Catechists

Congratulations to Amanda Howard and Una Stewart who were commissioned as Catechists on 16th July. The Bishop led the service of commissioning, which was held at Ampleforth, and Fr Bill presented the new catechists with their certificates the following morning at the 11 am Mass.

First Communions

On Sunday 26th June nine young people made their first Holy Communion at St Joseph’s. The girls wore the traditional white dresses, while the boys wore white shirts and red ties. As is the custom, after the Mass there was a party to which the other children were invited, and a cake was cut and shared with them all.

Diocesan Choirs Festival

On Saturday 2nd July the Diocesan Choirs Festival was held at St Joseph’s, the first time the church had hosted such an event. Singers attended from all over the Diocese, and sang musical settings of the new translation of the Mass. The day ended with a Festival Mass at which several of these items were sung.

Let the Children Live!

On Sunday 3rd July Fr Peter Walters, founder of the charity Let the Children Live!, visited St Joseph’s and spoke of his work with the street children of Colombia, in South America. A retiring collection was taken, and a contribution of £1047 has been sent to the charity.