St. Joseph’s, Broomhouse 65th Anniversary brochure

1950 – 2015

Text by Fr. George Donaghy, O.S.A

Edited by Ewan Walker

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Introduction

Easter Sunday 2015 sees the 65th anniversary of the first mass celebrated in St Joseph’s Parish, Broomhouse. To celebrate this special milestone, we have put together this brochure, which highlights the important information regarding our parish; it’s history, and most importantly, it’s parishioners. There will also be an exhibition of photographs, old and new, on display in the Church on Easter Sunday, showing “St. Joseph’s Through The Ages”. We would like to thank the following parishioners, who have allowed their photos to be used, both in this booklet and as part of the wider display:

Larry Moran

Maureen Clark

Bridget McCarron

Frances Lewis

Daisy Neate

Sheila Hay

May Smith

Mary Kindlon

Ewan Walker

Shirley Cooney

Kenneth Clacher

Jo McCauley

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Church History

Between the 1940’s and 1950’s, Edinburgh became a boomtown. Post-war housing estates were springing up all over the city. Places such as Saughton and Sighthill were growing tentacles, and into this hotspot our beloved Broomhouse came into being. With such a swell in the Scottish population, a people whose religion has always played an integral part in their history, it stands to reason that a church would be built. This gave birth, on Easter Sunday 1950, to the very first mass held in the newly formed (dare I say modern?) St Joseph’s RC Parish on Broomhouse St North. The Augustinians arrived in Broomhouse in January 1995. Fr Kevin Lowry OSA was the first Augustinian Parish Priest. In October 1995, this role was passed to Fr John Reid OSA. He remained in this position until September 2009. His tenure of 14 years makes him the longest serving Augustinian Parish Priest to date. His influence and work in the parish, especially his craftsmanship, is still evident today.

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Weddings and Baptisms

A parish is only as strong as its parishioners, and from day one Broomhouse has bred them strong. In the early days, there may have been more weddings (after all, they were actually affordable…) but even today our parish is built on families. Some of the first generation “Broomies” are still around, as well as second and third generations. The estate has been a springboard for many a tribe starting out.

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St Joseph’s RC Primary School Is it possible to think of St Joseph’s Parish, without also thinking of St Joseph’s School? The school was founded in 1958 and both the school and the parish certainly go hand in hand. There is a sense of pride in both the school and the parish, in who we are and where we are.

On a more practical level, without the school, where would we be in regard to Confirmations, First Communions, Altar Servers, and our young people, the future of the Church?

One example which springs to mind, which is great to see, is Anita Cowan, who was serving on the altar as a bairn just a few years ago. Now she is teaching at the school she attended, and she calls it her “dream job.” Another parish success story!

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Parish Life

“You’re a stranger here, but once” That sign, bold red text on a yellow background, hits you between the eyes as soon as you enter our church. When you arrive, there is nothing transient about you; you are instantly welcomed as a member of our parish community. It’s why in everything we say and do, we have that energy and fervour which helps to create all those big smiling faces and those big cheesy grins.

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The Handing Down of the Parish

Recently, I celebrated funerals of two parish legends. The first of these was Fr George Stibbles, and the other was Annie Doonan.

I first met George in Hammersmith in 1998. He was a hospital chaplain approaching retirement, although still very much a man to be counted. Over the years, I got to know him, but it was during his last few years in Broomhouse, back on Scottish soil, that he was at his most energetic, with the biggest spring in his step. In the future, if I ever need to think of the model of priesthood, it will be this man.

Annie Doonan was another legend; one of many we have met in our parish. At her funeral, yes there was lament but there was also a sense of celebration at Auntie Annie’s life.

Of course, there are many other legends; so many that it would be impossible to include them all here. Particular mention must be made though, of Fr Ben Beary, who served here at St Joseph’s from 1997- 2003. Described as a humble, ordinary man, Fr Ben had a profound effect on everyone in the parish, to those he ministered to at Saughton Prison and the sick he visited in the Western General Hospital. One of the most enduring images is Fr Ben, with his faithful companion Leo by his side.

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The Parish Today

Next year, we are undertaking one of the biggest pastoral programmes when we become the host parish for the visit of the Notre Dame choir (Notre Dame is the biggest Catholic university in the United States.) It shows that Broomhouse still moves on; still making a Scottish home for strangers (even Yanks!) It also shows we are at a point to be noticed a bit more on the Archdiocesan map- not waiting for parish closures and amalgamations but rather saying: “Here we are. Look what we have. Come and join us!”

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Appendix: Clergy

PARISH PRIESTS OF ST. JOSEPH’S, with approximate dates

Fr. Peter Higgins October 1953 - September 1956

Fr. Joseph MacCabe September 1956 - May 1977

Fr. Thomas Power May 1977 - April 1987

Fr. Andrew Forrest May 1987 - January 1995

Fr. Kevin Lowry, OSA January 1995 - September 1995

Fr. John Reid, OSA September 1995 - September 2009

Fr. Gianni Notarianni, OSA September 2009 - February 2012

Fr. Kevin Lowry, OSA February 2012 - February 2013

Fr. George Donaghy, OSA February 2013 - Present

CURATES AT ST. JOSEPH’S, with approximate dates

Fr. William Henery, from St. Cuthbert’s 1950 - 1953 (Visited daily)

Fr. Thomas Engelen November 1954 - December 1956

Fr. Bernard Byrne February 1957 - October 1958

Fr Stephen Wynne October 1958 - September 1959

Fr. John Urquhart September 1959 - October 1970

Fr. Hugh Shannon October 1970 - February 1976

Fr. Joseph Portelli February 1976 - August 1977

Fr. John Callaghan May 1976 - February 1977

MEMBERS OF THE AUGUSTINIAN COMMUNITY AT ST. JOSEPH’S, with

approximate dates

Fr. Kevin Lowry, OSA Jan 1995 - Sept 1995 Feb 2012 - Feb 2013

Fr. Robert Marsh, OSA Jan 1995 - Sept 1995

Fr. Sean Ahern, OSA May 1995 - May 1997

Fr. John Reid, OSA Oct 1995 - Sept 2009

Fr. Matt Curran, OSA Oct 1995 - Sept 1998

Fr. Billy Baldwin, OSA May 1996 - June 1997

Fr. Ben Beary, OSA May 1997 - Sept 2003

Fr. Laurence Brassil, OSA Sept. 1999 - Sept 2009

Fr. Stefan Park, OSA Sept 2001 - Sept 2009 Jan 2015 - Present

Fr. Sean Quinlan, OSA Sept 2009 - Sept 2011 Jan 2015 - Present

Fr. George Stibbles, OSA Sept 2009 - Nov 2014

Fr. Gianni Notarianni, OSA Sept 2009 - Feb 2012

Fr George Donaghy, OSA Oct 2011 - Present

Fr. Ian Wilson, OSA Feb 2014 - Oct 2014