The Most Rev John Wilson, BA, STB, STL, PhD, KC*HS ’S HOUSE, 150 ST. GEORGE’S ROAD, SOUTHWARK, LONDON SE1 6HX Tel: 020 7928 2495 Email: [email protected] ______

Message to the Parishioners of Whitstable

Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ, 1st September 2020 I would like to take this opportunity to once again offer my congratulations and prayers to Fr Kevin, your parish priest on his diamond jubilee of priesthood this summer. Over forty years of his ministry has been here with you and the people of Whitstable. As you know Fr Kevin will soon retire from the office of Parish Priest, so I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks and that of a grateful diocese for all he has done to support, encourage and prayerfully care for so many people.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you the parishioners of Whitstable for all the support you have in various ways given to the Southwark Catholic Youth Service, especially to the St Vincent's Centre next door to the church of Our Lady Immaculate. Your prayers, practical support and financial support have helped the SCYS team to carry out their ministry to the young people of the Diocese. Sadly, the St Vincent’s Centre building and its layout no longer suits the needs of Youth ministry today. Recent years have seen much consideration of ways of changing the centre or relocating its work. This time of dramatic change, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has leant this process a new urgency. Many of the schools and Parishes who would have brought young people to the Centre will not be able to do so in this new academic year. This being the case, the decision has been taken not to reopen the St Vincent’s Centre this Autumn, and additionally to refocus the efforts and energy of the SCYS from residential work towards supporting parishes and providing day retreats, when it becomes practical and safe to do so. This plan is likely to see the SCYS staff and office relocate. As a consequence, the St Vincent's Centre will no longer be used and the Diocese will have to consider its future. This process is likely to have some impact on the Parish, but this should not include any change to worship at the church of Our Lady Immaculate. Your new Parish Priest, Fr Philip Glandfield will be in a position to work with you in considering its effect on the Parish.

______The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark A Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Incorporated Charity Number 1173050

The Diocese owns a house near to the St Vincent’s Centre, formerly used by some of the SCYS team. In order to give extra time and flexibility to those helping Fr Kevin find a new, safe and suitable home, I have proposed to Fr Philip that he live, at least temporarily, in this Diocesan house while retaining the Parish Offices at the Presbytery. Fr Philip will finish his current appointment by the end of September and after a deferred summer break will move to Whitstable in late October, ready to join you for the Masses of the weekend at the end of half term.

With assurance of prayer,

The Most Reverend John Wilson,