Welcoming the news of the appointment of the new Administrator to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham on behalf of The Society, the Rt Revd Tony Robinson, Chairman of the Council of Bishops, said:

I am absolutely delighted by the news of the appointment of Fr Kevin Smith to be the next Administrator.  His pastoral gifts will be a great blessing to the shrine and its many pilgrims.

The number of priests ordained by bishops of The Society this year is a cause for rejoicing. But the number of priests reaching retirement age makes it essential for all who belong to The Society to continue to pray for vocations, and do all they can to foster them.

There are still places left on this year's Vocations Conference for men in the catholic tradition (St Stephen's House, Oxford: 2-4 September). Do you know anyone who should be considering a possible vocation to the priesthood? If so, please encourage him to participate in this conference. For further details, see www.here-i-am.org.uk.

RooT (Religious of orthodox Tradition) is a group of Anglican Religious who support the aims of The Society.  Many people are unaware that there are communities of monks and nuns in the Anglican Communion. RooT is keen to publicise the opportunity available to serve God through the Religious Life.  To this end they have now launched a new section of The Society website to promote the life and work of RooT.  It can be found here.  

Anyone who feels they may be called to this way of life can read about vocation and then make contact with RooT via the site.  Back in 2014 RooT organised a successful vocations conference. One of the attendees has now become a novice in a monastic community. A second conference will take place in York on 1 October 2016. More information is available here.

On launching the site, the Chairman of the Council of Bishops, the Rt Revd Tony Robinson (Bishop of Wakefield), said:

Religious Communities are the constant heartbeat of the Church, with their lifelong commitment and disciplined prayer life. I hope this new website may encourage those who are seeking a vocation to the religious life.

 

In the March 2015 edition of New Directions Fr Peter CSWG reflects on the call to the religious life.  The article can be read here.