Dear Parishioners of St Jerome’s and St Anne’s
It has been announced today that, with the Archbishop’s agreement, Father Bernard Higham has stepped down as Parish Priest of Our Lady’s and will now retire with immediate effect. The Archbishop has appointed me as Parish Priest of Our Lady’s with immediate effect. This is in addition to my responsibilities at St Jerome’s and St Anne’s.
Our first thoughts are with Father Bernard today. He has served Our Lady’s faithfully for 22 years and has been a wonderful, caring pastor. For 10 of those years he also took responsibility for the pastoral care of St Jerome’s. Our prayers and thoughts are with him as he begins a very well earned retirement. Father Bernard will continue to live in Our Lady’s Presbytery for the time being.
I would also like to ask for your prayers as I begin this new responsibility. There will obviously be changes and adjustments to the life of our parishes in the coming weeks and months, but I shall keep you informed of what is happening.
I shall also be writing to you in the next couple of days to inform you of the Mass times for the coming weekend. Obviously, these arrangements have had to be revised in the light of today’s announcement.
God bless you all,
Father John