Sunday, 08 January 2012

Joseph Gee, one of our seminarians, was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Terence on Saturday afternoon at St John's Cathedral.  

Joe returns to the Venerable English College this weekend to continue his studies until his ordination to the Priesthood this summer.

The Cathedral was full of family and friends for a very special celebration of the Rite of Ordinarion of a Deacon during this Christmas season.  Family, with some extended family travelling over from Ireland, and friends gathered from round the diocese and the country to be with Joe on this special day.  Also present were a number of parishioners from his home parish of St Thomas More, Alkrington, as well as from the parishes around the diocese that Joe has been on placement during his studies.  

Before discerning his vocation and going to seminary Joe was a secondary school teacher in one of our Catholic High Schools. HIs has undertaken his studies for the priesthood at the Vernerable English College in Rome with studies in Philosphy and Theology and, for these last two years, studies for a licence in Spirituality. 

As Joe returns to Rome we wish him well in the final months of his studies and we look forward to his ordination to the Priesthood in the summer.  

If you would like to find out more about being a priest in our diocese please contact Fr David Featherstone, our Diocesan Promotor of Vocations.