Our Acting Rector, Fr James Mary, will be completing his term in Walsingham at the end of July.

In this regard you are invited to join us this Sunday 23^rd July 2023 in person and online for a special Mass celebrating the 20th National Grandparents Pilgrimage to Walsingham and also the service of Fr James Mary McInerney OFM Conv at the Catholic National Shrine over the last 5 years.

The Mass will be celebrated by Bishops David Oakley (Bishop of Northampton), Peter Collins (Bishop of East Anglia), Alan Hopes (Bishop Emeritus of East Anglia) along with other priests from Walsingham, the diocese and beyond.

Fr James Mary started his ministry in Walsingham in June 2018, arriving from Dublin.  Serving initially under Mgr John Armitage and then under Mgr Philip Moger, earlier this year he was appointed Acting Rector when Mgr Philip Moger left the Shrine to become an auxiliary Bishop of Southwark.

Bishop Peter Collins said:

I wish to express my deep appreciation for the priestly ministry exercised by Fr.James Mary since his arrival within the precincts of the Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham. Fr.James Mary has demonstrated particular generosity during the past six months by accepting the role of Acting Rector of the Shrine. He has undertaken his responsibilities with earnest dedication. The sincerity of his spirituality and the gentleness of his pastoral engagement has been apparent to all. We are so sorry to witness his departure from Walsingham which marks a renewed loss of the Friars Minor. On behalf of the Diocese of East Anglia and the Walsingham Trust, I wish to express my gratitude to Fr.James Mary and his confreres for all they have contributed to the Mission of Walsingham. I am sure you will join me in offering Fr.James Mary the assurance of our prayers in support of his move to Ireland and all that awaits him. Our Lady of Walsingham will undoubtedly continue to protect and support his ongoing ministry.

We give thanks for Fr James Mary’s ministry in Walsingham along with the ministry of all the OFM Conv friars who have served here. His presence and dedicated service will be greatly missed. We wish him well and offer our prayers for his next mission.

There will be a retiring collection for Fr James Mary following the 9.30 and midday Masses at the Shrine on Sunday 23rd July.