We have a number of thriving groups and ministries in the parish.
Phone (0113 257 0803) or email the Presbytery.

Baptism Preparation - Mary & Trudie Mitchell

Children’s Liturgy - Mary Mitchell

Confirmation Preparation - Mary & Trudy Mitchell

Family Life Ministries (marriage preparation and parenting programmes) - Nick & Ann Reed; Christine Church, Rosalia Roberts

Flowers & Visual Liturgy - Maria Walls, Josie Carr, Mary Matthews

Folk Group - Maria Hogan, Angie McCormack, Frances Norton, Dan Walker (Info here)

Mother's Group - Freda Mortimer

Parish Centre - Freda Mortimer

Parish Council - Mary Mitchell

Schools
St Joseph's, Primary;
St. Mary's, Menston, Secondary

SVP - John Whitworth: latest newsletter here.

Theatre Group - Freda Mortimer

Toddler Group - Freda Mortimer

Youth SVP - Freda Mortimer

Youth Club - Irene Addison Child, Trudy Mitchell, Mark & Rosalia Roberts, Andrea Gyte

History

There is a short history of the parish here

St. Joseph’s Parish Theatre Group

The Parish has had an active theatre group for over 30 years and is open to anyone over the age of 14 years. (Occasionally younger children are recruited for a particular show). We have two shows a year, one a musical revue and the other a pantomime. We are a friendly group and welcome any would be performers and also anyone who prefers a backstage role such as scenery painting, costume making or just helping on show nights with front of house or lighting. If you would like to support us in a sedentary role, we welcome patrons, who for an annual fee of £2.50 are entitled to priority ticket booking and their name in the programme.
We meet in the Parish Centre each Tuesday from 7.30 - 9.30pm.

Further information: contact Freda Mortimer

St. Joseph’s Toddler Group

The group was formed six years ago meeting every Thursday morning during term time from 9.15 until 11am. Our aim is to offer all parents/carers the opportunity to spend time with their children and make new friends in a relaxed and friendly environment. Any pre-school child can attend the group and play safely with children of a similar age whilst developing and expanding their learning and social skills. We offer a range of large toys (trikes, cars, prams, trampoline etc.) small construction (lego, sticklebricks), jigsaws, books and a home corner with kitchen and dolls and we have a selection of playthings for babies. A craft table is available for painting, playdoh and guided craft activities. Refreshments are provided at 10am (toast, fresh fruit and a drink for children). Storytime and singing with musical instruments at 10.45 Admission £1 per child, 2nd child 50p

Further information from Freda Mortimer.

SVP

St. Joseph’s has had an SVP presence for over 30 years. Re-formed in 1998, we now have a thriving Conference, one of the largest in the Diocese.

Vincentians seek through prayer, meditation on the scriptures, the teaching of the Church, through their daily lives ad their relationships with those in need, to bear witness to the love of Christ.

We seek to find those who are forgotten or deprived and do this within our parish and beyond. Much of the help we give is dependant upon the generosity of the parishioners and whilst we have 12 official members, the SVP is so much part of Parish Life: What's on that almost everyone has been involved in some way at some time. We have kept the longstanding tradition of giving hampers at Christmas (although we now give shopping vouchers) and we have some really good Christmas parties for the pensioners of the parish.

We are a busy and active group always looking to recruit new members. We meet on the first Monday of every month in the Parish Centre (tea and biscuits provided) at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome, whether you want to join the Conference or simply gain further insight into the workings of the SVP at St. Josephs.

If you or anyone you know needs our assistance in any way, please contact our President John Whitworth or any member of the SVP.

Youth SVP 'Young People finding time for others'

The Youth SVP Group in the Parish was started six years ago and although we are small in number we have lots of enthusiasm. Each member undertakes some voluntary work in the community every week, such as gardening, helping in the ‘After school club’ or with the Children’s Liturgy group. Being a member will improve your personal record of achievement, your UCAS form application and any future references. Membership also qualifies for the ‘service’ part of schemes such as the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. It is fun and you get to meet other young people on Youth SVP days and residential events. Two members were privileged to attend the World Youth rally in Germany and see Pope Benedict. Meetings last approximately 20 mins. and are held fortnightly.

[page updated 25/05/10]