On Thursday 2 October, on the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels, Archbishop John Sherrington welcomed 84 priests from across the archdiocese to the St Margaret Clitherow Centre for the annual Celebrating Priesthood Mass. The Mass is organised each year by Monsignor Phil Gregory, the episcopal vicar for clergy.

This year marked Archbishop John’s first Celebrating Priesthood Mass as principal celebrant, with Vicars General Bishop Tom Neylon and Canon Aidan Prescott concelebrating.

Also, in attendance were Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP, the Archbishop Emeritus of Liverpool, and Emeritus Bishops, Tom Williams and John Rawsthorne.

The Diocese of Nottingham was well represented as Archbishop Malcolm began his ministry there as a Bishop, Archbishop John was a priest of the diocese, and the guest homilist Canon Christopher Thomas also hails from the County. During his well-received homily, Canon Christopher joked that it was the beginning of a Nottingham takeover.

He frequently referred to the vocation of priesthood, and it’s link to the Guardian Angels. He said: “Angels do not abandon their posts. Priests too must remain steadfast, even in times of trial, loneliness or misunderstanding.

“To all who have gathered here today, is to celebrate this Mass and to pray in thanksgiving for priests, we are all invited to see our priests with new eyes. Just as God entrusted to you the invisible care of your guardian angel, he has also entrusted to you the visible ministry of the priesthood.

“Both are expressions of his loving providence. Both are companions on your journey towards the fullness of life in God's presence and the fruits of salvation."

He “asked us to pray for each other that we may thank God for the gifts received, and also for our guardian angels, because to be honest, in today's world, the battle for truth is real and fierce.”

Following the Mass there was a lunch during which the priests enjoyed the opportunity to share this moment of fraternity and fellowship, and moreover, to celebrate with this year’s jubilarians, who each received a papal blessing. Incidentally, the jubilarians combined years of priesthood comes to 585.

Those celebrating a Jubilee this year are as follows:

• Fr Michael de Felice, Fr Austin Griffin, Fr Sean O’Connor (Diamond– 60 years)‍
• Fr William Murphy (Golden – 50 years)‍
• Fr Joseph Bibby, Fr Graeme Dunne, Fr Peter Hannah, Fr Peter McGrail, Fr Ian O’Shea, Fr Tony Slingo, Fr Christopher Thomas (Ruby – 40 years)‍
• Fr Ron Johnson, Fr Matthew Nunes, Fr Gerard Tuite (Silver– 25 years)