Founder’s Day 2025
– A Wonderful Celebration of Legacy and Community

Saturday 15 November 2025

The  Hospital community came together today for our annual celebration of our Founder, Archbishop Robert Holgate, Hemsworth’s most famous son, who died on 15 November 1555. This year marks the 470th anniversary of his death, and we gathered in thanksgiving for his enduring legacy as our founder and benefactor. 

Thanksgiving Mass for the Foundation

At 12.00 noon, a Thanksgiving Mass was held in honour of Archbishop Holgate. We were delighted to welcome The Right Reverend Philip North, CMP, Bishop of Blackburn, well-known to many as a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day, as our preacher for this special occasion.

Bishop Philip offered a powerful and uplifting sermon, inviting us to focus on three guiding words for this anniversary year: community, generosity, and rest.

He reminded us of the extraordinary vision of Archbishop Holgate and challenged us to live more deeply into our foundation scripture, looking outward in service, acknowledging the debt we owe to our founder, and sharing the hope that the Christian faith offers to people of all faiths and none.
“One who is gracious to a poor person lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his good deed.” ,  — Proverbs 19:17

A Gathering of the Hospital Community

Founder’s Day is a cherished annual event for the Hospital Community. While attendance is by invitation only due to limited space and health and safety guidance, we warmly invited our wider community and online friends to hold us in prayer, giving thanks for the blessings Archbishop Holgate’s legacy continues to bring to Hemsworth and the surrounding area.
Following the Mass, the Hospital community — including Brothers and Sisters, the Master, volunteers, Trustees, friends, and local clergy — gathered in Ebor Hall for fellowship and an excellent buffet lunch. It was a joyful opportunity to reconnect, reflect, and celebrate the shared heritage that binds us together.

Giving Thanks for the Past, Living with Purpose Today

As we mark this significant anniversary, we continue to honour the spirit of Archbishop Holgate by living out his vision with renewed dedication. May the year ahead be shaped by the Christian values which are embodied within our foundation and by the gratitude we share for his lasting impact on our community.