SW News: In his pastoral letter on Sunday, September 27, Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury dedicated the recovery of parishes of the diocese from the pandemic, to the care of St. Joseph.

The bishop recalled the various initiatives undertaken by the diocese to help the people during the past few months. He mentioned the outreach to the most vulnerable, isolated and poor in the society, the priests who devoutly ministered to the dying, and the livestreaming of Masses.

In his letter, he also took the opportunity to thank the clergy and parish volunteers, who together with diocesan offices enabled the faithful “to return with joy to the Holy Eucharist.” He also noted with gratitude the services rendered by the health and essential service providers.

“Times of trial and upheaval can lead people to deeper faith and commitment or tragically to fall away,” explained the Bishop.

He pointed out that the eternal Father entrusted the care of His Son and the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Joseph “through the most bitter trials of poverty and exile.” In his letter he showed St. Joseph as “an example of a man who, through testing times, did all the Lord asked of him.”

“To St. Joseph the whole Church is now entrusted; and we look to him especially as a guide in life of prayer, so we may be attentive to what the Lord asks of us,” stated the Bishop. He added, “It is to St. Joseph that I want to entrust the recovery of all the communities of our diocese from this testing time. Today, I wish to invite the whole diocese to celebrate a year of prayer dedicated to St. Joseph from October until the beginning of advent next year.”

The Bishop in his pastoral letter reminded the faithful to “Go to Joseph” in order to ask for prayers and learn from his example so that they can face the challenging months ahead. He concluded the letter by entrusting all to the intercession of Saint Joseph.

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