| Letter from Fr Mark McManus 29th May |
| Dear Parishioners of St Joseph's & St Charles, |
| There is no news yet on the re-opening of our churches but I am hoping for something soon to emerge with regard to the practicalities. For now I must simply wrestle with an eleven page, forty-eight-questions-long checklist that, inspired by the world of health and safety, asks one to consider various issues before re-opening. I confess, I do wonder how I am to 'promote good respiratory hygiene?' I have found promoting the Gospel challenging enough.
Tomorrow, Saturday, 30 May, marks the Fortieth Anniversary of the Foundation of the Diocese of Hallam. Some of you were there that day at the newly created cathedral of St Marie's. In seminary at the time, I went to bed a seminarian for the diocese of Leeds and woke up the next morning a seminarian for Hallam. It was all very painless. Mind you, it helped that nobody told us and we only found out when a revised laundry list (containing details also of your diocese, college year and room number) was pinned to the noticeboard. I like to think communication has improved since then... Anyway, happy anniversary to you all! Please remember our bishop in your prayers at this time. He has a great burden to carry and he will need the willing co-operation of us all to face the challenges that undoubtedly lie ahead. God, eternal shepherd, you tend your Church in many ways and rule us with love. You have chosen your servant, Ralph, to be a shepherd of your flock in the diocese of Hallam. Give him a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he build your Church as a sign of salvation for the world. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen. Finally, I have attached this weekend's newsletter. Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us. St Joseph, pray for us. St Charles Borromeo, pray for us. With my prayers, Fr Mark McManus |