Heralded by a group of African singers called Umdumo Wesizwe (Sound of the Nation) and joined by a sizeable crowd drawn from all parts of our diocese, Bishop Terry Drainey blessed and opened the new St Pauls Bookshop in King’s Square, York on Thursday 11th September.

“The Word is theologically, spiritually, morally, politically, and socially vital to all of us as Christians and to us as Catholics. Therefore any organisation which promotes the Word, the Word of God, and literature which helps us understand and live the Word better is something we should celebrate and thank God for” said Bishop Terry in his opening address. Blessing the new shop he continued saying, “Today I want to celebrate and give thanks for the opening of this bookshop. May all those who work here, all those who come here for information, nourishment and strength find all their needs fulfilled. In proclaiming God’s Word to others may we accept it ourselves in obedience to the Holy Spirit. May we meditate on it constantly so that each day we will have a deeper love of the scriptures and, in all we say and do, show forth to the world our saviour Jesus Christ, the Word of the Father who lives for ever and ever. It really does give me great joy and great pleasure, especially in this Year of St Paul, to be able to bless and to open this bookshop which will be a great asset for everyone who comes to York especially those who are really seeking to know the Lord and seeking to know more and more about his Word.”

Mr Stephen Moseling of St Pauls Bookshop was obviously very pleased and professed that St Pauls were ‘greatly encouraged by the response we have received’.

The new St Pauls bookshop in York covers over 2000 sq ft and stocks a full range of religious and theological books, Christian greetings cards, audio visual materials, posters, devotional articles (statues, rosaries etc), altar requisites, vestments, icons, gifts. Uniquely for St Pauls this shop stocks second-hand books too. St Pauls are happy to source books for customers if the item is not currently in stock. There is full disabled access, and a mail order service available. School and parish accounts are welcome. The shop is open Monday – Saturday 9 – 5.30 and is closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.