"Chocolate birthday honours for Fr Padraig Hawkins. For his fortieth birthday, Bishop Alan Hopes presented Fr Padraig Hawkins, his private secretary, with a token of appreciation. Fr Padraig is understood to appreciate chocolate, and this bar of Toblerone weighed 4.5kg.
Image from Mgr Tony Rogers"
Images: Fr Padraig and Bishop Hopes with large cholocltae bar
My dear friends,
Over the last five and more years, since my diagnosis with advanced prostrate cancer, I have managed to cope with my developing illness, its ongoing treatment, the general decline in my health, and generally - I think - continued my ministry as best I can.
We have moved forward and outward together as a diocese, although not all of you may be have been happy with the directions we have taken. I am sorry for any ways I have failed in my ministry during those years. There remain a number of difficulties on my desk which will need to be handled by others.
In the last few weeks, the cancer has rather quickly taken control. My oncology and palliative care consultants informed me openly and honestly just before Christmas that I now probably have only weeks to live, and I am as prepared for that as I can be, accepting it with faith as a gift of God's grace.
I have received wonderful care from Dr Adrian Harnett and everyone at the Colney Centre at the Norwich and Norfolk University Hospital, and the local surgery, and I would like to thank them for their dedication which continues. My thanks also to so many people in our team at the White House and across our diocese.
Rather than resign, I would like to continue among you as your bishop and the father of our diocesan family until this stage of my life ends. I do not know how long that will be. I am most grateful for the ways you have cared for and so prayerfully supported me in recent years. You remain very much in my thoughts and care. As I am sure you understand, I am able to do very little, and will need to rely on others. Please can I ask you to limit any expressions of care to prayer for now, rather than anything else to which I cannot respond.
As I live now under the shadow of death, my prayer is very much that of St Paul that I may know something of the power of Christ's resurrection and a share in his sufferings, trusting that the Lord is with me. I pray that even now I can joyfully witness something of the good news we are all called to proclaim.
With my warmest good wishes, my prayers and my love as always
Yours in Christ,
- Michael
Rt Rev Michael Evans Bishop of East Anglia
Evans, Michael Charles Rev MTh (1951-2011)all who are Baptised have a vocation; following in the footsteps of the master; "Novo Millenio Ineute" - what it means to be a disciple of Christ; each person is chosen by God; to live out their vocation
Smith, Peter David Gordon Rev LLB JCD (1943-2020)"Day for Life"; Cardia Hume "All is not well."; extraordinary increase in perils for individuals and peoples; same-sex unions; age of consent; embryo experimentation; attacks on the value of human life; no compromising for the truth of the Gospel
Smith, Peter David Gordon Rev LLB JCD (1943-2020)reflecting on our own family; new start with the new Millenium; work for justice and peace in the world
Smith, Peter David Gordon Rev LLB JCD (1943-2020)Cathedral project phases 1-4; Cost £350,000 (equals 100 medium priced cars!); Appeal; Blackfriars Hall in Norwich on 3rd February 1978, Cardinal Hume and other patrons attending; requesting names and addresses of potential donors; hospital for cyst removal on 12 February
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Bishop's heraldry on cover
Mission fields are here, at home; New Cathechism being published; 600 pages for the breadth of the Church's teaching; aimed at Bishops but priests should incorporate it into their teaching; guide to the Catholic faith
Conference at St Bede's school in Cambridge; see News Extra and the Diocesan News - it's all there; Pro-Nuncio to lead pilgrimage to Walsingham on 18 July;
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)the two cathedrals of Norwich; every parish is an integral part of this diocese; invite all to visit the diocesan cathedral; an appel for the cathedral; new visitors centre; "Two Cathedrals" event in Lent
Evans, Michael Charles Rev MTh (1951-2011)Bishop's heraldry on cover
"Called to Serve" consultation; 1987 Synod preparation; the priest is the cornerstone; he is mobile and ready to take on new responsibilites; 11 students in training for the priesthood - some more to come; invitiation to become priests; 10 years as a diocese
First time writing as your Bishop; patience whilst waiting for a new Bishop; priorities (teaching, working with religious leaders); proclaim the Good News
Evans, Michael Charles Rev MTh (1951-2011)prayer and penance; a time for return; 16 May - Day of the Diocese; 5 years as a Diocese; come to the Cathedral; renewal of Christian vocation
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)He is with us; joys and sorrows; Bishops thoughts on the evils of today issued
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Bishop's heraldry on cover
war and rumours of war; expectations of year 2000; evangelisation - a decade of work
Bishop's heraldry on cover
Gaudete Sunday; our preparation for Christmas; facing up to our failings; taking heart
Bishop's heraldry on cover
evangelisation; "prepare the way of the Lord"; "no one part of the Body of Christ must lord it over another"; keep wotking at it
Bishop's heraldry on cover
being nimble; the church's homeland is the Mass; quote from Mgr. Tony Philpot; GK Chesterton - the danger of seeing something familiar as if for the first time again; evangelising in a "homely" way
Bishop's heraldry on cover
Evil seems to be triumphing; we can outface all the evil and wickeness; the cross is our salvation; "Do not be Afraid"; greed and unemployment; turn to hope and trust in Him
Bishop's heraldry on cover
a review of the last 10 years as a Diocese; growth areas; barren areas - a loss of faith in the Real Presence?; room for renewal; drop in vocations; despite that a feeling of deep and abiding thankfulness; 29th June 3 pm for Cathedral Mass
National Pastoral Congress in Liverpool; 25 East Anglia representatives; no longer an infant diocese - growing; make clear what is required of us all
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)