As we enter Mary's month of May, The Society is delighted to learn of the election of Fr Philip Barnes as the Master of the Guardians, and of the appointment of Fr Ben Eadon as the next Priest Administrator, of the Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. We pray for them and their ministry, just as we pray for Fr David Waller as he prepares to enter episcopal orders and become the first Bishop Ordinary of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. Joy to thee O Queen of Heaven. Alleluia!

The Society echoes the sentiments expressed by the Diocese of Leeds in its statement announcing the retirement of the Right Reverend Tony Robinson, Bishop of Wakefield, after over 20 years' service as a bishop in the Church. In addition, we wish to pay tribute to the unstinting support Bishop Tony has given to the Catholic Movement over many years, serving as Chairman of The Society's Council of Bishops and of Forward in Faith for nine years, as well as undertaking a variety of other roles, including two spells as Chairman of the Additional Curates Society. Bishop Tony has provided sacramental and pastoral oversight to Society parishes across all the episcopal areas in the Diocese of Leeds - not just in Wakefield - and we know that the Society clergy and parishes of that Diocese are profoundly grateful to him. The Right Reverend Jonathan Baker, Chairman of The Society's Council of Bishops, commented: "I speak for all the bishops of The Society, and indeed all its supporters, in sending our heartfelt thanks to Bishop Tony for all that he has done. His pastoral care for his clergy and people has been exemplary. We wish him a long and very happy retirement."

Bishops of The Society will be celebrating the following Chrism Masses:

Bishop of Beverley

6pm on Sunday 24 March at St Aidan, Sunderland

11am on Monday 25 March at St Jude, Hexthorpe

11am on Tuesday 26 March at Manchester Cathedral

Bishop of Blackburn

6pm on Sunday 24 March at St George, Preston

Bishop of Fulham

11am on Tuesday 26 March at St Andrew, Holborn

Bishop of Lewes

12pm on Wednesday 27 March at St John, Preston Park

for all parishes in the Diocese of Chichester with the Bishop of Chichester preaching

Bishop of Oswestry

11am on Thursday 21 March at Gloucester Cathedral

11am on Monday 25 March at Lichfield Cathedral

11am on Tuesday 26 March at Exeter Cathedral

Bishop of Richborough

12pm on Tuesday 19 March at Portsmouth Cathedral           

12pm on Monday 25 March at Chelmsford Cathedral           

12pm on Tuesday 26 March at Canterbury Cathedral           

12pm on Wednesday 27 March at St Mary, Walsingham

Bishop of Wakefield

6pm on Sunday 24 March at St Peter, Horbury

For more details about this new and exciting free initiative, email Clare Williams who will send you more details, including the Zoom link for the meeting.