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ST JOSEPH'S CHURCH, UPPINGHAM ROAD
Midnight Mass 1938 was the first Catholic Mass to be celebrated in the old stable in the grounds of the present church, 100 years ago this was a country area and the presbytery had been a blacksmith's cottage. The present church was built in 1957 and the old stable block became derelict but recently underwent considerable renovation, reopening on 29th July 2006 as The Watermead Repository. In 1992 The Watermead Apostolate was started in the parish of St Theresa's, Birstall, by Alison Kennedy and her father, Tom, who wrote a hymn, “Our Songs Give Praise to the Lord”. Armed with £1,000 loan from the parish the text and music was published and Watermead – named after the local parkland – was born. A parish prayer book of favourite hymns and readings was followed with other publishing projects including prayer cards, stationery, table napkins printed with religious reflections, children's liturgy sheet and Mass cards. In 1999 Shinglers of Sutton, a national church supplies company, incorporated Watermead in their brochure, bringing the Apostolate to the attention of international retailers - many items are stocked by The English Bookshop in Lourdes . Watermead has been based at St Joseph 's since 2000. The new shop is an Aladdin's Cave of religious items, books, sacred music, greeting and condolence cards and much more. Profits from all Watermead's work go to charity and since its inception thousands of pounds have gone to supporting Rosminian Order projects in Africa and other charities at home and abroad. Everyone is welcome to visit the shop (entrance is via the car park) opening hours are: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 10.30am to 3.30pm, Saturday 5.00pm – 5.50pm. Do you need a room or hall for a meeting or conference? If so contact Theresa on 276 5986 or Janet on 241 3768. We can fulfil your requirements. Gail Gray |
