As Editor of the Westminster Year Book, it is my job
to ensure that the information contained in the
book is gathered together in time for the publication deadline.Added to this, I also have the responsibility of making sure that this information is accurate as inaccuracies are soon reported! I could not complete these aspects of the work without the collaboration of so many people – the unseen agents of the Westminster Year Book.Without this working together the Yearbook would simply be a dream and not the solid piece of diocesan work that you are now holding in your hand.

Sometimes people use the word Diocese in different ways. Occasionally it is used to
describe the faceless people who fit the question “What is the Diocese thinking?
Sometimes people credit the idea of Diocese to those who work at the centre.With
respect to all of them, Directors, Heads of Departments,Vicars General, Auxiliary Bishops
and even the Cardinal are not the Diocese on their own. It is everyone, every parishioner,
every priest, every volunteer worker, every lay minister, who, together, with our Cardinal
makes the Diocese.The Year Book is for each and every one.

For the editor, bringing together so many different interests and keeping them is some kind
of unity is not easy. In today’s individualist society there is a pressure to resist uniformity.
Of course unity is different from uniformity, but even unity needs a few rules, a few
boundaries in style and contribution if the book is to hold together Some request
different names for their parishes, some want to be free of rcdow.org.uk, some want
different titles to the norm , some want different parish lay outs. I suspect I didn’t please
everyone – let’s hope I pleased someone.

The Yearbook serves the Diocese in two ways. First it makes a statement. It is a who’s who
and a what’s what. Secondly it is a means of communication. Much of the detailed work in
editing is concerned with making sure phone numbers and emails correct. My own view is
that this Yearbook needs more not less phone numbers and email addresses so that our
communication is two way. Central departments are tackling the challenge to be more
communicative and with the coming of our new Diocesan Communications Officer that
will continue to develop. Communication is a two way thing and maybe my last comment
would be a request to parishes on behalf of so many of my correspondents.“Please don’t
leave the answer phone on all the time.”

Fr Stuart Wilson
All Saints Day 2005