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FOR JUNE 30th –July 1st 2007. APPOINTMENTS This
year has been a difficult one for the Diocese. We have lost two active parish
priests who have died, one at Cobham, Canon Tony Clarke, and one at Camberley,
Father Michael Reynolds. Two or three other priests have retired. On the
positive side we have had three new priests ordained in the past 12 months.
This has meant that a number of moves have become necessary this year. Among
them the 2nd Vicar General, Mgr Benny O’Shea will be moving from
Bognor to Esher to replace Mgr Barry Wymes who is retiring. The
Bishop has asked me to take his place as the Parish Priest of Bognor with
Slindon and Barnham. Father Terry Martin, whom many of you will know, will stay
on at Bognor as my Assistant Priest. The Bishop asked me to make it clear that I
certainly did not ask for a move. Indeed I expected to stay here for a few more
years. It was the Bishop’s wish that I should take on the responsibility for
Bognor. As you can imagine, the Bishop’s task of meeting the needs of the whole
Diocese is not an easy one. Deaths and retirements always cause other moves to
be made. I
shall be very sad to leave Seaford after 8 years here as your Parish Priest. I
have been very happy here, and will have many happy memories of Seaford and of
you all. At the same time I am looking forward to the challenge of a new parish.
I hope that you will remember me in your prayers. I will certainly be praying
for you. I
am pleased to tell you that the Bishop has appointed Father Niven Richardson, as
your new Parish Priest. He is currently the Parish Priest at Bagshot and
Camberley North. I am sure that you will make him as welcome as you made me
eight years ago. The
change will take place in September. Father
Tony:
June 30th 2007
As I told you last weekend, the Bishop has asked me to go as Parish Priest to Bognor Regis to replace Mgr Benny O’Shea who is moving to Esher. I had no idea that a move was likely, and was very surprised when the Bishop telephoned me last week to ask me about it. The Bishop did not insist on the move, but I recognised that he would not be asking me to go unless he thought it necessary. Bognor is, in fact, the largest parish in Sussex apart from Crawley. Mgr Benny O’Shea became the 2nd Vicar General last year, and for that reason is moving to a Surrey parish. The other Vicar General, Mgr John Hull is based in Sussex at Patcham. Bognor is a very different parish to Seaford, and it will be quite a challenge for me, but I am sure that it would have been wrong for me to have said “no” to the Bishop. I hope that you will remember me in your prayers in these coming months especially. I will celebrate my Last Sunday Mass here on September 23rd, and will leave for Bognor on Tuesday September 25th. Father Niven Richardson hopes to be here during the following week on or about October 1st and will celebrate his first Sunday with you on October 7th, Rosary Sunday. I am sure that you will make him welcome here, as you did me eight years ago. It is never easy to move from one parish to another, and you can do so much to make it easier for him. Father
Tony Update: September 2nd 2007 My last Mass here as Parish Priest will be at 10.30 on Sunday September 23rd, and I shall be leaving on Monday 24th. Fr Niven Richardson will arrive here on or about October 1st. Please pray for us both during this time of transition. It is never easy to move, and the longer one has been in a parish the harder it becomes. I know that we would both value your prayers very much. Father
Tony
My
dear friends, I
have been writing to you each week now for eight years, and this will be my
last letter as your parish priest. There
is so much that I could say, but I think it better simply to thank you for
your support and for your love and friendship over these years.
It is not easy to be a parish priest, and it makes a huge difference
when people are as generous and supportive as so many of you have been.
I want to thank everyone who has helped me in any way during these
last years. I am very grateful
for all that you have done. I
am sure that you will welcome your new parish priest just as you welcomed me
in 1999. I
will certainly pray for all of you. With
my love and prayers for each of you, Tel: 01243
823619
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