Assisting Priest...

The Rev. Fr. Michael J. Bedford, SSC
 		 
The Rev. Fr. Michael J. Bedford, SSCBorn in the U. S. and educated in England, Father Bedford returned to the U. S. where he worked in the business equipment (computer) industry for thirty-seven years.  He was engaged in standardizing international computer communications for several years while also leading an International Committee in standardizing word processing equipment and software.  In addition to “computer” languages, “Fr. Mike” (as he is fondly known) has studied French, German, Russian, Spanish, Latin, Greek, and even Olde English.

Fr. Bedford is a “cradle” Episcopalian, who was called into the ministry at age forty-seven, serving first as a non-stipendiary deacon for five years at St. John’s, Plymouth, Michigan.  In 1981 he was placed in charge of St. Elizabeth’s parish in Redford, Michigan.  It was a good match, and the parish flourished and grew.  He was ordained a priest in 1982 and continued serving the parish for thirteen years until his retirement in 1994.  Following retirement, he served as Supply Priest to several “traditional parishes”.  Fr. Bedford is a member of the Societas Sanctae Crucis (Society of the Holy Cross), the oldest Anglican Order, which was founded in 1855 in Soho, London.

In August 1997, Fr. Kim, rector of St. John’s, Detroit, retired.  Fr. Bedford undertook the not-so-little effort of filling in at St. John’s.  He realized that the parish was going to need someone who knew a bit about the parish and its worship tradition to step in and allow some time for the parish to sort things out.  Fr. Bedford became our Supply Priest on September 1, 1997, and continued in that capacity until June 14, 1998, when an interim priest was found to take over.

Following the departure of that priest, Fr. Bedford, on June 4, 2000, again assumed the duties of Supply Priest and served until January 1, 2001, when the present rector, The Rev. Fr. Steven J. Kelly, SSC, was called to St. John’s.  In June, 2001, Fr. Kelly and the Vestry invited Fr. Bedford to serve as Assisting Priest, an invitation which he readily accepted.  He serves in the weekly Sunday liturgies and assists in parish responsibilities, under the rector's direction.

In addition to his “parish” family, Fr. Bedford is indeed blessed with a lovely wife, Mary, and together they have raised seven children, all of whom are useful and reliable citizens.  For many years Fr. Mike and Mary have made annual trips to England and Wales; he admits to slowing down a bit now, but he gets back to his second homeland whenever he is able.

Favourite hymns of Fr. Bedford are legion and include the following from The Hymnal, 1940:

[Audio versions of hymns temporarily unavailable]

  • Once to every man and nation – Tune: Ebenezer (Ton-y-botel) (#519)

  • Alleluia! sing to Jesus! – Tune: Hyfrydol (#347) {He spent five years in Wales}

  • Now thank we all our God – Tune: Nun danket (#276)

  • Glorious things of thee are spoken – Tune: Austria (#385)

  • Etc., etc., etc. – He claims he could go on and on!!!