At the time of writing our sick brothers and sisters of the Diocese are preparing to leave for home and by the time you read this, God willing, they will all be safely home. Then the Ampleforth Pilgrimage arrive and I will spend the week with them as one of their chaplains. I am so immensely proud of the pupils of Cardinal Heenan High School who have been part of the pilgrimage’s youth section. They have not spared themselves in supporting their designated sick pilgrims. We are so lucky to have three great schools on our parish. As for myself, the task of a clergy chaplain is to provide pastoral and sacramental support to the pilgrims and at times pilgrimage volunteers too. It is an intense couple of weeks for me, but it is an opportunity to help very vulnerable people to find spiritual comfort and grow in grace. I am acutely aware the impact of my absence from the parish, and I want to sincerely apologise for any discomfort and inconvenience that this has caused but be assured that I have offered prayer and Mass for your intentions.

Fr Chris