Fr. Joseph left for Techny, Illinois, St.Mary's Missionary House in 1915 at the age of 20 to study for the priesthood.
Ordained April 29, 1928 at Techny, Illinois. Fr. Joseph's first Solemn High Mass was on June 10, 1928 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Hague, North Dakota. He was sent to the Philippine Islands as a missionary. He served out of the: Christ The King Mission House, New Manila (Manila P.O. Box 3234), Philippine Islands. He served as a missionary from 1928 to 1941 - 13 years. He was 46 years old at the time of his death.