FRIDAY 9 DECEMBER 2005

Carol Hartley writes : This afternoon our parishioner, Jayne Lee, was commissioned in the Chapel at Hope Hospital in Salford as an Assistant Chaplain. She is seen here with Reverend Monsignor Paul Smith, representative of the Bishop, and Reverend Father David Glover, Episcopal Vicar for Social Responsibility. Jayne is the first female lay chaplain in our diocese. She is beginning a 2 year training role which will not only train her, but will also establish the Chaplaincy at Hope Hospital as a training centre for lay chaplains of the future. Father John and John Hartley both read prayers at the service, which was attended by several of Jayne's friends and colleagues. As a hospital chaplain, Jayne's role will be to provide for the spiritual and pastoral needs of patients, relatives, staff and students. Her care and duty will be to reflect the Church's calling to embody Christ in this world of need and searching, working among people with many skills, many stresses and great dedication. We are all asked to pray for Jayne as she embarks on her new ministry.