On the move at St Joseph's

extract from Newsletter - 15 October 2000

On Tuesday evening we celebrated the final Mass at the old church. The theme was that of thanksgiving for all of God's graces and blessings to so many people whose lives had been touched by God over the years. The Mass was concelebrated by the priests of the Parish, Frs Bill and Stephen, Canon Armand and Deacon John and the Dean of Epsom Deanery, Fr Matt McInerney.

Mass started with a procession by the many parish groups and organisations, past and present, to the sanctuary when so many wonderful memories were recalled with affection and gratitude. The variety of musicians in the parish more than excelled themselves in their accompaniment of the Mass and a special new refrain was sung during the processional - "Thankful for the past, looking to the future, Lord we praise you".

In his homily Fr Bill made a comparison with the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium, apparently built the same year that St Joseph's was canonically established as a parish - 1923.

Our church has served us well over many years, but now we must prepare to move on to our new church and centre adjacent to our Catholic primary school. The mission of the church is ever old; the means of proclaiming it must be ever new. "The Church exists to evangelise".

May it please Almighty God that we will build upon the past and create a more optimistic and hopeful future for all of God's people