As I write this, I am about to go on sabbatical. In fact, by the time you read this, I will have started my sabbatical. Some people may remember that I spent three months in Loppiano, Tuscany in 2017. My 2025 sabbatical will be from 26th August to 25th November. This allows me to be back in Baddesley Clinton, Lapworth and Packwood for Advent Sunday (30th Nov) and all the preparations for Christmas.
I plan to spend most of my sabbatical in the extreme southwest of Ireland doing light ministry in the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross within the Church of Ireland. My mother’s family is from this area, from Castletownshend near Skibbereen. I visited last summer, and I was left with a desire to go back and find out more about the Church of Ireland community, and especially how it survives outside of the tourist season. The Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross will lend me a house in Schull, which is even further west than Castletownshend. It is by the sea and idyllic, but I suspect it will be more of a challenge as winter approaches. The plan is that I will take Sunday services and engage with the community, but I’ll have no other responsibilities.
The CofE recommends sabbaticals, every seven years or so, to give clergy a chance to do something completely different, to rest, study and pray. It is meant to be a time of renewal from which you return, seeing your home parish afresh and with new perspectives and new possibilities. I think it can also be an opportunity for a parish to develop its own ministry in the absence of the Rector. I am very encouraged by the way our ministry team seems to be stepping up to the challenge. Most of the services are now covered. See the note bottom of page 5.
My other news is that Bishop Michael has invited me to become an Honorary Canon of Birmingham Cathedral. I am very pleased to receive this honour. It looks as though I will be installed on Remembrance Sunday (9th November) at 3.30pm at the Cathedral. It slightly messes up the last part of my sabbatical, but it will be worth it.
With my prayers and best wishes,
Fr Patrick