St Joseph’s has been blessed with so many people who are very keen to volunteer and help. Our groups are at the heart of our parish but need you all in this time of post Pandemic to come forward, please.
Parish Groups
Parish Council (now dissolved)
An update will shortly be released informing you of the new Pastoral Committee & Finance Committees. Meanwhile, published minutes are now available online and in church.
As members of the Parish of St Joseph inspired by the Good News of Christ, We the Parish Council will reflect and discern, guide and nurture as we work together as a faith community in a spirit of openness and compassion.
The parish council comprises members of the clergy and representatives of the various organisations within the parish. They meet 4 times a year to plan and assist the parish priest in running such a large parish as St Joseph's. Parish Council minutes can be viewed by clicking here.
| Position | Name |
| Chair | Mike Armstead |
| Vice-Chair | Joan Williams |
| Parish Admin | Christine Hope |
| Fr | Fr Raymond Anyanwu |
| Fr | Fr James Fasakin |
| Member | Gill Stuart |
| Member | Tony Carter |
| Member | Lynn Pester |
| Member | Patricia Parry |
| Member | Currently Vacant - Interested? Please contact the parish office. |
| Member | Currently Vacant - Interested? Please contact the parish office. |
Altar Servers
Children in the parish are eligible to start training to be altar server from year 4.
At St Joseph’s we have both boys and girls serving on the altar, as well as a group of dedicated older men who assist at all funerals
Altar servers support the Saturday and Sunday masses and special events throughout the year.
If you are interested in joining this group or would like more information please contact us
Craft Group
Every Wednesday morning 10:am to 12:00pm our busy craft group meet to create items with endless fun and chat. Refreshments are also available. Lots of different crafts are undertaken each week, come along meet the group settle in, and create. Your contact is Tracey, contact number 07756887114.
CAFOD Group
CAFOD is the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development. It is the official overseas development and relief agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. CAFOD has been fighting poverty in developing countries since 1962.
CAFOD believes that all human beings have a right to dignity and respect and that the world's resources are a gift to be shared equally by all men and women, whatever their race, nationality, or religion.
CAFOD is a member of the Caritas International Federation, a worldwide network of Catholic relief and development organisations.
To find more about the work of CAFOD nationally and internationally click on the link below:
Within St Joseph's parish, we have an active group supporting the work of CAFOD. The group links with our schools & young people and organises a CAFOD service each year.
If you are interested in joining this group or would like more information, please contact the Parish Office.
Church Collectors
The collectors help with the collections at Sunday Mass, they also assist the Parish Priest in counting the same collection and carrying out an audit
Church Carers
We meet every other Monday at 10 am – 11 am, We are called carers by one of our Parish Priest, as he says we don’t just clean the Church, we care for it.
We would welcome any Parishioner able to join us along with our seven “Henry” hoovers!
Anyone interested, please contact the Parish Office.
Eucharistic Ministers
The role of the Eucharistic Minister is to assist the priest in the distribution of communion at the Sunday and weekday Masses. Commitment on Sundays occurs every third week and can be identified by referring to the Eucharistic Ministry rota. Currently, we have 46 Ministers. This ministry also supports the sick and housebound in their homes/nursing homes which ensures that they are recognised as part of the parish community.
Equipes Notre-Dame (Teams of Our Lady)
Lifetime Enrichment for Christian Married Couples
- Teams is an International Movement for Christian Married Couples, to support couples, enrich their marriage and nourish their faith.
- Teams aim to help couples grow in their love of Christ and each other. It is not necessary for either spouse to be a Catholic.
- Teams of four to six couples meet each month in one another’s homes, together with a Spiritual Counsellor, Priest, Deacon or Religious, who is an integral part of the Team. They Share a Meal, Read Scripture, Pray and share thoughts on a Study Topic. During the month they Endeavour to Pray Together, Read The Word of God and Sit Down to listen to each other.
- Teams meet during the year in their Sectors and Regions for special events and Internationally every six years.
- Teams are for couples of any age. There are at present two teams in St. Joseph’s parish.
- Interested? Would you like to learn more? Pick up a leaflet at the back of church or visit www.teamsgb.org.uk or http://Teams-Transatlantic.org
Stuart's Maintenance & Gardening Team
You don’t have to be skilled to join us just willing to maintain our grounds and carry out simple maintenance tasks. Please see the newsletter for meeting dates. Our group meets on the church grounds on the third Saturday of the Month, if you have any tools which you would like to donate to the group then speak with our Stuart who can give guidance. Fr John provides the bacon butties!
Steward Hospitality group
This group was formed out of a parish mission many years ago, they help with the catering and hospitality for social events in the parish
Legion of Mary
The Legion meet every Thursday and are a vital link between the parish and those who are sick or housebound or recently bereaved by making home visits
They are a valuable resource in assisting the parish priest, they also carry out a census of the parish through their visits and at the request of the parish priest.
Click on the link below to give you an overview of the Legion of Mary although it is an American site it offers plenty of information:
Music Liturgy
The Liturgy group currently has nine members who meet once a month on Mondays at 7.15 pm. We provide music and cantor for 11.30 am Sunday Mass. We also support Christmas services and the Easter triduum, funerals and other celebrations as and when we are needed. Our aim is to choose hymns that reflect the theme of the Mass through the Scriptures. We do have music practices as and when we need them. We would always welcome new members to sing, play or assist in choosing the music. We are always looking to grow our group, come along!
Parish Office Volunteers
As well as a parish administrator we have a group of volunteers who assist in the parish house answering the phones and taking messages and welcoming callers, the office is open 9.30 am till 2.00 pm Monday to Friday. However, the Pandemic has greatly hindered returning volunteers returning. If you have any free time to help, please get in touch.
Pantomime Group
Every January, for the past twenty-eight years St Joseph’s has staged a Pantomime. Not just any old Panto but the St Joseph’s Parish Panto! Across the years, many people – aged from 11 years to 70+, individuals, families, even the occasional Parish Priest have been involved! Weekly rehearsals start in September, parts are cast, scripts are tweaked, and songs are learned along the way, up to January when with a flurry of activity, we take over the part of the club. Actors are put through their paces on the stage, set builders to work through the weekends and evenings building stages, designing backdrops and moving furniture out and chairs in. The costume department design and make out wonderful costumes... As the Panto draws closer, props are sorted, continuity planned, and a prompt is requisitioned. Musicians under our Musical director put us through our paces, synchronising with our choreographer. The final touch comes with the technical input from our sound and lighting technicians. The make-up artists come along to make sure everyone on stage looks their best. Ice creams are purchased, tickets printed and sold, programmes designed and printed, and raffle prizes sorted for the six performances. Whew!
Over the years Team Panto has become a family. Some people come and go, many return year after year. Several families have been involved, with parents initially taking part and then they have been followed by their children. It has also worked the other way too, with children being involved and they then drew in their parents. It has been gratifying to see the young people involved with Panto move on to careers on the stage and in media. We are proud that in some small way we may have contributed to their career choices. St Joseph’s has been a thriving part of our Parish Community. Unfortunately, this year because of circumstances beyond our control we have not been able to stage a Panto. Celebrating 30 years 2023!
Piety Shop Group
We have a well-stocked shop selling all types of religious items. The shop is open after all Saturday and Sunday masses. If closed, items can be obtained from parish office during opening times.
Sacristans - With You Always Sacraments
Our Sacristans ensure that the church is open, and the altar is ready for the various services and Masses, they also ensure that supplies are kept up to date and linens laundered
- The altar to be ready for Holy Mass.
- Check the Tabernacle to see in the Ciborium the amount of Eucharists. Leave the key in the Tabernacle during the Holy Mass.
- Missal on the altar.
- Reading on the Lectern at the reading of the day.
- Corporal, purificators, chalice, water and bowl and finger cloths placed on the Credence Table on the Sanctuary.
- Offertory – Altar Bread on the platter.
- The wine decanter placed on the Offertory Table at the back of the church.
- Depending on the Mass:
- 1 Chalice, 1 Purificator or 2 Chalices; 2 Purificators.
- Candles lit before the Holy Mass.
- Also – make sure the Sanctuary Lamp and the Marian Candle are lit always.
- 4. Colours on the Lectern Stand:
- Green – Ordinary Time, White – Feast Days, Red – Martyrs; Pentecost, Purple – Funerals
- After Mass – make sure chalices are purified, candles are put out, key from the Tabernacle is put in the safe.
- Angela Moore also helps as a Sacristan.
- Make sure candles are ordered by Christine.
- Altar bread & wine by John McClure.
- Washing of linen, chalice cleaning & candles cleaned by church carers, also all general cleaning.
UCM - Union of Catholic Mothers
We have a large group who meet every fortnight on Thursday evenings in the parish social centre, as well as sharing in the spiritual life of the parish, they are also an active social group raising funds for charity and supporting each other they promote the ideals of Christian family life, they also enjoy a social activity and trips out. But primarily they are a group who assist and support the parish priest.
To find out more go to:
Uniform groups
The parish at St Joseph’s supports a thriving uniformed section including; Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers - although we do not have an explorer group at St Joseph’s we are linked to Amazon Explorer Unit at Latham Hall.
Both Boys and Girls are welcome at these meetings
| Group | Age Range | Day | Time |
| Beavers | 6 - 8 | Thursday | 6.15 - 7.15 |
| Cubs | 8 - 10½ | Monday | 6.30 - 8 |
| Scouts | 10½ - 14 | Friday | 7.30 - 9.30 |
Overview of Scouting
Scouting is an international, uniformed, youth movement founded by Lord Baden Powell over 100 years ago. Scouting provides a balanced programme for young people to develop, and learn whilst enjoying themselves. Scouting is open to any young person - boys and girls.