AFTER almost nine years of service as Ledbury’s Catholic priest, Fr Richard Simons is moving to a new parish at Abergavenny.
He will be missed, not just by his congregation, but by his many friends in Ledbury town.
He came in January 2004 initially on a one-year loan from Belmont Abbey where he is a Benedictine monk.
This was extended in stages and in 2008 he took over Ross Parish as well as Ledbury.
The Abbot of Belmont, Fr Paul Stonham OSB, came to Ledbury recently to celebrate a special Mass and all gathered in the parish room for a short presentation.
The Abbot reminded us that the first permanent Catholic Church in the Southend was opened by a Benedictine in 1905.
Fr Richard has achieved much in Ledbury with the new Church roof and redecoration, the creation of the Parish Centre and the Priest’s flat and work to make the Parish Room more welcoming for the many hirers for classes and meetings.
We all wish him well in his new parish and look forward to welcoming our new Priest Fr Adrian Wiltshire.
The changeover is on Wednesday.
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