Past and present staff and pupils gathered at Douay Martyrs School for a Mass celebrated by Bishop John in thanksgiving for the service of Martin Rainsford, Head of Douay Martyrs, to the school and the diocese. Martin is a valued member of the diocese’s education commission and, although he is retiring from headship, he will continue to work in education.
In his homily, Bishop John said ‘Today we thank God for Headship of Martin and his commitment and dedication to education over his professional life and his Catholic faith which is at the heart of his life. In the supreme act of thanksgiving, the Mass, we express our gratitude to God.’
He went on to explain how generosity is an important means of evangelisation, and that we proclaim our Catholic faith through faithful daily service.
At the end of the Mass, Bishop John read a letter from Cardinal Vincent to Martin, thanking him for his work in the diocese and for contribution to Catholic education.
