VOCATIONS INFORMATION FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE OF LIVERPOOL

Our synodal journey reinforced our commitment to becoming a Church that values the vocation of all the baptised, but on the Fourth Sunday of Eastertide, we are reminded of the importance of praying in a special way for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. This Good Shepherd Sunday we have much to celebrate because this academic year is a significant one for vocations to the priesthood within our Archdiocese. God willing, by the end of July 5 men will have been ordained to the priesthood for our Archdiocese.

Fr Hugh Donleavy was ordained to the priesthood on 1 December at St Alban’s Church in Warrington and plans are underway for the ordination of Deacons James Finnegan and Martin Fyles (from the Venerable English College, Rome), Peter Ross (from St Mary’s College, Oscott) and Lister Tonge, (a former Anglican Minister). If all goes to plan, they will be ordained together in the Cathedral on 13 July.

There are currently three other men in formation for our Archdiocese in the Beda College, Rome and Allen Hall, London and two candidates currently involved in the process of applying to begin seminary in September.  Usually, on the first Saturday of each month a group of men gather together to reflect on the priesthood and to discern whether this is God’s calling for them. The road to the priesthood is long and these men need your continued prayer and the support you give to the Priest Training Fund collection that takes place today.

There is no one type of man that God is calling and our seminarians and discerners come from different backgrounds, have had a wide range of life experiences and cover a range of ages. Perhaps God is calling you!

If you think God might be calling you to serve as a priest within our Archdiocese and are ready to explore this further and perhaps meet other men who are thinking about their vocation, please contact the Vocations’ Director, Fr Ron Johnson either by telephoning the Parish of St Charles and St Thomas More in Aigburth on 0151 727 2493 or email