20 May 2024
Mary the Mother of the Church

To all Priests and People in the See of Beverley

Dear Friends,

Today, as Ordinary Time resumes, many of us will have been rejoicing in the gift of Mary the Mother of the Church. The Blessed Virgin as the Mother of Christ becomes, through the mystery of the Incarnation, both Theotokos – the God-bearer – and our Mother. How? Because “you are Christ’s Body, and individually members of it.” (1 Corinthians 12 v 27). We must always give thanks for Mary’s Motherhood of the Church as we remember that she both gives her Son to us and instructs us to “Do what ever he tells you.” (John 2 v 5). Following her example and encouraged by her love, we keep our focus on Him who is our Saviour: “We shall be blessed with clear vision if we keep our eyes fixed on Christ, for he, as St Paul teaches, is our Head, and in Him there is no shadow of evil.” (St Gregory of Nyssa)

Children and Youth Ministry Adviser
In my Lent letter, I was pleased to let you know of the appointment of a Children’s and Youth Ministry Adviser to assist me in my ministry to, with and amongst you as your Bishop. Jane has accompanied me around the See of Beverley since her role began and many people have spoken of their desire to engage with children, young adults and families in a new or refreshed way. The role was initially for six months only, for six hours per week, but it soon became evident that much more was wanted and needed. Following the formal review of her work I am glad that from the 1st of June she will be working 17.5 hours per week on a permanent basis. If funding can be found, I would envisage this going up to full time in due course. If you would like help in this area of ministry, please do be in touch with me or her.  Her own letter of introduction may be found here.

Website
It is lovely that we now have a revamped See of Beverley website. Please do look at it regularly and pass photos or news on that can be included. Let’s show as many people as we can how dynamic we are! Please do check the Parish Register and let us know of any corrections that are needed – please also double check the links to your own websites as many of them have outdated information on them too.

Ordinations
Please pray for all to be ordained this Petertide to serve or continue serving in See of Beverley Parishes: Ray Parkin (Priest), Ben Jennings (Deacon), Lee Dunleavy (Deacon), Gareth Gladman (Priest) and James Bartle (Deacon). Details can be found here.
“Come, we have found the Messiah!”
(John 1 v 41)

Some Reading
I have just begun reading Tomas Halik’s book “The Afternoon of Christianity”. It is a thoughtful, challenging and hopefilled book, written by one of the Church’s most interesting academics. He is not without controversy and has served in various capacities through the last three Pontificates having been an adviser to the Pontifical Council for Dialogue with Non-Believers during the reign of Pope St John Paul II and being granted the title of Monsignor Honorary Prelate of His Holiness by Benedict XVI

2024 Save the Dates
Northern Provincial Festival – 27 July 2024, 11am, York Minster. It would be wonderful if we could fill the Minster for a Festival Mass with people from every Society parish in the Province of York. Book coaches and cars and make a day of it in the beautiful city of York.  PLEASE book tickets to indicate attendance as soon as possible to help with our planning. I will write about clergy robing arrangements once we have more information from the Minster.

I am delighted that +Paul, the Bishop of Oswestry, will be with us for the afternoon at All Saint’s North Street.

Clergy Quiet Day – 21 October. 10am to 3pm with me at St Peter’s Church, Woolley, WF4 2JU. Invitations will follow nearer the time.

May the grace of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit go before you.

+Stephen Beverley