Dear Friends in Christ,
It is with great joy this week that we welcome our new Bishop Alan Williams to our parish for his Pastoral Visitation and the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. 
Bishop Alan will visit St. John Fisher School for an Assembly with the children. The Mass of Confirmation will take place at 7.00pm where 40 of our young people will receive the Sacrament. This is truly a momentous occasion in their lives of faith, and it has been a great joy to have helped them over the past several months prepare for this great day.
On behalf of the Candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation, I would like to thank our six guest speakers over the past several months. They have certainly given a great insight into the importance and the sacredness of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Also I would like to thank our Catechists, who untiringly turn up to help our young people; To Mark Anthony, the Director of the Programme, Shirley Rooney, Andrew Burrowes, Ferdi Tisi, Mark Poulter, Ian Kendal, Ian McLay, & Aidan Potter. The wonderful input and example of these Catechists is truly inspiring for our young people and, for the whole parish community. Thank you!
Immediately after the Confirmation Mass, Bishop Alan will greet all the parishioners as they leave the Church. All the Confirmandi and their families are invited into the parish hall for light refreshments; this will be an opportunity to have a personal photo with Bishop Alan. This is also open to any parishioner who wishes to come in for a cup of tea.
In the afternoon I will be meeting one-to-one with Bishop Alan; we will be reviewing the whole parish. A Pastoral Visitation of a Parish is a wonderful opportunity to show the chief Shepherd of our Diocese how the Community of Faith continues to grow in this little pocket of the Lord’s vineyard.
May God Bless You All,
St Edmund of Canterbury 