St. Joseph the Artisan
Joseph was the husband of Mary and the father of Jesus on earth. He was a carpenter, not a powerful man in his community. Joseph was an ordinary man who lived a simple life. He was an honest worker and is known as the ‘Patron Saint of Workers’.
Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, he discovered that she was pregnant but knew the child was not his. Joseph was faithful to the law of the church but was also a caring and compassionate man and did not want to expose Mary to public disgrace, so he decided to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
The later life of Joseph is unknown but he cared for and loved Jesus as his own son. He does not appear in Jesus’ public life so it is believed that he died before Jesus started his ministry. The Feast of St. Joseph is on March 19. Also, St. Joseph is the Patron Saint of Workers and this is celebrated on May 1st. He is also known as the Patron Saint of Peaceful Death.
Parish History
Blessed by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid on 12 October 1969.
Constituted a Parish from St. John Vianney Church, Ardlea on 24 March 1970
Parish Priests
Very Rev. Joseph Newth Ardlea/Bonnybrook 1970 - 16 Jan 1974
Very Rev. Cronan Byrne 16 January 1974 - 12 March 1979
Very Rev. Joseph Hanlon 12 March 1979 - 7 June 1986
Moderators / Team Ministry 19 July 1986
Very Rev. Michael Casey 19 July 1986 - 1988
Very Rev. Anthony Deane June 1988 - 1 June 2000
Very Rev. Michael Cullen 18 July 2000 - 31 July 2001
Very Rev. John Sinnott 6 October 2001 – 30 July 2005
Very Rev. Kevin Moore 9 August 2005 - 1 September 2014
Very Rev. Joe Jones 1 September 2014 - 7 July 2023
Very Rev. Paul Canon O'Driscoll 8 July - present
Parish Clergy
Fr. Con Sayers 24 March 1970 - 2 September 1972
Fr. Jeremiah Threadgold 1970
Fr. Phillip McManus 24 March 1970 - 11 September 1971
Fr. William Farrell 24 March 1970 - 11 November 1971
Fr. Noel Lynch 11 September 1971 - 18 October 1975
Fr. Gerard Tanham 13 November 1971 - 28 July 1973
Fr. Michael Flanagan 2 September 1972 - 26 July 1975
Fr. Patrick Kelly 28 July 1973 - 8 July 1977
Fr. Brendan Cantwell 18 October 1975- 18 July 1981
Fr. Paul Cullen S.J. 8 July 1977 - 18 July 1982
Fr. Joe Hanlon 26 November 1977 - 12 March 1979
Fr. Michael Comer 18 February 1981 - 1 February 1986
Fr. Patrick O’Byrne 17 July 1982 - 27 June 1987
Fr. Richard Hughes OSA 1 February 1986 - June
Fr. Peter Houlihan 27 June 1987
Fr. Patrick Moran June 1989 - 8 August 1995
Fr. Michael Cullen 4 January 1992 - 18 July 2000
Fr. Frank Duggan 8 Sept 1995 - September 2015
Parish Sisters
Sr. Irene Dunne (Holy Faith Sisters) September 2017 - present
Sr. Margo Delaney (Holy Faith Sisters) September 2017 - present
Parish Deacon
Rev. Jim Adams Bonnybrook 2012 - 2016
