Clergy Day Today

I Have just returned from a Clergy Day at St. Christopher's in Burlington. The afternoon was the Bishop's time and he started his talk with the announcement that he will be retiring in a year on February 29th, 2008. There will be an electoral Synod in June to elect a c0adjuter Bishop who will serve with Bishop Ralph before becoming the new Diocesan Bishop when Bishop Ralph retires. Bishop Ralph followed his announcement with an hour remembering his past ten years as our Bishop. It was a heartfelt, often humourous talk which ended with the challenge for us to support the new bishop whom we will elect. At the end of his speech we, the clergy, gave him a standing ovation.

I am so grateful for Bishop Ralph: for bringing me to this Diocese and to this great parish of St. Andrew. I am thankful for his pastoral care for me and my family and for the clergy and people of Niagara. We still have him for a year, and I hope that it can be a year in which the people of St. Andrew's Church can show their appreciation for him and his care.