Parish Information

St. Joseph's enjoys a warm and lively rapport with it's parishioners and local community members. To them, the church provides a central hub of activity and the opportunity to mingle with people who, though they come from a variety of different backgrounds, social, religious or otherwise, nevertheless share the same positive outlook on life. Several groups within the church enable such 'get-togethers' (each specialising in particular areas) and the doors are always open to those wishing to be involved in these groups, which are friendly and non-bureaucratic.

The photo on the left will help you identify members of the Parish Team. If you would like to meet Greg, the parish cat, follow this link to Greg's page. Here follows some information on the Parish:

CONTACT US:
St. Joseph's Retreat,
Highgate Hill,
London N19 5NE
Tel: 0171 272 2320
Fax: 0171 272 9433
e-mail us at:

(Registered Charity no. 234436)

SERVICES
Weekdays: 7.00am, 9.30am, 6.30pm
Saturday: 9.30am, 11am
Saturday Vigil Mass: 7pm
Sunday: 8am, 10am, 12 noon, 1.15pm (Polish Mass), 5pm, 7pm (3pm Baptisms by appointment)
Holidays: 7.30am, 9.30am, 11.30am, 6.30pm, 8pm

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION)
Saturday: 10-11.30am, 6.30pm, 7.45-8.30pm

LITURGICAL MINISTRY
Readers: contact Dorothy Ambler c/o The Parish
Eucharistic Ministers: contact Frank Hughes c/o The Parish
Altar Servers: contact Frank Hughes c/o The Parish
Collectors: contact Father Hubert c/o The Parish

MUSIC
Children's Choir: contact Shirley Taylor 0171 561 0518
Adult Choir: sings at the 10 am Sunday Mass, contact Fieke Van Der Berg 0181 340 5642
Folk Group: plays at the 12 noon Sunday Mass, meets once a month to practice, and always interested in new members (do you sing in tune or play an instrument other than guitar?). Contact Bob Onslow 0171 272 6656

PRAYER
Charismatic Prayer Group: meets Tuesdays 8pm, contact Sarah Leigh c/o The Parish
Meditation Group: meets Friday 8pm, contact Desley Deike 0181 340 1902
Scripture Group: meets Wednesdays, watch the parish bulletin for times

PARISH BULLETIN
The 'Bulletin' is produced every Saturday, all year round. It is a weekly read not to be missed! There are many popular events during the parish year, the Christmas Bazaar, the Funday and the Summer Fayre to name but a few. To keep informed, collect your parish bulletin from the back of the church and watch the notice boards for items of news and travel both local and international. Alternatively you can log on every week to the Bulletin page.
If you would like to help in any way please contact any member of the Parish team. If you would like to make a contribution or put in a notice, please get it to the parish office in good time.

PARISH SERVICES
Baptismal Registrar: contact The Parish 0171 272 2320
Baptism Preparation Courses: contact Fr. Charles
Pre-Marriage Courses: contact Fr. Daniel

SCHOOLS
St. Joseph's Primary: contact Head Teacher Don Leavy 0171 272 1270
St. Aloysius: 0171 263 1391
La Sainte Union Convent School (LSU): 0171 428 4600
Bishop Douglas: 0181 444 5211
Finchley Catholic High: 0181 445 0105
Highgate School: contact 0181 340 1524

CHILDREN
Infant Liturgy: contact Shirley Taylor 0171 561 0518
Junior Liturgy: contact Shirley Taylor
Eucharist Programme: (celebrated at 8+yrs) contact Shirley Taylor
Faith Development Programme: (for 13-17 yrs) see below for more details.
Confirmation: (celebrated at 18+yrs) contact Shirley Taylor

Faith Development: for children not attending Catholic Schools meet before or after mass on Sundays: contact Elizabeth Millar 0181 348 3228 or Stefan Wagstyl 0171 485 3921

YOUTH
Events arranged occasionally, contact any member of the Parish Team: 0171 272 2320

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA)
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process by which people become full members of the Catholic Church: contact Shirley Taylor 0171 561 0518

FAMILY GROUP MOVEMENT
The Family Group Movement (now celebrating 25 years internationally), was established in St. Joseph's in October 1996 and is a way of experiencing community for all ages. New members are welcome. Contact Shirley Taylor 0171 561 0518

SOCIAL INTERESTS

ST. VINCENT de PAUL (SVP)
A parish group of men and women who, under the inspiration of St. Vincent de Paul, care for the poor of the neighbourhood, visiting them in their homes and helping them with their material and spiritual needs. Affiliated to a national group. Meets Friday 8pm, contact Eileen McNulty c/o The Parish
JUSTICE AND PEACE GROUP
A parish group of men and women who seek to grow in the understanding of christian values in the field of justice and peace, and who work to promote them widely. In Highgate it is an inter-church group, an arm of the 'Churches Together in Highgate'. See notice board or contact Herbert Trent 0181 340 4311
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBA
A fraternal order of Catholic men, specially supportive of the clergy and bishops, committed to the mission of the Church and the spiritual, intellectual and material welfare of its members and their families in their vocation as Catholics. Contact Michael Whelton 0181 340 9698
UNION OF CATHOLIC MOTHERS (UCM)
A parish group whose members aim at maintaining christian family values in society. Affiliated to a national group. Meets every other Monday in the Monastery, contact Carmel Morris c/o The Parish
CHURCH CLEANERS
Friendly groups who work on a rota (once every fifth week), if you would like to join in, contact Shirley Taylor 0171 561 0518
ANSWERING THE DOOR AND PHONE
A way to help the parish on a voluntary basis, contact any member of the Parish Team.

RELIGIOUS CONGREGATIONS
Missionaries of Africa, 42 Stormont Road, Highgate N6 4NP
Augustine Sisters of Meaux, 'Beathanie Convent', 54 Highgate Hill, N19 5NQ

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN HIGHGATE
'Churches Together in Highgate' is a group of members of the christian churches in the Highgate Area, who cultivate warm personal relations, pray and meet together regularly and work to promote the unity for which Christ prayed. Linked to the national group, 'Churches Together in England'.

PARISH CENTRE
Dancing: Saturday 9 - 12pm, Sunday 9 - 11.30pm
Irish Drama Group Classes: Saturday am, Sunday pm
Irish Dancing Classes: Monday, Thursday and Friday
Whist Drive: Tuesday 8pm
Pensioners Tea Dance: Every other Wednesday, 1.30pm - 4.30pm
Mothers and Toddlers: Friday 1- 3.20pm
Contact the parish centre on: 0171 272 4571

FRIENDS OF ST. JOSEPH
An association of people interested in maintaining the fabric of St. Joseph's Church. For further information contact Frank Hughes, Secretary, Friends of St. Joseph c/o The Parish.

FINANCES
The parish is financed in a number of ways as shown below:

PLANNED GIVING
This is done by way of numbered weekly envelopes in which Parishioners give a fixed sum of money each week. This is a form of budgeting by which we know what funds are available so that we can plan the activities of the parish in the most beneficial way.
COVENANTS
Covenants are in effect an extension of the Planned Giving Scheme and are available to all those in the scheme who are taxpayers. This is a way in which what you give is increased by approximately one third at no extra cost to you.
GIFT AIDS
If you give a lump sum of a minimum of Ł250 and you are a taxpayer, you can complete a Gift Aid Certificate. We can obtain a repayment of taxes you have already paid on your income.
INTEREST-FREE LOANS
If you have surplus loans that you are able to make available either for a fixed term (e.g.. One Year) or for an unlimited period, you could make an interest-free loan to the Parish. This will earn interest for the parish funds.
LEGACIES
If you are making a will perhaps you would like to consider to provide for the needs of the Parish in your name.

For details on any of the financial information above please contact Frank Hughes, Financial Secretary.

Introduction to Parish Information page: Alexander Fodor © 1999