General News
18 November, 2024
Celebrating 50 years of worship at St Joseph’s Church
Just over 50 years ago, Fr. Noel Grant was tasked with building a new St Joseph’s Church to replace a building whose structure, after 63 years, had sadly become unsafe.
Contributed by St Joseph’s Church Parish
Fortunately, Fr. Noel had the vision, drive, and determination to ensure he provided St Joseph’s parish and community with a building that was unique and would stand the test of time. A physical space that would allow the congregation, and those yet to come, to meet and worship.
The renovation that began at least two years ago, amid the possum and mouse/rat ‘WARS’, was the need to make the church vermin-proof and to work towards the golden jubilee of the present St Joseph’s Church. This effort resulted in a joyful celebration with Bishop Michael McKenna on Sunday, October 27, 2024.
Naturally, after 50 years, St Joseph’s Church needed a definite facelift. A committee was formed, and it was agreed to work from the top down. With the sale of the Holy Cross Church at Collie, finance from the St Joseph’s parish, and promoting a ‘refurbishment appeal,’ the committee was given some hope of being able to finance the project.
The estimated cost was $105,000, and with savings and some additional works, it was able to be completed within the budget.
The celebratory mass was coordinated by St Joseph’s School and, as always, was filled with joy and praise, ending on a high with the Recessional Hymn … ‘All The People Said Amen’ – Matt Maher!
At the celebratory mass, our parish spokesman, Paul Mann, thanked all those who supported the project in any way, with particular reference to the contributions of Elaine and Rees Gilmour, Barry Konemann, and Paul Healey.
The golden jubilee celebration would not be complete without the cutting of the cake by Bishop Michael and two long-term parishioners, Gwen Whiteman and Ilva Horan.
This marked the completion of the more formal proceedings, and an invitation was extended to share morning tea in the school grounds, giving all an opportunity to catch up with those who had returned to celebrate with the parish.
