St Joseph's Parish, Tadcaster

News

Jubilee 150

A Parish Conversation...

St Joseph’s Pastoral Parish Council, parishioners and parish priest Fr. John Newman prepared to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the establishment of their beautiful church in the North Yorkshire town of Tadcaster.

Opened on 31^st August 1869 by Cardinal Manning, the then Archbishop of Westminster, the church itself was built with stone from the same source as that used for York Minster. The land was donated by the Vavasour family in 1869.

The Jubilee 150 project was first discussed in the Autumn of 2017 and several suggestions were made as to how this special anniversary might be marked. Several projects were explored including commissioning a new stained glass window and investigating the possibility of restoring the Peace Bell on the bell tower in the church grounds.

 A small working group was established to develop a variety of fundraising activities in the run up to the anniversary, and it all began by inviting the parish family to a bring and share lunch which was held on the 6^th of January 2018. Organised by Ivy O’Neil, over 30 parishioners attended and joined the conversation around the ways in which we can celebrate 150 years of this parish.

 The opportunity to express views and discuss ideas was warmly welcomed by all at the lunch, and plenty of ideas and suggestions were made.  A new ‘Parish Conversation’ board was placed in the parish hall and this was an opportunity for all parishioners to add their ideas.

 Parishioner Deborah Welch who was the fundraising co-ordinator said, “‘It was a great way to launch our Jubilee 150 project and also gave us an opportunity to socialise with one another as friends and parishioners”.

 There was much discussion and laughter and a wide range of suggestions were gathered together.  Ranging from a regular lunch together, barn dances and race nights as well as exploring talents in the Parish with craft events and musical concerts.

Chair of the Parish Pastoral Council Adam Tomlinson said “A community such as St. Joseph’s has to have projects and targets to work for, and what better reason to work together and share times together, than to celebrate 150 years of St. Joseph’s in Tadcaster. This isn’t just for now, it’s for the next 150 years too”.