Dear friends in Christ
News of the Diocese
This week I would like to share with you some important news of our Diocese. Over the last year our Bishop, Alan Williams, has been slowly discerning the best way to re-organise and govern certain areas of Diocesan life and administration. So, this year there have been some changes at the Diocesan Offices in Brentwood with a rationalisation of staffing. The Bishop has appointed four Episcopal Vicars to oversee areas of Administration, Pastoral Formation, Education and Evangelisation and, as you know, I was appointed Vicar General. To assist the Bishop in his role as Shepherd in the Diocese, there exists the Council of Priests and a College of Consultors; this body can be the Chapter of Canons. Traditionally it was the function of the Canons of a Diocese to pray the liturgy in the Cathedral and act as the close advisers and collaborators of the Bishop. For over three decades there have not been any new Canons appointed in Brentwood but this week our Bishop has decided to revive the Chapter of Canons so that their important work can function again. There are nine new Chapter Canons: Canons Patrick Sammon, Paul Bruxby, Peter Connor, John McGrath, Anthony McKentey, Martin O’Connor, Brian O’Shea, William Young & myself. The first meeting of the Chapter will be in the New Year with the ceremony of Installation in the Cathedral at Brentwood. Please pray for us in these new responsibilities that, we may assist the Bishop with our prayer and loyalty, in his grave task of leading and guiding the People of God. Also I am pleased to tell you that a new Vocations Director has been appointed: Fr Graham Smith.
I wrote last week about the forthcoming Jubilee Year of Mercy which begins in Advent. Our Bishop will celebrate a Mass signalling the start of the Jubilee Year in the Cathedral on Tuesday, 8th December at 7.30pm. I hope that many of us will be able to attend this and, united as a Diocesan Family, begin this time of grace together. May God bless you and please, continue to pray for me!
Msgr Kevin Hale