On July 16th, the diocese welcomed its newest priest Fr Andrew Allman. Andrew was ordained at Lancaster Cathedral by Bishop Patrick, during a Mass attended by hundreds from around the diocese, including coach groups from his most recent placements of St Joseph’s Skerton and St Mary’s Egremont, as well as his home parish of Holy Family Freckleton and Warton. He begins his priestly life at the Cathedral in September. Fr Andrew writes:

"What a weekend! Having run around in panic for most of the morning, I was calm but nervous as I entered the Cathedral for the ordination. It was wonderful to be supported by so many people. Family, friends, people from school and university, priests… the list goes on. I need not have panicked, of course. Everything went well. But more important than the smooth running of the ordination was the real reason for the event. After more than ten years in contact with the diocese, including six years of training, all the hard work had paid off. And although it felt like I was crossing a finish line, it is really only the beginning. The real work is about to start. The words spoken by the bishop as part of the ordination rite sum it up, “May God, who has begun the good work in you, bring it to fulfillment”. The ordination was day one of the fulfillment of those years of preparation. It was probably both the most wonderful and the most stressful day of my life. I hope it was also a day of rejoicing for the whole diocese, because the priesthood is not so much a gift to me as an individual as a gift to the whole Church. And it is not merely my work of the last few years that is now finding fulfilment, but the work and kindness of so many people at home, in my parish, at college and elsewhere who have supported me during the last few years. Thank you to everyone who has helped me, whether I know it or not, and may God bring his good work to fulfilment in each one of us."