Saturday, 26 June 2010

On a beautiful mid-summer's afternoon Bishop Terence and a large number of the priests of the Diocese and visiting priests gathered in St Patrick's church, Collyhurst, Manchester, for the Ordination to the Priesthood of Anthony Sudlow.  

It was a joyful occasion and a large congregation of family, 

friends, former colleagues and parishioners of St Patrick's gathered to witness the calling from the community and the gift of the Priesthood being conferred on one they knew so well.   

Fr Anthony is the first priest to be ordained for our diocese for a couple of years and the first of two ordinations that we have in the diocese this year and so it was extra special and joyful occasion.

In his professional life Fr Anthony had spent many years in banking and been a happily married man. Following the death of his wife in 2004 Fr Anthony continued to discern God's will for him in his life and eventually that path led him to consider life as a priest.  For the last four years he has spent time in formation for the priesthood at the Pontifical Beda College in Rome.

Fr Anthony received a warm welcome from the priests who were present at the ordination and the bishop and the priests are looking forward to him sharing in the ministry of the priesthood in our diocese.  In due time he will receive an appointment from the bishop and begin his ministry as a priest amongst us.

Present at the ordination, and assisting with serving at the altar and in leading the music, were five of our seminarians and also present were three of the five men that the bishop has accepted for seminary recently and who will begin their studies this September at various colleges.  Also present were a number of young men who are considering their vocation to the Priesthood. A day like today is a great boost to all priests, those who have celebrated their Golden Jubilees and those who are not long ordained as well as an inspiration to those who are in formation and those who considering a vocation to the priesthood in our diocese.

We wish Fr Anthony well in his new life as a priest.  Please remember him and all priests of our diocese in your prayers.  Ad multos annos. 

Photographs of the Ordination to the Priesthood Ceremony and Fr. Anthony Sudlow's Inauguaral Mass at St. Dunstan's can be viewed in the Gallery