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I initially entered Ushaw Seminary in Durham when I was 18 years old and left after almost 3 years. Upon leaving, I started work in a supermarket and my career went from strength to strength! I have been blessed with a successful career in retail and wholesale at senior management level for various companies.

Initially, it was my Parish Priest and Assistant Priest who planted the seed of Priesthood by simply asking the question “have you thought about being a priest?”. After dismissing such a ridiculous idea that I could be a priest, the seed began to grow. After prayer and discerning with other priests and friends, I took the plunge and applied.

To my amazement I was accepted and began formation. Even during my working life after leaving Ushaw, the notion of priesthood never really went away. It was I who resisted it. Eventually, I realised that I had a second opportunity to say ‘yes’ to God and so, some 26 years later, I am back in formation, and have never been happier.

My initial perception of seminary was that it would be almost monastic, that everything would be done in silence with no freedom to go out into the big wide world. I was pleasantly cheered that this is not the case!

We spend a lot of time out in communities and are assigned to a local parish, attending Sunday Mass there as well as assisting in parish activities. Our pastoral placements take us into communities and so we have lots of opportunity for social interaction.

One of my favourite things about living at Oscott is the family feel around the house, felt in the way we interact with the domestic and maintenance staff along with the formation staff. We all look out for each other and care for each other. We all have each other’s best interests at heart.

Another is the privilege of living in such a beautiful and historic building. Our chapel is just stunning and the grounds are a great place to walk around in prayer or just to admire the beauty of creation.

I do enjoy the community aspect of seminary life. If you’re having ‘one of those days’, there is always someone to pick you up. It is true that you do make friends for life here and I am blessed with a good circle of friends with whom I laugh every day.

Obviously, community life can also be a challenge. Life here can be full on with our studies, prayer life and pastoral work. It is at these times when your friends come to your aid and we get through it together.

Seminary life has helped my discernment tremendously. Our pastoral placements are an incredibly important part of discerning. We are privileged to work amongst and with God’s people, from hospital, prison and university chaplains to the homeless and migrants. We are able to be witnesses of the Gospel. It gives you real experience of the role of a priest in today’s world.

Having had experiences of living and working in parishes, along with my pastoral placements and my life experience I see now, more than ever, the need for priests in our world. Not only in celebrating the Sacraments but in a much wider pastoral sense, proclaiming the Good News and fulfilling the instruction of Jesus: ‘bring them here to me’ (Mt 14:18).

To anyone considering the priesthood I would simply say: Do it!!

Pray, pray, pray and listen to what God is saying to you. Talk to others, talk to priests who you know, come and visit the seminary.

You are not on your own! There is a huge support network in the Church to help and guide you. Use every resource available to purposefully discern what God may be calling you to. Remember what Jesus tells us: “Do not be afraid.”