I hope you had a good Easter season and that Pentecost has been a blessed time for you and that the Holy Spirit is moving you to discern your particular vocation.
Since I last blogged in early April I have had a holiday with my mum and dad and Fr Gerry on the west coast of Ireland, near Lahinch. It was a beautiful place and the people were very friendly and the food and Guinness were very good.
Vocations visits have taken me to Ushaw in Co. Durham, Valladolid in Spain and Rome in
Italy.( where else )
At Ushaw there was the celebration of Candidacy and one of our students was among those who received this ministry.
While at Valladolid Liverpool played in the European Cup Final, disappointing result. My visit also coincided with the arrival of 20+ priests from my own diocese who were in Salamanca on retreat and also Fr Peter Hopkinson from Salford diocese who is a classmate and friend of mine, so it was a great visit.
In Rome I was staying at the Beda College and happened to be there for the feast of St Bede, so we had a lovely Mass and we got a very good meal. I also visited the English College while I was there to see our student. Some people in the parish are amazed when they realise I have been in Rome and did not go to St Peter's nor see the Pope. I was only there for 2 nights.
This work for vocations to Priesthood in Liverpool Archdiocese is very rewarding but I have long felt it should be a full time appointment in every diocese. I have recently been appointed full time which I believe is a powerful statement by our Archdiocese of the importance of prayer and promotion of the priesthood. Please pray for me as I begin my full time role in September.
I am sad to be leaving the parish I am in at St Marie's in Standish. I have been here for 8 years and it has been very good to be here.
We are blessed this year in our Archdiocese with 4 new priests. 3 will be ordained this month (June) and 1 in September. This Saturday we have a diaconate ordination at Oscott College. This is a good year. If every year was like this one we would be doing well. I am convinced that there are men out there who would be good priests and could serve God and the Church. If you are one of them then contact your vocations director or talk to your own parish priest. It is a great lfe. Like any other it has its ups and downs but after 20 years as a priest I can tell you it is very rewarding.
if you are in the Liverpool Archdiocese and think you may have a vocation to the priesthood then please get in touch. I would like to hear from you and share your journey of discernment as you respond to God's will in your life.
Bye for now
God bless
Fr Steve

catching up

As you can seeIi have not been on for a while
quite a bit has happened so I will be posting a catch up in the next few days
thanks for the comments by email that you enjoy the blog and if it is stirring something in you to become a priest in Liverpool archdiocese then get in touch.
Fr Steve