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| Fr Steve Pearson |
Regular readers may remember an earlier post about the joy of priesthood where we shared posts from the Lancaster vocations blog to read those follow the link or for the full entry by Fr Steve. Today we hear more from Fr Steve who shared something of his story as a priest with those attending the weekend masses. Posted below are a few highlights and a chance to see some of the places where he has lived out his calling as a priest.
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| St Mary's Barrow |
Born in the Holy town of Barrow and baptised in St Mary's, Barrow and received his other sacraments of initiation there. In this parish he was an altar server and reader.
After leaving school and working for five years he went to university in Kent, Canterbury and then went to Oscott Seminary. This is where another Steve Talbutt who was a previous contributer of Wednesday Word of Witness has gone to explore his vocation.
Fr Steve explained how he had enjoyed seminary life and made some good friends.
We've not got a photo of his time there but some years later (2010), Pope Benedict XVI visited Oscott Chapel - see right.
He was ordained in his parish church of St Mary's, Barrow on June 9th 1990 and will celebrate his silver jubilee next year.
His first appointment was in Our Lady's Carlisle where he was mentored and inspired by Monsignor Greg Turner who died in 2010 - for Fr O'Keefe's funeral homily of Fr Greg this well known diocesan priest.
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| Our Lady's and St Joseph's, Carlisle (Fr Steve 1990 - 1996) |
In 1996, Fr Steve came to spend six years at Lancaster University chaplaincy and shared how this had given him chance to learn much about ecumenism and students! Our own Deacon Jim Wood has until Christmas played a key role in university chaplaincy so stories they will be able to share as they get to know new students who attend the Cathedral whilst they study in Lancaster.
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| Screen capture of Lancaster University Chaplaincy, 2014 |
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| St Gregory's, Preston |
In 2002 he was appointed to St Gregory's, Preston which it would seem has close connections with Preston North End.
St Gregory the Great was a Pope from 590 to 604 - why not visit our Year of Faith timeline to find out more about him.
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| St Bernadette's, Bispham |
Moving from Preston to Blackpool where he has been parish priest for 9 years. In 2007, he was joined by the newly ordained Fr Stewart Keeley and in 2010 Fr Andrew Allman who had been at the Cathedral swapped parishes with Fr Stewart. There he celebrated the parishes 60th Anniversary.
And on 21st May 2014 he moved to the parish of St Peter's Cathedral and St Thomas More. As he noted in his message in the parish newsletter the spiritual adrenalin has started to flow as he begins the next adventure and phase of his faith journey back in Lancaster with the image of the Te Deum window to inspire as he says Mass.
For our final image a challenge, can you spot Fr Steve and the other three priests who have also served at the Cathedral.
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| Cathedral Clergy - Chrism Mass, 2014 |
Please pray for Fr Steve and for all the priests who have served the Cathedral parish community for the past 154 years.
