On 2 December 2025, Fr Stephen Pritchard celebrated 30 years since his ordination into the priesthood – a vocation a very long way from his childhood dream of being an astronaut!

Fr Stephen said: “Priests don’t tend to celebrate 30 years of priesthood, but my 25th Jubilee was in the middle of the pandemic so I decided to mark the occasion.

“It was a modest celebration with the normal weekly midday Mass at my parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, Gateacre, but it was nice to welcome a few more parishioners than normal and a couple of friends to the Mass.”

Fr Stephen was ordained by Bishop Vincent Malone (as Archbishop Derek Worlock was ill at the time), at his home parish of St John Stone, Woodvale. Reflecting on the day he said: “It doesn’t feel like it was 30 years ago at all! Despite being a priest for three decades, I’m still learning a lot.

“Things were very different in 1995, there were 400 priests (diocesan and religious) in the diocese and over 100,000 Mass goers. The approach we as priests used even ten years ago can’t be used today so we are constantly learning and developing.”

A significant part of Fr Stephen’s time in the priesthood has been his work with youth. He added: “I’m honoured to have had the opportunity to work with so many young people.

“I spent 12 years establishing and leading Animate Youth Ministries and ten years as a chaplain at Liverpool Hope University. I’ve been privileged to lead five World Youth Day pilgrimages as well as lead the youth pilgrimage to Lourdes for many years.

“I first went to Lourdes when I was 16 years old, so becoming the youth director was a full circle moment. As I had attended as a youth, I could understand and develop the pilgrimage from young person’s point of view. I was only 30 at the time, which was a huge responsibility, but one I was so honoured to do.”

He also values his time working ecumenically as a city centre chaplain: “The experience enriched my ministry and deepened my understanding of faith in action.”

Looking ahead to the future, there’s no doubt that young people will be a key part of it. Fr Stephen added: “Young adults may be in the minority of the Catholic Church but they can make such a big impact. How we continue to develop young adults with their faith and lay ministry is fundamental.”

Fr Stephen concluded: “I’m very happy to be a priest, I’m part of a great parish here in Gateacre and I’m excited about the future of the Church.”