Papal award for Shifnal church helper
He worked tirelessly for more than three decades helping at a Shropshire church, and now Joseph Mascarenhas has been recognised by the Pope.
The 67-year-old has been given the Benemerenti medal after 33 years of fundraising and support at St Mary’s Church in Shifnal.
As well as the gold medal, the semi-retired office worker was also given a scroll and jacket lapel pin.
On the scroll, written in Latin, are the words: “Francis, Supreme Pontiff, has graciously decided to select a gold medal as an award for Mr Joseph Mascarenhas as proof of his outstanding Christian service and to grant him the right to wear it as a personal decoration.”
Mr Mascarenhasn, who lives in Shifnal, said he was honoured to have received the award. “I was very humbled,” he added. “My sister came down from London, travelling from 5am to get to the service for 9am.
“When I was in London the congregation was over 100 people. It was well attended and funded. Our local church is not as well supported, but if you don’t support it the church will close down.
“My aim is to maintain the church. I just want to support the Catholic Church.”
The application process for the Benemerenti medal began about a year ago.
It first goes to the Bishop of Shrewsbury before being sent to Rome.
“They check it out, see the work I’ve done and then decide whether to give award,” Mr Mascarenhasn said. “It comes through about a year later if you’re successful.”
The Benemerenti Medal began as an award for military merit in the 18th century. In 1925 it was altered to a mark of recognition to people in service of the church lay and clergy.
