessing to have him by our side to guide us through the process and execute a wonderful ceremony on our wedding day.
We can’t express how happy we are to have met such a wonderful and charismatic priest. Father Joe goes beyond making the process easy and makes us recognize how special we are in fulfilling this sacrament.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
GOD bless you both - what a wonderful day made by a wonderful couple! Have a wonderful summer and come visit us at Saint Matthew Church in Union City - we are back for 1pm Mass - July 25 and bring the holy family with you +++
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![ELIZABETH]()
Elizabeth Sent on 05/10/2021Father Joe was amazing!!!
I am so happy we chose father Joe to marry my husband and I. We are both catholic, but wanted to get married outside the church. Father Joe made it perfect and is there with us every step of the way! My family and friends were raving about how special the ceremony. Thank you soooo very much father Joe!!
Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Elizabeth you and Nick were so amazing and truly made the day - so holy and special. My role is to bring God "out of the church" to where LOVE is...and both of you showed the world, that the darkness of this pandemic will not have the last word - GOD and LOVE will....thank you for being so strong in doing that! Blessing you both and thank you for these very kind words + -
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Danielle Sent on 11/20/2020
Simply the best !
Father Joe is fantastic! He is truly a pleasure to be around and made our wedding extra special. Our guests loved him and many even said this was one of the best ceremonies they’ve been to.
Our wedding was originally planned for April 2020 however was postponed to October 2020 due to COVID. Father Joe was there for us every step of the way, whether it be wedding related or not. Wedding prep was great; he made sure to have zoom meetings to catch up with all of the couples. It was a great experience.
We are so happy he was a part of our special day!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Thank you to two amazing Doctors, healers and truly kind and wonderful people. I am blessed because of both of you. Always remember the gift you have been given, to give sight to the blind. I hope you know that you have opened my eyes to what love is suppose to look like. Hoping to see you both soon once this pandemic is over! Blessings and love! Fr Joe -
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![Jacqueline]()
Jacqueline Sent on 11/16/2020Father Joe did a beautiful, intimate and fun wedding ceremony!
During uncertain times and many COVID restrictions and much fear in the world, the one certainty is love. Father Joe was there to unite me and my husband in our backyard with our small group of family and friends. His ceremony was so beautiful and intimate yet also relaxing and fun. He is a ray of sunshine that brought a beam of light around us on a day that I thought would be affected because of the darkness of the world. I was so wrong, I could not have asked for a better day and in part it was because of Father Joe! I would recommend him to any bride or groom who is looking to make your wedding about your love and unity. For our entire day, I forgot about all the worries of the world! That is what every wedding day should be!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Jacqueline - THANK YOU for those kind words - but it was you and Dave that made this day so holy and special - I was SO impressed that you let Dave wear that cool football jersey - it truly made the day a superbowl win! Blessings always +++ Fr Joe -
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![Rebecca]()
Rebecca Sent on 10/27/2020Amazing!
Truly cannot give enough praise to Father Joe for his partnership with us leading up to the ceremony and the day of, especially during these unique times. The ceremony was perfectly personable and he did so much to truly get to know us and make us and our bridal party feel comfortable and ready for our big day. Our guests could not stop talking about how great the ceremony was!!
Could not recommend him enough!!! -
Brittany Sent on 10/27/2020
Everyone Needs Father Joseph at their wedding!
Despite being in the middle of a pandemic, Father Joseph made sure our wedding ceremony was a day we would never forget. Leading up to the wedding he was always on call for us and super involved. He took the time to get to know us and my husband and I now consider him to be a very special friend. Everyone was coming up to us the entire night raving about how amazing our ceremony was. Father Joseph kept our guests engaged the entire time. We are so thankful for him and for making our wedding day so special despite a time of uncertainty. The day was filled with love and we couldn’t be happier. We will be keeping in touch with him for years to come.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Brittany & Lenny - THANK YOU both for your kindness and love; but thank you both for being both essential workers and first responders saving lives during this pandemic - you showed the world what LOVE is suppose to be all about! I am your prayers today and always + may all of Gods blessings and protection be upon you +++ Fr Joe -
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![Diana]()
Diana Sent on 10/27/2020Absolutely Spectacular Wedding
Words cannot describe how amazing Fr. Joe was for our wedding. He truly took the time to understand us as a couple and what our wants and needs were for our service. His group sessions and one-on-one sessions really helped us see our vision for our future as a couple. Fr. Joe is responsive, punctual and one of the easiest people to talk to. Our families also absolutely loved him. We cannot recommend Fr. Joe enough.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Diana & Chris - THANK YOU both so much! What an amazing day of love, tradition, hope and family. As well as being is such an Historic Church at Allaire State Park. May God bless you both and your families always +++ -
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![Caitlin]()
Caitlin Sent on 10/06/2020We love Father Joe!
Our wedding this past weekend was nothing short of magical. Father Joe made our wedding ceremony absolutely beautiful! He is an amazing speaker, he spoke so eloquently and made it so personal. We had a ton of guests come up to us during the reception raving about Father Joe and telling us that it was one of the best wedding ceremonies they have ever witnessed. Even during Covid- he was great to work with in the months before the wedding. He was so willing to help with anything we needed and quickly responded to my many emails. Even when we discussed switching venues because of covid, he was more than willing to accommodate us. Look no further for your officiant - he is the best there is!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Caitlin & Ryan - thank you for these kind words, but thank you for your grace, kindness, and love! It was such an honor to be part of your special and holy day - GOD and our Moms were truly with us on that mountain top and you made it all the more beautiful +++ blessings always, Your Priest, Fr Joe :-) -
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![Angel]()
Angel Sent on 09/28/2020Father Joe is a wonderful human being
Father Joe was so flexible, warm, and personable throughout our wedding process. We had a small elopement with just family, so having vendors with amazing personalities was super important to us given how intimate everything was. He was kind and so compassionate to our needs - and also so responsive! We did pre-cana via Zoom with a few other couples, which was honestly an enjoyable experience - and we got a lot out of it! On the day of, everyone made comments about how awesome Father Joe was (which is extremely high praise if you knew my mother haha). Just a perfect day! Thank you so much!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Angel & Ricky - THANK YOU both for being such an inspiration to me. You both have shown the world that the darkness of this pandemic will not have the last word - GOD, Love, and Faith will and together those ideals through both of you show us what joy is all about. God bless you and remember I am your priest if you need anything +++ Fr Joe -
![Brittany]()
Brittany Sent on 09/01/2020Fr. Joe was the highlight of our Wedding
We were so thrilled when we found Fr. Joe to marry us. We decided not to get married in a church, but still wanted an element of religion and tradition for our ceremony. He is the perfect combination of both! People talked about his service months after the wedding. He left such an impression on all of our family and friends. In wedding prep, Fr. Joe told us that he was our priest for life. We talked to him during the pandemic and also had him baptize our daughter almost 2 years later. We are so proud to call him our priest and friend.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Brittany & John - this journey of love, faith and now hope with the gift of your first child has been so beautiful to behold. Thank you for having me come to the family home, the Baptism was truly one of the most holy I have ever be honored to do...all that because of you and God +++ blessings always, Fr Joe -
![Mark]()
Mark Sent on 08/28/2020Made our special day even more special!
Father Joe was amazing! From the first contact, Pre-Cana, preparation and the service! He made our special day even better!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Mark - thank you for everything - I still can't get that great flag flying in front of your home out of my mind, what a wonderful time, from a kind and wonderful couple and an amazing family + bless you both +++ -
![Nicole]()
Nicole Sent on 08/27/2020The most beautiful ceremony!!!
Father Joe was the last vendor that I found for my wedding - I was having so much trouble finding someone to marry us as we were both raised Catholic and wanted someone who would honor the Catholic tradition of a ceremony, but we also really wanted to get married outside and wanted to be able to write our own vows - something you are not able to do inside the Roman Catholic Church. I had contacted what seemed like a ridiculous amount of Old Catholic priests who advertised marrying people outside, only to have them stop responding to me or to never get back to me in the first place. I was getting discouraged, and then I found Father Joe and he picked up immediately, checked to see if he was available, and sent me a ton of information and a contract to sign all within a few hours! He even said after our initial conversation that if he wasn't available on the day of our wedding, then he would put us in contact with a priest who was! He was such a blessing to the whole process, and made preparation and Pre-Cana so easy and fun. When we had to make the decision to postpone our wedding due to Covid-19, Father Joe immediately agreed to marry us in our backyard for an intimate ceremony on our original date, but also to be there next year for a vow renewal when we finally have the big celebration we had planned. We ended up live-streaming our small ceremony so that our friends and family could join in and they've all said the same thing - that Father Joe made the ceremony so nice and special while still allowing us to make it personal and feel very specific to us! We are so looking forward to next year, and to being a member of Father Joe's church for life!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Thank you both for showing the world that this pandemic does not have the last word - LOVE and FAITH does - I am humbled by your kind words and loved being both of you and your family. So looking forward to part II next year - prayers and blessings, Fr Joe -
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Dawn Sent on 08/11/2020Truly the BEST decision was Fr. Joe Ciccone!
During this pandemic, many people are stressing with what to do. We rescheduled our Dec ceremony and planned it all in less than a week to have the service at our home. Fr. Joe made it personal and absolutely amazing. Be flexible, adapt and make it all yours. We transformed our yard and everyone LOVED it. That it was simple, casual and represented who we are, were the highlights. If you really want the formality and your dream, have a simple ceremony at your home or a relative's home. Zoom call it. Most important thing...FOCUS ON THE IMPORTANT THINGS. Keep it simple. You can always have a party and renew your vows and wear your dress again when it is all over. Go for it - marry the one you love....that really is all that matters.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Dawn Marie and Wayne - BLESS YOU both - today, tomorrow, and always - and thank you for showing the world, that during these dark times - that Love, Faith, and Hope will always have the last word! I am your priest and friend forever, call upon me for anything ++++ Love and blessings for a happy life, Fr Joe -
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![Erin]()
Erin Sent on 12/08/2019Our wedding day ceremony was BEYOND perfect. Father Joe is extraordinary and one in a million
I cannot say enough WONDERFUL things about Father Joe. From start to finish, he was truly extraordinary. He is kind, caring, so very genuine, thoughtful and amazing at what he does. We felt so comfortable the entire process, and our wedding day ceremony was beyond words perfect because of him.
Our wedding guests still rave about her special our ceremony was because of him- he made everyone laugh and happy cry, and made it so unique to us as a couple. It was exceptional. I added a photo of my husband and I CRACKING UP at our ceremony from Father Joe- it's one of my favorite shots. I cannot recommend Father Joe enough to all couples. THANK YOU SO MUCH FATHER JOE!!! Love, Erin & Mike DellavalleSaint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Erin & Mike - BLESS you for this and I had such a wonderful time working with you both and I LOVE this photo, thank you for sharing this. We are having our last couples Mass this Sunday - Dec. 15 before our Winter retreat - at Saint Matthew Church - 2201 New York Ave., Union City NJ at 1pm - It would be so great to see you both again and I would be honored to do a special blessings there for you! Bless you both always. Fr Joe -
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Candice Sent on 12/02/2019
Thank you Father Joe!
We were so grateful to have Father Joe at our wedding. He married us at the most beautiful venue in Marco Island, Florida. We knew we were in good hands every step of the way and loved that Father Joe helped us customize our ceremony to make it reflect us! He helped keep us on track along the way and was always there to answer our questions.
On our wedding day, Father Joe performed a beautiful ceremony that we will never forget, there was not a dry eye in the room (or on the beach!!) We keep getting compliments from our family and friends and we owe it all to Father Joe.
Thank you for an unforgettable wedding ceremony and for being a great friend to us!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Candice & George - BLESS you both today, tomorrow and always! Thank you for allowing me to be part of this holy union, part of your family for all of these many years and Marco Island was amazing!!!! LOVE you both so very much! -
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![Gina]()
Gina Sent on 11/24/2019Couldn’t be happier!
I can’t express how happy and fortunate I feel to have found father Joseph. From the second we spoke on the phone, I was 100% certain I wanted him to be the one to marry us. He’s dedicated, supportive, efficient and will go out of his way to help you in any way possible.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Gina and Brian I am so excited to be on this holy journey with both of you! Blessings and love for an amazing Thanksgiving and the year to come. We are having a couples Mass on Dec. 15, 2019 at 1pm at Saint Matthew Church at 2201 New York Ave., Union City - please come if you are able! Fr Joe -
![CLAUDIA]()
Claudia Sent on 09/19/2019Absolutely perfect
Words cannot express how thankful we are to have had Father Joe as the priest during our wedding ceremony. Every step of the process was easy, enjoyable and personal. His personal approach made us feel so comfortable not only on our day but all the days leading up to our wedding. The ceremony he put together was absolutely perfect .. people were coming up to us after the ceremony saying it was the best wedding ceremony they had ever been to.. we both come from traditional catholic families and Father Joe was able to incorporate some traditions with a personal touch. It really felt like our wedding..and not cookie cutter. He offers pre-cana, face time meetings, and a rehearsal if you are interested. We did all options which again really helped us get to know him and helped our day run smoothly.
Whatever you choose..highly recommend Fr. Joe!
Thank you again Father for all that you did to make our day special and memorable.
Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Claudia - BLESS YOU BOTH FOREVER! Thank you so much for these kind words and it was actually your love and God that made this wedding so wonderful. Peace and joy today, tomorrow and always, Fr Joe -
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![Tara]()
Tara Sent on 08/22/2019A truly beautiful, holy & personal ceremony
I actually found Father Joe through my brother; he was their officiant first. My husband & I wanted a wedding ceremony that reflected US; we’ve seen a lot of ceremonies that are very dry & barely acknowledge the couple. Father Joe took the time to get to know not only us, but our families & bridal party. The ceremony was beautiful, spiritual & PERSONAL. We’ll remember it forever. So many of our guests asked where we found such an incredible priest & were just as touched as we were.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Tara and Steven - indeed I found you because of faith and could not be more happy to celebrate with God and your amazing family and friends. I was truly touched by you kindness and grace and so looking forward to seeing you both soon! Blessings today, tomorrow and always! Fr Joe -
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![nina_soontobeB]()
Nina Sent on 07/30/2019Absolutely Amazing
Father Joe completely blew us and our guest away. All of our guests were raving about how much they loved him and the ceremony. The ceremony was everything we wanted and more - it was traditional with religious touches and some jokes to make us and our guest laugh. Father Joe completely captured who we were as a couple and truly took the time to get to know us and guide us through the whole process. He was available to talk whenever we had questions and made the process SO easy. We cannon thank Father Joe enough for making our wedding ceremony so memorable! I would (and do already!) recommend Father Joe to my friends and family who are getting married.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
BLESS you both and thank you so very much Nina for those kind words - it was a joy to be there and to help make that day special. But it was truly both of you that made all of that possible. Love and peace today and always! Fr Joe -
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![Katherine]()
Katherine Sent on 07/24/2019Absolutely Perfect
Father Joe was not only an exceptional officiant, but has become a comfort and joy in our lives. Our ceremony was personal and beautiful. I cannot count how many friends and family commented that it was the best and nicest ceremony they’d ever been to. Father Joe and Saint Joseph Mission Church are professional, loving, welcoming, and make every couple feel like the most special couple to ever get married. I could never fully express our happiness with joining this parish in a thousand lifetimes!Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear KC and Luke - you are BOTH amazing - thank you for your kind words, your endless energy and the music you bring to all of us. Bless you both forever! Hope to see at Mass. Fr Joe -
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![Bonnie]()
Bonnie Sent on 07/10/2019Perfect Ceremony!
Father Joseph was the perfect officiant for our interfaith marriage! I'm Catholic and my now husband is Jewish so we wanted to honor both of our families by having a Rabbi and a Priest for the ceremony. Father Joseph is the nicest and friendliest person. He was very responsive when I emailed or texted him and graciously helped me create a beautiful ceremony script. Father Joseph went above and beyond our expectations - he came 1.5 hours before the ceremony start time to make sure that I had everything I needed, he administered communion to my immediate family just before the ceremony, and even held my personal vows in his pocket until I was ready to say them ;) Father Joseph always has a smile on his face and was very happy to interact with my guests before and after the ceremony. He took an amazing selfie with my bridesmaids! We're so lucky he was available to officiate our wedding. My husband and I highly recommend working with Father Joseph! Our ceremony was perfect - Thanks for everything :)Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Bonnie and Max - thank you so much for your kind words. It was truly an honor to bless you both. I am indeed your priest if you should ever need anything at all! Love, joy and a huge mazel tov! Yours in service always, Fr Joe -
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Blair Sent on 07/01/2019
Our Perfect day with Father Joseph
Words can't express how grateful we are to have met Father Joseph. We knew right after our first meeting with Father Joseph we wanted him to marry us. He helped us create a beautiful ceremony, we integrated our families with a Spanish prayer and the Irish Blessing. Our mother's with the Mothers Kiss. Our entire family can't stop talking how beautiful the ceremony was. We can't thank him enough. Even thought the wedding is over we gained a wonderful Priest who we can forever count on.Saint Joseph Mission - Progressive Catholic Church's reply:
Dear Blair and Jason I cannot thank you enough for your kindness and love during this holy process. I indeed will be ever there for both of you. Special prayers on this new journey you are on together in the service of others. Prayers and blessings! Fr Joe -
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![Rebecca]()
Rebecca Sent on 05/13/2019Amazing Priest
Father Joe was incredible! He made my wedding ceremony very special and all the wedding guests kept complimenting on what a beautiful ceremony it was and how father Joe really personalized it. I would highly recommend father Joe if you are looking for a traditional catholic wedding ceremony outdoors he made the day perfect! -
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