Unite in celebration of Mary Ward's life and legacy
Dear Friends,
The fire in the hearth was crackling peacefully as Fr Richard said his evening prayers. He had lived in the village of Osboldewic for some years now - serving a humble curacy. St Thomas’s church was no place for ecclesiastical prestige or riches, but Fr Richard would not complain. He had often thought that this parish was just the right distance from the city to keep out of the firing line of politics and war.
York was under siege. Last spring, much rumbling of cannon fire could be heard - even here, all the way in Osboldewic. St Lawrence’s church, less than two miles down the road, was caught up in the conflict and unfortunately lay in ruins.
Yet Osboldewic was not too far away from York to keep ignorant of what went on in the wider world. Two weeks ago, disturbing news had reached Fr Richard: Archbishop William Laud had been executed for treason on Tower Hill. These were dangerous times.
A knock on the door disturbed Fr Richard’s train of thoughts. Who could this be? Perhaps a pastoral emergency, at this time of night? Either that, or a beggar. ‘I’ve not got much to give you,’ Fr Richard thought, as he unlatched the door.
Three women stood outside. From what Fr Richard could see by the light of their lantern they looked respectable, dressed modestly. ‘Father, may we please have a word?’ one of the women said, ‘In private?’ Intrigued, Fr Richard opened the door wider and let them in.
‘We shan’t beat around the bush, Father,’ one of the women said. ‘It’s about our dear Mary. She passed away.’ And the three religious sisters (for that is what they were) continued to tell Fr Richard about Mary and her extraordinary life. A faithful catholic, born and bred in Yorkshire. A formidable woman, a mother to many. A heretic, according to some. She had died just the day before, on the 30th January 1645, aged 60. And there was no catholic churchyard, of course. ‘Father, please, we beg you - would you help us?’
Come and join us on Sunday 26th January at 4pm as we - Catholics and Protestants - unite in celebration of Mary Ward's life and legacy.
Love and prayers,
