Bishop Bosco MacDonald’s Pastoral Letter
Pastoral Letter to the Diocese
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As I write my first Pastoral Letter as your new bishop, I am filled with profound gratitude and joy. The warm welcome and the many prayers I have received from all corners of our diocese and further afield have deeply touched my heart. Your kindness and support have been a source of great strength and encouragement as I embark on this journey with you.
I want to extend my sincere thanks to each of you for the gracious welcome you have given me. From the parish communities, religious communities, schools, colleges and other institutions and groups as well as many individuals, your generosity of heart has been overwhelming and I am truly blessed to be part of such a vibrant and faith-filled diocese.
I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to Bishop Emeritus Declan. His dedication and service to our diocese have laid a strong foundation upon which we can continue to build. As St Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, “We ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord … Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.” Let us continue to hold Bishop Declan in our prayers and give thanks for his faithful and generous leadership.
Looking ahead, we have the great privilege of preparing for the upcoming Holy Year of Hope in 2025. In preparation for the Holy Year, we have a significant national event on the horizon: the Adoremus National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress at Oscott College, Birmingham in September this year. This gathering will be a powerful moment for representatives from parishes throughout the country who will come together with Cardinal Vincent and the Bishops of England and Wales to celebrate the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith. It will be a time of deepening our understanding of the Eucharist and renewing our commitment to living out its transformative power in our daily lives.
The special Jubilee Year of Hope offers us all an opportunity for spiritual renewal and deepening our relationship with Christ. I encourage each of you to begin preparing your hearts and minds for thissacred time. Within our Diocese, let us embrace the Holy Year with open hearts, seeking to grow in faith, hope, and love. Together, we can make this a time of profound spiritual growth for our entire diocese. Let us remain united in prayer and in our commitment to living out our faith with joy and enthusiasm.
May the Lord bless each of you abundantly. May He guide us and strengthen us as we embark on this journey together. Please know that you are in my prayers, and I ask for your continued prayers for me as I begin my service as your bishop.
With my prayers and best wishes.
Bosco, Bishop of Clifton
To be read and made available at all Churches and Chapels in the Clifton Diocese on the weekend of 27/28 July 2024.