Dear Friends,
I hope to be able to keep in contact with
you all despite having to go through some pretty invasive treatment at the local cancer centre.
The good news is that the treatment is preventative. However it does knock me out for days at a time
during each three week cycle.
While this is going on the Bishop has suggested
an arrangement whereby I get extra help from our attached clergy to cover the times when the chemo-therapy is producing the
worse side effects.
For regular pastoral needs he has asked Canon John Hardy-Astberry to become our "lead pastor" for most of the time,
seeing to "occasional offices" such as weddings and christenings as well as emergency call-outs and detailing the Sunday worship
in advance with the other members of staff.
Canon John has agreed very
cheerfully to all this and comes in to see me regularly to maintain a common policy overall.
It is wonderful to have such an experienced parish priest to step in like this and I am sure that you will
give him all the support he needs.
In the meantime, please pray for
everyone who is sick at this time, not just me!
My best wishes to you all!
Yours sincerely,
Fr. Raphael
