Reverend Neal Ward became pastor of St. Joseph Church after the transfer of Reverend Naughton. Father Ward served from 1973 until 1981. Our first Deacon, Leon Bechet was ordained in 1973. He was in the second diaconate program taught by the Josephites.
Father Ward was a very frugal priest. He had a kind and open heart for the parishioners. With the help of the Men’s Club, people in need received food. With the help of the Christ Child Organization, each child in the parish could receive a pair of shoes for Christmas. The church had a garden tended by parishioners. The Parishioners enjoyed the fruits of their labor and took the vegetables produced in the garden home to enjoy.
There was only one maintenance man. Father Ward arranged to have a parishioner volunteer to cut the grass. Lastly, he had the large cross, which stands in front of St. Joseph Church, erected in memory of his mother. Father Ward desired to have his funeral Mass at St Joseph, but was transferred to another church prior to his death. Ironically, Fr Ward's funeral Mass was held at St. Joseph, just not our St. Joseph, but St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Morganza, Maryland (St. Mary’s County).
The following are the Associate Pastors that served during Fr Ward's tenure.