Parish History - Golden Jubilee

2002 saw the start of our Golden Jubilee, celebrating 50 years of the Saddleworth parish of the Sacred Heart and St William. With masses, music, fund-raising and social events, everyone has taken part in the variety of events to celebrate the life of our parish.

The Golden Jubilee was opened with a special Mass in December 2002; a time to remember the past, and the faith of those who first approached the bishop to ask for Saddleworth to have its own priest.

The main celebratory Mass of the Jubilee Year was held on 26 June 2003, the eve of the solemnity of the Sacred Heart, attended by Bishop Arthur Roche of Leeds as well as former parish priests and other diocesan clergy. This Mass celebrated the present, using the theme of love to reflect the life and activities within our Parish.

The final Mass of the Jubilee Year, held on 23 November 2003 - the Feast of Christ the King and also National Youth Sunday - was planned and prepared by the Youth of the Parish, using the theme of hope and looking to the future. As well as decorating the Church Hall with messages and artwork of hope, the young people were involved with the creation of this Web site, and publicly launched it to the Parish at the lunch held after the Mass.

In addition, an open air Mass was held in May 2003, at Ladcastle Hall in Dobcross, the site of the original Catholic church.

Music has also played an important part in the Golden Jubilee celebrations, with a new hymn to the Sacred Heart being composed by Chris Johnson, the parish organist. A sung Mass with a choir undertaking Haydn’s Little Organ Mass took place in October, and a Musical Concert of parish talent in the summer raised over £1,000 for Cafod.

We were also honoured to have Father Joe Falloon, our Parish priest celebrate his own Golden Jubilee on 28 September 2003.