Wednesday 5th November, 12 noon – Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Coulby Newham

Each November, the Church turns her prayerful gaze toward eternity. It is the month when we remember the faithful departed, commending them to the mercy of God and thanking Him for their witness. Among those we hold most dear are the bishops, priests, and deacons who have served this diocese through the years; those who preached the Word, celebrated the sacraments, and carried the joys and sorrows of their people in prayer.

To honour their memory, the Annual Diocesan Mass for Deceased Clergy will be celebrated at Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Coulby Newham, on Wednesday 5th November at 12 noon. All are warmly invited to attend. This Mass is one of the most prayerful and poignant moments in our diocesan calendar, a time when clergy and laity gather together in gratitude for those who have gone before us in faith.

Each name represents a story of quiet fidelity: the bishop who carried the burdens of his flock with courage and care; the parish priest who baptised our children and buried our loved ones; the deacon who proclaimed the Gospel and served at the altar. Their lives are woven into the spiritual history of our parishes and communities. Though their voices are silent, their witness still speaks, reminding us that priestly and diaconal service is a lifelong “yes” to Christ and His people.

To pray for them is an act of love and communion. In gathering around the altar, we do not simply look back with nostalgia but forward with hope, trusting in the promise of the Resurrection. As we share the Eucharist, the sacrifice of Christ that conquers death, we are united with all who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. The bonds of charity do not end with the grave; they are renewed and strengthened in prayer.

This annual Mass stands as a visible sign of our unity as a diocesan family. It reminds us that every vocation, every ministry, every parish story contributes to the single life of the Church in our region. By remembering our deceased pastors, we also renew our own commitment to follow Christ with the same courage, humility, and devotion that marked their lives.

Please join us at Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Coulby Newham, on Wednesday 5th November at 12 noon, as we give thanks for those who shepherded us in life and now rest in the peace of the Good Shepherd.

May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.