Sacred Heart of Jesus and St Joseph

Introduction

The parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus and St Joseph was founded in 1870. Building work on the church was delayed by a dispute over how close to the road it could be, and for many years the end of the church was covered in corrugated iron. The church was finished in the early 1960s. The refurbishment was directed by the late Stephen Foster, who also created the sculptures and panels.

Architecture and furnishings

A stained-glass window in the church depicts Our Lady. Another stained-glass window illustrates the Life of Mary and Jesus. Stained-glass panels in the church display symbols of saints. Altar servers assist the priest in the celebration of Mass and special liturgies.

Parish life

The parish community is very cosmopolitan, with members from many different countries. The parish works closely with other Christian Churches in Ware to support many local projects.

The parish has a ministry of readers who read the First and/or second reading at Sunday and weekday masses, on a rota approximately once a month. Support is available to readers through existing experienced readers and through Parish and Diocesan training courses.

The parish is served by St Edmund's College, a fee-paying Catholic school in Ware. The parish is served by St Mary's Catholic University in Twickenham, London. In Ware there is a Monastery of enclosed Carmelite religious sisters.