On the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus June 19th 2009 Pope Benedict XVI declared; "A year for priests".

A time for the whole Catholic Church to reflect on the great gift of the ordained priesthood and to encourage priests throughout the world to prayerfully contemplate this gift and call on their lives.

Pope Benedict chose this year to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the "Dies Natalis" of the Cure of Ars, St John Vianney who is the Patron Saint for parish priests worldwide.

It will greatly avail us all, priests and laity to read carefully the letter by Pope Benedict proclaiming a year for priests, plus the special indulgence that is granted to priests and laity for this year.

These can be accessed either through the Vatican web site or other Catholic web sites such as EWTN. Here you will find the complete text and conditions needed to fulfill the requirements necessary to gain either the plenary and or partial indulgence.

In doing so you will be able to embrace with a deeper understanding the mind of Pope Benedict and his desire to shepherd his priests throughout the world. As one reads his words we as laity are encouraged to lovingly embrace our call to support these men chosen by God not only with our prayers but also our physical resources that we have been blessed with.

Peter Thompson.