St Joseph's Society
I was a student from 1961, in a class of 19 initially, but by the time of ordination in May 1967 our year was comprised of just 15, who were ordained together in the Metropolitan Cathedral during the week that it was opened. I very much enjoyed my time as a student, during which time I was a ‘Minor Professor’ – one of those who supervised boys in the school at meal times, in Study Hall in the evenings, during recreation time, and at night time in the dormitories. This did not deprive me of involvement in the College Schola which influenced my time later as a member of staff. It was all very enjoyable and rewarding, and with some great experiences.
After University I joined the staff in 1972 and for the next 14 years taught Physics and Chemistry to A Level.
They were great times and without the constraints of the modern National Curriculum there were wonderful opportunities to make the subject fun and enjoyable, - for example, the times we used to make hydrogen, and with the gas collected in bottles, firing them across the classroom, and even out of the laboratory window!
I was involved in all aspects of music throughout this time; the full Schola at first, until the Senior House moved to Ushaw, and the school choir continued. As well as the formal presentation of music in the Sunday liturgy, there was more when, under the direction of music teacher Paul Johnstone, an orchestra was formed, though with limited scope, but Staff and pupils joined together: Frs. Joe Mercer on Horn, Kevin Snape on Cello and Jim Austin on Viola, and I was able to do something I had always wanted to do – play the Trombone! It was great fun. On ‘going home’ days, such as Easter Sunday at the end of term, and on other special days, parents and families would attend Mass with us in the chapel, the band would accompany the hymns with the choir, and I would stand in the middle of the aisle, while concelebrating and conducting, whilst playing the E-flat bass Tuba. All – great fun!
In the school we performed Gilbert and Sullivan operas over a period of 10 years from 1975. They were a great success. It took a bit of persuasion to allow us to perform for parents and visitors at first, since we weren’t considered good enough, but it soon became very popular and competitive as the boys wanted the principal parts. It was so enjoyable, and a great experience for the boys who valued it so much.
After the school closed, my time at the College continued with what became known as ‘St Joseph’s House’. It was the result of Archbishop Worlock’s desire that some sort of provision be made for young vocations. Over a period of 5 years, I supervised several boys who attended the local High School and Sixth Form College during the day, but who lived in community in the College itself – situated first at the back near to the kitchens, the in the Profs’ rooms on the Oak Corridor (imagine that!) and finally, in the East Wing, in rooms underneath the telescope and above the laboratories. That too, was very enjoyable and worthwhile as far as it went, until the need for it dried up and vocations ceased to arise. Mark Madden and Grant Maddock, now parish priests in the Liverpool Archdiocese, were the products of that enterprise.
I was so sad when it all ended, but I have the memories, all good ones of my time at the College – 6 years as a student and 20 on the staff.