Privacy Policy

A legal disclaimer

Effective Date: April 08, 2025

St. Joseph the Worker Parish (“we,” “us,” or “the Parish”), located at 5075 FM 14, Tyler, TX 75706, is committed to protecting the privacy of our parishioners, visitors, and community members. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information, including through our website (sjtw.org) and text messaging services, in compliance with applicable laws such as the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information:

Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address provided voluntarily (e.g., through parish registration, event sign-ups, or donation forms).
Website Usage Data: Information such as IP address, browser type, and pages visited, collected automatically via cookies and similar technologies (see Section 5).
Text Messaging Data: Phone numbers provided for SMS updates and any responses to our messages.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

Communicate parish news, Mass schedules, event details, and fundraising updates.
Respond to inquiries or requests submitted via sjtw.org or by phone (903-593-5055).
Send text message updates to those who have opted in (see Section 4).
Improve our website and services.

3. Text Messaging Program and TCPA Compliance

We offer an optional SMS messaging service to keep you informed about parish activities. By participating, you agree to the following:

Consent: We will only send text messages to customers who provide prior express consent. You can opt in by submitting your phone number via a form on sjtw.org or texting “JOIN” to [insert parish SMS number].
Message Content: Messages may include Mass reminders (e.g., “Latin Mass this Sunday at 11 AM”), event notices, or urgent updates. We will not send unrelated or promotional content beyond parish activities.
Frequency: Message frequency varies but will be kept reasonable (e.g., 1-4 messages per month).
Opt-Out: You may stop receiving texts at any time by replying “STOP” to any message. We will promptly remove your number from our texting list.
Costs: Message and data rates may apply, depending on your carrier plan.
Third-Party Services: We may use a third-party provider to facilitate texting, but your number will not be sold or shared for marketing purposes.

The Parish complies with the TCPA by obtaining your consent before sending automated texts and providing a clear opt-out mechanism. For questions, contact us at 903-593-5055.

4. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share it only:

With trusted service providers (e.g., website hosting or texting platforms) who are bound to maintain confidentiality.
When required by law or to protect the safety and rights of the Parish or others.

5. Cookies and Tracking

Our website uses cookies to enhance your experience (e.g., remembering preferences). You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though this may limit functionality. We do not track users across third-party sites for advertising purposes.

6. Data Security

We implement reasonable measures (e.g., encryption, secure servers) to protect your information from unauthorized access or disclosure. However, no online system is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Your Rights

You may:

Request access to or correction of your personal information by contacting us.
Opt out of communications, including texts (reply “STOP”) or emails (click “unsubscribe” in email footers).

8. Children’s Privacy

We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13. If you believe we have such data, please contact us to have it removed.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as needed. Changes will be posted on sjtw.org with the new effective date. Please review it periodically.

10. Contact Us

For questions or concerns about this policy or your information:

Phone: 903-593-5055
Email: parish@sjtw.org
Mail: St. Joseph the Worker Parish, P.O. Box 4995, Tyler, TX 75706