St Joseph

Introduction

The parish was first established in 1696 and is one of the oldest parishes in the diocese. The parish was served by the Benedictine order from 1723 until 1977.

Parish life

The SVP holds an annual Mass for the Sick, Elderly & Housebound in St Joseph's Church, usually in July, followed by tea, bingo and a raffle in the Parish Centre. The parish has a Guild of St Stephen altar servers group that trains and co-ordinates servers for the church.

The parish has a long-established Parish Pastoral Council with fifteen members who meet on a monthly basis. The parish is part of the Benedict Partnership, whose member churches include those in the Parish of St John XXIII and St Bede, Sacriston and St Cuthbert, Chester-le-Street.

The parish has a strong, very able group of catechists who lead the preparation for First Holy Communion, Reconciliation and Confirmation, in partnership with the parish primary schools. The parish has a strong well-organised network of Special Ministers who take communion regularly to the sick and elderly in their own homes and care homes. The parish has a group of young adults (30-50 age band) who are very capable and keen to become more involved in parish life. A collection for the Let The Children Live charity is held every three months.

Visiting

The church is fully accessible and has an accessible WC. The church is used occasionally by the Indian Community for prayer, adoration and Mass. The church is Grade II listed, limiting any adaptations for non-ecclesiastical uses.