Diocese of Leeds Website
My earliest memory of considering whether I might possibly be being called by the Lord to the Priesthood was around the age of 13. It was at the funeral Mass of Fr Peter Ward that the first thought of Priesthood entered my mind, inspired by the great fraternity shown by the Priests and Bishop gathered to pray for their brother. At that age I didn’t consider this much more than other possible future life or career plans. However, two years later when on my first Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes, the possibility that Priesthood might be in my future came to the fore in a more consistent way. Again, inspired by the Priests around me, taking this feeling to prayer in the perpetual adoration chapel, I began to feel a strong desire to know more about the vocation.
Following the pilgrimage, I joined the discernment process in the Diocese of Leeds and over the subsequent years prayed and considered my vocation. Following my time at University I became a teacher of Religious Education, and it was whilst working in a Catholic school teaching and sharing the faith with my students, that I became aware of the need to discern the Priesthood on a more fundamental level. In 2020 I applied to Seminary formation and following Bishop Marcus’ acceptance, began formation at St Mary’s College, Oscott in September 2021. I have recently finished my first Semester, and it has been a very enjoyable experience so far. I am looking forward in particular to my first Parish placement somewhere in the Diocese.
Please pray for me!