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My dear brothers and sisters,

It’s become a regular Sunday evening ‘thing' for me to flick through parish websites and social media platforms to get a glimpse of the life of our communities of faith.  How blessed we are to be in such good company with one another in our discipleship of Jesus and in our service of the Gospel.  I recently spent a week in Rome with the Bishops of England and Wales, amongst whom there was much talk of, and encouraging interest in our Diocesan Pastoral Plan.  I know that, across the Diocese, you are working closely with your priests and deacons to help realise the beautiful vision Bishop (Archbishop) Richard set out for us in ’The Word Who is Life’.

I pray for you all daily.  I’m especially mindful of the people of the parishes in which I have been privileged to serve;  of the specific needs, sorrows, and joys marking the life of our parish communities in any given week;  and of those whose names appear in your newsletters by reason of receiving the Sacraments, or in sickness or bereavement, and the souls of those of our number who have died.  All of these prayers I gather together in the Mass I am asked to offer each Sunday ‘for all the people of the Diocese’.  Please pray for me;  and keep praying, each day, for the election of a new Bishop for our Diocese.

God bless you all.

Father Jonathan Martin

Diocesan Administrator