Archbishop Bernard Longley was the principal Celebrant with Bishop Philip Pargeter, Bishop David McGough and other clergy concelebrating.

This magnificent event was hosted by the Trustees of Father Hudsons Society. Through all the months of preparation Kevin was unaware of anything about it, only being told the day before.
It was attended by Trustees past and present, priests he had worked with, his own parish priest from Nottingham Diocese, volunteers, local dignitaries from Coleshill, fellow Directors from other Catholic Care Agencies nationally and senior and long serving members of staff. Most important to Kevin, the family man, all his children and 9 grandchildren joined Kevin and his wife Maria for the Mass. Olivia, his eldest granddaughter was a server and Claire, his eldest daughter read the lesson. A further surprise and delight to Kevin was the attendance of his son David with his girlfriend, who had flown in from South Africa.

In his homily Archbishop Bernard Longley, President of Father Hudson’s Society paid tribute to the magnificent way in which Kevin had carried out his role, to his wealth of invaluable experience in social care which he brought to Father Hudson’s Society and to the way in which his work with the Directors of other Catholic Care Agencies and Caritas has been of considerable benefit to those agencies. He thanked him for his exceptional contribution in caring and for making Father Hudson’s Society what it is today.

It was a mark of the esteem in which Kevin is held that so many people felt honoured to be part of the celebrations. During the Mass Archbishop Bernard presented Kevin with a Papal Award, the Benemerenti Medal, which is awarded by the Pope to individuals who have given outstanding service to the Catholic Church. This was awarded not only for his outstanding service to Father Hudson’s Society but also for his role within the Church in his own Diocese of Nottingham. He serves as a Eucharistic Minister within his own parish and plays a major role in Safeguarding at parish, diocesan and national level.

Following a lunch in the college refectory further tributes were paid to Kevin.

Bishop Pargetter, who was Chairman of the Society at the time of Kevin’s appointment, said that it was the best appointment that he had ever made. In the decade before Kevin’s appointment changing times and needs had necessitated a change of its mission and the restructure of the Society from the Birmingham Diocesan Rescue Society to the Archdiocese of Birmingham Social Care Agency. Bishop Pargeter said that Kevin saved the Society for the future and leaves behind a much stronger and successful organisation. He said that Kevin had done a magnificent job supported by a good staff team who he had motivated and brought together through his own patience and kindness. The Society now receives Excellent or Outstanding awards from the relevant inspectorates.

A week of goodbyes and smaller events took place as Kevin visited Community Projects and Adult Care work for the last time as Director. This culminated on his 65th birthday, Friday 4 November with First Friday Mass in St Philomena’s Chapel in Coleshill followed by a birthday party with central office staff.

Kevin will be greatly missed by the Society but he is not going altogether we may have lost an excellent Director but we are gaining a magnificent volunteer. Kevin has already committed to a number of voluntary roles within the Society. That together with his Safeguarding work, his family, and his caravanning is not going to leave much time for the gardening and decorating that he has promised Maria he will do.