Articles on Vocation and the Priesthood
Continuing our series of articles written by priests about their priestly life
A Priest's Story - 14
“ I first thought of priesthood at the age of 9 years, but I was to be 29 before I started seminary at Ushaw College. I come from a large family and to my knowledge no one from my family has ever become a priest or entered religious life.
After school I trained as an ophthalmic nurse, a job which I really enjoyed. The idea of priesthood was constantly in the back of my mind, but I used to dismiss it. I did not feel I would ever be able to do what a priest does. When I was about 16 years old I saw a Blue Peter programme about the life of St. Teresa of Lisieux. This programme as well as further reading helped me to realise that God is in the ordinary stuff of life. I later pursued a career in mental health. As I tried to support and listen to the people I met, I realised that all human unhappiness ultimately comes from spiritual poverty. We live in an affluent society but so many people today are searching for true meaning in life.
After a particularly difficult episode in my life, I found myself in the confessional. My parish priest at the time was Fr. Michael McFadden. Having “spilled my guts” I couldn’t wait to leave the confessional but Fr. Michael stopped me. He said, “I don’t know why I’m saying this Stephen, but have you ever thought about being a priest?” I was stunned, and felt I couldn’t leave the confessional without telling the truth. “Yes”, I said.
The years of discernment which followed were taxing but blessed. I still couldn’t believe that I could do what a priest is supposed to do. The very idea of being a priest and saying Mass terrified me. But when we start walking with Jesus we are never abandoned. One day I found myself answering the question of Jesus in the Gospel, “Who do you say that I am?” Amid my fears I replied “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”.
On the 25th June 2000 I was ordained alongside Fr. Jim Angus. The last seven years have passed so quickly. Diocesan priesthood is a wonderful life.”