My Dear Friends in Christ,
It is with a sad and heavy heart that I have to announce to you all, that after 21 years as your Parish Priest here in Loughton, our Bishop Alan Williams has requested that I take up a new assignment, (and this will be my last one). The Bishop has appointed me Parish Priest & Dean of the Cathedral Parish of St. Mary & St. Helen, Brentwood, effective from the first weekend of September 2023.
I have spent half of my priesthood here in Loughton, and have been extremely happy. It has truly been an honour and privilege to have been able to serve you as your pastor for the past 21 years. I think of all the masses I have celebrated here with you, the children I’ve baptised, all the couples that I’ve prepared for marriage, the young people who have been Confirmed and the many funerals I have officiated at. To be part of people’s lives at all of those very important moments has been rewarding and humbling and filled with God’s grace.
I hope and pray that I have witnessed to the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that I have always tried to the best of my ability to lead you all a little bit closer to the Lord. If ever I have offended anyone it was never my intention, and I’m truly sorry. I ask your prayers as I take up this new assignment at Brentwood Cathedral, and if you’re in Brentwood, please don’t hesitate to drop in for a cup of tea.
It is with great happiness that I announce that your new Parish Priest will be Fr. Adrian Lowe, who is at present looking after Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Wanstead. Fr Adrian is a dear friend, and is really happy and looking forward to being with you as your pastor from the first weekend of September 2023. The greatest honour you can afford me is to welcome Fr Adrian with the same love and kindness that you have shown to me through these past years.
With fondest love & prayers for your all,
Rev Canon John J Harvey,
Address from 2nd September 2023
Clergy House,
28, Ingrave Road,
Brentwood
Essex. CM15 8AT
Tel No: 01277 265235
Email: jjh152@btinternet.com