Epiphany 2025 Pastoral Letter from Bishop Stephen

In his sermon on the Epiphany, St Peter Chrysologus makes a simple yet profound statement that captures a core component of our Faith: “In choosing to be born for us, God chose to be known by us.” This Feast confounds the previously held notion that the expected Saviour would be for the people of Israel alone. Abraham’s descendants would from now on include people of every nation who, St Peter Chrysologus teaches, can, with the Magi, “gaze in deep wonder at what they see: heaven on earth, earth in heaven, man in God, God in man, one whom the whole universe cannot contain now enclosed in a tiny body.”

I pray that within the See of Beverley we may worship as the Magi did. I pray that we will never tire of contemplating the wonder and mystery of God made known to us in Jesus Christ. And I pray too that our worship and contemplation may so inform our witness that we illumine the communities in which we are placed with the light of Christ.

The Jubilee Year – A Catechism Course

The Pope marked the beginning of this Jubilee year on Christmas Eve by opening the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica, following the time-honoured tradition associated with Jubilee Years.  This year is the Year of Hope and, amongst other things, marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea which produced the Nicene Creed. Our small contribution to this in the See of Beverley is the catechism course that began during Advent and will continue until Eastertide. Please do continue to participate if you have already started, but also feel free to join in now if you’re able – all details can be found here: Registration for I BELIEVE Catechism & Formation Now Open – The See of Beverley

The course is aimed primarily at lay people, especially those who are running parishes without the presence of a permanent parish priest but is open to everyone. The aim is to enable people to deepen their understanding of our catholic faith and to give us all hope!

Children and Youth Ministry Development day

Thank you to those who have signed up already. There is still room for more, so if you’re interested in developing children, youth and family ministry, either as a new initiative or to build on what you’re already doing, please consider coming along. This will be on Saturday 8th February 2025 at St Matthew’s Church, Carver Street, Sheffield. For further details and to sign up here Children and Youth Ministry Development Day February 2025 – The See of Beverley

Vocations Retreat

Again, thank you to those who have signed up for this 24-hour retreat. It would be good for me to be able to spend time with people who are already in a training and formation context, those who have been recommended and those just beginning to consider a formal vocation – and it would be good for others in these various situation to meet with and encourage one another. This Retreat is for those who are considering the Vocational Diaconate and for men discerning a calling to the Sacred Priesthood. We welcome all who are seeking to discern God’s call to serve in the Ministry of the See of Beverley.

Please do consider coming along – details are here: Vocations Retreat 2025 – The See of Beverley

Lourdes Pilgrimage: With Mary, Pilgrims of Hope

The Bishop of Blackburn and I would like to encourage as many people as possible from the Northern Province to join the Society of Mary pilgrimage to Lourdes this coming August. Booking details may be found here: Diocese – SOM – Tangney Tours

A short and helpful article on the importance of the Blessed Virgin to the Church may be found here (the English text follows on from the German): Mother of God – Coram Fratribus

Some diary dates to note

Lent Penitential Service: planning for for Saturday 8th March 2025, the first Saturday of Lent is underway. Please keep save the date and look out for details when they emerge.

Chrism Masses: 

6th April, 6pm, Horbury Parish Church, Wakefield

13th April, 6pm, venue St Aidan’s Grangetown, Sunderland to be confirmed

14th April, 12noon, venue to be confirmed, Sheffield/Doncaster/Nottingham

15th April, 11.30am, Manchester Cathedral

Clergy quiet days:

27th March, 10am to 3pm. North-west region. Venue to be confirmed.

17th June, 10am to 3pm.  South-east region. Woolley Parish Church.

14 October, 10am to 3pm, North-east region. Seaham, County Durham.

PA to the Bishop of Beverley

Gill Knowles retired on 31 December 2024 having done sterling service getting my office up and running. I know that many of you have passed on your good wishes and prayers of blessing directly to her. She has said how much she enjoyed her two years getting to know you and the See of Beverley and even though retirement is necessary, she will miss her work.

I am really pleased that Yanethlizes Infante Blanco, or Yaneth as she prefers to be called, has joined the team as my PA and is already getting to know the intricacies of the Bishop of Beverley’s life. Yaneth is Venezuelan and English is a second language so please be patient with her during telephone conversations as our varied and rich regional accents are not always easy to follow!

Yaneth has written the following to introduce herself:

“It is with great enthusiasm that I introduce myself. I am thrilled to be joining your team as the new Personal Assistant to the Bishop of Beverley on January 1st.

Born and raised in Venezuela, I bring with me over 20 years of experience in the IT world. My career began in the dynamic environment of a major oil company, where I honed my skills in developing complex simulations for oil wells. After relocating to Spain, I had the privilege of working for Vodafone, providing invaluable support to senior management.

I am eager to use my skills and experience to contribute to the smooth operation of the Bishop’s Office. I look forward to joining the team and learning more about the role and the Bishop’s vision for the future.”

Her contact details remain the same as they were for Gill (office@seeofbeverley.org.uk and 07394 545887). Letters to me are still being sent to the home of my predecessor in York. While +Glyn still lives there and is able to forward them on this will work, but it may be best to update your details if you haven’t done so already – The Bishop of Beverley’s Office, The Vicarage, Church Street, Woolley, WF4 2JU.