To the Priests and Deacons of the See of Richborough – Lent 2026

As we stand on the threshold of Lent I want, first, assure you of my closeness to you all in the Lord as we enter into this ‘tithe of the year’ and penitential season. To stand, and go on standing, at the foot of the Cross is at the heart of the priestly vocation and it is here that we are most intimately united with Jesus our High Priest in his saving Passion that “through the saving power of the Cross impressed inwardly upon our lives and revealed outwardly in our works, others may come to know his love and truth.”

The sacred days of Lent are traditionally defined by the pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving as we grow in our love of Him who has first loved us, who loves us to the end and whose love is stronger than death itself. Growing in our love of God we also grow in love of neighbour, especially the lonely, poor, unloved or unlovely in whom we see the face of Jesus Christ.

In my last Ad Clerum I strongly encouraged each of you to prioritise these dates in your diaries and to prepare your faithful through teaching to join together with us as we renew our ordination vows and receive the sacred oils for the renewal and sanctification of the people of God. Included with this letter is a poster which can be copied and displayed in your churches and shared more widely.

You also need to register if you want to concelebrate, deacon or robe at the Chrism Mass you will be attending. This ensures that we are satisfying the necessary safeguarding requirements. The link to the registration form is https://forms.office.com/e/dF3vtRLWZG?origin=lprLink  Please register now or as soon as possible so as not to forget in the busyness of the coming weeks. For the Chrism Masses please wear your Richborough chasuble if you have one, or white chasuble. You will need to bring your own oil stocks for collecting the Oils after mass.

I have now been able to finalise dates and venues for regional festivals throughout the year which, I pray, will further nourish and edify our life and witness. All are welcome and, as with the Chrism masses, I hope that you will all come in number! Posters and more details will be made available, but for now please note:

Fr Glen has now been licensed to St Martin’s, Bedford, and also begun his ministry among us as my chaplain. He is contactable via email on chaplain@seeofrichborough.org.uk and on 07886 856638. He is available to us on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday each week.

In his ministry as chaplain, Fr Glen is working closely with me in offering pastoral care to clergy and churchwardens across the See, working collaboratively with me, archdeacons and local bishops in vacancy and appointment processes, and having oversight of the vital work of nurturing and supporting those discerning vocations to the sacred ministry in our Richborough parishes. Don’t hesitate to be in touch with him as he works with me to serve you in your vocation and ministry.

He also works closely with Claire in receiving diary requests and helping me schedule and plan pastoral and liturgical visits and celebrations. Claire continues to work part time Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (9.30 am to 2.30 pm) and can be contacted via email on office@seeofrichborough.org.uk or on 07447 103358.

St Augustine, meditating upon Lent, wrote that: It is true that Moses, Elijah, and Our Lord himself fasted for 40 days; but in Moses, Elijah, and Christ we are meant to see the law, the prophets, and the Gospel, and to learn from them not to cling to this present world or imitate its ways but to nail our unregenerate selves to the cross” and that “Lent is the epitome of our whole life.”

As you lead your faithful people through this season of grace and mercy may we all be drawn into an ever deeper conversion of life, rooted in the disciplines, devotions and prayer of the Church, trusting always in the faithfulness of God who does not abandon or forget us. In this way our Richborough Family will indeed become a ‘school of the Lord’s service’ in which we will be sanctified, for our good, the good of the whole Church and of all creation, as we offer the paschal mysteries and share, even now, in the life and joy of heaven.

With my prayer for a holy Lent and every blessing,