On Monday 19 May, the Right Reverend Tony Robinson, the Area Bishop for Wakefield, paid an official visit to the Westfield Centre Food Bank at South Elmsall. At the Food Bank he met several members of the committee, representatives from ASDA a valued sponsor, a representative from the South Elmsall Community Facilities Ltd and Fr Robert Hart from S Helen's, Hemsworth.  He was informed of how the Food Bank operated and was given an insight into the running and storage of the donated foodstuffs at the centre.  Bishop Tony gave encouragement to those who were seeking to relieve the plight of those who are most in need, he also shared from his own experiences of other Food Banks in his Episcopal Areas.

After the visit, Bishop Tony, a Bishop of the Society, said,  “Food banks have become a familiar part of the life of many of communities providing emergency food supplies to those who are falling into hard times often as a result of cuts in benefits or sanctions imposed by job centre staff.  I am very grateful for the many volunteers from our churches who are involved in this very important work caring for the most vulnerable.”

On Palm Sunday the Society in the Diocese of Sheffield held a Youth Liturgy at St Mary the Virgin, Handsworth. The theme was following Jesus and the Cross. The event started in the church hall with a welcome from the youth coordinator, Ben Otley, and the diocesan chairman, Fr Stokoe, We were then led in some craft activities.  These included weaving Crosses, making prayer bead bracelets and making hot Cross buns. Following the crafts we had a procession up to church stopping at various places en-route to pray some of the Stations of the Cross, one young boy wore an alb and carried a wooden Cross on his shoulder to dramatically enact the role as Jesus.  Once in church we had a simple penitential liturgy with a sermon on a text from  Galatians 6 to remind us that although we have so many distractions and so much to boast of we should boast of nothing except the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. All were invited to place a candle underneath a Cross which had beenhung in the Chancel arch.  Towards the end of the liturgy the children were invited to receive the ministries of laying on of hands and Anointing of the Sick, and there was an opportunity to make their Confession.  Many took part in this and it was wonderful to see children putting themselves into the hands of Christ.  After the service there were hot dogs and cakes and the Hot Cross buns were ready to eat!  There was a good turn out with 44 young people plus accompanying adults, helpers and clergy. Youth Coordinator, Ben Otley, said, "I look forward to leading many more of these events around the diocese.  I find events like this important as they give the young people a chance to get together and to develop their faith in an informal way."