Ralph
Bishop of Hallam
Pastoral Letter
To be read at all Masses on the weekend of 8 – 9 March 2025
Wherever there is change, people manage best when they are not caught off guard but are able to at least take on board events that may change them. Therefore, this is perhaps a good moment to remind you of changes in the Diocese that will impact on everyone.
Last month we formed a Diocesan Pastoral Council. The membership of this Council is predominately lay people from across the Diocese. Together with the Council of Priests and the Diocesan Trustees (Diocesan Finance Council) these bodies, whose existence is prescribed in Canon Law, will now begin to look at the future shape of our Diocese and make very necessary recommendations about overdue changes.
Why do we have to make changes at this time? Well, as I write there is no spare capacity of priests within the diocese. We are totally dependent on our retired priests to provide some of our regular Sunday Mass cover when a priest is sick or on holiday. This leaves me as Bishop with very little room for manoeuvre. I am very conscious of my role as Shepherd to ensure that you have the best possible access to Mass and the other Sacraments. The challenge of change will affect us all.
This challenge change brings will perhaps be most acutely felt by those who do not regularly attend Mass. They are unaware of how changes have affected us thus far and fail to see things are very different from when they previously had any major contact with the church. When they do come in contact with the church again, their notions of yesteryear lead to unrealistic expectations. This then can result in disappointment and perhaps sometimes, anger. We all have to find ways of communicating our reasons for change and help them to a better understanding.
However, there is a challenge too for us who remain faithful to the Lord’s call. In particular, to be realistic about what is possible, given where we are at present. I want to take the opportunity to thank our priests as they continue to strive to provide best access to the Holy Mass and the other Sacraments in the face of ever decreasing numbers.
I read a Lenten Reflection last week that described Lent as “a serious encounter with reality”. Let us use Lent this year to seriously acknowledge the reality of where we are and, in keeping with the theme of the Jubilee, look forward in confidence and hope.
We entrust ourselves to the Lord’s loving kindness and mercy and the motherly care of Mary, our Mother of Perpetual Help.
Yours sincerely in Christ, the Redeemer,
