Rev Paul Grogan
Diocesan Priestly Vocations Director
Trinity And All Saints College
Brownberrie Lane
Leeds
LS18 5HD
Tel 0113 283 7199
Email dolvocs@aol.com
Men who are thinking about offering themselves for the priesthood have always been impressed by the witness of a particular priest, and often more than one. They perceive something special about the priest, notwithstanding his human frailties. The Holy Spirit ignites within them a desire to follow his example.
Accordingly, the best way to promote a culture of vocations is to invite priests to speak about their own vocational journey, or about an aspect of their ministry that brings them joy. A couple of years ago a number of priests in this diocese gave personal testimonies of this type, in addresses at deanery prayer services or in articles in the diocesan newspaper, and a good number appear below, in full or in the form of extracts. Their words have a lasting value; they are a source of encouragement to us all.
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| July 2010 | |
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The Church is missionary
At the annual Comboni Missionaries Open Day which was held at Leeds Trinity University College, Fr Bob Statton, MCCJ, preaching, described how mission lies at the heart of the life of the Blessed Trinity and therefore also of the Church. He stressed the importance of laying down our lives for the faith and mentioned that he knew personally 13 of the 25 Comboni missionaries who have been killed in recent times. The full text of his homily is given below. |
| May 2010 | |
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"The Fervour of a Priest's Life depends entirely on the Mass"
Mgr Billy Steele spoke to the discernment group on the above theme which was drawn from Pope Benedict's Letter proclaiming the beginning of the Year for Priests. Mgr Steele, who is a priest of this diocese, has contributed to ecumenical discussions at a national and international level and among other responsibilities has been dogma professor at St Cuthbert's College, Ushaw and spiritual director at the venerable English College in Rome. More>> |
| May 2010 | |
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Modelling ourselves on Christ
The evangelical counsels - poverty, chastity and obedience - allow us to model ourselves on Christ, Mgr Philip Holroyd told members of the discernment group in April 2010. He described them as a "school of love" and a "prophetic witness in the modern world." The importance of the counsels was underlined by Pope Benedict in his Letter proclaiming the Year for Priests. For Mgr Holroyd's whole talk, please see overleaf. More>> |
| July 2008 | |
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Discovering peace through commitment to prayer
Rev George Corrie, OSB, Parish Priest of St Mary's, Knaresborough and a monk of Ampleforth Abey, writes about his call to religious life in an address he gave at a Harrogate Deanery Prayer Service for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life in May. More>> |
| June 2008 | |
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Discovering God's call through others and through life situations
Fr Jack Kennedy, who has recently retired, notes that it can often take considerable time to discern God's call. That was certainly his situation. |
| June 2008 | |
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God sustains priests in their ministry throughout the challenges of life
Fr John Galvin, VF, the parish priest of St Francis' Morley, has served in five parishes in the diocese. Here he reflects on the privilege of sharing in people's joys and sorrows. |
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