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| Stephen receives a copy of the Bible from Bishop of Leeds |
Stephen Talbutt who is training to be a priest at the seminary Oscott College takes time to write and tell us about another step on his journey of faith. On Tuesday 10th March 2015, with nine other 2nd year students at Oscott College, he received his first ministry, that of Lectorate (reader). During the services the Bishop of Leeds stressed that it was not
just a stage on the way to priesthood but a ministry in its own right and
brought with it the challenge to read and pray daily on the Word of God and to
live it for the rest of life.
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| Seminarians and Bishop of Leeds after they received ministry of lectorate |
Stephen writes: For me the ministry of Lector(reader) was not something I thought about much, indeed before to starting seminary I had never heard of the minor orders. Looking back I think the application and assessment for Lectorate (reader) has been an opportunity to reflect on my first year of priestly formation, the highs and the lows. The formal assessment completed by the formation staff before receiving this ministry has also helped to encourage and challenge me and the other Seminarians, to take stock of our development.
Receiving the ministry does bring with it a sense of advancement and as well as being a stage we pass through in formation, it is also a ministry in its own right. During the service and prayer of blessing we were instructed to:
· Meditate constantly on the Word of God· Grow in wisdom which flows from that meditation· Faithfully proclaim the Word to the people in the parishes where we serve.
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| Stephen with his Mum Yvonne Talbutt |
“All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.”
– Julian of Norwich
Stephen Talbutt, Second year seminarian
for the Diocese of Lancaster
Stephen Talbutt, Second year seminarian
for the Diocese of Lancaster