Our Lady & Saint Joseph, Selkirk

Introduction

James Hope-Scott was responsible for building the church of Our Lady & St Joseph in Selkirk.

History

The first Mass was celebrated on Sunday, April 22nd, 1866. For the first two years the Jesuits came from Galashiels to celebrate Mass once a fortnight, and then once a week. Two Masses were being said every Sunday by 1876. After 1903 the Jesuits handed responsibility for the parish over to the diocese. The stained-glass window over the high altar depicts Our Lady seated with the Child Jesus in her arms.

Parish life

Our Lady and St Joseph's is one of the three churches that form the parish of Our Lady & St Andrew. The parish of Our Lady and Saint Andrew serves Our Lady and St Joseph, Selkirk and Saint Cuthbert's, Melrose.

Many elderly and housebound parishioners receive regular visits from clergy and lay ministers to bring them Holy Communion. The Parish Pastoral Council supports the Parish Priest in providing spiritual leadership and developing community and administrative procedures. The PPC encourages and enables all parishioners and parish organisations to participate in the life of the church by contributing to planning and development of all projects and activities. The PPC is renewed every three years, with all members lapsing at the end of each term.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The Church requires a minimum of 6 months notice for marriage preparation. Adult Catholics who were baptised and received their First Eucharist and are interested in Confirmation should contact the parish priest. In danger of death, the priest will come out immediately and administer the 'Last Rites'.