Fr. Alan Williams, from the province of Europe (England), has been nominated by Pope Francis to be bishop of Brentwood in the United Kingdom. Williams is the former major superior of the Marists in England and is currently the director of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. He holds degrees in theology, psychology and religious education and has served in a number of pastoral roles. He has worked as a teacher and chaplain in secondary schools as well as a parish priest and he taught Christian spirituality at the postgraduate level.
At the press conference this week when the announcement was made, Williams asked for continued prayers as he begins his new ministry. "Over the years many pilgrims from the Brentwood diocese have made their way to Walsingham. My own pilgrimage now takes me to Brentwood under the patronage of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and all the saints of the diocese.”
He added: “There is indeed a God of surprises and in my life as a priest and religious, I have learned to trust ever more in the grace of God for whatever task has been assigned to me."
His episcopal ordination will take place at Brentwood Cathedral on July 1, 2014.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.