The people who help in the daily work of the parish
Parish help began with the 64th Scouts (Sacred Heart Group) who helped clear out the cowshed and stables in the Summer of 1938. The stable was to become our first church with the first mass celebrated on Christmas Eve of that same year. The men pictured clearing the stable were (left to right) William Sawbridge, Jack Walker, Noel Bowne, George Smith, Charlie Bishop, John Coulfield and Reg Day. Pictured building an altar from the pig troughs for the stable church are Mr Pinchbeck and Mr Eato.
Over the years the parish can be grateful to many such people who have helped with the growth of St Joseph's community. (Memories of the people and those early years have been written down by Jack Eaton and will soon to be available as a downloadable document - watch this space!).Today, we are grateful to the many people who now help with the various work and ministries in the parish. There will always be a welcome to those who want to help and become involved.
Father John Daley is our parish priest. He is a member of the Institute of Charity, a Religious congregation founded by Antonio Rosmini in 1828. (The members are normally called "Rosminians" after their founder). Father John comes from Cardiff in Wales, is proud of his homeland, his Irish background, his British nationality and learning to become European when he studied in Rome.After ordination he taught for four happy years in St. Gregory's School, Huddersfield, went to British Colombia to serve with Bishop Fergus O'Grady, a wonderful man of the Church, and shared school and parish life in Prince George for two more happy years. He then went on to Gore in New Zealand, made many new friends, taught at St. Peter's School and preached retreats around the country.
He came home to Newport in Wales, too late to play rugby but refereed instead, and served in St. Mary's, St. Michael's and St. Patrick's for a number of happy years. Then on to Our Lady and St. Charles in Wisbech, East Anglia, for six more happy years before he came to Leicester to serve at St. Theresa's, Birstall, for ten years and now at St. Joseph's since 2001. He is grateful for the many happy memories he carries of Wales, Yorkshire, Canada, New Zealand, Rome . . . . . and he returns to Rome every year to guide pilgrims, sharing his love and knowledge of the city.