Thank You to Canon Ryan

It is a great joy and a privilege to become Parish Priest of St Wilfrid's. Fr Nicholas Edmonds-Smith and I arrived yesterday. I am looking forward to getting to know the parish and the people and to introduce myself and the Oratory of St Philip. But there will be plenty of time for that. I would like my first words on this website to be words of thank you to Canon Michael Ryan.

Most immediately I would like to say thank you to him for his warm and generous welcome, for passing on to me his comprehensive knowledge of the parish and the city and for the hard work that he has done to make the presbytery ready for us. (Not least, after a long and demanding day, it was great to have comfortable bedrooms all prepared for us!) All of these thanks are for his housekeeper Maureen as well.

But more profoundly I want to thank him for handing over a parish which is so evidently well-cared for and in good heart. It has become clear to me over the recent months of visiting York and other places in the Diocese how loved and respected Canon Michael is. I am very aware that I am stepping in to big shoes. Canon Michael is going to be a very hard act to follow.

I am sure you will keep Canon Ryan and Maureen in your prayers and please remember me too. I am greatly looking forward to having a ministry in this beautiful city.

— Fr Richard